Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of body condition on pregnancy rate of cows nellore under pasture in fixed time artificial insemination (tai) program

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of body condition on pregnancy rate of Nellore cows, commercial herd undergoing artificial insemination programs in fixed time (TAI). 181 cows were used multiparous Nellore, the coastal plains region of the state of Rio de Janeiro, with more than one hundred days after birth, kept on pasture and divided into two groups subjected to the same synchronization protocol for TAI (D0-2 , 0 mg of estradiol benzoate + device with 1.0 g bovine intravaginal progesterone implant removal D8-250? g of cloprostenol + + 300 IU of eCG, D9-Bz 1.0 mg. Estradiol, D10-TAI). The groups were divided according to body condition score (BCS with scale of 1-5) in Group I, n=96: BCS ? 3,0, Group II, n=85: BCS ? 2.5 ? 2.0. All females were exposed to bulls, from 24 hours to pass after TAI, remaining with them until the end of the breeding season. The overall pregnancy rate was 86.5% (83:96) and 65.9% (56:85) for group I and group II, respectively. Data were evaluated by chi-square analysis and the results show a statistically significant difference (P <0.05) between groups, which may be concluded that the females of poor body condition (BCS ? 2.0 ? 2.5 ), have lower pregnancy rates compared to those best condition (BCS ? 3) when subjected to TAI program.
An Anatomical and Phylogenetic Study of the Osteology of the Petrosal of Extant and Extinct Artiodactylans (Mammalia) and Relatives

Abstract I describe and figure petrosal bones for a sample of 35 (12 extinct, 23 extant) artiodactylans, perissodactylans, †mesonychids, and archaic ungulates. Detailed herein are the cladistic characters of the petrosal used in the recent combined analysis of molecular and morphological data by Spaulding et al. (2009). That analysis, the largest in taxa and characters for artiodactylans (including cetaceans) to date, showed that hippopotamids are the closest living relatives of cetaceans. It also showed that in the shortest trees †Indohyus is on the stem lineage to Cetacea and that †mesonychians are positioned outside Artiodactyla; however, these positions for fossils are highly unstable, as †mesonychians are more closely related to cetaceans than is †Indohyus in trees only two steps longer. I show that in many ways the osteology of the hippopotamid ear resembles that of certain stem cetaceamorphans more than it resembles the ear regions of suines (pigs and peccaries). Previous studies have suggested that many artiodactylans lacked an inflated tegmen tympani of the petrosal; however, that generalization is not supported by data presented herein. Petrosal characters, such as the presence of the prefacial commissure fossa, presence of a convex and hyperinflated tegmen tympani, and the absence of a subarcuate fossa, are shown to be synapomorphies of hippopotamids and cetaceans. Some of these features were previously argued to represent a special similarity between †mesonychids and cetaceans, but these are here interpreted as homoplasies. Other features previously argued to be extremely similar between †mesonychians and cetaceans to the exclusion of other ungulates, such as the presence of the anterior process of the tegmen tympani, are shown to be more widely distributed among ungulates than previously recognized. A number of artiodactylans, including ruminants, are also shown to have transpromontorial sulci on the petrosal despite reports that the internal carotid artery is absent in the neck of ruminants. The petrosals of †anthracothere and †entelodont species exhibit varied morphology, with the †anthracothere †Bothriogenys having the greatest gross similarity to the hippopotamid and cetaceamorphan condition; however, shortest trees indicate that these similarities are convergent.
Examination of the expression of genes and proteins controlling M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum growth in steers

The first study conducted investigated the effect of sire breed and genetic merit for growth potential of the transcriptional regulation of the somatotropic axis followed by a proteomic approach to assess differentially abundant proteins. Following this, a second study was set up to examine the compensatory growth phenomena in cattle which aimed to investigate the effect of feed restriction and feed realimentation on animal production and physiological variables and the residual effects on meat quality attributes. The final chapter in this thesis focused on the transcriptional regulation of compensatory growth in M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum in crossbred Aberdeen Angus steers. It is evident from this thesis that genetic merit for growth potential in cattle is under molecular control and chapters 3 and 4 offer revealing insight into the somatotropic axis and glucose metabolism. RNAseq, a highly sensitive approach to transcriptome sequencing, was used to conduct the transcriptional sequencing analysis in chapter 7. During the differential feeding period, gene pathways relating to lipid metabolism were significantly different between the two treatments and consistent with plasma leptin concentrations and ultrasonically scanned fat depth data (chapter 5). During the realimentation period, when previously restricted steers were experiencing compensatory growth, the TGF-βR1 gene involved in the TGF-β signalling pathway, a negative regulator of growth, was down-regulated in expression. The results obtained from this study offer a novel insight into key regulatory genes and pathways controlling compensatory growth in skeletal muscle of cattle which following appropriate validation may be incorporated into genomically assisted selection strategies for beef cattle. Overall, this thesis has offered significant insight into key pathways regulating growth in cattle such as the somatotropic, glycolytic and TGF-β signalling pathways.
Taurine Intakes Increase Superoxide Dismutase Activity in Knee Osteoarthritis

The aim of this research was to determine the correlation between taurine intake with superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients. In OA, there is a state of oxidative stress that will increase the progression of osteoarthritis and the risk of disability. Superoxide dismutase is an enzymatic antioxidant which can suppress the increase of free radicals since early time. Taurine is known to have several roles in the human body, such as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective. This study used cross sectional design involving 56 knee OA subjects’ grade II-IV, aged 40-60 years old that were recruited through consecutive sampling. Taurine intake was obtained by semiquantitative FFQ method. The SOD activity in whole blood was measured using RANSOD SD 125 with spectrophotometric method. The statistical analysis that had been done used SPSS with a correlation test. The intake of taurine was 59.77 mg per day and the SOD activity was 274.97 Unit per mL. This research found a significantly positive correlation (r = 0,284, p = 0,034) between taurine intakes and SOD activity in patients with knee OA. For the conclusion the taurine intake may have a role with the SOD activity in patients with knee OA.
Lycopene in tomatoes and tomato pulp fractions

Lycopene, a carotenoid, is mainly responsible for the characteristic red colour in tomato fruit. HPLC and a spectrophotometric method were used to estimate lycopene in different fractions of tomato fruit such as tomato skin, the water insoluble fraction, the water soluble fraction and the fraction rich in fibre and soluble solids. The results indicated that 72 to 92% of the lycopene was associated with the water insoluble fraction and the skin. The tomato pulp fraction, rich in fibre, had more lycopene (42.3 mg/100 g) compared to the water soluble fraction (4.0 mg/100 g). Results indicate that lycopene can be accurately estimated by using either HPLC or the spectrophotometric method.
Genetic evaluation of partial growth trajectory of Santa Ins breed using random regression models

Foram utilizados 19.303 registros de peso de ovinos da raca Santa Ines com os objetivos de avaliar funcoes polinomiais com diferentes ordens para melhor ajuste das regressoes fixas e aleatorias da trajetoria de crescimento e estimar os componentes de covariância e os parâmetros geneticos desta trajetoria. Os efeitos fixos utilizados nas analises foram grupo de contemporâneos, sexo e tipo de nascimento. Para ajuste da regressao fixa da trajetoria media de crescimento, foram avaliados polinomios ordinarios e de Legendre com ordens variando de 2 a 4. Para as regressoes aleatorias, foram avaliadas as funcoes de Legendre e β-spline quadratica, com ordens variando de 3 a 4. As funcoes com polinomios de Legendre de quarta ordem foram adequadas para ajustar a parte aleatoria, enquanto os polinomios ordinarios de terceira ordem foram melhores para ajustar a parte fixa. As herdabilidades diretas nos dias 1, 50, 150, 250 e 411 foram de 0,24; 0,12; 0,44; 0,84; e 0,96, respectivamente, enquanto as herdabilidades maternas nessas idades foram de 0,24; 0,19; 0,09; 0,02 e 0,01. As correlacoes geneticas entre pesos em idades subsequentes foram elevadas, tendendo a unidade, e houve correlacoes negativas entre pesos tomados em idades mais jovens e aqueles tomados em idades mais avancadas. A variabilidade genetica observada permite alterar a trajetoria de crescimento por meio de selecao. O controle genetico dos pesos nas fases iniciais do crescimento nao e o mesmo que atua em idades mais tardias. Assim, a selecao de animais para abate em idade jovem deve ser diferente daquela para animais de reposicao no rebanho.
Microtines: a Model System for Studying the Evolution and Regulation of Social Monogamy

In mammals monogamy occurs in a form known as social monogamy, which is defined not by sexual exclusivity, but by a suite of characteristics including the formation of long-term pair bonds, biparental care of offspring, incest avoidance, and a lack of sexual dimorphism. In this review we examine the contribution that comparative studies using rodents of the genus Microtus(voles) have made to understanding the evolution of social monogamy and the underlying mechanisms, including the neural circuitry, that regulate the expression of monogamy. Studies with Microtus species support the hypothesis that monogamy may evolve under harsh conditions, while also suggesting that female sexual selection may help to maintain monogamy. The evolution of monogamy in mammals requires an increase in the expression of male prosocial behaviors, such as affiliation, which facilitate pair bond formation and male parental care. The increased expression of prosocial behaviors associated with monogamy are the product of the interaction of neuropeptides, oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (AVP), and steroids. OT and AVP regulate the expression of pair bonds and parental care and polygynous and monogamous voles express significantly different patterns of OT and V1a (AVP) receptors. While comparative studies have provided insight into the regulation of social monogamy in microtines, the occurrence of intraspecific variation and behavioral plasticity has provided even greater understanding of its regulation. For example, under some conditions polygynous meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) males display paternal behavior. Despite the fact that they display the V1a receptor pattern associated with polygyny, central administration of vasopressin stimulates the expression of paternal behavior. In the monogamous prairie vole(Microtus ochrogaster), voles from Illinois display high levels of prosocial behavior, while prairie voles from Kansas are much less social and are sexually dimorphic. While the expression of OT or V1a receptor patterns does not differ between the two populations there is a significant difference, especially in males, in the expression of estrogen receptors (ER). Illinois males express significantly lower levels of ERα in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and the medial amygdala, two regions of the brain that regulate the expression of affiliation and aggression, than males from Kansas. This suggests that a lack of sensitivity to estrogen may permit the expression of high levels of prosocial behavior and a reduction in certain types of aggression.
Biochemical and non-specific immune parameters of healthy nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), blue tilapia (Oreochromis aureus) and their interspecific hybrid (♂ O. aureus × ♀ O. niloticus) maintained in semi-intensive culture system.

Oreochromis niloticus, Oreochromis aureus and their interspecific hybrid tilapia (♂ O. aureus x ♀ O. niloticus) maintained under semi-intensive culture system were compared in a preliminary study to explore the variations in blood biochemical and non-specific immunological parameters. Comparisons were performed after one week of acclimation (“base-line” level). Serum cholesterol, albumin, SGPT and SGOT level were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the purebred O. aureus than the purebred O. niloticus and their crossbred hybrid. The tested genotypes showed insignificant difference (P>0.05) in total protein, globulin and urea. Additionally, the levels of ALP and uric acid were significantly higher (P<0.05) in both ♂O. aureus and the crossbred hybrid (♂O. aureus x ♀O. niloticus). On the other hand, the level of creatinine was significantly higher in the purebred O. niloticus followed by the crossbred hybrid and then the purebred O. aureus but still without a significant difference (P>0.05) between the latter two genotypes. The phagocytic activity and phagocytic index were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the crossbred hybrid (♂O. aureus x ♀O. niloticus) than the other purebred genotypes. The differences identified suggest that hybrid families from the two species would be used to construct a segregating population for genetic analysis of immunological traits in tilapia. But still, a larger sample size obtained from populations cultured under different managemental practices should be used and challenged to learn if the differences are large enough to produce a segregating population for genetic analysis of immunological traits and disease resistance.
The Effects of Lycra Arm Sleeve on Glenohumeral Subluxation in Poststroke Hemiplegia—A Preliminary Study

Introduction The primary aim of this preliminary prospective cross-sectional study was to assess the effects of Lycra arm sleeves on the glenohumeral subluxation (acromiongreater tuberosity distance) in people with poststroke hemiplegia. A secondary aim was to explore patients' perceptions regarding the practicality of applying the Lycra arm sleeve. The setting was community care in South West England. Participants were patients with chronic stroke (n = 5; 2 men, 3 women; mean ± SD age, 51 ± 8 years) with one-sided weakness. Materials and Methods Patients were instructed to wear the Lycra arm sleeve for 7 hrs a day for 7 consecutive days. Ultrasound measurements of acromion greater tuberosity (AGT) distance, numerical rating scale for pain, and upper-limb function using the Motor Assessment Scale were recorded before and immediately after application of the sleeve on day 1 and day 8. A questionnaire was completed by patients on day 8 to explore perceptions. Results Analysis of the data using an analysis of variance for a 2 × 2 fully repeated measure design suggests that 1) there is no significant mean difference in AGT distance between day 1 and day 8 (F(1,4) = 1.28, MSE = 0.014, P = 0.322) 2); there is a significant mean difference in AGT distance due to wearing of sleeve (F(1,4) = 19.258, MSE = 0.011, P = 0.012); and 3) the change in AGT distance on day 1 due to wearing of sleeve is not statistically different from the change on day 8 (F(1,4) = 0.537, MSE = 0.008, P = 0.504). Three patients experienced decreased pain, and one patient showed improvement in the upper-limb function score. The mean time the Lycra arm sleeve was worn each day was 6.7 hrs. Three patients found the sleeve easy to wear and 4 patients found the sleeve beneficial. Conclusions Trends toward reduction in mean AGT distance suggest Lycra arm sleeves may be beneficial in glenohumeral subluxation (GHS) management. Further research is required to establish their effectiveness in acute and chronic settings using a well-designed fully powered randomized controlled trial.
Inheritance of seed size in chickpea

Six lines of chickpeas (Cicer arietinum) with a range of seed size from 10.42 to 58.42 g per 100 seeds were used in a complete diallel cross to study the inheritance of seed size. Parent lines, 15 F1s, 15 F2s, 15 BC2s were grown at Tel Hadya, Syria, during 1988-89. Combining ability and generation mean analyses showed that both additive and non-additive gene effects were important with the preponderance of additive gene action for seed size. Combining ability, graphical and generation means analyses revealed the partial dominance of small over large seed size suggesting that seed size is governed by recessive genes. Therefore, it is suggested that a backcross with a large-seeded parent may enhance the chances of large-seeded segregants. Generation mean analysis helped in detection of epistasis in 11 out of 15 crosses. Among epistatic effects, additive × additive effects, were noticed in 6 crosses, additive × dominance effects in 4 crosses, and dominance × dominance effects in 6 crosses. The narrow-sense heritability of seed size was > 95%. As dominance and genic interactions also played a significant role, it is suggested to delay the selection of large seed size to F3 generations onward so that these effects are reduced. Bulk-pedigree method is suggested for the improvement of seed size in chickpea.
Effect of Plant Growth Regulators on Rooting Behaviour of Cuttings of Dalbergia latifolia Roxb. and Dalbergia sissoo Roxb.

The effect of Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs) on rooting of cuttings were studied in two species D. latifolia and D. sissoo . Among PGRs taken (2000 ppm, 5000 ppm, 8000 ppm of IBA and Surootex-05 in powder form), IBA 5000 ppm showed significant effect on all the parameters regarding rooting behaviour. So far species are concerned D. Sissoo showed pronounced effects on aforesaid characters in comparison to D. latifolia .
Oxygen isotopic evidence for accretion of Earth’s water before a high-energy Moon-forming giant impact

We show that the bulk of Earth’s water was delivered before the high-energy collision that led to the formation of the Moon. The Earth-Moon system likely formed as a result of a collision between two large planetary objects. Debate about their relative masses, the impact energy involved, and the extent of isotopic homogenization continues. We present the results of a high-precision oxygen isotope study of an extensive suite of lunar and terrestrial samples. We demonstrate that lunar rocks and terrestrial basalts show a 3 to 4 ppm (parts per million), statistically resolvable, difference in Δ17O. Taking aubrite meteorites as a candidate impactor material, we show that the giant impact scenario involved nearly complete mixing between the target and impactor. Alternatively, the degree of similarity between the Δ17O values of the impactor and the proto-Earth must have been significantly closer than that between Earth and aubrites. If the Earth-Moon system evolved from an initially highly vaporized and isotopically homogenized state, as indicated by recent dynamical models, then the terrestrial basalt-lunar oxygen isotope difference detected by our study may be a reflection of post–giant impact additions to Earth. On the basis of this assumption, our data indicate that post–giant impact additions to Earth could have contributed between 5 and 30% of Earth’s water, depending on global water estimates. Consequently, our data indicate that the bulk of Earth’s water was accreted before the giant impact and not later, as often proposed.
Nutritional evaluation of various feedstuffs for livestock production using in vitro gas method.

A study was undertaken to evaluate the nutritional quality of some conventional and non-conventional feed resources by using in vitro gas method. Samples of various feedstuffs were analyzed chemically, as well as by in vitro gas method. The feedstuffs having different digestibilities showed significant (P<0.05) differences in the rate and amount of gas production, metabolizable energy (ME) and digestibility of organic matter. Predicted metabolizable energy values were very low in feedstuffs having high fiber and low protein contents. These feedstuffs included various grasses, crop residues and wheal straw. Lowest ME value of 4.7 MJ/kg of dry matter (DM) was found in wheat straw. Many of the roughages (Sorghum vulgare, Kochia indica, Leptochloa fusca) studied were found to be deficient in fermentable carbohydrates, resulting in low organic matter digestibility. Concentrate feed stuffs like cotton seed meal, sunflower meal, cotton seed cakes, rice polish, rapeseed meal and Zea mays (maize) grains had higher ME values (9.27 - 12.44 MJ/kg DM). The difference of ME of various feedstuffs reflects different contents of fermentable carbohydrates and available nitrogen in cereals and protein supplements. Among the non-conventional feedstuffs, Acacia ampliceps, Acacia nilotica, Sesbania aculeata, Leptochloa fusca and Prosopis juliflora were found potential fodders. Extensive use of in vitro gas method proved its potential as a tool to evaluate various ruminant feeds for energy component.
Otosclerosis - identifying genetic contributions to a complex hearing disorder

Otosclerosis is a common form of adult-onset hearing loss. It is a complex disease that most likely involves multiple genetic and environmental factors. We know that a genetic component for otosclerosis exists because of the overwhelming ethnic bias and the fact that nearly half of patients report a family history. Many family linkage studies and candidate gene association studies have been performed; however, diseasecausing mutations remain elusive. The disease is caused by abnormal bone remodeling in the otic capsule, which normally undergoes very little remodeling after development and ossification. This is in stark contrast to the rest of the skeleton, which undergoes bone turn over at a rate of nearly 10% per year. How the otic capsule remains in such a static state is under investigation, but initial studies suggest that bone remodeling inhibitors produced by the inner ear are responsible. In patients with otosclerosis it is uncertain what events trigger this abnormal bone remodeling. To determine its cause, many environmental and genetic factors have been entertained. However, even with decades of research on the disease, we still know little about its etiology. My thesis work has aimed to identify molecular and genetic contributors to the disease. To do this, I have performed a global gene expression analysis of otosclerotic tissue to determine what genes are differentially expressed in the disease compared to control tissue. This study has identified a number of differentially expressed genes and pathways potentially involved in the disease. To complement this work, I also performed a genome-wide association study, in collaboration with a group from Belgium. Together we identified an unexpected gene, RELN, as being associated with otosclerosis in six different European populations. This marks the first successful genome-wide association study for a hearing impairment. I have also identified rare variants in several candidate