Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mechanism of Prostate Cancer Prevention by Down-Regulation of the GH/IGF Axis

Abstract : The purpose of this project was to test the hypothesis that growth hormone (GH) stimulates specific pathways, some of which are independent of IGF-I, for promoting proliferation and inhibiting death in prostate cancer cells. The first aim was to determine which of the multiple signaling pathways stimulated by GH receptor are required to promote prostate cancer. Our strategy was to cross mice that develop prostate cancers due to a large T antigen (TAg) transgene with mice that lack discrete segments of the intracellular portion of the GH receptor. We have not yet completed this experiment due to insufficient breeder fecundity but the studies should be complete by October of this year. To assess the relative contribution of IGF-I and GH to prostate carcinogenesis, we grafted prostate tissue harboring the TAg transgene. The grafts were either Ghr+/+ or Ghr-/- and therefore were able to respond to IGF-I but not detect GH. Our results suggest that IGF-I is the major driver of carcinogenesis. We also planned to propagate human prostate cancer cells in vitro and expose them to a human growth hormone antagonist. In vitro, however, the cells were neither stimulated by recombinant human GH nor inhibited by GH antagonist. Studies GH antagonist mice demonstrated that the presence of a GH antagonist can significantly retard the progression of prostate carcinogenesis driven by the powerful SV40 oncogene.
Genetic analysis of White Leghorn pure lines using RAPD-PCR and Immunocompetence.

Three pure lines of White Leghorn, namely IWH, IWI and IWK are maintained at Project Directorate on Poultry, India along with a pedigreed random bred control population. The IWH and IWI were selected for part period egg number and IWK was selected for egg number initially and followed by feed efficiency. Molecular characterization was carried out through RAPD-PCR analysis of IWH, IWI, IWK and control populations. Humoral response to sheep RBC (SRBC) was evaluated in these populations to observe the immunocompetence. A total of 29 (out of 47) random primers (decamers) amplified the genomic DNA and generated bands in the size range of 108 to 5000 bp. The intrapopulation genetic similarity was highest in IWK (0.7591), followed by control (0.7534), IWH (0.7457) and IWI (0.7310), which indicated that more amount of genetic variation exists in IWH and IWI lines at molecular level and there is enough scope of selection in these two populations. The interpopulation genetic similarity between IWH and IWI was maximum among all the pair wise comparison which could be due to the fact that same selection criteria were used in these two populations. The interpopulation genetic similarity between IWH and IWK was lowest indicating that these two populations are wider at molecular level which is as per our expectation owing to the variable selection criteria followed in these two populations. The genetic distances between different pure lines varied marginally. The genetic distance between IWH and IWK was highest and between IWI and IWK was lowest. The Mean Average Percentage Difference (MAPD) between different groups varied between 56.16% (IWI and IWH) to 59.02% (IWK and IWH). The mean of the anti-SRBC titre in IWH, IWI, IWK and control population was 7.18, 6.46, 5.46 and 5.91, respectively. The heritability estimate of SRBC titre were moderate in pure lines and low in control population.
Blood Oxygen Transport

The sections in this article are: 1 Anatomy of the Hemoglobin Molecule 2 Molecular Basis for Cooperative Oxygen Binding 3 Allosteric Modification of Oxygen Binding 3.1 Protons 3.2 Organic Phosphates 3.3 Interaction Between Hemoglobin and Carbon Dioxide 4 Oxygen-Hemoglobin Equilibrium Curve 4.1 General Aspects 4.2 Methodological Aspects 5 Oxygen Transport of Hemoglobin During Development 5.1 Embryonic Period 5.2 Fetal Period 5.3 Postnatal Period 6 Effects of Hypoxic Hypoxia 6.1 Animals Residing at High Altitude 6.2 Natives at High Altitude 6.3 Sojourners at High Altitude 7 Kinetics of Oxygen Binding and Dissociation 7.1 Combination and Dissociation Velocity of the First and Last Oxygen-Binding Step 7.2 Overall Rates of Oxygen Association and Dissociation in Hemoglobin Solutions 7.3 Comparison of Oxygen Combination and Dissociation Velocity in Hemoglobin Solutions and Red Blood Cells 8 Pathological Hemoglobins 8.1 Hemoglobins With Altered Oxygen Affinity
Morphological and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) data show that New Zealand endemic Myosotis petiolata (Boraginaceae) comprises three rare and threatened species

Abstract. Species delimitation is of critical importance in systematics and biological and conservation research. The general-lineage species concept, which defines species as separately evolving metapopulation lineages, considers multiple lines of evidence to identify lineages and delimit species boundaries. Here, we apply the general-lineage concept to the New Zealand endemic Myosotis petiolata Hook.f. (Boraginaceae) species complex, to test its usefulness in the New Zealand Myosotis L. species radiation. We aimed to determine whether the complex contains separately evolving lineages to assess the criteria of monophyly, distinct genotypic clusters and fixed morphological differences by using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and morphological data. The use of multiple criteria to identify separately evolving lineages within the M. petiolata complex was effective, but the different criteria were satisfied to varying degrees. Species rank is recommended for each of the currently recognised varieties as Myosotis pottsiana (L.B.Moore) Meudt, Prebble, R.J.Stanley & Thorsen (comb. & stat. nov.), M. pansa (L.B.Moore) Meudt, Prebble, R.J.Stanley & Thorsen (comb. & stat. nov.) and M. petiolata Hook.f. (North Island individuals only). A new allopatric subspecies, M. pansa subsp. praeceps Meudt, Prebble, R.J.Stanley & Thorsen (subsp. nov.), is also described. The distinguishing morphological characters and conservation status of each species are discussed. In addition, the low genetic diversity revealed in our population genetic analyses, coupled with few, fluctuating, disjunct populations, underscores the conservation priority of these three rare endemic New Zealand species.
An external mandibular fenestra and other archosauriform characters in basal pterosaurs re-examined

It was claimed that pterosaurs had external mandibular fenestrae, antorbital fossae and muscle scars homologous with the femoral fourth trochanter of archosauriforms, and that those characters suggested that the Pterosauria were within the clade Erythrosuchus + Archosauria. Pertinent parts of available specimens are described to confirm that one pterosaur had external mandibular fenestrae and one had antorbital fossae. However, arguments are presented that possession of external mandibular fenestrae does not support inclusion of the Pterosauria within the clade Erythrosuchus + Archosauria and that the antorbital fossae in the one pterosaur are not homologous with those of the clade Erythrosuchus + Archosauria. Arguments are also presented that the possession of a m. caudofemoralis scar by some pterosaurs does not support inclusion of the Pterosauria within the clade Erythrosuchus + Archosauria, whereas the lack of homologous antorbital fossae and a mound-like or aliform fourth trochanter supports exclusion of the Pterosauria from that clade.
Principales géneros bacterianos aislados de leche de cabra en dos granjas del municipio de Tequisquiapan, Querétaro, México

El termino “mastitis” se utiliza para referirse a la inflamacion de la glandula mamaria. A pesar de las perdidas economicas que produce en cabras lecheras, existe escasa informacion relativa al estado epidemiologico de la misma en nuestro pais. El objetivo de este trabajo fue identificar bacterias presentes en leche cruda de cabras clinicamente sanas, obtenida en sistemas de produccion intensivo y semi-intensivo por metodos microbiologicos tradicionales. Se trabajaron con 28 animales en sistema de produccion intensiva y 33 animales en sistema de produccion semiintensiva, provenientes del Centro de Ensenanza, Investigacion y Extension en Produccion Animal en Altiplano (CEIEPAA) perteneciente a la FMVZ-UNAM y la granja del Carmen, ambas ubicadas en Tequisquiapan, Queretaro, Mexico. De cada una de las cabras se obtuvieron muestras de ambas glandulas, se realizaron muestreos cada 45 dias junto con la prueba de California de las cabras seleccionadas hasta los 240 dias de lactacion. Se recibieron un total de 484 muestras para analisis bacteriologico tradicional, 90 muestras (18.6 %) presentaron crecimiento bacteriano, de las cuales se recuperaron 97 aislados. Los generos bacterianos aislados con mayor frecuencia fueron Staphylococcus coagulasa Negativo (SCN) 62/97 (63.9 %), Streptococus uberis 10/97 (10.3 %) y Staphylococcus aureus 5/97 (5.1 %). De acuerdo al analisis estadistico, no existen diferencias entre los dos principales generos bacterianos aislados en ambos sistemas de produccion.
Role of the Nucleus Accumbens and Mesolimbic Dopamine System in Modulating the Memory of Social Defeat in Male Syrian Hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)

Psychological stressors such as social stress and bullying are prevalent in today’s society. Disorders such as PTSD, depression and social anxiety disorder can be either caused or exacerbated by social stress and treatment options are not always effective in providing relief for these disorders. Our laboratory studies a form of social stress termed conditioned defeat, whereby a defeated Syrian hamster no longer displays species-typical territorial aggression but instead is submissive and defensive toward an intruder in its own cage. We hypothesized that the nucleus accumbens is a necessary component of the circuit mediating the acquisition and expression of conditioned defeat and that dopamine is necessary within the nucleus accumbens for inducing memory processes as well as expression of behavioral responses to stressful situations. We also hypothesized that defeat activates dopaminergic and/or nondopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and that dopamine released by neurons projecting from the VTA to the nucleus accumbens and basolateral amygdala (BLA) increases neuronal activation of these structures during defeat. We found that dopamine, but not GABA, modulates memory of social defeat within the nucleus accumbens. However, GABA does affect the expression of behavioral responses to social defeat. Defeat also increased Fos activation of nondopaminergic neurons, but it did not increase activation of dopaminergic neurons. Baclofen infusion into the VTA prior to defeat, which was hypothesized to specifically inhibit dopaminergic neurons, did not affect Fos activation within the nucleus accumbens and the basolateral amygdala. These experiments determined that dopamine does modulate memory of social defeat within the nucleus accumbens, but it is currently unclear what the source of this dopamine is. Future experiments are planned to determine this source of dopamine that could be a target of treatment for disorders that are caused or exacerbated by social stress. INDEX WORDS: Nucleus accumbens, conditioned defeat, mesolimbic dopamine system ROLE OF THE NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS AND MESOLIMBIC DOPAMINE SYSTEM IN MODULATING THE MEMORY OF SOCIAL DEFEAT IN MALE SYRIAN HAMSTERS (Mesocricetus auratus)
Optimum NPK management over extended cropping periods in the shifting cultivation system of south-west Cóte d'Ivoire.

In the Tai region of south-west Cote d'Ivoire P is the yield-limiting nutrient on (moderately) well drained soils. In order to find the optimum P application rate, a factorial experiment (2N x 4P x 2K) in three replicates was conducted at two sites during six seasons. The factors investigated were N (0 or 50 kg/ha), P (0, 12.5, 25 or 50 kg P) and K (0 or 50 kg K). N (urea) and K (muriate of potash) applications were split into two equal parts and broadcast. From the third season onwards the N application was raised to 100 kg N. P (triple superphosphate) was placed near the young plants. Upland rice and maize were used as test crops. The experimental sites were located at the crest (Site VII) and lower slope (Site VIII) of a catena. In the first season after clearing at Site VII highest yields were obtained with 12.5 kg P and at Site VIII with an application of 25 kg P. At the latter site also N application increased yields. In an extended cropping period the rice yield level could not be maintained. The efficiency of utilization of absorbed P (EUP) of rice was high in the first season after clearing but decreased in subsequent seasons. This is in contrast to EUP for maize which remained constant with time. Hence, it is concluded that the rice yield decline is caused by other factors than nutrient deficiencies. In all seasons yields were higher at Site VII than at Site VIII. The residual effect of fertilizer-P could reasonably well be described by a simple formula: RFP1 = (0.9 - RFP1)t-1 x RFP1, where RFP and RFP1 are the apparent recovery fractions of fertilizer P in year t and year 1, respectively. In all seasons, except in the first season after clearing, the potential P supply was higher at the crest (Site VII) than at the lower slope (Site VIII). Extending the cropping period proved possible when fertilizers were applied and maize was grown. For both sites fertilizer guidelines could be formulated. Comparison of soil chemical data (pH, organic C, total N and total P) before the start of the experiment and after six seasons did not show changes.
Correlation between Anthocyanin and Essential Oil Content of Damask Rose (Rosa damascena Mill.)

The essential oil of Rosa damascena Mill. is one of the most valuable and important base material in the flavor and fragrance industry. It has also some medicinal properties. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between anthocyanin and essential oil content of Damask rose petals in 6 important Damask rose growing in some locations of Iran i.e. Meimand, Layzangan, Shiraz Eram Botanical Garden, Shiraz College of Agriculture, Kashan and Urumia. The results of this investigation indicated that the essential oil and anthocyanin contents were significantly different in the petals harvested at various locations. The highest oil content (0.155%) and anthocyanin content (2.368) was obtained from the Shiraz Eram Botanical Garden. A high positive correlation (r Sq Linear = 0.812) was obtained between oil and anthocyanin content of Damask rose.
Conservação de mamão minimamente processado com uso de revestimento comestível à base de goma xantana

The objective of this study was to evaluate the preservation of papaya minimally processed by the use of edible coatings based on xanthan gum for 12 days at 4±1 °C. Different treatments were performed: control (T1) uncoated; 1 % glycerol and 0.5 % xanthan gum (T2); 1 % glycerol, 0.5 % xanthan gum and 1 % chitosan (T3); 1 % glycerol, 0.5 % xanthan gum and 0.25 % guar gum (T4); 1 % glycerol, 0.5 % xanthan gum, 0.25 % guar gum and 1 % chitosan (T5). Such coatings were prepared in aqueous solution and added to them 1% glycerol. In the control treatment and the coated pieces of papaya were analyzed weight loss, firmness, pH, titratable acidity, color, and microbiological groups: psychrophilic, Salmonella spp . , total coliform and thermotolerant. The different coatings based on xanthan gum were effective in preserving papaya minimally processed, relative to control sample. The addition of guar gum to xanthan coatings influenced negatively in the weight loss and the parameters of color, lightness, a* and b*. The addition of chitosan (T3) beneficially influence in reducing weight loss, maintenance of luminosity and a smaller reduction in parameters a* and b*, however, was not observed antimicrobial effect. Thus, it is suggested as an edible coatings papaya minimally processed coatings composed only xanthan gum (T2), which caused a reduction of weight loss, maintenance of lightness and b* and smaller reduction in a*. However, experiments aimed at maintaining firmness, pH and acidity should be conducted in future.
Development and reproduction of Bemisia tabaci （Homoptera： Aleyrodidae） on three bean species

The development, survivorship and reproduction of Bemisia tabaci B-biotype on three bean species were studied at 26 ± 1 ℃ in the laboratory. The developmental periods from egg to adult varied from 27.80 days on garden beans to 18.20 days on soybeans. The survivorship from egg to adult on soybeans, cowpeas and garden beans was 77.14, 70.14 and 64.28%, respectively. The average longevity of female adults ranged from 12.30 days on soybeans to 9.80 days on garden beans, and the oviposition of B. tabaci varied from 160.85 eggs on soybeans to 98.00 eggs on garden beans. Life table parameters were calculated as biological attributes for Bemisia tabaci populations fed on three bean species. The results indicated that the intrinsic rate of increase (rm), the finite rate of increase ( λ ) and net reproductive rate (R0) were high for populations fed on soybeans, with values of 0.1857,1.2041 and 82.1576, respectively. The corresponding values were less for populations fed on garden beans, with values of 0.1097, 1.1159 and 31.2661, respectively. The parametric values for cowpeas were intermediate between soybeans and garden beans but no significant difference were observed for the rm values for soybeans and cowpeas. Experimental evidence in our investigation indicated that Bemisia tabaci is best adapted and shows the greatest preference for soybean of the three bean species tested in this study.
Simulating secondary organic aerosol from anthropogenic and biogenic precursors: comparison to outdoor chamber experiments, effect of oligomerization on SOA formation and reactive uptake of aldehydes

Abstract. New parameterizations for the formation of organic aerosols were developed. These parameterizations cover secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation from biogenic and anthropogenic precursors, NOx dependency, oligomerization and the reactive uptake of pinonaldehyde. These parameterizations were implemented in a box model in which the condensation and/or evaporation of semi-volatile organic compounds was simulated by the Secondary Organic Aerosol Processor (SOAP) model to take the dynamic evolution of concentrations into account.The parameterizations were tested against several experiments carried out in previous studies in the EUPHORE outdoor chamber. Two datasets of experiments were used: the anthropogenic experiments (in which SOA is formed mainly from a mixture of toluene, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene and o-xylene) and the biogenic experiments (in which SOA is formed mainly from α-pinene and limonene). When assuming no wall deposition of organic vapors, satisfactory results (bias lower than 20 %) were obtained for the biogenic experiments and for most of the anthropogenic experiments. However, a decrease of SOA concentrations (up to 30 %) was found when taking wall deposition of organic vapors into account (with the parameters of Zhang et al., 2014). The anthropogenic experiments seem to indicate a complex NOx dependency that could not be reproduced by the model. Oligomerization was found to have a strong effect on SOA composition (oligomers were estimated to account for up to 78 % of the SOA mass) and could therefore have a strong effect on the formation of SOA. The uptake of pinonaldehyde (which is a high-volatility semi-volatile organic compound, SVOC) onto acidic aerosol was found to be too slow to be significant under atmospheric conditions (no significant amount of SOA formed after 3 days of evolution), indicating that the parameterization of Pun and Seigneur (2007) used in some air quality models may lead to an overestimation of SOA concentrations. The uptake of aldehydes could nevertheless be an important SOA formation pathway for less volatile or more reactive aldehydes than pinonaldehyde.Regarding viscosity, a low effect of viscosity on SOA concentrations was estimated by the model, although a decrease of SVOC evaporation was found when taking it into account, as well as a lower sensitivity of concentrations to changes of temperature during the experiments.
Genetics, Genomics and Breeding of Sorghum

Sorghum is a major human staple in the semi-arid tropics, and is also a good model for related species with larger genomes, such as maize and sugarcane. Hence sorghum genome resources have been well-developed. Unfortunately, sorghum genetic transformation has been largely neglected, and has historically lagged behind the other “Big 5" cereals. Until recently, sorghum has been regarded as a largely recalcitrant cereal for biotechnological approaches to its improvement. Thanks to efforts made by transformation teams in Nebraska, California and Queensland, more highly efficient sorghum transformation is now a reality, with good transformation systems available using microprojectiles and Agrobacterium. The future for GM sorghums is now much brighter, and applications for basic biology and the improvement of sorghum agronomically and for specific end-uses is now becoming an integral part of many sorghum improvement programs.
Extreme stress tolerance in tardigrades: surviving space conditions in low earth orbit

Abstract Most terrestrial tardigrade species possess the ability to enter a reversible ametabolic state termed anhydrobiosis in response to desiccation. In theanhydrobiotic state, tardigrades display an incredible capacity to tolerate extreme environmental stress, not necessarily encountered in theirnatural habitat. In this study, we determine the eﬀect of diﬀerent extreme stresses on initial survival, long-term survival and fecundity of selectedspecies of limno-terrestrial tardigrades. The primary focus was to assess the eﬀect of cosmic radiation. This was achieved through the RoTaRad(Rotifers, Tardigrades and Radiation) project on the BIOPAN 6 mission, funded by Agenzia Spaziale Italiana under the European Space Agency.To test their tolerance of space environment, tardigrades were sent into low earth orbit, and exposed to cosmic radiation and a microgravityenvironment. Experiments on Whatman-3 ﬁlters show an eﬀect of cosmic radiation on the survival of the eutardigrade Richtersius coronifer justafter returning to Earth; however, after 2 years of desiccation on Whatman-3 ﬁlters, none of the tardigrades previously exposed to cosmicradiation could be revived. In a microcosmos experiment, the tardigrades R. coronifer, Ramazzottius oberhauseri and Echiniscus testudo weredesiccated on a moss substrate together with rotifers and nematodes. Very low survival rates were observed in this experiment, likely due to theapplied desiccation protocol. Embryos of the tardigrade Milnesium tardigradum were also exposed to cosmic radiation; they all hatched in thelaboratory after the ﬂight. In addition, experiments testing extreme cold and vacuum tolerance in R. coronifer show that tardigrades inanhydrobiosis are unaﬀected by these conditions.Key words: Tardigrada – anhydrobiosis – cosmic radiation – extreme freezing – vacuum