Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of alpha-actinin-3 gene on trained and untrained Turkish middle-school children’s sprinting performance: a pilot study

ACTN3 R577X polymorphism was evaluated in trained and untrained Turkish middle-school children’s sprinting performance. Twenty trained and 30 untrained children were genotyped; the frequencies of RR, RX and XX genotypes were 65, 30 and 5% in the trained individuals and 50, 27 and 23% in the controls (untrained), respectively. The R allele was present in 80% of the trained and 63% of the untrained individuals, whereas the X allele was present in 20% of the trained and 37% of the untrained individuals. The average values of time taken for running 50 m for the trained and untrained groups were 10.21 ± 0.68 and 11.88 ± 1.18 s in RR genotypes, and 10.48 ± 0.54 and 12.28 ± 1.26 s in RX genotypes, respectively. These differences were statistically significant and ecologically meaningful. Such polymorphism may form an informative criterion for identifying individuals who might become talented sprinters with suitable training.
Overproduction of IFN‐γ and TNF‐α from Natural Killer (NK) Cells Is Associated with Abnormal NK Reactivity and Cognitive Derangement in Alzheimer's Disease

Abstract: Alterations of natural killer (NK) function can be involved in the neuroimmune mechanism of neurodegeneration in dementia of the Alzheimer's type (DAT). NK cell cytotoxicity (NKCC) and the generation and release of IFN‐γ and TNF‐α (spontaneous and modulated by IL‐2) from pure NK cells (CD 16+, CD 56+, CD 3−) were studied together with circulating IFN‐γ and TNF‐α levels and cognitive function in 22 old patients with DAT and 15 healthy old subjects. Higher (p < 0.001) IL‐2 modulated NKCC (with IL‐2 50 U/mL and 100 U/mL) was demonstrated in DAT patients (+35% and +99% from baseline) than in healthy subjects (+6% and +76% from baseline). Increased spontaneous and IL‐2‐induced release of IFN‐γ and TNF‐α from NK cells were found in DAT patients compared to healthy subjects (p < 0.001), whereas no difference of serum IFN‐γ and TNF‐α was demonstrated between DAT and control groups. Significant negative correlations among the spontaneous release of IFN‐γ and TNF‐α from NK and the decrease of the score of cognitive function (MMSE) were found in patients with DAT. In conclusion, alterations of NKCC control and NK‐derived cytokine release in DAT could be involved in the neuroinflammatory mechanism related to the progression of neurodegeneration and dementia.
The Influence of Spinosad and Azadirachtin on Beneficial Fauna Naturally Occurring on Cabbage Crops

The Influence of Spinosad and Azadirachtin on Beneficial Fauna Naturally Occurring on Cabbage Crops The influence of spinosad (SpinTor 480 SC) and azadirachtin (Neem Azal T/S) on beneficial fauna naturally occurring on cabbage crops was evaluated in field experiments conducted in years 2004-2006. The insecticides were applied as a plant spray in field recommended dosages i.e. 96 g of active ingredient (a.i.) per ha for spinosad and 24 ml a.i. per ha for azadirachtin. The effect of direct contact of larva or adult of Coccinellidae ssp. , Syrphidae spp. and Chrysopidae ssp. and the percentage of cabbage aphid parasited by Diaeretiella rapae M'Intosh with residues on leaves were observed on the 3rd, 7th, 14th and 21st day after treatment. The results obtained in conducted experiments indicated that there was no influence of two tested insecticides on the reduction of above mentioned groups of predators and parasite. The number of beneficial fauna occurring on treated cabbage plants was similar to those present on control plots. Wpływ Spinosadu I Azadirachtyny NA Naturalnie Występującą Faunę Pożyteczną NA Warzywach Kapustnych W latach 2004-2006 przeprowadzono doświadczenia nad wpływem spinosadu (SpinTor 480 SC) oraz azadirachtyny (NeemAzal T/S) na naturalnie występującą faunę pożyteczna na warzywach kapustnych. Wymienione środki w dawkach 96 g s.a. /ha dla spinosadu i 24 ml s.a. ·ha-1 dla azadirachtyny nanoszono na rośliny w formie opryskiwania. Wpływ bezpośredniego kontaktu pozostałości badanych środków, na liściach roślin, na obecność drapieżnych biedronek, bzygów i złotooków oraz procent spasożytowanych mszyc przez pasożytniczą błonkówkę Diaeretiella rapae M'Intosh oceniano w 3,7,14 i 21 dni po wykonaniu zabiegu. Uzyskane wyniki wskazują, że żaden z trzech badanych insektycydów nie wykazał ujemnego wpływu na występowanie wymienionych grup owadów pożytecznych. Nie stwierdzono istotnych różnic w liczebności owadów dorosłych, larw i jaj drapieżców oraz procentu spasożytowania mszyc w porównaniu z kombinacjami traktowanymi i kombinacją kontrolną nie traktowaną.
Embryonic Mortality and Malpositions in Fayoumi Chicken

Abstract DESPITE the precautions undertaken to secure better hatchability, some eggs fail to hatch. Such eggs represent a great loss for both hatchery men and breeders. This experiment was done to study embryonic mortality and malpositions in Fayoumi. REVIEW OF LITERATURE A. Embryonic Mortality. Embryonic mortality occurs at any time from fertilization up to the time of hatching. Payne (1919) found that there was two peaks of embryonic mortality and reported that 65 percent of all embryonic mortality occurs between the fourth and the sixth day of incubation. In contrast, Byerly (1930) found that the first peak occurred on the third day of incubation. Byerly et al. (1934) reported that there was a minor peak at about the seventh day of incubation. Later on, they found another peak in the middle of the incubation period, which was related to nutritional deficiencies in the diet consumed by the flock. They also reported …
Seasonal habitat use by brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill), in a second-order stream

Seasonal habitat use by over-yearling and under-yearling brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill), was examined in a second-order stream in north-central Pennsylvania, USA. The habitat occupied by brook trout and available habitat were determined in a 0.5-km stream reach during the spring, summer and autumn of 1989 and the spring and summer of 1990. Cover, depth, substrate and velocity were quantified from over 2000 observations of individual brook trout. Habitat used by under-yearling brook trout was more uniform between seasons and years than that used by over-yearling brook trout. Over-yearling brook trout occupied areas with more cover and greater depth than did under-yearling brook trout, suggesting ontogenetic shifts in these variables. Differences for velocity and substrate were not as great as those for cover and depth. The selection of areas with low water velocities governed trout habitat use in spring, whereas cover and depth were the most important habitat variables in summer and autumn. Principal component analysis showed that available habitat and trout habitat centroids diverged most in spring, indicating that habitat selection by brook trout may be greatest at this time.
The life history and sexual reproduction of Colpomenia peregrina (Scytosiphonaceae, Phaeophyta) in Australia

Although Colpomenia peregrina (Sauvageau) Hamel reproduces throughout most of the year in Australia, functional gametophytes are extremely rare. Gametophytes occur in late winter, they are dioecious and reproduction is anisogamous. The zygotes, female gametes, and the majority of male gametes develop into filamentous sporophytes bearing unilocular sporangia. Zoospores from the sporophyte generations mostly give rise to saccate C. peregrina. Cultured strains derived from wild C. peregrina differ in their reproductive potential. Sporophyte generations were only found in strains derived from parthenogametes or zygotes. Several other strains produced saccate progeny, irrespective of the culture conditions. The evidence that such strains may be asexually reproducing, “morphological” gametophytes is discussed.
Trade‐Offs in Seed Dispersal Strategies Across Riparian Trees: The How Matters as Much as the When

Riparian Salicaceae are prolific producers of short‐lived seeds that require very restrictive hydro‐geomorphic conditions for establishment. It is generally assumed that if floods are able to create nursery sites timed with seed dispersal, recruitment will occur. Other spatial and temporal seed dispersal patterns besides the dispersal period have historically received little attention. However, seed dispersal patterns can be highly variable between regions, species and over the years. In this paper, we report the seed dispersal patterns of three dominant riparian Salicaceae trees in Europe: Populus alba, P. nigra and Salix alba to suggest possible trade‐offs between seed dispersal patterns, germinability, longevity and establishment. Seed rain of the three species was monitored in 33 glue‐coated traps for three months yearly from 2006 to 2008 in an 8‐km stretch of the Middle Ebro River (N Spain), which has a pluvio‐nival regime. P. alba dispersed seeds earlier during a shorter time period and with a fewer number of seed release pulses compared with P. nigra, and especially with S. alba. With overlapping seed dispersal periods, the two latter species occupy similar landform units but rarely compete with P. alba, usually at higher elevations, as shown in a previous study in the same study area. The three species had very high germinability immediately after release (>90%), but longevity in S. alba was eight times shorter than that of its two Populus counterparts. We suggest that S. alba has compensated its lower seed quality with a more spaced seed release in several pulses of similar magnitude. With similar seed dispersal patterns and germinability but a higher longevity, P. nigra had a much higher density of individuals than S. alba in the recruitment zones of the study area. We hope that our results may inform river managers about how to optimize river flows to promote sexual regeneration of these species. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Two new species of Caloglossa (Delesseriaceae, Rhodophyta) from the Americas, C. confusa and C. fluviatilis spp. nov.

Krayesky D.M. , Norris J.N. , West J.A. , Kamiya M. , Viguerie M. , Wysor B.S. and Fredericq S. 2012. Two new species of Caloglossa (Delesseriaceae, Rhodophyta) from the Americas, C. confusa sp. nov. and C. fluviatilis sp. nov. Phycologia 51: 513–530. DOI: 10.2216/11-57.1 Although the systematics of Caloglossa has been intensely investigated, the species diversity of the genus is not yet fully understood. Comparative chloroplast-encoded rbcL and nuclear LSU rDNA sequence analyses, combined with morphological observations, reveal new records and two new species for the Americas. The species, previously identified as Caloglossa monosticha from the western Atlantic, is newly described as C. confusa sp. nov. It differs from Pacific Ocean C. monosticha primarily by its strongly constricted thallus nodes, and the sequence data presented here show that it is most closely allied with other taxa of the C. continua species complex, but its relationship with these taxa is not fully resolved. The freshwater C. fluviatilis sp. nov. from the Panama Canal is characterised by thalli arranged in tufts, adventitious branching, strong constrictions at the thallus nodes and lanceolate blades. Caloglossa fluviatilis forms a monophyletic group along with the species having only adventitious secondary branching. A dichotomous key highlights the diagnostic vegetative characters for separating the nine species of Caloglossa occurring in the Americas.
The relationship between specific growth rate and swimming performance in male fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas)

The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that the specific growth rate of male fathead minnows (Pimephalespromelas) was positively correlated with swimming perfonnance. Subadult fish were allowed to grow into adults over a period of 31- 55 days, after which the critical swimming speed of each fish was detennined. Variation in critical swimming speed was substantial (greater than 50%), and a significant positive correlation was found between number of growing days and critical swimming speed, whereas a significant negative correlation was found between specific growth rate and critical swimming speed. A multiple regression using specific growth rate and number of growing days explained over 47% of the variation in swimming perfonnance. Fathead minnows that grow fast are poor swimmers, suggesting a trade-off between swimming perfonnance and specific growth rate in this species. Resume : Nous avons eprouve l'hypothese selon laquelle Ie taux specifique de croissance des males du Tete-de boule (Pimephalespromelas) est en correlation positive avec sa perfonnance de nage. Des poissons sub-adultes ont atteint Ie stade adulte en 31- 55 jours et la vitesse critique de nage a ete evaluee chez chacun des adultes. La variation de cette vitesse s'est averee considerable (superieure II 50%) et nous avons constate qu'il y avait une correlation positive significative entre la duree de la croissance (nombre de jours) et la vitesse critique de nage et une correlation negative significative entre Ie taux specifique de croissance et la vitesse critique de nage. Une regression multiple basee sur Ie taux de croissance specifique et la duree de la croissance explique 47% de la variation dans la perfonnance de nage. Les menes II croissance rapide sont de mauvais nageurs, ce qui semble indiquer qu'il se fait un compromis entre la perfonnance de nage et Ie taux specifique de croissance chez ce poisson. (Traduit par la Redaction)
Consumer species have limited and variable roles in community organization on a tropical intertidal shore

From a list of specific predictions put forward in 1992, we tested the proposition that, in physically benign environments where herbivorous fishes are abundant, consumer pressure will be the maln structuring force in rocky shore communit~es. Manipulation experiments were done in an intertidal community situated 150 km east of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The presence or absence of basal species (2 types: red algal turf and colonial coelenterate) was tested in combination with the presence or absence of 3 common consumer groups (amphipods, crabs, fishes). The design allowed us to separate the effects of pre-emptive competition and consumer pressure on the abundances of specic! s at the lowest trophic level. Although herbivores were abundant, most effects of consumer species were not significant. Of 16 data sets involving herbivores, 11 were not significant. Pre-emptive competition [detected as a response to presence or absence of basal species) had a major effect in all but 1 case. Further, the effects of grazers were not consistent. Herbivores had no significant effects on Enteromorpha abundance in clearings made in red algal turf patchcs. In similar clearings made in Zoanthus patches, grazers reduced the cover of Enteromorpha. In contrast, cover of Ulva was enhanced by fishes and crabs in both patch types. Amphipods also increased the abundance of Ulva, but only in clearings in Zoanthus patches. The roles of consumers were therefore inconsistent. Conversely, competitive effects were nearly always significant, consistent, and responsible for most of the variance in the dcpendent variables tested. Our results show that there is no basis for the generalization which proposes that, in benign tropical shore environments where herbivorous fish are abundant, the effect of consumers dominates community structure, and that competition is an unimportant structuring agent. KEY MIORDS: Competition . Community organization . Experimental Grazing . lntertidal Tropics
Alimentación y reproducción de Creagrutus brevipinnis (Pisces: Characidae) en Alto Cauca, Colombia

Stomach contents and reproduction were studied in eharacid fish (e. brevipinnis)collected in the Vieja River Basin, Alto Cauea, Colombia (July 1995 and December 1996); ihe temperature in the region was 21.7°C (18.70- 24.40°C), pH was neutral and water oxygen content high (8 ppm); C. brevipinnis is nonmigratory and sympatric with other 30 fish species. The fish is insectivorous and specializes on Diptera (Simuliidae) and Ephemeroptera; being a third level predator in the trophic web; il feeds from 06:00-18:00 hr; the results indicate seasonal variation in feeding activity (F: 19.04 P< 0.0001) and a negative correlation between stomach weight and voracity indexes; in ihe reproductive season food in talce is low; the ovaries mature primarily between May and January ; fecundity is low (613 oocytes) and the eggs are of small (diameter 0.6254 mm) ; the sex ratio is 1:1 (X2: 2.56 P< 0.1 df : 1) and the mean size at maturity is 4.0 cm (standard length).
Maturação in vitro de oócitos bovinos em meios suplementados com quercetina e seu efeito sobre o desenvolvimento embrionário

A quercetina e um flavonoide, amplamente encontrada em frutas, vegetais, graos, flores, com elevada concentracao no vinho tinto, e tem sido caracterizada funcionalmente pela atividade antioxidante. Para avaliacao da maturacao nuclear e do desenvolvimento embrionario bovino, os oocitos foram maturados por 22h na presenca de quercetina (0,4, 2, 10 e 50µM), cisteamina (100µM) e na ausencia dos antioxidantes. Os oocitos maturados foram corados com Hoechst para avaliacao da maturacao in vitro. Para avaliacao do desenvolvimento embrionario, os oocitos foram fertilizados e cultivados in vitro, as taxas de desenvolvimento embrionario foram determinadas no setimo dia de cultivo e o percentual de eclosao e o numero de celulas dos embrioes no oitavo dia. Os niveis de glutationa (GSH) dos oocitos foram mensurados por emissao de fluorescencia com CMF2HC. A porcentagem de maturacao nuclear (±89%) nao diferiu entre os grupos. O desenvolvimento embrionario variou entre os tratamentos, o percentual de blastocisto foi superior (P 0,05) entre os grupos (±63,0%). O numero medio de celulas dos embrioes tambem foi similar entre os grupos (±233). Os niveis intracelulares de GSH foram superiores nos oocitos maturados com cisteamina, mas similares entre os oocitos tratados com quercetina e o controle. A suplementacao da maturacao in vitro com antioxidantes melhora as taxas de blastocistos. A quercetina foi superior a cisteamina, que, por sua vez, foi superior ao controle. Mas os niveis de GSH foram superiores somente nos oocitos tratados com cisteamina.
ULTRASOUND FEATURES OF THE SPLEEN, LIVER AND KIDNEY OF BULGARIAN MURRAH BUFFALOES (Bubalus bubalis L.) AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF LACTATION

Thirty-three (33) 4-8 years old lactating Bulgarian Murrah buffaloes with 2-4 parities, weighing 450-600 kg, were used to determine the ultrasound features of the spleen, liver and kidney at different stages of lactation: a) early (1-3 months, 12 animals), b) middle (4-6 months, 11 animals); and c) late (7-9 months, 10 animals). The spleen, liver and right kidney were examined using an ultrasound machine equipped with a 3.5 MHz convex-array scanner. Digital analysis of the ultrasonograms from the different organs was performed and histogram echo means were compared. Ultrasonographic features of the spleen and liver showed distinct hyperechoic capsule compared to the hypoechoic parenchyma. The echo mean values of the spleen and liver parenchyma were significantly lowest in late stage of lactation. The renal sinus, cortex and medulla can be distinguished from one another in all lactation phases. Echo mean values for gall bladder lumen were significantly lower in the late stage compared to the early stage of lactation. Thickness of the spleen, liver, kidney and gall bladder wall and gall bladder lumen diameter did not differ significantly among the different stages of lactation. The results of this study can be used to compare the ultrasound features and echogenicity of diseased spleen, liver and kidney in lactating water buffaloes at different stages of lactation.
CHROOCOCCOID CYANOBACTERIA IN LAKE ONTARIO: VERTICAL AND SEASONAL DISTRIBUTIONS DURING 1982 1

Chroococcoid cyanobacteria (0.7–1.3 μm in diameter) were discovered to be a significant component of the Lake Ontario plankton. Using epifluorescence microscopy, the densities of these microorganisms were found to vary by four orders of magnitude with a single large peak in abundance (6.5 × 105 cells mL−1) corresponding to the time of maximum water temperature. The morphology and abundance of these cyanobacteria were similar to those previously found in oceanic systems. They constituted 10% of the bacterial numbers in the epilimnion during this period, approximately 40% of the biomass of prokaryotes less than 2.0 μm, and 30% of the biomass of all microorganisms less than 20 μm in size. Size fractionation studies indicated that they were responsible for approximately 38% of the total primary production during times of peak abundance, and were important in phosphorus uptake. Cyanobacteria observed in the food vacuoles of heterotrophic microflagellates and in the guts of rotifers suggest that the latter organisms may be important consumers of this prokaryote population.
Differential susceptibility of subterranean termite castes to entomopathogenic nematodes

Abstract We examined the attachment and infectivity of two entomopathogenic nematode species, Steinernema carpocapsae and Heterorhabditis indica, on soldiers and workers in two subterranean termite species, Coptotermes formosanus and C. vastator. In attachment tests with S. carpocapsae, more nematodes attached to soldiers of C. formosanus and C. vastator in the absence of workers compared to soldiers that were in the presence of workers. In tests with soldiers alone, workers alone, and mixture of equal numbers of workers and soldiers, soldiers in the mixed groups had lower mortality than soldiers alone after 1 and 4 days for both termite species. Exposure of small groups of either termite species to S. carpocapsae resulted in higher mortality of soldiers after 1 and 4 days post exposure. Mortality in soldiers alone exposed to H. indica was not significant compared to mortality in mixed groups at 1 day exposure, but was significant after 4 days. In concentration–mortality tests, a significant two-way interaction existed between nematode concentration and termite caste for C. formosanus exposed to S. carpocapsae for 1 and 4 days. A significant effect of nematode concentration was found for C. vastator exposed to H. indica for 1 day. This termite species had lower mortality when exposed to H. indica after 1 and 4 days compared to C. formosanus. At 4 days post exposure to H. indica, the effects of nematode concentration and termite caste were significant. Steinernema carpocapsae caused higher mortality than H. indica, but mortality of workers was higher when exposed to H. indica. Soldiers of both species experienced rapid mortality when exposed to S. carpocapsae, whereas soldiers of C. vastator experienced lower mortality when exposed to H. indica. Thus, our results show that when soldiers alone or workers alone are exposed to the nematodes, there is a differential susceptibility of soldiers and workers to nematode infection with soldiers being more susceptible than workers. In a mixed group of soldiers and workers or workers alone, it appears that grooming behavior of the workers serves as a mechanism to reduce nematode infection of soldiers and workers. The reason for this differential response to nematode infection is that soldiers do not exhibit grooming behavior.