Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of betahistine on the vestibular receptors: binding sites

Betahistine has been used to treat several vestibular disorders of both central and peripheral origin. The objective of this work has been to study the betahistine action mechanism at the peripheral level. Experiments were carried out in wild larval axolotl (Ambystoma tigrinum). Multiunit extracellular recordings were obtained from the semicircular canal nerve using a suction electrode. Betahistine (10 µM to 10 mM, n = 32) inhibited the basal spike discharge of the vestibular afferent neurons with an IC50 of 600 µM. To study if betahistine action on the afferent nerve discharge was somehow related to nitric oxide (NO) generation, betahistine 1 mM (n = 5) was co-administered with N G -nitro-L-arginine 3 µM. The action of betahistine remained as in control experiments. To determine the influence of betahistine on the efferent innervation of hair cells its interactions with carbachol (200 µM, n = 5), and with cholinergic antagonists: atropine (10 µM, n = 3) and d-tubocurarine (10 µM, n = 3) were also studied. Betahistine 1 mM reduced the excitatory action of carbachol in a 30 ±3.4%. Cholinergic antagonists did not modify betahistine actions. Postsynaptic actions of betahistine were analized on the basis of its capability to interact
VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY AND PCOS;

BackgroundPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is mainstream gynaecological problems in adult women. Vitamin D has been linked to propensity of developing PCO. As this hormones has certain effects on insulin sensitivity and restoration of reproductive capacity in women with PCOs. So, a study was planned to establish correlation of deficiency of vitamin D and PCOs.ObjectiveTo determine the correlation of deficiency of vitamin D with PCOs in patients reporting to a teaching hospital.Material & MethodsCase control study carried out at institute of Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore, Gynae-Obst Department for six months. If serum level of vitamin D is < 25nmol/L then deficiency was labeled. Odds ratio was calculated between PCOs and vitamin D deficiency, ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 26.91±6.09 years. In this study, 70% females were married. The mean BMI of patients was 22.59±2.48kg/m2, and 76(76%) patients had normal BMI and 24(24%) patients were overweight. Vitamin D deficiency was observed in 47 cases in which 31 were from case group and 16 were from control group with significant association i.e. OR=3.47. ConclusionOur study results concluded that there is more risk of vitamin D deficiency in females with PCOS as compared to females without PCOS.
Adaptive responses to temperature and photoperiod in neuromuscular transmissionin carcinus maenas (l)

Neuromuscular synaptic transmission in the ectothermal crab Carcinus maenas was used to assess the extent to which photoperiod affected the attainment of temperature acclimation. A separate series of experiments were carried out to determine thermotolerance to high temperature (CTMax) and its dependence on prior heat shock and heat shock proteins. Dactylopodite closer muscle resting potentials and the characteristics of evoked excitatory junction potentials in response to stimulation of the excitatory tonic axon were recorded with intracellular microelectrodes and the extent of acclimation to temperature under different photoperiodic regimes was measured. Animals were acclimated for at least two week to either 8 C or 25 C with short day (8hr: 16hr, L/D) or long day (16hr: 8hr, L/D) photoperiods. Photoperiod differences had a marked effect on acclimation to temperature as measured by muscle resting potential and excitatory junction potential amplitude and facilitation. In short day photoperiods there was an acclimatory shift of muscle resting potential in crabs acclimated to 25 C compared with those acclimated to 8 C. Such an acclimatory shift of muscle resting potential was not seen in animals from long day photoperiods. By contrast facilitation showed acclimatory changes to temperature in long day but not in short day photoperiods. Excitatory junction potential amplitudes were increased in cold acclimation; this increase was larger from long day acclimated groups compared with short day groups. Furthermore photoperiod had a large effect on closer muscle tension in animals acclimated at low temperatures but little effect on animals acclimated at high temperatures. Heat shock reduced the amplitude of EJPs recorded in the closer muscle but enabled the EJP to be maintained for much higher temperatures. Heat shock also resulted in an increase in thermotolerance as measured by an elevation of CTMax from 33.04 C to 34.17 C.
The effect of autologous tumour vaccine on benzo-a-pyrene induced squamous cell carcinoma of skin in mice

Many studies have correlated the presence of infiltrating immune cells within solid tumours, with a more favourable prognosis. These observations indicate that the immune system may act to defend against tumour formation or growth. The generation of an immune response requires that the tumour cells express antigens recognised by the host immune system. The association between an impaired immune system with advanced tumours and poor prognosis suggests that appropriate stimulation of the immune system against tumour tissues might be beneficial. Active specific immunotherapy with autologous tumour cells or extract has been shown to be effective in causing regression of tumour. The prerequisite for effective immunotherapy is the expression of structures on tumour cells which are antigenic to the immune system and may function as rejection antigens. Various attempts have been made to identify such antigens in different tumours. Many antigens have been detected in different tumours, some of these antigens are immunogenic and some are not. In an attempt to overcoming the difficulty in identifying the tumour antigens and in determining which are immunogenic, could be used as an indicator of the immunogenicity of tumour cells. DC are an antigen presenting cells, the presence of these cells in the region of tumour tissues may indicate the presence of an immunogenic antigens on tumour cells. In this study, squamous tumours induced by BP were chosen for immunotherapy by autologous tumour vaccine because these tumours were reported to have high numbers of dendritic. The application of tumour vaccine to mice possessing these tumours was shown to be effective and to lead to an enhanced immune response against tumour cells compared to controls. DC infiltration of tumours in test group was significantly higher than DC infiltration of control group, this correlating with high degree of tumour necrosis and infiltration of tumours by non-DC leukocytes in test group compared to the control group.
Etude de la flore lactique du Nem chua, produit carné fermenté cru traditionnel du Sud Vietnam et maîtrise du processus de fermentation par ajout de souches lactiques sélectionnées spécifiques du produit

Le Nem chua est un produit vietnamien fermente a base de viande porcine. Notre etude a pour but de formuler des starters lactiques afin de standardiser le processus de fabrication du Nem chua et ameliorer la qualite des produits finis. Le pH de la pâte de viande diminue progressivement tandis que la population lactique se developpe au cours des 5 jours de fermentation. Parmi les 131 souches identifiees, les Lactobacillus brevis et Lb. plantarum etaient les plus frequents. Les autres bacteries lactiques telles que Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Lactococcus lactis sont presentes mais en plus faible pourcentage. L’utilisation de la combinaison des Lb. brevis et Pe. pentosaceus (6.106 UFC.g-1 pâte de viande, proportion de 1:1) donne des produits preferes par le jury de degustateurs vietnamiens. Ces resultats permettent d’ouvrir de nouvelles perspectives de production et d’application au niveau industriel des starters lactiques choisis afin d’avoir les produits a la qualite bien maitrisee et en securite alimentaire dans la fabrication des Nem chua du Vietnam, qui pouvant s’appliquer a d’autres fermentations carnees similaires.
Practical measures of marine biodiversity based on relatedness of species

In contrast to terrestrial biodiversity, marine biodiversity has a number of distinctive features that suggest that a broader strategy for its conservation might be more appropriate than a local reserve-based one. Traditional diversity measures based on species richness and evenness often have disadvantages in the assessment of biodiversity change on wide spatial scales and long timescales. Alternative measures based on the degree of relatedness of species overcome these problems to varying degrees. They fall into two categories. Taxonomic distinctiveness measures are used as a means of preferentially selecting species from an inventory for conservation purposes: species that diverge close to the base of a phylogenetic or taxonomic tree and have few close relatives will preserve more evolutionary history than those that diverge further up and have more congeners. Complementary subsets of species can also be selected to provide representativeness of the widest range of evolutionary characters. Taxonomic distinctness measures, on the other hand, are a means of comparing patterns of relatedness in community samples in the field, and monitoring changes in these patterns over space or time. They measure either the average distance apart of all pairs of individuals or species in a sample, traced through a taxonomic tree, or the variability in structure across the tree. These measures are beginning to find application in broad scale geographical comparisons of biodiversity, in environmental impact assessment and in evaluation of surrogates for biodiversity estimation
INTERACTION OF BACILLUS ANTHRACIS EXOSPORIUM PROTEIN BCLA WITH COMPLEMENT FACTOR H AND SPORE PERSISTENCE IN THE LUNG

INTERACTION OF BACILLUS ANTHRACIS EXOSPORIUM PROTEIN BCLA WITH COMPLEMENT FACTOR H AND SPORE PERSISTENCE IN THE LUNG Publication No--------Sarah Ann Jenkins, M.S. Supervisory Professor: Yi Xu, Ph.D. Anthrax outbreaks in the United States and Europe and its potential use as a bioweapon have made Bacillus anthracis an interest of study. Anthrax infections are caused by the entry of B. anthracis spores into the host via the respiratory system, the gastrointestinal tract, cuts or wounds in the skin, and injection. Among these four forms, inhalational anthrax has the highest lethality rate and persistence of spores in the lungs of animals following pulmonary exposure has been noted for decades. However, details or mechanisms of spore persistence were not known. In this study, we investigated spore persistence in a mouse model. The results suggest that B. anthracis spores have special properties that promote persistence in the lung, and that there may be multiple mechanisms contributing to spore persistence. Moreover, recent discoveries from our laboratory suggest that spores evolved a sophisticated mechanism to interact with the host complement system. The complement system is a crucial part of the host defense mechanism against foreign microorganisms. Knowledge of the specific interactions that occur between the complement system and B. anthracis was limited. Studies performed in our laboratory have suggested that spores of B. anthracis can target specific proteins
Impact of African elephants on baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) population structure in northern Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe

The impact of African elephant (Loxodonta africana) on population structure of baobab trees (Adansonia digitata L.) was assessed in northern Gonarezhou National Park (GNP), southeast Zimbabwe. Baobabs were sampled in March 2008 and September 2012 using 11 randomly laid belt transects of variable length within 1 km of the eastern and western sections of the Runde River and also away (> 1 km) from the water sources. A total of 223 baobabs, 130 near permanent water sources and 93 away from permanent water sources, were sampled. Baobab density did not significantly differ across the two study sites. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in girth at breast height between the two study sites. Results of the present study suggest that elephants target large baobabs (girth ≥ 5 m). In contrast, significant difference in baobab damage was recorded between the two sites. A single dead baobab tree was encountered at a site away from water sources. A larger proportion of elephant damaged baobabs was located closer to permanent water sources. However, baobab recruitment and regeneration was higher in areas close to permanent water sources than in distant areas. Management should come up with strategies to monitor vegetation changes in order to avoid loss of baobabs and other tree species. Resumen: Se evaluoel impactodel elefante africano (Loxodonta africana) sobre la estructura poblacional de los arboles de baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) en la parte norte del Parque Nacional Gonarezhou (GNP), surestede Zimbabue. Los baobabs fueron muestreadosen marzode 2008 y septiembrede 2012 usando 11 transectos de banda de longitud variable, colocados al azara no mas de 1 km de las secciones oriental y occidental del rio Runde,y tambien lejos (> 1 km) de las fuentes de agua. Se muestrearon en total 223 baobabs, 130 cerca de fuentes de agua permanentes y 93 alejados de ellas. La densidad de los baobabsno difirio significativamente entre los dos sitiosde estudio. Ademas, no hubo diferencias significativasen el perimetro a la altura del pecho entre los dos sitios. Los resultados del estudio sugierenquelos blancos de los elefantes sonlos baobabs grandes (perimetro ≥ 5 m). Ademas, se registro una diferencia significativa en el dano producido a los baobabs entre los dos sitios. Solo se encontro un baobab muerto en un sitio alejado de las fuentes de agua. Una proporcion mas grande de baobabs danados por elefantes fue localizada mas cerca de las fuentes de agua permanentes. Sin
Response of paclobutrazol treatment on flowering, fruit maturity, yield and quality of mango (Mangifera indica) cv Totapuri

A field trial was conducted at Indian Institute of Horticultural Research Bangalore during 2007-2011 to study the effect of different doses and time of application of paclobutrazol on flowering, fruiting behavior and quality of 22 years old mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv Totapuri under South Indian Condition. There were nine treatments involving two doses of paclobutrazol 2.5g and 5.0g a.i/plant with four times of application (last week of July, August, September and October) along with control. All the paclobutrazol applied treatments induced early flowering to an extent by 20- 25 days with increased percentage of flowering of 30-65% compared to control. The harvest maturity was also influenced by paclobutrazol application with an advancement of 3-4 weeks compared to control. The fruit yield was also affected and most pronounced effect was with T5-treatment (2.5g a.i. applied during last week of September) which recorded mean cumulative fruit yield of 141.1 kg/ Plant, which is 55% higher compared to control (91.1 kg/ plant). However, fruit quality attributes such as TSS and acidity were not affected by different dose and time of application of paclobutrazol. Cost benefit ratio was maximum (1:3.02) with the treatment 2.5g a.i. paclobutrazol applied during the last week of September month.
Premigratory hypertrophy of flight muscles: an ultrastructural study

Fibre diameters and the proportions of fibre cross-section area comprised of myofibrils, sarcoplasm and mitochondria were measured in the pectoralis muscles of three species of shorebird Calidris alpina, C. alba and C. canutus. Comparisons between the structure of muscles in mid-winter and just before spring migration, after increase in muscle mass, revealed that fibre diameters had increased but the proportion of myofibrils decreased alongside a compensatory increase in mitochondria. The proportion of sarcoplasm did not change. Comparisons between the ultrastructures of muscles of C. canutus on arrival and just before departure from a spring migratory staging post, however, revealed no change in percentage composition accompanying hypertrophy. The functions of flight muscle hypertrophy in shorebirds are only incidentally related to breeding, as no differences between the sexes were noted and other proteinaceous tissues and organs contributed more to the overall increase in lean mass. Hypertrophy does not appear to occur in response to increased body mass; the control systems are probably complex.
Temporal and Spatial Factors Shaping Reproductive Performance in a Mediterranean Population of the Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europaea

Summary. A Mediterranean population of the Eurasian nuthatch Sitta europaea using nestboxes was studied during three breeding seasons (2009-2011). The study area was a managed holm oak forest where suitable natural cavities for breeding were accordingly scarce. A large proportion of breeding territories was significantly associated with nestboxes located in the periphery of the patch and with large-holed nestboxes. The relationship between habitat heterogeneity (predicted by canopy cover of holm oaks and tree numbers) and breeding performance (egg-laying date, clutch size, hatching success, fledging success and breeding success) was tested. Egg-laying date was independent of predictors of habitat heterogeneity but was related to breeding success: earlier nesters achieved better breeding success than those breeding later. Clutch size and breeding success showed a negative relationship with canopy cover and tree numbers, respectively: both reproductive parameters were higher in the apparently suboptimal territories than in the optimal ones. These results are interpreted as an effect of the severe competition for cavities between all species breeding in the nestboxes and the reproductive output of nuthatch is density-dependent. The high overall breeding success achieved by nuthatches suggests that holm oak forest must be considered a high quality habitat for this species.
The Regulation of Drosophila Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein I in Apoptosis and Cell Survival.

Drosophila Inhibitor of apoptosis protein 1 (DIAP1) is an essential negative regulator of apoptosis in fly cells. DIAP1 binds to caspases and inhibits their activity. RHG proteins, e.g., Head Involution defective (Hid), Grim and Reaper (Rpr), can induce apoptosis by binding to DIAP1 and liberating the bound caspases. In addition, some RHG proteins can induce DIAP1 degradation. These studies are based on in vivo overexpression or in vitro biochemical assays, raising questions about which mechanism (liberation or degradation) is more physiologically relevant. In this report, we demonstrate significant down-regulation of DIAP1 protein in perimeter ommatidia undergoing apoptosis in the pupal eye. This regulation was dependent on Hid, Grim and Rpr. Interestingly, a partial reduction in RHG proteins suppressed DIAP1 degradation to undetectable levels. Under these conditions, apoptosis was initiated at the normal time, but was markedly reduced thereafter. These results argue that both liberation of caspases
Aspectos ecológicos do bacu-pedra Lithodoras dorsalis (Valenciennes, 1840) (Siluriformes: Doradidae) na foz amazônica, Brasil

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar aspectos alimentares do bacu-pedra Lithodoras dorsalis (Siluriformes: Doradidae) na regiao da foz Amazonica e seu possivel papel como dispersor de sementes. As coletas dos especimes de L. dorsalis foram realizadas mensalmente de julho de 2010 a junho de 2011, totalizando 371 especimes capturados. Por meio da analise das gonadas constatou-se que todos os especimes coletados encontravam-se imaturos, caracterizando-os como jovens. O comprimento padrao medio foi igual a 15,40cm (DP ± 4,87cm) e a massa total media igual a 94g (DP ± 149,45g). A dieta da especie foi composta por 28 itens alimentares, dos quais 16 foram de origem aloctone e 12 de origem autoctone, o que define a especie como herbivora, com forte tendencia a frugivoria devido aos altos valores de importância de frutos e sementes presente em sua dieta. Houve diferenca entre os periodos pluviometricos com relacao a sazonalidade alimentar, sendo o final do periodo de transicao entre chuva estiagem e o inicio da estiagem os periodos de menor e maior atividade alimentar, respectivamente. Porem, a importância dos itens consumidos entre os periodos pluviometricos nao apresentou diferenca, sendo que a dieta da especie foi similar durante todo o periodo de coleta. Quanto a ictiocoria, dos 371 especimes de Lithodoras dorsalis coligidos, 268 (74,93%) apresentaram frutos e sementes em seus estomagos (principalmente acai Euterpe oleracea Mart., aninga Montrichardia linifera (Arruda) Schott e buriti Mauritia flexuosa Mart). Para as analises de germinacao foram utilizadas sementes do acai Euterpe oleracea Mart. e da aninga Montrichardia linifera (Arruda) Schott por atingirem quantidade suficiente de amostras. A partir da analise do trato digestivo do bacu-pedra constatou-se que todas as sementes de Euterpe oleracea Mart. apresentavam-se intactas, havendo um aumento no desempenho germinativo, porem o mesmo nao ocorreu para as estruturas germinativas de aninga Montrichardia linifera (Arruda) Schott, algumas das quais apresentaram-se destruidas devido ao processo digestivo. Concluiu-se que Lithodoras dorsalis e um potencial dispersor do acai Euterpe oleracea Mart. na Foz Amazonica, uma vez que ha um aumento do desempenho germinativo das sementes. Foi constatado um acrescimo na quantidade de frutos e sementes consumidos a medida que os individuos aumentam o tamanho corporal. Por fim, tendo em vista o alto consumo de material de origem aloctone por Lithodoras dorsalis, destaca-se a importância da vegetacao riparia por fornecer itens como frutos essenciais na dieta desta e de outras especies de peixes neotropicais. Alem disso, Lithodoras dorsalis parece fazer parte do mecanismo de algumas especies de plantas para a colonizacao de novas areas (ictiocoria), como no caso do acai Euterpe oleracea Mart.