Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Factors controlling effector T cell responses during central nervous system autoimmunity

Factors controlling effector T cell responses during central nervous system autoimmunity Carlos Antonio Arbelaez Chair of the Supervisory Committee: Affiliate Assistant Professor Estelle Bettelli Department of Immunology IL-17-producing CD4 T (Th17) cells, along with IFN-gamma-expressing Th1 cells, represent two major pathogenic T cell subsets in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS). The cytokines and transcription factors involved in the development and effector functions of Th1 and Th17 cells have been largely characterized. Among them, IL-23 is essential for the generation of stable and encephalitogenic Th17 cells and for the development of EAE. The IL-7/IL-7R signaling axis participates in cell survival, and perturbation of this pathway has been associated with enhanced susceptibility to MS. A link between IL-23-driven pathogenic T cells and IL-7/IL-7R signaling has previously been proposed but has not been formally addressed. Here, we showed that Th17 cells from mice with EAE express high levels of IL-7Ralpha compared to Th1 cells. Using mice that constitutively express IL-7Ralpha on T cells, we determined that sustained IL-7R expression in IL-23R deficient mice could not drive pathogenic T cells and the development of EAE. IL-7 inhibited the differentiation of Th17 cells but promoted IFN-gamma and GM-CSF secretion in vitro. In vivo IL-
Crossing experiments in Elymus transhyrcanus group, a new subspecies and a new species

Elymus transhyrcanus is a variable species in Iran. Tufted and not tufted populations of this species occur in Alborz mountain chains. A disjunct locality of the species was found in W. Iran. Crossing experiments were made between different morphological and geographical variants. In spite of habit difference between the accessions from N. Iran, tufted or not tufted, they gave hybrids with high pollen fertility and high chiasmata frequency in meiotic metaphase I. Hybrids between the accessions from N. and W. Iran, showed low pollen fertility and relatively low chiasmata frequency. Based on morphological differences and crossing expeiments data, E. transhyrcanus subsp.lorestanicus is described as a new subspecies for W. Iranian material. Elymus zagricus is described as a new species from W. Iran. The new species is related to E. transhyrcanus and E. libanoticus. It differs from both of them by having ciliate glumes and lemma.
A phylogeny of the treehopper subfamily Heteronotinae reveals convergent pronotal traits (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Membracidae)

Even within an insect family famous for its morphological diversity, the treehopper subfamily Heteronotinae is a microcosm of pronotal variation, displaying remarkably dissimilar thoracic ornamentations among its ten included genera. Presented here is a reconstruction of heteronotine relationships based on DNA nucleotide sequence data from five nuclear and two mitochondrial genes from a comprehensive sample of ingroup taxa (including exemplars of all genera except for the monotypic Dysyncritus Fowler, 1895). Concordant phylogenetic estimates support the monophyly of Heteronotinae sensu stricto (i.e. excluding Darnoides Fairmaire, 1846), as well as the monophyly of the included genera Heteronotus Laporte, 1832, Nassunia Stål, 1862, Omolon Walker, 1862, Rhexia Stål, 1867, and Smiliorachis Fairmaire, 1846. Conversely, Anchistrotus Buckton, 1902, Allodrilus Evangelista, 2014 and Iria Stål, 1867 were not recovered as monophyletic, although topology comparison tests failed to reject the nonmonophyly of the latter two genera, nor Heteronotinae, as currently circumscribed. These results are interpreted in the context of available morphological evidence, which generally supports these findings. Also addressed here is the evolution of selected pronotal features representing major aspects of heteronotine morphology. Bayesian stochastic mapping of pronotal traits estimated multiple character state transitions, suggesting repeated acquisition of pronotal features, most of which have evolved independently within the diverse genus Heteronotus. These convergences may provide insight into the role of the pronotum in heteronotine groups that appear to serve different adaptive strategies, such as mimicry, crypsis and defence against predators. Furthermore, our results show a substantial diversity in need of formal description, including possible new genera, and several unique sexually dimorphic syndromes that may constitute a species complex within Heteronotus delineatus Walker, 1858. Nomenclatural changes are proposed for Nassunia nigromacula (Funkhouser, 1940) new combination and Smiliorachis inornata Stål, 1862 combination reinstated, which were found to be misplaced at the generic and subfamily levels according to our analyses.
Breeding rice for salinity tolerance using the Pokkali allele: Finding a linked DNA marker

Breeding programs can be shortened considerably, if DNA markers are available for the trait of interest. There is a need to adapt some salt tolerant IRRI advanced rice progeny in order to make them more suited to the Boro or Short-day, winter season in Bangladesh. Crosses between some of these salt tolerant advanced lines derived from Pokkali and Boro season, farmer-popular rice were made. In an effort to shorten breeding and selection for salt tolerant progeny, 500 F2 progeny from each of three crosses, have been tested for salt tolerance and attempts made to correlate salt tolerance of progeny with some microsatellite markers. The flanking markers to SALTOL, the major salt tolerant QTL of Pokkali, has been identified using recombinant inbred population (RIL) as RM23 and RM9 on chromosome 1 (Bonilla et al., 2002). However, all the available microsatellite markers tested within this region, RM23, RM312, RM140, RM5 and RM9, which show co-segregation between Pokkali and the salt tolerant parents, do not segregate with the salt tolerance of the F2 progeny. This indicated that the identified markers were still too far away from the SALTOL locus to be inherited together. Primers based on EST sequences, which would also amplify intron sequences and hence increase the chance of obtaining polymorphism within the region flanked by RM23 and RM9 were then designed from the RGP database. Polymorphic markers were tested for co-segregation with salt tolerance in a sub-set of the original recombinant inbred lines (RIL) between Pokkali and IR29. Amplified monomorphic DNA was digested with restriction enzymes to find polymorphism. Only 10% primers have detected polymorphism between the original Pokkali and IR29 out of a total of 40 primers designed and tested. Since the complete sequence for chromosome 1 is now available from the RGP database, and microsatellite sequences are expected to give maximal polymorphism, primers flanking uncharacterized and unpublished microsatellite sequences were designed and tested for polymorphism first in Pokkali and IR29 and then for co-segregation with the salinity tolerance or sensitive trait in the RIL population. The region of maximum linkage was found within 5.1 CM, between 62.5 and 67.6 CM of chromosome 1. 15 * Corresponding author’s e-mail: zseraj@citech_bd. com
Widespread shorter cortical adaptation in dyslexia

Studies of dyslexics’ performance on perceptual tasks suggest that their implicit inference of sound statistics is impaired. In a previous paper (Jaffe-Dax, Frenkel, & Ahissar, 2017), using 2-tone frequency discrimination, we found that the effect of previous trial frequencies on dyslexics’ judgments decayed faster than the effect on controls’ judgments, and that the adaptation of their ERP responses to tones recovered faster. Here, we show the cortical distribution of this abnormal dynamics of adaptation using fast acquisition fMRI. We find that dyslexics’ faster decay of adaptation is widespread, though the most significant effects are found in the left superior temporal lobe, including the auditory cortex. This broad distribution suggests that dyslexics’ faster decay of implicit memory is a general characteristic of their cortical dynamics, which also encompasses the sensory cortices.
Effects of grain size and niche breadth on species distribution modeling

Scale is a vital component to consider in ecological research, and spatial resolution or grain size is one of its key facets. Species distribution models (SDMs) are prime examples of ecological research in which grain size is an important component. Despite this, SDMs rarely explicitly examine the effects of varying the grain size of the predictors for species with different niche breadths. To investigate the effect of grain size and niche breadth on SDMs, we simulated four virtual species with different grain sizes/niche breadths using three environmental predictors (elevation, aspect, and percent forest) across two real landscapes of differing heterogeneity in predictor values. We aggregated these predictors to seven different grain sizes and modeled the distribution of each of our simulated species using MaxEnt and GLM techniques at each grain size. We examined model accuracy using the AUC statistic, Pearson’s correlations of predicted suitability with the true suitability, and the binary area of presence determined from suitability above the maximum true skill statistic (TSS) threshold. Habitat specialists were more accurately modeled than generalist species, and the models constructed at the grain size from which a species was derived generally performed the best. The accuracy of models in the homogenous landscape deteriorated with increasing grain size to a greater degree than models in the heterogenous landscape. Variable effects on the model varied with grain size, with elevation increasing in importance as grain size increased while aspect lost importance. The area of predicted presence was drastically affected by grain size, with larger grain sizes over predicting this value by up to a factor of 14. Our results have implications for species distribution modeling and conservation planning, and we suggest more studies include analysis of grain size as part of their protocol. Research
Fraccionamiento de nitrógeno: eficiencia de recuperación y concentración proteica en triticale (xTriticosecale Wittmack)* Fractionation of nitrogen recovery efficiency and protein concentration in triticale (xTriticosecale Wittmack)

The recovery efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer is affected by the timing and the mood in which the nitrogen is distributed in crops. The aim of this study was to determine the recovery efficiency of nitrogen (ERN), applied to the soil in installments in three phenological stages of the crop, triticale (xTriticosecale Wittmack). Two experiments in the field (E1 and E2) at different sites of the State of Mexico were conducted during 2013. The treatments consisted of application of fractional doses of 0,150 and 250 kg ha -1 nitrogen for three phenological stages of the crop: tillering, terminal spikelet and leaf flag. The experimental design was randomized complete block design with three replications. The nitrogen content in grain, biomass, and the percentage of protein nitrogen recovered by cultivation quantitated. The grain ERN in E1 was 34.5% between 29 and while for E2, values between 13 and 36% were obtained. In the E1 no differences were observed by the fractionation of N applied in treatments and among cultivars; E2, differences between cultivars were observed. Triticale showed 0.5% nitrogen in the aerial part for E1 and E2 1.2% for grain a value of 1.8% was achieved for both experiments. Fractionation of nitrogen
The Genetics of Imidan Resistance in Drosophila melanoqaster

The relationship between the mixed-function oxidase (MFO) system and resistance of Drosophila melanoqaster to phosmet (ImidanR) an organophosphorus insecticide has been studied. The MFO activity was assayed by 7-ethoxycoumarin-O-deethylase (7-ECD) activity and resistance levels were determined by either adult LC50 or percent adult survival at 150 uM of Imidan. Two groups of isofemale lines sampled from Vineland, Ontario and a laboratory selected population were used to study variability of the MFO system and its relationship to variability in resistance. A significant positive correlation was found between 7-ECD specific activity and an antigenic determinant assayed by western blotting. The antiserum used to detect this determinant was prepared against a cytochrome P-450-enriched fraction from a malathion-resistant Drosophila melanoqaster strain by J. Pursey (1989). The antigenic determinant was contained on polypeptide P2, believed to be a cytochrome P-450 by its molecular weight and heme content. Laboratory selection on Imidan resulted in over 2 . 1-fold increase in resistance. Two MFO activity groups were identified among isofemale lines established from nature. A siqnificant positive correlation was found between 7-ECD specific activity and
Experimental evaluation of the effects of the novel predators, round goby and mud crab on benthic invertebrates in the Gulf of Riga, Baltic Sea

The number of non-indigenous aquatic species (NIS) has rapidly increased globally. The majority of published evidence on the effects of NIS on local communities is from single species studies in which the interactive effects of NIS are not considered. Here we present experimental evidence of separate and interactive effects of two widespread non-indigenous benthic predators, the round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) and the North American mud crab (Rhithropanopeus harrisii) on benthic invertebrate communities in a shallow coastal ecosystem of the Gulf of Riga, the Baltic Sea. The two species have recently colonized multiple sub-basins of the Baltic Sea and due to their rapid range expansion, increasing densities and local functional novelty, they are expected to have strong separate or interactive effects on native communities. Our laboratory experiment demonstrated that round goby and mud crab exerted a significant predation pressure on different benthic invertebrate species and the effects of the studied predators were largely independent. Predation was stronger at higher temperature compared with low temperature treatment. Among the studied invertebrate species gammarid amphipods were consumed the most. Interestingly, round goby did not prey on the mud crabs despite a large size difference of the studied predators.
Effect of ellagic acid on growth and physiology of canola (Brassica napus L.) under saline conditions

ABSTRACT Salinity stress is limiting growth and productivity of plants in many areas of the world. Plants adopted different strategies to minimize the effect of salt stress. A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the morphological and physiological changes produced in Canola (Brassica napus) by exogenous application of ellagic acid (EA) under saline conditions. EA is an antioxidant, expected to reduce the effect of salinity stress. The seeds of two canola cultivars, Rainbow and Oscar, were soaked for 6 h with different concentrations of EA (0, 55 and 110 µg/ml). The soaked seeds were sown in small pots. Salt stress was imposed on the plants by applying NaCl solutions of different concentrations (0, 60 and 120 mM) and the duration of stress was for four weeks. Salinity stress reduced seed germination and disturbed the morphological and physiological attributes of B. napus. Application of EA as seed soaking reduced the effect of salinity and enhanced the growth of plants. Overall, we could confirm a significant role of EA by inducing salinity tolerance in B. napus.
NEUROPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF ARTOCARPUS LAKOOCHA EXTRACT AND OXYRESVERATROL AGAINST HYDROGEN PEROXIDE-INDUCED TOXICITY IN SH-SY5Y CELLS

Objective: Artocarpus lakoocha Roxb. is a traditional medical plant native to Southeast Asia and used as a dried aqueous extract so-called puag haad. Its role (and its major ingredient, oxyresveratrol) as an antioxidant neuroprotectant were explored. Methods: Differentiated SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells in 96-well plates were challenged with 200 µM H 2 O 2 for 4 h and either Trolox (100 µM), oxyresveratrol (5-100 µM), or puag haad (1.2-25 µg/ml) applied 2 h before H 2 O 2 or for 20 h after H 2 O 2 washout. Cell viability, mitochondrial function, intracellular ROS, and lipid peroxidation were assessed. Results: Continuous presence of both H 2 O 2 and antioxidant reduced mitochondrial function by ~50% but only by 30% with antioxidant. Sustained 24 h H 2 O 2 showed no recoveries with antioxidants. Cell viability was modestly restored when antioxidants accompanied H 2 O 2 for 4 h and both washed for another 20 h, but little recovery of mitochondrial function even though antioxidants removed ROS and prevent lipid peroxidation. Antioxidants added for 20 h after H 2 O 2 marginally improve mitochondria and modestly restore cell viability, but lipid peroxidation was completely reversed. Conclusion: These results show that mitochondrial protection was illusive, yet both tested compounds, puag haad and oxyresveratrol, improved cell viability and especially ROS levels and lipid peroxidation. The potency oxyresveratrol on the redox-sensitive expression of antioxidant enzymes and its pharmacokinetics suggests that oral puag haad could provide effective protection in transient neurodegenerative disease.
Metals enable a non-enzymatic acetyl CoA pathway

The evolutionary origins of carbon fixation, the biological conversion of CO2 to metabolites, remain unclear. Phylogenetics indicates that the AcCoA pathway, the reductive fixation of CO2 to acetyl and pyruvate, was a key biosynthetic route used by the Last Universal Common Ancestor (LUCA) to build its biochemistry. However, debate exists over whether CO2 fixation is a relatively late invention of pre-LUCA evolution or whether it dates back to prebiotic chemistry. Here we show that zero-valent forms of the transition metals known to act as co-factors in the AcCoA pathway (Fe0, Ni0, Co0) fix CO2 on their surface in a manner closely resembling the biological pathway, producing acetate and pyruvate in near mM concentrations following cleavage from the surface. The reaction is robust over a wide range of temperatures and pressures with acetate and pyruvate constituting the major products in solution at 1 bar of CO2 and 30 °g;C. The discovered conditions also promote 7 of the 11 steps of the rTCA cycle and amino acid synthesis, providing a stunning direct connection between simple inorganic chemistry and ancient CO2-fixation pathways. The results strongly sup-port the notion that CO2-fixation pathways are an outgrowth of spontaneous geochemistry.
A morphological and morphometric study of human calcanei and their articular facets

Introduction: Calcaneum is the longest, strongest and biggest of all the tarsal bones of the proximal row. Anterior and posterior articulations between the calcaneus and talus form a functional unit termed the talocalcaneal or subtalar joint. Talocalcaneal joint maintains eversion and inversion of the foot. Differences with respect to race, as well as individual characteristics, suggest that the articular facets play a key role in both static and dynamic kinetics of the foot and ankle. Materials and Methods: The present study was carried out with 50 calcanei, 25 bones of right side and 25 bones of left side of unknown sex which were obtained from the Department of Anatomy, Government Medical College, Amritsar. Any calcaneum looking pathological on general examination was discarded from the study. All the parameters were taken by using standard digital vernier calliper which is capable of measuring to the nearest of 0.01mm. Aim: The study seeks to observe the variations in the morphology and morphometry of the talar articular facets on the superior surface of dry calcaneal bones of adult human Results: Type I Fused anterior and middle talar facet with a separate posterior facet in 33 cases 66% (Rt 18 cases 36%, Lt 15 cases 30%), Type II Separate anterior and middle talar facet in 10 cases 20% (Rt 5 cases 10% , Lt 5 cases 10%), ,with a separate posterior talar facet, Type III –Absence of anterior articular facet in 2 cases 4% (Rt 1 case – 2%, Lt 1 case 2%) and Type IV – All the three facets i.e. anterior, middle and posterior facets were seen on the superior surface of the calcaneus but anterior and middle facets incompletely separated from each other in 5 cases 10% (Rt 1 cases 2%, Lt 4 cases 8%). Conclusion: The individual and racial differences of the anatomic construction of calcaneal talar articular facets influence the static and kinetic dynamics of foot.
Reproduction by Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs and Black-Footed Ferrets: Effects of Weather and Food Availability

Abstract. Food availability is one of the most important factors influencing reproduction in mammals. Reproductive success of some species can be negatively affected when body reserves are depleted during long periods of adverse weather conditions. We investigated the relationship of forage availability and weather variables on reproduction by black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) and the effects of black-tailed prairie dog reproduction on reproduction by black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes), a prairie dog specialist predator. Prairie dogs draw on stored energy reserves to support reproduction (i.e., capital breeding), while ferrets likely rely on availability of prey during the reproductive period (i.e., income breeding). We expected that productivity of prairie dogs would positively correlate with precipitation during the previous summer and availability of spring forage and that harsh winter conditions would negatively affect reproduction. We also expected that productivity of ferrets would be positively correlated with productivity of prairie dogs because of the net increase in available prey during the ferret's litter-rearing season and because female ferrets might selectively prey on juvenile prairie dogs. At 2 sites in South Dakota during 2008–2010, reproduction by prairie dogs was most strongly influenced by precipitation received during the previous year and especially by winter severity. Harsh winter conditions resulted in a marked decline in reproduction during 2010. Although reproduction by ferrets varied little across years of our study, the success of long-term conservation and reintroduction strategies for the endangered black-footed ferret could be influenced by climate-driven changes in prairie dog reproduction.