Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Validation of Non-Commercial Indirect Elisa Techniques in The Diagnosis of Bovine Brucellosis. -

Ninety one blood samples were collected from unvaccinated cattle with a history of Brucella melitensis biovar 3 infection and belonged to the Nile Delta region during slaughter in abattoirs. Serum samples were separated and sample size were estimated according to OIE requirements (2% errors and 95% confidence interval) for the validation of two developed indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA) techniques using different antigens namely lipopolysaccharide antigen (LPS) and soluble periplasmic protein antigen (PPP) against an iELISA (LPS) commercial kit. Diagnostic performance characteristics were estimated considering complement fixation test (CFT) as the gold standard. The estimated relative sensitivities (Se) and specificities (Sp) of the three iELISA versions were as follows: iELISA (PPP) (88% and 94%), iELISA (LPS) (92% and 87%) commercial kit and home-made iELISA (LPS) (90% and 84%). The estimated κ agreement values with the CFT indicated substantial agreement in case of iELISA versions used both LPS and PPP antigens. The performance of iELISA based on both ROCs and AUCs was very good being equal to or closer to 0.9. Performance indices (PI) values were charted in ascending order. The accuracy % was calculated to be 90% for both iELISA (PPP) and iELISA (LPS) kit and 88% for home-made iELISA (LPS). Highest positive predictive values were achieved by iELISA (PPP), while the highest negative predictive values were achieved by iELISA (LPS) standard kit. The highest positive likelihood ratio (LR+) was attained by iELISA (PPP), while the negative likelihood ratio (LR-) was almost the same. Authors suggest that the home-made iELISA (LPS) is fit for its purpose as a rapid screening test. The high performance characteristics of iELISA (PPP), especially the balance of both Se and Sp, necessitates a reclassification of this version as confirmatory rather than screening test with further studies.
High concentrations of crude glycerin on ruminal parameters, microbial yield, and in vitro greenhouse gases production in dairy cows

Abstract: Holstein cows were used to evaluate the inclusion of elevated concentrations of crude glycerin on ruminal parameters, production of greenhouse gases, and microbial yield. The use of up to 300 g kg−1 reduces ruminal bacteria yield and NH3-N, without affecting the pH. Moreover, 300 g kg−1 glycerin increases methane production.
The cell function analyser (CFA) - a physiological in vitro vascular model and potential alternative to animal experiments.

Cell-vessel wall interactions (adhesion, emigration) and cell-cell cohesion (aggregation) have been assessed primarily in animal experiments. The cell function analyser (CFA) is an in vitro vascular model, in which the three components of Virchow's triad are present in a highly standardised and variable form. The CFA permits visual and quantitative analysis of cellular adhesion, emigration and aggregation under physiologically relevant flow conditions (i.e. to the arteries and to the microcirculation). Although the method does not entail the use of a living animal or of animal tissue, as is true for animal experiments, with the CFA specimen fixation and histomorphological analysis after the experiment is possible. The efficacy of the method for platelet function testing has been verified by numerous clinical studies. The wide variability of test parameters make CFA suitable for in vitro analysis of other cell-vessel-wall-mediated processes, such as inflammation, wound healing and tumour metastasis. We present: 1) a description of the CFA method and underlying hemodynamic principles, 2) a review of clinical and experimental results with platelets and, 3) the first results of convective flow-mediated leukocyte-endothelial interactions. The CFA provides an in vitro alternative to animal experiments, can be classified as a replacement method and possesses an analysis spectrum that will greatly reduce the overall need for the previous.
NUTRITION, FEEDING, AND CALVES Relationships Among Vitamin E, Selenium, and Bovine Blood Neutrophils 1

Effects of vitamin E and selenium sup­ plementation on in vitro phagocytosis and intracellular kill of bacteria by bovine neutrophils were investigated. Diets were not supplemented with vitamin E and se­ lenium during the dry period and first 21 d of lactation. Cows were then assigned to one of four treatment diets for 30 d. Treatment diets were either unsupple­ mented or supplemented with vitamin E, selenium, or both vitamin E and seleni­ um, in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement. Peripheral blood neutrophils were is0­ lated from each cow on lactation d 51. Vitamin E supplementation of diets in­ creased intracellular kill of Staphylococ­ cus aureus and Escherichia coli by neu­ trophils. Intracellular kill of S. aureus was greater in neutrophils isolated from selenium supplemented cows than in neu­ trophils from cows without supplemental selenium. Intracellular kill of E. coli did not differ between neutrophils from sele­ nium supplemented and selenium unsup­ plemented cows. Ability of neutrophils to phagocytize either S. aureus or E. coli was independent of vitamin E and seleni­ um.
Mechanisms of resilience: empirically quantified positive feedbacks produce alternate stable states dynamics in a model of a tropical reef

Alternate stable states (ASS) theory is a dominant conceptual framework for understanding processes that support resilience of ecological communities in the face of multiple anthropogenic disturbances. For decades, coral reefs have been cited as a classic example of ASS, yet this position remains highly controversial, largely because convincing empirical evaluations have been elusive. Using a combination of empirical measurements of positive feedback processes and simulation modelling, we assessed ASS in coral reefs of the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP) by identifying the potential for multiple basins of attraction from a mechanistic perspective. Using bioassays of algal growth and consumption, we quantified two spatially localized positive feedback mechanisms on coral reefs: increasing herbivore activity associated with higher coral abundances and amelioration of nutrient limitation leading to higher algal growth in areas with higher algal abundance. Analysis of a model of benthic community dynamics incorporating these feedbacks showed they were central to producing hysteresis and bistability in the model, two hallmarks of ASS. Further, reefs simulated with conditions matching those measured at Isla Contadora, Panamá, displayed ASS dynamics while producing spatial patterns matching field observations. This provides model‐derived support, based on empirically measured conditions of ETP reefs, for the presence of ASS. Synthesis. The combination of experimental bioassays to measure feedback strengths and simulation models to evaluate the influence of those feedbacks provides a novel, non‐destructive approach to evaluating ASS dynamics that can be applied in threatened ecosystems where classic approaches are not viable.
Antarctic krill and ecosystem monitoring survey at South Orkney Islands in 2015, and assessing escape mortality of krill in trawls

There are numerous examples from around the world where collaborative science-industry partnerships, which provide a bottom up approach to trawl gear development, have had better success in implementing selective gears as opposed to a top down approach where selective gears are enforced into legislation. Such collaborations create a sense of ownership and control over the gears developed and often result is a range of technical solutions which all achieve the same objective. In contrast, when new more selective gears are introduced into legislation, in a top down approach, the selective performance of these gears is frequently negated. Here, we aim to highlight the salient features which lead to the success and failure of such collaborative approaches to fishing gear development. We further aim to identify where the legislative structures in certain countries inhibit such types of partnerships from being undertaken.
Chromatin Tagging Systems Contribute to Live Imaging Analyses for Chromatin Dynamics

Summary Chromatin tagging systems are based on bacterial operator/repressor systems combined with ﬂuo rescence proteins. They can visualize spatiotemporally the speciﬁc loci where the tandem array of an operator se quence is inserted and three-dimensionally analyze chromatin dynamics in a nucleus of living cells. This method in combination with RNA imaging or an induction system of DNA breaks make it possible to analyze chromatin dynamics at RNA transcription and DNA repair. Chromatin tagging systems are also applied to dynamic analyses of organelle genomes. In this review, we introduce their fundamental principles and recent applications.
A Study on Development of High Functional Materials Producing Technique using By-products from Skate Processing (1) - Development of Chondroitin Sulfate Materials using Skate Cartilages

For the purpose of reuse the wasted by-products from the skate process to the health functional food or medicinal material, chondroitin sulfate was extracted from the skate cartilage with the method of hydrolysis with protease enzyme, and the contents of chondroitin sulfate and hydrolyzed protein were measured qualitatively and quantitatively. The effects of chondroitin sulfate on body weight or liver weight changes, hepatotoxicity elimination and anti-inflammatory actions were measured from in vivo test with feed-treated mice. From the hydrolytic extraction of skate cartilage with the mixture of 1% alcalase and 1% protease for 4 hours, the extraction yield of chondroitin sulfate was about 32.55%. The content and molecular weight of chondroitin sulfate was 26.63% and . , respectively and the content ratio of chondroitin sulfate to protein was measured to 1 to 2.76 with gel permeation chromatography. For the odor component, trimethylamine decreased about 30% but almost not ammonia from chondroitin sulfate with the treatment of activated carbon. From the feeding chondroitin sulfate to mice, the control effect of body and liver weights decrease was measured, anti-inflammatory action and hepatotoxicity elimination action were also measured. From these results, process operation conditions for manufacturing of chondroitin sulfate were suggested.
Patterns of genetic diversity and structure in Antarctic and sub-Antarctic Nacella (Patellogastropoda: Nacellidae) species

Abstract The biogeography of the Southern Ocean reflects complex interactions between major macro-evolutionary forces and biotic elements. Major gateway openings, the establishment of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current and climate cooling are deeply connected to the composition, abundance and distribution of the Southern Ocean marine benthic fauna. Glacial episodes of the Quaternary heavily impacted the distribution of the genetic variation of the Southern Ocean biota. The genus Nacella includes 12 nominal species in different provinces of the Southern Ocean. In this study, we compared patterns of mitochondrial DNA diversity in three Nacella species from Antarctic Peninsula, Kerguelen Island and Patagonia. Low levels of genetic diversity and absence of genetic structure characterise each one of them showing the strong impact of ice advances and retreats over their respective demographics. Haplotype diversity, short genealogies and demographic inference recorded suggest the occurrence of a more dramatic demographic process in Antarctic Peninsula than in the sub-Antarctic.
New species and distribution of the genus Marilia Müller (Trichoptera: Odontoceridae) in Mexico and Central America

Nine new species of the genus Marilia Muller (Odontoceridae) are described from Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Costa Rica: M. baumanni, M. flinti, M. furthi, M. holzenthali, M. kingsolveri, M. mathisi, M. morsei, M. spangleri, and M. williammerrilli. The male genitalia are illustrated. The distribution of M. flexuosa Ulmer, M. nobsca Milne, and M. mexicana (Banks) is provided. A key to the males of the species of Marilia (with the exception of M. mexicana Banks) from Mexico and Central America is included.
Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) Control in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus), Soybean (Glycine max), and Potato (Solanum tuberosum) with Postemergence Graminicides

Field experiments were conducted from 1989 to 1992 in Balcarce, Tandil, and San Cayetano, all in Buenos Aires province (Argentina), to evaluate clethodim, fenoxaprop-P-ethyl, fluazifop-P, haloxyfop, propaquizafop, and quizalofop-P-ethyl for bermudagrass control in sunflower, soybean, and potato. The highest levels of bermudagrass control 60 days after treatment (DAT) were generally obtained with fenoxaprop-P-ethyl, haloxyfop, propaquizafop, and quizalofop-P-ethyl. Late season bermudagrass control, based on biomass of stolons and rhizomes, suggested that the most consistent treatments in potato and sunflower were haloxyfop at 180 g ai/ha and quizalofop-P-ethyl at 54 g ai/ha. In soybean, clethodim at 336 g ai/ha, haloxyfop at 180 g/ha, propaquizafop at 100 g ai/ha, and quizalofop-P-ethyl at 54 g/ha provided the greatest reductions in bermudagrass biomass. All of the postemergence (POST) graminicide treatments increased crop yields when compared to a nontreated check. However, little or no difference in yield was obtained when herbicide rate was increased.
A review of the genus Platyrhina (Chondrichthys: Platyrhinidae) from the northwestern Pacific, with descriptions of two new species

The genus Platyrhina from the northwestern Pacific was reviewed, including a redescription and neotype proposal for Platyrhina sinensis (Bloch and Schneider 1801), and the description of two new species. Platyrhina limboonkengi Tang 1933 is relegated to the synonymy of P. sinensis, both species having two rows of hooked thorns on the mid-dorsum of the tail. Specimens previously widely identified as P. sinensis, but characterized by one row of such hooked thorns, represented an undescribed species, herein named Platyrhina tangi Iwatsuki, Zhang and Nakaya sp. nov. Platyrhina hyugaensis Iwatsuki, Miyamoto and Nakaya sp. nov., known from specimens limited primarily to the Hyuga Nada Sea, off Miyazaki, the Pacific coast of southern Japan, is similar to P. tangi in having one row of hooked thorns on the mid-dorsum of the trunk and tail, but differs in having larger hooked thorns, not encircled by light yellow or white pigment on the orbital, nape and scapular regions, and a pair of hooked thorns (absent in P. tangi) anteriorly on the scapular region. Nominal species are discussed and key to northwestern Pacific species of Platyrhina is provided.
Cardiac Cellular Electrophysiology, Voltage Clamp, and Patch Clamp

Increasing knowledge for the cardiac cellular electrophysiology advances our understanding of cardiac arrhythmia and pathophysiology. Microelectrode recordings in intact tissue preparations and patch clamps in isolated single myocytes provide abundant information about the action potential morphology and pharmacological interventions in cardiomyocytes. Microelectrode recording, an easily learned procedure, can record the action potential with a longer period and avoid the impact due to isolation procedure. However, cellular interactions and complex electrograms from microelectrode recordings may interfere with the data interpretation. In contrast, single-cell recordings provide more direvidence of action potential and ionic data from current-clamp and voltage-clamp recording. The action potential morphology is caused by the balance of inward and outward currents. Nevertheless, the isolation procedure, cell cu1ture condition and rather short recording period make single-cell recording different from in vivo situations. Through the patch clamp, we can study the ionic mechanism underlying the pacemaker activity of single myocytes. This useful information provides the opportunity to investigate mechanisms of cardiac arrhythmia and develop potential anti-arrhythmia agents.
A taxonomic study of Lotus australis complex (Leguminosae), with special emphasis on plants from Pacific Ocean Islands

Le genre Lotus inclut presque 140 especes et a son centre de diversite dans la region mediterraneenne et en Macaronesie. Le complexe Lotus australis est cependant restreint a l'Australie et quelques iles de l'ocean Pacifique. D'apres les resultats de notre recherche morphologique nous distinguons quatre especes dans le complexe examine : L. australis Andrews s.str. (Australie, Tasmanie), L. pacificus Kramina & D.D. Sokoloff, sp. nov. (Ile Ryukyu, Japon; Ile Lanyu, Taiwan), L. anfractuosus (Bak.f.) Kramina & D.D. Sokoloff, comb. et stat. nov. (Iles Loyaute et Ile des Pins, Nouvelle-Caledonie; Ile Aniwa, Vanuatu) et L. cruentus Court (Australie). Deux nouvelles varietes sont decrites: Lotus anfractuosus var. vanuatensis Kramina & D.D. Sokoloff, var. nov. et Lotus australis var. austroglaber Kramina & D.D. Sokoloff, var. nov. L'aire disjointe du complexe L. australis pourrait s'expliquer par la dispersion a longue distance plutot que par la vicariance. L. australis et L. cruentus possedent plus de caracteres plesiomorphiques en comparaison des especes mediterraneennes et macaronesiennes, ce qui ne fournit aucune preuve decisive en faveur de l'origine Australienne du genre Lotus.
Binding ofthebasement-membrane glycoprotein laminin to glycosaminoglycans

The binding of the basement-membrane glycoprotein laminin to glycosaminoglycans (aggregating and non-aggregating subsets of heparan sulphates and dermatan sulphates, as well as heparin, chondroitin sulphates and hyaluronic acid) was studied by affinity chromatography. Partially periodate-oxidized chains of glycosaminoglycans were coupled to adipic acid dihydrazide-substituted agarose. Co-polymeric glycosaminoglycans reveal high affinity for laminin, whereas hyaluronic acid does not. Competitive-release experiments indicate that glycosaminoglycans share a common binding site on the laminin molecule.
ENDOCRINOLOGY, REGENERATION AND MATURATION IN NEREIS

Normal and regenerative growth are partially separated from maturation, since during the later stages of maturation, growth does not occur. A mature animal almost invariably regenerates a pygidium but rarely regenerates segmental rudiments. The supraesophageal ganglion of a mature animal secretes less hormone than that of an immature animal, though it still induces a significant amount of regeneration when implanted into an immature, decerebrate host. The rate of secretion of such a ganglion is as great during the first five days after implantation into the host as it is subsequently. A single ganglion from an immature donor (in which it is known to be actively secreting) induces no regeneration when implanted into a mature host. Immature grafts, from which posterior segments have been removed, engage in virtually no segment regeneration when stitched into mature hosts. However, implantation of three ganglia removed from immature donors into each graft results in the formation of a significant but very sm.
IN-VITRO CULTURE STUDIES IN SUGARCANE

Eleven sugarcane clones were compared for callusing and regeneration potential. All these clones showed varied response to the traits under study. However, the highest callus formation and plantlets regeneration were recorded in clone NIA-98 while the lowest in CP67-412 followed by SPSG-26. The maximum chlorophyll mutation frequency was noted in clone AEC82-1026 and minimum in AEC81-0819.
A tropical bird with a short breeding season and high rates of nesting success: the breeding ecology of the Star-throated Antwren (Rhopias gularis: Thamnophilidae) in subtropical Brazil

Abstract We studied nesting in marked pairs of Star-throated Antwrens (Rhopias gularis) over 3 years to examine whether breeding traits in subtropical Brazil are more similar to temperate patterns of breeding than is typical of the patterns observed within the mostly tropical Thamnophilidae. This Antwren is socially monogamous and permanently territorial, as are all Thamnophilidae, and has a long incubation period (18 days) and shorter nestling period (13 days). Its breeding season is relatively short (<4 months) and nesting success high (36%) compared with those traits of tropical antbirds. Daily nest- survival rate (DSR) during incubation was fairly low and declined throughout the breeding season, whereas DSR was greater and constant during the nestling period. Thus, early nests were more successful and, after hatching, nestlings had a very high probability of fledging (up to 90%). Only males built nests, which can be reused, apparently reducing reproductive demand on females. Pairs did not re-nest in the same season after a successful nesting attempt. Average fecundity was 1.0 ± 0.3 fledglings female−1 year−1, similar to that of tropical thamnophilids. We argue that the timing of breeding and reproductive effort are adjusted to reduce breeding costs in a subtropical climate, resulting in a unique combination of life-history traits for a bird of tropical origin.
Ecology of the Diatomic Flora in Thermo-Mineral Springs of Katlanovska Banja in the Republic Of Macedonia

Thermomineral waters have been attracting great a ttention in the world and in Republic of Macedonia lately, not only as a curative factor but also as an energy source. Thermomineral waters on the territory of the Republic of Macedonia are used for healthbalneological purposes, and part of these since recently has been used in greenhouse economy. Diatomic flora of the thermomineral waters in Mace donia is relatively poorly studied. Having in mind that the structure of diatomic flora of Katlanovska Banja has not been studied enough, and especially knowing that during the last two decades the taxonomy of diatoms has considerably changed, research of the diatomic flora of Katlanovska Banja has been started. Furthermore, these habitats are characterized by specific ecological conditions, which enable the development of characteristic diatomic microflora that is specialized for high temperatures (thermophilic species) and high content of salt (halophilic species). The results of this research for the first time mention the presence of the genus Nitzchia in the thermal waters of Katlanovska Banja, not only as present, but also as dominant taxa. The discovery of the genus Navicymbula with the species N. pusilla is also very significant, because it was not known for the flora of the Republic of Macedonia.
The Haemocompatibility of Biomaterials In Vitro: Investigations on the Mechanism of the Whole-blood Clot Formation Test

Twenty years ago Imai & Nose introduced a whole-blood clotting test for the estimation of haemocompatibility of biomaterials in vitro In our paper a modification of this assay is described and the mechanism of clot formation further elucidated. It was found that neither the inhibition of platelet function nor the removal of platelets from blood significantly changed the clot formation rate on glass and polyvinyl chloride in comparison to the rate tor whole blood. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that platelets were not involved in clot formation near the blood/biomaterial interface. Thus, it was concluded that the system of contact activation of the coagulation cascade dominates during clot formation under static conditions. The latter conclusion was supported by the fact that preadsorption of human serum albumin or human fibrinogen onto the glass plates used, decreased the clot formation rate in the same manner.