Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification of therapeutic targets in acute myeloid leukaemia expressing the mutant RAS oncogene

Mutational activation of RAS is one of the most common molecular abnormalities associated with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Normal human haematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) expressing mutant RAS overproduce ROS due to NADPH oxidase (NOX) activation and this promotes the proliferation of these cells as well as AML blasts. The mechanisms by which ROS promote proliferation is however unclear. The current study investigated the effect of RAS-induced ROS production on gene expression in normal HPC using gene expression profiling (GEP) and assessed whether ROS-induced gene expression changes contributed to the pro-proliferative phenotype. In order to determine the ROS-specific GEP, Affymetrix Human Exon 1.0ST arrays were used for the comparison of mutant RAS and control cells cultured in the presence or absence of the NOX inhibitor, DPI, which strongly suppressed the production of ROS. This analysis showed that RAS changed the expression of 342 genes. Of these, 24 genes were specifically altered in response to ROS production by these cells and amongst these increased expressions of genes of the glycolytic pathway were prominent. To establish the functional significance of up-regulated expression of glycolytic enzymes, aldolase C (ALDOC) was investigated since it showed greatest induction with ROS. ALDOC was directly induced by physiological levels of ROS in both HPC and AML cell lines. Further, overexpression of ALDOC demonstrated that its overexpression promoted the proliferation and serum-independent survival of leukaemic cell lines. Conversely, antiproliferative effects were observed when ALDOC was knocked-down in cells known to have high levels of constitutive ROS production. Given the high frequency of ROS production in AML, this study provides a plausible mechanism of enhanced glycolysis seen in this disease and suggests that agents restoring the redox environment could be used to correct metabolic imbalances which contribute to treatment resistance.
Long‐term declines in body size and shifts in run timing of Atlantic salmon in Ireland

Records extending back from three to seven decades from Atlantic salmon Salmo salar fisheries on the Blackwater, Newport and Owenduff River systems in Ireland, were used to test the hypothesis that there have been progressive declines in size and associated shifts in run timing. They showed identical patterns in four respects: 1) peaks of catch, in spring (March to April) and summer (June to July), 2) the largest fish were caught in the spring, with declines in size over the summer and a slight increase in autumn, 3) marked declines over time in average size and in the proportion of the Atlantic salmon taken in spring and 4) reductions in size in most months at all three sites. Correlations were also detected in average fish mass among the rivers over time (especially the Owenduff and Newport systems), showing a slight rise from the late 1960s until the late 1970s, followed by a steep decline. Data from an electronic counter on the Blackwater showed a reduction in the abundance of early migrants. The early fish were apparently much more vulnerable to fishing than later migrants, so the catch records overstated the abundance of early fish. These long-term declines in size, which have been noted elsewhere, may be due to other factors in addition to changes in marine productivity. Specifically, reduction in the abundance of large, spring-running Atlantic salmon may be due to selection resulting from heavy angler exploitation.
EFFECTS OF THE EXTIRPATION OF THE ANTERIOR LOBE OF THE HYPOPHYSIS OF RANA PIPIENS

1. The removal of the anlage of the anterior lobe of the hypophysis early causes the pigment cells to contract, and those of the epidermis to withdraw from it into the interior. This takes place while the gland shows little or no apparent histological differentiation.2. Evidence has been given to show that the absence of the hypophysis in tadpoles makes them highly susceptible to unfavorable chemical conditions of the water. This will be tested out specifically in later experiments.3. The absence of the hypophysis causes—either directly or indirectly—a failure to undergo metamorphosis especially evident in the absence of limb growth beyond a very rudimentary condition.4. The absence of the hypophysis causes a marked diminution of colloid formation in the thyroid gland and in the stage of 24 mm. involves a retardation in its growth.5. During the stages studied the absence of the hypophysis produced no noticeable effects upon the thymus gland nor upon the gonads.
Development of a science achievement evaluation instrument for a school garden program.

School gardens show promise as a tool for developing science process skills through real-world investigations. However, little research data exist attesting to their actual effectiveness in enhancing students’ science achievement. The purpose of this study was to develop three cognitive test instruments for assessing science achievement gain of third, fourth, and fi fth grade students using a garden curriculum. The development of the test instruments occurred in three phases: 1) an initial set of test instruments which served as a prototype for length, scope, and format; 2) an adapted set of test instruments which were piloted; and 3) a fi nal set of test instruments which were used for the assessment of the school gardening curriculum. The fi nal Cronbach’s alpha reliability for the fi nal set of test questions was 0.82, indicating an acceptable level of internal consistency. Content validity of the test instruments developed for this study was established based on the science content standards specifi ed in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for each grade level along with the gardening curriculum, as well as the Science Scope and Sequence documents for Temple, Texas Independent School District (ISD). Construct validity was established for the testing instruments by soliciting help from various curriculum experts from the Temple ISD.
Difference in reproductive strategies of two scleractinian corals (branching vs massive) along the west coast of Mexico

This study addressed the relative contribution of sexual and asexual reproduction to the genetic composition of populations of two scleractinian corals, Pocillopora damicornis and Porites panamensis, off the west coast of mainland Mexico. Reproductive indexes showed that P. damicornis reproduced both sexually and asexually; P. panamensis reproduced sexually, but colonies with an asexual origin were also observed (10-30%). Asexual reproduction is usually attributed to fragmentation caused by hurricanes; however, no significant association between reproductive index values and frequency of hurricanes was observed for either species. Environmental conditions in the Gulf of California seem to be more favorable for sexual reproduction in both species than other parts of the west coast of Mexico. This study contributes baseline information of differences in sexual and asexual reproduction in massive and branching corals.
Histology and Morphology of Asparagus Somatic Embryos

The histology and morphology of developing asparagus Asparagus officin- alis L. ) somatic embryos arising in callus cultures were examined and contrasted with that documented for zygotic embryos. Histological sections of lateral bud-derived callus cultured for 2 weeks on embryo induction medium consisting of Murashige and Skoog salts and vitamins (MS) with 1.5 mg NAA/liter and 0.1 mg kinetin/liter indicated the formation of distinct groups of embryogenic cells. At 4 weeks, the callus was comprised of embryos in the early and late globular stages and a few bipolar embryos. Within 2 weeks on embryo development medium consisting of MS with 0.05 mg NAA/liter and 0.1 mg kinetin/liter , the globular embryos developed a bipolar shape having an ex- panded upper region that formed the cotyledon and a smaller region that formed the radicle. Within 4 to 6 weeks on this latter medium, each mature bipolar embryo was opaque and had a large cotyledon, a distinct shoot apex at the cotyledon-hypocotyl junction, and vascular connections between the radicle, shoot apex, and cotyledon. Many mature somatic embryos resembled the asparagus zygotic embryos in having a crescent shape, whereas others had a short but wide cotyledon. Both somatic embryo types converted to plantlets at equal rates. Chemical names used: N- (2-furanylmethyl)- 1 H -purin-6-amine (kinetin); 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA).
Spatial variability of benthic macrofauna in the Ria of Vigo (NW Spain): Effect of sediment type and food availability

Abstract The rias are incised and/or drowned river valleys with a high biological productivity dominated by estuarine circulation. This ecosystem provides diverse habitats due to spatial heterogeneity in physical and chemical conditions. The main objective of this study is to determine the structure and spatial distribution, both vertical and horizontal, of subtidal macrobenthic assemblages in relation to sediment type and food availability. A total of 12 sites belonging to 4 different soft-sediment localities in the Ria of Vigo (Spain) were sampled in order to reveal the relative importance of the environmental factors in controlling benthic fauna. The distribution of macrofauna communities was related to the type of sediment, which is linked to a wider set of environmental conditions, such as food availability and hydrodynamics. Multivariate analysis used to relate biochemical characteristics of the sediment and faunal parameters suggests that biopolymeric carbon fraction (BPC) and lipids are the best descriptors of sediment nutritional value, indicating the importance of food quality as a structuring factor in macrobenthic communities. This result suggests that the use of BPC and lipids as a proxy for benthic macrofauna quantitative changes and dynamics may be an effective tool in the study of soft-bottom benthic ecosystems.
Influence of pinniped-caused injuries on the survival of adult Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in the Columbia River basin

Increasing pinniped abundance in the Pacific Northwest has coincided with population declines of Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) and steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and concentrated predation may affect the recovery of some threatened and endangered salmonid stocks. We used radiotelemetry to evaluate pinniped-caused injury effects on migration survival of 17 007 adult Columbia River Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and steelhead trout. Injuries from pinnipeds were common (mean injury rate across 29 run-years = 36.5%) and were most common for spring Chinook salmon and steelhead trout. Injury was not consistently associated with adult survival to spawning tributaries, but some negative survival effects were detected. Pinniped-caused injury rates decreased as annual run sizes increased, indicating density-dependent or saturation effects. Within a run, large fish generally had a higher injury incidence than small fish, suggesting pinnipeds targeted large fish or more efficiently captured sm.
Within-population variability in egg characteristics of walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) and white sucker (Catostomus commersoni)

I examined variation in egg characteristics among individual females of sympatrically spawning walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) and white sucker (Catostomus commersoni) from Lake Manitoba. White sucker produced eggs of greater dry mass and energy content than walleye. Walleye egg dry mass varied between years and was positively related to both female length and age. The relationship between white sucker egg dry mass and female length varied between years. Egg energy density did not vary with respect to female length in either species. Egg energy density varied between years for walleye but not white sucker. Hatching success of walleye eggs was positively related to female age and negatively related to female length adjusted for age. Length and dry mass of walleye larvae at hatch increased with egg dry mass. Results suggest that the quality of eggs produced by walleye and white sucker populations may vary with the size and age structure of the populations and among spawning years.
Utilization of Low Quality Broken Rice for Culled Buffalo Feed

Abstract The objectives of this research were to substitute broken rice for corn in buffalo diet. Sixteen buffaloes were randomly allotted according to the Completely Randomize Design. Diets was formulated to contain 16% of CP and 70% of TDN using broken rice at 0 (0BR), 20 (20BR), 40 (40BR) or 60% (60BR). Feedlot performance and carcass characteristics were determined. Loin and round muscles were collected and determined for chemical composition, meat quality, and consumer acceptance. The results showed that feed intake and daily weight gain were similar (P<0.05). Dressing percentage and carcass composition and appearance of fresh meat were also similar among treatments (P<0.05). However, chilled loin from 60BR had higher redness than 0BR and 20BR groups. Yellowness score was also higher than 0BR group. There were no different (P<0.05) on appearance of fresh and chilled round among treatments. Consumer acceptance of loin and round meat were not different (P<0.05). Chemical compositions were similar (P<0.05) in both loin and round meat. Broken rice could be substituted for corn in buffalo diet without any major effects on the performance, carcass composition and eating quality of meat.
Optimisation of the extraction of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity from aerial parts of Bidens pilosa L. using response surface methodology

Summary Response surface methodology was used to find the optimum ethanol concentration and temperature which maximises the antioxidant activity (AA) of hydroalcoholic extracts from aerial parts of Bidens pilosa L. A rotatable central composite design was used, and the extracts were characterised by the determination of solid concentration (SC), total flavonoid (TFC) and total polyphenol content (TPC). AA was determined through 2,2′-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-pycrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. Mathematical models showed the significant effects of each variable and allowed to select the optimum conditions of ethanol concentration (62.7%) and extraction temperature (66.2 °C). The optimised extract presented an AA of 804.9 ± 12.2 Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) dry base (d.b.) for DPPH and 515.8 ± 31.8 TEAC d.b. for ABTS. It was observed that both TFC and TPC showed a good correlation with AA of the extracts.
Relationship of mycorrhizal activity to time following reclamation of surface mine land in western Kentucky. II. Mycorrhizal fungal communities

Over a period of 2.5 years, mycorrhizal fungal communities in soils of five abandoned surface coal mine sites in western Kentucky were studied in relation to time following reclamation. These sites were reclaimed at different times and were in varying stages of revegetation. At the seeding stage of reclamation, low populations of mycorrhizal fungal spores of only a few species, notably Glomus microcarpum Tul. & Tul. , Glomus aggregatum Schenck & Smith emend. Koske, and Glomus fasciculatum (Thaxter) Gerdemann & Trappe emend. Walker & Koske, were present. Populations of spores of these species increased rapidly during the first 1 or 2 years after reclamation. Other species, notably those with larger spores, appeared with time. Spores of one group of species were a high proportion of the total early after reclamation, then declined in relation to populations of other species. A second group appeared soon after reclamation and maintained a relatively constant proportion of the total population. A third group w.
Intraneuronal APP/Aβ Trafficking and Plaque Formation in β‐Amyloid Precursor Protein and Presenilin‐1 Transgenic Mice

Neuropil deposition of β‐amyloid peptides Aβ40 and Aβ42 is believed to be the key event in the neurodegenerative processes of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Since Aβ seems to carry a transport signal that is required for axonal sorting of its precursor β‐amyloid precursor protein (APP), we studied the intraneuronal staining profile of Aβ peptides in a transgenic mouse model expressing human mutant APP751 (KM670/671NL and V717I) and human mutant presenilin‐1 (PS‐1 M146L) in neurons. Using surface plasmon resonance we analyzed the Aβ antibodies and defined their binding profile to APP, Aβ40 and Aβ42. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that intraneuronal Aβ40 and Aβ42 staining preceded plaque deposition, which started at 3 months of age. Aβ was observed in the somatodendritic and axonal compartments of many neurons. Interestingly, the striatum, which lacks transgenic APP expression harbored many plaques at 10 months of age. This is most likely due to an APP/Aβ transport problem and may be a model region to study APP/Aβ trafficking as an early pathological event.
Campylobacter pylori subsp. mustelae subsp. nov. Isolated from the Gastric Mucosa of Ferrets (Mustela putorius furo), and an Emended Description of Campylobacter pylori

The name Campylobacter pylori subsp. mustelae subsp. nov. is proposed for a Campylobacter commonly isolated from normal or inflamed gastric mucosa of ferrets. C. pylori subsp. mustelae, like C. pylori, has multiple sheathed flagella, rapidly hydrolyzes urea, is H2S negative on triple sugar iron agar, and has a variable reaction on lead acetate strips. It does not grow in the presence of 3% NaCl, and growth is variable in 0.04% triphenyltetrazolium chloride and 1% glycine. Unlike C. pylori, this organism reduces nitrate, is susceptible to nalidixic acid, and is resistant to cephalothin. Three strains of C. pylori subsp. mustelae were highly related (≥86%) as determined by deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-DNA hybridization (hydroxyapatite method, 50 and 65°C). C. pylori subsp. mustelae was ≥85% related to C. pylori, whereas the level of relatedness with another seven Campylobacter isolates was ≤2% at 65°C. The type strain of C. pylori subsp. mustelae is strain R85-13-6 (= ATCC 43772), and its DNA has a guanine-plus-cytosine content of 38 mol%.
New Records of Pseudionine Bopyrid Isopods, including two new Species and one new Genus, infesting Porcellanid Crabs (Decapoda: Anomura) on the Pacific coast of North and Central America

Abstract Aporobopyrus bourdonis, new species, earlier reported from the Pacific coast of Mexico but never described, infests Petrolisthes edwardsii (de Saussure), the same host species as before, in Costa Rica. Aporobopyrus muguensis Shiino, 1964, previously reported several times along the coast of California infesting Pachycheles rudis Stimpson and P. pubescens Holmes, is redescribed on the basis of material from Monterey, California, infesting P. pubescens. Aporobopyrus trilobatus (Nierstrasz and Brender à Brandis, 1925), previously known from the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific coast of Mexico, infests Petrolisthes ortmanni Nobili, a new host record, in Costa Rica. Discomorphus magnifoliatus, new genus, new species, infests Petrolisthes cinctipes (Randall) in central California. Synonymies are given for all species. Included is a summary of all porcellanids known to bear bopyrid parasites in the eastern Pacific.
Grappling with Inclusion: Ethnocultural Diversity and Socio-musical Experiences in Common Thread Community Chorus of Toronto

This pilot research study explored ethnocultural backgrounds of choristers and their socio-musical experiences participating in Common Thread Community Chorus of Toronto, a community choir that actively pursues cultural inclusion through policies of musical and financial accessibility, as well as choosing repertoire of diverse cultures. A survey of choristers investigated how Common Thread members’ ethnocultural backgrounds informed their perceptions of their musical and social experiences and of the choir’s cultural diversity, working from the assumption that all people have ethnocultural backgrounds. Research findings reveal complex and diverse cultures when singers reflect on their own experiences, but choristers tended to reduce cultural diversity to race and language when thinking about the choir as a whole, suggesting that perceptions may be operating from a white normative centre. The results of this pilot research raise significant questions about multicultural education and cultural inclusion efforts within community choral practices in ethnically diverse urban environments.
EVOLUTION OF WAVING DISPLAY IN BRACHYURAN CRABS OF THE GENUS ILYOPLAX

Abstract Male waving displays of the species of Ilyoplax (Brachyura: Ocypodidae) have so far been described in I. delsmani, I. gangetica, and I. orientalis. In this study, male waving displays of I. dentata, I. dentimerosa, I. deschampsi, I. formosensis, I. integra, I. ningpoensis, I. pingi, I. pusilla, I. serrata, I. strigicarpa, I. tansuiensis, and Ilyoplax sp. are described for the first time. Waving display of the above 15 species of Ilyoplax can be classified into three patterns; a circular type, vertical type, and asymmetrical type. Asymmetrical wave forms were observed in only two species, I. orientalis and I. tansuiensis, vertical wave forms were seen in four species, I. delsmani, I. dentimerosa, I. pingi, and I. serrata, while most other species exhibited circular wave forms. To understand the evolutionary divergence of these waving forms observed in species of Ilyoplax, a molecular phylogeny was reconstructed based on 1005-bp nucleotide sequences from mitochondrial 16S and 12S rRNA genes of 16 species and two out-group taxa. Phylogenetic analysis of waving forms suggested that circular waves evolved once in the early history of the lineage. Vertical wave forms were suggested to have subsequently evolved three times independently from circular wave forms, and the asymmetrical wave form has also evolved from circular wave form. The evolution of distinct waving forms is considered to be associated with the presence of geographic sympatric species.
Optimización del método SCAR (Sequence Characterized Amplified Region) que favorece el aislamiento de loci polimórficos para estudios filogenéticos en taxa cercanamente relacionados

DNA sequence data have made a tremendous contribution to plant phylogenetics. Nonetheless, a notable shortcoming of several loci has been the poor phylogenetic resolution of relationships among closely related species. In this study a modifi cation to the SCAR method is proposed that consists of: a) digestion of polymorphic RAPD fragments instead of cloning them, b) sequencing of the digested fragments, and c) alignment of sequences for designing specifi c primers. This simple approach allowed us to fi nd variable DNA loci suitable for phylogenetic analysis at lower taxonomic ranks.
Isolation of Lysozyme from the Hemolymph of Sweet Potato Hornworm, Agrius convolvuli Larvae

ABSTRACT Lysozyme plays a central role in initiating and maintaining the antibacterial defense response of insect. A new family member of insect lysozyme, an antibacterial peptide, has been isolated from the hemolymph of the fifth instar larvae of Agrius convolvuli. Vaccination was proceeded with E. coli K12 D21 (4x106 cells of log phase) injection into the abdomen of the larvae. Agrius lysozyme was isolated by cation‐exchange chromatography and RP‐FPLC, and sequenced by HPLC system. It was observed that the purified Agrius lysozyme was heat‐stable and had a molecular weight of approximately 15 kDa by SDS‐PAGE. The N‐terminal amino acid sequence of Agrius lysozyme is K‐H‐F‐S‐R‐C‐G‐L‐V‐Q‐E‐L‐F‐W‐Q‐G‐F‐P with the highest similarity to that of Heliothis virescence, and it has been identified that the Agrius lysozyme belongs to c type lysozyme.