Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The diagnostic challenges of patients with multiple system atrophy

Objective: Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by a combination of parkinsonism, cerebellar ataxia, and autonomic deficiency symptoms. The purpose of this study is to assess clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with probable MSA and review diagnostic challenges of MSA in view of the literature. Material and Method: Eleven patients followed-up with probable MSA diagnosis according to the second consensus statement on the diagnosis of MSA criteria were included in the study. Patient files were reviewed retrospectively and the latest clinical examination characteristics were noted. Results: The mean age of eleven MSA patients was found to be 65.36 (±5.32). Six patients were female. The average disease time was 4 years. Ten patients were not diagnosed with MSA by the clinician when they applied with the onset of symptoms. Only one patient was diagnosed with MSA correctly. Seven out of ten patients were diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, whereas the other three patients were diagnosed with ataxia. Conclusion: A considerable number of patients are not correctly diagnosed with MSA during their lifetime due to difficulties in differentiating it from other diseases. It is necessary to discuss this issue in the light of existing diagnostic criteria.
Lactational cadmium exposure induced alterations in the hematological indices and oxidative status in brain, liver and testes of rat pups.

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of lactational exposure to cadmium (Cd) on suckling male rat pups. Hematological parameters, antioxidant status, some biochemical and pathophysiological indices in brain, liver and testicular tissues of rat offspring were studied. Lactating Sprague–Dawley females received either 0 ppb (control) or 20 ppm Cd as CdCl2 in their drinking water during the lactational period. Suckling male rat pups were weaned and sacrificed on day 24 for performing various biochemical assays. Distortion of the hemopoietic features as decrease in RBCs count, hemoglobin, hematocrit and platelet values were seen in exposed rat pups. Increased lipid peroxidation malondialdehyde (MDA) and depressed antioxidant defense superoxide dimutase (SOD) levels in brain, liver and testes of exposed rat pups were obtained. Serum activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) showed a significant increase, whereas a reduction in the level of testosterone hormone was obtained in cadmium exposed pups. In addition, Cd induces neuronal degeneration, necrosis in hepatocytes and degeneration in semineferous tubules along with interstitial edema. The previous findings are indicative of multiple targets of cadmium to disrupt several organ functions in newly borne rat pups on lactational exposure.
Genetic variation, local adaptation and population structure in North American red oak species, Quercus rubra L. and Q. ellipsoidalis E. J. Hill

Forest trees, like oaks, rely on high levels of genetic variation to adapt to varying environmental conditions. Thus, genetic variation and its distribution are important for the long-term survival and adaptability of oak populations. Climate change is projected to lead to increased drought and fire events as well as a northward migration of tree species, including oaks. Additionally, decline in oak regeneration has become increasingly concerning since it may lead to decreased gene flow and increased inbreeding levels. This will in turn lead to lowered levels of genetic diversity, negatively affecting the growth and survival of populations. At the same time, populations at the species’ distribution edge, like those in this study, could possess important stores of genetic diversity and adaptive potential, while also being vulnerable to climatic or anthropogenic changes. A survey of the level and distribution of genetic variation and identification of potentially adaptive genes is needed since adaptive genetic variation is essential for their long-term survival. Oaks possess a remarkable characteristic in that they maintain their species identity and specific environmental adaptations despite their propensity to hybridize. Thus, in the face of interspecific gene flow, some areas of the genome remain differentiated due to selection. This characteristic allows the study of local environmental adaptation through genetic variation analyses. Furthermore, using genic markers with known putative functions makes it possible to link those differentiated markers to potential adaptive traits (e.g., flowering time, drought stress tolerance). Demographic processes like gene flow and genetic drift also play an important role in how genes (including adaptive genes) are maintained or spread. These processes are influenced by disturbances, both natural and anthropogenic. An examination of how genetic variation is geographically distributed can display how these genetic processes and geographical disturbances influence genetic variation patterns. For example, the spatial clustering of closely related trees could promote inbreeding with associated negative effects (inbreeding depression), if gene flow is limited. In turn this can have
Penguins of the World

1: The Diversity of Penguins. 2: Genus Aptenodytes. 3: Genus Pygoscelis. 4: Genus Eudyptes. 5: Genus Megadyptes. 6: Genus Eudyptula. 7: Genus Spheniscus. 8: Threats, Conservation, and the Future. Glossary. Bibliography
The effect of native and laboratory salinity levels on seed germination of Carex Lyngbyei

Survival analysis is applied to C a r e x Lyngbyei seeds for the study the germination of first time. Of the four environmental covariates concerned, the difference among three deltas and the water salinity are found to have significant influence on the germination process. The results support the theory regarding seed germination in general.
The Role of CaMK-II in Skeletal Muscle Function and Swimming Behavior in Zebrafish

THE ROLE OF CAMK-II IN SKELETAL MUSCLE FUNCTION AND SWIMMING BEHAVIOR IN ZEBRAFISH MINH PHI NGUYEN, B.S. A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science at Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Commonwealth University, 2013 Major Director: ROBERT M. TOMBES, Ph.D. Professor, Department of Biology Previous research showed mutations in muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum-bound calcium handler proteins cause swimming defects in embryonic zebrafish. CaMK-II is a highly conserved Ca/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase expressed in all vertebrates has been defined to activate and inactivate multiple Ca handler proteins involved in excitationcontraction coupling and relaxation of cardiac and skeletal muscle. In this study, evidence is
Developmental regulation and evolution of cAMP signalling in Dictyostelium

Through evolution the social amoebas have developed mechanisms to adapt to environmental changes and ensure survival. This thesis explores the evolutionary origins of cAMP signalling and regulation of developmental decisions in the model organism Dictyostelium discoideum. It also shows the first molecular-based phylogeny of the Dictyostelids. Development in Dictyostelium is characterized by the formation of a multicellular structure, the fruiting body, with a well-defined temporal and spatial pattern. cAMP, normally used as intracellular second messenger, in Dictyostelium is used also as an extracellular signal (chemoattractant) to mediate cell movement and cell differentiation. The study of the different components that control the formation of a multicellular fruiting body at a molecular level and from an evolutionary perspective shows that extracellular cAMP signalling was originally developed to control fruiting body morphogenesis. Furthermore it reinforces the idea that Dictyostelium is a simple but yet robust model to study the origins of multicellularity. Do to cAMP being so prevalent in Dictyostelium development I have studied the regulation of cAMP production during particular developmental stages showing in this thesis novel roles for the adenylyl cyclases that produce cAMP and their specific patters of expression during development. A thorough pharmacological analysis of these enzymes is also present in this work.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WITHIN A SOCIAL WORK PROGRAMME IN RURAL INDIA

Interweaving community engagement into education coheres with social work’s commitment to social justice. This paper focuses on a visit to an academic department in India. The visit focused on understanding the placement of students in a community context and its related projects. A qualitative design was used to conduct interviews and focus group discussions with academics, students and a community leader. Data were also gained through a field visit in the village. Valuable lessons emerged regarding the importance of community engagement in social work education and how social justice, advocacy and empowerment were interweaved into students’ learning experiences.
CHLAMYDOMONAS EUGAMETOS (CHLOROPHYTA) STORES PHOSPHATE IN POLYPHOSPHATE BODIES TOGETHER WITH CALCIUM 1

When Chlamydomonas eugametos Moewus cells are starved of phosphate, they accumulate 32Pi much faster than before starvation. Phosphate accumulation is stimulated by calcium. Less than 5% of the 32Pi taken up by the cell is present in soluble molecules, suggesting that most is in a metabolically inactive, storage form. Nuclear magnetic resonance and X‐ray microanalysis data are presented to show that it is stored as polyphosphate in electron‐dense bodies hi the cytoplasm. The same bodies accumulate divalent cations, in particular calcium. The P/Ca ratio in the bodies was maintained between 5.4 (1‐week‐old cells) and 3.3 (5‐week‐old cells) during cultivation, suggesting that the calcium and phosphorus relations of the bodies are coupled. The possibility that these electron‐dense bodies represent calcium stores that can be released to activate calcium signaling is discussed.
Pose-Inspired Shape Synthesis and Functional Hybrid

We introduce a shape synthesis approach especially for functional hybrid creation that can be potentially used by a human operator under a certain pose. Shape synthesis by reusing parts in existing models has been an active research topic in recent years. However, how to combine models across different categories to design multi-function objects remains challenging, since there is no natural correspondence between models across different categories. We tackle this problem by introducing a human pose to describe object affordance which establishes a bridge between cross-class objects for composite design. Specifically, our approach first identifies groups of candidate shapes which provide affordances desired by an input human pose, and then recombines them as well-connected composite models. Users may control the design process by manipulating the input pose, or optionally specifying one or more desired categories. We also extend our approach to be used by a single operator with multiple poses or by multiple human operators. We show that our approach enables easy creation of nontrivial, interesting synthesized models.
Mugilogobius hitam, a new species of freshwater goby (Teleostei: Gobioidei: Gobiidae) from Lake Towuti, central Sulawesi, Indonesia

A new species of Mugilogobius is described from Lake Towuti, central Sulawesi, diagnosed by its possession of a distinct transverse sensory papilla pattern on the cheek, overall blackish colour on head, body and fins and relatively large adult size for the genus. Although it may superficially resemble the black goby Mugilogobius amadi from Lake Poso, M. hitam, new species, lacks the numerous predorsal scales (22–36 in M. amadi versus 17–19), high second dorsal fin ray count (I,9, usually I,10, versus I,7–8) and narrow head and protruding chin of M. amadi. Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) data provide clear support for the species status of M. hitam, new species, indicate that all the Malili Lakes Mugilogobius may well represent a species flock and place M. sarasinorum from Lake Poso as its most likely sister taxon. In addition to the tectonic lake species, we report the occurrence of M. latifrons in streams of the Malili Lakes drainage.
Prospects of wheat breeding for durable resistance against brown, yellow and black rust fungi.

Wheat leaf, stripe and stem rusts have devastating role in reducing crop yield resulting in socio-economic instability many times across the world. The semi-dwarf wheat varieties with race specific resistance could not survive longer due to the evolution of new rust races. However, varieties like Lerma Rojo-64, Yaqui-50 and Lyalpur-73 developed in early part of green revolution retained resistance for longer time due to presence of adult plant resistance (APR) genes. Evolution of new rust races like virulence‟s Yr9 and Yr27 followed by the emergence of Ug99 and its mutants lead the breeders to revise their breeding strategy. Breeders are now depending on accumulation of minor genes or their use in combination with major genes for durability of rust resistance in wheat varieties. The minor genes/APR genes, Sr2/Yr30, Lr34/Yr18, Lr46/Yr19 are being exploited in wheat breeding at CIMMYT and other places. The germplam with this type of resistance have shown survival consistency over space and time. At Ayub Agriculture Institute, Faisalabad the home of green revolution in Pakistan, this strategy has been adopted since 1995. The partial resistance varieties were crossed in a top cross/back cross scheme and the segregating populations were advanced by selected bulk method, which resulted in the development of material having better yield and rust resistance than the pre-exiting varieties (e.g., Inqlab-91, MH-97). Three varieties, Shafaq-06 and Lasani-08 and AARI-11 from these crosses have been approved for general cultivation. Similarly, the material developed and distributed by CIMMYT, Mexico having this type of resistance is being globally adopted. The SSR markers for above mentioned minor genes are available and can be used as an aid in the early selection of superior genotypes. © 2013 Friends Science Publishers
Localization and functional characterization of iridoid biosynthetic genes in Catharanthus roseus

Catharanthus roseus is the sole biological source of the medicinal compounds vinblastine and vincristine. These chemotherapeutic compounds are produced in the aerial organs of the plant, however they accumulate in small amounts constituting only about 0.0002% of the fresh weight of the leaf. Their limited biological supply and high economical value makes its biosynthesis important to study. Vinblastine and vincristine are dimeric monoterpene indole alkaloids, which consists of two monomers vindoline and catharanthine. The monoterpene indole alkaloids (MIA's) contain a monoterpene moiety which is derived from the iridoid secologanin and an indole moiety tryptamine derived from the amino acid tryptophan. The biosynthesis of the monoterpene indole alkaloids has been localized to at least three cell types namely, the epidermis, the laticifer and the internal phloem assisted parenchyma. Carborundum abrasion (CA) technique was developed to selectively harvest epidermis enriched plant material. This technique can be used to harvest metabolites, protein or RNA. Sequencing of an expressed sequence tagged (EST) library from epidermis enriched mRNA demonstrated that this cell type is active in synthesizing a variety of secondary metabolites namely, flavonoids, lipids, triterpenes and monoterpene indole alkaloids. Virtually all of the known genes involved in monterpene indole alkaloid biosynthesis were sequenced from this library. This EST library is a source for many candidate genes involved in MIA biosynthesis. A contig derived from 12 EST's had high similarity (E'^') to a salicylic acid methyltransferase. Cloning and functional characterization of this gene revealed that it was the carboxyl methyltransferase involved in iridoid biosynthesis loganic acid
Germination and Emergence of Hairy Beggarticks (Bidens pilosa)

Effects of environmental factors on germination and emergence of hairy beggarticks were examined in laboratory and greenhouse studies. Optimum temperature range for germination of hairy beggarticks was 25/20 to 35/30 C (day/night, 12/12 h). Germination decreased above or below this range. Temperatures below 15/10 C and above 45/40 C were unfavorable for germination. Hairy beggarticks seed can germinate under both a 12-h photoperiod and a 24-h dark regime. Seed germinated 78 to 90% in buffer solutions of pH 4 to 9. Radicle growth was more sensitive to extreme pH than germination. Osmotic stress up to −0.1 MPa had little effect on germination, but less than 3% of the seed germinated at an osmotic stress of −0.75 MPa. Hairy beggarticks seed (13%) germinated at NaCl concentration of 100 mM but failed to germinate at 200 mM NaCl. Maximum emergence occurred when seed were planted less than 1 cm deep. No seedlings emerged when planted 10 cm deep. Flooding even for a day following planting decreased emergence to 25% compared to no flooding (56%). Seedling emergence decreased sharply with a further increase in duration of flooding, and no seedlings emerged when flooding was maintained up to 28 d after planting.
Effects of contractile history on neuromuscular output

The purpose of this study was to understand how the previous contractile history of muscle influences volitional force production. An additional objective was to quantify the effect of contractile history on specific indices of neuromuscular output, in order to examine potential underlying mechanisms which may contribute to alterations in force production following muscle contractions. Plantar flexor twitch torque (P3, soleus (SOL) H-reflexes and the RFD of explosive plantarflexions (exPFs) were obtained from 13 trained, university aged men before and after 4 separate trials consisting each of a conditioning series of 3, 5-second maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) of the plantar flexors. P, significantly increased @<0.05) relative to control values, while Hreflexes and the RFD of exPFs demonstrated no significant differences from controls. There was also no significant correlation between the temporal profiles P, and exPF RFD or the temporal profiles of H-reflex amplitude and exPF RFD. The results suggest that although P, was significantly higher post-conditioning it had no associated effect on volitional force production. It is also suggested that any post-activation potentiation (PAP) effect is isolated to electrically-evoked conditions. Co-Supervisors: Dr David Docherty & Dr. Paul Zehr Contractile History iii
Insensitivity of tests for reproductive problems.

: Studies of reproductive capacity in rodents have been conducted for decades using a design which has had little refinement over the years. Most commonly, one or two litters from each of one through three generations are raised. The variability between studies, generations, groups, and animals often precludes the resolution of subtle toxicologic effects on reproductive parameters. Nonreproductive parameters yield more reliable data than reproductive parameters. Changes in design and additions to the protocol which will provide additional data are discussed. These include semen evaluation and the use of larger group sizes in reproduction studies.
Paternity analysis in Ophiopogon xylorrhizus Wang et Tai (Liliaceae s.l.): selfing assures reproductive success

We assessed the utility of codominant allozyme markers for paternity analysis in natural populations of Ophiopogon xylorrhizus (Liliaceae s. l.) by means of likelihood‐based approach. In the three independent natural stands of 46 individual plants with 354 seeds of O. xylorrhizus (Liliaceae s. l), we assigned 319 seeds to a single individual with the highest LOD score. Among these, 179 seeds had a significant D‐value. An individual (acting either as female or male) mateds with an average of one other individual on average to reproduce, except when it self‐pollinated. If an individual that neither donated pollen to other individuals nor selfed, being strictly a pollen acceptor, the number of offspring produced was half that produced by as many offspring as individuals which both provided and accepted pollen (4.1 vs. 9.5). Significant positive relationships were found in all the three stands between the number of self‐pollen an individual produced and the number of seeds that individual set. Male outcrossing reproductive success was unevenly varied, both in amount and spatial location. The individuals located in the centre of the stand and the individuals closest to each other had higher male outcrossing reproductive success than those at the edge of the stand. Male selfing reproductive success showed a similar pattern, with an even distribution of female reproductive output. Most mating events were took place within 20 m. The distance between mates mirrored the active ranges of pollinators, and shaped the fine‐scale population spatial genetic spatial structure. The results indicate that selfing assures reproductive success in O. xylorrhizus.
Biological properties and spectrum of activity ofPseudomonas syringaepv.syringaetoxins

Abstract Syringomycin E (SR-E), syringotoxin (ST) and two forms (SP 22 -A and SP 25 -A) of syringopeptin (SP), the main lipodepsipeptides produced by strains of Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae , were investigated for their biological activities. All toxins caused lysis of sheep erythrocytes, but SPs were more active than SR-E and ST. The lytic concentrations were 0.8 and 0.6 μ M for SP 22 -A and SP 25 -A and 1.4 and 5.9 μ M for SR-E and ST, respectively. The effect of toxins on the electrolyte leakage from carrot tissues and on the viability of potato tuber tissues confirmed the higher phytotoxicity of SPs in comparison to the SR-E or ST. A relevant effect on electrolyte leakage was induced by 0.4 μ M SP 22 -A and 10 μ M ST, respectively. The spectrum of antimicrobial activity indicated that 50 μ M toxin solutions did not inhibit the growth of Gram-negative bacteria. Gram-positive bacteria were sensitive to SPs but in contrast, SR-E and ST had no relevant effect on the growth of these bacteria. In particular, the growth of Bacillus megaterium was inhibited by 1.56 μ M SP 22 -A and 3.12 μ M SP 25 -A, but was unaffected by 50 μ M SR-E or ST. The effects of toxins on fungi were variable. For example, 6.25 μ M SR-E or ST, 12.5 μ M SP 22 -A and 37.5 μ M SP 25 -A inhibited the growth of the yeast Rhodotorula pilimanae . The mycelial growth of the plant pathogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea was inhibited by 1.6 μ M SP 25 -A, 12.5 μ M SP 22 -A, 18.7 μ M SR-E and 25 μ M ST. Furthermore, SR-E was the most active toxin in inhibiting conidial germination and germ tube elongation of this fungus.
Low Genetic Diversity and High Genetic Divergence in Southern Rear Edge Populations of Dryas octopetala in the High Mountains of Far East Asia

polar plants’, have vast ranges in the boreal belt of Eurasia and North America. Whereas the present distribution of arctic-alpine plants is beyond or above the potential tree line, fossil records indicate that arctic-alpine species spread southward into unglaciated areas to survive during LateQuaternary glacial periods (Birks 2008). Since the last ice age, arctic-alpine plants have been migrating from their refugia upward to higher altitudes or northward to higher latitudes. Thus, the distribution of arctic-alpine plants has dramatically changed in response to Quaternary climate oscillations, causing them to experience frequent range expansions and fragmentations (Abbott & Brochmann 2003, Abbott 2008). In fact, many phylogeographic studies have revealed the genetic imprint of climate shifts in arctic-alpine species (e.g., Abbott et al. 2000, Skrede et al. 2006, Ikeda et al. 2008, 2009, Hirao et al. 2011, Winkler et al. 2012, Eidesen et al. 2013). The genetic imprint of range shifts are reLow Genetic Diversity and High Genetic Divergence in Southern Rear Edge Populations of Dryas octopetala in the High Mountains of Far East Asia