Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Dicer Inactivation in the Developing Mouse Adrenal Cortex and Micro-RNAs in Adrenocortical Carcinoma.

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare yet highly aggressive form of cancer with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) is one of the most highly expressed genes in sporadic ACC, and is an adrenal mitogen. In addition, a microRNA (miRNA), miR-483-3p, is located in an intronic region of IGF2, suggesting co-expression of IGF2 and miR-483-3p in ACC. miRNAs are small, endogenous, non-protein coding RNAs that are an important means of post-transcriptional gene regulation, and have been implicated in numerous physiologic and disease processes. This thesis describes the correlation between IGF2 and miR-483-3p in primary human ACC samples, providing rationale for the development of molecular tools designed to aid in the study of the role of IGF2 and miR-483-3p in ACC. Additionally, we describe the results of genetically deleting Dicer, a key miRNA processing enzyme, in the developing adrenal cortex. Adrenal Dicer knockout (KO) mice did not survive beyond 24-48 hours post-parturition, and were characterized by rapid failure of the adrenal cortex during late gestation at embryonic day 18.5 (E18.5). Specifically, Dicer KO adrenal cortical cells underwent apoptosis and were completely depleted by E18.5. The adrenal medulla, however, remained in E18.5 Dicer KO adrenals, suggesting that initial adrenal cortex formation was unperturbed by Dicer inactivation. To further characterize Dicer KO embryonic
Syllinae (Polychaeta: Syllidae) from Australia. Part 3. Genera Alcyonosyllis, Parahaplosyllis, and Trypanosyllis (Trypanobia)

Large collections of Australian Syllidae (Polychaeta) from the Australian Museum (Sydney) have been examined and identified, together with material from the Hamburgische Zoologische Museum der Universitat (Hamburg, Germany), as well as some specimens from other museums. All known Australian species of the subfamily Syllinae belonging to the genera Alcyonosyllis Glasby & Watson, 2001 (1 species), Genus A (1 species), Parahaplosyllis Hartmann-Schroder, 1990 (1 species), and Trypanosyllis (Trypanobia) Imajima & Hartman, 1964 (2 species), are fully described and figured, except Alcyonosyllis phili Glasby & Watson, 2001 that recently was described based on Australian material.
Social significance of trunk use in captive Asian elephants

Tactile behaviour plays an important role in maintaining social relationships in several mammalian species. Touching with the tip of the trunk is a common social behaviour among Asian elephants (Elephas maximus). This is considered an affiliative behaviour; however, few studies have investigated it in detail. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether this is an affiliative behaviour and whether it has other functions. We directly observed a group of captive female Asian elephants in Thailand. We found that the elephants usually touched each other with their trunks shaped in a U (U-type) or S (S-type) shape. The S-type shape was observed mainly when the elephants touched the lips of other elephants; however, this behaviour was occasionally observed in agonistic or play contexts, where it appeared to be a threat or dominant behaviour, particularly amongst adults. In contrast, the U-type shape was more frequently observed when the elephants were disturbed, where it appeared as a gesture for reassurance. We found that the U-type touch on the genitals may be used for interacting with neonates. Therefore, we suggest that despite the S-type touch having a tactile component, it may be a rare behaviour in Asian elephants that is similar to visual threat displays in other mammals. However, the U-type touch is similar to social grooming behaviour in primates or flipper rubbing in dolphins, and can be used as an indicator of affiliative relationships. Asian elephants change the shape of their trunk while touching others depending on their motivation and the situation, thereby demonstrating that the nuances of trunk use can assist in understanding the social relationships between individuals.
Construction of a Baculovirus Hyphantria cunea NPV insecticide containing the insecticidal protein gene of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki HD1

Baculovirus Hyphantria cunea nuclear polyhedrosis virus (HcNPV) insecticide containing the insecticidal protein (ICP) gene from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki HD1 was constructed using a lacZ-HcNPV system. The ICP (δ-endotoxin) gene was placed under the control of the polyhedrin gene promoter of the HcNPV. A polyhedrin-negative virus was derived and named ICP-HcNPV insecticide. Then, the insertion of the ICP gene in the ICP-HcNPV genome was confirmed by Southern hybridization analysis. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) analysis of the Spodoptera frugiperda cell extracts infected with the ICP-HcNPV showed that the ICP was expressed in the insect cells as 130 kDa at 5 days post-infection. The ICP produced in the cells was present in aggregates. When extracts from the cells infected with the ICP-HcNPV were fed to 20 Bombyx mori larvae, the following mortality rate was seen; 8 larvae at 1 h, 10 larvae at 3 h, and 20 larvae at 12 h. These data indicate that the B. thuringiensis ICP gene was expressed by the baculovirus insecticide in insect cells and there was a high insecticidal activity. The biological activities of the recombinant virus ICP-HcNPV were assessed in conventional bioassay tests by feeding virus particles and ICP to the insect larvae. The initial baculovirus insecticide ICP-HcNPV was developed in our laboratory and the significance of the genetically engineered virus insecticides is discussed.
Habitat associations of young Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix broods

ABSTRACT Capsule: In the Scottish Highlands, Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix females with young broods selected areas rich in wet flushes, grasses and Sphagnum mosses. Aims: To identify associations between young Black Grouse broods and habitat characteristics. Methods: We located brood-rearing Black Grouse females in four areas of moorland-forest mosaic in the Scottish Highlands. Each brood was paired with a random reference location 100 m away. We recorded cover of different habitats and fine-scale vegetation and structure within squares of 1 and 0.25 ha, respectively. Associations between brood occurrence and habitat and vegetation variables were examined at the two scales. Results: Black Grouse broods were positively associated with wet flushes (1 ha), and with Heather Calluna vulgaris, sedges Carex spp. , grasses, Sphagnum mosses and taller vegetation with intermediate levels of height variability (0.25 ha). Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of wet habitats for young Black Grouse chicks. In addition, relatively tall field-layer vegetation comprising Heather, sedges, grasses over a layer of Sphagnum mosses attracted brood-rearing Black Grouse females. Many management practices associated with peatland restoration, including drain-blocking, Sphagnum re-establishment and the avoidance of burning on deep peat soils, are therefore consistent with favourable habitat management for Black Grouse.
Ecophysiology of two tropical species in an abandoned eucalypt plantation: effect of plant litter removal and seasonality

The effect of the removal of plant litter on photosynthetic variables (gas exchanges, chlorophyll a luorescence, and content of photosynthetic pigments) of the tropical species Xylopia sericea A. St.-Hil. and Siparuna guianensis Aubl. was evaluated in an abandoned plantation of eucalypt (Corymbia citriodora (Hook.) K.D. Hill & L.A. S. Johnson (Myrtaceae)). The study was conducted at the Uniao Biological Reserve, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil during the rainy and dry periods, after ive years of litter removal. The removal of plant litter did not inluence the ecophysiological responses of the species. There was however signiicant seasonal variation. During the dry period, intercellular CO 2 concentration (C i ), transpiration (E), and stomatal conductance (g s ) were decreased, while intrinsic eficiency of water use (IWUE), non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), and carotenoid values increased, suggesting a protective strategy against stress. Nevertheless, the values for F v /F m (maximum quantum eficiency) and F m /F o (ratio of luorescence yields for open and closed states) indicated that even during the dry period there was no reduction in photochemical activity in these species. Only S. guianensis exhibited a reduced net photosynthetic rate (A) during the dry period. The data indicated that X. sericea was photosynthetically more eficient under conditions of low water availability and that a 5-year period of plant litter removal failed to produce differences in ecophysiological processes in the species analyzed.
Patterns of resource distribution among conspecific larvae in two fruit fly species: Anastrepha fraterculus and Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae) and Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) are fruit fly pests whose larvae are frequently found sharing the same fruit with conspecifics. Because larvae are incapable of leaving the fruit in search of non‐infested fruit, they are forced to share nutritional resources and eventually compete with other larvae for these. In the present study, we investigated the effect of intraspecific competition on the development of A. fraterculus and C. capitata larvae, and compared the strategies adopted by these species. To this end, newly‐hatched larvae were transferred into a container with a fixed amount of larval diet at increasing larval densities and several developmental parameters were measured. The two species showed similarities and differences in the way in which they responded to an increasing density. In A. fraterculus, pupal weight and the duration of the larval stage decreased as the competition levels increased. Larvae of C. capitata showed a consistent reduction in pupal weight and larval survival as the larval density increased. In A. fraterculus, the reduction in pupal weight was heterogeneous, with most pupae showing a marked decrease in weight and only few pupae showing slight negative effects or no effect at all, whereas, in C. capitata, the reduction was similar for all pupae. The differences in the way in which these species responded to competition suggest that there are different patterns of resource distribution among conspecific larvae. The implications of these findings for oviposition behaviour and the life history of the two species are discussed.
Detection of tissue-specific genes and computational analysis of testis-specific gene expression regulatory regions

Accumulation of microarray data enabled us to analyze the expression level of many genes in many different tissues. This technology can be used to find genes with unique expression pattern, such as tissue-specific genes. For most genes, the major cause of the difference of gene expression comes from the transcriptional control. The transcriptional control of each gene is done by the interactions between gene regulatory proteins and short stretches of DNA of defined sequence in a regulatory region relatively near the site where transcription begins [1]. In the previous study, we searched for the regulatory sequences of testis-specific genes, because the genes showing testis-specific expression are the most abundant among the genes exhibiting tissue-specific expression [5]. In this study we further investigated the conservation of these motifs in the regulatory regions of testis-specific genes and non-testis-specific genes.
Inheritance patterns of photoperiodic diapause induction in Leptinotarsa decemlineata

Photoperiod is a reliable indicator of season and an important cue that many insects use for phenological synchronization. Undergoing range expansion insects can face a change in the local photoperiod to which they need to resynchronize. Rapid range expansion can be associated with rapid photoperiodic adaptation, which can be associated with intense selection on strongly heritable polygenic traits. Alternatively, it is proposed that, in insects with an XO sex‐determination system, genes with large effect residing on the sex chromosome could drive photoperiodic adaptation because the gene or genes are exposed to selection in the sex carrying only a single X‐chromosome. The present study seeks to understand which of these alternatives more likely explains the rapid photoperiodic adaptation in European Colorado potato beetles Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say. Diapause induction is assessed in beetles from a northern and a southern population, as well as from reciprocal hybrid crosses between the northern and southern population, when reared at an intermediate length photoperiod. The crosses within population display the expected responses, with the northern and southern populations showing high and low diapause propensity, respectively. The hybrids show intermediate responses in all studied traits. No clear difference in the responses in hybrids depending on the latitudinal origin of their father or mother is detected, even though partial paternal line dominance is seen in the responses of male beetles in one hybrid cross. These results therefore indicate that, in L. decemlineata, photoperiodic diapause induction is strongly heritable, and has an additive polygenic autosomal background.
Novel Nitrospira-like bacteria as dominant nitrite-oxidizers in biofilms from wastewater treatment plants: diversity and in situ physiology

The frequency and distribution of putatively nitrite-oxidizing, Nitrospira - like bacteria in nitrifying biofilms from two reactors receiving wastewater with different ammonia and salt concentrations were observed by fluorescent in situ hybridization. For this purpose, new 16S rRNA-directed oligonucleotide probes targeting the bacterial phylum Nitrospira and the three main lineages within this phylum were developed and evaluated. The diversity of Nitrospira -like bacteria in the reactors was additionally investigated by retrieval and comparative analysis of full 16S rRNA sequences from the biofilms. We found that, despite of the differences in the influent composition, Nitrospira -like bacteria form dominant populations in both reactors. In addition, first insights into the physiology of these still unculturable bacteria were obtained by the incubation of active biofilm samples with radioactively labeled substrates followed by the combined application of fluorescent in situ hybridization and microautoradiography. The results are discussed in consideration of the frequently observed dominance of Nitrospira -like bacteria in nitrifying bioreactors. Consequently, high priority should be assigned to future studies on the ecology and physiology of these organisms in order to increase our fundamental understanding of nitrogen cycling and to enable knowledge-driven future improvements of nitrifying wastewater treatment plants.
Investigation of the antifouling properties of extracts from marine microalgae

Biofouling, through undesirable colonisation of surfaces by marine organisms, is responsible for significant economic and environmental impacts that justify the use of antifouling (AF) coatings. Extracts from cultivable microalgae were investigated as a sustainable and eco-friendly source of AF compounds. A multi-functional bioassay was developed to test microalgal extracts against biofilm-forming bacteria and diatoms (behaviour, growth, adhesion, toxicity, species interactions). The AF activity of extracts from seven microalgae was investigated against microfoulers, macroalgae and barnacles, and, the impact of stresses was assessed. Inhibitory activities were recorded against a wide spectrum of organisms between 0.01 and 100 μg. mL-1, and complex doseresponses with stimulatory effects were highlighted. The AF activity was improved using competition and dark stress on marine microalgae, and was repressed using predation on freshwater species. Replicate experiments conducted using dark stress demonstrated the stability of stress responses, when comparing AF activity and metabolic profiles, for Cylindrotheca closterium and Thalassiosira pseudonana. These strains, which showed high biomass and extract yields (5%-10%), were further studied for fractionation and field-tests. Fractions of intermediate polarity from C. closterium demonstrated the most potential in the laboratory. In the field tests, Cc5 still showed moderate activity against early formation of algal slime in Portsmouth, and Cc6 reduced invertebrates’ settlement in Toulon. The microalgal culture-associated bacteria studied showed high diversity, microalgal proximity, and multifaceted chemical interactions. A comparative study showed that microalgal and bacterial extracts exhibited different patterns of AF activity and distinct chemical signatures, confirming the microalgal origin of extracts studied throughout. This work proposed a multi-functional AF screening of microalgal compounds for a better understanding of the mode of action, it demonstrated the tangible potential of microalgal extracts for AF applications, and it addressed the limits of an AF strategy based solely on chemical interactions - encouraging future use of combinatory approaches.
Neotropical Monogenoidea. 39: a new species of Kritskyia (Dactylogyridae, Ancyrocephalinae) from the ureters and urinary bladder of Serrasalmus marginatus and S. spilopleura (Characiformes, Serrasalmidae) from southern Brazil with an

Kritskyia annakohnae n. sp. (Dactylogyridae, Ancyrocephalinae) est decrit a partir d'individus parasites des ureteres et de la vessie urinaire des piranhas Serrasalmus marginatus Valenciennes, 1836 et S. spilopleura Kner, 1858 (Characiformes, Serrasalmidae) du Rio Baia, Parana, Bresil. La nouvelle espece est caracterisee par une protuberance sur le cote gauche du tronc, ainsi que par une piece accessoire comprenant deux sous-unites paralleles, fusionnees aux deux extremites, proximale et distale. Une nouvelle diagnose du Kritskyia Kohn, 1990 est proposee. En depit d'une proposition anterieure, Kritskyia ne s'apparente pas a d'autres Dactylogyridae qui n'ont ni ancres ni barres transversales haptorales. Les connaissances actuelles sur la morphologie et la phylogenie indiquent que la perte de ces sclerites a eu lieu plusieurs fois et independamment dans la famille.
Molecular imprinting technology for protein recognition

Molecular imprinting is air effective technique for the creation of recognition sites in a polymer network. protein imprinting has been a focus for many chemists working in the area of molecular recognition, since the creation of synthetic polymers that can specifically recognize proteins is challenging and extremely applicably valuable. this review gives an overview of the progress about molecularly imprinted polymers ( mips) for protein recognition in the recent decade, discusses different approaches developed, underlines their relative advantages and disadvantages and highlights trends and possible future directions.
Synthesis, Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities of some new Bipyrazolic Tripodal Derivatives

A series of novel bipyrazolic tripodal derivatives were prepared in one step, in good and excellent yields. The in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities of these products and their starting materials were screened against two fungal strains (Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Fusarium oxysporum f.sp albedinis) and against bacterial strains (Echerichia coli). Structureactivity relationship (SAR) reflects the effect of substituted drugs. A considerable activity was recorded with respect to the Fusarium oxysporum f.sp albedinis with MIC = 7,05.
Untersuchungen zur Systematik der Hamster (Cricetinae) sowie zur genetischen Populationsstruktur und Phylogeografie des Feldhamsters Cricetus cricetus (Linneaus, 1758) und des Goldhamsters Mesocricetus auratus (Waterhouse, 1839)

Despite some popularity of hamsters as pets and laboratory animals there is no reliable phylogeny of the subfamily Cricetinae available so far. Contradicting views exist not only about the actual number of species but also concerning the validity of several genera. We used partial DNA sequences of two mitochondrial (cytochrome b, 12SrRNA) and one partial nuclear gene (von Willebrand Factor exon 28) to provide a first gene tree of the Cricetinae based on 15 taxa comprising six genera. According to our data, Palaearctic hamsters fall into three distinct phylogenetic groups: Phodopus, Mesocricetus and Cricetus-related species which evolved during the late Miocene about 7 – 12 MY ago. Surprisingly, the genus Phodopus, which was previously thought to have appeared during the Pleistocene, forms the oldest clade. The largest number of extant hamster genera is found in a group of Cricetus-related hamsters. Das Projekt zur Systematik der Cricetinae wurde von mir konzipiert. Die genetischen Analysen des Cytochrom B-Gens und von Willebrand Faktors wurden durch mich unter der technischen Assistenz der Laborantinnen Frau Becke und Frau Gebhardt im eigenen Labor durchgeführt. Die DNASequenzen für das 12SrRNA-Gen wurden von V. Lebedev in Moskau bereitgestellt. Das Sammeln der Hamsterproben erfolgte durch eigene Exkursionstätigkeit und durch die Mitautoren. Die statistische Auswertung erfolgte durch J. Michaux, V. Lebedev und mich. Das Manuskript wurde durch mich erstellt. Der Material und Methodenteil wurde von Dr. J. Michaux, V. Lebedev und mir erarbeitet. Dr. A. Surov führte die Revision der Verbreitungskarten durch.
The cellular and molecular investigation of Wnt/FZD signalling during spinal cord neurogenesis

Spinal cord development has been studied extensively and is a model for embryonic patterning and cell differentiation. These processes are governed by extracellular and intracellular signaling and require gene transcription. Wnt signaling has been shown to be involved in dorsal-ventral patterning of the spinal cord, where it affects cell proliferation and specification. Wnt ligands bind to Frizzled receptors and Lrp5/6 coreceptors and initiate canonical, β-catenin-dependent, Wnt signaling. To determine important FZD receptors in chick spinal cord we analysed FZD expression patterns using in situ hybridization. In situ cryosections showed that FZD expression patterns are dynamic and specific along the dorsal-ventral axis of the spinal cord. Previous work in Xenopus showed that FZD10 acts through canonical Wnt signaling. However, which Wnt ligands activate FZD10 during neurogenesis remains unclear. Here, we investigate FZD10 expression, regulation and function in the chick developing spinal cord using in situ hybridization, in ovo electroporation and immunohistochemistry. FZD10 is expressed in the dorsal neural tube and overlaps with expression of Wnt1, Wnt3a, markers of dorsal progenitors and of interneurons. To examine Wnt1 and Wnt3ainteractions with FZD10 in vivo, developing spinal cords were electroporated with Wnt1 and Wnt3a individually. Targeted mis-expression of Wnt1 up-regulated FZD10 expression whereas Wnt3a did not. This may suggest that FZD10 exclusively interacts with Wnt1 to mediate its function during spinal cord development. Furthermore, the role of FZD10 was studied in vivo in developing spinal cords. FZD10 regulated cell proliferation and differentiation, suggesting that it is required for Wnt1 signal transduction and for spinal cord development. Lrp6 is involved in central nervous system development including spinal cord. In this study, in vivo experiments revealed that Lrp6 complements Wnt1/FZD10 mediated activation of dorsal markers during spinal cord neurogenesis. This could explain how Wnt signalling regulates sensory neuron formation in the dorsal spinal cord.