Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE GLYCEROL‐ISOLATED MITOTIC APPARATUS: A RESPONSE TO PORCINE BRAIN TUBULIN AND INDUCTION OF CHROMOSOME MOTION

The birefringence of the MAs or spindles isolated from sea urchin eggs with the 1 M glycerol‐isolation medium was stabilized when more than 0.5 mg/ml tubulin was contained in the medium. The addition of glycerol up to a final concentration of of 4 M strongly stabilized the MAs even in the absence of GTP and tubulin. The birefringence of the spindle and asters was not reduced even for the periods of several hours. The incorporation of heterogeneous tubulin into the isolated anaphase MAs was demonstrated by augmentation of the birefringence at the interzonal region as well as half spindles accompanied by enlargement of spindle and asters. In the anaphase MAs isolated in the absence of brain tubulin, chromosomes moved a short distance toward the poles upon addition of ATP, Mg2+ and 0.5 mg/ml tubulin. When the MAs were isolated in the presence of 0.5 mg/ml tubulin, the chromosomes moved in a more regular fashion to half the way to the poles accompanied by an increase in spindle length by 10 to 15%. GTP could not be substituted for ATP for inducing the motion. The chromosome motion of the isolated anaphase spindle was less significant than that of the isolated MA. Increasing tubulin concentration to 3 mg/ml, the chromosomes in the isolated MA separated at random by an unusual growth of the spindle. The stretch of the interzonal region by incorporating heterogeneous tubulin seemed to push the chromosomes apart abnormally. It was suggested that brain tubulin in a range of 0.5 mg/ml supports a tubulin‐MA microtubule equilibrium favoring more regular motion of chromosomes in vitro.
Reproductive characteristics of Alaskan moose

Many aspects of moose (Alces alces) reproduction are poorly documented. Therefore, we quantified the estrous cycle, estrous length, gestation period, fetal development, and birth mass of calves. We evaluated empirical relationships among maternal age, mass, and previous breeding parity with litter size and neonatal sex ratio. Increased attentiveness by the bull signaled estrous behavior in cows. Estrous females did not increase activity. The estrous cycle varied from 22 to 28 days (x = 24.4 days) and did not lengthen with each successive cycle. The cycle of primiparous females was shorter (P = 0.05) than pluriparous females. Gestation averaged 231 days (SD = 5.4 days) and did not differ (P > 0.05) between primiparous and pluriparous females, litters of 1 or 2 calves, among 5 years of study, or between cows bred their first or second overt estrus
The classic receptor for 1α,25‐dihydroxy vitamin D3 is required for non‐genomic actions of 1α,25‐dihydroxy vitamin D3 in osteosarcoma cells

1α,25‐dihydroxy vitamin D3 has a major role in the regulation of the bone metabolism as it promotes the expression of key bone‐related proteins in osteoblastic cells. In recent years it has become increasingly evident that in addition to its well‐established genomic actions, 1α,25‐dihydroxy vitamin D3 induces non‐genomic responses by acting through a specific plasma membrane‐associated receptor. Results from several groups suggest that the classical nuclear 1α,25‐dihydroxy vitamin D3 receptor (VDR) is also responsible for these non‐genomic actions of 1α,25‐dihydroxy vitamin D3. Here, we have used siRNA to suppress the expression of VDR in osteoblastic cells and assessed the role of VDR in the non‐genomic response to 1α,25‐dihydroxy vitamin D3. We report that expression of the classic VDR in osteoblasts is required to generate a rapid 1α,25‐dihydroxy vitamin D3‐mediated increase in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration, a hallmark of the non‐genomic actions of 1α,25‐dihydroxy vitamin D3 in these cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 99: 995–1000, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Door to balloon time, the efficiency of Primary PCIsystem - Where do we stand?: A large tertiary care hospital experience from India

BACKGROUND/AIM: To determine the DTB in acute STEMI patients and to determine the causes for the delay in achieving DTB to ≤ 90 minutes, Clinical and angiographic profile of these patients with their outcomes within 30 days of STEMI. METHODS: Ninety-six patients, who underwent primary PCI during Dec 2012 to Nov 2013, were divided into 2 groups based on their presentation to Cardiology department direct {CPU group} or indirect {Casualty group}. We assessed the time taken from door-to-balloon which was divided into 7 stages in both the groups and additional casualty delay in the patients who presented to emergency department [casualty group]. The primary aim of the study was to calculate Door to Balloon time at our centre and to determine the causes for delay in DTB in those patients who had DTB > 90 minutes. RESULTS: The mean DTB for overall study patients was 98.1minutes (SD=30.5 min) [mean DTB was 84.9 minutes (SD=22.1min) in CPU group in compared to 123.4 minutes (SD=28.5 min) in Casualty group with p value of 90 minutes. The most common cause of delay in DTB in overall patients were late finance arrangement and casualty delay which were seen in 41.8% and 34.8% patients respectively. [ In the CPU group, the most common causes were late finance arrangement and procedural delay whereas in casualty group the most common causes were casualty delay and late finance arrangement]. DTB did not differ in patients with mode of payment or their timing [day-time or night-time] but there was trend towards higher DTB if the patients presented on weekdays [P value0.086]. Overall most common MI in our study was anterior wall MI; most of the patients had only Single vessel CAD [most common Culprit artery was LAD/Diagonal]; radial access was the access site of choice in 85.4% patients; 83.3 % patients had thrombectomy; stent deployment was observed in 90.6% patients; TIMI flow had improved significantly in most of the patients (92.7%) after PCI. Overall 30 day mortality and MACCE in our study was observed in 6.25% & 8.3% patients, respectively. [Total 6 deaths - 4 were in-hospital deaths and 2 deaths due to sub-acute stent thrombosis within 30days follow up; one patient had ischemic stroke and another patient had recurrence of CHF within 30 days follow up]. CONCLUSION: The presentation of acute STEMI patients to emergency department, significantly delayed DTB when compared with admission to CPU. Apart from casualty delay the other causes for delay in DTB were-delay due to late financial arrangement, and hemodynamic instability and busy Cath lab and procedural delay. Majority [87.5%] of the MACCE occurred in DTB > 90 minutes patients.
Improvement in Cadmium Tolerance of Tomato Seedlings with an Antisense DNA for 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-Carboxylate Synthase

ABSTRACT Cadmium (Cd) accelerates leaf senescence and causes cell death in plants. However, the role of ethylene in these responses is currently unclear. In the present study, expressing an antisense 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid synthase gene (LeACS2) reduced the LeACS2 message by 89% under Cd stress, which blocked ethylene evolution in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum). Cadmium-induced cell death was attenuated in LeACS2 antisense plants, which was complemented by pretreatment of ethylene precursor, suggesting ethylene is required for Cd-induced cell death. The function of ethylene in cell death is hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-dependent. Ethylene blocking inhibited Cd-induced H2O2 accumulation. Application of H2O2-generating Glc/Glc oxidase promoted cell death in wild-type and LeACS2 antisense plants. Cadmium caused loss of chlorophyll and foliar protein, which was retarded in LeACS2 antisense plants. The LeACS2 antisense plants maintained leaf performance, including transpiration and CO2 assimilate. These results define a regulatory role of ethylene in the regulation of cell death and leaf performance under Cd stress.
Nanotechnology and lung diseases, caterpillars and agriculture, a new fossil turtle egg type from China, and a giant flying reptile from Gondwana

This first issue of the Annals of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences (AABC) of the year has over 30 contributions in a variety of fields. Among the most interesting ones is a brief review of nanotherapy in the treatment of lung diseases presented by Adriana da Silva (Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro) and colleagues (Silva et al. 2013). Nanotechnology is being regarded as the future for several areas of scientific developments with a variety of applications, including pharmacotherapy. By manipulating substances on atomic and molecular scales, researchers see the potential for being able to treat diseases minimizing side effects (e.g., Bhaskar et al. 2010). Silva and colleagues review several aspects of published studies regarding the treatment of respiratory diseases, showing that there is still a wide gap between scientific results and clinical application in cases like asthma, tuberculosis and lung cancer.
Sodium sensing induces different changes in free cytosolic calcium concentration and pH in salt‐tolerant and ‐sensitive rice (Oryza sativa) cultivars

Perception of salt stress in plant cells induces a change in the free cytosolic Ca 2+ , [ca 2+ ] cyt , which transfers downstream reactions toward salt tolerance. Changes in cytosolic H + concentration, [H + ] Cyt , are closely linked to the [Ca 2+ ] cyt dynamics under various stress signals. In this study, salt-induced changes in [Ca 2+ ] cyt , and [H + ] cyt and vacuolar [H + ] concentrations were monitored in single protoplasts of rice (Oryza sativa L. indica cvs. Pokkali and BRRI Dhan29) by fluorescence microscopy. Changes in cytosolic [Ca 2+ ] and [H + ] were detected by use of the fluorescent dyes acetoxy methyl ester of calcium-binding benzofuran and acetoxy methyl ester of 2', 7'-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5-(and-6) carboxyfluorescein, respectively, and for vacuolar pH, fluorescent 6-carboxyfluorescein and confocal microscopy were used. Addition of NaCI induced a higher increase in [Ca 2+ ] cyt in the salt-tolerant cv. Pokkali than in the salt-sensitive cv. BRRI Dhan29. From inhibitor studies, we conclude that the internal stores appear to be the major source for [Ca 2+ ] cyt increase in Pokkali, although the apoplast is more important in BRRI Dhan29. The [Ca 2+ ] cyt measurements in rice also suggest that Na + should be sensed inside the cytosol, before any increase in [Ca 2+ ] cyt occurs. Moreover, our results with individual mesophyll protoplasts suggest that ionic stress causes an increase in [Ca 2+ ] cyt and that osmotic stress sharply decreases [Ca 2+ ] cyt in rice. The [pH] cyt was differently shifted in the two rice cultivars in response to salt stress and may be coupled to different activities of the H + -ATPases. The changes in vacuolar pH were correlated with the expressional analysis of rice vacuolar H + -ATPase in these two rice cultivars.
Variability among Chinese Glycine soja and Chinese and North American Soybean Genotypes

The narrow genetic base of elite soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr. , germplasm may impede further attempts to improve grain yield and other important agronomic characters. Germplasm collections of wild soybean, Glycine soja Siebold & Zucc. , are a source of genetic variability for soybean breeding programs. The objectives of this research were to use genetic markers to characterize diversity among 60 G. soja accessions collected in China and to compare this diversity with 18 U.S. ancestral soybean genotypes, 12 Chinese G. max plant introductions (Pis), and 47 elite soybean lines from the northern USA. These accessions were genotyped with a set of 72 simple sequence repeat markers. The G. soja accessions were found to contain more alleles per locus (17) than the U.S. ancestral genotypes (5.8), the Chinese Pls (5.5), or the elite lines (4.5). Multivariate analyses were able to separate the G. max lines from the G. soja accessions and identify the most diverse subset of G. soja accessions. Multidimensional scaling separated G. soja accessions from high and low latitudes, while Ward's clustering method separated the G. soja accessions into distinct clusters that tended to include accessions from similar geographical regions. These data will be useful to breeders selecting G. soja accessions as parents in a breeding program and for establishing a core collection of G. soja to be used in future research.
The Calcium-Phosphorus Ratio in the Nutrition of Growing Chicks

Abstract The Ca-P ratio in cows milk as well as the milk of other mammals is approximately 1:. 65. It has been found by Simmonds1 that the optimum amounts of calcium and phosphorus for the rat are approximately . 65 gram of calcium and . 40 gram of phosphorus per 100 grams of food mixture. These proportions give a Ca-P ratio of 1:. 62, a ratio quite similar to that found in milk. Because of the ideal character of milk as a food for the young, and because of the results secured by Simmonds, this ratio has been emphasized as the most suitable one in ration construction for the rat and possibly other mammals. In the hen’s egg—exclusive of shell—the Ca-P ratio is very different from that of milk and shows a preponderance of phosphorus over calcium. The ratio is 1:2.77. These figures are based on analyses of the combined white and yolk .
Sex-specific hoarding behavior in North American red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)

Abstract In short-term hoarding rodents, reproduction and hoarding often overlap and reproductive status can alter hoarding behavior. In long-term hoarders these activities are often separated seasonally. Therefore, annual and sex-specific variation in the timing of reproduction relative to the hoarding season may influence variation in the hoarding behavior of long-term hoarders. North American red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) clip and hoard white spruce (Picea glauca) cones each autumn, but have variation in reproductive timing such that in some years the hoarding season overlaps with reproductive activity. Over 4 years with naturally varying cone availability we quantified reproductive timing and hoarding behavior. Males completed mating 22–90 days before the onset of hoarding, whereas large numbers (45–86%) of females during large cone crop years weaned litters after hoarding commenced. Despite these differences in reproductive timing, across all years females clipped more cones than did males, whereas males hoarded more cones and had a higher propensity to larder-hoard than did females. Interestingly, in the years with large cone crops, females that weaned their litters later (during the hoarding season) did not have reduced hoarding or reproductive performance (offspring growth and recruitment) than females that weaned their litters earlier. In the year with the most extensive overlap between female reproduction and hoarding, lactating females did not differ from males in the amount of time they allocated to hoarding. In this year, the daily energy expenditure of lactating females during the hoarding season did not differ from that of males engaged in hoarding or from that of lactating females prior to the hoarding season. Hence, under high-resource conditions the competing demands of lactation and hoarding can both be sustained, allowing red squirrels flexibility in the separation between reproduction and hoarding.
Geographic Variation in the First Pleopod of the Form I mAle Dwarf Crayfish, Cambarellus Puer Hobbs (Decapoda, Cambaridae)

[Geographisch beeinfluste Variation im ersten Schwimmfus des Form I Mannchen des Zwergkrebses, Cambarellus puer, wurde untersucht. Berechnungen, die unternommen wurden, grundeten sich auf acht morphologische Messungen von 140 mannlichen Exemplaren der Form I aus 20 Gebieten. Statistische Methoden mit einer Merkmalsvariabele und mit mehreren Merkmalsvariabelen wurden auf abgestufte Angaben angewandt, um Analysen durchzufuhren. Eine Korrelationsmatrize unter sechs abgestuften Charakteren wurde berechnet und die ersten drei Hauptkomponenten gezogen, die fur 83,7% (Komponente I = 42,0%, II = 26,2%, III = 17,6%) der Variation in der Charakterreihe verantwortlich waren. Dreidimensionales Projizieren der Gebiete auf Hauptkomponenten zeigt, das die meisten Bestande in Bezug auf den Schwimmfus ahnlich sind. Projizierungen auf Komponenten I, II und III in Bezug auf elf Variabelen der Umwelt und die Hauptkomponenten in C. puer scheinen niedrig zu sein, was den Schlus bekraftigt, das die Gestalt des Schwimmfuses des mannlichen Krebses der Form I durch okologische Variabelen wenig beeinflust wird. , Geographisch beeinfluste Variation im ersten Schwimmfus des Form I Mannchen des Zwergkrebses, Cambarellus puer, wurde untersucht. Berechnungen, die unternommen wurden, grundeten sich auf acht morphologische Messungen von 140 mannlichen Exemplaren der Form I aus 20 Gebieten. Statistische Methoden mit einer Merkmalsvariabele und mit mehreren Merkmalsvariabelen wurden auf abgestufte Angaben angewandt, um Analysen durchzufuhren. Eine Korrelationsmatrize unter sechs abgestuften Charakteren wurde berechnet und die ersten drei Hauptkomponenten gezogen, die fur 83,7% (Komponente I = 42,0%, II = 26,2%, III = 17,6%) der Variation in der Charakterreihe verantwortlich waren. Dreidimensionales Projizieren der Gebiete auf Hauptkomponenten zeigt, das die meisten Bestande in Bezug auf den Schwimmfus ahnlich sind. Projizierungen auf Komponenten I, II und III in Bezug auf elf Variabelen der Umwelt und die Hauptkomponenten in C. puer scheinen niedrig zu sein, was den Schlus bekraftigt, das die Gestalt des Schwimmfuses des mannlichen Krebses der Form I durch okologische Variabelen wenig beeinflust wird. ]
Using APIs for Data Collection on Social Media

This article discusses how social media research may benefit from social media companies making data available to researchers through their Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). An API is a back-­‐end interface through which third party developers may connect new add-­‐ons to an existing service. The API is also an interface for researchers to collect data off a given social media service for empirical analysis. Presenting a critical methodological discussion of the opportunities and challenges associated with quantitative and qualitative social media research based on APIs, this article highlights a number of general methodological issues to be dealt with when collecting and assessing data through APIs. The article further discusses the legal and ethical implications of empirical research using APIs for data collection. Keywords: APIs, social media, data collection, data quality, methodology, research
Growth and Nutritional Composition of Eustigmatophyceae Monodus subterraneus and Nannochloropsis oceanica in Autotrophic and Mixotrophic Culture

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) produced from marine organisms is widely used in nutraceuticals. Monodus subterraneus and Nannochloropsis oceanica, which are representative freshwater and marine Eustigmatophyceae, respectively, are known to have a high content of protein and lipid, particularly, EPA. In this study, to compare the growth and nutritional composition of M. subterraneus and N. oceanica, they were cultured in autotrophic and mixotrophic conditions with JM and f/2 medium, respectively, at 25℃. In addition, 80 μmol photons m -2 s -1 with 24-hour and 12-hour light was provided, with the addition of 2% glucose to the medium for the mixotrophic culture. With regard to growth, M. subterraneus showed 10 times higher biomass in a mixotrophic culture than in an autotrophic one. However, no significant difference was observed for N. oceanica between the two culture methods. With respect to nutritional composition, M. subterraneus cultured autotrophically had a higher protein and lipid content, particularly EPA, than that cultured mixotrophically, but no significant difference was found in the two cultures of N. oceanica. Furthermore, M. subterraneus cultured autotrophically with continuous light showed higher nutritional composition, particularly EPA, than N. oceanica. In conclusion, the mass culture of freshwater M. subterraneus is much easier and more economical than marine N. oceanica. In addition, production of EPA will be economically improved if mixotrophic culturing of M. subterraneus is first conducted to maximize the biomass, and then secondary autotrophic culturing is performed.
A Transmission and Cryo-Scanning Electron Microscopy Study of the Formation of Aerenchyma (Cortical Gas-Filled Space) in Adventitious Roots of Rice (Oryza sativa)

Webb, J. and Jackson, M. B. 1986. A transmission and cryo-scanning electron microscopy study of the formation of aerenchyma (cortical gas-filled space) in adventitious roots of rice (Oryza sativa). — J. exp. Bot. 37: 832-841. The initiation and development of aerenchyma in adventitious roots of rice (Oryza sativa) was studied in tissue up to approximately 36-h-old using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and cryo scanning electron microscopy (cryo-SEM). Aerenchyma resulting from selective cortical cell collapse is a naturally occurring feature of rice roots. Evidence of some cortical cell disruption was noticeable by TEM in cells that were approximately 6-h-old; it became more advanced as the cells aged. At 12 h, early stages of cell wall breakdown and loss of cell turgidity were seen. Complete collapse of columns of cells had occurred by 24 h. In tissue that was 36-h-old, the senescent cytoplasm of many remaining cells began to disperse. The visual evidence suggests that cell collapse was the result of autolysis. This pattern of cortical degeneration in rice was dissimilar to that reported elsewhere for Zea roots grown in an oxygen depleted environment. Cryo-SEM revealed the occurrence of small structures within the cortex with the external appearance of miniature, intact cells which are not preserved during conventional SEM preparative procedures.
Red-backed Hawks supply food to scavenging Chimango Caracaras

Abstract Positive interactions between species of terrestrial vertebrates occur frequently and it is common among birds. However, such interactions have generally been overlooked in raptor field studies. We analysed interactions between Red-backed Hawks (Buteo polyosoma) and Chimango Caracaras (Milvago chimango) in order to determine the characteristics of the association between these two South American raptors. We observed 171 bouts of activity, 40 when Red-backed Hawks were feeding and 131 when the Hawks were undertaking other activities. Chimango Caracaras were more often present when Red-backed Hawks were feeding (81%) than during other activities of Red-backed Hawks (69%), but they attacked Red-backed Hawks more frequently during other activities of the Hawks (66%) than when the Hawks were feeding (43%). In addition, the rate of attacks by Chimango Caracaras was higher during other activities of the Hawks (mean = 2.21 attacks per Caracara) than when the Hawks were feeding (mean = 0.68 attacks per Caracara). Duration of feeding activities was not affected significantly by the presence of Chimango Caracaras or by attacks by the Caracaras. During 16 of 40 feedingbouts of Hawks, an average of 1.81 ± 0.23 (s.e.) Caracaras fed on prey discarded by the Hawks. Thus, Red-backed Hawks indirectly supplied food to Chimango Caracaras, which, in turn, reduced their agonistic behaviour towards Hawks. Our findings represent one of few cases reported about facilitative associations among raptors, but it seems likely that it represents a common strategy among these birds.