Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Re-expression of SynGAP Protein in Adulthood Improves Translatable Measures of Brain Function and Behavior in a Model of Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Background Neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) risk genes have pleiotropic biological functions, such as control over both developmental and non-developmental processes that influence disease-related phenotypes. Currently, it remains unclear how developmental versus non-developmental processes influence the duration and/or effectiveness of permissive treatment windows for NDDs. SYNGAP1 haploinsufficiency causes an NDD defined by autistic traits, cognitive impairment, and epilepsy. Syngap1 heterozygosity in mice disrupts a developmental critical period, and, consistent with this, certain behavioral abnormalities are resistant to gene therapy initiated in adulthood. However, the Syngap1 endophenotype is extensive and this protein has diverse cell biological functions. Therefore, SynGAP pleiotropy may influence the permissive treatment window for previously untested disease-relevant phenotypes. Methods A whole-body gene restoration technique was used to determine how restoration of SynGAP protein in adult heterozygous mice impacted previously untested phenotypes, such as memory, seizure susceptibility, systems-level cortical hyperexcitability, and hippocampal oscillations linked to mnemonic processes. Results Adult restoration of SynGAP protein in haploinsufficient mice reversed long-term contextual memory deficits and behavioral measures of seizure susceptibility. Moreover, SynGAP re-expression in adult mice eliminated brain state-dependent, patient-linked paroxysmal interictal spiking and increased the amplitude of hippocampal theta oscillations. Conclusions SynGAP protein in the mature brain dynamically regulates neural circuit function and influences disease-relevant phenotypes. The impact of these findings is that treatments targeting certain debilitating aspects of SYNGAP1-related disorders may be effective throughout life. Moreover, the efficacy of experimental treatments for SYNGAP1 patients may be quantifiable through changes in species-conserved, state-dependent pathological electroencephalogram signals.
Stress hormone signalling contributes to tumourigenesis through the production of ROS/RNS, induction of DNA damage and interference with chemotherapy in breast cancer

i List of tables . viii List of figures . viii List of the main abbreviations . xi Acknowledgments . xii Author’s declaration . xiii Chapter Overview . xiv Chapter 1 – Introduction . 1 1.
Genetic Variability and Significance of STAT Gene in Dairy Animals

Importance in the bovine signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) gene has increased due to involvement of STAT1 in the development of the mammary gland and regulating the transcription of genes involved in milk protein synthesis and fat metabolism. Signal transducer and activator of transcription gene are a family of cytoplasmic proteins that are activated in response to a large number of growth factors, hormones and cytokines. STAT5 is associated to milk composition, survival of embryo, conception rate, fertilization rate and calving interval of dairy animals. Presently, seven bovine STAT genes have been identified and it has been found that STAT1, STAT5A, and STAT5B were not completely regulated by individual effectors of differentiation but their expression was tightly interrelated with lipid accumulation. Studies on the expression of STAT in different tissues and at different developmental stages have shown that STAT1 and STAT3 are constitutively expressed at constant levels during pregnancy, involution, lactation but STAT4 and STAT5 are developmentally regulated. STAT5A is a candidate or main gene because it is a member of interferon and placental lactogen (PL) signal transduction pathways and plays important role in reproduction and milk production traits. In dairy animals, a number of association studies with milk yield, fat yield, protein yield, embryonic survival, conception rate and calving interval have been carried out. These associations will be helpful to understand the underlying mechanism of STAT gene and polymorphisms that can be used for selection purposes in dairy animals. Keywords: Candidate gene, fertility, milk content, polymorphism Cite this Article Manoj Kumar, Poonam Ratwan, Vikas Vohra. Genetic Variability and Significance of STAT Gene in Dairy Animals. Research & Reviews: Journal of Dairy Science and Technology . 2016; 5(3): 1–6p.
Development and Evaluation of Antidiabetic Potential of Polyherbal Formulation in Streptozotocin Induced Animal Model

Herbal drugs play an important role in the development of potent therapeutic agents. Furthermore, it has proven their potential for the prevention of several ailments. Earlier human beings started their studies on diseases and its treatments, but there was no evidence found that people have prehistoric use of synthetic medicines for their sickness [1]. However, they struggled to make use of the things, which could easily procure. The most common thing was found in their surrounding was Abstract
Angiotensin II Potentiates Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor–Induced Angiogenic Activity in Retinal Microcapillary Endothelial Cells

Abstract—Angiotensin II (Ang II) plays a role in the development of many vascular diseases. In the present study, we have investigated the effect of Ang II on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor expression and VEGF-induced angiogenic activity in bovine retinal microcapillary endothelial cells (BRECs). Ang II induced a significant increase of kinase domain–containing receptor/total liver kinase (KDR/Flk-1) mRNA in a time- and dose-dependent manner, with a maximal 4.3±0.8-fold increase after a 4-hour stimulation. Ang II increased the rate of KDR gene transcription by 5.4-fold, whereas the half-life of KDR mRNA was not increased significantly. The increase depended partially on new protein synthesis. The Ang II–induced KDR mRNA increase was inhibited by either [Sar1,Ile8]angiotensin or angiotensin type 1 receptor antagonists but was not significantly altered by angiotensin type 2 receptor antagonists. The PKC inhibitor reduced Ang II–induced KDR mRNA expression by 70±15%. The tyrosine kinase i.
Direct transmission by injection affects competition among RNA viruses in honeybees

The arrival of the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor on the western honeybee Apis mellifera saw a change in the diversity and prevalence of honeybee RNA viruses. One virus in particular, deformed wing virus (DWV) has become closely associated with V. destructor, leading many to conclude that V. destructor has affected viral virulence by changing the mode of transmission. While DWV is normally transmitted via feeding and faeces, V. destructor transmits viruses by direct injection. This change could have resulted in higher viral prevalence causing increased damage to the bees. Here we test the effect of a change in the mode of transmission on the composition and levels of honeybee RNA viruses in the absence of V. destructor. We find a rapid increase in levels of two viruses, sacbrood virus (SBV) and black queen cell virus (BQCV) after direct injection of viral extracts into honeybee pupae. In pupae injected with high levels of DWV extracted from symptomatic adult bees, DWV levels rapidly decline in the presence of SBV and BQCV. Further, we observe high mortality in honeybee pupae when injected with SBV and BQCV, whereas injecting pupae with high levels of DWV results in near 100% survival. Our results suggest a different explanation for the observed association between V. destructor and DWV. Instead of V. destructor causing an increase in DWV virulence, we hypothesize that direct virus inoculation, such as that mediated by a vector, quickly eliminates the most virulent honeybee viruses resulting in an association with less virulent viruses such as DWV.
Improvement of cancer stem cell expansion with kinetic and static alternating culturesystem.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are rare cell populations in cancers but play an important role in cancer development and could be associated to all malignant processes of cancer. Effective in vitro expansion of CSCs would greatly help the studies on CSCs by providing greater numbers of these cells and a defined native-like niche where their interactions with other cells and molecules can be examined. We have previously shown that kinetic and static alternating cell culture systems (KSACCS) can effectively improve the growth of multiple cell types. In the current study, we demonstrate that KSACCS with the proper program can significantly increase the expansion efficiency of lung cancer stem cells in comparison with static culture and absolute kinetic culture. The KSACCS expanded CSCs maintained the ability to form tumors in immune deficient mice and to gain some features of the corresponding lung cancer cells in immunology and anti-cancer drug sensitivity
Behind the Mirror: Chirality Tunes the Reactivity and Cytotoxicity of Chloropiperidines as Potential Anticancer Agents

The pressing demand for sustainable antitumor drugs prompted us to investigate 3-chloropiperidines as potential mustard-based anticancer agents. In this study, an explorative set of variously decorated monofunctional 3-chloropiperidines (M-CePs) was efficiently synthesized through a fast and affordable route providing high yields of pure racemates and enantiomers. Consistently with their reactivity, M-CePs were demonstrated to alkylate DNA in vitro. On a panel of carcinoma cell lines, M-CePs exhibited low nanomolar cytotoxicity indexes, which showed their remarkable activity against pancreatic cancer cells and in all cases performed strikingly better than the chlorambucil control. Very interestingly, stereochemistry modulated the activity of M-CePs in unexpected ways, pointing to additional molecular mechanisms of action beyond the direct damage of genomic DNA. This encouraging combination of efficacy and sustainability suggests they are valid candidates for anticancer agent development.
Phylogenetic of tuna fish (Thunnus spp.) in North Mollucas Sea, Indonesia

The tuna fish ( Thunnus spp.) is highly migratory and commercial tuna fishery. The fish tuna abudance supported ocea-nography and geography condition in North Mallucas Sea. The fishery targets catch increase on fish tuna provided a view of the need for assessment of phylogenetic tuna. The study was conducted to infer the phylogenetic in North Mollucas Sea. The research method was PCR-Sequensing. Moleculer analysis included extraction, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), electrophoresis and DNA sequencing in control region mtDNA locus. Phylogenetic reconstructed with Neigbor joining with Kimura 2-parameter model using MEGA5. The result showed that four clade ( bigeye , yellowfin, alalunga and skipjack ). Genetic distance between bigeye with yellowfin was (0.084), bigeye with alalunga (0.163), ye-llowfin with alalunga (0.174), bigeye with skipjack (0.294), skipjack with alalunga (0.312) and yellowfin with skipjack (0.297). The overall result showed significant genetic different. That information explain about one populations species tuna. The tuna phylogeography unlimitedin geographic distributions. Abstrak Ikan tuna ( Thunnus spp.) adalah ikan pelagis yang memiliki kemampuan ruaya dan nilai komersial. Kondisi oseanogra-fis dan letak geografis mendukung kelimpahan stok sumber daya ikan tuna di Perairan Maluku Utara. Aktifitas penang-kapan yang meningkat memberikan pandangan perlu adanya pengkajian filogenetik ikan tuna. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk memperoleh informasi filogenetik ikan tuna di perairan Maluku Utara. Metode yang digunakan adalah metode PCR-Sekuensing pada lokus mtDNA control region. Analisis molekuler meliputi ekstraksi, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), elektroforesis dan sekuensing DNA. Rekonstruksi pohon filogenetik dengan metode Neighbor joining dengan model evolusi Kimura 2-parameter dilakukan menggunakan aplikasi MEGA5. Hasil penelitian menemukan empat clade spesies ikan tuna yang berbeda (tuna mata besar, sirip kuning, alalunga, dan cakalang). Jarak genetik tuna mata besar ( Thunnus obesus ) dengan sirip kuning ( Thunnus albacares ) adalah 0,084; tuna mata besar dengan tuna alalunga ( Thunnus albacore ) adalah 0,163; tuna sirip kuning dengan tuna alalunga sebesar 0,174; tuna mata besar dengan caka-lang ( Katsuwonus pelamis ) adalah 0,294; cakalang dengan tuna alalunga adalah 0,312; dan tuna sirip kuning dengan cakalang adalah 0,297. Semua hasil menunjukkan perbedaan genetik signifikan. Namun dapat dijelaskan bahwa spesies tuna berasal dari satu keturunan. Filogeografi tuna tidak memiliki batas distribusi yang nyata spesies.
Seasonal variations in proximate and fatty acid composition of sobaity sea bream (Sparidentex hasta) in Kuwait waters

Abstract The objective of the study was to investigate the seasonal variations in proximate and fatty acid composition of wild sobaity (Sparidentex hasta) for a one-year period during (i) pre-spawning (October–December), (ii) spawning (January–March), (iii) post-spawning (April–June) and summer (July–September). Five male and five female fish were collected from market each month and used for the study. Skinless fillets from both sides of sobaity were taken, chopped, minced, frozen and freeze dried. Freeze-dried ground male and female fish samples were pooled separately and homogenized for proximate composition and fatty acid analysis. The results of the investigation showed that the muscle proximate composition and fatty acid profile of sobaity differed significantly (P < 0.05) among different seasons with the highest muscle lipid during the pre-spawning and spawning season. Palmitic acid (C16:0) was the most dominant muscle fatty acid followed by oleic acid (C18:1n-9). The muscle docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n-3) levels in pre-spawning and spawning seasons were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those in other seasons. A good n-3/n-6 ratio (2.26–3.11) and the higher DHA levels (10.16–11.47%) observed in muscles during the pre-spawning and spawning season indicated a better nutritional value of sobaity at this time of the year.
Markerless tracking suggests a tactile sensing role for forelegs of Dolomedes spiders during locomotion

Summary statement We developed a machine vision technique for markerless tracking of locomotion in the spider Dolomedes aquaticus. Gait analysis suggests that each pair of legs plays a specific role in locomotion. Abstract Because of their rigid exoskeleton with relatively simple joint mechanics, arthropods can provide useful models for studying the sensory-neural and mechanical design principles of agile animal locomotion. Gait analysis usually requires attaching markers or manually identifying reference points in video frames, which can be time consuming and inaccurate, especially with small animals. Here we describe a markerless motion capture technique and its application to gait analysis in the New Zealand semi-aquatic hunting spider, Dolomedes aquaticus. Our machine vision approach uses a model of the spider’s skeleton to infer the location of the centre of mass and the configuration of the skeleton in successive video frames. We found that stride length and frequency are correlated with running speed. Inter-limb coordination during the gait cycle suggests that different legs have specialized roles in locomotion. Phase relationships among the six hindmost legs exhibit an alternating tripod gait, as in hexapod insects. The middle two leg pairs appear to be primarily responsible for generating thrust, while the hind legs contribute more to stability. The front legs are not phase-coupled to the other legs and appear to be used as tactile probes during locomotion. Our machine vision approach has the potential to automate arthropod gait analysis, making it faster and easier. Our results indicate how specialization of limb function may contribute to locomotor efficiency and agility of a specialized hunting spider, and how arthropod design principles may contribute to developing efficient, agile legged robots.
Rules of thumb for predicting tropical forest recovery

QUESTIONS: Natural regeneration is increasingly recognized as a potentially cost‐effective strategy to reach ambitious forest landscape restoration targets, but rates of recovery are notoriously variable. We asked how well initial habitat conditions after cessation of agriculture predict forest recovery after nearly a decade. We aimed to provide land managers with general rules of thumb to assess when it is necessary to invest resources in active restoration, such as tree planting, to accelerate forest recovery. LOCATION: Coto Brus County, Puntarenas, Costa Rica. METHODS: We compiled data on initial vegetation structure, soil nutrients, prior land‐use history and surrounding forest cover at 13 sites. After 8.5 years, we measured vegetation indicators commonly used to assess forest recovery, namely amount of canopy closure and number and diversity of woody recruits. RESULTS: Two variables, grass cover and canopy closure, measured 1.5 years after site abandonment, explained 47–87% of five of the six response variables after 8.5 years; recovery was faster in sites with lower grass cover and higher canopy closure initially. Waiting an additional year to measure initial vegetation variables did not improve model fit. Time since the original forest was cleared explained 62% of change in canopy cover, whereas percentage of surrounding forest cover, length of pasture use and soil variables explained minimal additional variation. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that two easily measurable vegetation variables can provide guidance to land managers and policy makers about where to invest scarce restoration resources to facilitate forest recovery.
Tropical forest CH4: from flux chambers to micrometeorological tower measurements

<p>Methane (CH<sub>4</sub>) is the second most important long-lived anthropogenic atmospheric greenhouse gas. Despite its importance, natural sources of methane, such as tropical wetlands, are still not well understood and a large source of uncertainty to the global CH<sub>4</sub> budget. The Amazonian rain forest is estimated to hold 90-120 Pg of carbon, which is approximately 14-27% of the carbon stored in vegetation worldwide. The region is characterized by high precipitation rates and large wetlands, and it has been estimated that the Amazon basin emits 7% of the annual total CH<sub>4</sub> emissions. Due to its remote location, micro-meteorological measurements are rare and absent for other gases than CO<sub>2</sub>. </p><p>The 50 m high K34 tower (field site ZF2) is located in a pristine tropical forest region 60 km northwest of Manaus (Brazil), and is located next to a waterlogged valley, a possible location for anaerobic CH<sub>4</sub> production. In October 2018, in addition to the existing EC CO<sub>2</sub> system, a Relaxed Eddy Accumulation (REA) system was set up at this tower, connected to an in-situ FTIR-analyzer. This set up continually measures fluxes and concentration profiles of CO<sub>2</sub>, CO, CH<sub>4</sub>, N<sub>2</sub>O and &#948;<sup>13</sup>CO<sub>2</sub>. In addition, CH<sub>4</sub>, CO<sub>2</sub>, and N<sub>2</sub>O uptake and emission processes were studied by flux chamber measurements in the footprint of the REA tower, focusing on different possible sources (soil, stream, trees and termites). In this presentation, an overview of the measured CH<sub>4</sub> and N<sub>2</sub>O forest concentrations and fluxes will be shown. </p>
Molecular Identification of Strains of Caridean Species in a Tropical Lagoons of South-Western Nigeria

Species identification by morphological approach requires a high degree of experience, which is difficult and not practical enough for those interested in surveying a broad diversity of organisms. However, molecular or genetic approaches to identify species have been proposed and widely used by most scientists. DNA barcoding was used to identify Macrobrachium species occurring in three coastal lagoons (Badagry, Lagos and Epe) in South-western Nigeria. Samples of prawns for the DNA studies were collected from May to July 2015. The DNA of the Macrobrachium species was extracted using the phenol-chloroform protocol and Norgen tissue kit. Amplification and sequencing of the Macrobrachium species were carried out and further identification was done by comparing with sequenced data in the Genbank. New species of Macrobrachium were obtained in Badagry and Epe Lagoons having a close match with M. asperulum and M. nipponense at 85% and 84% respectively. M. asperulum and M. nipponense are reported in Badagry and Epe Lagoons for the first time.
Exogenous trehalose alleviates the adverse effects of salinity stress in wheat

The treatment of wheat seedlings with concentrations of NaCl of 75, 150, and 225 mM led to significant decreases in growth parameters, reducing power, potassium (K) content, potassium/sodium (K/Na) ratio, soluble sugars content, and ribulose-1.5- bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCo), as well as the expression of alternative oxidase ( AOX ), sodium hydrogen antiporter ( NHX1 ), and Salt Overly Sensitive ( SOS1 ). On the contrary, NaCl elevated the contents of lipid peroxides, H 2 O 2 , phenolics, proline, and Na, the magnitude of elevation being augmented with the increasing of the concentrations. Trehalose serves as an osmoprotectant involved in the response of plants to abiotic stressors. Soaking wheat grains in 10 mM trehalose ameliorated the responses of seedlings to salinity and alleviated the effects of NaCl on growth parameters. Trehalose also lowered the magnitude of the NaCl-accumulated H 2 O 2 and lipid peroxides concomitantly with elevating the contents of reducing power, sugars, K, K/Na ratio, phenolics, proline, and Na as well as the expression of AOX , NHX1 , and SOS1 . Thus, the ameliorating effect of trehalose on growth parameters and gene expression coincided with lowered Na, and elevated K and K/Na ratio may indicate its role in mitigating the adverse effects of NaCl stress by fostering the expression of genes related to salinity stress to withstand harsh conditions.
Spotted Hyaena Visitation at Anthropogenic Sites in the Kruger National Park, South Africa

Many large carnivores are attracted to anthropogenic sites, typically, because they offer easy access to anthropogenic resources, such as garbage. Such behaviour could lead to increased contacts between people and carnivores, with the potential for escalated conflicts. Within protected areas, carnivores experience limited risks of visiting anthropogenic sites. However, conflict could still arise, so that it is important to evaluate the drivers for visitation within protected areas. We tested how age, sex and social rank influenced seasonal visitation rates by spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) at two sites with elevated human activity and infrastructure within the Kruger National Park, South Africa. Social rank did not influence visitation rates, and differences among age classes did not correspond to differences in abilities to procure native food. Instead, juveniles had higher visitation rates than older individuals, but only during the wet season. Visitation rates were not consistently higher during the dry season, nor was there more pronounced differences between age classes in the dry season. Our results suggest the anthropogenic sites were visited as part of exploratory behaviour coupled with occasional rewards. Our study also showed a large individual variation in tendencies towards visiting anthropogenic sites, but only for younger animals. We call for additional studies quantifying individual variation in tendencies to visit anthropogenic sites, and argue that deterrents and limitations in rewards of visiting anthropogenic sites might be efficient in preventing human-hyaena conflict within the Kruger National Park.