Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Physiological and pathophysiological aspects of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor regulation by fatty acids in poultry species

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) belong to a family of nuclear hormone receptors that are activated by fatty acids such as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and/or their derivatives. Three isoforms of PPAR namely α (alpha), β (beta), and γ (gamma) are found to be highly expressed in tissues relevant to energy homeostasis. The PPAR signalling pathway, which is involved in lipid metabolism and storage, play a role in livestock meat quality. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms of PPAR action of fat metabolism may have extensive implications not only in animal biology for health and feed efficiency improvement, but also in molecular nutrition as a potent nutritional supplement in poultry species.
Harnessing the swarm: Technological applications of collective intelligence

One of the most inﬂuential concepts in artiﬁcial intelligence is the notion of the swarm. That is, intelligent adaptive behaviour can arise in large groups of interacting agents, even when the individual agents have limited local information and use simple rules. Self-organisation provides a basic structure in such agent societies, while natural selection can drive the evolution of increasingly efﬁcient and coordinated interactions through improved communication, information processing, and agent specialisation. Such collective intelligences have evolved in diverse biological contexts, ranging from foraging and home-building colonies of ants, termites and bees, to the coordinated movements of vertebrate ﬂocks and schools, to the exquisitely tuned dynamical responses of immune and neural systems. Here, we discuss how these biological models contribute to emerging technologies in ﬁelds such as optimisation, robotics, image processing, self-repairing systems and automatic structure design.
Single Cell Transcriptome Study in Brain Aging

Copyright: © 2012 Xu X. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. The human life expectancy has increased significantly during the past century, due to improvements of the life, changes of lifestyles and treatments for diseases. However, cognitive decline has become one of the greatest health threats of old age. The painful reality is that elderly people not only have deterioration in brain functions, but also are much more susceptible to neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, almost 50% of adults over the age of 85 are afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease [1]. Developing prevention and therapeutic interventions for such conditions largely demands a deeper understanding of the processes underlying normal and pathological brain ageing. Recent advances in the biology of ageing in model organisms, together with all aspects of –omics level studies in brain tissues and neuronal cells, are beginning to shed new lights on these mechanisms and their potential roles in cognitive decline.
FORCED CONVECTION IN DRIVEN-LID SQUARE CAVITIES WITH IRREGULAR WALLS

A numerical study of the momentum and energy transient transport processes within a square driven-lid cavity with an irregular wall is discussed in the present work. The transient velocity field behavior is analyzed in order to evaluate the basic physical phenomena associated with the forced convection phenomena and the influence of the irregular surface. A vorticity stream function formulation is employed for the flow field analysis. The momentum and energy governing equations are discretized using the Finite-Difference Method. Initially, the irregular physical solution domain is transformed into a regular computational domain using numerical grid generation technique, allowing the clustering of points within solution high gradient regions and the control of grid line angles near the domain solid boundaries. The resulting system of algebraic equations is solved by an iterative method with local error control. Results are obtained for different shapes of the irregular surface, values of Reynolds and Prandtl showing the influence of these parameters on the velocity and temperature field evolution. Results show temperature and velocity profiles influenced by the combined effects of forced convection induced by the sliding-wall movement and by the irregular wall shape. Results also show the development of recirculation zones within the flow field and temperatures profiles influenced by the irregular surface.
Isolation and identification of zoonotic bacteria, Proteus penneri from a disease outbreak in goldfish, Carassius auratus in Kerala

Moribund goldfish, Carassius auratus, from a local ornamental fish farm with 50% cumulative mortality was sampled with the aim of isolating and detecting the causative agent in Ernakulam, Kerala. Five bacterial species viz., Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus cereus, Aeromonas hydrophila and Proteus penneri were isolated, and identified on the basis of biochemical tests and sequencing of 16S rDNA gene using universal bacterial primers. Challenge experiments with these isolates using healthy goldfish suggested that P. penneri induced show similar clinical and pathological states within 5 days of injection and confirmed that P. penneri was the causative agent. Kanamycin (30μg/disc), Ciprofloxacin (30μg/disc), Cefixime (5μg/disc) and Enrofloxacin (10μg/disc) are sensitive to the pathogen identified by the antibiotic sensitivity test. This study also assessed the toxic activities of extracellular products from P. penneri using in vitro assays on CCKF cell line. The affected fish recovered from the infection after treatment with the suggested antibiotics.
Perception of laypersons and dentists regarding esthetic facial changes: a systematic review = Percepção estética de leigos e cirurgiões-dentistas em relação às alterações faciais: uma revisão sistemática

The need for greater understanding of subjective standards of beauty is important when combining a successful dental plan with the real needs of patients . This study aimed to perform a systematic review to assess whether dentists are more critical in assessing facial esthetics than laypersons. The cross-sectional studies selected compared dentists and laypersons regarding the perception of facial changes through photographs. The survey was conducted in four databases (PubMed, SciELO, LILACS, and OpenGrey) with no restriction of time or language, and was assessed by two reviewers who were based on the PVO strategy. Then, a manual search through the references of the selected articles was performed in order to find surveys that did not fit in said search strategy. The examiners assessed the risk of bias and quality in individual studies. The process of data synthesis was performed through a descriptive analysis of the selected studies. Three relevant articles were selected from an initial total of 979 articles collected. Most studies found that dentists were more critical than laypersons; however, facial modifications were different. Only one survey manipulated the changes on a computer, while the others worked with changes on the patient. Given the methodological diversity of the studies, it was not possible to establish a parameter to validate the results presented.
Extinction selectivity among lower taxa: gradational patterns and rarefaction error in extinction estimates

Documenting past environmental disturbances will provide a very incomplete explanation of extinctions until more data on intrinsic (e.g., phylogenetic) responses to disturbances are collected. Taxonomic selectivity can be used to infer phylogenetic inheritance of extinction-biasing traits. Selectivity patterns among higher taxa, such as between mammals and bivalves, are well documented. Selectivity patterns among lower taxa (genus, species) have great potential for understanding the dynamics underlying higher taxic turnover. Two echinoid data sets, of fossil and living taxa, indicate that species extinctions do not occur randomly within genera. Reverse rarefaction estimates of past species extinction rates assume random species extinction within higher taxa, so these widely cited extinction estimates may be inaccurate. Revised estimates based on a simulated curve imply that past species extinctions rates may be 6%–15% lower than previously cited. Possible causes for the observed selectivity patterns are discussed. These include nonrandom phylogenetic nesting of species with traits often cited as enhancing extinction vulnerability, into certain taxa. Such traits include low abundance, large body size, narrow niche breadth, and many others. Phylogenetic nesting of extinction-biasing traits at many taxonomic levels does not predict that a dichotomy of mass-background selectivity based on a few traits will occur. Instead, it predicts patterns of selectivity at many taxonomic levels, and at many spatio-temporal scales.
Effects of dietary supplementation of AcidBuf with different levels of salt on ruminal fermentation profile and tissue morphology of growing lambs.

Article history Received: 7 Dec, 2015 Revised: 30 Dec, 2015 Accepted: 1 Jan, 2016 Abstract Forty eight 4-month-old Awassi male lambs (initial bodyweight 23.5 ± 1.3 kg) were used in a 70-day trial to evaluate the effects of supplemental AcidBuf (calcified seaweed extract) with different levels of salt (sodium chloride) on ruminal fermentation and tissue morphology of growing lambs. Animals were individually housed in shaded pens and randomly divided into 6 groups of 8 lambs each. The dietary treatments were: 1) no added supplemental AcidBuf or salt (control group; the basal diet), 2) 0.4% added AcidBuf (A+S0.0), 3) 0.4% added AcidBuf + 0.4% added salt (A+S0.4), 4) 0.4% added AcidBuf + 0.8% added salt (A+S0.8), 5) 0.4% added AcidBuf + 0.12% added salt (A+S1.2), and 6) 0.4% added AcidBuf + 1.6% added salt (A+S1.6). The basal diet was used a commercial total mixed ration, containing 1.95 Mcal MEm and 13.0% CP/kg. Rumen fluid samples were collected from all lambs at 0, 2, 4 and 8 hours after feeding during day 1, 30, 60 and 70 to measure pH and fermentation profile. At the end of the study, lambs were slaughtered for evaluating the rumen papillae morphology. Lambs on the AcidBuf diets had less (P<0.05) pH, at after 0 and 2 h of the morning feeding and over the collection period, than those of lambs on the control diet. The length and the total surface of papillae were greater (P<0.05) in lambs fed only AcidBuf (A+S0.0) than those of lambs on the CON diet. Overall, these data indicate that AcidBuf and salt supplementation did not affect rumen fermentation and tissue morphology of growing lambs.
Application of otolith chemistry at multiple life history stages to assess population structure of Warsaw grouper in the Gulf of Mexico

Chemical markers in otoliths have been used to assess the stock structure of many marine fishes, but these natural markers have yet to be widely evaluated or applied to demersal fishes in offshore habitats where physicochemical gradients are generally less pronounced relative to nearshore waters. To address this, we quantified trace elements (Li, Mg, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Sr, Ba) and stable isotopes (δ13C and δ18O) in otoliths of Warsaw grouper Hyporthodus nigritus from 4 regions in the Gulf of Mexico (Texas, Louisiana, Alabama−NW Florida, and SW Florida). Region-specific differences in otolith chemistry were observed, and notable differences in several influential markers (Mn:Ca, Sr:Ca, and Ba:Ca ratios and δ18O) were present, particularly between the most distant regions investigated (Texas/Louisiana and SW Florida). Distinct regional signatures were observed for Warsaw grouper across 3 life history stages: first year (otolith core), most recent years (otolith edge), and lifetime (whole otolith), suggesting that individuals within certain regions share common environmental histories that may represent unique contingents or subpopulations. Findings also demonstrate that spatial variability within these markers was consistent enough to overcome any temporal variability within the geographic domains investigated for all 3 life history stages, highlighting their potential value for assessing the natal origin, exchange, and population structure of this species and potentially other members of the deepwater fish assemblage.
Morphological and Biochemical Characterization of Bacteria Isolated from Fresh and Salted Hilsa, Tenualosa ilisha (Hamilton, 1822)

Morphological and biochemical characterization of different bacteria isolated from eight fresh and salted hilsa collected from four fish markets namely Palashi Bazaar, Karwan Bazaar, Anando Bazaar and New Market of Dhaka city was carried out. Five types of bacteriological culture media namely nutrient agar as generalized complex medium, EMB agar medium for coliform, SS agar for Salmonella - Shigella , MSA for Staphylococcus and TCBS for Vibrio were used to isolate the bacteria associated with the hilsa. In salted hilsa, no microbial growth was observed on SS and TCBS agar plate. A total of 66 bacterial isolates were obtained in the study where detail study of 24 strains (12 Gram positive and 12 Gram negative) using morphological and biochemical characterization was conducted. Variable morphological and biochemical properties of the isolated strains were observed. Gram positive bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus megaterium, B. marinus, Planococcus citreus, Micrococcus varians, M. nishinomiyaensis, Staphylococcus lentus, S. epidermidis, S. aureus and Gram negative bacteria such as Salmonella paratyphi , Salmonella spp. , Proteus morganii, P. vulgaris, Vibrio sp. , Halobacterium sp . were presumptively identified in the current study. Presence of these bacteria in fish indicates the possibility of occurrence of food poisoning. So, care should be taken during handling and consumption of hilsa whether fresh or salted as it carries pathogenic strains of bacteria of public health concern. Bangladesh J Microbiol, Volume 32, Number 1-2,June-Dec 2015, pp 7-13
Biological and biochemical analyses of the distinctive intracellular signals activated by interleukin-4

Interleukin-4 (IL-4) is a type I cytokine which acts on multiple hemopoietic cells to promote an antibody-mediated response to infection. Dysregulated production or function of IL-4 can exacerbate diseases such as allergy, asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. In order to better understand the biochemical mechanisms by which IL-4 mediates its pleiotropic biological effects, I investigated two distinctive aspects of the intracellular signals activated by IL-4. First, IL-4 is different from most type I cytokines in its inability to activate Ras or Raf-1. IL-4 also fails to support cellular growth. I demonstrated that the signals provided by an active Ras or an inducibly active Raf-1 kinase could synergise with IL-4 to promote cell-cycle progression. Further investigation of the biochemical events associated with the stimulation of long-term growth showed that active Raf-1 not only synergised with IL-4 to stimulate growth, but also to increase levels of c-jun N-terminal kinase (INK) activity. These observations raise the possibility that Raf-1 may be involved in regulating JNK activity, and that JNK may be involved in mediating certain effects of IL-4. Second, IL-4 and IL-13 are the only cytokines that activate the transcription factor STAT-6. I determined that activation of STAT-6 was required for IL-4stimulated cell survival. However, I found evidence that this requirement for STAT-6 was indirect, and possibly related to STAT-6-dependent, IL-4-stimulated expression of the IL-4 receptor. I next investigated the hypothesis that STAT-6 was required for IL-4-mediated suppression of tumor necrosis factor a (TNFa) and interleukin-12 (IL-12) production in macrophages. When STAT-6 null macrophages were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon y (IFNY) , I continued to observe a significant inhibition of TNFa and IL-12 by IL4, suggesting that IL-4 activates distinct, STAT-6 independent, inhibitory paths. IFNy antagonizes many of the effects of IL-4, and I determined that IFNy may regulate the activity of
Alleviation of cadmium toxicity in cucumber (Cucumis sativus) seedlings by the application of selenium

In the present study, the role of selenium in cadmium toxicity was investigated in cucumber seedlings by hydroponic experiments. The application of Se for cucumber exposed to Cd significantly reduced Cd accumulation in all tissues, elevated Cd-depressed chlorophyll content, and improved photosynthetic performance. External Se significantly reduced ·OH, H 2 O 2 and malondialdehyde content. Exogenous Se balanced Cd-depressed elements ( e.g. , Se enhanced Cd-induced decreases in root Zn, leaf/stem/root Mn concentrations) and carbohydrate contents. External Se also significantly decreased the Cd-induced increases in Na + K + -, Ca 2+ Mg 2+ - and total ATPase activities, which recovered almost to control level. Results indicate that application of Se can alleviate Cd toxicity in cucumber seedlings by reducing Cd uptake and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, moreover protecting photosynthetic machinery from damaging, balancing elements and carbohydrate contents, and improving ATPase activities in cucumber.
Cephalic Lateral-line Systems and Geographical Distribution in the Genus Tribolodon(Cyprinidae)

Cephalic lateral-line systems are effective diagnostic characters for each species in the genus Tribolodon.When canal pore numbers are considered in relation to the presence or absence of the connection between the preoperculomandibular canal(POM)and the postocular commisure(POC),these are grouped into three patterns,i.e.,1)lower number of pores and absence of the connection between POM and POC,2)higher number of pores and absence of the connection between POM and POC,and 3)higher number of pores and presence of the connection between POM and POC.Three patterns are also observed concerning differences in the geographical distribution and habitats of the species within its geographical range in Japan,i.e.,1)the entire range of distribution and habitats of Tribolodon,2)restricted to the northern half of the range,and 3)restricted to a limited area , as in Ukekuchi-ugui. Relationships of each species of Tribolodon and these patterns described above seem to indicate that the species-specificity of each species can be categorized by a certain pattern of coordination to the environmental factors,which themselves are,more or less,shared in common by all species of the genus. Characteristics of the lateral-line system have been used frequently in evaluating the systematic relationship of many fishes.As shown in Hybopsis (Reno,1969),however,a certain aspect of sensory canal systems is plastic and responsive to environmental infi uences in some groups of the genus Hybopsis, although these characters are relatively stable and provide a useful indication of phylogenetic relationships in other groups of Hybopsis. Reno(1969)suggested that these ambiguous aspects of lateral-line systems in Hybopsis are attributed partly to the doubt about the validity of lumping together all of barbeled minnows examined as materials in his study. The cephalic lateral-line system is also an effective tool used to identify each species in Tribolodon(Nakamura,1963,1969;Onodera and Honma,1976),but this character in Tribolodon seems to show the ambiguous aspect as seen in Hybopsis.To clarify the ambiguous aspect of the character,cephalic lateral-line systems of four species of Tribolodon were analized as the patterns based on combinations of two factors,i.e.,lower or higher number of canal pores and the presence or absence of the connection between the preoperculomandibular canal(POM)and the postocular commisure (POC). As results,three patterns were recognized,and then,these patterns were compared with the patterns observed on combinations of differences in the geographical distribution and those of habitats of species in the genus Tribolodon.Finally,a discussion on what is the species-specificity of each species represented by characteristics of lateral-line systems was attempted.
From somites to vertebral column

Vertebrates build their bodies in segments. This segmentation is established in the embryo when the paraxial mesoderm becomes segmented into the somites, which contain the precursors of the axial skeleton (sclerotome) and muscles (dermomyotome). The number and size of somites, and later the morphology of the vertebrae they go on to form, are both thought to be determined by information intrinsic to the paraxial mesoderm. This has led to the general understanding that the final segmental pattern of the vertebral column is a direct read-out of the segmentation established during somitogenesis. This study explores the role of signals external to the somite in segmentation of the vertebral column. Using fluorescent markers, the fate of somites was traced from anterior-posterior along the chick vertebral column, revealing a regionspecific shift between the dorsal and ventral sclerotome, possibly mediated by external signals during sclerotome migration. Next, I identify the notochord as a potential source of these signals, and show that the notochord is required for segmentation of the vertebral bodies. Furthermore, an ectopic notochord is sufficient to alter the spatial periodicity of sclerotome set up in the somites. Inter-regional notochord grafts and somite tracing suggests that this change in somite segmentation is achieved by a previously unidentified attraction of the sclerotome towards the notochord, which compresses somitic segments. I go on to test whether Sonic hedgehog signalling from the notochord provides a directional cue by attracting sclerotome cells to the midline. This study indicates that a role for the notochord in vertebral segmentation is present in amniotes, highlighting a much-overlooked aspect of the development and evolution of vertebral patterning