Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transcriptional and Translational control of the expression of the EMT transcription factor ZEB2 in cancer cells

I ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS II TABLE OF CONTENTS III LIST OF TABLES VI LIST OF FIGURES VI LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS VIII CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 CANCER 2 1.1.1 MELANOMA 4 1.1.2 CARCINOMA 7 1.1.3 CANCER STEM CELLS 9 1.2 EPITHELIAL-MESENCHYMAL TRANSITION (EMT) 12 1.2.1 EMT AND DEVELOPMENT 15 1.2. 2 EMT AND CANCER 17 1.2. 3 EMT AND CSC 17 1.3 TRANSCRIPTION FACTORS EXECUTING THE EMT PROGRAMME (EMT-TFs) 19 1.3. 1 SNAIL PROTEINS AND miR-34 19 1.3. 2 TWIST PROTEINS 20 1.3. 3 ZEB PROTEINS AND miR-200 REGULATORY CIRCUIT 21 1.4 POST-TRANSLATIONAL MODIFICATIONS 28 1.4. 1 THE UBIQUITIN PROTEOSOME SYSTEM (UPS) AND EMT 29 1.5 RAS PATHWAY IN HUMAN CANCER 32 1.5. 1 OVERVIEW OF RAS PATHWAY 32 1.5. 2 MAPK PATHWAY IN CANCER 35 1.5. 3 RAS PATHWAY IN CELL INVASION AND EMT 37 1.6 HYPOTHESIS 38 1.7 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY 38 CHAPTER 2: MATERIALS AND METHODS 39 2.1 CHEMICALS AND REAGENTS 40
Intein Epidemiology: A Study of the Lifestyle, Distribution, Phylogenetics, and Dynamics of Inteins

Inteins are self-splicing parasitic genetic elements found in all domains of life. These genetic elements are found in highly conserved positions in conserved proteins. One protein family that has been invaded by inteins is the vacuolar and archaeal catalytic ATPase subunits (vma-1). There are two intein insertion sites in this protein, “a” and “b. ” The b site was previously thought to be only invaded in archaeal lineages. Here we survey the distribution and evolutionary histories of the b site inteins and show that the intein is present in more lineages than previously annotated, including a bacterial lineage, Mahella australiensis 50-1 BON. We present evidence, through ancestral character state reconstruction and substitution ratios between host genes and inteins, for several transfers of this intein between divergent species, including an interdomain transfer between the archaea and bacteria. Although inteins may persist within a single population or species for long periods of time, transfer of the vma-1b intein between divergent species contributed to the distribution of this intein.
The Effect of Temperature on the Survival In Vitro of Rabbit Spermatozoa Obtained from the Vas Deferens

1. A technique is described for the investigation of in vitro problems with spermatozoa removed from the vas deferens of the rabbit. The method involves the protection of the spermatozoa by means of liquid paraffin from evaporation of rapid gaseous exchange. 2. The survival of functional integrity (fertilizing capacity) has been shown to be a function of temperature and the effect of temperature has been studied over the range from 45° C. to 0° C. Above body temperature the spermatozoa are rapidly destroyed. At body temperature (40° C.) maximal survival is about 13 hours. As the temperature is lowered survival becomes increasingly prolonged until a maximum of 7 days is reached at 15°C. The curve over the range from 15° C. to 40° C. is only approximately exponential and it is doubtful whether an analogy can be drawn between the effect of temperature on the velocity with which the spermatozoa are destroyed, and the effect of temperature on the velocity of many biological reactions which follow approximately the van9t Hoff and Arrhenius questions. Below the optimum temperature (10°-15°C.) the velocity of destruction is acclerated by fall of temperature. 3. The sex-ratio of the resulting offspring is not significantly altered by keeping the spermatozoa outside the body.
Complete plastid genome sequences of Abeliophyllum distichum Nakai (Oleaceae), a Korea endemic genus

Abstract The complete plastid genome (plastome) sequences of Abeliophyllum distichum Nakai, a monotypic endemic genus of Korea, were determined in this study. The plastome of A. distichum was 1,559,825 bp in length (NCBI acc. no. KT274029) and contained a pair of inverted repeat regions (IRa and IRb) of 25,703 bp, which was divided into large single copy region (LSC) region of 86,742 bp and small single copy (SSC) region of 17,834 bp. The overall GC contents of the plastome were 37.8%, and in the LSC, SSC and IR regions were 35.8%, 32.0% and 43.2%. The plastome comprised 129 genes (112 unique), including 78 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, 4 rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis based on 83 genes from 41 plastomes showed that A. distichum was most closely related to Jasminum nudiflorum with strong support values.
Identifying Migrant Origins Using Genetics, Isotopes, and Habitat Suitability

Identifying migratory connections across the annual cycle is important for studies of migrant ecology, evolution, and conservation. While recent studies have demonstrated the utility of high-resolution SNP-based genetic markers for identifying population-specific migratory patterns, the accuracy of this approach relative to other intrinsic tagging techniques has not yet been assessed. Here, using a straightforward application of Bayes' Rule, we develop a method for combining inferences from high-resolution genetic markers, stable isotopes, and habitat suitability models, to spatially infer the breeding origin of migrants captured anywhere along their migratory pathway. Using leave-one-out cross validation, we compare the accuracy of this combined approach with the accuracy attained using each source of data independently. Our results indicate that when each method is considered in isolation, the accuracy of genetic assignments far exceeded that of assignments based on stable isotopes or habitat suitability models. However, our joint assignment method consistently resulted in small, but informative increases in accuracy and did help to correct misassignments based on genetic data alone. We demonstrate the utility of the combined method by identifying previously undetectable patterns in the timing of migration in a North American migratory songbird, the Wilson's warbler. Overall, our results support the idea that while genetic data provides the most accurate method for tracking animals using intrinsic markers when each method is considered independently, there is value in combining all three methods. The resulting methods are provided as part of a new computationally-efficient R-package, GIAIH, allowing broad application of our statistical framework to other migratory animal systems.
Nutritional evaluation of babassu endocarp meal type II with different inclusions in sheep diets

Industrialization of the Babassu coconut for edible oil production generates many co-products and has great potential to be used in ruminant nutrition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different inclusions of endocarp meal type II of Babassu coconut (BEMII) on intake and digestibility of sheep diets. Twenty non-castrated male sheep with an undefined breed were distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments and five replications. The animals received an experimental diet with increasing inclusions of BEMII (0.0%, 7.5%, 15.0%, and 22.5%). Increasing additions of the coproduct negatively influenced dry matter intake (g/BW and g/kg0.75). Crude protein intake (in grams) per day decreased linearly with the inclusion of BEMII, presenting a reduction of 49.35 g/d. The inclusion of 7.5% showed the best response for energy balance among all inclusions and presented the closest nitrogen balance value when compared to the control group; therefore, this inclusion percentage is the best for endocarp meal utilization.
Effects of plant diversity on the concentration of secondary plant metabolites and the density of arthropods on focal plants in the field

The diversity of the surrounding plant community can directly affect the abundance of insects on a focal plant as well as the size and quality of that focal plant. However, to what extent the effects of plant diversity on the arthropod community on a focal plant are mediated by host plant quality or by the diversity of the surrounding plants remains unresolved. In the field, we sampled arthropod communities on focal Jacobaea vulgaris plants growing in experimental plant communities that were maintained at different levels of diversity (one, two, four or nine species) for 3 years. Focal plants were also planted in plots without surrounding vegetation. We recorded the structural characteristics of each of the surrounding plant communities as well as the growth, and primary and secondary chemistry (pyrrolizidine alkaloids, PAs) of the focal plants to disentangle the potential mechanisms causing the diversity effects. Two years after planting, the abundance of arthropods on focal plants that were still in the vegetative stage decreased with increasing plant diversity, while the abundance of arthropods on reproductive focal plants was not significantly affected by the diversity of the neighbouring community. The size of both vegetative and reproductive focal plants was not significantly affected by the diversity of the neighbouring community, but the levels of PAs and the foliar N concentration of vegetative focal plants decreased with increasing plant diversity. Structural equation modelling revealed that the effects of plant diversity on the arthropod communities on focal plants were not mediated by changes in plant quality. Synthesis. Plant quality can greatly influence insect preference and performance. However, under natural conditions, the effects of the neighbouring plant community can overrule the plant quality effects of individual plants growing in those communities on the abundance of insects associated to this plant.
Induction of carbonic anhydrase by Cuscuta reflexa stem and Corchorus olitorius seed in mice

The effects of multiple intraperitoneal doses of methanolic extract of Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. stem and Corchorus olitorius Linn. seed on the activity of carbonic anhydrase in the uterus of micewere studied. These methanolic extracts caused a significant increase in the carbonic anhydrase activity in the uterus of mice. The increased rate of enzymatic activity might be associated with elevated level of progesterone induced by these methanolic extracts. This further establishes the antifertility nature of methanol extract of C. reflexa stem and C. olitorius seed.
Building Resilience Through the Child-to-Child Approach

Resilience in children is the ability to recover from traumatic experiences and develop the skills to overcome future challenges. In dealing with adversities, children draw from personal strengths often divided into external (I have), internal (I am), and interpersonal (I can) resources. Refugee and internally displaced children can develop these personal resources through meaningful participation in issues that affect them, their families, and their community. Meaningful participation is upheld by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child which views children’s voice and active involvement as key to realizing their fundamental rights. Child participation is enhanced through the six step Child-to-Child approach, which allows children to study and analyze the issues that confront their community and plan and carry out age-appropriate actions in response. Child-to-Child has been successfully implemented in more than 70 countries worldwide with children living in difficult circumstances, such as camps for refugee and internally displaced persons, and with children living in less dire conditions. The London-based Child-to-Child Trust promotes meaningful child participation in health, school-readiness, Disaster Risk Reduction, HIV/AIDS, climate change, inclusive education, and other issues affecting children. Recently an Office of the Americas was created to develop a network of Child-to-Child programs in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Laurencia epiphylla sp. nov. (Ceramiales, Rhodophyta) from the Mediterranean Sea

Une nouvelle espece du genre Laurencia (Ceramiales, Rhodophyta), L. epiphylla, est decrite de la cote Mediterraneene de l'Espagne. Cette espece montre les caracteristiques principales suivantes : (i) quatre cellules periaxiales par segment axial ; (ii) l'axe principal generalement avorte ; (iii) des axes dresses greles, a ramification alterne ou sub-opposee ; (iv) des celulles epidermiques non allongees en section transversale et presentant, entre elles, des synapses secondaires ; (v) des epaississements lenticulaires sur les parois des cellules medullaires ; (vi) des tetrasporocystes d'origine abaxiale et disposes parallelement a l'axe des rameaux fertiles. Le nom de cette espece derive de son comportement apparemment exclusivement epiphyte sur les feuilles de Cymodocea nodosa.
Desertathrips chuquiraga gen. et sp.n. (Thysanoptera, Thripidae) from Argentina

A new genus and species of Thripidae, Desertathrips chuquiraga, is described from Mendoza, Argentina, from the flowers of the endemic plant Chuquiraga erinacea (Asteraceae). Similar to Anaphothrips species in lacking any long pronotal setae, this species is one of a small group of Neotropical Thripinae in which males have a glandular opening between the second and third abdominal sternites. A check-list is included of 120 Thysanoptera species in 69 genera recorded from Argentina.
Allometric models for height and aboveground biomass of dominant tree species in South African Mistbelt forests

Novel species-specific equations for the estimation of height and aboveground biomass were established for four dominant tree species (Syzygium gerrardii Burtt Davy, Combretum kraussii Hochst., Trichilia dregeana Sond. and Croton sylvaticus Hochst.), in the Northern Mistbelt Forests of South Africa. A non-destructive sampling methodology was applied, which was based on measuring standing trees, selecting smaller branches and taking core samples. The species-specific aboveground biomass equations were fitted using predictor variables such as diameter at breast height (DBH) and total height (H). The relative error of estimation was used to examine the accuracy of a pantropical biomass equation versus our established specific model. Biomass values were afterwards up-scaled from tree to stand level for each species, based on the selected models and the forest inventory data. As expected, the DBH–height relationship varied among studied species. The incorporation of both DBH and H in the biomass models significantly improved their precision. A model with DBH2 × H as a single variable was suitable for three out of the four studied species, with more than 98% of explained variance. An existing pantropical biomass equation for moist forests showed larger relative error of estimation, especially in the upper range of tree diameter. The estimated aboveground biomass density varied significantly among studied species, with the highest values recorded for S. gerrardii (87.7 ± 15.4 Mg ha−1), followed by T. dregeana (29.4 ± 14.7 Mg ha−1), C. sylvaticus (24.3 ± 11.5 Mg ha−1) and C. kraussii (20.1 ± 6.7 Mg ha−1). It is also found that species-specific production of biomass at the tree level is not always sufficient to reflect the stand-level biomass density. The results from this study contribute to accurately predict aboveground biomass, thereby improving the reliability of the estimates of forest biomass and carbon balance.
Recovery of normal ruminal biohydrogenation and de novo fatty acid synthesis following induction of milk fat depression in dairy cows

The opportunity exists to improve production efficiency on dairy farms by implementation of strategies conducive to maximal milk fat yield. Diet-induced milk fat depression (MFD) was first recognized over 150 years ago, and represents an important economic loss to dairy farms because it results in milk fat production bellow the genetic potential of animals. This condition is the result of altered ruminal fermentation that leads to the formation of specific intermediates of biohydrogenation (BH) of unsaturated fatty acids that reduce mammary lipid synthesis. The observation of time course of recovery of milk fat synthesis and the timing of associated changes following an episode of MFD provides insight into the mechanism. Furthermore this knowledge is of great importance to management of the condition, as field nutritionists would benefit from understanding the time required to observe recovery after a dietary correction. The set of studies in the present dissertation characterized the time course of induction and recovery from MFD to be between 7 to 13 days and between 11 to 15 days, respectively. In addition, we identified the reduction in dietary concentration of polyunsaturated FA as the most important factor to correct in order promote restoration of normal BH and recover milk fat synthesis. Ruminal adaptation was corroborated as the rate-limiting step in the rate of recovery from MFD and the potential for dietary probiotics use to accelerate recovery of milk de novo fatty synthesis was demonstrated. Together, these experiments provide a set of key observations in regards to dietary factors associated to the recovery of milk fat synthesis and the restoration of normal ruminal biohydrogenation pathways.
Feeding responses of Crassostrea gigas (Thunberg) to inclusion of different proportions of toxic dinoflagellates in their diet

An experimental flow-through system allowing determination of the feeding behaviour of individual molluscs was used to study oysters exposed to mixed diets composed of varying proportions of the diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii and two strains (toxic and nontoxic) of the dinoflagellate Alexandrium larnarense. Our results show that, when compared to a T. weissflogii unialgal diet, even a diatomltoxic dinoflagellate ratio as low in biomass as 90/10 reduced clearance rates and biodeposit production by oysters. Consumption was slightly but significantly decreased for a 50/50 diatomltoxic dinoflagellate mixture. For the toxic dinoflagellate unialgal diet, ingestion, absorption and consumption were completely inhibited. Thus, the inclusion of low amounts of toxic A. lamarense in a diet composed of T. weissflogii significantly altered pseudofaeces production and probably oyster filtering capacity , whereas no significant effect was observed with the non-toxic dinoflagellate.
Demography of the Andean Dart Frog (Andinobates opisthomelas, Dendrobatidae) in Eastern Antioquia, Colombia

Abstract. This study aimed to document demographic parameters of an Andean dart frog, Andinobates opisthomelas. We used a photoidentification method to recognize recaptured individuals during a six month study of a population on a small island in a reservoir in the Cordillera Central of Colombia. Reproductively active males were identified based upon the presence of vocal sacs or observed calling or parental care behaviors (carrying from one to three tadpoles on their backs). Minimum size at first reproduction for males was estimated at 12.9 mm snout-vent length. Only 4% of captured individuals were smaller than this size; the remaining individuals were classified as either reproductively active males or other adults. The survival rates and detectabilities of these two groups were compared in both wet and dry season periods using maximum likelihood model fitting methods. Survival rates did not differ between groups but was related to body size, with smaller adult individuals having lower survival rates. Reproductively active males had higher detectabilities than other adult individuals, and both classes exhibited higher detectabilities in larger individuals and in the dry season sampling periods. Herpetologists are encouraged to use methods that permit decomposition of encounter rates into their component parameters (survival rate and detection probability) to facilitate identification of factors influencing population dynamics and permit meaningful comparisons among studies.
New Walnut Cultivars: Maras 18, Sutyemez 1, and Kaman 1

Walnuts are one of several fruit species indigenous to Turkey, which has a long history of fruit cultivation (Sxen, 1986). Turkey has 11 million walnut trees with an annual production of 210,000 t, and is ranked fourth among the walnut-producing countries of the world (S€utyemez, 2015). Three new walnut cultivars with superior fruit yield and quality were developed through positive mass selection using selected genotypes from the Kahramanmaras and Kaman regions of Turkey.
Performance of Limpograss Breeding Lines under Various Grazing Management Strategies

Limpograss [Hemarthria altissima (Poir.) Stapf et C.E. Hubb. ] is a C4, perennial, stoloniferous grass that is well adapted to poorly drained soils and grows throughout frost-free periods during winter in southern Florida. Its use has increased rapidly in recent decades, but nearly all area in cultivation is planted with one cultivar, ‘Floralta’. A breeding program was initiated to develop improved alternatives to Floralta, resulting in a group of breeding lines requiring evaluation under grazing. The objective of this research was to evaluate the performance of five limpograss breeding lines (1, 4F, 10, 32, and 34) under combinations of grazing frequency and intensity. During the 2012 and 2013 growing seasons, those lines, plus Floralta, were tested at two pre-grazing canopy light interception levels (80 and 95%), that triggered the initiation of each grazing event, and two post-grazing stubble heights (20 and 30 cm). Lines 4F and 10 had greater herbage accumulation, apparent herbage harvested, and persistence than Floralta. Initiation of grazing at 80% canopy light interception resulted in more frequent grazing events, a longer grazing season, shorter pre-grazing canopy height, greater leaf percentage, less herbage bulk density, and greater herbage crude protein concentration compared with 95% canopy light interception. These data support cultivar release of breeding lines 4F and 10 and suggest that persistence and efficient utilization of limpograss under rotational stocking can likely be achieved by initiating grazing at a pre-grazing canopy height of ∼60 cm, well before 95% canopy light interception, and by ending grazing at a post-grazing canopy height of ∼30 cm.