Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Organic acids, prebiotics and protein level as dietary tools to control the weaning transition and reduce post-weaning diarrhoea in piglets

The most effective way to control post-weaning diarrhoea (PWD) in piglets remains the use of prophylactic and for therapeutic levels of antibiotics. However, increasing concerns about the transfer of antibiotic-resistant bacteria to humans via the use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) in animals have led to the ban in the European Union of all AGPs in pig diets from 1 January 2006. Consequently, it is important to develop ways of controlling the weaning transition in piglets without the use of antibiotic feed additives. The scope of this review is an examination of the adaptation of the gastrointestinal tract to weaning and the mechanisms of PWD. Furthermore, the addition of organic acids, prebiotics and probiotics as feed additives as well as dietary carbohydrate and protein modulation to minimize PWD will be discussed. Based on the available literature, organic acids can increase post-weaning performance significantly even though it is not possible at times to recognize the most effective dosage, acid or combination of acids. In some cases, prebiotics can increase the numbers of possible beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus spp. And Bifidobacterium spp. in the gastrointestinal tract; however, there is little evidence of this then improving performance and health. The data defining the benefits of probiotics are equivocal; however, at least some probiotics seem to be able to improve performance of nursery pigs. Lowering dietary protein content for a short period post-weaning will probably reduce PWD and improve intestinal health of the piglets but performance is compromised if essential amino acid levels and/or ratios are reduced below requirement.
Regulation ofTumorNecrosis Factor AlphaTranscription in Macrophages: Involvement ofFourKB-Like Motifs andof Constitutive andInducible FormsofNF-KB

Thisstudycharacterizes theinteraction ofmurinemacrophage nuclear proteins withthetumornecrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) promoter. Gelretardation andmethylation interference assaysshowedthatstimulation ofTNF-aL gene transcription inperitoneal exudate macrophages was accompanied byinduction ofDNAbinding proteins thatrecognized withdifferent affinities fourelements related totheKBconsensusmotifand a Y-boxmotif. We suggest thatthebasal level ofTNF-aexpression inmacrophages isduetothebinding ofa constitutive formofNF-KB,present atlowlevels innuclei fromresting thioglycolate exudate peritoneal macrophages, tosome ifnotalloftheKBmotifs; we postulate thatthisconstitutive formcontains onlythe 50-kilodalton (kDa) DNA-binding protein subunits ofNF-KB, notthe65-kDaprotein subunits (P.Baeuerle and D.Baltimore, GenesDev.3:1689-1698, 1989). Agentssuchas glucocorticoids, whichdecrease TNF-c transcription, diminished thebasal level ofnuclear NF-KB.Stimulation ofTNF-atranscription inmacrophages bylipopolysaccharide, gamma interferon, orcycloheximide ledtoanincreased content ofnuclear NF-KB.This induced factor represents a different formofNF-KB,since itgenerated protein-DNA complexes ofslower mobility; we proposethatthis induced formofNF-KBcontains boththe50-and65-kDaprotein subunits, the latter ones being necessarytobindNF-KBtoitscytoplasmic inhibitor inuninduced cells (Baeuerle and Baltimore, GenesDev., 1989). Inresting cells, this inducible formofNF-KBwasindeed detectable inthecytosol after deoxycholate treatment. UV cross-linking experiments andgelretardation assaysindicated thatthe inducible formofNF-KBisina higher-order complex withother proteins.
Cloning and Characterization of a Sucrose Phosphate Synthase-encoding Gene from Muskmelon

Sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS (EC 2.4.1.14)) is thought to play a critical role in sucrose accumulation in muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) fruit. A full-length cDNA clone encoding sucrose phosphate synthase was isolated from muskmelon by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The clone, designated CmSPS1, contains 3377 nucleotides with an open reading frame of 3162 nucleotides. The deduced 1054 amino acids sequence showed high identities with other plant sucrose phosphate synthases. Northern blot analysis indicated that CmSPS1 was expressed in leaves, stems, and mature fruit, but was not detected in roots or flowers. Moreover, the mRNA accumulation of CmSPS1 started at 25 days after pollination (DAP) and reached highest level in mature fruit. Interestingly, both sucrose content and SPS activity increased dramatically between 20 and 30 DAP during fruit development, suggesting that sucrose accumulation may be linked to the CmSPS1 transcript level in muskmelon fruit.
Truly enigmatic declines in terrestrial salamander populations in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Woodland salamanders (genus: Plethodon) declined synchronously across many protected areas in Eastern North America by the mid‐1980s, but no cause was attributed to these declines. We hypothesized that the rapid, synchronous loss of several populations of many species was consistent with the invasive pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis ( Bd), and we resurveyed historic sites to search for Bd in current populations.
DAILY MOVEMENTS AND MAXIMUM SPEED IN CTENOMYS TALARUM (RODENTIA: CTENOMYIDAE) IN ARTIFICIAL ENCLOSURES

Abstract Ctenomys talarum is a solitary subterranean rodent that maintains exclusive territories by constant movement through a sealed tunnel system. In this study we evaluate the distance traveled in an artificial burrow and maximum natural locomotor speed reached in a 24-h period. Distance moved per day was 179.99 m ± 69.62 SD, and ratio of distance moved to total burrow length was 12.4:1. Maximum locomotor speed was 0.75 m/s ± 0.01 SD. No relationships were found between either distance moved or speed and photoperiod or ambient temperature, and between body mass and distance moved or locomotor speed. Distance moved by C. talarum is related to maintenance of burrow and territorial defense, and locomotor speed, probably, responds to aboveground predation.
Inbreeding depression simulation in popcorn cultivars to estimate the effective population size for germplasm conservation

Nowadays the corn variability is preserved mainly in germplasm banks. A population maintained in a germplasm bank can lose genetic variability when regenerations are performed with an inadequate effective population size. We therefore aimed at an estimation of the effective population size that minimizes alterations in the plant means of ear height, prolificity index, weight of 100 grains, grain yield and expansion capacity after ten regenerations in six popcorn populations. Six populations and their respective selfed generations were appraised in complete blocks with two replications. Yield was the trait with the most pronounced inbreeding depression. Population Rosa-Claro presented the strongest depression for yield (94.3%) and was used to simulate different effective sample sizes. It was concluded that an effective sample size of 200 unrelated non-inbred plants is enough to minimize inbreeding depression after ten regenerations, in all analyzed traits in the six populations.
Cluster Analysis Using Quantitative, Qualitative and Molecular Traits for the Study of the Genetic Diversity in Pineapple Genotypes

Cluster analysis using quantitative, qualitative and molecular variables is a useful tool in estimating genetic diversity between genotypes in germplasm collections. The objective of this study was to carry out a simultaneous analysis of quantitative, qualitative and molecular variables followed by clustering to study the genetic diversity between pineapple genotypes using the Gower algorithm. Eleven quantitative, five qualitative and forty three molecular characteristics in ninety pineapple genotypes were evaluated. The cophenetic correlation coefficient of the joint analysis was higher when compared with the individual analysis coefficients. Ten groups were observed which indicates higher variability among genotypes evaluated. The simultaneous analysis of the quantitative, qualitative and molecular variables was efficient in the expression of the genetic diversity between pineapple genotypes when compared to the individual analysis for each type of variable.
A COMPARISON OF THE SNAP ® GIARDIA FECAL ANTIGEN TEST AND THE ZINC SULFATE DOUBLE CENTRIFUGATION FECAL FLOTATION PROCEDURE TO DIAGNOSE GIARDIA INTESTINALIS INFECTIONS IN TWO POPULATIONS OF INFECTED DOGS

Giardiasis is a common intestinal protozal parasitic infection of the pet dog and cat population. Veterinarians often have difficulty correctly diagnosing this parasite. Studies were conducted to compare the zinc sulfate double centrifuge fecal flotation to the SNAP (registered trademark) Giardia fecal ELISA test manufactured by IDEXX laboratories Inc. in purpose bred beagles and shelter and commercial kennel dogs. In these evaluations the zinc sulfate double centrifuge fecal flotation and fecal ELISA test performed similarly. Both tests performed better in the shelter and commercial kennel dog population than the chronically infected purpose bred beagles. There was an increase in number of positive animals identified when 3 consecutive daily samples were evaluated as compared to any one individual day for either test method. Post treatment evaluation of the diagnostic tests was performed in 23 laboratory beagles. Each beagle was treated for 3 consecutive days with Drontal plus and then bathed on the last day of treatment and fecal samples were collected from the treated dogs every other day starting one day post treatment for 21 days. It was found that all beagles were negative on zinc sulfate double centrifugation fecal flotation, fecal ELISA and IFA within 24 hours of treatment and nineteen (82.6%) of the beagles did not re-shed cysts during the 21 day post-treatment evaluation period. Four beagles returned to shedding cysts (Flotation or IFA positive) between days 17 and 21. These findings suggest that a positive test within a week of treatment is likely the result of inappropriate treatment. After the prepatent period, positive results may occur due to a return to shedding, reinfection or inappropriate treatment. Chronically infected laboratory beagles may not be a good model for acute Giardia infections as these dogs are rarely clinically ill and detection is more difficult.
Using body condition index can be an unreliable indicator of fitness: a case of sand lizard Lacerta agilis Linnaeus, 1758 (Sauria: Lacertidae)

In ecological and morphological studies, researchers often use body condition index as a measure of an individual's fitness. Our research shows that body condition index may be an unreliable method for this purpose, because changes in lizards' body proportions are not stable during their lifetime. Results obtained from a Polish population of the sand lizard (Lacerta agilis) show that the body length increases faster than the body mass, meaning that the correlation between these 2 parameters is not linear. Herpetologists frequently use the body condition index to compare the fitness of lizards of different ages. Our study demonstrates that this method may not be accurate; in the future, research should strive to develop new ways of measuring lizards' fitness.
Altitude-related changes in activities of carbon metabolism enzymes and secondary plant products- menthoforon an active pharmaceutical constituents yield in pippermint (Mentha piperita L. Var. Kukarail)

Activities of some enzymes related to carbon metabolism were studied in different ecotypes of pippermint (Mentha piperita L. Var. Kukarail), growing at 950 and 1,250 m above mean sea level. Activities of peroxidase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and geranyl pyro phosphate (GPP) are significantly higher in higher altitude cultivated cultivars. The GPP which converts to geranyl geranyl pyro phosphate (GGPP) comprises of two subunits, the smaller one and the large subunits. Electrophoretic bands of PCR showed the gene specific primers. In higher altitude, the smaller and large subunits of the key enzyme are present where as in the plain cultivated plants, the larger subunits are absent and the only smaller subunits are more conspicuously synthesized. The plain cultivated plants at 0.05 ppm Zn showed the higher carbon dioxide exchange rate (0.65 µg(CO2)m2 s -1 ) and sacride formation 0.470 µg(CH2O)m -2 s -1 ). The higher altitude pippermints plants at 0.1 Zn mg/L grown plants, showed higher total amounts of monoterpne oil(s) (0.67%) and the increased was 26% over control, with higher menthol, menthyl actate and of medicinal uses menthofuron contents in comparison to plain cultivations.xide-dismutase (SOD) and peroxidise iso-enzymes with altitude were studied, where as activities of SOD did not show a significant difference with change in altitude. RFPD of the two altitude grown cultivars showed the different lines of conspicuous lane bandings. The key enzymes are from geranyl pyro phosphate (GPP).
Population structure of the red mangrove crab, Goniopsis cruentata (Decapoda: Grapsidae) under different fishery impacts: Implications for resource management

The red mangrove crab, Goniopsis cruentata, influences the recruitment and composition of plant species in the mangrove ecosystem and it is an important fishery resource. Nevertheless, no current manage- ment and conservation plans are available for this species for the Brazilian coast. This investigation evaluated the population structure and reproductive biology in populations of G. cruentata under contrasting fishery pres- sures. The sampling program was carried out in two mangroves, Vaza-Barris and Sergipe River, from January through December 2011. Crabs from both mangroves were randomly collected by a professional fisherman during daytime low tide periods, using a fishing rod baited with pieces of a locally abundant gastropod, Pugilina morio, during 20min/area (catch per unit effort). Monthly measurements of air, sediment surface layer and water temperatures were obtained with a digital thermometer and salinity with an optical refractometer. Both crab populations were compared concerning their abundance, body size, sex ratio, size at onset of sexual maturity and fecundity (FI). Abiotic factors (air, water and mud temperature; and salinity) showed no significant differences between sampling localities. A total of 4 370 crabs were sampled, 2 829 from the Sergipe River and 1 541 from the Vaza-Barris River. The abundance and body size of crabs were compared between mangroves, and statisti- cally significant differences were found. The sex ratio for both populations differed from the expected 1:1 ratio, and a significant deviation in favor of juvenile males was obtained, while adults showed a bias toward females. The estimated size at onset of sexual maturity for both sexes was similar in both populations. However, the populations differed significantly in the number and volume of eggs: a higher FI was obtained in females from the Sergipe River, while a higher egg volume was observed in females from the Vaza-Barris River mangrove. These results indicated a tendency to decrease the body size, the abundance of crabs and the reproductive poten- tial of the species, with higher fishing intensities, reinforcing the need to develop a management plan as well as to establish conservation units for G. cruentata in the Northeastern Brazilian coast. Habitat loss in conjunction with long-term overfishing can have irreversible consequences, which can impact not only the populations of commercially exploited crabs, but the dynamics of virtually the entire mangrove ecosystem. Rev. Biol. Trop. 63 (2): 443-457. Epub 2015 June 01.
Constraint and adaptation in the evolution of carnivoran skull shape

Abstract The evolutionary history of the Order Carnivora is marked by episodes of iterative evolution. Although this pattern is widely reported in different carnivoran families, the mechanisms driving the evolution of carnivoran skull morphology remain largely unexplored. In this study we use coordinate-point extended eigenshape analysis (CP-EES) to summarize aspects of skull shape in large fissiped carnivores. Results of these comparisons enable the evaluation of the role of different factors constraining the evolution of carnivoran skull design. Empirical morphospaces derived from mandible anatomy show that all hypercarnivores (i.e., those species with a diet that consists almost entirely of vertebrate flesh) share a set of traits involved in a functional compromise between bite force and gape angle, which is reflected in a strong pattern of morphological convergence. Although the paths followed by different taxa to reach this “hypercarnivore shape-space” differ because of phylogenetic constraints, the morphological signature of hypercarnivory in the mandible is remarkably narrow and well constrained. In contrast, CP-EES of cranial morphology does not reveal a similar pattern of shape convergence among hypercarnivores. This suggests a lesser degree of morphological plasticity in the cranium compared to the mandible, which probably results from a compromise between different functional demands in the cranium (e.g., feeding, vision, olfactory sense, and brain processing) whereas the mandible is only involved in food acquisition and processing. Combined analysis of theoretical and empirical morphospaces for these skull data also show the lower anatomical disparity of felids and hyaenids compared to canids and ursids. This indicates that increasing specialization within the hypercarnivorous niche may constrain subsequent morphological and ecological flexibility. During the Cenozoic, similar skull traits appeared in different carnivoran lineages, generated by similar selection pressures (e.g., toward hypercarnivory) and shared developmental pathways. These pathways were likely the proximate source of constraints on the degree of variation associated with carnivoran skull evolution and on its direction.
Predictability of Autism, Schizophrenic and Obsessive Spectra Diagnosis: Toward a Damage Network Approach

Schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive and autistic disorders are traditionally considered as three separate psychiatric conditions each with specific symptoms and pattern of brain alterations. This view can be challenged since these three conditions have the same neurobiological origin, stemming from a common root of a unique neurodevelopmental tree. The aim of this meta-analytic study was to determine, from a neuroimaging perspective, whether i) white matter and gray matter alterations are specific for the three different spectrum disorders, and the nosographical differentiation of three spectra is supported by different patterns of brain alterations. ii) it might be possible to define new spectra starting from specific brain damage. iii) it is possible to detect a “brain damage network” (a connecting link between the damaged areas that relates areas constantly involved in the disorder). Three main findings emerged from our meta-analysis: The three psychiatric spectra do not appear to have their own specific damage. It is possible to define two new damage clusters. The first includes substantial parts of the salience network, and the second is more closely linked to the auditory-visual, auditory and visual somatic areas. It is possible to define a "Damage Network" and to infer a hierarchy of brain substrates in the pattern of propagation of the damage. These results suggest the presence of a common pattern of damage in the three pathologies plus a series of variable alterations that, rather than support the sub-division into three spectra, highlight a two-cluster parcellation with an input-output and more cognitive clusters.
Sequence-tagged sites of cDNA clones in Solanum tuberosum and their evaluation as molecular markers in Solanaceae species

Potato is an important food crop that is constantly threatened by pests and diseases. To cope with the food shortages in the water-poor subcontinent, Africa will have to increase its yield through the use of diseaseand pest-resistant varieties, and increase the area planted by developing drought-tolerant varieties. In order to introduce resistant or stress-tolerant genes, either by classical breeding or genetic engineering, genome analyses with molecular markers are needed to identify and track such genes. Partially sequenced cDNA clones or expressed sequenced tags (ESTs), play an important role in genome analysis. ESTs can be used to tag genes and are a common source for the development of sequence-tagged ,site (STS) markers. In this study cDNA-based STS marker technology is combined with singlestranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analYSis to detect polymorphisms. An oligo(dT)-primed cDNA library was constructed from young potato leaves. About 3000 clones were produced, using a plasmid vector. The quality of the library was determined by means of PCR and sequencing. Forty-eight ESTs were produced and based upon similarities to characterised sequences in electronic databases, 37 cDNA sequences could be assigned putative identities. STS oligonucleotide primers were developed from the ESTs, and were subsequently used to screen a panel of 10 potato cultivars. Twelve of the 13 primer pairs could detect polymorphisms in SSCP analyses and between two and six unique profiles were amplified per assay. Five of the polymorphic STSs were characterised by sequencing. It was found that single nucleotide polymorph isms gave rise to the variation for three markers and the variations for the remaining two markers were due to insertions and deletions. Since the STS primers were derived from partially sequenced cDNA clones, they have the advantage of providing not oilly a marker, but also a tag for a gene. In addition it was shown that most of these markers could also be used in other Solanaceae species. Nine markers could detect variations between six different species by standard agarose gel electrophoresis. In summary, useful PCR-based markers, which are quick and easy to analyse, have been developed for potato and can find application in the genome analysis of potato as well as other Solanaceae species. Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za