Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of fermented Achyranthes japonica (Miq.) Nakai extract on osteoarthritis

The present study was conducted to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects of fermented Achyranthes japonica (Miq.) Nakai extract (FAJE). The FAJE was effective in nitrogen oxide (NO) scavenging in RAW264.7 cells. In the case of experimental Sprague Dawley (SD) rats injected with monosodium iodoacetate (MIA), the levels of TNF- α and IL-1 β in blood increased in the osteoarthritis-induced group while decreasing in the group administered with FAJE. In addition, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in cartilage tissues increased in the osteoarthritis-induced group, but decreased in the group treated with FAJE. Cartilage examination indicated that the osteoarthritis-induced group exhibited cartilage erosion and cell degeneration, but in the FAJE administered group the tissue, conditions were recovered and cartilage proteoglycan was increased. Therefore, FAJE clearly showed anti-inflammatory effects and this suggests it is effective for recovery from osteoarthritis induced by MIA. the the bitter taste The anti-inflammatory effects were examined using RAW264.7 cells with induced by LPS the anti-osteoarthritic effects were examined by evaluating the effects to improve the conditions of osteoarthritis induced by monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) in Sprague-Dawley (SD)
Prevalence, Electron Microscopy and Molecular Characterization of Cryptosporidium species Infecting Sheep in Egypt

Cryptosporidium sp. is predominant universally and sheep are an imperative zoonotic supply of the disease. Owing to the little information presented with respect to Cryptosporidium sp. infecting sheep, this study was directed to survey the predominance and molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium sp. among sheep of different ages and sexes in Qalyubia governorate, Egypt. The fecal specimens were gathered from 432 sheep of various ages (≤1 to 12 months) and sexes. The samples were microscopically examined after staining by modified Zeihl- Neelsen technique and the intestinal mucosa was scanned by electron microscopy. A nested PCR was connected to amplify a 830 bp of 18S rRNA sequence of Cryptosporidium. RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) technique using SspI and VspI enzymes for digestion of the secondary product of PCR for species identification was applied. The total infection rate was 25.93%. The parasite was more prevalent in males than females of different age groups. Two zoonotic Cryptosporidium species were distinguished after RFLP-PCR sequencing: C. parvum and C. ubiquitum (identified previously as Cervine genotype). The finding recommends that sheep must be considered as a noteworthy potential source of human cryptosporidiosis. A strict reconnaissance of zoonotic cryptosporidiosis must be set up to counteract human infection and to assess forthcoming disease when applying control programs.
Parasitism strategies of the Fan-tailed Cuckoo Cacomantis flabelliformis

The Fan-tailed Cuckoo Cacomantis flabelliformis inhabits thick forest, and nothing is known about how it finds the nests of its hosts, or whether it monitors the nests that it does find. We studied this cuckoo, and its hosts, for 8 breeding seasons between 2007 (August 2007–January 2008 inclusive) and 2014 (August 2014–January 2015 inclusive) on a 10-ha site in a coastal forest of south-eastern Australia, near Moruya, New South Wales. For three of these seasons, nests were monitored with cameras. The Cuckoo was recorded at the nests of only its four putative hosts at the site (White-browed Scrubwren Sericornis frontalis , Brown Thornbill Acanthiza pusilla , Superb Fairy-wren Malurus cyaneus and Variegated Fairy-wren M. lamberti ). It parasitised only the nests of the White-browed Scrubwren and Brown Thornbill, but it removed either eggs or young from all other nests at which it was recorded. There was no correlation between any measure of nest activity for a host species, and parasitism of that species, and cameras at nests recorded no evidence of nest monitoring by the Cuckoo. We conclude that individual Cuckoos may be hostspecific, and that the parasitism strategy is enigmatic, but is possibly haphazard and inefficient. As a result, the Fantailed Cuckoo finds most host nests too late for successful parasitism, it spoils them to re-instigate building, and is by default a major nest-predator.
Preliminary Studies on Antibacterial and Antiviral Activities of Five Medicinal Plants

Pathogenic bacteria can invade in the body through inhalation into nose and lungs, ingestion in food or through sexual contact. General symptoms of bacterial diseases include fever, chills, headache, nausea and vomiting. Commonly occurring pathogenic bacteria are Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogene [1]. Commonly occurring pathogenic bacteria are Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogene.
Interaction of Arabidopsis AMSH proteins with ESCRT-III and their role in intracellular membrane trafficking

AMSH3 is a deubiquitinating enzyme from Arabidopsis thaliana that is essential for plant development. This project provides evidence for the interaction of AMSH3 with proteins of the endocytosis pathway, VPS2.1 and VPS24.1. Moreover, the role of AMSH3 in endocytosis and autophagy is demonstrated. This work reveals that VPS2.1 is a component of the endosomal trafficking pathway that has also a role in autophagy. Besides AMSH3, also its closest homologue AMSH1 interacts with VPS2.1 and loss of AMSH1 function impairs the autophagy pathway.
The role of Diencephalon/Mesencephalon Homeobox 1 (Dmbx1) in Zebrafish Visual System Development

Visual system development is highly conserved across all vertebrates. The retina receives visual inputs and transfers the sensory information to the brain for processing. In zebrafish, the largest synaptic target of the retinal projections is the optic tectum, which acts as a relay center that organizes visuomotor activities. My research has revealed that the transcriptional regulator Diencephalon/mesencephalon homeobox 1 (dmbx1), of which there are two paralogs represented in the zebrafish genome, plays a pivotal role in coordinating neurogenesis in these functionally integrated regions. During the course of my doctoral research, I have characterized the functions of dmbx1 paralogs in zebrafish retinal and tectal development and showed that they are required for sustaining growth in the retina and the optic tectum. Functional deficiency of the dmbx1 genes caused a severe cell cycle defect in progenitor cells, resulting in reduced tissue growth and delayed differentiation within those structures. Further analysis revealed that progenitor cells require dmbx1 to reduce the level of cyclinD1 expression, in order to promote cell cycle exit. In addition, I discovered that misexpression of both dmbx1 genes could duplicate wnt3a expression and lead to enhanced proliferation at the tectal midline. This suggested that the two transcription factors could regulate different cellular mechanisms with the presence of canonical Wnt signaling. Overall, this research demonstrates that dmbx1 is involved in the iii timing of retinal and tectal neurogenesis, and provides novel insight into the transcriptional regulation of visual system development in vertebrates.
Diversity and distribution of Baetidae (Insecta: Ephemeroptera) larvae of streams and Rivers of the southern Western Ghats, India

The present research was conducted to study the diversity and distribution of Baetidae larvae (Insecta: Ephemeroptera) of hill streams/rivers of the southern Western Ghats, India. A total of 2982 individuals distributed among 10 genera and 25 species of baetid were collected from 60 sites of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala during August 2009July 2012 representing an environmental gradient. The present study describe the mesohabitat of sixteen baetid species and evaluate their responses to environmental degradation and water chemistry by means of biological measures (richness and abundance), in order to assess their potential capacity as indicators of these impacts. Most species were found predominantly associated with rock-strewn substrates, but some were associated with grasses and two species was found predominantly in lentic water bodies. Species distribution was influenced by the environmental gradient. In future able to identify which species were found in pristine versus the most impaired areas, therefore enabling to establish the sensitivity of each species among baetid.
Large Meta-Analysis Provides Evidence for an Association of Serum Vitamin D with Pulmonary Function

Background Epidemiological studies have reported mixed cross-sectional findings for the association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and pulmonary function in the general population. We conducted the largest meta-analysis of the serum 25(OH)D–pulmonary function association to date. Methods Data on 25(OH)D and pulmonary function from nine European ancestry (EA) cohorts (N=22,838) and five African ancestry (AA) cohorts (N=4,290) in the CHARGE Consortium was analyzed using linear models by cohort and ancestry group. Interaction terms tested effect modification of the 25(OH)D–pulmonary function association by smoking status (current/former/never). Results were combined using inverse variance weighted fixed-effects meta-analysis. Findings Mean (SD) serum 25(OH)D was 68 (29) nmol/L for EAs and 49 (21) nmol/L for AAs. For each 10 nmol/L higher 25(OH)D (~0.5 SD), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was higher by 11.1 mL (P=2.5×10−21) in EAs and 17.9 mL (P=1.6×10−7) in AAs. Forced vital capacity (FVC) was higher by 12.9 mL (P=1.1×10−20) in EAs and 15.4 mL (P=1.2×10−4) in AAs. The 25(OH)D–FEV1/FVC associations were negligible. Among EAs, the magnitude of the 25(OH)D–FVC association was stronger in smokers, as evidenced by association estimates of 17.3 mL for current smokers, 16.6 mL for former smokers, compared to 7.8 mL for never smokers, per 10 nmol/L higher 25(OH)D. Interpretation The 25(OH)D associations with FEV1 and FVC were consistently positive in both EAs and AAs, and the stronger magnitudes of the 25(OH)D–pulmonary function association among smokers support the importance of vitamin D in vulnerable populations. Funding U.S. NIH R21HL125574 among others. Summary What is the key question? What is the association of serum vitamin D with pulmonary function in European Ancestry population and African Ancestry population, and is this association modified by smoking status? What is the bottom line? Serum vitamin D was consistently positively associated with pulmonary function (FEV1 and FVC) in each ancestry group (European and African), and the interaction meta-analysis revealed a stronger association in cigarette smokers in the European ancestry group. Why read on? Existing evidence for the serum vitamin D—pulmonary function association is from singlecohort studies and findings are mixed; this meta-analysis over multiple cohort studies provides a clearer picture of the serum vitamin D—pulmonary function association, including effect modification by smoking.
Mechanisms for Development and Function of Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cells

Abstract : Regulatory T cell mediated dominant tolerance has been demonstrated to play an important role in the prevention of autoimmunity. In this dissertation we present evidence that the marker gene of T reg cells (Foxp3) is expressed in a very early stage of thymic differentiation. By studying two different murine genetic backgrounds, we found several mechanisms leading to a differential thymic T reg development and function. While high rates of proliferation occurred in T-reg precursors with low Leptin receptor density, high rates of apoptosis occurred in T-reg precursors with elevated Bad, Caspase 3, and CD3 expression. Despite a differential T-reg thymic output, the size of peripheral CD4(+)25(hi)Foxp3(+) T-reg subset was normalized regardless the genetic background. Conversely, the T-reg suppressogenicity as tested in a model of autoimmune diabetes was directly correlated with the level of Foxp3 expression. A second important finding is that CD28 costimulation alone augmented, but did not induce de novo Foxp3 expression in T-reg thymic precursors. The CD28-upregulation of Foxp3 relied on mRNA stabilization, and required plasma membrane rafts integrity as well as a functional p56(lck) binding motif on the CD28 cytosolic tail. Noteworthy, the glycosphingolipids and cholesterol rafts components were unusual partitioned in T-reg precursors as compared with conventional T-cell precursors. The CD28-upregulation of Foxp3 was paralleled by an increase in thymic proliferation and in suppressogenicity of terminally differentiated CD4(+)25(hi) T-reg thymocytes. Extending the life span of Foxp3 transcripts in a rafts/p56lck manner represents a novel mechanism by which the CD28 co-receptor fosters the development and suppressogenicity of CD4(+)25(hi) T-reg precursors in the thymus.
Taphonomic signature of golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) on bone prey remains

Abstract The golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is one of the most important birds of prey in the Northern Hemisphere. This raptor is used to building large nests in high cliffs to which they return for several breeding years accumulating important amounts of their prey skeletal remains. This makes the golden eagle one of the major predators able to accumulate faunal remains in archaeological sites. Despite this fact, the taphonomic signature of golden eagles has not been properly characterized. Here we present the analysis of ingested and non-ingested faunal remains predated and accumulated by this raptor in two different nesting areas from the Iberian Peninsula. Results show how the faunal taxonomic record may vary depending on the ecological zone. Leporids and terrestrial carnivores are the best represented. The observed anatomical representation, breakage and bone surface modification patterns are discussed for different taxa. The taphonomic pattern varies depending on the type of prey and the origin of skeletal materials (non-ingested vs. pellets). Finally, after comparing our results with marks left by other predators, several characteristic features are noted to recognise golden eagles as agents of animal bones accumulations in the fossil record.
The next-generation sequencing reveals the complete mitochondrial genome of Alosa sapidissima (Perciformes: Clupeidae) with phylogenetic consideration

Abstract The complete mitochondrial genome of the Alosa sapidissima is presented in this study. The mitochondrial genome is 16,741 bp long and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and a control region. The gene order and composition of Epinephelus awoara mitochondrial genome was similar to that of most other vertebrates. The nucleotide compositions of the light strand in descending order is 28.79% of G, 28.39% of T, 24.94% of A, and 17.88% of C. With the exception of the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 6 (ND6) and 8 tRNA genes, all other mitochondrial genes are encoded on the heavy strand. The phylogenetic analysis by maximum-likelihood (ML) method showed that the A. sapidissima has the closer relationship to between the A. alosa and A. pseudoharengus in the phylogenetic relationship.
Small, fragmented native oak forests have better preserved epiphytic lichen communities than tree plantations in a temperate sub-oceanic Mediterranean climate region

Abstract In increasingly fragmented landscapes tree plantations are thought to help maintain forest continuity among native patches. Epiphytic lichens are one of the most sensitive groups to change in forest conditions, but the effects of this management practice are still poorly studied in temperate regions. In this study we compared epiphytic lichen diversity among small patches of old, native oaks (Quercus pyrenaica) and young, planted chestnuts (Castanea sativa) and Monterey pines (Pinus radiata) in a major forestry area in northwestern Spain. Our results showed that the richness of epiphytic lichens was higher in C. sativa than Q. pyrenaica, but that the latter had more lichen species typical of mature forests, including macrocyanolichens. Overall, C. sativa plantations had more species typical of well-lit, dry environments than Q. pyrenaica or P. radiata, which is likely caused by the natural architecture of each tree species, and to differences in forest age and management. At the tree level, Q. pyrenaica had the highest total richness including all species of conservation interest, which were exclusively found on this species. On a corollary, this study shows that Q. pyrenaica forests had the best preserved epiphytic lichen communities but with marked signs of forest fragmentation. In this fragmented landscape, young plantations of C. sativa and P. radiata seem to be of limited help for providing connectivity to epiphytic lichens among old native forest patches.
Molecular Mechanisms of Glioma Cell Motility

ABSTRACT Gliomas are the most common intracranial tumors in humans. The most malignant among these tumors is glioblastoma (GBM), with an incidence of 3–5 out of 100,000 persons in Western countries. GBM arises either de novo (primary GBM) or develops from a lower grade glioma (secondary GBM). The prognosis is poor. GBMs are lethal tumors and even optimal surgical resection, followed by chemotherapy and irradiation, results in a median survival of about 12–15 months. One characteristic that is responsible for GBM malignancy, and its worse prognosis, is the highly infiltrative growth of GBM cells into the healthy brain. GBM cell migration and invasion is a very complex process that is regulated by several factors, which include changes in the migrating cell itself as well as the tumor microenvironment. This chapter provides an overview of routes of invasion of glioma cells, the signaling pathways that drive glioma cell motility, and the processes through which glioma cells modulate their surrounding environment.
Paternity analysis in a 'Rainier' open pollination population using S-alleles and microsatellite genotyping

Fruit breeding programs usually use controlled hand pollination among cultivars and advanced selections for obtaining segregating populations to select new cultivars. In sweet cherries, however, sometimes in controlled pollination few hybrids are obtained. Caging whole trees with bees and flowers of the pollinating cultivar is sometimes used to obtain larger hybrid populations. To generate large segregating populations for the Chilean Sweet Cherry Breeding Program (run by the Consortium of BioFrutales S.A. and Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias), the initial strategy was to harvest seeds from open pollinated self-incompatible cultivars maintained at the germplasm collection orchard of Univiveros, one of the leading fruit tree nurseries in Chile. While the female parent is known, the male parent is unknown. The pollen source will depend on the cultivars present in the area, the flowering time and the compatibility of the cultivars involved. In order to identify pollinators of the self-incompatible 'Rainier', which is surrounded by several other cultivars in the collection, a group of them were proposed as the most possible pollen donors considering their flowering time and location within the orchard. An initial screening using S-allele genotyping of 675 one-year-old seedlings from 'Rainier' open-pollination allowed for the identification of several S-genotypes, which suggested putative pollinators. These analyses identified two main putative pollen donors: 'Rivedel' (232 individuals, 34% of total) and 'Vanda' (101 individuals, 15% of the total). The paternity of these cultivars was confirmed or rejected after additional analysis with at least five highly informative microsatellite markers. The segregating population resulting from the cross 'Rainier' × 'Rivedel' (n=232) is currently being analyzed with microsatellite markers in order to build a linkage map for sweet cherry. In this population, parents exhibit contrasting phenotypes for skin and flesh color and berry firmness, among other agronomically important traits, making this population very interesting for future genetic studies.
Inference of the phylogenetic diversity and population structure of Xanthomonas campestris affecting Brassicaceae using a multilocus sequence typing‐based approach

J. Cruz , R. Tenreiro and L. Cruz* Instituto Nacional de Investigac ~ ao Agr aria e Veterin aria, Unidade Estrat egica de Investigac ~ ao e Servic os de Sistemas Agr arios e Florestais e Sanidade Vegetal, Av. da Republica, Qta. do Marquês, 2780-159, Oeiras; and Faculdade de Ciências, Instituto de Biossistemas e Ciências Integrativas (BioISI), Universidade de Lisboa, Edif ıcio TecLabs, Campus da FCUL, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal
Catchment-scale alder cover controls nitrogen fixation in boreal headwater streams

Alder (Alnus spp.) is a woody plant with bacterial symbionts that fix atmospheric N2 into bioavailable N. We studied 12 North American boreal headwater streams spanning a steep gradient of catchment alder cover (0–27%) to test the hypothesis that increasing inputs of inorganic N associated with increasing alder cover would reduce or eliminate in-stream benthic N2 fixation. We measured N2 fixation rates, chlorophyll a, and ash-free dry mass (AFDM) of periphyton in early (May) and late (August) summer 2011. Dissolved inorganic N (DIN) concentrations, composed almost entirely of NO3/NO2-N, ranged from below detection limits to nearly 2 mg/L and were strongly predicted by catchment alder cover in both months. Higher N2 fixation rates were observed in August than in May. N2 fixation rates declined sharply when alder cover exceeded ~2% of catchment cover, corresponding to 20 to 40 µg/L DIN. This pattern also was evident among 3 streams with contrasting catchment alder cover sampled approximately every 2 wk during the study. The stream with no catchment alder cover exhibited a steady increase in N2 fixation rates over the summer, whereas the streams with low and high alder in their catchments had very low N2 fixation rates that did not vary over time. The influence of alder cover on periphyton biomass was not clear. The strong regulation of alder cover on in-stream N availability leads us to suggest that alder presence may be an important terrestrial regulator of stream N cycling.
Habitat characteristics influence the breeding of Rose’s dwarf mountain toadlet Capensibufo rosei (Anura: Bufonidae).

Direct anthropogenic factors (e.g., habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation) threaten many amphibian populations, however some declines have occurred in supposedly pristine environments with no obvious causes. These enigmatic declines may be due to shifts in environmental factors influencing development and ultimately adult survival. Rose’s mountain toadlet Capensibufo rosei has undergone such an enigmatic decline, with several populations presumed to be locally extinct at historic breeding sites. The two remaining breeding sites (Silvermine (SILV) and Cape of Good Hope (CGH)) on the Cape Peninsula of South Africa were monitored for three years (2012-2014) for life history traits and ecological requirements. Males congregate at ephemeral pools during the middle of the austral winter, with females arriving to lay eggs and then immediately leaving. Breeding only occurs in a few of the available pools. We hypothesised that larval development in colder, deeper pools would result in smaller-bodied tadpoles, and ultimately in relatively smaller adults. Pools at SILV were significantly deeper and colder compared to CGH, with breeding occurring in pools that were 27.05±10.21 mm and 21.55±6.95 mm deep at SILV and CGH, respectively. Contrary to expectations, breeding adults and developing tadpoles at SILV were larger than CGH individuals. The percentage of non-developing eggs at CGH was high compared to SILV and other anuran species. Development within this threatened species may be influenced by pool characteristics, which could provide clues as to the factors that influenced local extinctions in historical populations.