Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Contribution to the life history and reproductive biology of gag, mycteroperca microlepis (serrandidae), in the South Atlantic bight

The gag, Myceteroperca microlepis, is a demersal serranid found along the southeastern coast of the States and in the Gulf of Mexico. Throughout its range the gag is of both commercial and recreational importance. Because of its relatively slow growth rate and desirability, overfishing is of wide concern. The gag is a protogynous hermaphrodite, and suggested that sexual transformation occurs during the 10th or 11th year. Spawning occurs from January to March off the west coast of Florida , and the maximum reported age is 13 years in both the Gulf of Mexico and the South Atlantic Bight 1978 J. Microscopic examination of the gonads is necessary for definite sexual identification, but gonad morphology has not been specifically described. The purpose of this study is to provide new information on the age, growth. and reproductive biology of this important species, including a description of the morphology of gag ovaries and testes.
Effect of Different Dietary Supplementation with Antioxidants on Gene Expression and Blood Antioxidant Markers as Well as Thyroid Hormones Status in Goat Kids

The present study aimed to determine the effects of the use of natural herbs antioxidant such as N. sativa or black cumin seeds (BCS) vs. nutrient antioxidants in the organic form, as dietary supplements on gene expression and blood antioxidant profile as well as thyroid hormones activities in goat kids. Fifteen male goat kids of Baladi breed were randomly assigned into three equal groups. Group I was fed the basal diet without any supplementation and served as control, group II received the basal diet supplemented with multi-nutrient antioxidants in the organic form; vitamin E with selenium enriched yeast (Vit E/Se) and zinc methionine (Zn-Met) at levels of 2g/kg of diet and group III was fed the basal diet supplemented with crushed BCS at ratio of 2%. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of all goats at zero- time and every 30 days along the experimental period (90 days). Gene expression of antioxidant enzymes, biomarkers of antioxidant status (E- GPx and SOD activities, serum-TAC, Zn and Cu) and thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) were assessed. At the end of the experiment, the results indicated that the animals fed either Vit E/Se and Zn-Met or BCS diet showed up-regulation in the expression of GPx mRNA and CuZn-SOD mRNA. The evaluation of antioxidant profile showed significant (P 0.05) affected in group II. Also, significant (P<0.01) elevation in serum concentrations of T3 were recorded in goat kids of both supplemented groups on day 30 and persisted throughout the experiment. However, T4 levels did not significantly differ among experimental groups. It was concluded that, inclusion of the both forms of antioxidants in goat kids' diets improved the gene expression of antioxidant enzymes and biomarkers of antioxidant status as well as thyroid hormones activities.
Trafficking of polarized membrane proteins in developing and mature hippocampal neurons.

This dissertation presents studies concerning two specific aspects of protein trafficking in neurons. First, live-cell imaging of GFP-tagged dendritic proteins in cultured hippocampal neurons was used to study the selective transport of dendritic proteins, which are specifically blocked from entering the axon. This selective transport is likely the primary mechanism by which dendritic proteins are restricted to the somatodendritic domain, and is therefore critical to neuronal function. The block of dendritic transport into the axon was found to have two components; selective entry, which reduced the probability that a dendritic vesicle would enter the axon, and the transport filter, which blocked dendritic vesicles that did enter the proximal axon from advancing more than a few microns into the axon. In mature neurons the transport filter aligned with the cellbody proximal edge of the initial segment, a specialized domain of the axon that forms the boundary between axonal and somatodendritic domains. However, the transport filter was detected in the axons of newly formed axons of stage 3 cells, before the initial segment developed. Furthermore, selective dendritic transport was detected in neurites of stage 2 neurites, at which time it was dynamically regulated. Second, live-cell imaging was used to study the transport of two types of axonal proteins—synaptic vesicle proteins and dense core granule proteins— both of which must be transported into the far reaches of the axon to support synaptic and trophic signaling. A Kinesin-3 family member, KIF1A, has been implicated in the transport of both of these proteins in the axon. Two-color livecell imaging showed that upon Golgi departure synaptic vesicle and dense core granule proteins, as well as axonal plasma membrane proteins are initially transported in a common transport tubule. KIF1A did not associate with this transport tubule but did label spherical dense core granule-containing organelles at later time points, suggesting that more specialized vesicle populations that arise from the common tubule are moved by KIF1A. These studies have revealed important new aspects of dendritic and axonal transport, which will be useful in future studies that seek to understand the regulation of protein trafficking in neurons.
Protection of tomato plants against fusaric acid by resistance induction

Objectives: The rhizobacteria Bacillus sphaericus B43, Pseudomonas fluorescens T58, and P. putida 53 are able to induce systemic resistance (ISR) against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici in tomato. This study investigated if ISR reduced damage by the toxin Fusaric Acid (FA) that is produced by F. oxysporum. Methodology and Results: Bacteria were applied to the rhizosphere of tomato plants. Chlorophyll content and ion leakage were determined after placing leaf discs in FA. Active oxygen species (AOS), superoxide and hydrogen peroxide levels were determined in leaves of plants injected with FA. Activities of superoxide dismutase, ascorbate and guaiacol peroxidases involved in AOS metabolism were quantified. In untreated plants, FA led to high ion leakage and chlorophyll degradation caused by H2O2 accumulation. All bacteria treatments reduced chlorophyll degradation. Ion leakage was reduced by treatment with P. fluorescens T58 and B. sphaericus B43, while P. putida 53 was less effective. Treatment of plants with bacteria resulted in increased superoxide contents, but varying over time. Increased SOD and GPX activities in untreated plants were suppressed after bacteria treatment. Plants treated with P. fluorescens T58 showed only a transient increase in superoxide. P. putida 53-treated plants removed AOS, but high initial superoxide levels led to membrane damages. Treatment with B. sphaericus B43 suppressed effects of FA, but AOS metabolism showed only slight alterations. Conclusions and potential applications of findings : The results show that ISR could also protect plant tissues from damage by pathogen toxins, which is a potential new dimension to the known mechanisms of action of biocontrol agents.
Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae): potential for entry, establishment and spread in Bulgaria.

KARADJOVA, O. , Z. ILIEVA, V. KRUMOV, E. PETROVA and V. VENTSISLAVOV, 2013. Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae): potential for entry, establishment and spread in Bulgaria. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 19: 563-571 The tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta, a devastating pest of tomato in South America, was reported from Spain in 2006 and has subsequently spread throughout many European countries, causing serious damages to tomato in the invaded areas. The pest can also develop on other cultivated plants, among which are peppers, eggplants and potatoes, posing a significant threat to agriculture. The present paper describes the major pathways for entry of the pest on the territory of Bulgaria and its potential for establishment and spread in the context of the Balkan region. It analyses the endangered areas in the country with emphasis on tomato cultivation, which is most at risk, and reviews the current national situation with examples of recent outbreaks. The steady decrease in tomato production in Bulgaria has led to an increase in import of tomatoes in order to meet the consumer demands. This contributes to a higher risk of entry of T. absoluta, as 65% to 99% of the imported fresh tomatoes come from countries where outbreaks of the pest have been observed during the past 5 years. Packing materials for import of tomatoes, peppers and eggplants, as well as imported planting material also present a risk and are considered in detail. T. absoluta has repeatedly entered Bulgaria through import from Turkey and Greece and it is very likely that it will continue to threaten the national vegetable production. The analysis of the available data through climatic modeling shows that the pest cannot permanently establish in the country outdoors, as it cannot survive the cold winter conditions. However, the establishment of transient field populations, developing 2 – 5 generations per year during the growing season, and permanent populations in greenhouses is a likely scenario. These facilitate the spread of T. absoluta to adjacent areas through flight and to distant loca tions through human-assisted means.
Protocols for field and laboratory rodent studies

"Protocols for field and laboratory rodent studies" present the best practices for the studies of rodents and rodent-borne pathogens and parasites from the field to the laboratory. It aims at covering the different steps of rodent studies: 1) Trapping, 2) Dissection and preparation of tissue samples for pathogens screening, 3) Identification of species, 4) Isolation of helminths, 5) Preparing rodent specimens for collections. This book gathers accurate recommendations and techniques, based on those generally accepted in the literature and adapted from the experience of the different authors during rodent surveys and laboratory work. Its presentation is designed to work in the fields with a clear and colorful organization of each chapter, with: inserts providing definitions and recommendations, protocols detailed step by step, and an emphasis on illustrations with several photographs. This book is a publication generated by the CERoPath project (Community Ecology of Rodents and their Pathogens in a changing environment, www.ceropath.org) funded by the French Ministry of Research from 2008 to 2011.
Impact of Cysteine Residues on MHC Binding Predictions and Recognition by Tumor-Reactive T Cells

Key Points Oxidation of Cys-containing peptides can inhibit MHC binding and T cell responses. Effects of inhibiting oxidation of Cys-containing peptides on binding and recognition are detailed. The availability of MHC-binding prediction tools has been useful in guiding studies aimed at identifying candidate target Ags to generate reactive T cells and to characterize viral and tumor-reactive T cells. Nevertheless, prediction algorithms appear to function poorly for epitopes containing cysteine (Cys) residues, which can oxidize and form disulfide bonds with other Cys residues under oxidizing conditions, thus potentially interfering with their ability to bind to MHC molecules. Analysis of the results of HLA-A*02:01 class I binding assays carried out in the presence and absence of the reducing agent 2-ME indicated that the predicted affinity for 25% of Cys-containing epitopes was underestimated by a factor of 3 or more. Additional analyses were undertaken to evaluate the responses of human CD8+ tumor-reactive T cells against 10 Cys-containing HLA class I–restricted minimal determinants containing substitutions of α-aminobutyric acid (AABA), a cysteine analogue containing a methyl group in place of the sulfhydryl group present in Cys, for the native Cys residues. Substitutions of AABA for Cys at putative MHC anchor positions often significantly enhanced T cell recognition, whereas substitutions at non-MHC anchor positions were neutral, except for one epitope where this modification abolished T cell recognition. These findings demonstrate the need to evaluate MHC binding and T cell recognition of Cys-containing peptides under conditions that prevent Cys oxidation, and to adjust current prediction binding algorithms for HLA-A*02:01 and potentially additional class I alleles to more accurately rank peptides containing Cys anchor residues.
Specificity of the fucose-binding lectin of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

PA-II lectin of Pseudomonas aeruginosa , purified by affinity chromatography, was examined for its relative affinity to various carbohydrates using equilibrium dialysis and hemagglutination inhibition tests. This lectin was found to exhibit a high affinity for l-fucose and its derivatives. Among them, p-nitrophentl-α-l-fucose was the strongest inhibitor, followed by l-fucose →l-fucosylamine l-galactose →d-mannose →? →d-fructose. The association constant ( K a) of l-focuse for PA-II was 1.5 × 106· M−1 and the number of the l-fucose-binding sites per protein subunit was approximately 1. The K a of d-mannose for PA-II was 3.1 × 10−2· M−1 and a value of 0.84 was obtained as the number of its binding sites per mole protein subunit.
Bingöl İli Damızlık Sığır Yetiştiricileri Birliğine Bağlı Sığırcılık İşletmelerinin Mevcut Durumu

Ciftlik hayvanlarinda istenilen performansin elde edilebilmesinde, genetik potansiyeli yuksek hayvanlarin kullanilmasi ve optimal bakim-besleme kosullari uygulanmasinin yani sira hayvanlara uygun barinak yapi ve sartlarinin saglanmasi da son derece onemlidir. Bu arastirma, Bingol ilinde 10 bas ve uzeri faaliyette bulunan Damizlik Sigir Yetistiricileri Birligi’ne bagli isletmelerin mevcut durumunun ele alinarak, incelenmesi ve degerlendirilmesi amaci ile yapilmistir. Calismada, ilin tamamini temsil edecek sekilde tabakali ornekleme yontemiyle secilen toplam 80 adet sut sigirciligi isletmesi ornek olarak alinmistir. Arastirma sonuclarina gore; yetistiricilerin onemli bir kisminin (%56.25) 6-9 kisilik aile nufusuna sahip olduklari ve incelenen isletmelerin %86.2’sinin kombine yonlu (Sut-Et) ve %13.8’inin ise aile tipi isletme olduklari saptanmistir. Incelenen isletmelerde barinaklarin tamaminin kapali ve serbest/bagli tip barinaklar oldugu ve %50’sinin tas, %30’unun briket, %20’sinin ise tugladan yapildigi gorulmustur.
Optimization of Fermentation Medium for Enhanced Glucansucrase and Glucan Production from Weissella confusa

A glucan producing Weissella confusa isolated from fermented cabbage, as identified earlier, was used for optimization of its fermentation medium. The effects of various macronutrients such as sucrose, glucose as cosubstrate, yeast extract, beef extract, peptone, sodium acetate, K2HPO4 and Tween 80 were studied on glucansucrase and glucan production from Weissella confusa. The medium used as control gave 6.0 U/ml enzyme activity and 34 mg/ml glucan concentration. Sucrose (5%), glucose as cosubstrate (5% for glucansucrase and 3% for glucan production), Tween 80 (0.1%), yeast extract (1.5%), Peptone (2.0%) and K2HPO4 (1.5%) were effective nutrients displaying higher glucansucrase and glucan production giving 18.2, 18.0, 7.0, 6.4, 6.2 and 6.4 U/ml enzyme activity and 103, 100, 46, 41, 39 and 37 mg/ml glucan concentration, respectively. Sodium acetate and beef extract were not effective for enzyme and glucan production. The new strain Weissella confusa can be used for commercial production of glucansucrase and glucan using optimized medium.
Spring Migration and Summer Dispersal of Loxostege sticticalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and Other Insects Observed with Radar in Northern China

Abstract The high-altitude wind-borne migration of beet webworm, Loxostege sticticalis, moths with other insects and their short-distance dispersal were observed with a digital scanning radar and twin light-traps (a vertical-pointing searchlight trap operated alongside a ground-based conventional light-trap) in northern China in 2002. Catches in both light traps suggested there were four flight periods of L. sticticalis during our study. The ovarian development stage of females caught in the light traps coupled with radar observations indicated that L. sticticalis migrated to the northeast in early June, whereas locally bred moths dispersed over shorter distances in mid-July and early August. The variation of the area density of insects through time during the spring migration was different from that during the summer dispersal; there was no density peak during spring, but such a peak occurred every evening in summer. Collective orientation by the moths was observed in the spring migration, with the direction of orientation being toward the northeast. In contrast, there was no common orientation in summer. Multilevel layering of migrants was seen every night in our observations in both spring and summer. The layering phenomenon was related to wind speed maxima rather than to temperature inversions when the air temperature was above the threshold for migration.
The gene for the heat-shock protein 70 of Euplotes focardii, an Antarctic psychrophilic ciliate

In the Antarctic ciliate, Euplotes focardii, the heat-shock protein 70 (Hsp70) gene does not show any appreciable activation by a thermal stress. Yet, it is activated to appreciable transcriptional levels by oxidative and chemical stresses, thus implying that it evolved a mechanism of selective, stress-specific response. A basic step in investigating this mechanism is the determination of the complete nucleotide sequence of the E. focardii Hsp70 gene. This gene contains a coding region specific for an Hsp70 protein that carries unique amino acid substitutions of potential significance for cold adaptation, and a 5' regulatory region that includes sequence motifs denoting two distinct types of stress-inducible promoters, known as “Heat Shock Elements” (HSE) and “Stress Response Elements” (StRE). From the study of the interactions of these regulatory elements with their specific transactivator factors we expect to shed light on the adaptive modifications that prevent the Hsp70 gene of E. focardii from responding to thermal stress while being responsive to other stresses.
PPARγ mRNA Expression Is Reduced in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells after Fat Overload in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

PPARg is atranscriptionalregulatorofmetabolism;itsactivitycanbemodulatedbydirectbindingofdietarylipids.Themost prevalenthumanPPARggenevariant,Ala12,isassociatedwithpostprandialhypertriglyceridemiainpatientswithmetabolic syndrome, although the mechanism whereby this polymorphism affects lipid homeostasis remains to be fully determined. Using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), we studied the effect of the Pro12 and Ala12 polymorphisms on mRNA expression of PPARg and nuclear factor kappa B genes before and 3 and 4 h after fat overload. We also studied several biochemical and oxidativestressvariables.Most of theindicatorsof oxidativestresswere higherin patientswith metabolic syndrome than in healthy subjects before and after fat overload. Patients also differed depending on whether they had the Pro12 or Ala12 variant in PBMC; PPARg expression was lower in healthy subjects compared with patients. After fat overload, circulating triglycerides and PPARg expression were positively correlated (r ¼ 0.617, P , 0.05), and PPARg expression tended to be negatively correlated with 2 important markers of oxidative stress: plasma lipid peroxidation (r ¼ 20.224,P ,0.1)andcarbonylatedproteins(CPro)(r ¼ 20.340,P ,0.1)concentrations.Wealsofounddifferencesinseveral indicators of oxidative stress between Pro12 and Ala12 patients, including an increase in plasma CPro before and after fat overload in Ala12 but not Pro12 patients. These data provide evidence that the Ala12 sequence variant is associated with a worsemetabolicprofilethanPro12.ThisisrelatedtodifferencesintheexpressionofPPARgandtooxidativeimbalanceafter
Urokinase Receptor Interacts with αvβ5 Vitronectin Receptor, Promoting Urokinase-dependent Cell Migration in Breast Cancer

Perturbation of adhesive interactions at cell-substratum and cell-cell contact sites is a critical event in the multistep process of cancer invasion. Recent studies indicate that the urokinase receptor (uPAR) is associated in large molecular complexes with other molecules, such as integrins. To test the possibility that uPAR may physically and functionally interact with vitronectin (Vn) receptors, we determined the expression level of uPAR, alpha(v)beta3, and alpha(v)beta5 Vn receptors in 10 human breast carcinomas. Here, we show the ability of uPAR to physically associate with alpha(v)beta5 in the breast carcinomas examined. The functional effects of this interaction were studied using HT1080 human fibrosarcoma and MCF-7 human breast carcinoma cell lines, both exhibiting a urokinase-dependent physical association between uPAR and alpha(v)beta5. Both cell lines respond to urokinase or to its noncatalytic amino-terminal fragment by exhibiting remarkable cytoskeletal rearrangements that are mediated by alpha(v)beta5 and require protein kinase C activity. On the contrary, binding of Vn to alpha(v)beta5 results in the protein kinase C-independent formation of F-actin containing microspike-type structures. Furthermore, alpha(v)beta5 is required for urokinase-directed, receptor-dependent MCF-7 and HT1080 cell migration. These data show that uPAR association with alpha(v)beta5 leads to a functional interaction of these receptors and suggest that uPAR directs cytoskeletal rearrangements and cell migration by altering alpha(v)beta5 signaling specificity.
Jun Activation Domain-binding Protein 1 Antisense (p27Kip1) Induces Apoptosis of an Oral Tongue Cancer Cell

The Jun activation domain-binding protein 1 (Jab1), aside from being an activator protein 1 coactivator, is involved in degradation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27 Kip1 , a dosage-dependent tumor suppressor protein. The antisense effect was confirmed in an oral tongue cancer cell line Supri’s clone-1 (Sp-C1). In this study, the antisense-mediated apoptosis of Sp-C1 derived cultures was analized. Jab1-antisense (Jab1-AS) treatment induced apoptosis characterized by an increase in the early apoptosis (33.5%) and late apoptosis (17.6%). Also, the proteolitic activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9 was increased. These data suggest that Jab1 AS could induce apoptosis in oral tongue cancer cell (Sp-C1). Targeting this molecule could represent a promising new therapeutic approach for this type of cancer.
Optimal Culling Strategies for Dairy Cows of Different Breeds

Abstract Dynamic programming models were developed to optimize culling decisions for Holstein, Jersey, Guernsey, and Ayrshire cows. Parameters of individual breeds for milk yield, milk fat percent, body weight, and disposal reasons were considered. Replacement heifers were allowed to vary in these traits by a probability distribution function. Maximum discounted returns over major variable costs were computed for 10-yr planning for each breed for five prices. Regardless of prices, Holsteins had the highest weighted average value of discounted returns over variable costs followed in decreasing order by Ayrshires, Guernseys, and Jerseys. Effects of the traits on these values were determined by response surfaces. Holsteins and, to a less extent, Ayrshires, would benefit from increased emphasis on milk fat percent as an effective method of increasing discounted 10-yr returns over variable costs. Values for the Jersey and Guernsey breeds would increase substantially if major emphasis were placed on milk yield. Little would be gained by increases in milk fat percent for these two breeds. These results were consistent over changes in prices of milk and feed. Within breeds, body weight had little effect on response surfaces and had only a slight positive effect on 10-yr discounted returns over variable costs. Body weight could be conveniently omitted from the models.