Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Isoxanthopterin: An Optically Functional Biogenic Crystal in the Eyes of Decapod Crustaceans

The eyes of some aquatic animals form images through reflective optics. Shrimp, lobsters, crayfish and prawns possess reflecting superposition compound eyes, composed of thousands of square-faceted eye-units (ommatidia). Mirrors in the upper part of the eye (the distal mirror) reflect light collected from many ommatidia onto the underlying photosensitive elements of the retina, the rhabdoms. A second reflector, the tapetum, underlying the retina, back-scatters dispersed light onto the rhabdoms. Using microCT and cryo-SEM imaging accompanied by in situ micro-X-ray diffraction and micro-Raman spectroscopy, we investigated the hierarchical organization and materials properties of the reflective systems at high resolution and under close to physiological conditions. We show that the distal mirror consists of three or four layers of sparse plate-like nano-crystals. The tapetum is a diffuse reflector composed of hollow nanoparticles constructed from concentric lamellae of crystals. Isoxanthopterin, a pteridine analog of guanine, forms both the reflectors in the distal mirror and in the tapetum. The crystal structure of isoxanthopterin was determined from crystal structure prediction calculations and verified by comparison with experimental X-ray diffraction. The extended hydrogen bonded layers of the molecules results in an extremely high calculated refractive index in the H-bonded plane, n = 1.96, which makes isoxanthopterin crystals an ideal reflecting material. The crystal structure of isoxanthopterin, together with a detailed knowledge of the reflector superstructures, provide a rationalization of the reflective optics of the crustacean eye. Significance Aquatic animals use reflectors in their eyes either to form images or to increase photon capture. Guanine is the most widespread molecular component of these reflectors. Here we show that crystals of isoxanthopterin, a pteridine analogue of guanine, form both the image-forming ‘distal’ mirror and the intensity-enhancing tapetum reflector in the compound eyes of some decapod crustaceans. The crystal structure of isoxanthopterin was determined, providing an explanation for why these crystals are so well suited for efficient reflection. Pteridines were previously known only as pigments and our discovery raises the question of which other organic molecules may be used to form crystals with superior reflective properties either in organisms or in artificial optical devices.
Structure et évolution des populations françaises de Phytophthora infestans (Mont. ) de Bary, agent du mildiou de la pomme de terre et de la tomate

Phytophthora infestans est encore, de nos jours, l'un des agents pathogenes les plus prejudiciables sur pomme de terre et tomate. L'objectif de ce travail est de decrire la structure et de suivre l'evolution des populations de P. Infestans en France, prealable indispensable a un meilleur raisonnement des programmes de lutte chimique et genetique mis en place ces dernieres annees. L'ensemble des caracterisations realisees a l'aide de differents marqueurs phenotypiques (types sexuels, virulences) et genotypiques (systemes isoenzymatiques Gpi-1 et Pep-1, haplotypes mitochondriaux, empreintes genetiques en RFLP de l'ADN genomique total), montre que les populations de P. Infestans presentes dans les deux principales zones de production de pomme de terre en France (Bretagne et Nord), sont constituees de genotypes appartenant aux ‘nouvelles' populations apparues en Europe a la fin des annees 1970, a la suite de migrations intervenues a partir du centre du Mexique. Ces populations sont, dans ces regions, structurees par leur hote. Les compositions phenotypiques et genotypiques des collections isolees de pomme de terre et de tomate sont, en effet, tres differentes. La separation de population n'est cependant pas complete et, bien que limites, des flux de genes interviennent entre ces deux groupes de souches. Cette structuration par l'hote s'explique, en partie, par le fait que certains genotypes presentent une meilleure adaptation en terme de pouvoir pathogene a un hote en particulier. Les populations de P. Infestans sur pomme de terre presentent une faible diversite, et sont constituees d'un petit nombre de clones. Si les deux types sexuels, A1 et A2, sont presents dans les memes regions, la reproduction sexuee n'intervient probablement que de maniere limitee, voire inexistante dans l'evolution des populations sur cet hote. Ces populations ne sont pas geographiquement structurees, la nature des clones constituant ces populations etant similaire quelque soit le site d'echantillonnage. Cependant, des variations locales importantes des frequences phenotypiques et genotypiques se produisent dans chacune des deux regions de production, probablement sous l'effet d'evenements de derive genetique. Dans les differents sites d'echantillonnage, une diversite superieure a celle mesuree sur pomme de terre a ete mise en evidence sur tomate en particulier pour des marqueurs moleculaires. Cette observation, ainsi que la presence d'isolats A2 a des frequences plus elevees sur tomate, laisse a penser que la reproduction sexuee pourrait intervenir sur cet hote et generer de la diversite. L'ensemble de ces resultats permet de proposer un schema global d'evolution des populations de P. Infestans en France, et d'ouvrir des perspectives dans la gestion d'une lutte raisonnee contre le mildiou.
Studies on appetite regulation and lipid biology in vertebrates

In Part 1, importance of appetite control and non-adipose sources of leptin was established as being important for water conservation in desert-adapted mammals. In Part 2, the characterisation of fatty acid desaturase 2 in rainbow trout with Δ5 desaturase activity provided new knowledge on fatty acid biosynthesis in fish.
Histology and biogenic amines localization of salivary gland of the adult red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae)

This study describes the histology and biogenic amines localization of salivary glands of the adult Red Palm Weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus. The observation were done by using light microscopy of Zeiss Image Analyzer with Axio Vision software and Zeiss Axioscope with iSolutionlite software. The histology involves staining procedures of haematoxylin and eosin staining method while the immunohistochemistry analysis involves serotonin and dopamine of the biogenic amines. The salivary gland of the RPW adult is a single tubular gland. The single gland lies dorsally on the alimentary tract of the insect that begins in the head and extends through the thorax into the abdomen. The reservoir region is located in the mid to fore region of the gland, while the secretary region is found in the mid to rear part of the gland. The reservoir region of the RPW tubular gland seems to probably secrete only water and ions but do not secrete enzymes. The distribution of biogenic amines suggest that dopamine mainly stimulates the production of water-based saliva in the secretory cells of the reservoir region, while serotonin stimulates the production of protein-rich saliva in the secretory cells of the secretory region.
New aminopyridine derivatives as mGluR5 antagonists

The present invention relates to novel aminopyridine derivatives (wherein, R1 is methyl, and R4 and group NR6R7 and R5 form a arylalkynyl group or a heteroaryl alkynyl group) of the formula (I) associated with. Compounds are useful in the prevention or treatment of central nervous system and other diseases modulated by mGluR5 receptors.
Effect of partial feed deprivation on plasma total protein and glucose as stress indicators in African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822)

A 28 days study was conducted to determine the relationship between partial feed deprivation and stress in African catfish Clarias gariepinus, using plasma total protein and glucose as stress indicator. A total of 120 catfish with an initial weight of 200 ±10 g were randomly stocked in triplicate at 20 fish per group and fed twice daily with a commercial diet at 9:00 am and 4:00 pm . The control groups (labelled B) were fed with 4% of their body weight while the experimental group (labelled A) were fed with 1% of their body weight. Blood samples were obtained from 30 fishes (15 from each group at 5 per tank) at intervals of 7 days for the entire experimental period and plasma total protein and glucose were measured. Although plasma total protein and glucose were not affected by feeding strategy at day 7, but are slightly lower compared to the control group. Furthermore, a significant decreased was observed at day 14, 21 and 28 in the experimental fish, which were most evident of stress in those fishes subjected to 28 days feed deprivation, unlike those of control groups that revealed more of normal plasma total protein and glucose levels. The study has observed that varying degree of starvation in catfish could have accounted for the stress in African catfish, Clarias gariepinus .
The complete mitochondrial genome of Varuna yui (Decapoda: Brachyura: Varunidae) and its phylogeny

Abstract The complete mitochondrial genome plays an important role in the research on phylogenetic relationship. Here, we reported the first complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Varuna yui Hwang & Takeda, 1986 (Varunidae). The complete mtDNA (15,915 bp in length) consisted of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs, two rRNA genes, and a control region. The gene arrangement was identical to those observed in the Varunidae species. The phylogenetic analysis suggested that V. yui had close relationship with other Varunidae species (Helicetient sinensis, Eriocher sinesis, etc.). The newly described genome may facilitate further comparative mitogenomic analysis within Varunidae species.
Ecological functioning of bacterial chitinases in soil

Chitin is the second most abundant polymer in nature. In aquatic ecosystems, chitin is mainly present as part of the exoskeleton of arthropods; in soil, chitin is mainly present as component of fungal cell walls. The main enzymes involved in the breakdown of chitin are chitinases. Chitinases are produced by both fungi and bacteria. Chitinases of soil-borne bacteria can decompose chitin of dead fungal hyphae and other resources, but they may also play a role in antagonistic activities against fungi by destroying the chitin in the fungal cell walls. In the research described in this thesis, I tested the hypothesis that bacterial chitinases may perform different functions in different environments and under different circumstances, while the genetic composition and function of bacterial chitinases vary between different habitats. The results obtained in this study have contributed to a better understanding of the ecological functions of bacterial chitinases. New insights in the composition of the bacterial chitinolytic system and the importance of its components were obtained. The potential ecological functions of the bacterial chitinase complex were explored and the role of chitinases in bacteria-fungi interactions, which are vital to the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems, was revealed further.
The development and application of quantitative methods for norovirus detection in sewage effluents and seawater.

Current sewage treatment processes fail to protect against viral contamination of the marine environment and human enteric viruses are frequently present in sewage effluents. Chief amongst these are the Noroviruses (NoV), which are responsible for virtually all outbreaks of gastroenteritis. NoVs are non-cultivable, and molecular methods for their environmental detection are relatively new. Consequently, virtually nothing is known about their survival in the environment. This project seeks to determine the occurrence of NoVs in crude sewage effluents, their behaviour during passage through sewage treatment processes, and their subsequent survival characteristics in the marine environment. Current NoV detection methods are dependent on qualitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR), however survival studies require quantitative methods. Within this study, a quantitative PCR assay for NoVs in sewage effluents has been developed using the real-time TaqMan assay. Data demonstrate that NoVs are ubiquitous in effluent samples, with higher titres present within winter months. Viruses were poorly inactivated by treatment and were still present at high titre in final (secondary) effluent. NoVs were detected in 75% of final effluents tested. In contrast, E.coli was approximately tenfold more sensitive to inactivation/removal by treatment. Sunlight was found to be an important factor in virus inactivation within seawater, whilst decreased temperature favored survival. All E.coli inactivation times were dramatically quicker than viruses, notably NoV and on average NoV demonstrated longer survival times than any organism. Overall, it was judged that conventional bacterial indicators of sewage treatment efficacy and bathing water standards do not adequately reflect the survival of viruses during treatment or in the marine environment.
AUTOMAÇÃO E VALIDAÇÃO DO MÉTODO DE OXIDAÇÃO DO NADPH PARA A MENSURAÇÃO DA ATIVIDADE DA GLUTATIONA REDUTASE: DETERMINAÇÃO DOS LIMITES DE REFERÊNCIA E AVALIAÇÃO DA INFLUÊNCIA DA LIPEMIA, HEMOGLOBINA E BILIRRUBINA

Master Dissertation Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas Universidade Federal de Santa Maria AUTOMATION AND VALIDATION OF THE METHOD OF OXIDATION OF NADPH FOR MEASUREMENT THE ACTIVITY OF GLUTATHIONE REDUCTASE: DETERMINATION OF THE LIMITS OF REFERENCE AND EVALUATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF LIPEMIA, HEMOGLOBIN AND BILIRUBIN AUTHOR: CARINE LIMA HERMES ADVISOR: PROF. DR. RAFAEL NOAL MORESCO Place and Date: Santa Maria, june 21th, 2013. Glutathione (γ-L-glutamyl-L-cysteinylglycine) is the major non-protein thiol body and is involved in cellular antioxidant defense. The free glutathione is present mainly in its reduced form (GSH) and can be converted to the oxidized form (GSSG) in the presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The GSH/GSSG ratio high is very important for the cellular redox state and a reduction of this ratio is often used as an indicator of oxidative stress. The enzyme glutathione reductase (GR) catalyzes the reduction of GSSG to GSH using NADPH. Because of the great importance of the antioxidant glutathione and considering that it is present in almost all organisms, numerous studies involving several attempts to detect GSH, GSSG and GR in biological systems has been performed. The objective of this study was to validate an automated analytical method, based on a spectrophotometric method proposed by Mannervick and Carlberg in 1985 to measurement the GR activity which is the oxidation of NADPH, which is monitored spectrophotometrically at a wavelength of 340 nm using the automated analyzer Cobas Mira ® , determine its limits of reference for a healthy population and further evaluate the pre-analytical interference that influence the analytical phase of hemoglobin, bilirubin and lipemia. The automated method for measuring of the GR activity was validated as recommended by the EMEA and ANVISA. Since it was linear (r 2 = 0.990), precise, with a coefficient of variation (CV) in precision intraassay of 5.7% (50 U/L) and 3.4% (100 U/L) and precision interassay CV of 9.5% (50 U/L) and 9.9% (100 U/L). In addition, we observed a recovery of 114.1% with this method considered accurate. The reference limits were evaluated as recommended by the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC), and were 21.7 U / L to 60.3 U / L, for a healthy population. In the simulation of hemolysis, lipemia and jaundice in plasma samples, we evaluated the pre-analytical interference in the activity of the GR. All concentrations of Intralipid ® (0.67, 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10 mg / dL), hemoglobin standard (0.0625, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 g / dL), and bilirubin (0.9, 1.9, 3.8, 7.5, 15 and 30 mg / dL) resulted in a difference from the original value of GR, and verified a percentage greater than 5%, and this percentage considered for enzymes, analytical interference. Thus, it was concluded that the automated method developed was linear, precise, accurate, simple and inexpensive, and can be adapted to the Cobas Mira ® analyzer. The
Pesquisa de Campylobacter spp. em carcaça de frango comercializado em Goiânia, Goiás

A campilobacteriose e uma doenca transmitida por alimentos contaminados por bacterias do genero Campylobacter e configuram um grave problema de saude publica. E uma das principais causas de diarreia nos EUA e Uniao Europeia, estando associada a sequelas graves como a Sindrome de Guillain-Barre. Um dos maiores reservatorios dessa bacteria sao as aves, sendo o consumo de carne de frango, crua ou mal cozida, a principal fonte de contaminacao para o homem. As especies mais prevalentes envolvidas nas infeccoes sao C. jejuni, C. coli e C. lari. Objetivo: Determinar a prevalencia de Campylobacter em carcacas de frangos comercializados em Goiânia. Material e metodos: foram coletadas 40 amostras de carcacas de frango refrigeradas de abatedouros de Goiânia e de seus pontos de venda no municipio. Para avaliar a viabilidade do micro-organismo apos congelamento, metade das amostras dos abatedouros foi congelada por 21 dias em freezer convencional. A metodologia para isolamento e identificacao obedeceu as normas da ISSO 10272-2. Resultados: Das 40 amostras coletadas 37,5% (15) estavam contaminadas por especies de Campylobacter. Destas, 20,0% (8) estavam contaminadas por Campylobacter jejuni, 10,0% (4) por Campylobacter lari e 7,5% (3) por Campylobacter coli. As amostras resfriadas apresentaram 41,6% (5) de contaminacao e as congeladas 33,3% (4). Conclusoes: A alta prevalencia de Campylobacter demonstra comprometimento da qualidade microbiologica das carcacas de frango, representando ameaca a saude da populacao e aponta a necessidade de se estabelecer parâmetros de controle desta bacteria em alimentos.
NK Cells and Cancer

NK cells play an important role in host immunity against cancer by exerting cytotoxicity and secreting a wide variety of cytokines to inhibit tumour progression. Their effector functions are regulated by the integration of opposing signals from activating and inhibi‐ tory receptors, which determine NK cell activity against tumour targets. NK cell cytotox‐ icity requires successful progression through discrete activation events that begin with NK cell adhesion to a tumour target cell and culminate in the polarized release of cyto‐ toxic granules into the immunological synapse. Tumour cells can evade NK cell attack through numerous mechanisms such as shedding of activating ligands, upregulation of inhibitory ligands, or stimulation of inhibitory regulatory T lymphocytes. A better under ‐ standing of specific NK cell responses to tumour targets can generate better NK cell‐based immunotherapeutic strategies for cancer. This chapter discusses NK cell immunosurveil‐ lance of cancer, NK cell tumour recognition strategies, cancer immune evasion from NK cells, and different approaches to NK cell modulation for cancer therapy.
Glutamin in der Krebstherapie

ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Glutamin ist die häufigste Aminosäure des Organismus und kommt in allen Geweben in hohen Konzentrationen vor. Im Gegensatz zur Glykolyse findet die Glutaminolyse nur unter aeroben Bedingungen in den Mitochondrien statt. Da Krebszellen ausschließlich Glukose zur Energiegewinnung nutzen und ihre Mitochondrien abgeschaltet bzw. defekt sind, ist eine Glutaminolyse kaum möglich. Die Wirkung von Glutamin auf das Tumorwachstum ist umstritten.
Effect Of Mixed Experimental Infection With Gallibacterium Anatis And Mycoplasma Gallisepticum on Performance Of Broiler Chickens

Gallibacterium anatis and Mycoplasma gallisepticum are bacterial pathogens affecting the respiratory tract of broiler chickens. Tracking the mixed experimental infection effect with G. anatis and M. gallisepticum in broiler chickens regarding clinical signs, performance, PM and histopathological lesions was the aim of this work. Birds inoculated with G. anatis (G2) or M. gallisepticum (G4) alone showed less severe clinical signs and gross pathological lesions in the respiratory tract. While, co-infection with G. anatis and M. gallisepticum (G3) exaggerated the clinical signs like rales, sneezing, nasal discharge, coughing, lacrimation and open mouth breathing and also gross and microscopical lesions which appeared as severe conjunctivitis with hemorrhagic congestive tracheitis, pneumonia and hyperplasia of the epithelium lining of trachea as compared to other groups which were infected with single pathogen or control negative group (G1). In conclusion, G. anatis produce less severe clinical signs and lesions regarding respiratory system than coinfection with M. gallisepticum which may be a most important factor enhancing the pathogenicity of G. anatis under field conditions.
First report of the Aphis craccivora Koch on Catasetum sp. in Brazil

Abstract. The genus Catasetum (Orchidaceae) currently has 194 orchid species distributed throughout Central America, northern Argentina, and southern Brazil, with Brazil as the largest producer with 103 species that may be epiphytic, terrestrial, or rupicolous. Aphids are insect pests that can damage ornamental plants such as orchids, either directly by sucking their sap or indirectly via secretions. Their secretions are attractive to pathogens and other insects, which then feed on the plant and cause a loss of flowers and leaves, spots to appear, reduced flower production, and flowering deformation. These defects can then reduce the value of the plant. When an aphid attack occurs, their ability to rapidly multiply and spread can cause major disruptions to disruptions to parts of the plant’s life cycle. In this report, we examine how the aphid Aphis craccivora Koch infests Catasetum sp. and causes tissue death, decay of the buttons and base of the stem, and stains in the flowers. Thus, owing to the damage that insects of the family Aphididae can cause ornamental plants, this study aims to report the first recorded A. craccivora attack on Catasetum sp. in Brazil. Primeiro relato de Aphis craccivora Koch in Catasetum sp. no Brasil Resumo. O genero Catasetum (Orchidaceae) tem atualmente 194 especies de orquideas distribuidas por toda a America Central, norte da Argentina e sul do Brasil, sendo o Brasil o maior produtor com 103 especies que podem ser epifitas, terrestres ou rupicolas. Afideos sao insetos-praga que podem danificar plantas ornamentais, como orquideas, diretamente sugando sua seiva ou indiretamente via secrecoes. Suas secrecoes sao atrativas para patogenos e outros insetos, que entao se alimentam da planta e causam danos em flores e folhas, com surgimento de manchas e deformacoes nas flores. Estes danos podem entao reduzir o valor comercial da planta. Quando ocorre um ataque de pulgao, sua capacidade de se multiplicar e disseminar rapidamente pode causar grandes danos no ciclo de vida da planta. Neste trabalho, relata-se o ataque do pulgao Aphis craccivora Koch em Catasetum sp. O dano observado foi morte de tecidos, e deterioracao dos botoes e da base da haste, e manchas nas flores. Assim, devido ao dano que os insetos da familia Aphididae podem causar plantas ornamentais, este estudo tem como objetivo relatar o primeiro ataque de A. craccivora em Catasetum sp. no Brasil.