Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Production performance and immune competence of IWK strain of White Leghorn layer breeders at low nutrient density

The effect of low nutrient density diet on production performance and immune competence was studied in White Leghorn layer breeders (IWK strain) during 24 to 52 weeks of age. A normal diet based on maize-soybean-sunflower-deoiled rice bran was formulated to contain 2600 kcal ME/kg, 15.6% CP, 0.71% lysine, 0.3% methionine, 3.5% Ca and 0.3% NPP). Another low density diet (by altering the ingredients) was formulated in which, all the above nutrients were reduced by 8%. Considering one bird (individual feeding) as a replicate, 50 such replicates were randomly allotted to one of the two dietary treatments. Reducing the major nutrients by 8% compared to basal diet did not resulted in reduction in body weight, at either 40 or 52 wks of age. The egg weight reduced significantly in the low nutrient density diet at 28 weeks of age. However, the hen day egg production (24–52 wks), subsequent egg weights (34, 40 and 52wks) and feed efficiency were also not influenced by the reduction in nutrient concentrations in the diet. The daily feed consumption was marginally higher in the low density diet (106.5 g/d) as compared to high density (105.2 g/d) however, this difference was not significant. The cell mediated immune response as measured by the CBH response to PHA-P inoculation and humoral immune response determined by the antibody titre to SRBC and NDV inoculation was comparable between the basal and low density diet. It is concluded that IWK strain of WL layers could perform well at low nutrient density diet. Average daily intake major nutrients such as 251 kcal ME, 15g protein, 0.61g lysine, 0.30g methionine, 3.3g calcium and 0.28g non-phytate phosphorus is required for optimum performance and immunity.
Apoptosis caused by excessive mitochondrial albumin uptake in renal cells is initiated by increased mitochondrial calcium concentration

Recent advances in the development of organelle‐targeted low affinity Ca2+ sensitive dyes have lead to new understanding of the role of Ca2+ in subcellular compartments. Here we report that the onset of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway is preceded by an increase in mitochondrial Ca2+. Excessive Ca2+ uptake in renal cells causes apoptosis and is a major contributor to the progression of chronic kidney disease. Primary rat proximal tubule cells (RPTC) were incubated with 10mg/ml lipid‐free albumin and monitored with regard to mitochondrial Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]mt), mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) and mitochondrial accumulation of the apoptotic factor Bax. To monitor changes in [Ca2+]mt we expressed RCaMP1h, a mitochondria targeted genetic Ca2+ indicators in RPTC. [Ca2+]mt started to increase significantly after 5 min of albumin incubation and continued to increase during the observation period. At 30 min it was 20 % higher than during control conditions. The increase in [Ca2+]mt was followed by a significant Δψm depolarization after 45 min, and mitochondrial accumulation of the apoptotic factor Bax, which became significant after 30 min. Low concentration of ouabain (10 nM) protected from depolarization and Bax accumulation by activating a Na+, K+‐ATPase/IP3R signalling pathway. Thapsigargin, an inhibitor of the SERCA pump causes apoptosis in all cells but its mechanism of action has been elusive. Here we found that exposure of RPTC to cyclopiazonic acid, an analogue of thapsigargin, caused an increase in mitochondrial Ca2+ that paralleled the increase in cytosolic Ca2+.
Genetics and Experience: The Interplay between Nature and Nurture

How much of a role do our genes play in our responses to events in our environment? This volume explores this question by examining nature and nurture in terms of their interplay in the development of individual differences. Beginning with a discussion of how contemporary research and theory in genetics and in the environment are evolving towards each other, Plomin explores such topics as genetic contributions to environmental measures both within and outside the family, such as friends and life events. The book concludes with a theory of the genetics of experience.
A NOVEL GLYCEROGLYCOLIPID FROM THE NITROGEN-FIXING CYANOBACTERIUM ANABAENA FLOS-AQUAE F. FLOS-AQUAE

A novel glyceroglycolipid, (2'S)-3', 6-O-diacyl-glyceryl β-D-galactopyranoside (1), was isolated from the nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium Anabaena flos-aquae. The chemical structure was elucidated on the basis of spectral properties, and the distribution of fatty acid residues was detemined by enzymatic hydrolysis of 1 using lipase (from Rhizopus arrhizus).
A Nucleocytoplasmic Shuttling Protein in Oxidative Stress Tolerance

Plants for effective extraction of toxic metals and radionuclides must tolerate oxidative stress. To identify genes that enhance oxidative stress tolerance, an S. pombe cDNA expression plasmid library was screened for the ability to yield hypertolerant colonies. Here, we report on the properties of one gene that confers hypertolerance to cadmium and oxidizing chemicals. This gene appears to be conserved in other organisms as homologous genes are found in human, mouse, fruitfly and Arabidopsis. The fruitfly and Arabidopsis genes likewise enhance oxidative stress tolerance in fission yeast. During oxidative stress, the amount of mRNA does not change, but protein fusions to GFP relocate from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. The same pattern is observed with the Arabidopsis homologue-GFP fusion protein. This behavior suggests a signaling role in oxidative stress tolerance and these conserved proteins may be targets for engineering stress tolerant plants for phytoremediation.
Cognition-Mediated Coevolution: Context-Dependent Evaluations and Sensitivity of Pollinators to Variability in Nectar Rewards

In this paper we emphasize the role of pollinator perception and decision-making processes in mediating floral nectar distribution strategies. Since pollinator choice behavior is guided by how the pollinator perceives and evaluates floral rewards, we hypothesize that plants have evolved strategies that maximize their perceived profitability, through pollinator cognition-mediated coevolution. We focus on two classes of cognitive phenomena, context-dependent evaluations and risk-sensitivity. These phenomena are of interest to psychologists and biologists. Our paper is an attempt to show the value of cross-disciplinary exchange of theories and ideas. A review of the ecology literature suggests that pollinators evaluate variability in nectar volume in proportion to the mean, and thus choice behavior is guided by the coefficient of variation (standard deviation/mean) of the distribution. This functional relationship is predicted by Weber's law, which describes a wide range of psychophysical phenomena. Simulations show that this phenomenon also affects how pollinators perceive skewed nectar distributions. Cognition-mediated coevolution theory should be a fruitful approach to understanding the evolution of pollinator-plant interactions.
Ecophysiology and Biomechanics of Equisetum Giganteum in South America

OF THE DISSERTATION ECOPHYSIOLOGY AND BIOMECHANICS OF EQUISETUM GIGANTEUM IN SOUTH AMERICA by Chad Eric Husby Florida International University, 2009 Miami, Florida Professor Steven F. Oberbauer, Major Professor Equisetum giganteum L. , a giant horsetail, is one of the largest living members of an ancient group of non-flowering plants with a history extending back 377 million years. Its hollow upright stems grow to over 5 m in height. Equisetum giganteum occupies a wide range of habitats in southern South America. Colonies of this horsetail occupy large areas of the Atacama river valleys, including those with sufficiently high groundwater salinity to significantly reduce floristic diversity. The purpose of this research was to study the ecophysiological and biomechanical properties that allow E. giganteum to successfully colonize a range of habitats, varying in salinity and exposure. Stem ecophysiological behavior was measured via steady state porometry (stomatal conductance), thermocouple psychrometry (water potential), chlorophyll fluorescence, and ion specific electrodes (xylem fluid solutes). Stem biomechanical properties were measured via a 3-point bending apparatus and cross sectional imaging. Equisetum giganteum stems exhibit mechanical characteristics of semi-self-supporting plants, requiring mutual support or support of other vegetation when they grow tall. The mean elastic moduli (4.3 Chile, 4.0 Argentina) of E. giganteum in South America is by far the
AM FUNGAL DIVERSITY IN THE PLANT COMMUNITY OF VELLIANGIRI HILLS, WESTERN GHATS, COIMBATORE.

The ecological mechanisms of AM fungal diversity ensure successful management for conservation and restoration of natural ecosystems. Here the study contacted to estimate the diversity of AM fungal and their function in Velliangiri hills, Western Ghats, Coimbatore. The community structure of AM fungi, as determined by number of spores present in 100g of soil, varied with sampling time in plant community. And all so the morphological identification was done by microscopic characters. Soil properties like pH, macro and micro nutrient and the climate data were collected for all tree years to know their impact on fungal community. The overall result conform the root colonization and spore population were higher in winter season and also lower in rainy. Totally 30 AM fungal species from 10 genera were identified the important genera were Acaulospora, Ambispora, Claroideoglomus, Funneliformis, Gigaspora, Glomus, Racocetra, Redeckera, Rhizophagus and Scutellospora. Among these five genera, Glomus occurred most frequently. In general, Rhizophagus fasciculatus was found to be most abundant species. Consequently, this result conform the rich diversity in the study area. This symbiotic relationship had important roles in establishment of plant community of this area.
Die Praxis der informellen Stellenvergabe in der Wissenschaft als brauchbare Illegalität

Die Hochschule : Journal fur Wissenschaft und Bildung 27 (2018) 1-2, S. 67-86 Padagogische Teildisziplin: Hochschulforschung und Hochschuldidaktik; Bildungsorganisation, Bildungsplanung und Bildungsrecht;
Studies on nutritional composition of coriander leaves by using sun and cabinet drying methods

The preservation of green leafy spices is very important. Coriander as a whole plant has various benefits in human life. Coriander leaves are used in various foods and also for various medicinal purposes. In the present investigation, coriander powder was prepared by using different drying techniques viz sun drying and cabinet drying of coriander leaves which were blanched with different treatments. The results obtained from cabinet drying under blanched treatment were better than the other treatment combinations.
In vivo identification of neural stem cells in the enteric nervous system

The enteric nervous system (ENS) in vertebrates is derived from neural crest cells which emerge during embryogenesis from the hindbrain and, following stereotypical migratory pathways, colonize the entire gastrointestinal tract. Assembly of enteric ganglia and formation of functional neuronal circuits throughout the gut depends on the highly regulated differentiation of enteric neural crest stem cells (eNCSCs) into a plethora of neuronal subtypes and glia. The identification of eNCSCs and the lineages they generate is fundamental to understand ENS organogenesis. However, the study of the properties of eNCSCs has been hindered by the lack of specific markers and genetic tools to efficiently identify and follow these cells in vivo. Although previous in vitro studies have suggested that Sox10-expressing cells of the mammalian gut generate both enteric neurons and glia, the differentiation potential of these Sox10+ cells in vivo is currently unclear. Here, we have developed a genetic marking system which allows us to identify Sox10+ cells and follow their fate in vivo. Using this system we demonstrate that Sox10+ cells of the gut generate both enteric neurons and glia in vivo, thus representing multilineage ENS progenitors. To examine whether the neurogenic potential of Sox10+ eNCSCs is temporally regulated over the course of gut organogenesis, we generated additional transgenic mouse lines expressing a tamoxifen-inducible Cre recombinase (iCreERT2) under the control of the Sox10 locus (Sox10iCreERT2). Activation of iCreERT2 in Sox10iCreERT2 transgenic mice at specific developmental stages and analysis of enteric ganglia from adult animals showed that the pool of Sox10+ cells progressively lose their neurogenic potential. These findings raise the question of the origin of multilineage ENS progenitors isolated from cultures of post-neurogenic gut. By combining genetic fate mapping in mice, cultures of enteric ganglia and an ENS injury model, we demonstrate that glial cells in the adult ENS retain neurogenic potential which can be activated both in vitro and in vivo, in response to injury. The signals that lead Sox10+ progenitor cells to become either neurons or glial cells remain unclear. We hypothesized that the receptor tyrosine kinase RET may be part of the molecular fate switch between the two lineages being able to divert differentiation of eNCSCs away from the glial lineage and towards the neuronal fate. Here, we describe a genetic strategy to attain persistent expression of RET in vivo, in a temporally and spatially controlled manner. Such a strategy will allow us to assess the role of RET in ENS differentiation during development. Taken together, our data provide a framework for exploring the molecular mechanisms that control enteric neurogenesis in vivo and identify glial cells as a potential target for cell replacement therapies in cases associated with congenital absence or acquired loss of enteric neurons.
The role of Cdx in embryonic and adult mammalian hematopoiesis

All blood cells orginate from a common stem cell in the bone marrow: the hematopoietic stem cell (HSC), which is characterized by two main properties: self-renewal and multipotency. Hematopoiesis is a hierarchical system with the HSC at the top. During embryogenesis, hematopoietic cells and progenitors with broader potentials are progressively generated. Mammalian hematopoietic development begins in extra-embryonic structures and continues within the embryo proper. In the conceptus, the mesoderm is patterned along the anterior-posterior (A-P) axis. The positional identity of the mesoderm on the A-P axis is regulated by Hox genes. Cdx genes, another homeobox gene family, are required for the posterior growth of axial tissues during development. Cdx genes are known to act upstream of Hox . The first evidence for a role for Cdx in hematopoiesis was established in zebrafish. Using embryoid bodies, it was shown that the Cdx genes promote embryonic hematopoiesis in the mouse by upregulating target Hox genes. Induction of Cdx4 promotes proliferation of hematopoietic progenitors. HSCs were more successfully derived from ESCs upon Cdx4 and Hoxb4 induction. Cdx gene deficiency jeopardizes embryonic hematopoiesis, with severe consequences for blood development upon Cdx2 mutations. As adult Cdx4 knockout mice only displayed minimal hematopoietic abnormalities, Cdx4 is dispensable for adult hematopoiesis. Previous studies on Cdx1 and Cdx2 mutants did not report any hematopoietic malformations either. However, it was demonstrated that overexpression of Cdx4 promotes leukemia in adult mice and that ectopic expression of Cdx2 is a key event in myeloid leukemia. The Cdx genes thus act as stimulators of hematopoietic progenitor maintenance and proliferation. Loss of function of Cdx impairs embryonic hematopoiesis, whereas gain of function in the adult bone marrow results in overproliferation of hematopoietic progenitors, which can instigate leukemia. fold) of Hoxb6 , and a downregulation of Hoxa7 and Hoxa9 . Together, these results demonstrate that aberrant expression of CDX2 in the hematopoietic compartment is a common event in the pathogenesis of myeloid leukemia. In addition, CDX2 is to a certain extent responsible for the altered HOX gene expression observed in the majority of patients suffering from AML (Scholl et al. , 2007).
Evaluating the impact of insect-resistant transgenic plants on entomophagous arthropods in pre-market risk assessment.

Among the widely discussed environmental impacts of insect-resistant transgenic crops is their potential effect on non-target organisms including entomophagous arthropods that play an important role for natural pest regulation. Predators and parasitoids can prevent secondary pest outbreaks and may affect the development of resistance towards the transgene product in the target pest.The knowledge of their interactions with the crop is thus essential for a sustainable deployment of any transgenic crop. The assessment of the risk that a transgenic crop may pose for entomophagous arthropods is thus an important part of the pre-market risk assessment required for commercial approval (e.g. EU Directive 2001/18/EC). Despite this requirement, to date there is no standard procedure indicating what should be assessed and how tests should be conducted. Recently, Dutton et al. (2003) have proposed a tiered testing procedure for insect-resistant transgenic plants. The procedure includes increasing levels of complexity and has largely been adapted from the ecotoxicological evaluation of pesticides. Given that the mode of exposure of arthropods to the insecticidal protein expressed by the plant differs from sprayed contact insecticides, the fact that the entomophagous arthropods may continuously be exposed to the insecticidal compound, and the possible unintended changes on plant quality due to the transformation process, some adaptations to the testing procedure presently used for pesticides are suggested for the assessment of insectresistant transgenic plants.
E2F1 induction following DNA damage and oncogene activation

The transcription factor E2F1, a critical target of the tumour suppressor pRb, is deregulated in most human cancers. Oncogenes have been shown to deregulate E2F1 through inhibition of pRB and deregulation of E2F1 is an event that occurs in most human cancers. The essential role of E2F1 in apoptosis is well documented and deregulated E2F1 can enhance drug induced death. E2F1 is induced by various chemotherapeutic drugs and this induction, in addition with oncogenic stress, contributes to increased chemosensitivity. Cells expressing the adenovirus early region 1A (E1A) oncogene have been used as a tool to identify cellular regulatory pathways that modulate chemosensitivity. E1A sensitises cells to the induction of apoptosis by diverse stimuli, including many chemotherapeutic drugs. These E1A activities are mediated through binding the RB family proteins (pRb, p107 and p130) and via the E1A N-terminal domain that interacts with different cellular protein complexes including the p300/CBP transcriptional activator and p400/TRRAP chromatin-remodeling complex. The results presented here illustrate novel mechanisms of E2F1 induction both by oncogenes and chemotherapeutic drugs. Two minimal domains of E2F1 are described that are induced following DNA damage via mechanism(s) not previously identified. In addition, data are presented which show that E1A expression not only deregulates E2F1, but also elevates E2F1 levels. E1A is dependent on interaction with RB protein to induce E2F1 levels and this elevation contributes to cell death. Using previously described protein binding deficient truncations of E1A, we demonstrate that E1A binding to the p400/TRRAP protein complex is also critical for the induction of E2F1. E1A binding to p400/TRRAP was also critical in sensitizing these cells to drug induced apoptosis. Suppression of p400 using siRNA had similar affect on E2F1 induction and caused an increase in drug sensitivity indicating that E1A inhibits p400 function. These results contribute to the understanding of how activation of the E2F1 pathway may be targeted therapeutically to enhance chemotherapy-induced tumour cell death.
Heterogeneity of diffusion restrictions in cardiomyocytes

Intracellular diffusion restrictions for ADP and other molecules have been predicted earlier based on experiments on permeabilized fibers or cardiomyocytes. However, it is possible that the effective diffusion distance is larger than the cell dimensions due to clumping of cells and incomplete separation of cells in fiber preparations. The aim of this work was to check whether diffusion restrictions exist inside rat cardiomyocytes or are caused by large effective diffusion distance. For that, we determined the response of oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) to exogenous ADP and ATP stimulation in permeabilized rat cardiomyocytes using fluorescence microscopy. The state of OxPhos was monitored via NADH and flavoprotein autofluorescence. By varying the ADP or ATP concentration in flow chamber, we determined that OxPhos has a low affinity in cardiomyocytes. The experiments were repeated in a fluorometer on cardiomyocyte suspensions leading to similar autofluorescence changes induced by ADP as recorded under the microscope. ATP stimulated OxPhos more in a fluorometer than under the microscope, which was attributed to accumulation of ADP in fluorometer chamber. By calculating the flow profile around the cell in the microscope chamber and comparing model solutions to measured data, we demonstrate that intracellular structures impose significant diffusion obstacles in rat cardiomyocytes.
Multi-Objective Calibration of a Hydrologic Model using Multi-Objective Screening

Hydrologic models are traditionally calibrated against discharge. Recent studies have shown however, that only a few global model parameters are constrained using the integral discharge measurements. It is therefore advisable to focus only on this informative subset of parameters during calibration. To constrain a larger subset of parameters, multiple objectives might be considered and a multi-objective calibration algorithm should be applied. The questions are (1) which subset of parameters can be constrained using these multiple objectives and (2) do multi-objective calibration algorithms benefit from only using this subset of parameters during calibration.
Favored parent–offspring trait combinations? On the interplay of parental and offspring traits

The expression of key traits like parental provisioning and offspring begging is confounded by the parent–offspring conflict in species with parental care, with offspring seeking greater parental investment than parents are willing to provide. Given the reciprocal interplay of these traits, selection has likely favored specific parent–offspring trait combinations, and it has been a longstanding question which party benefits most from this linkage. This will become apparent in a mismatch situation, which we here experimentally created by reciprocally cross-fostering blue tit broods. We hypothesized that offspring fledgling mass and their excreted corticosterone metabolite (CM) levels (reflecting stress) should vary with the rate of (foster) parental care (if provisioning is under full parental control), with offspring begging (if offspring is fully in control), or an interaction of both traits reflecting stable end points along a power continuum. We found a significant interaction effect, that is, highly demanding broods reached lowest fledgling mass when raised by low providing parents (due to partly unrewarded costly begging) but highest fledgling mass when raised by high providers. This pattern, however, was not reflected in offspring CM levels. Parental provisioning of the foster parents affected CM levels again in interaction with the offspring’s begging level, but this pattern may rather reflect intensity and frequency of sibling competition. Taken together, our results suggest that an adjustment of the offspring’s phenotype to the post-hatching social environment is primarily beneficial for highly demanding offspring and that parents have the upper hand (but probably not full control) over provisioning.