Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The role of oxidative stress in diabetic complications

Diabetes eventually affects the function of most, if not all, tissues in the body. Thus, it is reasonable to consider a basic mechanism, such as oxidative stress, as a possible common cause of the diverse complications of diabetes. This review discusses current methods for assessing the status of oxidative stress in diabetes, the convincing evidence that oxidative stress mediates neuropathy and vasculopathy in animal models of diabetes, and the developing evidence that increased oxidative stress may have a role in the pathogenesis of the long-term complications of human diabetes. Because oxidative stress impairs vascular function, the treatment of diabetic complications should include multidrug therapies aimed at limiting oxidative stress and improving vascular tone.
Exploration of benthic diatom indices to evaluate water quality in rivers in the Dongjiang basin

Benthic diatoms are considered one of the most suitable organisms in bioassessment of water quality because of their high sensitivity to water temperature,nutrients,organic pollution and heavy metals.Since the 1970s,a number of indicator indices have been developed and used for the assessment of river quality including the IBD(Biological Diatom Index),TDI(Trophic Diatom Index),SLA(Slade cˇek′s Index),IPS(Specific Pollution Sensitivity Index),IDG(Generic Diatom Index),DESCY(Descy Index) and CEE(European Economic Community Index). However,it is still not clear whether the ecologic signature of diatoms differs between these indicator indices.Moreover,in China,river water quality monitoring is usually limited to physi-chemical variables,which provide a snapshot picture of chemical characteristics at the time of sampling.Assessment of diatoms has the advantage that their observed status is a reflection of water quality conditions over a period of time prior to sampling. The Dongjiang River basin,as one of the main river systems in the Pearl River Basin,provides significant ecosystem services,such as drinking water,electricity supply,transport,irrigation water supply,fishery. In this study,seven diatom indices(IBD,TDI,SLA,IPS,IDG,DESCY and CEE) were tested to evaluate the water quality of rivers in the Dongjiang basin by means of correlation coefficient analysis,factor analysis,cluster analysis,box plot analysis and discriminant analysis.Pearson correlation coefficient analysis showed that IPS,IBD and IDG were closely related,and IPS,IBD,IDG and CEE had significant correlation with BOD5,CODKMnO4,NO2-N,NO3-N.IPS,IBD,IDG and CEE gave better performance in comparison of the seven diatom indices characterized for different water quality groups sorted by 8 key physicochemical variables(DO,BOD5,CODKMnO4,TN,NO3-N,NO2-N,TP and SiO2) indentified by factor analysis.Results from stepwise discriminant analysis(P to entered = 0.20,P to removed = 0.25) were represented as follows: for IPS and CEE,NO2-N was the only selected variable,and the correction percent was low by 55.6% and 48.1%. The discriminant analysis selected NO2-N,CODKMnO4 and DO for IBD,and the correction percent was up to 74.1%,IDG was discriminated by two variables(BOD5 and NO3-N),and the correction percent was 63.0%. IBD and IDG showed clear and reasonable trend in the box plots with water quality groups clustered from the diatom communities.This study suggested that the diatom indices can be applied for monitoring rivers in the Dongjiang basin,especially IBD and IDG.
Factors affecting nest survival of Northern Lapwings Vanellus vanellus in arable farmland: an agri-environment scheme prescription can enhance nest survival

Capsule A spring/summer fallow agri-environment prescription improved Lapwing nest survival. Aims To identify the key determinants of nest survival in arable landscapes, and assess the effectiveness of an agri-environment prescription designed to provide nesting habitat for breeding Lapwings. Methods Lapwing nest success was monitored on a number of farms in Shropshire and Staffordshire, UK, during 1999 and 2000. All nests were mapped and a number of habitat variables recorded. Results Compared with previous studies, nest survival was generally quite high, although there were significant differences between crop types. Nests on fields managed under the agri-environment prescription Option 1B had a greater chance of survival than nests on conventionally managed fields. Overall, the main causes of nest loss were predation and agricultural operations, but causes of nest loss were not consistent between crop types. Crop type, nest status and distances to field boundary and predator perches had a significant effect on nest survival. Nests that were more than 50 m from the nearest field boundary had a higher daily survival rate than nests that were closer. Conclusion Lapwing nest survival on arable farmland can be enhanced through the promotion of an agri-environment prescription that promotes spring/summer fallow and consideration of the timing of agricultural operations. To maximize benefits of conservation measures, fields should be managed to have areas within them that are sufficiently distant from field boundaries to reduce predation.
Novel antiviral mechanism of IFN-stimulated gene 20(ISG20) via translational suppression

Interferons specify a complex antiviral response that upon the detection of pathogens through various cellular pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) lead to the induction of hundreds of genes named interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). Several ISGs have been reported to restrict viral infection, however the antiviral role/s of many of them remains either unknown or poorly characterized. During my thesis I have focused on the characterization of ISG20 during the replication of two viruses, VSV and HIV-1. ISG20 had been previously identified as an antiviral 3’-5’ exonuclease and was thought to act by directly degrading viral genomes. However, the decrease in viral RNAs specified by ISG20 was controversial. To gather further insights into the mechanism with which ISG20 interfered with viral replication, I constructed several mutants of ISG20. The results we have obtained indicated that the antiviral activity of ISG20 does not solely rely on it's the ability of ISG20 to degrade RNA, as several mutants were identified that lost their antiviral properties despite a robust RNase capacity in vitro.We have found here that ISG20 could block viral replication through a block in translation. This block occurred both during viral infection as well as during the ectopic expression of reporter genes in ISG20-expressing cells. The results we have obtained indicate that ISG20 affects both cap- and IRES-mediated translation in a manner that is very likely independent from translation initiation.To substantiate the antiviral role of ISG20 during viral infection, knock-out isg20 -/- mice were generated and then analyzed for their ability to support VSV infection in vivo. The results obtained, clearly implicate ISG20 in the natural control of viral spread in vivo, strongly supporting our data ex vivo.Overall, the data obtained during my thesis indicate that ISG20 is an important antiviral factor and shed light on a novel mechanism of viral inhibition whereby ISG20 interferes with viral mRNA translation.
Behavioral Thermoregulation in Australian Elapid Snakes

Behavioral thermoregulation in laboratory thermal gradients was studied in seven species of Australian snakes of the Elapidae: Acanthophis antarcticus, Austrelaps superbus, Notechis scutatus, Pseudechis porphyriacus, Pseudonaja nuchalis, P. textilis and Unechis flagellum. All species exhibited well-developed thermoregulatory behavior and controlled body temperatures with precision comparable to that reported for various heliothermic lizards. Temperature regulation is accomplished by shuttling and by adjustments in the snake's position or orientation while basking. Thermal preferenda of the various species range roughly between 30 and 35 C and are similar to those of other terrestrial, Temperate Zone snakes in which thermal preferences have been adequately assessed. Thermal preferenda of adult snakes appear to be higher than those of newborn or juveniles (in four species) and may vary with levels of critical thermal minima (in five species) and geographic distribution.
Oxygen-sensitive Differences in the Relationship between Photosynthetic Electron Transport and CO2 Assimilation in C3 and C4 Plants during State Transitions

Wheat (C3) and maize (C4) leaves were exposed to light treatments that were limiting for CO2 assimilation and which excite preferentially photosystem I (PSI) or photosystem II (PSII) and induce State 1 or State 2, respectively. In order to examine the relationships between linear electron transport and CO2 in leaves during State transitions, simultaneous measurements of CO2 assimilation, chlorophyll fluorescence and absorbance at 820 nm were used to estimate the quantum efficiencies of CO2 assimilation and PSII and PSI photochemistry. In wheat leaves with photorespiratory activity, no significant change in quantum efficiency of CO2assimilation was observed during State transitions. This was not the case when photorespiration was inhibited with either 2% O2 or 1000 ppm CO2 and transition from State 2 to State 1 was accompanied by a large decrease (c. 20%) in the quantum efficiency of CO2 assimilation which was not associated with a decrease in the quantum efficiency of electron transport through PSII. Photorespiration appears to buffer the quantum efficiency of CO2 assimilation from changes associated with decreases in the rate of CO2 fixation resulting from imbalances in PPFD absorption by PSI and PSII. When maize leaves were subjected to similar State transitions, no significant change in the quantum efficiency of CO2 assimilation was observed on transition from State 2 to State 1, but on switching back to State 2 a very large decrease (c. 40%) was observed. This decrease could be prevented if leaves were maintained in either 2% O2 or 593 ppm CO2. The possible occurrence of photorespiration in maize leaves on transition from State 1 to State 2, which could result from an inhibition of the CO2 concentrating mechanism, cannot account for the decrease in the quantum efficiency of CO2 assimilation since the relationship between PSII electron transport and CO2 assimilation remained similar throughout the State transitions. Also changes in the phosphorylation status of the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b protein associated with PSII cannot be implicated in this phenomenon.
Modélisation tridimensionnelle de l'hydrodynamique et du transport par suspension

L'objectif de ce travail est le developpement d'un modele hydrosedimentaire tridimensionnel base sur une approche dite h-s qui consiste en une approximation de type, elements finis dans le plan horizontal (x, y), et analytique (serie) selon z dont la nature peut etre polynomiale, exponentielle, trigonometrique ou autre. Cette approche permet d'introduire directement les lois connaissant la physique du probleme, elle donne un excellent traitement de la surface libre, en plus, le maillage est bidimensionnel. Dans le cas particulier d'une approximation constante selon z, le modele se reduit a celui de Serre-Boussinesq si la pression est non hydrostatique, ou au modele de Saint Venant si la pression est hydrostatique. Le modele hydrodynamique contient un terme temporel, un terme de convection, un terme de diffusion, un terme de continuite, un terme de gravitation, un terme de pression non hydrostatique, un terme de frottement au fond et aux parois, un terme de Coriolis et un terme de vent. Le frottement sur les parois est introduit par une loi quadratique de type Chezy. Le frottement sur le fond est exprime soit par une loi logarithmique, soit par une loi quadratique de type Chezy ou de type Manning. Le modele de transport contient un terme temporel, un terme de convection, un terme de diffusion, un terme de sources internes et un terme de depot-erosion sur le fond. Le domaine est decoupe par des elements T3 pour la modelisation du transport, et par des elements T6L verifiant la condition de stabilite (L. B. B) pour la modelisation de l'hydrodynamique. Pour la discretisation temporelle en hydrodynamique, nous avons utilise un schema implicite de type Euler qui s'adapte bien aux ecoulements permanents et un schema explicite de type Lax-Wendroff tres efficace pour les ecoulements non stationnaires (crue, onde solitaire. . . ). Pour le transport, nous avons choisi deux schemas explicites. Le premier est celui de Lax-Wendroff (schema centre), le second est celui de la distribution de la fluctuation (schema decentre). Le modele a ete valide sur un ensemble de cas tests traditionnels bidimensionnels et tridimensionnels.
An Unusual Mortality Event of Harbor Porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) Off Central California: Increase in Blunt Trauma Rather Than an Epizootic

In 2007, the apparent increase in the number of harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) stranding along the central California coast compared to the number of strandings the previous year resulted in the declaration of an Unusual Mortality Event by the National Marine Fisheries Service. A statistically significant increase in strandings occurred in 2008 and 2009, with more than twice the mean annual number of strandings documented per year in the previous decade occurring each year, but then strandings decreased in 2010. No single cause of mortality explained all the strandings, and there were no significant changes in age class or sex of strandings in 2008 and 2009. Trauma, including interspecific aggression and fisheries interactions, was the most common cause of death, and blunt force trauma increased significantly in August through October of 2008 and 2009. Domoic acid toxicosis was documented for the first time in this species. Although the cause of death for many strandings was unidentified, the increase in strandings in 2008-2009 reflects an increase in blunt trauma rather than an epizootic of disease.
Identifying the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms in KCNQ1, ARAP1, and KCNJ11 and type 2 diabetes mellitus in a Chinese population

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has a high global prevalence, and insufficient insulin secretion is one of the major reasons for its development. Therefore, investigating the association between T2DM and the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes associated with insulin secretion is necessary. Methods: T2DM (1,194) and nondiabetic (NDM) (1,292) subjects were enrolled and the ten single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in KCNQ1, ARAP1, and KCNJ11 associated with insulin secretion were genotyped in a Chinese population. Results: Our data revealed that the rs2237897T allele in KCNQ1 is the protective allele for T2DM (P<0.001, OR=0.793; 95%CI: 0.705-0.893). However, the A allele of rs1552224 in ARAP1 may be a risk factor for T2DM (P=0.002, OR=12.070; 95% CI: 1.578-92.337). The haplotype analysis revealed that rs151290-rs2237892CC and rs2237895-rs2237897CC in KCNQ1 constitute the risk haplotype in T2DM development (P=0.010, OR=1.160; 95% CI: 1.037-1.299 and P=0.004, OR=1.192; 95% CI: 1.057-1.344). Moreover, rs2237895-rs2237897AT in KCNQ1 constitutes the protective haplotype in T2DM (P=0.001, OR=0.819; 95% CI: 0.727-0.923). In the inheritance models analysis, the rs2283228 (C/A-C/C) genotype is the protective factor compared to the A/A genotype (P=0.005, OR=0.79; 95% CI: 0.68-0.93). For rs2237897, the C/T-T/T genotype is the protective factor compared to the C/C genotype (P<0.001, OR=0.74; 95% CI: 0.63-0.87). Furthermore, when compared with the rs2237897 (C/T-T/T) genotype, rs2237897C/C genotype showed higher HbA1C levels (8.731±2.697 vs 9.282±2.921, P=0.001). Conclusion: Our results revealed that genetic variations in KCNQ1 and ARAP1 were associated with T2DM susceptibility in a Chinese population.
Various Pathogenic Pseudomonas Strains that Cause Brown Blotch Disease in Cultivated Mushrooms

Brown blotch disease in cultivated mushrooms is caused by Pseudomonas tolaasii, which secretes a lipodepsipeptide, tolaasin. Tolaasin is a pore-forming toxin in the cell membranes, thus destroying the fruiting body structure of mushroom. In this study, we isolated pathogenic bacteria from mushrooms that had symptoms of brown blotch disease. In order to identify these bacteria, their 16S rRNA genes were sequenced and analyzed. Pathogenic bacteria identified as Pseudomonas species were thirty five and classified into five subgroups: P1 to P5. Each subgroup showed different metabolic profile measured by API 20NE kit. Fifty percent of the bacteria were identified as P. tolaasii (P1 subgroup). All five subgroups caused the formation of brown blotches on mushroom tissues and the optimum temperature was 25oC, indicating that they may be able to secrete causal factors, such as tolaasin and similar peptide toxins. These results show that there are at least five different pathogenic Pseudomonas species as blotch-causing bacteria and, therefore, strains from the P2 to P5 subgroups should be also considered and studied as pathogens in order to improve the quality and yield of mushroom production.
Ram-induced reproduction in seasonally anovular Corriedale ewes: MAP doses for oestrous induction, ram percentages and post-mating progestagen supplementation

Exploiting the ‘ram effect’ is an inexpensive alternative for out-of-season breeding in moderately seasonal breeds. For maximum efficacy in Corriedale sheep, oestrous ewes have to be introduced together with the teaser rams. Successful applications depend upon timely manipulation of the animals to induce oestrus in most ewes and to minimize the likelihood of successfully induced non-pregnant ewes returning to anoestrus during the mating period. In the first of two experiments, the effects of two alternative ram: ewe ratios (1:6 or 1:12) and five different doses (0, 15, 30, 45 or 60 mg) of medroxy-progesterone acetate (MAP) applied in intravaginal sponges for 9 days were assessed on seasonally anovular adult Corriedale ewes. Control ewes (0 MAP) did not receive sponges, but were injected with 20 mg progesterone at ram introduction. A second experiment tested the efficacy of post-oestrus intravaginally applied MAP (30 mg; 7-day treatment starting on days 3 to 6 after oestrus) for improving reproductive variables of successfully induced ewes exposed to entire rams. Proportions of ewes ovulating and ovulation rates (assessed through laparoscopy) did not differ significantly (P > 0·05) in ewes treated with various MAP doses (213/220 = 96·8% and 1·26 (s.e. 0·031) respectively) or injected with progesterone (56/58 = 96·6% and 1·21 (s.e. 0·058) respectively). The MAP content of the sponges did not affect (V > 0·05) the proportion of ewes ovulating (269/278), marked by the rams (197/213), returning to oestrus (81/197) or lambing among those not returning to first oestrus (87/119). More ewes were marked in the groups exposed to a higher ram percentage (79·7 to 70·6%; P 0·05). In the second experiment, post oestrus progestagen supplementation reduced the proportion of ewes returning to first oestrus from 27% to 16% (P
Influence of Root Diffusates of Several Host and Non-Host Plants on the Hatching of the Soybean Cyst Nematode, Heterodera glycines ICHINOHE, 1952

ダイズシストセンチュウ幼虫のふ化ならびにシストからの游出に対する寄主植物根〓出物(root diffusates)の影響を知るため一連の実験を行なった。 その結果は次のとおりである。 (1) 作物栽培土壌〓出液では,全般に寄主植物(インゲン,ダイズ,アズキ)液に浸漬したシストでは幼虫の游出数が大きく,また液採取時の作物の生育の進んでいるほど游出率が高かった。 非寄主植物(コムギ)および無作物土壌〓出液,蒸溜水では游出がきわめて少ない。 (2) コムギ栽培土壌〓出液にシストを浸漬しても游出はきわめて少ないが,液を交換してインゲン栽培土壌〓出液に浸漬すると,急激に游出率が大となる。 (3) シストから取り出した卵粒を浸漬した場合も同様に寄主植物土壌浸出液でふ化率が高い。 (4) 寄主植物の根の浸漬液および磨砕汁液も同様の作用があり,液濃度の高いほど游出率が高い。 (5) 寄主植物を抜き取った土壌だけの〓出液でも同様の作用があり,根から〓出した促進物質が,ある期間土壌中に存在していることが明らかである。 (6) 以上の結果から,ダイズシストセンチュウの寄主植物の根部には,少なくとも卵のふ化を剌激する物質が含まれることが明らかで,その結果シストからの幼虫の游出数も多くなるが,幼虫の游出に対する直接的な作用については本実験からは明らかでない。 (7) その作用は各実験を通じてインゲンが最も大きく,この栽培土壌〓出液を高温処理しても作用が失なわれず,熱に対する安定性の高い物質と認められる。
LEIDYANA MIGRATOR N. SP. (APICOMPLEXA: EUGREGARINIDA: LEIDYANIDAE) FROM THE MADAGASCAR HISSING COCKROACH, GROMPHADORHINA PORTENTOSA (INSECTA: BLATTODE A)

Leidyana migrator n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eugregarinida) is described from the alimentary tract of the Madagascar hissing cockroach, Gromphadorhina portentosa (Insecta: Blattodea), taken from research colonies in Texas. This is the first species of Leidyana described from a cockroach, and the complete life cycle and development are presented. Although trophozoites and gamonts of L. migrator overlap morphometrically with those of the 2 most similar congeners, L. erratica and L. oviformis, each of the 3 species displays unique characters. The lanceolate epimerite of L. oviformis distinguishes this species from L. migrator and L. erratica, which possess a simple, globular epimerite. Leidyana migrator and L. erratica are separated by differences in their gametocysts, dehiscence, and oocysts. The gametocysts of L. migrator are elliptoid with an average length of 1,066 pm; they dehisce through 6 spore tubes, releasing dolioform oocysts measuring 8 pJm by 4 jLm. In contrast, the gametocysts of L. erratica are spherical and 260-350 jim in diameter; they dehisce through 1-12 spore tubes, releasing dolioform oocysts measuring 6 JIm by 3 jLm. Additional key words: Gregarine, parasite, Sporozoa Watson (1915) erected the genus Leidyana to comprise those gregarine species possessing a simple, globular epimerite, "solitary sporonts," gametocysts dehiscing by spore ducts, and dolioform oocysts. The phrase "solitary sporonts" indicates that trophozoites do not form extended associations; reproductive associations are formed only by mature gamonts just before syzygy and gametocyst formation begin. Leidyana comprises 27 species and is cosmopolitan. Species of Leidyana are parasites of insects and are reported from lepidopterans (Keilin 1918; H. Hoshide 1958; Geus 1966; Ormieres 1967; Rabindra & Jayaraj 1981; Lipa & Martignoni 1984; Ghosh & Choudhury 1992), orthopterans (Dufour 1837; Watson 1915; Narain 1961; Corbel 1967a, 1968; Issi & Lipa 1968; Geus 1969; K. Hoshide 1973a,b, 1978; Haldar & Sarkar 1979; Hooger & Amoji 1986; Sarkar 1988), coleopterans (Braune 1930; Geus 1969; Patil & Amoji 1979; Roy 1989), trichopterans (Baudoin 1966, 1967; Geus 1969), and a single hymenopteran species (Bhatia & Setna 1924). Gregarine infections were discovered in laboratory colonies of the Madagascar hissing cockroach, Gromphadorhina portentosa (Insecta: Blattodea). A study of a Current address: Peru State College, Peru, Nebraska 68421. the parasite's life cycle revealed the diagnostic characters of the genus Leidyana. The gregarine populations recovered from G. portentosa are morphologically distinct from all described species of Leidyana, and prompted the proposal of a new eugregarine species. This is the first report of a species of Leidyana parasitizing a cockroach.