Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Keratinizing Embryonal Nephroma of the Kidneys of the Chicken

Neoplasia occurs commonly among adult chickens. In fact, chickens appear to be more susceptible to neoplastic diseases than any of the other domesticated species. The annual incidence of tumor among fowls one year of age or less is approximately 2 to 3 per cent. With the advent of the second year the incidence of occurrence definitely rises, and the rise continues as the age of the fowl advances so that an annual morbidity rate as high as 10 per cent may occur in certain flocks.1 The majority of tumors that occur in chickens are malignant, and practically all of the ordinary varieties of neoplasia have been encountered, including embryonal tumors of the kidney. The latter usually present a more or less complex histologic structure and are comparable to the so called. Wilms' tumor of human beings. Carcinomas not uncommonly affect chickens, the majority occurring inside the body the ovary and the intestines are the organs for which there is predilection. A few cases have been reported in which the tumor arose from the liver, the skin, or the mucosa of the mouth and pharynx. The material constituting the basis for this report is of interest, because of the unusual circumstance of bilateral embryonal neoplasms of the kidneys containing keratin in an amount characteristic of typical epidermoid carcinoma of the integument.
Fermentative, Iron-Reducing, and Nitrate-Reducing Microorganisms

This chapter focuses on the microbiology of heterotrophic fermentative bacteria, some of which are able to grow by using various electron acceptors such as elemental sulfur, thiosulfate, iron, and nitrate. Clearly, the geochemistry of the reservoirs, together with the mineralogy and the physicochemical conditions of the oil field waters, selects for the presence of specific types of microorganisms. This is true for conditions in oil reservoirs where temperatures commonly between 60 and 80°C affect the survival and/or growth of thermophilic and hyperthermophilic fermentative microorganisms. Mesophilic, thermophilic, and hyperthermophilic fermentative bacteria constitute an important microbial community of the oil field environment. Its physiological and phylogenetic traits were unique among the oil field fermentative isolates, as it used protein extracts such as peptones and amino acids but was unable to ferment sugars. Nitrate-reducing microorganisms from oil reservoirs are of increased interest due to the in situ use of nitrate by oil companies to decrease sulfide concentrations in oil fields. In addition to sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and Methanoarchaea, fermentative bacteria with various metabolic abilities were recovered from oil reservoirs. The presence of both hydrogen and acetate in deep reservoirs may explain survival and/or growth of some thermophilic heterotrophs. Through fermentative and oxidative processes, thermophiles appear metabolically adapted to participate in the energy and carbon cycles of deep reservoirs as proposed by the researchers.
Integrating Molecular Imaging Approaches to Monitor Prostate Targeted Suicide and Anti-angiogenic Gene Therapy

Abstract : To develop safe and efficient gene therapy protocol for advanced stages of prostate cancer, we aimed to combine the selective suicide and anti-angiogenic gene therapy approaches into an effective targeted treatment for prostate cancer. We propose to incorporate a strong and tissue-specific two-step transcriptional amplification(TSTA) system to mediate prostate-targeted thymidine kinase (sr39tk) gene expression in prostate cancer cells. This targeted vector can be also utilized as a positron emission tomography (PET) reporter. We have shown that the TSTA-sr39tk adenoviral vector, in combination with prodrug ganciclovir, efficiently killed tumor cells whereas it exhibited minimal liver toxicity compared to CMV-sr39tk vector in human prostate tumor xenografed mice model. In addition, the anti-angiogenic adenoviral vectors expressing TSP1 and ADAMTS1 exhibited a strong inhibitory effect on the initial development of hormone refractory prostate cancer CWR22Rv1 cell lines in nudemice. We foresee that anti-angiogenic adenoviral vectors, in combination with the prostate targeted TSTAvector, will be an excellent therapeutic option for advanced stages of prostate cancer.
Cell cycle control in Plasmodium falciparum: a genomics perspective

The molecular mechanisms regulating cell proliferation and development in malaria parasites are still largely unknown. Phenomenological observations, pertaining to the organisation of the cell cycle during schizogony or to the signal transduction pathways whose activation is responsible for the developmental stage transitions, can now be complemented with information gathered from genomic databases. The PlasmoDB database has been used extensively to identify putative homologues of a number of eukaryotic cell cycle regulators such as cyclins, cyclin-dependent kinases, factors involved in the control of DNA synthesis, and components of signal transduction pathways. However, gene identification based on sequence homology is limited by the fact that any Plasmodium-specific functional homologue will be missed by this approach. Furthermore, experimental data indicate that the structure of some regulatory pathways (unlike that of metabolic pathways) cannot be deducted directly from database mining. Because of these limitations in the direct exploitation of genomic database, elucidation of the organisation of the signal transduction and cell cycle machineries requires experimental, proteomics-based approaches such as the characterisation of protein complexes containing cell cycle regulators and the establishment of a map of protein-protein interactions involving these elements
The Black-headed Duck Heteronetta atricapilla lays ordinary eggs

The Black-headed Duck Heteronetta atricapilla is the only known obligate parasite among the waterfowl. As such, it is predicted that the eggs of this species would exhibit some of the specialized characteristics observed in the eggs of obligately parasitic passerines. Contrary to expectations, the eggs of this duck were neither rounder nor with a thicker shell than expected for eggs of this size. It is speculated that the lack of destructive responses by host species to eggs of this duck in their nest may not have favoured evolution of stronger eggs in this parasite.
The Synaptic Organization of the Brain

An acidic, stable, homogeneous, mobile liquid, biodegradable surfactant composition is provided which consists essentially of 1. AT LEAST ONE LIQUID HYDROPHILIC NONIONIC SURFACTANT, 2. AT LEAST ONE SUBSTANTIALLY SALT FREE LIQUID BIODEGRADABLE ALKYL BENZENE SULFONIC ACID SURFACTANT CORRESPONDING TO THE STRUCTURAL FORMULA:
Inborn errors of development : the molecular basis of clinical disorders of morphogenesis

I GENERAL CONCEPTS II PATTERNS OF DEVELOPMENT III DEFINED PATHWAYS Part A. The Sonic Hedgehog Signaling Pathway Part B. The Wnt (Wingless-type) Signaling Pathway Part C. The Transforming Growth Factor-ss (TGF-ss) Signaling Pathway Part D. The Tumor Necrosis Factor Signaling Pathway Part E. The Fibroblast Growth Factor Signaling Pathway Part F. The Gilal Cell-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Signaling Pathway Part G. The Endothelin Signaling Pathway Part H. The Notch Signaling Pathway Part I. The P13K-LKB1 Pathway Part J. The RAS Pathway IV GENE FAMILIES NOT YET IN PATHWAYS Part A. The Homeobox Gene Family Part B. The Paired-Box (PAX) Gene Family Part C. The Forkhead Gene Family Part D. The T-Box Gene Family Part E. The SOX Gene Family V PROCESSES Part A. Regulation of Chromatin Structure and Gene Expression Part B. Transcription Factors Part C. RNA Localisation and Control of Activity Part D. Posttranslational Control and Ubiquitination Part E. Cell Cycle, Proliferation, and Apoptosis Part F. Guanine Nucleotide-Binding Proteins Part G. Microtubule Motos, Cilia, and Cytoskeleton Part H. Vesicle-Mediated Trafficking and Endocytosis Part I. Extracellular Matrix Part J. Guidance Molecules Part K. Junctions, Transporters and Channels VI DYSMORPHIC DISEASE GENES OF UNKNOWN FUNCTION OR UNCLASSIFIED
Comparison of the effects of dietary flavonoids and statins on lipopolysaccharide-induced vascular inflammation

Numerous epidemiological studies indicate that flavonoid intake as part of a balanced diet confers beneficial health effects in man, including improved cardiovascular function, reduced incidence of cancer and amelioration of symptoms associated with inflammatory disorders (Boots et al., 2008). A recent area of interest that may be fruitful is the study of anti-inflammatory effects of flavonoids in combination with statins. Porcine coronary artery (PCA) segments were incubated overnight at 37°C in modiﬁed Krebs-Henseleit solution with or without 1µg/ml lipopolysaccharides (LPS), with either (0.1–10µM) quercetin, or 10µM quercetin 3′-suphate and 10µM quercetin-3-glucuronide, or with (0.01-10µM) epicatechins, 10µM catecchin and10µM epigallocatechin gallate. (0.03-3µM) simvastatins and 10µM pravastatin are also used in this study. In addition, since many quercetin-rich foods also contain significant amounts of myricetin, this flavonoid has also been examined. After 16 to 18 hours, segments were prepared for isometric tension recording in Krebs-Henseleit solution. The segments were then exposed to cumulatively increasing concentrations of KCl and then U46619. Responses are shown as milliNewton or calculated as the concentration causing 50% of the maximum effect (-log EC50). For nitrite measurement, segments of the PCA were incubated in DMEM at 37°C for 24 hours, with or without 1μg/mL LPS. The nitrite content (nmol) of the bathing medium was determined by spectrophotometry using the Griess reaction, while inducible nitric oxide synthase was identiﬁed immunohistochemically. Differences between mean values were assessed by ANOVA (post-hoc Dunnett test). Prolonged exposure to LPS caused hyporesponsiveness of the PCA associated with increase in nitrite production by a mechanism that appears to involve the induction of nitric oxide synthase. Nitrite content of the incubation medium increased 3 to 10-fold following exposure to LPS and inducible nitric oxide synthase was detected in the adventitia. The results indicated that all of the tested flavonoids and statins are able to suppress LPS-induced changes in vascular responses, nitrite production and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase. While 10µM myricetin was inactive. In conclusion I have demonstrated that quercetin, and its principal human metabolites and catechins oppose pro-inflammatory events in both endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells. Possibly through a mechanism involving inhibition of NFkB. Since pre-treatment of the PCA with statins reduced LPS-induced changes in vasoconstrictor responses, suppressed the induction of nitric oxide synthase caused by LPS and the associated increase in nitrite production. It is unlikely that the effect of the statin involves direct inhibition of NOS. These findings are consistent with clinical studies suggesting that prior use of statins may afford protection against bacterial sepsis.
No Coolidge effect in the Australian field cricket Teleogryllus oceanicus (Orthoptera: Gryllidae)

A progressive decline in a male's propensity to mate with the same female, combined with a heightened sexual interest in new females, is known as the Coolidge effect. The Coolidge effect has been reported in a number of taxa and is thought to be adaptive, as males distribute sperm evenly across multiple females thereby maximising fitness. Here we looked for the Coolidge effect in the Australian field cricket, Teleogryllus oceanicus (Le Guillou). We found that males did not show greater sexual interest in novel females compared with their previous mates. Moreover, we did not find any decline in the quality of ejaculates transferred by males when mating sequentially with the same female, or an increase in ejaculate quality when males were presented with novel females. Our results are in contrast with findings investigating the Coolidge effect in other insects, which may reflect differences among species in the fitness benefits associated with mating repeatedly with the same female. We argue that examinations of the Coolidge effect need to be incorporated routinely into studies that examine the benefits of polyandry for females, because of the potential impact of reduced ejaculate expenditure by males in monandrous treatments.
Effect of dietary sunflower oil on physiological parameters of broiler chickens exposed to elevated temperatures.

During the summer heat-wave, poultry breeders find it difficult to maintain appropriate temperatures in poultry facilities, which often exposes the birds to heat stress. Many studies have shown that a change in ambient temperature has a tremendous effect on a number of physiological processes. Elevated air temperatures were found to increase rectal temperature (Acikgoz et al., 2003), change cholesterol levels (Siegel, 1968; Puvadolpirod and Thaxton, 2000 a, b, c) and affect the humoral and cellular immune response (Siegel et al., 1983; Murray et al., 1987 a, b; Puvadolpirod and Thaxton, 2000 a, b, c). Cook et al. (1993) and Miller et al. (1994) report that unsaturated fatty acids stimulate the body’s physiological processes during stress. Whitehead (2000) holds that by stimulating the immune system through modified feeding, it is possible to offset the negative effects of reduced immunity resulting from stress. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of supplementing feed with sunflower oil on the physiological processes of broiler chickens exposed to thermal stress.
Network biology approaches reveal a link between ribosome biogenesis and metabolic reprogramming in ageing skeletal muscles

The prevalence of muscle dysfunction in elderly populations represents a significant burden on healthcare due to the increased risk of injury, and difficulty in maintaining activities of daily living. This thesis describes the application of advanced computational techniques designed to “learn” the structure of molecular networks to understanding human skeletal muscle ageing. Using this approach we have been able to discover a link between protein translation and age-dependent metabolic reprogramming. Experimental validation using the haploinsufficient eukaryotic initiation factor 6 (eIF6) mouse confirmed this important hypothesis and revealed a substantial molecular reprogramming. The role of eIF6 in skeletal muscle and myoblasts was further investigated, revealing potential up and down-stream signalling mechanisms. The process of angiogenesis is an important step in morphogenesis including systems as diverse as muscle regeneration and tumour growth. This thesis presents the first temporal model of transcriptional alterations in tumour and the surrounding stroma during vascularisation. The application of reverse engineering approaches that are able to integrate perturbation data lead to the hypothesis that modulation of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL1α may be an important upstream event in angiogenesis
In ovo administration of sex steroids alters vasotocin synthesis in bed nucleus of stria terminalis in female chicken

The present study was performed to check the effect of in ovo administration of sex steroids on expression of arginine vasotocin (AVT) gene in a sexually dimorphic hypothalamic nucleus, the bed nucleus of stria terminalis(BnST) in chicken. Sex steroids (estradiol benzoate/testosterone propionate; 20 μg/egg) were administered at embryonic day 6 (E 6 ) and embryonic brains were processed for localization of AVT mRNA and immuno reactive (ir)-AVT by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry at E 1 8 , D 7 , D 2 1 and D 4 0 . Our results indicate that in ovo administration of sex steroids can increase the steady-state level of AVT mRNA in BnST. Sex-steroid administration upregulated the expression/synthesis of AVT transcript/ir-AVT throughout the stages of development studied. In the testosterone propionate-treated group, few neurons showing ir-AVT in BnST were observed at D 2 1 and D 4 0 post-hatch. It is obvious that expression of AVT gene in BnST which is related with reproductive behaviour, may be altered following administration of sex steroids in the egg during development (E6). It is suggested that single injection (in ovo) of sex hormone during early embryonic stage(s) may modulate vasotocinergic neurons and expression of AVT gene in the developing brain of chicken. Further, administration of sex steroids appears to have an irreversible and long-lasting effect on AVT neurons of sexually dimorphic BnST nuclei, an effect similar to that of sex hormones in mammals during the critical period of differentiation of the brain into male or female type.
Effect of Growing Medium and Harvest Term on Yield and Several Quality Traits of Two Cultivars of â€˜â€˜Cherryâ€™â€™ Tomatoes

The objective of the study was to determine the effect of growing medium in greenhouse cultivation on the yield and fruits qualityÂ of â€œcherryâ€ tomato two cultivars. Cultivars â€˜Dasher F1â€™ and â€˜Pareso F1â€™ were chosen for the experiment. The growing mediums comparedÂ were: standard mineral wool slabs and coconut fibre slabs, chosen as an environmentally friendly alternative to mineral wool. TomatoÂ seeds were sown in December; seedlings were planted to the experimental greenhouse in January. The fruits were harvested at 5thÂ stage ofÂ maturity, according to USDA classification (i.e. â€˜light-redâ€™), and subjected to analyses. Harvest terms for quality evaluation of the fruitsÂ were June and September. There were determined for the fruits: total and marketable yield, and quality parameters: pH of the fruit juice,Â titratable acidity, total sugars, soluble solids, total phenolic acids, lycopene, I±-carotene and I²-carotene contents. The results showed thatÂ the fruits harvested in September showed a higher dry matter and carotenoid content that the fruits harvested in June. However, theÂ fruits harvested in June were characterized by a higher total sugars content, higher pH of the juice and higher soluble solids content. TheÂ plants grown in both mediums had fruits of similar quality, but the plants grown in coconut fibre showed noticeably higher total yield. Â Therefore, it can be concluded that the coconut fibre can be used as the environmentally friendly medium for greenhouse cultivation ofÂ â€˜cherryâ€™ tomatoes, the alternative to mineral wool.
Dynamics of Microeukaryotes and Archaea in the Mammalian Gut Microbiome

The vertebrate microbiome consists of the bacteria, fungi, archaea, protozoans, and viruses that inhabit the body at diverse locations including the skin, mouth, upper airways, urogenital tract, and digestive tract. These microorganisms are known to synthesize vitamins, interact with and tone the immune system, and dramatically affect human health. A long list of diseases has been associated with imbalances in commensal microbiome communities. The work presented in this dissertation aims to characterize the microeukaryotic and archaeal components of the gut microbiome through development of wet lab techniques and in silico methods, and apply them to the study of response to antibiotics. These methods provided a picture of the healthy fungal and archaeal communities in the gut, with high prevalence of the yeast Saccharomyces and the archaeon Methanobrevibactor, along with several other species. These new tools were then used to investigate the longitudinal changes that the microbiome undergoes when treated with heavy antibiotics. Using an antibiotic cocktail containing ampicillin, neomycin, vancomycin, and metronidazole in a mouse model, we found that bacterial communities were effectively suppressed and fungi grew out by one to two orders of magnitude. After we discontinued antibiotics, bacterial and fungal cell counts returned to baseline levels within one week, but community composition was still significantly altered. Eight weeks after cessation of antibiotics, fungal community composition was not significantly different from non-treated controls, but several mice continued to have elevated levels of yeasts that had grown out during antibiotic treatment. The bacterial community composition was still significantly different from non-treated controls. Ultimately, this work demonstrated potentially deleterious long term effects of antibiotic use, and emphasizes how strong cage effects can be in mouse studies. The research performed in this dissertation will aid researchers looking to study all three domains of life and take into account the effects of commonly used antibiotics in future microbiome studies. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Graduate Group Genomics & Computational Biology First Advisor Frederic D. Bushman
Potential consequences of climate warming for tropical plant species in high mountains of southern Ethiopia

Aim Species in the tropics respond to global warming by altitudinal distribution shifts. Consequences for biodiversity may be severe, resulting in lowland attrition, range‐shift gaps, range contractions and extinction risks. We aim to identify plant groups (growth forms, families, endemic status) with higher than average risks.
ESTOQUE DE CARBONO E NITROGÊNIO EM SISTEMAS DE MANEJO DO SOLO, NOS TABULEIROS COSTEIROS PARAIBANOS

The replacement of the natural systems by sugar cane leads to fundamental alterations in soil carbon and nitrogen stocks and consequently in the global cycle of these elements. This study was conducted in the municipality of Capim, Paraiba State, and the objective was to evaluate carbon and nitrogen stocks in soils of a natural forest in comparison to sugar cane with and without vinasse. The studied soil was a Dystrophic Gray Argisol. The soil samplings were performed in five replicates (five profiles) at the depths of 0-5, 5-10, 10- 20 e 20-40 cm. The systems were selected namely, native forest; sugar cane with vinasse and cane sugar with- out vinasse. The carbon and nitrogen contents and stocks decrease after the change of native forest to plant sugar cane. In general, there is not significant difference in the carbon and nitrogen contents and stocks be- tween the environments of cane sugar. The systems of cane sugar with and without vinasse are functioning as C -CO 2 emitter when compared with the native forest.
Influência da temperatura na infecção de tilápias do Nilo por Streptococcus agalactiae

Mudancas ambientais afetam a homeostase dos peixes, tornando-os mais suscetiveis a doencas. No Brasil, tem sido relatados surtos de infeccao por Streptococcus agalactiae em tilapia do Nilo, principalmente quando se encontram fora da zona de conforto termico. No presente trabalho, foi avaliada a taxa de mortalidade e determinado quais foram os orgaos mais afetados por essa bacteria em temperaturas que ocorrem naturalmente no Sul do Brasil. Quarenta tilapias-do-nilo ( Oreochromis niloticus ) foram infectadas por Streptococcus agalactiae e distribuidas em quatro grupos (n = 10), cada um deles submetidos a diferentes temperaturas: G1: 24°C, G2: 26°C, G3: 28°C e G4: 32°C. Os peixes foram monitorados durante 10 dias. Os peixes com sinais clinicos irreversiveis foram sacrificados e coletadas amostras de cerebro, figado e rins para analise bacteriologica e molecular. Foram observados sinais compativeis com infeccao estreptococica em todos os grupos. A taxa de mortalidade mais elevada ocorreu nos grupos mantidos nas temperaturas de 24°C e 32°C. O cerebro foi o orgao mais afetado, com a maior percentagem de isolamento de S. agalactiae pelos dois metodos de diagnostico. Os resultados sugerem que, tal como nos mamiferos, temperaturas que estao mais afastadas da zona de conforto afetam significativamente a homeostase dos peixes, aumentando a sua susceptibilidade para infeccoes bacterianas.