Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Synaptic Mechanisms for the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Activation by Prostaglandin E2

The activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis during inflammation is mediated by prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) produced in the brain. However, how PGE2 recruits neuronal mechanisms for HPA axis activation remains unknown. Accumulating evidence indicates that GABA-mediated inhibitory synaptic transmission plays a major role in the HPA axis regulation. That is, GABAergic transmission constitutively constrains the excitability of parvocellular neuroendocrine cells (PNCs) in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (the HPA axis output neurons); the removal from this inhibition (i.e. disinhibition) powerfully activates the HPA axis. My thesis examined the actions of PGE2 on GABAergic synaptic transmission to PNCs. Using patch clamp electrophysiology in rats hypothalamic slices, I found that PGE2 dosedependently attenuated GABAergic transmission onto PNCs. The analysis of synaptic property changes revealed that PGE2 decreased the release of GABA from the presynaptic terminals whereas it had little, if any, effects on the postsynaptic ionotropic GABA receptors. By using pharmacological approaches, I also identified that the EP3 subtype of the PGE2 receptor mediated the actions of PGE2 on GABA synapses. Finally, because psychological stress is known to influence inflammation-induced HPA axis activation, I examined the effects of psychological stress on PGE2-induced GABA synapse plasticity. I found that restraint stress impaired PGE2-induced suppression of GABA release. Interestingly, however, this modulation by psychological stress was independent of EP3. In summary, my thesis provides a plausible mechanism for how PGE2 activates the HPA axis during inflammation, and a potential mechanism for its modulation by psychological stress.
The Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition Regulates the E-selectin Ligand Activities of Breast Cancer Cells

CARLSON, GRADY, E. , Ph.D., December 2016, Chemical Engineering The Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition Regulates The E-selectin Ligand Activities of Breast Cancer Cells Director of Dissertation: Monica M. Burdick During metastasis the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) increases the motility and invasiveness of breast cancer cells (BCs). However, it has yet to be determined whether the EMT affects the trafficking of BCs by regulating the expression of ligands that mediate adhesion with E-selectin presented by endothelial cells lining the blood vessel walls. Thus, the first aim of this investigation was to determine whether the capacity for BCs to mediate adhesion via Eselectin/ligand interactions is modified by the EMT. BCs within tissues from 110 cases of breast cancer were assayed for EMT biomarkers using immunohistochemistry and evaluated for Eselectin ligand activity using E-selectin microsphere adhesion assays. A significantly greater percentage of E-selectin microspheres adhered to BCs with an epithelial phenotype compared to BCs with a mesenchymal phenotype, indicating that the EMT is inversely correlated with Eselectin ligand activity. Similarly, BCs from cell lines with epithelial or mesenchymal phenotypes were assayed for E-selectin ligand activity using shear flow assays, in which significantly greater numbers of BCs with an epithelial phenotype adhered to E-selectin. Finally, the EMT was found to downregulate the E-selectin ligand activities of MDA-MB-468 cells and HMLE cells that underwent the EMT via ectopic expression of Snail or Twist, because in shear flow detachment assays greater percentages of cells with ectopic expression of Snail or Twist detached from Eselectin relative to the vector controls. Additionally, Hs578T cells that underwent the MET via shRNA knockdown of Snail or Twist demonstrated higher E-selectin ligand activities than the Hs578T shcontrol cells in detachment assays, as significantly greater percentages of Hs578T shSnail cells and Hs578T shTwist cells adhered to E-selectin compared to the Hs578T shcontrol
Role of WntPlanar cell polarity genes in migration of facial branchiomotor neurons

xii CHAPTER 1: Introduction . 1 1.1. Neuronal Migration . 2 1.1.1. Overview of Neuronal Migration . 2 1.1.2. Radial Migration . 3 1.1.3. Tangential Migration . 6 1.1. 4. Defective Neuronal Migration . 6 1.1. 5. FBM Neuron Migration . 7 1.2. Non-Canonical Wnt/PCP Signaling in FBM Neuron Migration . 8 1.2. 1 Wnt Signaling Pathways . 8 1.2. 2. Role of Wnt/PCP Components in FBM Neuron Migration . 9 1.3. Celsr1 Mediates the Suppression of Rostral Migration of FBM Neurons . 12 1.3. 1. Redundant Roles of Celsr Genes in Caudal Migration of FBM Neurons . 12 1.3. 2. Some FBM neurons undergo abnormal rostral migration in Celsr1 and Celsr1 mice . 13
Seawater warming at the northern reach for southern species: Gulf of Genoa, NW Mediterranean

Global warming is facilitating the poleward range expansion of plant and animal species. In the Mediterranean Sea, the concurrent temperature increase and abundance of (sub)tropical non-indigenous species (NIS) is leading to the so-called ‘tropicalization’ of the Mediterranean Sea, which is dramatically evident in the south-eastern sectors of the basin. At the same time, the colder north-western sectors of the basin have been said to undergo a process of ‘meridionalization’, that is the establishment of warm-water native species (WWN) previously restricted to the southern sectors. The Gulf of Genoa (Ligurian Sea) is the north-western reach for southern species of whatever origin in the Mediterranean. Recent (up to 2015) observations of NIS and WWN by diving have been collated to update previous similar inventories. In addition, the relative occurrences of both groups of southern species have been monitored by snorkelling between 2009 and 2015 in shallow rocky reefs at Genoa, and compared with the trend in air and sea surface temperatures. A total of 20 southern species (11 NIS and 9 WWN) was found. Two WWN (the zebra seabream Diplodus cervinus and the parrotfish Sparisoma cretense) and three NIS (the SW Atlantic sponge Paraleucilla magna, the Red Sea polychaete Branchiomma luctuosum, and the amphi-American and amphi-Atlantic crab Percnon gibbesi) are new records for the Ligurian Sea, whereas juveniles of the Indo-Pacific bluespotted cornetfish Fistularia commersonii have been found for the first time. While temperature has kept on increasing for the whole period, with 2014 and 2015 being the warmest years since at least 1950, the number of WWN increased linearly, that of NIS increased exponentially, contradicting the idea of meridionalization and supporting that of tropicalization even in the northern sectors of the Mediterranean basin.
A Study of DNA Homologous Recombination Mechanism through Biochemical Characterization of Rad52 and BRCA2 in Yeast and Humans

KHADE, NILESH V. , Ph.D., August 2015, Biological Sciences A Study of DNA Homologous Recombination Mechanism through Biochemical Characterization of Rad52 and BRCA2 in Yeast and Humans Director of Dissertation: Tomohiko Sugiyama Homologous recombination (HR) is critical for double strand break repair and maintenance of genome stability. The recombination mediator proteins in HR play key roles by recruiting RecA-family recombinases like Rad51 to single-stranded DNA. In vitro, mediator proteins bind to their cognate Rad51 recombinases and mediate their loading onto single-stranded DNA which catalyses homology search and DNA strand invasion, a unique and essential process in HR. In yeast, the mediator function is characteristic of the Rad52 (yRad52) protein which also promotes ssDNA annealing. In humans, the breast cancer susceptibility protein (BRCA2) possess the mediator function while the human Rad52 protein is thought to anneal complementary single stranded DNA. However, the role of human Rad52 (hRad52) in HR has remained elusive and no in vitro mediator activity of human Rad52 has been reported. In this study, the loss of mediator function in hRad52 was investigated by examining interspecies interactions between the yeast and human mediators with human Rad51 (hRad51) recombinase. Interestingly, yRad52 successfully mediated loading of hRad51 recombinase onto the single-stranded DNA complexed with yeast RPA in vitro. This recombinase-loading activity was abolished when yeast RPA (E.coli SSB homolog in yeast) was replaced with human RPA, suggesting that species-specific interaction between Rad52 and RPA is 4 important for mediator activity. In this study, the hRad51 binding domain was identified in the yRad52 C-terminus; deletion of the C-terminus (yRad52NM) resulted in loss of mediator function. hRad52 was also tested for mediator activity but it failed to mediate loading of hRad51 in presence of either hRPA or yRPA. As yeast and human Rad52 share similarity between their N-terminal domains, the C-terminal Rad51-binding domain of human Rad52 was replaced with BRC repeats of BRCA2, which is known to interact with hRad51. In another experiment, the hRad52 C-terminal domain was replaced with the yRad52 C-terminal region. Unexpectedly, hRad52-BRC4 and hRad52NM-y52C fusions did not attain mediator activity for human Rad51. Mediator function was not present even when the yRad52 C-terminal domain was replaced with either multiple BRC4 repeats or the BRC3-BRC4 repeat of BRCA2. Taken together, these results indicate that BRC repeats cannot substitute the function of the C-terminal Rad51-binding domain of human or yeast Rad52 and furthermore, an intact yRad52 is required for hRad51 mediator function. In addition, the yRad52 C-terminal domain was determined to be required for efficient ssDNA annealing.
Lentil (Lens culinaris L.) growth promoting rhizobacteria and their effect on nodulation in coinoculation with rhizobia

ABSTRACT Lentil is cultivated in Chilean Mediterranean drylands, in areas with soils that are nutrient depleted and eroded. Inoculation of lentil with rhizobia in co-inoculation with growth promoting rhizobacteria would allow higher biomass and an opportunity for early nodulation and increased nitrogen fixation. The objective of this research was to select rhizosferic bacteria (PGPR) from lentils and to evaluate their effect on lentil nodulation in co-inoculation with rhizobia. Sixty three lentil rhizobacteria isolates where obtained from nine soils in the mediterranean area. These were fingerprinted through BOX-PCR reducing the number to 57 distinct strains. The strains were evaluated for ACCdeaminase activity, IAA production and compatibility with rhizobia. Seventeen strains showed ACC-deaminase activity, all of them synthesized IAA and 38 were compatible with the rhizobia. Ten selected strains were identified as Pseudomonas spp. through 16S rRNA sequencing. The strains were inoculated in lentil seedlings growing on seed germination pouches, to evaluate nodule formation. The strain LY50a increased early nodulation in 85% in comparison to the control inoculated with rhizobia (AG-84) only. In conclusion, bacteria from the rhizosphere from Mediterranean soils of Chile can be used as nodulation promoters in lentils.
Quantitation of TLR-2 mRNA Expression in Bovine Mastitis Caused by E. coli

Aims: This study aim was to assay the expression of an important TLR2 gene in naturally infected cows with sub-clinical and clinical mastitis caused by E. coli . Methodology: cDNA from E. coli infected samples were obtained from hind quarters of three animals with sub-clinical mastitis, three animals with clinical mastitis along with a healthy animal, were used for TLR2 expression analysis using commercial kit and oligo (dT) primers. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) were standardized for the TLR2 and β -actin gene, genes expression level was analyzed by Illumina Eco® Q- RT PCR system. Results: The mRNA expression of TLR2 gene in animals sub-clinical mastitis was significant (P ≤ 0.01) higher (3.63 fold) than clinical case (1.89 fold) when compared to healthy bovine. Conclusion: The expression of TLR2 gene during early stage of infection was at high level, therefore most of the sub-clinical mastitis subsided by itself without precipitating into clinical mastitis. It is suggested that TLR2 may consider as candidate gene for mastitis screening in cattle population.
The immune-genes regulation mediated mechanisms of probiotics to control salmonella infection in chicken

Probiotics are live microorganisms with confirmed beneficial effects on poultry health, growth performance, immune system and gut microbial population. A better perception of the mechanisms underlying the immunomodulatory effects of probiotic bacteria is usually needed to give a superior direction to the development and administration of probiotics. The oral administration of probiotic bacteria influence host cytokine levels and therefore, alters both innate and adaptive host immune responses. Selected probiotics, including some lactobacillus isolates and enterococcal strains, have been considered to prevent salmonella colonisation. Part of the effect of probiotic bacteria may be mediated through changes in the immune system related genes, including cytokine expression. Administration of probiotics in chickens could moderate salmonella mediated changes in genes, including encoding pro-inflammatory cytokines, T helper (Th) 1 cytokines, and Th2 cytokines. This review summarises the findings on the mechanisms of salmonella inhibition by using probiotic bacteria at the molecular level.
Effect of incubational thermal exposures on the hatchability and early post-hatch growth performance of broiler chickens

In the present study, effect of high (39°C) or low (36°C) temperatures during 4th-7th, 11th-14th and 18th-21st d of broiler embryo development was studied. Incubation temperature did not affect embryo growth, but early exposure had higher embryonic mortality. High temperature causes early piping, but increased piping time by 4 h. Midperiod exposure recorded higher hatchability. Late-low temperature exposure had higher chick to egg weight ratio, apparently improved FCR and higher body temperature, while early-high temperature exposure had lower body weight. In conclusion, mid and late period exposure to high or low temperature for 6 h could improve hatchability without affecting post-hatch performances in broilers.
Effects of Sodium Sulfite as a Food Additive on Catalase and Glutathione-S-Transferase Enzyme Activities in Tubifex tubifex

Sodium sulfite is used to keep the food product with fresh appaerence by food industry. In this study, the effects of sodium sulfite sublethal dose on aquatic oligochaeta Tubifex tubifex were investigated and enzyme activity changes of Catalase and Glutathione-S-Transferase were evaluated. The antioxidant enzyme activity changes were searched as a result of 2, 4 and 6 hour exposure within various concentrations (2.5mM, 5mM and 10mM) of sodium sulfite in Tubifex tubifex. Catalase and Glutathione-S-Transferase activity increased depending on the time when data were compared with the control groups.
The genera Limatula and Limea (Mollusca, Pelecypoda, Limidae) from deep waters off Brazil

Five species of the genus Limatula and one of Limea were found in a total of 83 samples taken from deep waters (700– 1950 m) off Brazil. Limatula laminifera (Smith, 1885) and Limea lirata Allen, 2004 were not previously reported from Brazil. Limatula confusa (Smith, 1885) and L. louiseae Clarke, 1974, although already reported for Brazilian waters, have their distribution extended southward. Limatula domaneschii n.sp. is described from the Campos Basin (˜22° S). It is diagnosed by concentric lamellae strengthening towards the ventral margin of the shell, and absence of axial ornamentation; an internal median groove is not present. A fifth Limatula species is present, and we strongly suspect that it is also new to science, but a formal description is delayed until additional specimens are collected.
Effect of NaCl Stress on Seed Germination Indices and Early Seedling Growth of Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L. An Important Medicinal Plant) - TI Journals

Abstract: Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) is an important medicinal plant. Seed germination is the primary and most critical stage in the life cycle of plants. Salinity is one of the most environmental factors that affect different development stages of plants, especially germination stage. The aim of the present investigation was to study the effect of NaCl stress at different levels. For this propose, seeds of cumin were germinated under different concentrations of NaCl (0 as control, 40, 80, 120 and 160 mmol/L) under controlled conditions. Traits such as germination percentage, mean germination time, shoot length, root length, R/S and seedling fresh weight were evaluated. The results of variance analysis showed that NaCl stress had significant effect at 0.01 level of probability on germination percentage, mean germination time, shoot length and had significant effect at 0.05 level of probability on root length, seedling fresh weight and R/S. There was no significant difference in germination percentage between control and 40 mmol/L NaCl concentration. Increasing NaCl concentration decreased germination percentage, shoot length, root length and R/S but increased mean germination time. Also, seedling fresh weight increased in low and moderate concentrations (40 and 80 mmol/L). The lowest germination percentage were observed in higher level of NaCl (160 mmol/L) and seedlings were demised in early days after germination.
Multi-omic analysis of a hyper-diverse plant metabolic pathway reveals evolutionary routes to biological innovation

The diversity of life on Earth is a result of continual innovations in molecular networks influencing morphology and physiology. Plant specialized metabolism produces hundreds of thousands of compounds, offering striking examples of these innovations. To understand how this novelty is generated, we investigated the evolution of the Solanaceae family-specific, trichome-localized acylsugar biosynthetic pathway using a combination of mass spectrometry, RNA-seq, enzyme assays, RNAi and phylogenetics in non-model species. Our results reveal that hundreds of acylsugars are produced across the Solanaceae family and even within a single plant, revealing this phenotype to be hyper-diverse. The relatively short biosynthetic pathway experienced repeated cycles of innovation over the last 100 million years that include gene duplication and divergence, gene loss, evolution of substrate preference and promiscuity. This study provides mechanistic insights into the emergence of plant chemical novelty, and offers a template for investigating the ∼300,000 non-model plant species that remain underexplored.
Investigation of Dynamic Thiol-Disulfide Homeostasis in Alopecia Areata Patients

work out in collaboration between all authors. Authors FK, SS and Ayse Akbas developed the concept and designed the study. Author FK wrote the protocol and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. Authors FK, SS, Ayse Akbas, SN and OE managed the analyses of the study. FK the literature searches. the final ABSTRACT Background: Thiols are antioxidant, organic compounds containing sulfhydryl group on their active sites. They have important roles on preventing oxidative stress. The thiol disulfide homeostasis has a vital importance in organism. Thiol disulfide imbalance is an early indicator of oxidative stress. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune skin disorder characterized with scar-free hair loss. Its pathogenesis is still unclear. Thiol disulfide homeostasis in these patients has not been studied at all. Objective: To evaluate the thiol disulfide homeostasis in alopecia areata patients and healthy controls. Methods: Fortysix alopecia areata patients and 41 healty controls were included in the study. Native thiol, disulfide, total thiol levels were performed with a new and automatic spectrophotometric method. Rations of disulfide/total thiol, disulfide/ native thiol and native thiol/ total thiol were calculated as percentages. Results: No statistically significance were detected between the values of native thiol, disulfide and total thiol in both two groups (p>0,05). Conclusion: The dynamic thiol/ disulfide homeostasis is balance in patients with alopecia areata according to our findings. That is, the patients aren’t affected by oxidative stress. Furthermore we are suggesting that more studies with wider series should be performed.
Gambaran Biokimia dan Leukosit Darah Ayam Kampung Umur 25 Hari yang Diberi Probiotik Fungi Rhizopus oryzae (BIOCHEMICAL AND BLOOD LEUKOCYTES DESCRIPTIONS OF 25 DAYS AGE OF KAMPONG CHICKEN FEEDWITH FUNGI Rhizopusoryzae)

The aim of this present study was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of fungus probiotic Rhizopus oryzae on the serum biochemical and leukocytes profile of 25 days old Kampong chicken. A total of 100 day-old chicks weight 39.65 ± 1.46 g were randomly allotted into 20 plots of enclosure. All chickens received feed containing 20.54% crude protein, metabolism energi of 2913 kcal/kg ad libitum.A completely randomized experimental design with 4 treatments and five replicates, each replicate of 5 chicken was applied. The treatments were: supplementation of fungus probiotic R.oryzae in thediets (at the levels of 0% (T0), 0.2% (T1), 0.4% (T2) and 0.6% (T3), respectively. The treatment diets were givenat days 1, 7, 14 and 21, respectively. Parameters measured includingblood biochemistry (uric acid, total protein, albumin and globulin) and leukocyte profile (total leukocytes and its differentials). Results showed that dietary supplementation of probiotics R. oryzae had no effect on the parameters observed, except for the percentage of eosinophils. It can be concluded that the administration of R. oryzae in the ration at everyseven days intervals failed to improve the physiological condition of the Kampong chickens.
Feeding ecology and competition for food in two Philippine hornbill species (Bucerotidae; \(\textit {Aceros waldeni, Penelopides panini}\)) in the breeding season

Diese Forschung stellt verschiedene okologische Aspekte, mit Schwerpunkt auf der Nahrungsokologie zweier philippinischer Hornvogelarten, heraus. Es zeigte sich eine Uberlappung der Nistbaumarten beider Nashornvogel. Die Dulungane nisteten in hoheren Baumen und hoher gelegenen Nisthohlen, als die Tariktiks. Die Nisthohleneingange waren gleichmasig in allen Richtungen verteilt. Beide Arten unterschieden sich in ihrem Ausflugverhalten. Die Population der Dulungane wurde auf 1787 Brutpaare und die des Tariktiks auf 2333 geschatzt. Beide Nashornvogelarten ernahrten sich von 52 Obstarten, mit 83% Uberlappung. Die intraspezifische Nahrungsuberlappung beider Arten in unmittelbarer Nachbarschaft reichte von 0-100%. Die interspezifische Nahrungsuberlappung uberschritt jedoch keinesfalls 66%. Es bestand eine negative Korrelation zwischen nachstgelegenem Nachbarschaftsabstand und Nahrungsuberlappung. Die Brutsaison, von Marz bis Juli, variierte zwischen und innerhalb der Arten. Es besteht ein Bedarf die Masnahmen zur Erhaltung fortzusetzen.