Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Life History and Fishery of the Enchova, Pomatomus saltatrix, in Southern Brazil

Landings of the enchova, Pomatomus saltatrix, along the south-western Atlantic coast from Rio de Janeiro (23oS) to Argentina (38oS) averaged about 5000 t (1970-92) and attained a peak of about 15000 t in 1971. Most catches were with purse-seines and gill-nets along the coast of southern Brazil and were of immature and young adult enchovas moving northward in winter toward lower latitudes. Ring formation on scales occurs in winter in association with low water temperature and decreased feeding activity; the maximum observed age was 8 years and the largest specimens measured up to 800 mm total length (TL). Both young of the year and older enchovas fed on fishes and squid. Off southern Brazil, enchovas are multiple spawners from mid spring to late summer and first maturity is attained in the third year of life at 350 to 400 mm TL. P. saltatrix specimens from southern Brazil and Argentina seem to belong to a single stock, and observed migration patterns show similarities to those in other regions: movement toward lower latitudes in winter when surface temperatures decrease and toward higher latitudes in late spring and summer along both shelf and slope.
Juvenile survival and recruitment of wood thrushes Hylocichla mustelina in a forest fragment

We tested if juvenile survival and recruitment (returning to breed) of wood thrushes Hylocichla mustelina into their natal population was dependent on several measures of nestling condition, growth, and site fidelity. Overall, nestling mass, wing chord, condition, and rank within the brood did not affect the probability of survival to the post-fledging stage, independence, or recruitment. We did not identify any morphometric differences among nestlings that remained in the study area after fledging and those that did not (or those that did not survive). Time of season and the number of days nestlings were present in the study area after hatching, or site fidelity, were the only variables measured that positively influenced juvenile survival and recruitment. Based on a restricted sample, fledglings that eventually recruited did not differ in size during post-fledging or post-independence from fledglings that did not return to breed. Independent, immigrant hatching-year (HY) birds are briefly described. Overall, immigrant HY birds had a higher probability of recruitment than all local fledglings. There was no difference in the probability of recruitment between immigrant HY birds and independent local fledglings (those present ≥35 days after hatching), however. Similar to local young, the number of days present in the study area increased the likelihood of recruitment for immigrant HY birds, although these effects could not be distinguished from those of emigration or survival.
The relationship between fertility and fat reserves of Peary caribou

There was a close association between pregnancy rates and levels of fat reserves and body weights in Peary caribou (Rangifer tarandus pearyi) collected in the late winters of 1974 through 1977 on several islands in the Canadian Arctic. Pregnancy rates were 2 years) females weighing 75% in those weighing >57 kg, and 100% in those >67 kg in weight. Pregnancy rates increased progressively from 7 to 100% as the percentage marrow fat increased from 43 to 79% and the kidney-fat index increased from 24 to 41%. Only heavy (>46 kg) yearling (21 month) females with high fat reserves were pregnant. Reproduction virtually ceased from 1973–1974 to 1975–1976 in Peary caribou on the western Queen Elizabeth Islands because their physical condition was poor. Pregnancy rates were as high as 100% in females in a second population located on Somerset and Prince of Wales islands, and in 1974–1975 four of five yearling females were pregnant. The adjustment of fertility to energy reser.
Formation and survival of oospores of Phytophthora infestans under natural conditions

Phytophthora infestans is able to produce oospores in leaves of potato and tomato plants after inoculation with a mixture of A1 and A2 mating-type isolates. Various conditions for oospore formation were analysed. Under controlled conditions, oospores were produced in potato leaves at temperatures ranging from 5 to 25 degrees C. In leaves of potato cultivar Bintje incubated at 15 degrees C, oogonia and antheridia were observed 6 days after inoculation and thick-walled oospores appeared 3-4 days later. In field experiments oospores were found in leaves and stems of potato cultivars Bintje, Irene and Pimpernel and in leaves, stems and fruits of tomato cultivar Moneymaker within 2 weeks after inoculation. A bioassay was developed to test the survival of oospores in soil under various conditions. To determine whether late-blight infections derived from infectious soil were caused by oospores, DNA fingerprinting was performed. DNA fingerprint probe RG-57 was suitable for distinguishing asexual progeny from recombinant progeny arising from soil-borne oospores. We demonstrated survival of viable, infectious oospores of P. infestans in soil during the winter of 1992-93. Oospores were not infectious from soil exposed to temperatures of 40 degrees C or higher but in the range 35 degrees C to as low as -80 degrees C for 48 h, oospores survived.
Nutrition integrates environmental responses of ungulates.

Summary 1Nutrition influences most aspects of animal ecology: juvenile growth rates and adult mass gain, body condition, probability of pregnancy, over-winter survival, timing of parturition, and neonatal birth mass and survival. We provide an overview among ungulates of the extent of these influences resulting from interactions among bioenergetics, foraging, and nutritional demands. 2 Body condition of an animal is the integrator of nutritional intake and demands, affecting both survival and reproduction. The deposition and mobilization of body fat and body protein vary with physiological requirements and environmental conditions as species use dietary income and body stores to integrate the profits of summer and the demands of winter. Results from our simulation model and uncertainty analysis of the influence of body mass and changes in body composition of Rangifer over winter indicate that percent body fat rather than body mass in early winter is most important in determining whether animals die, live without reproducing, or live and reproduce. Animal responses are also sensitive to rates of change in body protein. Depending on timing of calving and maternal reserves, seasonal habitats vary in their nutritional value for the production of offspring. 3For free-ranging animals, life is a balance among numerous ecological factors, including nutritional requirements, nutritional resources to meet those demands, and intra- and inter-specific interactions. Predation effects on population demography may mask nutritional limitations of habitat. We suggest that over the long term of life histories, ungulates use seasonal strategies that minimize the maximum detriment, and that the basis for most strategies is nutritional.
Discovery of Aryl Formyl Piperidine Derivatives as Potent, Reversible, and Selective Monoacylglycerol Lipase Inhibitors.

Most of the current MAGL inhibitors function by an irreversible mechanism of action, causing a series of side effects. Herein, starting from irreversible inhibitors, 25 compounds were synthesized and evaluated in vitro for MAGL inhibition, among which, compound 36 showed the most potent inhibitory activity (IC50 = 15 nM). Crucially, docking studies demonstrated that the m-chlorine-substituted aniline fragment occupied a hydrophobic sub-pocket enclosed by side chains of Val191, Tyr194, Val270, and Lys273, which creatively identify a new key anchoring point for the development of new MAGL inhibitors. Furthermore, in vivo evaluation innovatively revealed that this reversible inhibitor 36 significantly displayed the depressive-like behaviors induced by reserpine. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that reversible inhibitors of MAGL were developed to support MAGL as a potential therapeutic target for depression.
Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) under Diversifying Selection Provide Increased Accuracy and Precision in Mixed-Stock Analyses of Sockeye Salmon from the Copper River, Alaska

Abstract Genetic markers are increasingly being used to ascertain the population of origin of individuals or mixtures of individuals in complex aggregations of Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. Multilocus genotype data from single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are especially useful for admixture analyses. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms can be discovered in nonmodel organisms with relative ease and can be characterized in the coding and regulatory regions of the genome influenced by selection. Those influenced by diversifying selection may show atypically high levels of differentiation among populations and thus be particularly valuable for genetic stock identification in cases where neutral loci show little difference among populations of interest. We identified four SNP loci from a panel of 42 as candidates for diversifying selection (referred to here as nonneutral SNPs) in sockeye salmon O. nerka from the Copper River and adjacent coastal drainages in south-central Alaska. We evaluated the information.
Serum levels of insulin like growth factor-l and total protein in newborn calves offered different amounts of colostrums

The aim of this investigation was to determine the concentrations of insulin like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and total protein in blood serum from calves consuming different amounts of colostrum during the first 32 h of postnatal life, as well as at 7 days old. The experiment involved two groups of calves. The first group was offered the standard amount of colostrum while the second group received half the recommended amount. At birth serum concentration of IGF-I was in the range from 5 to 13 nmol/L. Compared to the initial level there was a marked decrease of mean IGF-I concentration in both groups of calves at 2 h after the first intake of colostrum. Thereafter, the level gradually increased until 20 h of age, more markedly in the group which received the full ration of colostrum. The highest mean IGF-I concentrations were recorded at 20 h in both groups (11.81 nmol/L for group one and 8.96 nmol/L for group two), and were significantly higher than values recorded 2h after the first intake of colostrum. Two hours after the third intake of colostrum, serum concentration of IGF-I dropped in both groups, compared with the value recorded at 20 h. During the time period from 4hto32h after birth, the calves that received the standard amount of colostrum had a significantly higher mean concentration of serum IGF-I than the calves which received an insufficient amount. Calves were born with serum concentrations of total proteins, which were lower than those found for adult animals. Serum protein concentrations in the calves that consumed normal amounts of colostrum increased more rapidly than in the calves that received insufficient amounts of colostrum. Presumably, total protein concentrations increased as a consequence of colostral immunoglobulin absorption. Thus our results indicate that the amounts of colostrum received during the first 32 h of postnatal life had strong effects on the serum concentrations of IGF-I and total proteins. The differences in IGF-I concentrations between the two groups of calves may have been a consequence of greater colostral IGF-I absorption and/or the result of greater absorption of other colostral components, which stimulate endogenous synthesis of this bioactive substance in the tissues of neonatal calves.
In vitro Antibacterial Effect of Combretum molle and Fr1 against Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli Isolated from Bovine Mastitis

In vitro antibacterial sensitivity test of selected medicinal plants was conducted at AAU, from December 2014 to May 2015. The study carried out with the objective of determining and comparing of the in vitro antibacterial effect of ethanol and methanol extracts of FR1leaf and C.molle seed which is sequentially extracted with petroleum ether, acetone, ethanol and methanol at various concentrations against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli isolated from bovine mastitis cases using agar disc diffusion technique. The plants for this study were selected based on previous research works and collected from their natural habitats. The leaf of FR1 were processed and extracted by 95% ethanol and methanol. In case of C.molle seeds, Sequential extraction method was performed in order to get different alcohol soluble fraction. In this study, both plants inhibit the growth of S. aureus and E. coli at all concentration (4mg/disc to 0.25mg/disc) except FR1 leaf at 12.5mg/ml (0.25mg/disc) had no antibacterial effect on E. coli. Both types of plants were a dose dependent inhibition zone on the tested bacteria showing greatest activity at highest concentration of crude extracts. The absolute methanol extract of FR1 showed a good inhibitory effect on test organisms than its ethanol extract. Amare and Tadesse, World J. Biol. Med. Science Volume 3 (1), 115-131, 2016 116 A wider zone of inhibition was observed on ethanol soluble fraction of C. molle seed against E.coli. Antibacterial activities of both 200mg/ml methanol extract of FR1and 200mg/ml of acetone soluble fraction of C. molle against S. aureus was higher than the activity of the standard antibiotic (Ampicilin) with mean zone of inhibition 16.33 and 18.33 respectively. Also 200mg/ml ethanol soluble fraction of C.molle shows significantly comparable antibacterial activity against E.coli with that of the standard antibiotic (Ampicilin) with mean zone of inhibition 19.33. From this study, we can conclude that type of solvents used matter for the efficacy of the plant/herb . The efficacies of 200mg/ml crude extract of both plants suggest that there potential in the discovery of novel antimicrobial agents from medicinal plants and further study should be made in order to identify the active phytochemical constituents and on toxicity of active plant principles to determine their safety use.
Twenty-four-hour rhythmicity of growth hormone in captive adult mithuns ( Bos frontalis )

A study was conducted in the month of May 2003 to characterize 24-h growth hormone (GH) rhythmicity in six adult female mithuns (Bos frontalis), a rare semi-wild ruminant. Six mithuns averaging 3.3 years of age and 282 kg body weight were maintained in semi-intensive system and fed twice daily. Blood samples collected at 30-minute intervals starting from 0600h for 24-h period were assayed for plasma GH. Growth hormone patterns consisted of frequent surges of varying amplitude. Growth hormone pulses occurred at an average frequency of 0.48/h. The rate did not differ significantly (P < 0.05) nor among mithuns or hour of the day. The magnitude of the GH secretory pulses varied significantly among mithuns and the 24-h period. Growth hormone peaks averaged 121.0 and 45.1 ng/ml in mithuns having the highest and lowest GH pulse amplitudes, respectively. During the 24-h period there were two to four 2- to 3-h periods in which GH pulses were reduced in amplitude. These trough periods occurred at approximately 6-h intervals in two mithuns, imparting rhythmicity to GH profiles to these animals. Periods of reduced pulse amplitudes and intervening secretory episodes were less periodic in the other mithuns. Mithuns were fed at 1100h and 1600h. Interestingly, unlike cattle, no synchronized postprandial fall of plasma GH was recorded. Peak and mean GH levels were associated positively (r = 0.95; P < 0.01). Results from the present study show that the GH pulses occur at frequent intervals throughout the day and night and alterations in GH levels and patterns are elicited more by pulse amplitude than frequency modulation.
Developmental analysis of the gonadal sterility of P-M hybrid dysgenesis in Drosophila melanogaster

Development of the germline cells of P-M dysgenic hybrids causing Gonadal (GD) sterility in Drosophila melanogaster was analyzed using light and electron microscopes. The first indication of an abnormality appeared in pole cells (primordial germ cells) during migration to gonadal mesoderm 5 to 6hr at 29°C. This stage corresponds to the initial stage of the temperature sensitivity of GD sterility. Necrosis of primordial germ cells was prominent in the gonads at the first instar when the primordial germ cells undergo exponential mitotic proliferation in normal larvae. About 10% of primordial germ cells degenerated in nearly all the gonads of the first instar larvae which would normally develop into fertile flies at 25°C.
Plant adaptation to acid, aluminum‐toxic soils

Abstract Aluminum (Al) toxicity is an important growth‐limiting factor for plants in many acid soils. The problem is not always economically correctable with conventional liming practices. But plant species and genotypes within species differ widely in tolerance to excess Al, and some of these differences are genetically controlled. Hence, an alternative or supplemental approach to the problem is to select or breed plant genotypes having greater tolerance to Al. A plant genetic approach has great potential for solving difficult soil fertility problems such as Al toxicity in acid subsoils. An important part of this approach is the determination of plant genetic, physiological and biochemical mechanisms by which plants tolerate mineral stress. Better understanding of stress tolerance mechanisms could lead to the development of more tolerant plants and more effective liming and fertilization practices for plants already in use. The objective of this presentation is to discuss our state of knowledge concernin.
Concurrent Anaplastic and Papillary Thyroid Carcinomas: A Case Report.

Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a rare, but extremely aggressive, form of cancer with a high mortality rate. Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), on the other hand, including papillary and follicular subtypes, are relatively common and typically follows a more indolent course. Cases have been reported in which ATC transforms from DTC, and where DTC and ATC exist simultaneously. Given the low incidence of such cases, they have not been well studied, and the optimal treatment regimen has yet to be determined. We present a case of a 77-year-old woman who was initially presented with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) with focal ATC. Five months after undergoing total thyroidectomy, she returned with a new right sided neck mass. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) with biopsies of the mass and lymph node at one level revealed a smear pattern consistent with ATC. However, lymph node biopsy taken from a different level revealed a smear pattern consistent with PTC. Mutation analysis was performed and results were positive for metastatic BRAF V600- mutant ATC. The patient was then started on dabrafenib/trametinib chemotherapy. Seven months later, she was tolerating treatment well. These unique clinical features including the initial presentation and the relatively favorable survival, that is more than double that of the median survival rate for ATC, suggests that those with synchronous PTC and ATC may have a more indolent course with better prognosis than those with ATC alone. It is also possible that the relatively longer survival in our patient is due to the use of the BRAF inhibitor, dabrafenib and the MEK inhibitor, trametinib in this case with concurrent ATC and PTC. While patients with both PTC and ATC have been documented to have mutations in the BRAF V600 gene, the objective of this report is to present the relatively favorable outcomes when a therapeutic regimen is guided by mutation analysis. Future research into advanced treatment options including targeted therapy and/or immunotherapy for both DTC and ATC is needed. Somatic mutation testing may also be helpful to identify oncogenic kinase abnormalities that will inform therapeutic decision making.
Failure to Vasodilate in Response to Salt Loading Blunts Renal Blood Flow and Causes Salt-Sensitive Hypertension.

AIMS Salt sensitive (SS) hypertension is accompanied by impaired vasodilation in the systemic and renal circulation. However, the causal relationship between vascular dysfunction and salt-induced hypertension remains controversial. We sought to determine whether primary vascular dysfunction, characterized by a failure to vasodilate during salt loading, plays a causal role in the pathogenesis of SS hypertension. METHODS AND RESULTS Mice selectively expressing a PPARγ dominant negative mutation in vascular smooth muscle (S-P467L) exhibited progressive SS hypertension during a 4-week high salt diet (HSD). This was associated with severely impaired vasodilation in systemic and renal vessels. Salt-induced impairment of vasodilation occurred as early as 3 days after HSD, which preceded the onset of SS hypertension. Notably, the overt salt-induced hypertension in S-P467L mice was not driven by higher cardiac output, implying elevations in peripheral vascular resistance. In keeping with this, HSD-fed S-P467L mice exhibited decreased smooth muscle responsiveness to nitric oxide (NO) in systemic vessels. HSD-fed S-P467L mice also exhibited elevated albuminuria and a blunted increase in renal NO production which was associated with blunted renal blood flow and increased sodium retention mediated by a lack of HSD-induced suppression of NKCC2. Blocking NKCC2 function prevented the salt-induced increase in blood pressure in S-P467L mice. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that failure to vasodilate in response to salt loading causes SS hypertension by restricting renal perfusion and reducing renal NO through a mechanism involving NKCC2 in a mouse model of vascular PPARγ impairment. TRANSLATIONAL PERSPECTIVE Mutations in PPARγ cause hypertension whereas treatment with PPARγ activators lowers blood pressure. The cardioprotective role of PPARγ in blood pressure regulation are largely mediated by its actions in the vasculature, but the role of vascular PPARγ in salt sensitivity of blood pressure remains unknown. We present evidence that smooth muscle PPARγ protects from salt sensitivity by promoting renal and systemic vasodilation in response to HSD and that mutations in PPARγ prevent this compensatory mechanism. The multi-faceted roles of PPARγ signaling necessitate the design of new therapies that selectively utilize the protective effects of PPARγ in vasculature, while minimizing the potential adverse effects of global PPARγ activation by thiazolidinediones.
Phenotypic and Genotypic Comparison of a Live-Attenuated Genotype I Japanese Encephalitis Virus SD12-F120 Strain with Its Virulent Parental SD12 Strain

The phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of a live-attenuated genotype I (GI) strain (SD12-F120) of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) were compared with its virulent parental SD12 strain to gain an insight into the genetic changes acquired during the attenuation process. SD12-F120 formed smaller plaque on BHK-21 cells and showed reduced replication in mouse brains compared with SD12. Mice inoculated with SD12-F120 via either intraperitoneal or intracerebral route showed no clinical symptoms, indicating a highly attenuated phenotype in terms of both neuroinvasiveness and neurovirulence. SD12-F120 harbored 29 nucleotide variations compared with SD12, of which 20 were considered silent nucleotide mutations, while nine resulted in eight amino acid substitutions. Comparison of the amino acid variations of SD12-F120 vs. SD12 pair with those from other four isogenic pairs of the attenuated and their virulent parental strains revealed that the variations at E138 and E176 positions of E protein were identified in four and three pairs, respectively, while the remaining amino acid variations were almost unique to their respective strain pairs. These observations suggest that the genetic changes acquired during the attenuation process were likely to be strain-specific and that the mechanisms associated with JEV attenuation/virulence are complicated.