Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Body dimensions of Fulani and Yoruba ecotype chickens under intensive systems of management

One hundred and thirty- three (133) day old chicks consisting of sixty-seven (67) Fulani ecotype chicks and sixty-six (66) Yoruba ecotype chicks were used in a 12-weeks study to compare body weight and 10 body parameters of birds under the intensive system of management. Results showed that the Fulani ecotype chicks had better live weight from week 1 – 12 (p>0.05) (live weight: 32.30±3.74 - 461.50±102.06g for females and 34.00±3.73- 552.43±104.98g for males) while the Yoruba ecotype chicks had lower live weights (24.27±1.55-394.46±29.86g for females and 24.09±1.48- 395.92±17.85g for males respectively). The Fulani type also had superior values for breast breadth and length, with values ranging from 2.06±0.37- 11.14±1.49cm for male breast length and 1.92±0.28- 10.45±1.14cm for female breast length. The breast breadth had values of 2.60±0.53- 2.60±0.53cm for males and 2.64±0.49- 8.60±0.99cm for females. The Yoruba ecotype chickens however had superior values (p>0.05) for comb length (0.58±0.9- 2.30±0.37cm for males, 0.62±0.09-1.72±0.19cm) and beak length (1.32±0.11- 2.94±0.13cm for males, 1.27±0.08-2.82±0.16cm for females), throughout the study period. Wing length also changed in the same way from week 7 for females and week 9 for males to favour values recorded for the Yoruba ecotype chickens. All other parameters were higher (p>0.05) for the Fulani ecotype chickens. It was concluded that the Fulani ecotype chicken has potentials to be selected as meat type chickens while the Yoruba ecotype chickens has potentials to be selected more as egg type chickens. Key Words: Indigenous, local, Mean, Standard deviation
Alterations in Toll‐like Receptor Regulation in the Liver from Horses with Laminitis

Laminitis can occur secondary to an ischemic‐reperfusion injury of the GI tract. When the normal flora of the GI or pH is disrupted, stimulators of inflammation can be released into the GI bloodstream. The next point of organ contact is the liver via the portal blood stream potentially leading to increased expression of inflammatory mediators, such as Toll‐like receptors (TLR)‐2 and ‐4.
The Influence of Platelet-Derived Growth Factor and Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 on Oligodendrocyte Development and Remyelination

Abstract : Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by repeated episodes of autoimmune-mediated demyelination. Symptoms of the disease range from loss of vision to paralysis with each episode resulting in a decreased remyelination response. If remyelination does not occur, bare axons will not be able to function properly either by inefficient saltatory conduction or by degeneration resulting from a lack of myelin. This study examines the effects of growth factors on recovery from demyelination. Specifically, what roles do plateletderived growth factor (PDGF) and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) play during remyelination of the central nervous system? This question will be addressed using the cuprizone model of demyelination with significant remyelination. The remyelination response in this model will be examined in FGF2 knockout mice as well as PDGF alpha receptor (PDGFαR) heterozygous mice. This study examines the elimination of FGF2 signaling and the reduction of PDGF signaling in an animal model of demyelination with significant remyelination. The current results demonstrate that the predominant role for FGF2 during development and remyelination is that of an inhibitor.
Genome-Wide Analysis of Molecular Changes in IL-12-Induced Control of Mammary Carcinoma via IFN-γ-Independent Mechanisms1

IL-12 is a major activator of tumor-killing NK cells and CTL. IFN-γ mediates most of the well-known immunological activities of IL-12. In this study, we report IFN-γ-independent activities induced by therapeutic application of rIL-12 in restricting tumor growth and metastasis in the 4T1 murine mammary carcinoma model. IFN-γ-deficient mice carrying 4T1 tumor exhibit no gross defect in the number of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes but have exaggerated angiogenesis in the tumor. Administration of IL-12 is able to constrict blood vessels in the tumor in the absence of IFN-γ, and retains certain therapeutic efficacy even when applied late during tumor progression. IL-12 exposure in vivo does not irreversibly alter the immunogenicity of the tumor. Finally, global gene expression analysis of primary tumors reveals IL-12-induced molecular patterns and changes, implicating a number of novel genes potentially important for IFN-γ-independent immune responses against the tumor, for IL-12-mediated antiproliferation, antimetastasis, and antiangiogenesis activities.
The organization of the cerebellorubral projection: An experimental study in the rat

The organization, distribution and extent of the cerebellorubral projection in the rat was investigated employing silver impregnation techniques. Cerebellar lesions of varying size were introduced stereotaxically into the deep cerebellar nuclei in a series of 32 rats and the midbrains were stained with the method of Fink and Heimer. Following large lesions which involved all of the cerebellar nuclei and their emerging fibres, numerous degenerating fibres of passage were observed to course within the brachium conjunctivam, to decaussate at the level of the inferior colliculus, and to enter the ventromedical aspect of the contralateral red nucleus. The red nucleus of the rat consists of a caudal magnocellular portion in which giant and large cells predominate and a rstral parvocellular part consisting mainly of small and medium sized cells. Within the red nucleus, coarse preterminal and terminal degeneration was distributed throughout the magnocellular portion, particularly in relation to the cell bodies and proximal dendrites. Degeneration within the parvocellular part of the nucleus was less abundant, finer in calibre and was parvocellular part of the nucleus was less abundant, finer in calibre and was scattered throughout the neuropil. Following discrete lesions of the nucleus interpositus, preterminal and terminal degeneration was restricted to the magnocellular red nucleus and it was similar in calibre and distribution to that observed in the same area following total lesions. No terminal degeneration was encountered in the parvocellular region at any time following lesions of the nucleus interpositus and only degenerating fibres of passage were seen coursing through the parvocellular region en route to thalamic levels. After lesions restricted to the nucleus lateralis, degenerating fibres were again observed coursing within the brachium conjuctivum and entering the red nucleus. In cases with nucleus lateralis lesions a pattern opposite to that observed following nucleus interpositus lesions was evident. Only passing fibres occurred within the magnocellular region and terminal degeneration was limited to the parvocellular part where it was randomly distributed, moderate in amount and fine in calibre.
Milk consumption, body composition and pre‐weaning growth rates of Australian fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus) pups

Pre-weaning growth rates, body composition, milk consumption and mass gain efficiency were measured in Australian fur seal Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus pups born in two consecutive breeding periods. Australian fur seals have the highest birth mass of any fur seal species (male 8.3 kg; female 7.2 kg). While their absolute pre-weaning growth rate (male 62 g·day−1; female 53 g·day−1) is similar to that of other temperate latitude fur seals, they have the longest birth-mass doubling time of any otariid species (134–136 days). Daily milk consumption increased from 400 g·day−1 (5 MJ·day−1) after birth to 675 g·day−1 (13.7 MJ·day−1) at age 210 day. However, mean mass-specific milk consumption (41 g·kg−1) is substantially lower than in other otariid species (58–70 g·kg−1) and, combined with a low mass gain efficiency (0.12 g·g−1), contributes to the low mass-specific growth rates observed. There were no significant differences in either absolute or mass-specific milk consumption between the sexes. Significant differences, however, were found between the sexes in the body composition of pups with females generally having larger body lipid stores than males for any given mass. Peak milk yield by Australian fur seal females is estimated at 0.60 MJkg−0.75, substantially less than in Antarctic fur seals. The low level of maternal energy transfer in Australian fur seals may reflect the relatively low marine productivity of their foraging areas.
Results of the Long-Term Monitoring of Small Mammal Communities in the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant Region (Drūkšiai LTER Site)

The paper presents data on the number of small mammal (SM) species, diversity indices of their communities, and bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus) reproduction disturbances in 1981–1990 in the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant Region (Drūksiai LTER site). The most polydominantic SM communities were registered in meadows; the most monodominantic in forests and bogs of the region. The average SM abundance in the region was 11.77 ± 0.58 (in autumn, 21.26 ± 1.20) individuals per 100 trap-nights. The bank vole was the dominating species (68% of all trapped individuals). In 1986–1988, the diversity of SM communities significantly decreased, while dominance increased. After the year 1984, significant bank vole breeding disturbances were observed in the form of non-implantation and embryo resorption. Such disturbances involved 68.4% of all breeding bank vole females in 1984, 45.1% in 1985, 36.7% in 1986, 46.5% in 1987, 56.7% in 1988, 27.9% in 1989, and 22.7% in 1990.
Some environmental factors affect growth and antibiotic production by the mycoparasite Coniothyrium minitans

Abstract The effects of temperature and pH on growth and antibiotic production by three isolates of Coniothyrium minitans (Conio, Contans and IVT1), known to produce the macrolide antibiotic macrosphelide A, were examined in modified Czapek Dox broth (MCD). Antibiotic production was determined by incorporating heated (60°C for 5 min) C. minitans spent culture filtrates of MCD (10%, v/v) into potato dextrose broth and assessing the ability of the filtrates to inhibit growth of S. sclerotiorum. All isolates grew over the temperature range of 10–30°C, with the optimum at approximately 15–20°C. Antibiotics were produced by all isolates at 10–30°C. Culture filtrates of MCD from all isolates incorporated into PDB inhibited growth of S. sclerotiorum by >50%, whereas there was a reduction in inhibition at 30°C for Conio and IVT1 but not Contans. All three isolates grew over the pH range of 3–7, with greater biomass production in buffered pH 3–5 than the unbuffered control (pH 4.8) media. Antibiotics were produced by all isolates at pH 3–5. Culture filtrates of MCD from all three isolates grown at pH 3–5 inhibited growth of S. sclerotiorum, with the greatest effect on inhibition observed at pH 3. There were no differences in growth inhibition between isolates at pH 3 and 4, but culture filtrates from Conio grown at pH 5 inhibited S. sclerotiorum more than those of IVT1 grown at the same pH. The significance of these results for biocontrol and optimizing antibiotic production by C. minitans is discussed.
Relative Importance of Song Parameters During Flight Phonotaxis and Courtship in the Bladder Cicada Cystosoma Saundersii

Parameters of the calling song that were necessary to evoke phonotaxis in female bladder cicadas ( Cystosoma saundersii ) were determined for both longrange and short-range communication between the sexes. 1. 1. Females flew to loudspeakers that were broadcasting model calling songs that resembled the natural calling song of the males. They also initiated courtship in response to the model calling songs. 2. 2. When flying females were offered a choice between a model resembling the natural song in all parameters (the control model) and a model in which one of the temporal parameters had been changed (the experimental model), they were attracted equally to the control and experimental models. When the carrier frequency of the experimental model was changed, the females were attracted exclusively to the control model. 3. 3. When the same model calling songs were presented to tethered, flying females in the laboratory, they turned only towards models with a carrier frequency close to that found in the natural song. Changing the temporal parameters of the model did not affect either the turning preferences of the females or their reaction times. 4. 4. When the same series of control and experimental models were played, one at a time, to caged females in the laboratory, courtship responses were elicited only by models with temporal parameters similar to those of the natural song. In contrast, a wide range of carrier frequencies was found to elicit courtship, provided that the temporal parameters were similar to those of the control. 5. 5. It is concluded that, in C. saundersii , identification of conspecific males by females is a two-stage process, with the carrier frequency of the male calling song being more important in long-range communication (flight) and the temporal parameters of the calling song being more important in short-range communication (courtship).
DIVERSITY OF A NORTHERN ROCKY INTERTIDAL COMMUNITY: THE INFLUENCE OF BODY SIZE AND SUCCESSION

Hypotheses about diversity in succession in rocky intertidal communities in the Saint Lawrence estuary, Canada, were tested to evaluate whether results from the study of large organisms may be extrapolated to the entire community of macroinvertebrates. Varying the lower size limit of the organisms considered in the analyses (organisms .0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 8 mm) altered the observed trends in taxonomic richness and diversity (the latter calculated in terms of abundance, H , and biomass, H ). Diversity increased through 99 wt succession when only the largest organisms were considered, but H was maximal in 9 midsuccession for the . 2 and . 4 mm size groupings and in late succession for the . 1 and . 0.5 mm size groupings, and H was greatest at the second stage of succession for 9 all other size groupings. Richness increased through succession for all size groupings. Whole-crevice manipulations (mimic crevices, modified to leave only the dominant structural taxa) were used to examine competing hypotheses about whether variation in richness and diversity through succession was a function of the structural heterogeneity provided by the dominant taxa (structural-heterogeneity hypothesis), or a function of the age of the communities per se (ecological-time hypothesis). The first is supported if the communities in mimic crevices resemble those in control crevices for each successional stage; the second is supported if mimic crevices resemble each other more than they do control crevices at the same successional stage. Within three months, control and mimic communities largely resembled each other in terms of H , H , and richness, and the trends 99 wt mirrored those observed four months earlier, thus supporting the structural-heterogeneity hypothesis. Nonparametric multivariate analyses that removed the manipulated species from the analyses also supported this conclusion. Results from 12 mo after the initiation of the experiment (following the winter, during which the communities within many of the crevices were greatly altered) further supported the structural-heterogeneity hypothesis.
Taxonomic capacity can improve environmental and economic sustainability in biodiversity‐rich shade coffee farms in El Salvador

Abstract El Salvador has only 4.3% of its natural forest remaining. The loss of so much natural forest suggests that a large proportion of El Salvador's biodiversity and a number of ecosystem services are at risk. However, 11% of the country's land area supports shade agroforest for coffee production (based on Coffea arabica L.), and this has become the major forest resource for the country. We suggest that shade agroforest supports a considerable amount of native biodiversity but that the capacity to monitor and assess this diversity is lacking. Studies elsewhere in the world indicate that shade agroforest has levels of biological diversity of the same order of magnitude to that of natural forest. Shade agroforest for coffee should therefore play a central role in the conservation of biological diversity in El Salvador. The status of shade agroforest for coffee in national policies on biodiversity conservation is reviewed. We then identify and review the taxonomic capacity required to meet El Salvador's Biodiversity Action Plan and identify significant overlap with the capacity needed to conserve biological diversity in El Salvador's shade coffee farms. Currently, shade coffee is not economically sustainable and shade farms are under threat of conversion to non‐forest systems. Developing the taxonomic capacity required to underpin the monitoring and inventory of biological diversity in shade coffee farms could also exploit a synergy between the biodiversity or environmental value and the economic sustainability of shade coffee production. Biological diversity inventory data could, therefore, not only support El Salvador's Biodiversity Action Plan but also generate added value to the coffee price through ‘Biodiversity‐friendly’ and ‘Migratory bird‐friendly’ premium payments from the specialist coffee market, thereby providing some insurance against the volatility of the open market.
Pseudomonas syringae subsp. savastanoi (ex Smith) subsp. nov., nom. rev., the Bacterium Causing Excrescences on Oleaceae and Nerium oleander L.

From a study of the so-called bacterial canker of ash, caused by a variant of “Pseudomonas savastanoi” (Smith) Stevens, it became evident that this variant and the variants of “P. savastanoi” which cause olive knot and oleander knot can be distinguished from one another on the basis of their pathogenicity and host range. All isolates of “P. savastanoi” were recently classified by Dye et al. (Plant Pathol. 59:153–168, 1980) as members of a single pathovar of P. syringae van Hall. It appears, however, that these isolates differ sufficiently from the other members of P. syringae to justify subspecies rank for them. The following classification and nomenclature are therefore proposed: Pseudomonas syringae subsp. savastanoi (ex Smith) subsp. nov., nom. rev., to include the olive pathogen (pathovar oleae), the ash pathogen (pathovar fraxini), and the oleander pathogen (pathovar nerii). The type strain of P. syringae subsp. savastanoi is ATCC 13522 (= NCPPB 639).
Suppression of Root Rot on Peas, Beans and Beetroots Caused by Pythium ultimum and Rhizoctonia solani through the Amendment of Growing Media with Composted Organic Household Waste

In pot experiments under controlled environmental conditions, composted organic household waste showed a suppression of soilborne plant pathogens. The addition of 8 %, 10 % and 30 % compost to the potting material which was artificially infested with Pythium ultimum or Rhizoctonia solani considerably reduced the incidence of disease in different varieties of host plants. It became evident that the degree of protection provided by compost depends upon the amount of compost added and upon the vulnerability of the host plant to infection. In an experiment using increasing levels of inoculum, the compost proved suppressive to the pathogen even under extreme disease conditions. This suppressive effect was still evident in compost which had been stored for prolonged periods.
Anthocyanin profile and gene expression in berry skin of two red Vitis vinifera grape cultivars that are sunlight dependent versus sunlight independent

Background and Aims When sunlight was excluded (opacity coefficient 100%) from fruitset until maturity, the red grape cultivar Jingxiu failed to colour while Jingyan (Jingxiu × white grape Xiangfei) developed red colour. The aim of this study was to gain insight into the genetic background that may be responsible for sunlight-dependent versus sunlight-independent anthocyanin biosynthesis in berry skin. Methods and Results The composition and concentration of anthocyanins via high-performance liquid chromatography, and the transcriptional level of structural and regulatory genes via real-time polymerase chain reaction were investigated. Light exclusion suppressed all the anthocyanins in Jingxiu berry skin, but did not change the proportion of the various anthocyanins in Jingyan. UDP-glucose:flavonoid 3-O-glucosyltransferase (UFGT) and a v-myb myeloblastosis viral oncogene homolog transcription factor (VvMYBA1) were expressed at a high level in sunlight-exposed Jingxiu, sunlight-exposed and excluded Jingyan, but not in sunlight-excluded Jingxiu, which correlated with phenotypic colouration (red vs not red). There was no difference in the DNA sequence of the VvMYBA1b promoter region between Jingxiu and Jingyan. Conclusions The regulatory gene VvMYBA1 is involved in the regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis via the structural gene UFGT, while there must be some other regulatory factors or post-transcriptional regulation mechanisms that differentially regulated VvMYBA1 in Jingxiu and Jingyan in response to sunlight. Significance of the Study The primary control mechanism of anthocyanin biosynthesis in the absence of sunlight would provide information for breeding sunlight-independent red grape cultivars, which would be valuable for cultivation in areas with low sunlight, e.g. glasshouses or other covered cropping.
Replacement effect of vitamin E with grape polyphenols on antioxidant status, immune, and organs histopathological responses in broilers from 1- to 35-d age

SUMMARY A study was carried out to investigate the replacement effect of vitamin E with grape polyphenols (GPP) on antioxidant status, immune response, and organs histopathology in broilers from 1- to 35-d age. One-day-old Hubbard broiler chicks (n = 280) were randomly divided into 28 study units of 10 chicks each. A starter control diet was formulated having 22.5% CP, 3,200 kcal/kg ME, and 100 ppm vitamin E50 [50 IU DL-α-tocopheryl acetate (CON)]. Other dietary treatments were obtained by replacing vitamin E on wt:wt ratio, with 25 [low GPP (LGPP)], 50 [medium GPP (MGPP)], and 75 ppm [high GPP (HGPP)] GPP. Likewise, a control finisher diet (20% CP and 3,200 kcal/kg ME) and LGPP, MGPP, and HGPP diets were formulated having the same proportions of GPP and vitamin E as in the respective starter diets. Each dietary treatment was randomly assigned to 7 replicate pens. As a result of this study, by increasing GPP level in place of vitamin E, total phenolic contents in breast and leg muscles increased linearly (P < 0.05) whereas thiobarbituric acid reactive substances decreasedquadraticallywithMGPPshowingthelowestvalue(P <0.05). Antibodytitersagainst Newcastle disease virus were higher (P < 0.05) in broilers fed the LGPP and HGPP diets than in those fed the control diet. Antibody titers against infectious bursal disease virus were higher (P < 0.05) in broilers fed the HGPP diet than in all of the remaining dietary treatment groups. Histopathological examination of kidney and liver tissues showed no changes in birds fed LGPP and MGPP diets; however, mild effects were observed in some birds fed HGPP diet. Replacement of vitamin E with GPP resulted in lower cost per kg broiler feed. In conclusion, replacement of 75 ppm vitamin E with GPP improved antioxidant status and immune response of broilers at lower feed cost without any significant effect on histopathology of organs.