Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Amplified detection of breast cancer autoantibodies using MUC1-based Tn antigen mimics.

In many human carcinomas, mucin-1 (MUC1) is overexpressed and aberrantly glycosylated, resulting in the exposure of previously hidden antigens. This generates new patient antibody profiles that can be used in cancer diagnosis. In the present study, we focused on the MUC1 associated Tn antigen (α-O-GalNAc-Ser/Thr), and substituted the GalNAc monosaccharide by a glycomimic to identify MUC1 based glycopeptides with increased antigenicity. Two different glycopeptide libraries presenting the natural Tn antigen or the sp2-iminosugar analog were synthesized and evaluated with anti-MUC1 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in a microarray platform. The most promising candidates were tested with healthy and breast cancer sera aiming for potential autoantibody-based biomarkers. The suitability of the sp2-iminosugar glycopeptides to detect anti-MUC1 antibodies was demonstrated and serological experiments showed stage I breast cancer autoantibodies binding with a specific unnatural glycopeptide with almost no healthy serum interaction. These results will promote further studies on its capabilities as early cancer biomarkers.
Grassland species composition and biogeochemistry in 153 sites along environmental gradients in Europe

This data set consists of vascular plant and bryophyte species composition and plant and soil biogeochemical data from 153 acid grasslands located in the Atlantic biogeographic region of Europe. Data were collected between 2002 and 2007. The grasslands all belong to the Violion caninae association and were managed by grazing or cutting but had not received fertilizer inputs. These data provide plant composition from five randomly located 2 × 2 m quadrats at each site with all vascular plants and bryophytes identified to species level with cover estimates for each species. Topsoil and subsoil were collected in each quadrat, and data are provided for pH, metal concentrations, nitrate and ammonium concentrations, total carbon and N, and Olsen extractable phosphorus. Aboveground plant tissues were collected for three species (Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Galium saxatile, and Agrostis capillaris), and data are provided for percentage N, carbon, and phosphorus. These data have already been used in a number of re.
The Natural Occurrence of Chickpea Chlorotic Dwarf Geminivirus in Chickpea and Faba Bean in the Sudan

A survey of faba bean and chickpea for virus infection, conducted during February 1994 in the Sudan, showed that bean yellow mosaic potyvirus and broad bean mottle bromovirus occurred commonly in both crops. Chickpea chlorotic dwarf geminivirus (CCDV) was detected for the first time in naturally infected chickpeas and faba beans. This is the first report of natural CCDV infection of chickpeas outside India and the first record of chickpea and faba bean infection in West Asia and North Africa (WANA). Zusammenfassung Das naturliche Vorkommen des chickpea chlorotic dwarf Geminmnis in Kichererbsen and Fababobnen im Sudan Eine im Februar 1994 im Sudan durchgefuhrte Untersuchung uber Virusinfektionen bei der Fababohne und der Kichererbse zeigte. das das bean yellow mosaic Potyvirus und das broad bean mottle Bromovirus in beiden Pflanzen haufig vorkamen. Das chickpea chlorotic dwarf Geminivirus (CCDV) wurde zum ersten Mal in naturlich infizierten Kichererbsen- und Fababohnenpftanzen nachgewiesen- Es wird zum ersten Mal uber eine naturliche Infektion von Kichererhsen mit dem CCDV auBerhalb von Indien berichtet und es ist der erste Bericht einer Kichererhsen- und Fababohneninfektion in Westasien und Nordafrika (WANA).
Survey of thermotolerant Campylobacter in pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)

Abstract This study was conducted with the aim to evaluate the prevalence of thermotolerant Campylobacter spp. in pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) in Southern Italy. To achieve this goal, 60 cloacal swabs were collected. Campylobacter spp. were isolated from 52 out of 60 cloacal swabs tested. As proved by PCR, 100% of the strains were identified as C. coli (52/52), and 10 out of the 52 (19.2%) positive samples were also positive to C. jejuni. The pheasant, can be considered, at least theoretically, as potential Campylobacter carriers.
Results of a National Survey of Electronic Travel Aid Use

Electronic travel aids (ETAs) emit laser beams or high-frequency auditory waves that are reflected from nearby objects. These reflections are received by the ETA and converted to signals that the visually impaired user can perceive and interpret. After reviewing the literature on ETAs, the authors present the results of their survey on the use of and the problems associated with four types of ETAs. They report that the participants in the survey associated aid use with more rapid travel and feelings of safety and confidence in traveling, and that the most frequently used ETAs were the Laser Cane and the Mowat Sensor. These aids were found to be most useful in detecting pedestrians, and obstacles at head and body level.
Limb Regeneration in the Fiddler Crab, Uca pugilator: Histological, Physiological and Molecular Considerations

Synopsis. This paper summarizes our recent work on the histological, physiolog? ical and molecular aspects of limb regeneration in the fiddler crab Uca pugilator and new information is presented on mitotic activity in the blastema during the first days of blastemal organization. We also report for the first time the locali? zation of vertebrate growth factor immunoreactivity (FGF 2 and FGF 4) in the regenerating blastema. In the first part of this paper we review recent histological findings concerning the physical events that accompany autotomy of limbs and propose a new function for the autotomy membrane? the tethering of the regen? erating pedal nerve to the walls of the coxa. In the second part of the paper we review our recent findings on the identification and characterization of the Uca ecdysteroid receptor (UpEcR, and its potential dimer partner, the retinoid-X-receptor, UpRXR). Using (/ca-specific antibody probes raised in our lab, we have been able to identify specific cells in the early blastema that express receptor pro? teins. The regenerating limb of the fiddler crab is responsive to both steroids and retinoids and mRNA for steroid and retinoid receptors are expressed in the re? generating limb buds during all stages of regeneration. The DNA and deduced amino acid sequences of the ecdysteroid receptor is very similar to the sequences of insect EcRs, while the retinoid receptor is similar to insect protein (ultraspiracle) in the DNA-binding domain, but closer to vertebrate RXRs in the ligand binding domain.
Effects of Cage Density and Cage Position on Performance of Commercial Layer Pullets from Four Genotypes

This study was carried out to determine the effects of genotype, cage density and position on the pullet performance of commercial layer chicks housed in cages. Two thousand 1-day-old chicks of Lohman Brown, Lohman White, Isa Brown and Bowans White genotype were housed at 3 cage densities (105.9, 134.8, 185.3 cm 2
Development of a Nutrient Film Technique Culture System for Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Plants

A nutrient film technique (NFT) culture system was developed to allow nursery production of arbuscular mycorrhizal horticultural crops. This would benefit horticultural production and allow for uncomplicated production of mycorrhizal hyphae. Roots of lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. capitata) plants were highly colonized by the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, Glomus mosseae (BEG 107) after 4 weeks in the NFT system, following an initial phase of five weeks in inoculated in Perlite substrate. In the NFT system, a thin layer of glass beads was used to provide solid support for plant and fungus growth and nutrient solution was supplied intermittently (15 min, six times per day). A modified nutrient solution (80 μM P) was used and was replaced with fresh solution every 3 days. A significantly higher dry weight was found for the mycorrhizal versus the nonmycorrhizal lettuce plants in Perlite during the precolonization period. The root colonization rate was also high at rates up to 80 μM P supply. On the NFT system, growth differences between mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal plants were less than in Perlite. However, root colonization rate was not reduced during the NFT culture period. In this system, high amounts of fungal biomass were produced. This would allow the determination of metal and other nutrient concentrations in fungal hyphae. Furthermore, we found large amounts of external fungal hyphae surrounding the root surface. As much as 130 mg fungal biomass were collected per culture plate (three plants). Therefore, we suggest that this modified NFT culture system would be suitable for fungal biomass production on a large scale with a view to additional aeration by intermittent nutrient supply, optimum Psupply, and a use of glass beads as support materials. Furthermore, bulk inoculum composition with a mixture of spores, colonized roots, and hyphae grown in soilless media by the modified NFT system might be a useful way to mass-produce mycorrhizal crops and inoculum for commercial horticultural purposes.
Demographic history of wood stork (Mycteria americana) Brazilian Pantanal colonies revealed by mitochondrial DNA analysis

We used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences to investigate the demographic history of the wood stork (Mycteria americana) populations in the Brazilian Pantanal. Sequences of 390/460 bp fragment of the mtDNA control region were analyzed in 62 wood stork specimens from 8 colonies using neutrality tests, phylogeographic, and coalescent analyses. Population expansion was supported by the significantly negative values of Tajimas (D = -2.071) and Fus (Fs = -14.544) statistics and the unimodal pattern of mismatch distribution. Nested clade analyses indicated a historic range expansion event and recurrent gene flow that was restricted by isolation by distance as explanations for the haplotype distribution among the sampled colonies. High genetic diversity and the strictly unidirectional gene flow pattern emphasized the conservation importance of preserving the southern Pantanal colonies. Coalescence analyses suggested that northern and southern colonies diverged approximately 6,250 years before the present (YBP), and that their most recent common ancestor was approximately 18,900 YBP. Our results suggest that the contemporary wood stork Pantanal population originated from a more geographically limited founder population. Potential source populations may have occurred in the southern Pantanal or ancestry may reside in populations inhabiting the Brazilian central plateau or areas closer to the equatorial region.
Effects of Benzo[a]pyrene on Gilthead Sea Bream (Sparus Aurata L.) Hepatocytes Exposed in Vitro to Short and Long Term Trials

In the present study, cytotoxic effects of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons benzo[a] pyrene (B[a]P) were investigated in Sparus aurata hepatocytes primary cultures after acute and chronic exposure. Cells were treated with a wide range of B[a]P doses (1 pg/mL to 100 μg/mL) for 24, 48 and 72 h. B[a]P toxicity was quantified in sea bream hepatocytes by MTT assay and immunofluorescence analysis of apoptosis after the various exposure periods, in order to evaluate the hepatic damage and toxicity range. Results showed three cytotoxic responses: B[a]P cell death for primary necrosis after exposure to high concentrations for short times, apoptosis induction with the use of sublethal doses and cell proliferation allied with neoplastic foci formation after exposure to low concentrations for long times. This responses provided an interesting correlation between the damage caused on hepatocytes and the metabolism of this toxic compound, to date mainly studied in vivo. Additionally, the statistical analysis revealed that the effects of time and dose were significant for both parameters and especially the time was extremely significant (P<0.0001), in fact B[a]P induced damage that increased over time. Our findings demonstrated and confirmed that S. aurata is a very sensitive species to B[a]P exposure since adverse effects were found at all tested doses. Furthermore, the new in vitro animal model can be considered a useful tool for studying the cellular effects induced by any contaminant harmful for farmed fish.
Review Article: News now: journalism in the online environment

Stephen Quinn, Convergent Journalism: the Fundamentals of Multimedia Reporting. New York: Peter Lang, 2005. 256 pp. ISBN 0820474525, $29.95 (pbk) Stuart Allan, Online News. Maidenhead: Open University Press, 2006. 208 pp. ISBN 0335221211, $40.95 (pbk) Xigen Li (ed.), Internet Newspapers: The Making of a Mainstream Medium. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2006. 320 pp. ISBN 0805854177, $34.50 (pbk)
Jumping Behavior of Semiterrestrial Tadpoles of Indirana beddomii (Günth.): Relative Importance of Tail and Body Size

Abstract This study examined the jumping pattern and its relationship with various body traits in semiterrestrial tadpoles, Indirana beddomii. The tadpoles were separated into four groups based on the absence (Group I) or presence (Group II) of functional hind limbs, presence of forelimbs (Group III), and at metamorphic climax (Group IV). During early developmental stages, tadpoles are able to move by flipping and jumping not only forward but also sideways and backward. Prior to takeoff, they usually wag the tail, possibly providing thrust to takeoff. However, in later developmental stages, hind limbs are used for take off. In Group I tadpoles, the tail was three times longer than SVL and contributed to jumping performance. In Groups II and III, both SVL and hind-limb length were positively correlated to jumping performance. In the Group III, forelimb length was also correlated with jumping performance. However, stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that, in Group II, hind limbs and, in Group III, forelimbs contributed to jumping performance. Thus I. beddomii tadpoles use their tails for jumping at early stages and limbs at later stages. Upon reaching metamorphic climax and thereafter, the correlations between jumping performance and SVL and hind- or forelimb length was lost. Lack of correlation between the body traits and jumping performance during metamorphic climax may be attributed to physiological and anatomical changes occurring during this phase.
Species-richness of the Anopheles annulipes Complex (Diptera: Culicidae) Revealed by Tree and Model-Based Allozyme Clustering Analyses

The Australasian Anopheles annulipes complex contains at least ten sibling species, some of which are important vectors of myxomatosis in rabbits. We aimed to establish how many species occurred among specimens from 61 sites throughout Australia, scored for 32 putative allozyme loci. We compared the number of species predicted from tree-based clustering of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) with that from a novel model-based Bayesian clustering approach for individual genotypes. We rejected the hypothesis of conspecificity of OTUs if they differed by at least 20% fixed differences and 0.300 Nei's standard genetic distance D. According to these criteria, 18-25 species occur, making this the most species-rich anopheline complex known to date. A conservative estimate from the Bayesian analysis was 15-20 species. There was large overlap in the assignment of individuals to clusters inferred from the Bayesian and tree-based analyses. The genetic clustering of northern and southern distributed species and an apparent cline in alleles of the enzyme glucose phosphate isomerase suggest that a latitude-dependent factor, such as temperature, may have played a role in speciation and the subsequent distribution of species. Ecological niche modelling of clusters predicted that none occur in New Guinea, emphasizing that additional, as yet unsampled, species may occur. (c) 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 91, 523-539.
Effects of oats grain supplements on performance, rumen parameters and composition of beef from cattle grazing oats pasture

The impacts of supplementing with whole oats grain (OG) upon performance and beef quality traits of growing steers grazing oats pasture (OP) were measured. The trial used Angus steer calves (203 kg mean bodyweight) assigned to three treatments: Control, unsupplemented OP (CON); OP plus OG fed at 0.25% BW daily (OG1); and OP plus OG fed at 0.50% bodyweight daily (OG2). All steers grazed the same paddock but were removed momentarily once daily so OG could be fed to each steer individually. Daily intake of OG averaged 597 and 1294 g DM for OG1 and OG2, respectively. Steers were slaughtered after grazing for 130 days to determine carcass characteristics and lipid profiles. In parallel with the grazing trial, four ruminally cannulated steers (613 kg mean bodyweight) were allocated to treatments CON and OG2 (n = 2) to monitor ruminal pH, volatile fatty acids, and NH3-N. Steers fed OG2 had greater (P < 0.01) average daily gain than CON; final liveweight for OG2 steers was significantly higher than both CON and OG1 steers. Although variations in plasma haematocrit and alkaline phosphatase were they did not affect animal performance. Dressing percentage was not affected by the experimental diets but OG2 steers had greater (P < 0.05) marbling scores. Although rib-eye area was numerically greater for OG1 and OG2 than CON steers (8% and 14%), these differences were not significant statistically (P = 0.3493). Intramuscular lipid content of Longissimus dorsi muscle was not significantly increased by OG supplementation but of the intramuscular fatty acids, contributions of vaccenic and α-linolenic acids decreased (P < 0.05). Linoleic acid content was lowest (P < 0.05) for OG1 steers. A no significant decrease in conjugated linoleic acid was detected when more OG was supplemented. No treatment differences in the contributions of eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, saturated fatty acids, n-6 or n-3 to intramuscular fatty acids were detected although the n-6 : n-3 resulted numerically higher (11% and 23%) for OG1 and OG2 steers than CON steers. Rumen pH, NH3-N and volatile fatty acids were not significantly altered by OG supplementation. Supplementing diets of cattle grazing OP improved performance without rumen digestion impairs or inducing substantial changes in the lipid profile of intramuscular fat. Thus, OG supplementation would be expected to improve the efficiency of cattle grazing of OP without substantial changes to ruminal measurements or the lipid profile of beef.
Fruit choice by red howler monkeys (Alouatta seniculus) in a tropical rain forest

This paper presents and discusses aspects of fruit selectivity by red howler monkeys (Alouatta seniculus) in relation with morphological characteristics of fruits. These data are used to provide an answer to the following questions: which are the fruit characteristics that lead fruit choice of howler monkeys and to what extent fruit characteristics play a role in seed dispersal by monkeys? The frugivorous diet of a troop of red howler monkeys was determined during a 2‐year field study in French Guiana. The selection of fruit by howler monkeys was analyzed in relation to the fruit availability. Results showed that, although consumption followed availability, fruit species could be classified in three categories according to their selection ratio (percentage of consumption/percentage of abundance) as “high ranking,” “middle ranking,” and “low ranking” species. Also, the 97 species of fruit eaten by the monkeys were grouped according to the morphological characteristics thought to influence the monkeys' choice. This showed that howler monkeys consumed essentially fruits with juicy pulp, bright color, and a small number of well‐protected seeds. Most of high ranking species had medium‐sized fruits with yellow color, and low ranking species often had small fruits. However, howler monkeys are associated with the dispersal of seeds from fruit with a hard and indehiscent pericarp and/or large seeds, like those of the Sapotaceae family. Consequently, they can be considered as “specialized” frugivores for this fruit syndrome. © l996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification and manipulation of molecules regulating axonal outgrowth and synapse formation during post-injury axonal remodeling

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is a devastating disease which leads to long lasting neurological deficits including sensory and motor-dysfunction below the site of injury. The persistence of these deficits is due to the low capacity of the adult central nervous system (CNS) to regenerate after injury. However, over the last decade it has been shown, that axonal tracts in the spinal cord can in principle remodel after injury. The corticospinal tract (CST), an important descending motor tract that is involved in the fine movement and coordination of the foreand hindlimbs, serves as a good model to study this remodeling. A key aspect of CST remodeling after injury is the formation of intraspinal detour circuits that contribute to functional recovery. Which molecules regulate the formation of these new detour circuits is so far unknown. In my thesis, I aimed to identify these regulatory molecules and to understand their contribution to the establishment of detour circuits after injury. First, I investigated, whether activating the intrinsic growth program can induce de novo sprouting of CST collaterals and thereby improve functional recovery. To do so, I induced sustained expression of STAT3, a growth-promoting transcription factor, via viral gene transfer in cortical projection neurons. This allowed me to show that enhanced activation of the intrinsic growth program was sufficient to increase sprouting of CST collaterals after injury. Second, I performed in situ hybridizations for guidance and synaptogenic molecules to screen for candidates that could influence targeting of CST collaterals following spinal cord injury. I can show that all the molecules studied are also expressed in the adult CNS and that several cues among them, Semaphorin 7a, SynCAM4, Slits and Neuroligin 1, are differentially expressed in subsets of spinal interneurons suggesting that they could be involved in target finding during detour circuit formation.
Overview of ß-lactamase incidence on bacterial drug resistance

The bacterial drug resistance is its ability to grow in presence of high concentration of an antibiotic. The massive and often unsuitable use of antibiotic tends to select the resistant mutants that are then disseminated. The ß-lactam antibiotics represent an antibiotic family widely used because of their remarkable tolerance by animal organism. This practice generated the resistance from many bacteria in clinical and environmental spaces. One of the main drug resistance mechanism used by bacteria is the production of inactivation enzymes named ß-lactamases. This mini review attempts to pinpoint the ß- lactamase incidence on the failure of clinical treatment using ß-lactam antibiotic anywhere.