Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Growth Layers in Dental Cement for Determining the Age of Red Deer (Cervus elaphus L.)

The Nature Conservancy is expected to advisethe Red Deer Commission on the scientific aspects of red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) management. Although work on the management of red deer has been in progress since 1957 on the Isle of Rhum National Nature Reserve (Lowe 196 1; Eggeling 1964), it was essential to develop methods for assessing the relevance of the results to deer populations elsewhere in Scotland (Mitchell 1965). Accurate determination of age is an important prerequisite for comparing the growth, breeding performance and survival of different deer populations. Changes in body characteristics with age can 6ften be used for the exact determination of age of short-lived animals. But for those with a long life span, the time required to collect the relevant age characteristics may be a serious restriction. Similarly, the characteristics of one population may differ from those of another, and it is reasonable to expect less accuracy with increasing age. Although annular tissues and structures have been long known in woody plants and fish, it is only in recent years that progress has been made in the quest for similar tissues among mammals. Dental tissues have attracted most attention, and whereas. the earlier studies concerned growth layers in dentine, e.g. in red deer (Eidmann 1933), Alaskan fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus (L.)) (Scheffer 1950), elephant seals (Mirounga leonina L.) (Laws 1952, 1953), harp seals (Phoca groenlandica Erxleben) (Fisher & Mackenzie 1954), bottle-nose dolphins (Tursiops truncutas (Montague)) (Sergeant 1959) and Alasklan black bears (Ursinus americanus (Pallas)) (Rausch 1961 in Mosby 1963), later work has indicated the wider potentiality of dental cement. Dentine grows internally, progressively filling the pulp cavity, but cement continues to grow n -the root surface, apparently at a constant rate, throughout life. Hence annual cement increments are relatively constant, but dentine increments tend to get smaller, and, more difficult to count, with age. The linear relationship between cement thickness and age found in human teeth (Gustafson 1950 in Miles 1961) has been suggested as a possible method of forensic age assessment. Encouraging results using annular cement layers for age determination have been published for moose (Alces alces (L.)) (Sergeant & Pimlott 1959), harbour seals (Phoca vitulina L.) (Mansfield& Fisher 1960), grey seals. (Halichoerus grypus Fabricius) (Hewer 1960, 1964), Barren Ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus (L.)) (McEwan 1963), beavers (Castor canadensis Kuhl) (Van Nostrand & Stephenson 1964), griizly bears (Ursus arctos L.) (Mundy & Fuller 1964) and white-tailed deer -(Odocoileus virginianus Zimmermann) (Ransom 1966; Gilbert 1966). In an earlier note (Mitchell 1963) I showed how growth layers in the dental cement of red deer could be exposed by sectioning the thick cement pad under the crown on molar
Interactions between dugongs and seagrasses in a subtropical environment

This study investigated the ecology of dugongs in Moreton Bay, a 1400 km2 embayment in sub-tropical south-east Queensland (27.5" S, 153.3" E). The dugongs' distribution, movements, home range, habitat selection, feeding, diet and food preferences were examined in relation to the seagrass and physical resources. I considered the ways in which dugongs affect the seagrasses and the significance of the dugongs' role in the seagrass system. Seagrasses were quantitatively mapped in two study areas, encompassing 133 krn2 of seagrass. Seven species of seagrass formed 15 recognised communities, which collapsed into five community-groups. Communities dominated by species of Halophila were the most widespread, covering 51 % of the total area of seagrass, but they were characterised by low biomass, and accounted for only 9% of the total standing crop of seagrass (total = 12,808 tonnes dry weight). In comparison, communities dominated by Zostera capricorni (broad-leaf morph) occupied only 38% of the area of seagrass, but contained 75% of the seagrass standing crop. The annual, above-ground production of seagrass within the study areas was estimated to be 41,728 tonnes dry weight. Zostera capricorni, the dominant species in terms of biomass (57.5% of total above-ground standing crop), accounted for 34% of the total, while the species of Halophila accounted for 36.6 % , despite representing only 20.5 % of above-ground standing crop. The distinct seasonality of Moreton Bay was highly correlated with pronounced changes in seagrass abundance. There was a distinct summer/autumn peak in the abundance of most species. Zostera capricorni alone had a winterlspring growth period. Averaged across all species, shoot density, above-ground and belowground biomass changed by factors of 1.9, 2.3 and 2.3, respectively, between seasons of minimum and maximum abundance. Based on 28 aerial surveys, I estimate a Moreton Bay population of 600 dugongs. During spring and summer the dugongs were relatively sedentary, however, during winter the dugongs undertook regular migrations between the feeding areas inside the Bay and the oceanic waters east of the Bay (15-40 km round-trip). By riding the flood and ebb tides in and out of the Bay, the dugongs could exploit the temperature differential of up to 5" C between areas. Sometimes they spent as little as 1.5 hr, during the top of the tide, feeding in the Bay. Some dugongs stayed in the warm water outside the Bay for days at a time in winter. Thirteen dugongs occupied an average range of 64 km2 during the periods they were satellite-tracked (mean = 50 days). Within their home range, some dugongs sequentially used distinct sub-ranges, in which they concentrated their activities for periods of up to 35 days. Some areas were rarely, if ever used by dugongs, while other areas were
Extracellular Vesicles in Bone Metastasis: Key Players in the Tumor Microenvironment and Promising Therapeutic Targets

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid membranous vesicles that are released from every type of cell. It has become clear that EVs are involved in a variety of biological phenomena, including cancer progression, and play critical roles in intracellular communication through the horizontal transfer of cellular cargoes such as proteins, DNA fragments, RNAs including mRNA and non-coding RNAs (microRNA, piRNA, and long non-coding RNA) and lipids. The most common cause of death associated with cancer is metastasis. Recent investigations have revealed that EVs are deeply associated with metastasis. Bone is a preferred site of metastasis, and bone metastasis is generally incurable and dramatically affects patient quality of life. Bone metastasis can cause devastating complications, including hypercalcemia, pathological fractures, spinal compression, and bone pain, which result in a poor prognosis. Although the mechanisms underlying bone metastasis have yet to be fully elucidated, increasing evidence suggests that EVs in the bone microenvironment significantly contribute to cancer progression and cancer bone tropism. Emerging evidence on EV functions in bone metastasis will facilitate the discovery of novel treatments. In this review, we will discuss the remarkable effects of EVs, especially on the tumor microenvironment in bone.
MuRF1/TRIM63, Master Regulator of Muscle Mass

The E3 ubiquitin ligase MuRF1/TRIM63 was identified 20 years ago and suspected to play important roles during skeletal muscle atrophy. Since then, numerous studies have been conducted to decipher the roles, molecular mechanisms and regulation of this enzyme. This revealed that MuRF1 is an important player in the skeletal muscle atrophy process occurring during catabolic states, making MuRF1 a prime candidate for pharmacological treatments against muscle wasting. Indeed, muscle wasting is an associated event of several diseases (e.g., cancer, sepsis, diabetes, renal failure, etc.) and negatively impacts the prognosis of patients, which has stimulated the search for MuRF1 inhibitory molecules. However, studies on MuRF1 cardiac functions revealed that MuRF1 is also cardioprotective, revealing a yin and yang role of MuRF1, being detrimental in skeletal muscle and beneficial in the heart. This review discusses data obtained on MuRF1, both in skeletal and cardiac muscles, over the past 20 years, regarding the structure, the regulation, the location and the different functions identified, and the first inhibitors reported, and aim to draw the picture of what is known about MuRF1. The review also discusses important MuRF1 characteristics to consider for the design of future drugs to maintain skeletal muscle mass in patients with different pathologies.
The Relative Value of Taxonomic Characters

Although taxonomists may disagree on many questions, they are all likely to endorse Crow's (1926) simple statement "that in taxonomy some characters are of greater importance than others. " One obvious reason is the fact that experience in identifying plants or dissociated plant parts has taught us to rely on "good" or diagnostic characters and to disregard others for this purpose. However, diagnostic characters, though indispensable in identification because of limited occurrence, often prove valueless if applied in the opposite direction toward the construction of classifications. To this end characters of wide occurrence are needed, since their value increases with their constancy in increasingly higher taxonomic categories. Thus our modern systems of classification readily reflect the results of continued observation and study on part of taxonomists, of the kinds of characters, their numbers and distribution in the different groups of the plant kingdom. At least two sets of characters are, then, constantly used according to the two basic taxonomic procedures: 1) an analytical set for the immediate purpose of identification, composed essentially of diagnostic characters of limited occurrence, and 2) a synthetic set for purposes of classification, represented by fundamental or constant characters of wide occurrence (Diels 1921, Plate 1914). Another, no less important consideration involves the nature and sources of taxonomic characters. It is safe to say that the majority of taxonomic characters is based on external morphological characters, since they still are the most easily accessible and widely used. Yet they are being supplemented more and more from other sources, i.e., the data of paleobotany, anatomy, cytology, genetics, physiology, chemistry, etc. In short, the aim and scope of phytogta. phy have been greatly expanded in keeping with the advances made by other branches of botanical science (Diels 1921, Moll 1934). Despite the fact that all characters are theoretically of equal value, practicing taxonomists have long recognized differences which result either from the nature of the characters themselves, the organic diversity of the groups of organisms to be classified, or the nature and purpose of the particular taxonomic procedures based on them. It seems, then, that the status and value of any character or group of characters are likely to vary along these lines, as will be shown below.
Cinobufagin Suppresses Melanoma Cell Growth by Inhibiting LEF1

Constitutive activation of the β-catenin dependent canonical Wnt signaling pathway, which enhances tumor growth and progression in multiple types of cancer, is commonly observed in melanoma. LEF1 activates β-catenin/TCF4 transcriptional activity, promoting tumor growth and progression. Although several reports have shown that LEF1 is highly expressed in melanoma, the functional role of LEF1 in melanoma growth is not fully understood. While A375, A2058, and G361 melanoma cells exhibit abnormally high LEF1 expression, lung cancer cells express lower LEF1 levels. A luciferase assay-based high throughput screening (HTS) with a natural compound library showed that cinobufagin suppressed β-catenin/TCF4 transcriptional activity by inhibiting LEF1 expression. Cinobufagin decreases LEF1 expression in a dose-dependent manner and Wnt/β-catenin target genes such as Axin-2, cyclin D1, and c-Myc in melanoma cell lines. Cinobufagin sensitively attenuates cell viability and induces apoptosis in LEF1 expressing melanoma cells compared to LEF1-low expressing lung cancer cells. In addition, ectopic LEF1 expression is sufficient to attenuate cinobufagin-induced apoptosis and cell growth retardation in melanoma cells. Thus, we suggest that cinobufagin is a potential anti-melanoma drug that suppresses tumor-promoting Wnt/β-catenin signaling via LEF1 inhibition.
Genetic Parameters of Egg Shell Quality Traits and Percentage of Eggs Remaining Intact Between Oviposition and Grading

Abstract This study was performed to estimate heritabilities and genetic as well as phenotypic correlations of the egg shell quality traits specific gravity (SG), nondestructive deformation (DFM), compression fracture strength (CFS), shell weight (SW), percentage shell (% shell), and shell weight per unit surface area (SW/SA) and percentage of eggs remaining intact (% intact) from oviposition to placement in fiber trays after grading. In the first year of the 2-yr study, eggs were obtained from about 1,000 F1 hens from each of two crosses of selected Single Comb White Leghorn strains (01 × 03 and 02 × 04) when they were 42 and 68 wk of age. At each age, the shell quality of eggs collected on Sunday for 3 consecutive wk was measured whereas eggs collected Monday through Thursday of each week passed through egg washing, candling, and grading equipment before being hand candled to determine % intact. Eggs from F2 daughters were measured in a similar manner the following year. Heritability estimates tended to be highest (.29 to .59) for SG, SW, % shell, and SW/SA, somewhat lower (.21 to .33) for CFS, and lowest (.10 to .26) for DFM and % intact. Absolute phenotypic correlations between egg shell quality traits and % intact ranged from . 19 to . 47 whereas genetic correlations ranged from . 23 to 1.04. Estimated genetic correlations between % intact eggs late in the laying year and egg shell quality traits early in the laying year were . 50 and . 62 (SG), . 47 and . 59 (CFS), . 45 and . 49 (% shell), –. 37 and –. 46 (DFM), . 42 and . 43 (SW/SA), and . 23 and . 30 (SW). Taking into consideration heritability, genetic correlation, and ease of measurement, the best shell quality trait for use in selection programs for improving % intact is SG.
The adaptive significance of nutrient reserves to breeding American Coots: A reassessment

Female American Coots (Fulica americana) lay large clutches of nutrientrich eggs, and both sexes assist with incubation and brood-rearing. We studied the role of stored fat, protein, and ash reserves in meeting the nutritional demands of reproduction by analyzing carcass composition of 138 male and 181 female coots collected in southwestern Manitoba during 1987-1991. For females, mean reserve levels did not change between prelaying, laying, incubation, early brood-rearing, and late brood-rearing; however, fat reserves of males doubled between early and late brood-rearing (21.1 vs. 45.2 g, respectively). Females with larger fat reserves began nesting earlier, but paradoxically, they did not utilize nutrient reserves for egg laying, and in 1991 females even accumulated fat reserves during laying. Both sexes accumulated fat reserves during incubation and brood-rearing. Coots that had access to supplemental food during laying, incubation, and late brood-rearing had larger fat and protein reserves, but supplemental food did not otherwise alter patterns of nutrient-reserve usage. Nutrient-reserve dynamics of American Coots differed markedly from sympatric populations of breeding ducks, which utilize fat reserves extensively during laying and incubation. We believe that two principal factors contribute to this difference: (1) the nutrient demands of egg formation in coots are about one-half those of comparable-sized ducks, and (2) biparental care in coots allows males and females to share the costs of incubation and brood-rearing, whereas in ducks these costs are incurred entirely by females. We conclude that reproduction in American Coots is not constrained by the availability of endogenous nutrients.
Stachybotrys subreniformis, new from soil in China

A new species of Stachybotrys from soil in China, S. subreniformis, is illustrated and described. It differs from similar species mainly by producing smaller conidia and shorter conidiophores. The type specimen (dried culture) and living culture are deposited in the Plant Pathology Herbarium of Guizhou University (HGUP).
Supplementation of watermelon peels as an enhancer of lipase and esterase production by Yarrowia lipolytica in solid-state fermentation and their potential use as biocatalysts in poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) depolymerization reactions

Abstract Yarrowia lipolytica is a yeast that presents high biotechnological potential due to its ability to produce many metabolites, among them lipases and esterases, which are important industrial biocatalysts. Since Brazil is an agroindustrial country, it generates an enormous diversity of residues or byproducts that can be used as a platform for biomolecules production. This work aims to evaluate lipase and esterase production by Y. lipolytica via solid-state fermentation using soybean bran and soybean bran supplemented with watermelon peels in different contents, and subsequent use of the enzyme extracts for poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) hydrolysis. Supplementation of watermelon peels in the lowest content led to an improvement of lipase activity in almost 31%, reaching 75.22 U g−1. Esterase productivity was 1.5-fold higher when 20 wt% of watermelon peels were added to the media culture. Timecourse evaluation of enzymes production showed a maximum lipase activity in 14 h and similar esterase activity in 14 and 20 h of fermentation. Proteases production were also intensified in supplemented samples. Enzymes produced with 5 wt% watermelon peels supplementation led to higher terephthalic acid concentration (up to 42.02 µmol L−1) during PET depolymerization. Results suggest a great potential of enzyme production in low cost fermentative media to act as biocatalysts in PET hydrolysis reactions.
Ranolazine, a late sodium current inhibitor, reduces ischemia‐induced superoxide emission and improves functional recovery in guinea pig isolated hearts

Ranolazine (RAN) is believed to block a late Na+ (NaL) current that may be activated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) via peroxidation in cardiac cells during ischemia. Na+ loading contributes to cell Ca2+ loading via Na+/Ca2+ exchange (NCE) and cell damage on reperfusion. We tested if RAN treatment during ischemia improves cardiac function on reperfusion and reduces superoxide (O2 ? −) emission. Left ventricular pressure (LVP) and coronary flow (CF) were measured in guinea pig isolated hearts perfused with Krebs‐Ringer's solution; O2 ? − emission was assessed in the LV wall, on‐line, by fluorescence spectrophotometry using DHE. RAN (5 µM), infused for 1 min before 30 min global ischemia, itself decreased heart rate by 20% and LVP by 30% and increased CF by 20%. During late ischemia O2▸− emission increased less with RAN (20% vs. 40% control). At 15 min reperfusion O2▸− emission was reduced 20% by RAN vs. control. At 120 min reperfusion the RAN group (vs. control) exhibited higher LVP (68% vs. 55%) and CF (72% vs. 58%), and reduced incidence of V fibrillation (16% vs. 100%). Ischemia and consequent ROS release are believed to induce a persistent NaL current so blocking this current may reduce Ca2+ loading via NCE. These studies suggest a link between ROS‐induced Na+ loading via NaL and LV function during reperfusion. The decrease in O2▸− emission with RAN during ischemia is likely secondary to improved mitochondrial bioenergetics.
Acoustic α -disk

It is shown that the turbulent ﬂow of acoustic waves propagating outward from the inner edge of the disk causes the accretion of the matter onto the center. The exponential ampliﬁcation of waves takes place in the resonance region, ω = (n ± 1 )(cid:3) . Here ω is the frequency of the acoustic wave, n is its azimuthal wave number, (cid:3)(r) is the angular frequency of rotation of the disk. The effect is similar to the inverse Landau damping in a collisionless plasma. Energy comes from the energy of rotation of the disk. That leads to decrease of the disk angular momentum and to accretion of the matter. The value of the accretion rate dM/dt is ˙ M = πrc s (cid:5) 0 (c s /v φ 0 ) 2 W . Here c s is the speed of sound of the disk gas, v φ 0 is the Keplerian rotation velocity, (cid:5) 0 is the surface density of the disk, W is total power of the acoustic turbulence, W (cid:2) (cid:2) ∞ 0 dω (cid:3) n ≥ 0 | (cid:5) (cid:5) (cid:5) 0 | 2 (ω,n) , | (cid:5) (cid:5) | 2 (ω,n) is the spectral power of turbulence. The presented picture of accretion is consistent with the observed variations of X-ray and optical radiation from objects whose activity is associated with accretion of gas onto them.
Crossing Distance Effects on Prezygotic Performance in Plants: An Argument for Female Choice

Seed set in the perennial larkspur Delphinium nelsonii is greater in crosses between plants growing an intermediate distance apart than in shorter and longer crosses. Since crossing distance is an attribute of a specific combination of parents, its effect on seed set represents an interaction of these parents, and since genetic similarity declines with physical distance in D. nelsonii populations, the interaction reflects parental genetic similarity. Understanding processes responsible for the effect is simplified if seed set differences result from prezygotic events, because in this case no inbreeding or outbreeding depression are involved. In 1990 we observed pollen tubes after performing crosses between plants separated by 1 m, 10 m, or 100 m, and found that the intermediate, 10 m crosses delivered the most tubes to the ovary
Demographic factors contributing to high raccoon densities in urban landscapes

We simultaneously studied raccoon (Procyon lotor) populations inhabiting urban, suburban, and rural open areas in northeastern Illinois, USA, to examine the effects of urbanization on raccoon demographics. We predicted that raccoon density was higher in urbanized than rural landscapes because of increased survival and reproduction rates and greater site fidelity in urbanized areas. Density estimates for both the urban and suburban sites were greater (P < 0.001) than for the rural site during all seasons. Density estimates for the urban and suburban sites were similar (0.177 ≤ P< 0.603) during 4 of seasons. Percentages of porous females were similar among sites. However, higher proportions of juveniles to adult females captured at the urbanized sites may indicate larger litter sizes. Adult female survival was highest at the urban site during the first 2 years, but dropped due to an unknown disease during the final year. Urban raccoons experienced the fewest mortality sources, whereas rural raccoons experienced the most. Disease was the greatest mortality factor at the urban site, while vehicle-related mortalities dominated at the suburban and rural sites. The high ratio of marked to unmarked raccoons captured may indicate greater site fidelity at urbanized sites. Our data suggest that multiple factors, including increased survival, higher annual recruitment, and increased site fidelity, are jointly responsible for high-density raccoon populations in urbanized areas. Direct management of raccoon numbers in urbanized areas likely will require continuous control measures, because raccoons are capable of quickly repopulating an area after the resident population has been reduced. The most effective control measure may be the reduction of anthropogenic food sources that support raccoons at high densities.