Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
TheVentralPremammillaryNucleusLinksFasting-Induced ChangesinLeptinLevelsandCoordinatedLuteinizing HormoneSecretion

Physiologicalconditionsoflowleptinlevelslikethoseobservedduringnegativeenergybalanceareusuallycharacterizedbythesuppression of luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion and fertility. Leptin administration restores LH levels and reproductive function. Leptin action on LH secretion is thought to be mediated by the brain. However, the neuronal population that mediates this effect is still undefined. The hypothalamic ventral premammillary nucleus (PMV) neurons express a dense concentration of leptin receptors and projecttobrainareasrelatedtoreproductivecontrol.Therefore,wehypothesizedthatthePMViswelllocatedtomediateleptinactionon LHsecretion.Totestourhypothesis,weperformedbilateralexcitotoxiclesionsofthePMVinadultfemalerats.PMV-lesionedanimals displayedacleardisruptionoftheestrouscycle,remaininginanestrusfor15‐20d.Afterapparentrecoveryofcyclicity,animalsperfused intheafternoonofproestrusshoweddecreasedFosimmunoreactivityintheanteroventralperiventricularnucleusandingonadotropin releasinghormoneneurons.PMV-lesionedanimalsalsodisplayeddecreasedestrogenandLHsecretiononproestrus.Lesionscausedno changesinmeanfoodintakeandbodyweightupto7weeksaftersurgery.WefurthertestedtheabilityofleptintoinduceLHsecretionin PMV-lesioned fasted animals. We found that complete lesions of the PMV precluded leptin stimulation of LH secretion on fasting. Our findingsdemonstratethatthePMVisakeysitelinkingchanginglevelsofleptinandcoordinatedcontrolofreproduction.
Plankton composition, biomass, phylogeny and toxin genes in Lake Big Momela, Tanzania

Lake Big Momela, one of the East African soda lakes in Northern Tanzania characterised by highly saline-alkaline conditions, making them inhospitable to a range of organisms, although supporting massive growths of some adapted planktonic microorganisms that serve as food for birds, such as Lesser Flamingo. The temporal dynamics of plankton, with an emphasis on cyanobacteria, were examined in 2007 using morphological traits and ribosomal genetic markers (16S and 18S rRNA). Cyanobacterial genes encoding for hepatotoxins (mcyE and ndaF) were also screened. Rotifers and copepods dominated the zooplankton, whereas cyanobacteria, such as Anabaenopsis elenkinii and Arthrospira fusiformis dominated the phytoplankton community, and these being related to representatives in other East African soda lakes. The cyanobacteria community also showed distinct seasonal patterns influenced by environmental parameters, mainly salinity, pH and nitrate. Significant positive correlations were found between phytoplankton abundance and nitrate concentrations (r = 0.617, p = 0.033). No signals of the hepatotoxin synthetase genes mcyE and ndaF were retrieved from cyanobacteria during the whole year. In general, our data illustrate the presence of rich planktonic communities, including some unique and potentially endemic cyanobacteria.
Extraction, Synthesis, Characterization and Antioxidant Properties of Oxidized Starch from an Abundant Source in Nigeria

Starch is a renewable and environmentally compatible polymer but due to some inherent drawbacks like its hydrophilic character, poor mechanical properties, and its inability to withstand processing conditions such as extreme temperatures, diverse pH, starch in its native form cannot be applied satisfactorily in industrial operations. Modification of starch however, enhances its applicability in both food and pharmaceutical industries. In this study, Manihot esculentus (M. esculentus) starch was modified chemically by oxidation. Foam capacity and emulsion capacity of the native and oxidized M. esculentus starch was determined. Fourier Transmittance InfraRed (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopies was used to confirm starch modification while characterization was done using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and XRay Diffraction (XRD). Antioxidant activity of the oxidized M. esculentus starch was assessed using DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl-hydrate) free radical assay. Our results show that modification had no significant effect on the foam and emulsion capacities. FTIR results revealed a new band at 3007 and 3283 cm while SEM showed that oxidation did not alter the predominantly circular-shaped starch granules. The XRD patterns of both native and modified were found to be similar. Differential Scanning Calorimetry returned two new endothermic peaks in the oxidized M. esculentus starch with an improved gelation capacity and increased enthalpy of gelatinization. The IC50 of the oxidized starch was notably higher than that of the reference standard, ascorbic acid.
Effects of daytime and supplemental light spectrum on broiler breeder growth and sexual maturation

EFFECTS OF DAYTIME AND SUPPLEMENTAL LIGHT SPECTRUM ON BROILER BREEDER GROWTH AND SEXUAL MATURATION Adriana Rodriguez Advisor: University of Guelph, 2017 Professor G.Y. Bédécarrats As body weight is critical for successful reproduction in broiler breeders, a precision feeding system was developed to automatically allocate feed to individuals based on real-time measurements. However, to be commercially applicable it requires continuous illumination and, since green and red lights have been shown to stimulate growth and reproduction, respectively, this study aimed at determining which wavelength and intensity could be provided as feeder supplemental lighting without negatively impacting production. Furthermore, the interactions between daytime and supplemental light spectrums were investigated. Results show green daytime light promoted early growth and hens under red daytime light produced more eggs during early lay. Supplemental red light triggered a delay in sexual maturation in an intensity dependent manner which resulted in heavier hens at first egg. In conclusion, constant red supplemental light should not be used for broiler breeder precision feeding systems while a red daytime light may promote early egg production.
Effect of food types on competitive interaction between Aedes aegypti (LINNAEUS, 1762) and Ae. albopictus (SKUSE, 1894) (Diptera, Culicidae): a proximate level appraisal

Abstract Competitive interactions between coexisting Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus have been implied as a crucial factor shaping life history traits and population characteristics. The overlap in resource requirements and similarities in the life history strategies of the two Aedes mosquitoes form a basis for competitive interactions. In the present study, the role of the food quality of the larval habitats in influencing the outcome of competition between Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus is evaluated to highlight food quality as a basis for asymmetric competitive outcomes. Instar I larvae of the two mosquitoes were reared using conspecifics or heterospecifics of constant size and equal ratio with four different food types: boiled rice, boiled pulses, a mixture of boiled rice and pulses, and fish food. Competitive interactions were evaluated using age at pupation (AP), pupal weight (PW), dry adult weight (AW) and wing length (WL) with respect to intra- and interspecific competition for the two sexes of each mosquito species. The results show that Ae. albopictus developed faster but achieved a smaller size compared to Ae. aegypti under interspecific competition conditions, the extent of the difference varying significantly with the food type. Given the variety of food resources available in the small container larval habitats, the results of the study imply that food quality may act differentially with respect to larval development and adult body size, depending on the conspecifics or heterospecifics and on the sex of the species concerned. The dominance of one species over the other may also be a consequence of the resource utilization pattern that varies in the larval habitats.
Gastric Cancer: A Stem Cell Disease?

Gastric stem cells have been recently identified and are not yet fully characterized. Each gastric gland or unit is composed of different specialized cells and a small number of discrete stem cells. These gastric stem cells play key roles. They have self-renewal and multipotent properties and are the origin of specialized gastric epithelial cells. These properties are the basis for the stem cells’ role in tissue homeostasis, tissue repair, and cancer. In tumors, growing evidence indicates that a cell subpopulation with stem cell features, the so-called cancer stem cells (CSCs), represents the “fuel” for the tumor: they are at the origin of tumor initiation, growth, and dissemination, and they also display resistance to conventional chemotherapy treatments. The recent identification of CSCs in gastric carcinoma opens the door to the development of new therapeutic strategies targeting more specifically the CSCs at the origin of the disease, which is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.
CHEMICAL AND NUTRITIONAL STUDIES ON PERILLA (PERILLA FRUTESCENS L.) ACCESSIONS COLLECTED FROM UTTARAKHAND

Perilla oil is a rich source of PUFAs and is useful for the treatment of various diseases as well as maintenance of health. PUFA’s like linoleic and linolenic acids, which are found in Perilla, are termed "essential" because they cannot be synthesized by the body and must be supplied in the diet. Omega 3 fatty acids help in the prevention of different diseases like cardiovascular disorders, cancer and inflammatory etc. The fatty acid composition of twelve Perilla accessions, collected from different locations of Uttarakhand and subsequently grown under similar climatic conditions of Doon valley Dehradun, was analyzed. Linoleic acid (C18:2 n-6, omega 6) and α-linolenic acid (C 18:3 n3, omega 3) were found as the two major components in Perilla oil which ranged from 12.4-18.5% and 51.4-63.5% respectively. Palmitic, myristic, stearic and oleic acid were also detected. It was found that Perilla seeds from Uttarakhand are similarly high in oil content (40-56%) and proteins (16.2-18.5g/100g) as reports on Perilla seed composition from other sources. It was also found that Perilla oil collected from Uttarakhand contain a high content of omega 3 as compared to other oilseed crops. The fatty acid profile indicated that Perilla oil is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as linolenic (51.4-63.5%) and linoleic (12.418.5%). The objective of this study was to determine the fatty acid profile and nutrient composition of Perilla seeds from Uttarakhand.
Studies on the mechanism of nucleosome remodeling by RSC and SWI/SNF

In eukaryotic cell the DNA is organized in the nucleus in the form of chromatin, the fundamental unit of which is called as the nucleosome. Organization of DNA into the nucleosomes presents a strong barrier for various processes which require access to the DNA like transcription, replication and repair. To overcome this problem cells utilize a variety of methods, ATP dependent chromatin remodeling being one of the most important of them. A common feature of all the remodelers is that they are able to reposition the nucleosomes along the DNA at the expense of ATP. In the present work, we have studied the mechanism of nucleosome mobilization by RSC and SWI/SNF, two well characterized remodelers from yeast. A combinatorial approach was employed using high resolution microscopy namely Electron cryo-Microscopy (EC-M) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) together with novel biochemical approaches. We have shown that the nucleosome mobilization by RSC and SWI/SNF involves hitherto unknown intermediate structures. These remodeled nucleosome particles ‘The Remosomes' possess characteristic structural features. Our AFM studies show that ~180 bp of DNA is associated with the histone octamer as compared to ~147 bp in the canonical nucleosomes. Using DNaseI footprinting and EC-M we have shown that the path of DNA around the histone octamer is highly perturbed. Moreover, these particles represent an ensemble many different structures rather than one defined specie. The novel ‘in gel one pot assay' showed that accessibility profile of these particles is completely different from that of canonical nucleosomes and they are accessible all along the path of DNA. We have also addressed the question of inhibition of nucleosome mobilization due to incorporation of histone variant H2A.Bbd in the nucleosomes. We show that the docking domain of histone H2A is essential for SWI/SNF and RSC induced nucleosome sliding. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the reason for inability of these nucleosomes to slide is due to a faulty generation of ‘Remosome' intermediates.
Performance and phytate utilization of meat-type chickens fed varied levels of acidified diets

This study focuses on the performance and phytate utilization of meat-type chickens fed varied levels of acidified diets. Anti-nutrients such as phytate can inhibit growth performance in chickens; hence the need to supplement additives such as feed grade acidifiers that enhance digestibility and feed utilization. Three hundred and sixty day old broiler chicks were assigned to five treatment groups of three replicates each assigned with 24 and 20-chickens at both starter and finisher phases respectively, in a completely randomized design. The control treatment had diet optimal in available phosphorus at 0.5% while treatments two to five were fed sub-optimal available phosphorus diets at 0.4% in addition to acidifiers supplemented at 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4% respectively. Results showed that 0.3%feed acidification was significantly (P<0.05) better than other levels of supplementation and the control in performance characteristics. Increasing the level of supplementation beyond 0.3% elicited a decline in weight gain, feed conversion ratio and feed cost per kilogram gain. These performance indicators also declined as feed acidification reduced from 0.3% to the acid control group. In conclusion, 0.3% supplementation of acidifiers in broiler diets can significantly (P<0.05) improve phytate hydrolysis, growth performance and other productive parameters. Supplementation of feed grade organic acid at 0.3% is recommended for broiler diets as it competes favourably with phytate improving its hydrolysis and enhancing utilization of feed components. Keywords: Phytate, broiler, organic acid, utilization
Exfoliation of Graphite in Various Solvents

Liquid Phase Exfoliation (LPE) method has been gaining increasing interest by academic 9 and industrial researchers due to its simplicity, low-cost, and scalability. High intensity ultrasound 10 energy was exploited to transform graphite to graphene in the solvents of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), 11 N,N-dimethyl formamide (DMF), and perchloric acid (PA) without any surfactants or ionic liquids. The 12 crystal structure, number of layers, particle size, and morphology of the synthesized graphene 13 samples were characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Ultraviolet 14 visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), and Transmission Electron 15 Microscopy (TEM). XRD and AFM analyses indicated that G-DMSO and G-DMF have few layers and 16 G-PA has multilayers. The layer numbers of G-DMSO, G-DMF, and G-PA were determined as 9, 10, 17 and 21, respectively. By DLS analysis, the particle sizes of graphene samples were estimated in a 18 few micrometers. TEM analyses showed that G-DMSO and G-DMF possess sheet-like fewer layers 19 and also, G-PA has wrinkled and unordered multilayers. 20
A review on: Formulation of nanosuspension intended for ophthalmic use

The intention of this review article is to focus on the formulation related aspects of ophthalmic suspension in form of nanosuspension which is intended for the increase in the solubility and bio availability of the drugs. In recent times there is remarkable increase in the field of Nano measurement as to increase ( ) the solubility and bioavailability of the drugs. The formulation nanosuspension drugs which have the property of Low Solubility and High Permeability i.e those drugs which are under BCS Class II are best. NS drugs can be delivered by parenteral, oral ocular and pulmonary routes. These nanosuspensions can be formulated by various methods such as wet mill, high pressure homogenizer, emulsion‐solvent evaporation, melt emulsification method and super critical fluid techniques.
Comparison of Dissimilar Web Image Re-positioning Strategies

In Today's reality searching for of images on internet are distinctly well known, but the majority of the occasions looking outcome now not correct in shape with the searching for key. Enhance the aftereffects of online photograph seek as a hit path via Image reranking, that is received by way of commercial enterprise web crawlers, as an example, Google and Bing. Given a query catchphrase, pools of pictures are first recovered in light of printed statistics. At the point when the consumer chooses a query image from the swimming pools of pictures, at that factor the re-positioning of brilliant images depend upon their visible similitudes with the client selected inquiry picture. A fundamental check is that the likenesses of pictures visible highlights do not well correspond with semantic implications of pics which translate customers look aim. As of past due individuals proposed to coordinating pics from semantic area which utilized reference lessons or ascribes firmly identified with the semantic implications of photographs. Semantic marks of snap shots are more desirable both the productiveness and precision of photo re-positioning. In this paper we study distinct strategies for web image re-positioning and endorse new re-positioning technique with evacuating of replica photos.
Regulation of Placental Autophagy by the Bcl-2 Family Proteins Myeloid Cell Leukemia Factor 1 (Mcl-1) and Matador/Bcl-2 Related Ovarian Killer (Mtd/Bok)

The process of autophagy is defined as the degradation of cellular cytoplasmic constituents via a lysosomal pathway. Herein I sought to examine the regulation of autophagy in the placental pathologies preeclampsia (PE) and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). I hypothesized that the Bcl-2 family proteins Mcl-1L and MtdL regulate placental autophagy and contribute towards dysregulated autophagy in PE. My results demonstrate that Mcl-1L acts to repress autophagy via a Beclin 1 interaction, while MtdL induces autophagy when it interacts with Mcl-1L. My data indicate that while autophagy is elevated in PE, a pathology characterized by oxidative stress, it is decreased in IUGR, a hypoxic pathology. Treatment with sodium nitroprusside to mimic PE caused a decrease in Mcl-1L and an increase in MtdL levels in response to oxidative stress, thereby inducing autophagy. Overall, my data provide insight into the molecular mechanisms contributing to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.
Integrating Above and Belowground Components of Biodiversity across Spatial Scales: The Role of Host Plants in the Distribution of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi

The Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are a group of obligate plant root endosymbionts, which form associations with an estimated two thirds of terrestrial plant species. Their extra-radical mycelium extends throughout the soil and absorbs nutrients that are transferred to their host plant in exchange for a purely phytogenic carbon supply. Due to their ubiquity and their functional importance, they are the subject of much research into their community ecology, yet much is still unknown. For instance: whether or not AM fungi display preference for certain host plant species; how environmental heterogeneity and energy availability affect communities; and the relative influence of niche and neutral processes. This thesis describes experiments which profile AM fungal communities and environmental properties of their habitat at different spatial scales in different plant species. Network analysis revealed patterns indicative of niche-based processes structuring AM fungal communities more than neutral processes, phenotypic trade-offs between AM fungi, and of priority effects influencing diversity and unevenness. Difference between plant species in the heterogeneity of surrounding soil was dependent on spatial scale. The effect of decreased carbon allocation on AM fungal communities is greater in more heterogeneous habitats. These results suggest that the detection of host plant preference in AM fungi is dependent on spatial scale of sampling, driven by interspecific variation in plant root architecture, soil physical properties and AM fungal vital rates.
Synthèse des substances acétoïniques par Euconostoc oenos . réduction du diacétyle

Apres avoir mis au point un dosage du diacetyle, par chromatographie en phase gazeuse, precis et fiable, la synthese par Leuconostoc oenos des substances acetoiniques est analysee. L'influence des conditions physico-chimiques du milieu (pH et temperature) sur cette synthese est mise en evidence chez Leuconostoc oenos ainsi que la reduction du diacetyle et de l'acetoine en butanediol-2,3.
DIGESTIBILITY AND NUTRIENT UTILIZATION OF DIFFERENTLY PROCESSED TROPICAL ALMOND (TERMINALIA CATAPPA) KERNEL MEAL AND CAKE BASED DIETS BY CLARIAS GARIEPINUS JUVENILES

This study examined the nutrient digestibility and utilization indices of differently processed tropical almond ( Terminalia catappa ) kernel for Clarias gariepinus juveniles. A total of 420 C. gariepinus stocked at 20 fish /65 litres plastic tank were allocated to seven dietary treatments in triplicates of differently processed almond kernel meal of Raw (RWAM), Boiled (BOAM), Soaked (SOAM), Roasted (ROAM), Mechanically Extracted cake (MEAC), Solvent Extracted cake (SEAC) and control (REFR) diet. Fish were fed at 3% of their body weight twice daily, the excess feed siphoned out after 45 minutes while faecal collection was done 8 hours after every feeding. Apparent digestibility co-efficient of crude protein (ADCP), Gross energy (ADCGE) and dry matter (ADCDM) were calculated from the results of proximate analysis of treatment diets and faeces. Nutrient utilization indices were calculated from records of feeds administered and weights of fish. ROAM had the highest ADCP and ADCGE with 89.03% and 88.51%, respectively, while the lowest were recorded in SEAC (87.06%) and REFR (86.80%) respectively. There were significant differences (p 0.05) in the PI and NPU values while there were significant differences (p<0.05) between ROAM and the other treatments for PER and NM. Clarias gariepinus can effectively digest and utilize raw and differently processed Almond kernel meal and cake with the roasted meal and mechanically extracted cake having better nutrient digestibility and utilization indices.
Biodiversity and Savanna Ecosystems Processes: A Global Perspective

Biodiversity and Savanna Structure and Function. - 1 The Diversity of the Savanna Ecosystem. - 2 Determinants of Tropical Savannas. - 3 Biodiversity and Nutrient Relations in Savanna Ecosystems: Interactions Between Primary Producers, Soil Microorganisms, and Soils. - 4 Biodiversity and Water Relations in Tropical Savannas. - 5 Ecophysiological Aspects of the Invasion by African Grasses and Their Impact on Biodiversity and Function of Neotropical Savannas. - 6 Relationships Between Biotic Diversity and Primary Productivity in Savannas Grasslands. - 7 Biodiversity and Fire in the Savanna Landscape. - 8 Diversity of Herbivorous Insects and Ecosystem Processes. - 9 Biodiversity and Stability in Tropical Savannas. - Summary and Areas for Future Research. - 10 Biodiversity As Regulator of Energy Flow, Water Use, and Nutrient Cycling in Savannas. - 11 Biodiversity, Fire, and Herbivory in Tropical Savannas. - 12 Savanna Biodiversity and Ecosystem Properties. - 13 Summary and Conclusions.