Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Water balance of the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis, throughout its development with comparative observations between field-collected and laboratory-reared ticks

Water balance characteristic data are compiled and determined for each non-fed instar of the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis, vector of tularaemia and spotted fever rickettsia, comparing wild-caught and laboratory-colonized populations, to establish how habitat influences D. variabilis dehydration resistance. In contrast to ticks from the field, laboratory-colonized ticks show a progression in percentage body water content from a low of 59% in the egg to a high of 68% in the adult (all instars from the field population have similar values, averaging 63%) and are less tolerant of water stress (2–6% reduction in dehydration tolerance (DT)). We presume that these are colony artefacts as a product of relaxing selective pressure by rearing under optimal conditions of temperature, relative humidity (RH) and host quality. For field-collected and laboratory-colonized populations, larvae survive down to 75–85% RH [critical equilibrium humidity (CEH)], but nymphs and adults require moist air of 85–93% RH, and eggs do not absorb water vapour. Larvae, but not eggs, experience rapid water loss at 30–35°C [critical transition temperature (CTT)], which is 5°C lower than that of post-larval instars. Larvae succumb to dehydration more readily (lower DT limit, eggs have the highest) and are more prone to water loss by having a high net transpiration rate (NTR) as a result of their minute body size and high activation energies for water loss. Comparison of DT with water loss during development for seven tick species reveals that NTR is a species-specific characteristic and species that lose water quickly or slowly as larvae do so for subsequent developmental instars. The CEH, CTT and DT reveal little with regard to habitat suitability and matching a tick to a particular habitat. Ticks operate at the microhabitat, not habitat, level, indicating that ticks can find suitable refuges in many different geographic areas, which accounts for the overlapping distribution of ticks with different NTRs.
Kinetics of 15NH4 + assimilation in tomato plants: evidence for 15NH4 + assimilation via GDH in tomato roots 1

Abstract The kinetics of 15NH4 + assimilation into free amino acids and total reduced nitrogen were monitored in both roots and shoots of two week old tomato seedlings supplied with 5 mM 99% (15NH4)2SO4 via the aerated root medium in hydroponic culture, in the presence and absence of a 2 h pre‐incubation with 1 mM methionine sulfoximine (MSX). The labeling kinetics of amino acids in roots of tomato plants in the presence of MSX show that continued assimilation of 15NH4 + can occur when the GS/GOGAT cycle is inhibited. In the presence of MSX, three amino acids [glutamate, alanine, and y‐amino butyrate (GABA)] of the root tissue continue to become labeled with 15N under conditions where labeling of the amino‐N moiety of glutamine is completely inhibited. This indicates primary ammonia assimilation via GDH, or alternatively, assimilation of ammonia into alanine via alanine dehydrogenase. Free ammonia accumulates rapidly in both shoots and roots of tomato in response to MSX. The labeled ammonia accumulated in.
Regulation of Protein Kinase CKII by Direct Interaction with the C-Terminal Region of p47phox

Protein kinase CKII is a Ser/Thr kinase which is involved in many proliferation-related processes in the cell. p47phox is a component of the leukocyte NADPH oxidase, which is an important element of host defense against microbial infection. In this study, we demonstrate that a truncated form of the p47phox lacking its N-terminal region (p47phox/SH3-C), but not a truncated form of the p47phox lacking its C-terminal region (p47phox/N-SH3), undergoes better phosphorylation by CKII in the presence of arachidonic acid. The yeast two-hybrid test and the glutathione S-transferase (GST) pull-down assay showed that p47phox interacts specifically with the regulatory β subunit (CKIIβ), but not with the catalytic α subunit (CKIIα) of the tetrameric CKII holoenzyme. The binding of p47phox to CKIIβ requires the C-terminal region of p47phox and is completely abolished by addition of spermine, indicating that a highly basic region in the C-terminal region of p47phox contributes to binding to CKIIβ. In addition, p47phox stimulates the catalytic activity of CKII holoenzyme; this stimulation also requires the C-terminal region of p47phox. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments showed that CKII holoenzyme interacts with p47phox in human neutrophils. Taken together, the present data indicate that the C-terminal region of p47phox plays a significant role in the arachidonic acid-dependent phosphorylation of p47phox by CKII and that the same region of p47phox associates directly with CKIIβ and can modulate the catalytic activity of CKII holoenzyme.
Rattlesnake colouration affects detection by predators

Crypsis, or the ability of an animal to avoid detection by other animals, is strongly impacted by an animal ’ s colouration and pattern. Crypsis may be especially important for ambush foragers, which spend much of their time above ground and therefore bene ﬁ t from being inconspicuous to predators and prey. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of rattlesnake skin colouration on the likelihood of it being detected and attacked by a predator, on the latency (time) to attack, and on the attack frequency on each physical body section of the models. Clay models representing four commonly observed rattlesnake colour morphs (light, dark and two intermediate colour patterns) were deployed in two different habitat types (wooded area and open ﬁ eld), and the marks made on the models by predators were quanti ﬁ ed over time. We found that light snake models, which have little contrast with substrate, were less likely to be attacked and were attacked later than darker model types, which have higher contrast with substrate. Predators attacked the various body segments of the models at similar frequencies. Our data suggest dark-coloured rattlesnakes, which have the most contrast with the
Roles of Shc Signaling in Oxidative Stress Response and Aging

The oxidative stress theory of aging has become increasingly accepted as explaining at least in part the aging process. In mammalian genetic models of aging, a genetic deficiency of the p66-shc gene, which encodes a phosphotyrosine signal adapter protein, extends life span by 30% in mice, and confers resistance to oxidative stress. Upon oxidative stress, p66-Shc is phosphorylated at Ser36, contributing to inactivation of the forkhead- type transcription factor (FKHR), which regulates the gene expression of cellular antioxidants. The p66-Shc signaling has a direct connection with the evolutionary conserved longevity-related signaling, involving FKHR located far downstream of the insulinlike growth factor receptor and phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase. While Shc is a mostly constitutive protein, it is not expressed in mature neurons of the adult brain. Instead, two neurally expressed homologues, Sck/ShcB and N-Shc/ShcC, take over the roles of Shc. N-Shc has long and short isoforms, p68 and p52, and seems to be phosphorylated at several serine residues under oxidative stress conditions, suggesting that it too has a role in oxidative stress and brain aging. The expression of Shc-related genes is affected in aging, though only slightly, which may be relevant to cellular dysfunction and/or death during aging.
Antiplaque Action of Chlorhexidine Gel and Coconut Oil in Children after Gum Massaging Therapy

DOI: 10.21276/sjds.2018. 5.4. 13 Abstract: Chemical plaque control measures like chlorhexidine reduces the caries risk for the patient by its antiplaque action but has several drawbacks. Scientific data has shown that oil pulling therapy can reduce plaque index. The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of coconut oil and chlorhexidine gel as antiplaque agents when used for gum massaging in children. 80 children between the age group of 6-15 years were divided into 4 groups of 20 each. Agents used in the study were placebo gel, 1% chlorhexidine gel and commercially available edible coconut oil. Children in group 1, 2 and 3 were asked to massage their gums with the designated agent in the morning for a period of two minutes for three months except chlorhexidine gel (group 2) which was used only for 15 days. The fourth group of coconut oil had time duration of 4 minutes. The plaque score were assessed at baseline, 15 th , 30 th , 60 th and 90 th day. Chlorhexidine had a property of substantively as its antiplaque effect was seen after three months also. Coconut oil at the end of the study had a significant decrease in plaque scores. Between the coconut oil group and chlorhexidine group, oil groups showed lesser plaque scores than CHX group. Placebo group was least effective. Coconut oil can act as a substitute for 1% CHX gel when used for a prolonged period of time. Thus, it can be an effective plaque control tool.
Chilling Injury in the Housefly: Evidence for the Role of Oxidative Stress between Pupariation and Emergence

The hypothesis that oxidative stress plays a role in chilling injury in the housefly was investigated by determining the effect of chilling on two important components of the insect's antioxidant defense system: (i) the superoxide anion scavenging enzyme, superoxide dismutase, and (ii) the tripeptide, glutathione, which is significant in maintaining the cellular redox status of the cell. The observations that led to this hypothesis are: (i) the housefly exhibited an U-shaped curve in O2consumption rate during development at 28°C from pupariation to the pharate adult stage when sampled at 24-h intervals and (ii) O2consumption rates of these different age groups prior to chilling was negatively correlated to the time after acute transfer to 7°C required to observe a 50% reduction in adult emergence (LT50s) after their return to 28°C. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity changed during this period of development at 28°C in an inverted U-shaped manner and was positively correlated to their LT50s when acutely transferred and stored at 7°C. The SOD activity increased in the 12–24 h and 36–48 h postpupariation age groups at 7 and 10°C compared to the activity prior to chilling (Day 0). The 60–72 h postpupariation group and older showed initial reductions in SOD activity during cold storage when compared to Day 0. Total glutathione (GSH and GSSG) in the different age groups was typically decreased by cold storage. The percentage loss of glutathione in the different age groups after 7 days at 7°C was negatively correlated to their LT50s at 7°C. The significance of these changes in SOD activity and glutathione levels to chilling injury in the housefly is discussed.
Schooling preferences for familiar fish in the guppy, Poecilia reticulata

Although schooling behaviour is an important antipredator response of guppies (Poecilia reticulata) in Trinidad it is not known whether fish elect to school with particular individuals. Familiarity is a simple mechanism that could lead to non-random associations within schools. In this paper we test the idea that prior experience of particular individuals influences the choice of partners during schooling. We show (in a laboratory study) that female guppies prefer to associate with familiar individuals. However, we are unable to detect any schooling preference for unfamiliar females from the same population.
GENETIC ENGINEERING OF EUKARYGTIC ALGAE: PROGRESS AND PROSPECTS

Although eukaryotic algae are of value both as organisms for fundamental biological research and as a resource for the biotechnology industry, their importance in these areas would be enhanced significantly by the availability of genetic engineering methodology. Algae are used as model systems to study many different aspects of cell biology, biochemistry, and physiology (Fogg 1989). Major advances can be made in these studies through the use of recombinant DNA techniques to manipulate individual genes within the organism or to introduce novel genes into the genome. Within the biotechnology industry, there is increasing interest in the exploitation of algal species as sources of valuable biochemicals and pharmaceuticals and in processes such as fuel and polysaccharide production, bioremediation, and aquaculture (Cannell 1990, Renn 1997). These industrial applications would benefit tremendously from genetic engineering technology that allowed the manipulation of biochemical pathways leading to higher product yields and improved strains. The development of DNA transformation proceures for the many important algae species is still in its infancy. However, significant progress has been made in the nine years or so since Craig et al. (1988) reviewed the subject. In particular, the development of nuclear and organellar transformation systems for the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has led to a wealth of studies on gene function and expression in this organism. Success with Chlamydomonas has also acted as a catalyst in the development of transformation systems for other algae, most notably the related green alga Volvox carteri and several diatom species. In this article, we discuss the requirements for successful transformation of a given algal species, review the progress made in the manipulation of green algae, diatoms, and red algae, and consider future prospects for the engineering of biologically and commercially important algae. Special emphasis is given to Chlamydomonas, since research with this organism has now progressed from the development of transformation methodology to its application as a research tool. We have not included in this review the large body of work on the genetic manipulation of macroalgae and microalgae through conventional mutagenesis or the creation of new hybrid strains by protoplast fusion. Additionally, the
Deep water formation in the North Atlantic Ocean in high resolution global coupled climate models

Abstract. Simulations from seven global coupled climate models performed at high and standard resolution as part of the High Resolution Model Intercomparison Project (HighResMIP) have been analyzed to study the impact of horizontal resolution in both ocean and atmosphere on deep ocean convection in the North Atlantic and to evaluate the robustness of the signal across models. The representation of convection varies strongly among models. Compared to observations from ARGO-floats, most models substantially overestimate deep water formation in the Labrador Sea. In the Greenland Sea, some models overestimate convection while others show too weak convection. In most models, higher ocean resolution leads to increased deep convection in the Labrador Sea and reduced convection in the Greenland Sea. Increasing the atmospheric resolution has only little effect on the deep convection, except in two models, which share the same atmospheric component and show reduced convection. Simulated convection in the Labrador Sea is largely governed by the release of heat from the ocean to the atmosphere. Higher resolution models show stronger surface heat fluxes than the standard resolution models in the convection areas, which promotes the stronger convection in the Labrador Sea. In the Greenland Sea, the connection between high resolution and ocean heat release to the atmosphere is less robust and there is more variation across models in the relation between surface heat fluxes and convection. Simulated freshwater fluxes have less impact than surface heat fluxes on convection in both the Greenland and Labrador Sea and this result is insensitive to model resolution. is not robust across models. The mean strength of the Labrador Sea convection is important for the mean Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) and in around half of the models the variability of Labrador Sea convection is a significant contributor to the variability of the AMOC.
The different hormonal system during exercise stress coping in horses

The review discusses the hormonal changes during exercise stress. The exercise generally produces a rise of adrenaline (A), noradrenaline (NA), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, glucagon, growth hormone, arginine vasopressine, etc., and a drop of insulin. The hormonal events during reestablishment of homeostasis due to exercise stress can be divided into a catabolic phase, with decreased tolerance of effort, and reversible biochemical, hormonal and immunological changes, and an anabolic phase, with a higher adaptive capacity, and enhanced performance. The two main hormonal axes activated in the catabolic phase are sympathetic–adrenal–medullary system and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, while in the anabolic phase, growth hormone-insulin-like factor I axis, and gonadal axes. The hormonal responses during exercise and recovery can be regarded as regulatory and integrated endocrine responses. The increase of catecholamines and ACTH is dependent on the intensity of exercise; a marked increase in plasma A occurs during exercises with high emotional content. The response of cortisol is correlated with the duration of exercise, while the effect of exercise duration on b-endorphin changes is highly dependent on the type of exercise performed. Cortisol and b-endorphin changes usually occur in phase, but not during exercises with high emotional content. Glucocorticoids and iodothyronines are involved in meeting immediate energy demands, and a model of functional interactions between HPA axis and hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis during exercise stress is proposed. A modulation of coping responses to different energy demanding physical activities required for sport activities could be hypothesized. This review supports the proposed regulation of hypophysiotropic TRHergic neurons as metabolic integrators during exercise stress. Many hormonal systems (ghrelin, leptin, glucose, insulin, and cortisol) are activated to control substrate mobilizations and utilization. The cardiovascular homeostasis, the fluid and electrolyte balance during exercise are highly dependent on vasoactive hormones (antidiuretic hormone, atrial natriuretic peptide, renin–angiotensin–aldosterone, and prostaglandins) control.
Experiments on the control capacity of stomata of Picea abies (L.) Karst. after fumigation with ozone and in environmentally damaged material

Abstract. With the aid of specifically designed potometer experiments, it is shown that, after ozone fumigation, twigs transpiring in gas exchange chambers show poor water balance in decreasing humidity. The quotient of water uptake to water loss never falls below 0.9 in healthy material because of the control capacity of the stomata. In twigs from a tree fumigated with ozone irregular and delayed stomatal closure results in values of < 0.5 or even lower, depending on the degree of damage. As a result, in dry air, the transpiration rates of fumigated twigs often fall far below those of the control material, even if they were higher than the latter in humid air. In analogous experiments, the difference in behaviour between twigs of densely (‘healthy’) and sparsely needled (‘damaged’) trees from the natural stand is comparable to the difference between controls and ozone-fumigated trees in most respects. In soil that is more or less dried out and after the best possible saturation of the twigs during the night, the transpiration rates of fumigated trees increase fairly strongly in the humid chamber air at dawn, but finally decrease more or less suddenly to lower values than in the controls. The results are placed in the context of the basic research on plant water relations and compared with histological changes in the stomatal apparatus after a period of fumigation as described earlier. Therefore, long-term effects of pollution can be explained as a specific distrubance of hydroregulation.
A review of GOLPH2, an oncogenic protein and novel therapeutic options for GOLPH2 driven tumours

GOLPH2 (Golgi Phosphoprotein 2) is a protein with pro-oncogenic properties that has currently been identified as a prime target for tumour therapy. Its involvement in key oncogenic pathways like EGFR, mTOR/AKT, PI3K makes it a good candidate for therapeutic intervention. Several research groups have consistently reported that GOLPH2, when expressed at high levels leads to epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), increased cell proliferation, migration and metastasis. Not amazingly, it appears that many tumours exploit GOLPH2 for their advantage. Stopping GOLPH2´s detrimental effects would mean impairing tumour progression on various levels of its development. Therefore, inhibition of GOLPH2, a protein contributing to important hallmarks of cancer deserves the attention of researchers and drug developing stakeholders. However, its mainly intracellular localisation and the lack of domains that could possibly be interfered with by small molecules, have led to the conclusion that GOLPH2 is an un-targetable molecule. Here, we summarize the current knowledge of this multifunctional protein and describe possibilities to pharmacologically intervene to ameliorate its overshooting function in malignant diseases. Novel approaches like viral interventions or specific antibodies could soon result in a substantial therapeutic improvement for cancers with underlying GOLPH2 pathologies.
Adherence to the Mediterranean diet of school-age children in Moroccan oases, Draa-Tafilalet Region.

Background Dietary patterns, eating behaviour and lifestyle are changing in Morocco. It would be interesting to identify and evaluate this transition in its Mediterranean context. Aims To assess adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and analyse associated factors in school-age children living in oasis environments. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 3684 school-age children between May 2015 and November 2017 in Tafilalet Oasis. The mean age was 9.81 (2.13), 51.3% were girls, and 62.7% were from urban areas. Participants were recruited from public primary schools. Adherence to the MedDiet was evaluated by Mediterranean Diet Quality (KIDMED) index. Socioeconomic characteristics and anthropometric measurements were obtained. Results Only 2.12% had a poor KIDMED index, 57.9% had an average index and 39.98% had a high index. Maternal ethnicity was associated with degree of adherence to the MedDiet. Poor adherence was seen in 2.17% of urban participants compared with 2.04% of rural participants. Participants with high income were more likely to have good adherence to the MedDiet. Low levels of parental education were more likely to result in higher levels of poor adherence. There was no significant correlation between body weight and KIDMED index. Conclusions Most of the study population had medium to good adherence to MedDiet, but low KIDMED index was observed. Interventions and strategies should be devised for preserving and promoting healthy eating habits in this target population.
Improving Content-based Image Retrieval by Combining Growing Hierarchical Self Organizing Map Classiﬁers for Color, Shape and Texture Features

This paper presents the development of a content-based image retrieval system that combines a set of GHSOM (Growing Hierarchical Self Organizing Map)[4] classiﬁers taking as input color, shape and texture features. Experiments demonstrated combination scenarios that produced better accuracy in image classiﬁcation.