Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Action cellulaire de l'acide rétinoi͏̈que et de la triiodothyronine dans le cerveau de souris ou de rats carencés en vitamine A

Des donnees recentes permettent de faire l'hypothese qu'une baisse de l'activite de la voie d'action des retinoides pourrait generer des alterations de la plasticite synaptique qui participeraient au declin des capacites mnesiques. L'objectif de notre recherche etait d'etudier l'action cellulaire de la vitamine A et des hormones thyroidiennes dans le cerveau lors d'une carence vitaminique A. Ces "hormones" regulent la transcription genique via leurs recepteurs nucleaires (les RAR, RXR et les TR, respectivement), qui appartiennent a une meme famille de proteines transregulatrices. Dans ce travail, nous avons etudie, dans le cerveau entier mais egalement dans l'hippocampe, le striatum et le cortex, les consequences de la carence (i) sur les deux voies de signalisation cellulaire en mesurant l'expression des recepteurs nucleaires, et (ii) sur certains processus neurobiologiques en mesurant l'expression de genes cibles impliques dans la plasticite synaptique (la transglutaminase tissulaire, la neurogranine et la neuromoduline). Les principaux resultats obtenus montrent que : - La carence en vitamine A entraine une diminution de l'expression des recepteurs nucleaires et des genes cibles dans le cerveau entier et dans le striatum. - L'administration d'acide retinoique (AR, metabolite actif de la vitamine A) permet de reactiver uniquement sa propre voie d'action. L'administration de triiodothyronine (T3, forme active des hormones thyroidiennes) est capable de restaurer l'expression de l'ensemble des genes etudies. Ces resultats mettent en evidence l'importance de la voie d'action de la T3 dans les processus adaptatifs qui accompagnent la carence en vitamine A. Plus generalement, ils apportent de nouveaux arguments concernant les interrelations des voies d'action de la vitamine A et des hormones thyroidiennes.
Cloning and characterization of a cDNA involved in porcine exocrine chloride conductance

A heterogeneous population of apical membrane chloride channels is responsible for transepithelial secretion of chloride ions in the small intestine, thereby providing a driving force for fluid secretion into the intestinal lumen. Previous experimental characterization of one of these pathways led to the selection of a monoclonal antibody capable of significantly inhibiting conductive chloride uptake into ileal apical membrane vesicles. This antibody was used to isolate a 0.94 kb cDNA clone, PG33, from a porcine intestinal expression library. A labeled probe constructed From this sequence identified a 2.7 kb band in a Northern blot of porcine parotid gland mRNA. Further clones were isolated through conventional oligonucleotide screening of the porcine library, as well as PCR-based screening of the porcine library and a human intestinal cDNA library. The total sequence cloned to date includes 2.3 kb, encoding a 679-amino acid translation product. The primary sequence bears significant homology to only two known genes: Ca-CC, a calcium-regulated chloride channel expressed in bovine tracheal epithelium, and Lu-ECAM-I, a lung endothelial cell adhesion molecule. Expression of PG33 rnRNA was detected by reverse transcriptase PCR in several porcine secretory epithelial tissues, including ileum, trachea, and the major salivary glands (parotid, submandibular, and sublingual). In situ hybridization studies confirmed the ileal and tracheal expression. In porcine ileal mucosa, PG33 mRNA was detected in both the crypt and villus epithelial regions, while in the trachea, expression was observed both in the surface epithelium and the submucosal glands. Reverse transcriptase PCR studies demonstrated that the tissue expression of PG33 mRNA is distinct from that of the bovine chloride channel Ca-CC. Expression of Ca-CC appears restricted to bovine tracheal epithelium, and could not be detected in bovine ileum or parotid gland, nor in porcine trachea, ileum, or parotid gland. PG33 gene expression could not be detected in bovine tissues, though both PG33 and Ca-CC mRNA were detected in the human intestinal cell line T84 and the human airway cell line HBE-I. Expression of the PG33 and Ca-CC genes in these two lines may depend upon the differentiation status of the cell.
Constitutional basis of longevity in the cetacea: do the whales and the terrestrial mammals obey the same laws

The maximum lifespans in captivity for terrestrial mammalian species can be estimated by means of a multiple linear regression of logarithm of lifespan (L) on the logarithm of adult brain weight (E) and body weight (S). This paper describes the application of regression formulas based on data from terrestrial mammals to the estimation of odontocete and mysticete lifespans. The regression formulas predict cetacean lifespans that are in accord with the data on maximum cetacean lifespans obtained in recent years by objective age determination procedures. More remarkable is the correct prediction by the regression formulas that the odontocete species have nearly constant lifespans, almost independent of body weight over a 300:1 body weight range. This prediction is a consequence of the fact, remarkable in itself, that over this body weight range the Odontoceti have a brain:body allometric slope of 1/3, as compared to a slope of 2/3 for the Mammalia as a whole.
Effect of potential probiotic Enterococcus faecium strains on selected microflora in turkeys

A group of twenty-six turkeys at the age of seven weeks was divided into four groups (7 birds in three groups 5 in control). The first group of turkeys was used as the control group. The other three groups were inoculated for 7 days with the following bacteria: Enterococcus faecium EE3 strain (2.1 × 10 9 cfu/ml), E. faecium EK13 strain (1.76 × 10 10 cfu/ml) and E. faecium EF55 strain (5 × 10 8 cfu/ml). Sampling of faeces from each turkey was done at the beginning of experiment (at day 0) and in 7 days from the strain application. The total counts of EE3 strain in faeces of turkeys in EE3 group at day 7 were 4.07 ± 1.04 log cfu/g. At the same day bacteriocin- producing strain EK13 reached the value 5.26 ± 0.2 log cfu/g and the counts of EF55 strain amounted to 4.13 ± 0.64 log cfu/g. When total counts of E. coli colonies were checked at day 7 after the application of EE3 and EF55 strains to turkeys, significant differences in cell counts were found out (in EE3 group a difference of 2.43 log, P < 0.01; in EF55 group a difference of 1.93 log, P < 0.001) compared to the control and EE3 and EF55 groups. The highest reduction of Pseudomonas spp. was determined at day 7 after EE3 strain application (difference of 1.85; P < 0.01) and after EF55 strain application (difference of 0.78 log, P < 0.05) in comparison with the control group. EK13 strain did not influence the counts of E. coli and Pseudomonas spp. in faeces of turkeys. The average daily gain increased in all probiotic groups compared to the control group (EE3 group - 12.2%, EK13 group - 12.9%, EF55 group - 11.8%). At the beginning of experiment the values of total proteins were below the physiological limit in all groups. Although the intake of probiotic strains was associated with an increase in total proteins, the values were not adjusted to the physiological level. The values of total lipids were above the physiological level at the beginning of experiment. Administration of only EE3 strain significantly decreased the level of total lipids (difference of 1.22; log P < 0.01). The values of haematocrit, haemoglobin and activity of the blood enzyme glu - tathione peroxidase were not influenced.
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition — A Possible Pathogenic Pathway of Fibrotic Gingival Overgrowth

Gingival overgrowth (GO) or gingival enlargement refers to important changes of gums aspect and function. Even it seems an issue of little significance, health of gums is a prerequisite condition for a psychological and physical comfort because severe GO affects speech, masti‐ cation, and nutrition, causes aesthetic concerns and increases susceptibility for periodontal and systemic diseases. The treatment of severe cases needs gingivectomy that may be repeated if is necessary.
The Effects of Zinc-biocomplex and Zinc-methionate supplementation on the ration for lambs

The effects of zinc-biocomplex and zinc-methionate on the growth of young sheep were studied in this trial. Eighteen young male local sheeps were grouped into 3 groups based on body weight. The treatments are: R 1 (Control), R 2 (R 1 + Zn-biocomplex supplementation), R 3 (R 1 + Zn-methionate supplementations), with the concentration of Zn was 50 mg kg -1 in daily concentrate. Zink biocomplex and methionate were prepared in IRIAP laboratory. Feeds given were Elephant grass ad libitum and 200 g h -1 concentrate (CP = 15.40%). The initial body weights were 12.36 to 12.97 kg. Body weights were measured every forthnight and feed consumption was recorded daily. Completely randomized design was applied in this trial. Statistical analysis was carried out by using General Linear Model (GLM). After 3 months feeding trial the average daily gains were 52.65, 71.28 and 71.30 g h -1 (P 0.05) growth. Key Words : Zn- Biocomplex, Zn-Methionate, Supplementation, Growth, Sheep
Os efeitos do conhecimento da duração da tarefa nos padrões de "pacing" durante jogos reduzidos em futebolistas profissionais

Métodos: 20 jogadores profissionais de futebol participaram neste estudo durante o período competitivo. No primeiro cenário de jogo, os jogadores não foram informados do tempo requerido (atividade com uma duração de 20 minutos: Condição Desconhecida). No segundo cenário de jogo, os jogadores foram informados que iriam realizar um jogo reduzido durante 10 minutos, mas imediatamente após completarem este tempo, foi-lhes ainda pedido que completassem mais 10 minutos (Condição Parcial). No terceiro cenário de jogo, foi instruído que todos os jogadores deveriam realizar um jogo reduzido durante 20 minutos, tendo os mesmos completado esse tempo de duração (Condição Conhecida).
Trouble with the Gray Literature

In much of the tropics, the gray literature—published by nongovernmental organizations, governments, intergovernmental organizations, consultancies, private companies, and individuals—has a greater volume than the peer‐reviewed scientific literature in ecology and conservation. I discuss why this is a problem in terms of quality, discovery, access, and archiving. Unpublished dissertations and theses are another vast untapped source of information in tropical biology. Internet search engines can potentially integrate access to all information sources, but only if the producers of gray literature and theses greatly improve electronic access. Digital repositories can provide both this accessibility and permanent archiving.
An assessment of cereal grains and other starch sources in diets for barramundi (Lates calcarifer) – implications for nutritional and functional qualities of extruded feeds

This study examined the digestibilities of whole diets and ingredients of a range of starch/cereal grains when fed to barramundi (Lates calcarifer). The ingredients included wheat, oats, sorghum, triticale, barley, among others. Twelve diets were prepared using a twin-screw extruder to mimic modern aquafeed-manufacturing processes. The diets were then fed to juvenile barramundi and the faeces collected using stripping methods. Significant variability in the digestible energy and starch value was seen among the test ingredients and diets. Diet starch digestibility ranged from 49.1% to 93.9%. Ingredient starch digestibility ranged from 18.0% to 96.5%. Among the different starch ingredients, a strong negative correlation between the ingredient amylopectin content and starch digestibility of that ingredient was observed. This relationship was also mirrored by a similar relationship, although not as strong, between total starch and starch digestibility. This study demonstrates that barramundi have limited ability to digest starch and that there is an effect of inclusion level on the ability of the animal to digest this nutrient. But it also demonstrates that there is a wide range of cereal sources that can be effectively used as starch sources in extruded diets for this species.
A study on incorporating gamification into ESL classroom via Kahoot

Digital natives can no longer be motivated through traditional language games. Therefore, challenges lying ahead of ESL teachers are to minimize absenteeism through enhancing intrinsic motivation of learners in Higher Education Institutes in Sri Lanka and to increase students’ attention. The findings of previous experiments showed that students who were subjected to learning through video games reported significant improvement in subject understanding, diligence, and motivation (Barata et al., 2013). Rather than assuming that the rapid proliferation of sophisticated technologies such as smartphones, tablets, and laptop computers is the cause of student attention deficit (Griffin, 2014), ESL teachers should accept this challenge positively to find new avenues to fulfill the expectations of 21 st century learners. This study aims at analyzing students’ perceptions on Kahoot! , which is a game based Classroom Response System and observing the impact of Kahoot as a formative assessment system as against non -gamified paper quiz formative assessment system. Two Kahoot quizzes and two paper quizzes were designed to summarize a grammar and a vocabulary lesson. Two groups of 15 students in each were chosen as the sample. After the completion of each lesson, a Kahoot quiz on grammar and a paper quiz on vocabulary were administered to the group one and the group two was exposed to the Kahoot quiz on vocabulary and the paper quiz on grammar. After three weeks the same two Kahoots quizzes were administered in order to check memory retention of the learners in both groups. A questionnaire designed to analyze the perceptions of the learners was also distributed among the two groups after exposing the learners to a series of six Kahoots to summarize English lessons completed over a period of six weeks. The results highlight attendance, intrinsic motivation and concentration can be amplified through gamification via Kahoot! in ESL classrooms.
Targeted Knockout of Beclin-1 Reveals an Essential Function in Ovary and Testis

OF DISSERTATION TARGETED KNOCKOUT OF BECLIN-1 REVEALS AN ESSENTIAL FUNCTION IN OVARY AND TESTIS An estimated 12% of couples worldwide are infertile. The contributing factor is approximately equal between men and women with nearly 25% diagnosed as idiopathic. Despite the increasing numbers of couples seeking assistance from infertility clinics, few molecular mechanisms have been identified for treatment. Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved cellular process for bulk degradation and recycling of cytosolic components through the lysosome to maintain homeostasis. Several studies have observed increased levels of autophagy during ovarian folliculogenesis and gonadal steroidogenesis; however, no genetic studies to determine the significance of autophagy exist. To investigate the function of autophagy in the ovary and testis, a directed genetic knockout approach was used to independently knockout two key autophagy genes, Becn1 and Atg7. Chapter 2 reports that deficiency of Becn1 results in 56% fewer primordial follicles at postnatal day 1. In addition, Atg7 knockout mice do not have identifiable primordial follicles, suggesting that autophagy is necessary for survival of female germ cells during embryogenesis. Chapter 3 presents that Becn1 is necessary to sustain pregnancy and the deficiency of Becn1 in granulosa cells is a novel genetic model to study preterm labor due to impaired corpora lutea function. The results indicate that Becn1 is necessary for lipid droplet formation and subsequent progesterone production in luteal cells. In contrast, Atg7 is not necessary and deficiency results in overproduction of progesterone throughout pregnancy, suggesting that the defect in Becn1 conditional knockout mice is additional to autophagy. Chapter 4 presents that Sertoli cell expression of Becn1 is required for spermatogenesis after 8 weeks of age. Beyond 9-weeks-old, Becn1 conditional knockout mice are unable to sire a litter due to a failure of spermatogenesis and a Sertoli-cell-only phenotype in a majority of the seminiferous tubules. Atg7 was also identified as a necessary factor for spermatogenesis beyond 26-weeks-old. Together the data presented in Chapter 4 suggests that autophagy is necessary for adult Sertoli cell function. Primarily, this dissertation presents data from the first functional studies on autophagy in the reproductive tract. The results demonstrate an understanding of the functional significance for Becn1 and Atg7 in both the ovary and testis.
Reverse peristalsis in the chicken digestive tract.

Recently a uniquely avian myoelectric pattern has been demonstrated in the muscularis of the chicken intestine (Clench and Mathias 1992). Termed the rhythmic oscillating complex (ROC), this myoelectric complex occurs during fasting and involves a very rapidly propagated (25cm/s) series of spike bursts that periodically change direction in a highly organised way. About 37% of these spike bursts are orad with the remainder being aborad. A ROC lasts about 7.5 minutes. Immediately after a ROC, normal fed pattern migrating myoelectric complexes recommence. Godwin (1995) suggested that the purpose of these ROCs may be to move caecal digesta back to the duodenum when an animal is hungry, providing an internal alternative to coprophagy. The present study was designed to investigate if these electrical recordings actually translate into aborad digesta movement. Twenty broiler chickens were fed a commercial broiler diet ad Zibitum. After 6 weeks 10 of the birds were fasted for 4 h. One ml of lOOmg/l CrEDTA solution was introduced into the cloaca of these birds via a syringe. They remained fasted and were killed by decapitation after 1 to 2 h. The other 10 birds were ad libitum fed throughout and received a similar cloaca1 injection of CrEDTA. Atier death the digestive tracts of all birds were removed and quickly ligated at the rectum, iliocaecal junction, proximal duodenum and proximal to the proventriculus. Each segment was flushed with water to remove digesta for Cr analysis. The distribution of the injected marker is shown in Figure 1. Fasting resulted in over 65% of the injected CrEDTA still being present in the bird after 2 h. The data also show that CrEDTA rapidly moves in an orad direction in the fasted bird, with considerable marker being recovered in the stomachs and crop (data not presented). The fed birds showed some slight retention of marker in the lower gut with no CrEDTA being recovered from the stomachs. The phenomena of reverse peristalsis in chickens is highly effective in the fasted bird, but appears to play little role in the fed animal. References
Host‐plant finding and recognition by visual and olfactory floral cues in an oligolectic bee

Summary 1. Bees use floral cues, such as odour, colour, size and shape, to discriminate and recognize flowers. The interplay between visual and olfactory cues in social as well as in solitary bee species is poorly understood. 2. In this study we tested the host finding and recognition behaviour in a specialized (oligolectic) bee species, Hoplitis adunca (Megachilidae), which collects pollen exclusively on flowers of Echium (Boraginaceae) species. We determined the importance of visual (especially floral colour) and olfactory cues of Echium vulgare flowers in host-plant finding and recognition, as well as in the discrimination of non-host plants (Anchusa officinalis), by foraging-naive and -experienced H. adunca females. 3. Our investigations showed that the interplay between visual and olfactory cues of E. vulgare flowers is essential for host-plant finding and recognition by H. adunca females. The finding suggests that the blue colour of the flowers attracts the bees, while the olfactory cues, which are Echium-specific, are used by the bees to recognize their host plant and discriminate it from non-host plants. 4. Our results show that different modalities of floral cues need to be studied in a combined approach in order to understand the communication in bee–flower interactions and the cues used by bees to find and recognize their host-plants.
Circadian changes in peripheral temperature and physiological responses under solar exposure and shed during summer in Karan Fries heifers

Karan Fries heifers (8), 1.5-2.0 year-old, were divided into 2 groups (4 each). Group 1 was exposed to direct solar radiation during summer (Dbmin 18°C, Dbmax 40.2°C), whereas, group 2 was maintained under existed shed at NOR! , Kamal. The feeding consisted of green fodder and water was ud lib. The surface body temperature at different body sites, viz. fore head, ear, dewlap, flank, fore and hind leg (lower, middle and upper) was recorded by using non-contact temperature measurement instrument at 3 h intervals. The physiological parameters (RR, HR and RT) were also recorded at similar intervals. The difference between maximum and minimum peripheral skin temperature in groups I and :2 at forehead (14.54° and 7.01°C), ear (19.50° and 19.12°C), dewlap (16.34° and 7.59°C), flank (14.50° and 14.04°('), respectively, were higher than at different locations offore-and hind-legs. The surface temperature was higher in exposed group than protected at all the sites and surface temperature rises in relation to the length of radiation exposure. The increase in the respiratory frequency over their lowest values in the exposed group was about 4-time, whereas in protected group it was about 2-times and distress symptoms were not pronounced in protected group ofanimals. Therefore, crossbred heifers should be protected from extreme hot conditions and direct sun exposure be avoided.
Mutation analysis of APC gene in gastric cancer with microsatellite instability

AIM: To evaluate the role of APC mutation in gastric carcinogenesis and to correlate APC mutation with microsatellite instability (MSI) in gastric carcinomas. METHODS: APC mutation was measured with multiplex PCR, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and DNA sequencing; and MSI was analyzed by PCR-based methods.RESULTS: Sixty-eight cases of sporadic gastric carcinoma were studied for APC mutation at exon 15 and MSI. APC mutaions were detected in 15(22.1%) gastric cancers. Frequence of APC mutation (33.3 %) in intestinal type of gastric cancer was significantly higher than that in diffuse type (13.1 %, P＜0.05). On the contrary, no association was observed betweerAPC mutation and tumor size,differentiation, depth of invasion, metastasis or clinical stages.Using five microsatellite markers, MSI in at least one locus was detected in 17 of 68 (25 %) of the tumors analyzed.APC mutations were all detected in MSI-L (only one locus,n＝9) or MSS(tumor lacking MSI or stable, n＝51), but no mutation was found in MSI-H (≥2 loci, n＝8). CONCLUSION: APC mutation is involved in carcinogenesis of intestinal type of gastric cancer and is independent of MSI phenotype but related to the LOH pathway in gastric cancer.