Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
FRI0150 Mtor blockade by rapamycin decreases arthritis and spondylitis development and severity in hla-b27 transgenic rats

Background HLA-B27 misfolding is thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of spondyloarthritis (SpA), possibly through triggering of ER stress and the unfolded protein response. One of the mechanisms that regulates the unfolded protein response is autophagy. Autophagy is a process that degrades proteins, cytoplasmic particles and organelles in lysosomes and is regulated by protein kinases, mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and AMP activated protein kinase. Objectives To study whether blockade of mTOR will affect spondyloarthritis development and/or severity in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tub) induced disease HLA-B27 tg rat model. Methods 6 weeks old, female or orchiectomized male HLA-B27/Huβ2m transgenic rats were immunised with 60–90 µg heat-inactivated M. tub in IFA. Rats were prophylactically or therapeutically treated three times a week intra-peritoneally with 1.5 mg/kg rapamycin or vehicle. Clinical measurements included weight, clinical scores for spondylitis and arthritis, and hind paw swelling measured by plethysmometry. After 5 weeks of treatment rats were sacrificed; axial and peripheral joints were isolated for histology and metacarpophalangeal joints, spleen and lymph nodes were isolated for RNA isolation. Results In the prophylactic experiment 72.7% (8/11) and 18.2% (2/11) rapamycin treated rats developed arthritis and spondylitis compared to respectively 100% (13/13; p=0.0225) and 92.3% (12/13; p<0.0001) control animals. Also severity of arthritis and spondylitis was significantly decreased in rapamycin treated animals compared to control treated animals; mean arthritis severity of diseased rats was respectively 0.45 versus 7.15 on a scale from 0–12 (p<0.0001) and mean spondylitis severity was respectively 0.18 versus 2.07 on a scale from 0–3 (p<0.0001). Clinical findings were confirmed by histology with a significant decrease of inflammation (p<0.0001), bone- and cartilage destruction (p=0.0021) and new bone formation (p=0.0010) in peripheral joints of rapamycin treated rats compared to vehicle treated rats and a similar trend was observed in spinal joints. Also in a therapeutic setting rapamycin treatment decreased arthritis severity (mean score of 6 compared to 8.8 in controls; p=0.0317) and spondylitis severity (mean score of 1.23 compared to 2.8 in controls; p=0.0159). Histology for the therapeutic experiment is currently being performed as well as RNA analyses for autophagy genes and pro-inflammatory cytokines, like IL-17A and TNF. Conclusions mTOR blockade significantly suppressed arthritis and spondylitis in the M. tub induced disease HLA-B27 transgenic rat model of SpA. Disclosure of Interest S. Chen: None declared, M. van Tok: None declared, D. Pots: None declared, J. Taurog: None declared, M. van de Sande: None declared, D. Baeten Employee of: UCB Pharma, L. van Duivenvoorde: None declared
Bioactive amines changes in raw and sterilised milk inoculated with Pseudomonas fluorescens stored at different temperatures

The presence of bioactive amines in raw and sterilised milk inoculated with Pseudomonas fluorescens during storage at 4°C, 7°C and 10°C for 6 days was investigated. Spermine, spermidine, putrescine, serotonin and phenylethylamine were present in the samples immediately after milking. Histamine, cadaverine and tyramine were formed in the raw milk on the 4th day of storage at 10°C, increasing significantly afterwards. Cadaverine was formed during sterilisation. There was no significant change in amines, acidity, thermostability and alizarol tests throughout storage of the sterilised milk; however, a putrid smell was detected at every temperature on the 6th day. Therefore, raw or sterilised milk storage at 4–7°C should not exceed 4 days. Furthermore, raw milk should not be stored at 10°C.
Evaluation of genotypes of navy and culinary bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) selected for superior growth and nitrogen fixation

Summary. Levels of nitrogen fixation by navy and culinary beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Australia are low and contribute little to the N economies of the crops. As a consequence, they must be grown in highly fertile soils or fertilised with N to obtain economic yields. Eliminating the need for fertiliser nitrogen would save growers A$1 million annually. Following a 10-year program in which almost 1500 genotypes of P. vulgaris were screened for superior nodulation and nitrogen fixation, we conducted experiments at the Southedge Research Station, Mareeba, during 1995–97 to identify elite genotype(s), which could either be released as cultivar(s) or used as donor parent(s) in a breeding program. Selection criteria were plant biomass, nitrogen fixation activity assessed using the ureide method and grain yield. The best-performing genotypes were ICA20667 and ICA21573. They produced about 20% more shoot biomass than the commercial check cultivars, Spearfelt, Gallaroy and Rainbird, and had Pfix (percentage of plant nitrogen derived from nitrogen fixation) values that were consistently about 30% higher. However, both genotypes responded strongly to fertiliser nitrogen (>200% increase in shoot nitrogen and >100% increase in grain yield at rate of 150 kg nitrogen/ha), suggesting that their nitrogen fixation capacity was inadequate. This study reinforced current recommendations that commercial crops of P. vulgaris be fertilised with nitrogen and indicated a low likelihood of release of high nitrogen-fixing cultivars to growers in the immediate future.
Sodium tripolyphosphate stability and effect in ground turkey meat

Ground turkey meat, cooked and uncooked, was prepared with and without 0.5% sodium tripolyphosphate (STP) and stored at 5 degrees C for different periods of time. STP stability was evaluated by determining soluble orthophosphate. Water-holding capacity (WHC), pH, and microbial count were also measured. STP hydrolyzed rapidly in uncooked samples. Refrigerated storage time (up to 6 days) did not affect STP hydrolysis in cooked turkey meat. Heating accelerated the rate of STP hydrolysis. End point temperatures (65, 75, and 85 degrees C) did not affect the extent of STP hydrolysis. STP increased WHC in both cooked and uncooked samples. STP did not inhibit total microbial growth in cooked or uncooked ground turkey meat.
Trouble on the reef: the imperative for managing vulnerable and valuable fisheries

Reef fishes are significant socially, nutritionally and economically, yet biologically they are vulnerable to both over-exploitation and degradation of their habitat. Their importance in the tropics for living conditions, human health, food security and economic development is enormous, with millions of people and hundreds of thousands of communities directly dependent, and many more indirectly so. Reef fish fisheries are also critical safety valves in times of economic or social hardship or disturbance, and are more efficient, less wasteful and support far more livelihoods per tonne produced than industrial scale fisheries. Yet, relative to other fisheries globally, those associated with coral reefs are under-managed, under-funded, under-monitored, and as a consequence, poorly understood or little regarded by national governments. Even among non-governmental organizations, which are increasingly active in tropical marine issues, there is typically little focus on reef-associated resources, the interest being more on biodiversity per se or protection of coral reef habitat. This essay explores the background and history to this situation, examines fishery trends over the last 30 years, and charts a possible way forward given the current realities of funding, capacity, development patterns and scientific understanding of coral reef ecosystems. The luxury live reef food-fish trade is used throughout as a case study because it exemplifies many of the problems and challenges of attaining sustainable use of coral reef-associated resources. The thesis developed is that sustaining reef fish fisheries and conserving biodiversity can be complementary, rather than contradictory, in terms of yield from reef systems. I identify changes in perspectives needed to move forward, suggest that we must be cautious of ‘fashionable’ solutions or apparent ‘quick fixes’, and argue that fundamental decisions must be made concerning the short and long-term values of coral reef-associated resources, particularly fish, for food and cash and regarding alternative sources of protein. Not to address the problems will inevitably lead to growing poverty, hardship and social unrest in many areas.
EFFECT OF INTERACTION BETWEEN SOME MAJOR AND MARKER GENES ON IMMUNE RESPONSE AND PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF CHICKENS

Mahmoud Yousef Mahrous. Effect of Interaction between the Major and Marker Genes on Immune Response and Productive Performance in Chickens. Unpublished Ph.D. Thesis, Ain Shams University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Poultry Production, Egypt, 2008. Heterozygous naked neck-frizzled (NanaFf) males were artificially inseminated with normally feathered (nanaff) females. According to the previous mating; four genetic groups {normally feathered (nanaff), frizzled (nanaFf), naked neck (Nanaff) and naked neck-frizzled (NanaFf)} were obtained. All chicks were wing banded and brooded in electrical brooding batteries. At 4 weeks of age, they were transferred to floor pens. They were reared under the same environmental, managerial and hygienic conditions. The feed and water were supplied ad libitum. Humoral immunity, phagocytic ability, cell-mediated immunity and relative lymphoid organs weight were determined. The nanaFf, Nanaff and NanaFf genotypes had significantly heavier body weight compared to nanaff counterparts. The presence of Na gene in a single state or interacted with F gene significantly improved feed conversion ratio compared to nanaff sibs. With respect to immunocompetence measurements, it could be noticed that the Na, F and double segregation genes significantly increased total anti-SRBC antibody titer compared to nanaff genotype. Concerning cautenous basophilic hypersensitivity (CBH), it could be speculated that the naked neck, frizzle and naked neck frizzle birds had a significantly hyper responder to phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA-P) injection compared to normally feathered sibs. Also, naked neck, frizzled and naked neck-frizzled birds had significantly lower levels of carbon in their blood circulation compared to normally feathered counterparts. Negative relationship between body weight and relative lymphoid organs weight was observed in all genetic groups. Also, there was significantly negative correlation between body weight and total anti-SRBC antibody titer in all genotypes. The phagocytic ability measured at all times was negatively correlated with body weight in all genetic groups. It could be concluded that the naked neck, frizzled and double segregation genes had significantly increased immune response of chicken under prevailing condition of Egypt. Therefore, introducing naked neck (Na) and frizzle (F) genes in selection programs to disease-resistance must be taken into consideration.
Assessment of Genetic Relatedness in Roses by ISSR Markers

3 Abstract: The genus Rosa contains more than 200 species and 18000 cultivars. Genetic relationships within the genus Rosa are confusing due to the variability of species and the weak barriers to intraspecific hybridization. Inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers were used to study phylogenetic relationships among 47 rose genotypes. Among 15 ISSR primers, 11 primers showed acceptable polymorphism and amplified 193 bands which 173 of them were polymorphic. Banding patterns were transformed into binary data of presence-absence and matrices were processed using NTSYS Ver. 2.02 software program. The dendrogram was constructed using Jaccard coefficient and UPGMA algorithm. The 47 rose genotypes were classified into 4 major groups with, within-group similarity values of >0.52. Group 1 included R. banksiae Ait. , group 2, R. canina L. , R. damascena Mill. and R. moschata Herm. with >53% within-group similarity values, group 3 included R. foetida Herm. and R. hybrida L. and group 4 included R. Chinensis Jacq. None of the species used in this study wereclustered within group 1, indicating that there was no direct relationship between these species. In this phylogenetic tree R.chinensisclusters in the lower part of the tree with 46% similarity with group 2 and 3.
Development of human embryonic stem cell technologies : genetic manipulation and stem cell selection

Human embryonic stem cells, or hESCs, are pluripotent cells isolated from blastocyststage preimplantation embryos that have great potential in basic research, drug development and cell replacement therapy. However, advances in many facets of hESC research have to be attained before these goals can be reached. We describe here the development of two technologies that will aid in this regard: genetic manipulation and stem cell selection. Controlled manipulation of hESC genomes through site-specific DNA recombination (SSR) systems may playa significant role in future hESC applications. However, very little is known about the functionality of these systems in hESCs. We show here that three SSR systems: mutant phage Aintegrase, phage PI Cre recombinase, and mutant yb resolvase displayed distinct activities on episomal recombination substrates. In addition, we demonstrate successful Aintegrase-mediated integrative intramolecular recombination in both HeLa and hESC integrated genomic substrates. These proof-of-concept experiments should allow future improvements to the utility and efficiency of SSR technology, which can be used to excise resistance genes in transgenic hESCs or even for gene targeting and gene delivery in hESCs. An understanding of the regulatory mechanisms responsible for pluripotency in hESCs is critical for both the maintenance of undifferentiated cells and the ability to direct differentiation. One such important pluripotency marker, undifferentiated transcription
Sensory Analysis and Thiobarbituric Acid Values of Precooked Chicken Patties Stored Up to Three Days and Reheated by Two Methods

Abstract Chicken patties from two formulations (equal proportions of white and dark meat, with and without skin) were precooked to 75 to 80 C internal temperature, stored 0, 1, 2, or 3 days at 4 C, and then frozen at −34 C until evaluated. Patties were grouped by storage time within formulation group and reheated by conventional or microwave oven. Patties were evaluated by a trained panel using descriptive profile analysis. Proximate composition and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values were also determined. The main source of variation in either TBA values or sensory attributes was storage time. The TBA values of microwave-reheated samples stored 2 and 3 days increased more than did oven-reheated samples. The TBA values were significantly correlated with each of the 12 descriptive attributes, with r values ranging from . 68 to . 90. A best model procedure (stepwise) selected six sensory variables in a linear combination to estimate TBA values (R2 = .94).
Study on the level of natural humoral immunity in turkey-broilers bred on two floor types

The experiments were performed on 80 turkey-broilers from 2 hybrid types (BUT-9 and St.Z-1), raised on a slat floor and on a litter, divided into 4 groups: BUT-9 raised on a slat floor; group II: BUT-9 − on a litter; group III − St.Z-1 on a slat floor and group IV: St.Z-1 − on a litter. The group density was 5 birds per square metres, i.e. an area of 0.2 m2 per bird. The activities of blood lysozyme and complement were assessed at the age of 14 and 16 weeks. The lysozyme activity was higher in turkey-broilers from both hybrids bred on a litter compared to those bred on a slat floor that could be explained by the more intensive locomotor activity and the various (microbial) factors that stimulated lysozyme activity. The hybrid type (BUT-9 or StZ=1), the gender or the housing system did not influence complement activity. That could be due to the lack of a significant antigen influence on complement activity of a given floor type.
Ecología de una gran serpiente sudamericana, Hydrodynastes gigas (Serpentes: Dipsadidae)

Analizamos la ecologia de Hydrodynastes gigas, una de las serpientes de mayor tamano en Sudamerica.Estudiamos 342 ejemplares obtenidos durante 21 anos de muestreos en rutas, busquedas intensivas y capturasocasionales. Las hembras maduraron sexualmente con mayor tamano corporal que los machos, adicionalmente fueronmas largas, tuvieron cabezas mas grandes y mas escamas ventrales. Los machos tuvieron mayor longitud de cola ymas escamas subcaudales. Este dimorfismo sexual, comun en serpientes, puede estar relacionado con el aumento delpotencial reproductivo. El ciclo reproductivo fue estacional y anual en hembras, mientras que fue continuo y anual enmachos. El potencial reproductivo fue alto, 16.3 huevos/hembra/ano, con una tendencia a ser mayor en hembras masgrandes. Hydrodynastes gigas es diurna y se alimenta de todo tipo de vertebrados frecuentes en los humedales quehabita, incluyendo anfibios, reptiles, peces, mamiferos y aves, en orden de importancia. Los individuos se mantuvieronactivos todo el ano, siendo una de las 4 especies de serpientes mas abundantes en las planicies de inundacion de grandesrios sudamericanos. Su abundancia, dieta generalista, gran tamano y capacidad reproductiva sugieren que esta especiees un importante depredador en los ecosistemas acuaticos de Sudamerica.
Biochemical profile of cattle naturally infected with Fasciola gigantica and Fasciola hepatica

Cattle naturally infected with mixed infection of Fasciola gigantica and Fasciola hepatica had significantly low serum protein, albumin, glucose, calcium and phosphorus and significantly high values of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and arginase. Subsequent to treatment with triclabendazole, the values returned to normal.
Notes taxonomiques sur les Coleoptera Histeridae Hetaeriinae du Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle de Berlin (MNHUB)

Les specimens-types de 11 especes ont ete revises et des donnees morphologiques, geonemiques ou ecologiques nouvelles sont fournies pour 10 especes. Des lectotypes et le cas echeant, des paralectotypes ont ete designes pour 8 especes. Les genitalia femelles de 7 especes sont decrits pour la premiere fois. Taxonomic Notes on the Coleoptera Histeridae Hetaeriinae of the Museum of Natural History, Berlin (MNHUB) The female genitalia of 7 species of Hetaeriinae are described for the first time. New descriptive, distributional and/or ecological data are provided for 10 species, the identifications of which were checked when possible, by comparison with type specimens. Poneralister Bruch, 1929 is synonymized with Plagioscelis Bickhardt, 1917. Lectotype and where the case, paralectotypes, are designated for the following species: Chelyocephalus varicolor Schmidt, 1893, Coelister cavernosus (Schmidt, 1889), Discoscelis canaliculata Schmidt, 1889, Mesynodites schuppii Schmidt, 1893, Plagioscelis daedalus (Lewis, 1891), P. striaticeps (Bruch, 1929), Termitoxenus setaceus (Schmidt, 1889), T. strigicollis Lewis, 1898.
Anatomical changes in the wood of Syzygium cumini exposed to coal-smoke pollution

Air pollution caused by the combustion of coal at the Badarpur Thermal Power Plants, New Delhi, had a bearing on size and amount of wood elements across the tree trunk of Indian blackberry (Syzygium cumini Skeel.). Compared with the control, vessel elements in different positions along pith to cambium were significantly shorter (31-49%) and narrower (23-37%) in trees growing at the polluted sites. Moreover, vessel frequency (number of vessels per mm 2 ) and consequently the vessel area on transverse surface of the wood were lower than in the control in each part of the wood sample examined. The difference at different positions along the wood-core radius in the control and stressed trees varied was 4-58% for vessel frequency and 17-32% for vessel area. Xylem fibres also showed, like vessel elements, a significant decrease in length as well as diameter at each of the positions analyzed. Vulnerability factor of the wood increased with tree age as well as air pollution, thus showing that the trees were consistently vulnerable to conditions of water stress created by the environmental degradation. The capability of trees to retain their mesomorphic character was enhanced with age but somewhat retarded under the pollution stress.
Enrichment and Isolation of Anoxygenic Phototrophic Bacteria in Winogradsky Column.

Ozet: Anoksigenik fotosentetik bakterilerin winogradsky kolonunda zenginlestirilmesi ve izolasyonu. Bu calismanin amaci Denizli Saraykoy'den alinan toprak ve camur orneklerinden anoksigenik fototrofik bakteri izolasyonu ve saf kultur haline getirilen izolatin bakterioklorofil icerigini belirlemektir. Bu amacla ornekler, Winogradsky kolonunda, oda kosullarinda 2-3 ay gunisiginda inkube edilerek zenginlestirilmistir. Phening's ortaminda ondalik seyreltmeler yapilarak saf kultur elde edilmistir. Elde edilen izolatin 400-1100 nm dalga boyu araliginda adsorbsiyon spektrumlari taranmis ve 506-518, 806-810 ve 854-865 nm. 'de maksimum absorbans verdigi bulunmustur. Anahtar Kelimeler: Anoksigenik fotosentez, Winogradsky kolonu, bakteriyoklorofil, Pfennig's ortami, mikrobiyal suksesyon. Abstract: The aim of the study is to isolate the anoxygenic photothophic bacteria from mud and soil obtained from Denizli Saraykoy and to determine bacteriochlorophyll content of the isolate. For this purpose samples were enriched under sunlight in Winogradsky column at room temperature for 2-3 months. Pure culture was obtained by decimal dilutions in Pfennig's medium and screened for maximum adsorption spectrum between 400-1100 nm. The absorption maxima of cell suspensions of isolated strains are 506-518, 806-810 and 854-865 nm.
Effects of gamma irradiation on Dahlia cv. “Pinki” with particular reference to induction of somatic mutation

Rooted stem cuttings of Dahlia cultivar ‘Pinki’ were irradiated with 0, 250, 500, 1000 and 1500 rads of gamma rays at the dose rate 10OGy per 51.8 Sec in gamma chamber-900, 60Co of Floriculture Laboratory, National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow. LD50 on survival basis was determined in between 1000 and 1500 rads. Reduction in survival, plant height, leaf number and size, length of peduncle, flower size, floret number and size was observed after irradiation and with increase in exposure of gamma rays. Morphological abnormalities in leaf and plant with abnormal leaves increased with increase in exposure to gamma rays. Leaf abnormalities includes asymmetrical development of leaf lamina, notching of different grades, formation of lobes, reduction in leaf let number, leathery texture, fission and fusion of leaf, narrow leaves, chlorophyll variegated leaves and light and dark green leaves. Per cent leaf abnormalities and abnormal plant increased with increase in exposure to gamma rays. A floral abnormality includes fasciations of bud/flower head and reduced flower size. Observation from light and Scanning electron microscopic reveals alteration in stomatal density, change in wax coating and cuticular striations, withering tendency in epidermal cells after gamma irradiation. Mutation appears in foliage in the form of chlorophyll variegation and in the flower head in the form of white sectors in ray florets in VIMl generation after irradiation. On the basis of our observation we recommend 500 and 1000 rads dose of gamma rays for induction of somatic mutation in Dahlia Cultivar ‘Pinki’.