Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Immunostimulatory effects of arginine in broiler chickens challenged with vaccine strain of Infectious Bursal Disease virus.

Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) continues to pose potential threat to poultry industry all over the world. The disease can spell disaster not only through its infection but also by break of immunity in chickens vaccinated for other diseases. On the other hand, arginine (Arg), a ubiquitous, semi-essential amino acid has emerged as an imunostimulant from variety of human and animal studies. In the present study, we demonstrate the stimulatory effects of Arg on systemic immune response in chickens challenged by orally administration of intermediate plus strain of IBD virus at 28 days of age. A corn-soybean meal based diet containing different levels of Arg (0, 0.67, 1.37, 2.07 and 2.77) for the starter, (0, 0.53, 1.1, 1.68 and 2.25) for the grower and (0, 0.52, 1.04, 1.56 and 2.08) for the finisher was used. In a completely randomized design with five treatments of five replicates each and 10 chickens per replicate, 250 Cobb500 male broiler chickens from 0-49 days of age were used. To measure the innate, cellular and humoral immunity indicators (interferon-α, interferon-γ, immunoglobulin G) at 27, 35, 42 and 49 days of age, serum samples from each replicate of treatments were collected and subjected to ELISA. The result showed that Arg supplementation in the chickens basal diets significantly increased the serum levels of interferon-α, interferon-γ, immunoglobulin G at 35, 42 and 49 days of age (p<0.05). The different levels of Arg at 27 days of age did not significantly affect interferon-α, interferon-γ, whereas Arg at 27 days of age significantly increased immunoglobulin G (p<0.05). These results revealed that arginine stimulates systematic immune response against intermediate plus strain of IBDV.
Range expansion of the invasive house mouse Mus musculus domesticus in Senegal, West Africa: a synthesis of trapping data over three decades, 1983-2014

1. The worldwide intensification of human-associated exchanges favours the multiplication of biological invasions. Among mammals, rodent species, including the house mouse Mus musculus, are identified as major invaders with profound impacts on native biodiversity, human health and activities. Though contemporary rodent invasions are described on several islands, there are few data describing ongoing house mouse invasions in continental areas. 2. We first outline the known picture of the distribution of the house mouse in Africa. We then describe the ongoing range expansion of the house mouse in Senegal, in order to update its distribution area, assess the location of the invasion front, describe the spatio-temporal dynamics of the invasion at the country scale and evaluate its impact on native small mammal communities. 3. We briefly review the worldwide status of the house mouse, with special focus on its situation in Africa. Focusing on Senegal, we then use historical records and a large body of spatio-temporal indoor trapping data obtained from small mammal communities over the last 30 years to analyse the invasion dynamics of the subspecies at the scale of the country. 4. The geographic range of the invasive house mouse is surprisingly poorly known in Africa. In Senegal, we document a large range expansion of the subspecies in human settlements over the whole country within the last 30 years. The invasion is still ongoing further east and south within the country, and has major consequences for small mammal communities and thus probably for risks associated with zoonotic diseases.
Physiological Response Of Savanna Brown (SB) Does To Treatment With Mistletoe Extract (Phragmanthera Nigritana) And Clomid

Thirty six (36) nulliparous Savanna Brown does with mean body weight of 8.5 kg and aged 4-6 months were used to compare the physical and physiological changes that occur in SB does drenched with clomiphene citrate (Clomid®) and mistletoe ( Phragmanthera nigritana ) extract. The does were randomly assigned into three (3) treatment groups of twelve (12) does each. Each group was further subdivided into three (3) sub groups of split, full and double doses of extract. Those on the split dose of mistletoe extract were treated with 250 mg/kg twice in a day while those on full (500 mg/kg) and double dose (1000 mg/kg) were treated once a day. The second group were treated with Clomid®; split dose (0.35 mg/kg) twice in a day while those on full and double dose received 0.7 and 1.4 mg/kg administered once. The control groups were given distilled water. Normal routine management practices were employed and the does were managed intensively. Following treatment with the different doses of mistletoe, does exhibited reactions which vary from calmness, pasty ashy faeces, concentrated urine and reduction in weight which increased in the groups drenched with clomid®. Final weight showed significant difference between the clomid® and mistletoe treated group on split dose (8.40 ± 0.18 vs 10.83 ± 0.32) but both final weight and final pulse rate showed significant difference with does on clomid® and double doses (8.44± 0.29 vs 7.53 0.42 and 81.60 ± 0.55 vs 83.70 ±0.61) respectively, with better result in the group drenched with split doses (250 mg/kg) of Mistletoe extract. Split dose of 250 mg/kg administered twice in a day is recommended for use since the effects were not deleterious to the does. Keywords: Physiological response, Savanna Brown does, mistletoe, clomid®, doses.
Surviving in the High Arctic: dental variation in a casually introduced population of Microtus rossiaemeridionalis (Arvicolinae, Rodentia) on Svalbard

A human-mediated invasion of a temperate rodent Microtus rossiaemeridionalis on the High Arctic Archipelago of Svalbard in the first half of the 20th century provides an opportunity to explore extent and rate of morphological divergence over decades of isolation. We studied dental size and morphology in 124 voles captured on Svalbard (Spitsbergen) in 1997–2005 and compared the data to mainland conspecific populations across northern Eurasia. Both dental and cranial sizes in the Svalbard population fall within the limits of natural variation of the species. Dental morphology suggests that the population experiences strong effects of isolation as indicated by the significant increase in the frequency of rare dental morphs, possibly caused by inbreeding. No evidence for directional shift towards increased or decreased complexity of the morphotype dental patterns is revealed. Although the population on Svalbard is phenotypically different from the mainland populations (due to increased frequency of rare morphs), those differences are not enough to support the idea of initial rapid evolution related to colonization. The limited spatial extent and environmental homogeneity of suitable habitats on the island allowed the species to initially multiply but not to diversify so that the species exhibits phenotypic conservatism but suffers the consequences of small population size.
Bases moleculares del cáncer colorrectal

Worldwide, colorectal cancer (CRC) is a public health problem; it is the third most prevalent cancer in men and the second in women. There are some geographical variations in its incidence, with high rates in many developed countries of Europe, North America and Oceania, and low rates in countries of less developed regions such as Africa and South America. Recent studies on cancer, published by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), show a rapid increase in the incidence of CRC in developing countries between 1983-1987 and 1998-2002 (1), while in the developed world incidence has stabilized and in many cases decreased (2). Carcinogenesis of CRC is a multiple step process, characterized by high genomic instability that may lead to the accumulation of mutations in proto-oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, repair machinery failures, epigenetic changes in DNA and production of non-functional proteins; these changes lead to cell proliferation advantages and an increase in cell survival. Genomic instability of CRC occurs through different pathways, the most important of which are: chromosomal instability (CIN), microsatellite instability (MSI) and methylation.
Survey of the Color Forms of the Southern Twostriped Walkingstick (Phasmatodea: Areolatae: Pseudophasmatidae: Pseudophasmatinae: Anisomorphini), With Notes on Its Range, Habitats, and Behaviors

ABSTRACT Numerous color morphs of the southern twostriped walkingstick (or “devil rider”), Anisomorpha buprestoides (Stoll, 1813) (Phasmatodea: Areolatae: Pseudophasmatidae: Pseudophasmatinae: Anisomorphini), predominantly from Florida, are described and illustrated. Three main color forms of A. buprestoides are recognized: white, orange and brown. Type specimens of A. buprestoides have been lost, but colored illustrations by its original describer are compared with the most similar color form described here. This is intended to support future selection of a neotype, which will become necessary for conducting any confirmed taxonomic studies. The common brown form is highly variable in size and coloration and exhibits a wide distribution, mainly throughout the more northern portions of the dispersal of A. buprestoides. The white and orange forms are restricted to rather small localities in central Florida and show affiliation with dryer habitats. The distribution of A. buprestoides, based on collecting records from various museum collections, extends as far south as Key West, FL, but the northern boundary of its range is unclear. The day-hiding, defensive, and oviposition behaviors are described and illustrated for the three recognized color forms and are shown to differ considerably with dependence on the respective habitat. A list of known host plants and alternative food plants used in captive breeding of A. buprestoides is provided, which proves this species to be rather polyphagous. Captive breeding on alternative food plants for three generations has shown the coloration to remain constant independent of food plant used. Our observations lead us to the conclusion that A. buprestoides is in every aspect capable of adaptation to ecological pressure.
Male density affects female spatial behaviour in the butterfly Proclossiana eunomia

The hypothesis of sexual conflict postulates that the differential male-female spatial distribution in butterfly species in which males are not territorial or do not defend a resource is due to the effect of ardent males on female behaviour. In such species females are often an ephemeral resource as they usually mate once while males are capable of multiple matings. In this system males will maximise their reproductive success by gaining access to many females while reproductive success of females is increased by maximising the rime spent in selection of optimal oviposition sites. We show here that at low male density the distance flown by the female depends on the behavioural pattern displayed immediately before and after her flight. This relation disappeared at high male density. Moreover high male density (1) decreased the duration and the frequency of behaviours related to oviposition and (2) increased the frequency and the duration of male-female interactions. We propose that these two factors contribute to promote female dispersal at high male density. The decision to disperse out of habitats with high density of males might be a trade-off between low-quality reproduction within such habitats and dangers of dispersal out of these habitats.
Bacillus thuringiensis: uma breve revisão

Neste relato são abordados alguns aspectos relacionados à bactéria entomopatogênica Bacillus thuringiensis. Esses aspectos incluem a interação desse patógeno com o ambiente e os insetos e com mais detalles o modo de ação, nomenclatura, caracterização e utilização deste patógeno no manejo de pragas. Para finalizar é feita uma abordagem sobre os possíveis efeitos prejudiciais deste microrganismo sobre o meio e organismos não-alvo.
Glochidium morphology of the freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) and glochidiosis of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) : a study by scanning electron microscopy

The morphology of glochidia of the freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera L. and the development of the cyst for 50 days after glochidial infection of wild and hatchery-reared Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) parr were studied using scanning electron microscopy. The microvillar surface of the inner epithelium of the glochidium, which may function in nutrition, respiration, and osmoregulation, is described. Glochidia were found to have five sensory tufts as well as marginal ciliary bands which are believed to function in directing water currents. After artificial infection of salmon parr, cyst formation was the result of shape change and migration of gill epithelial cells, but not hyperplasia. The process of cyst formation lasted from 9 to 12 h. No mortality of salmon parr occurred during the experiment. Based on our study, glochidia appear to have a negligible effect on the gills of Atlantic salmon, its preferred fish host. These results are discussed in the context of the possibility of a mu.
Ecoepidemiología de la Estomatitis Vesicular en un municipio cafetero de Antioquia

Resumen Se realizo un seguimiento bimensual durante un ano, en dos fincas lecheras del Municipio de Fredonia, Antioquia, en mamiferos silvestres, vectores incriminados y en hatos centinelas, con el objetivo de determinar por seroneutralizacion los porcentajes de animales infectados con el virus de la Estomatitis Vesicular, realizar intentos de aislamiento viral en cada una de estas poblaciones, y detectar fragmentos del genoma viral por RT-PCR y PCR anidado. Se encontro que el porcentaje de infeccion fue del 57.14% para el serotipo Indiana (IN) y del 73.01% para el New Jersey (NJ), igualmente se determino que el 37.5% de los animales silvestres capturados mostraron bajos titulos de anticuerpos, 1:8 principalmente y solamente contra el serotipo IN, lo cual parece sugerir que el ciclo de infeccion en la fauna silvestre no esta relacionada con el ciclo en los animales domesticos. De otro lado todas las muestras de sangre de reservorios y macerados de insectos procesadas por las tecnicas moleculares mencionadas mostraron resultados negativos. Se discuten los resultados y se proponen nuevos estudios. Palabras clave: Didelphis marsupialis , hatos centinelas, reservorios, Simulium spp. , vectores. Summary The prevalence of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus, VSV, in sentinels herds, wild reservoirs and vectors in two dairy farms in the Fredonia town, (Antioquia, Colombia), was determined. Blood serum samples from cows and wild reservoirs were tested by neutralization test, viral isolation from vectors and reservoirs; vectors macerated and blood from wild reservoirs were tested by RT-PCR and Nested-PCR to identify viral genome fragments. The percentage of domestic animals in the farms, with antibodies against VSV IN was 57.14% whereas 73.01% of the animals had antibodies against VSV NJ. On the other hand, in wild animals we found that 37.5% of them had low titer of antibodies, 1:8 principally, against VSV IN only, for this reason is suggested that domestic and wild cycle of the VSV don't have any relationship. All blood samples from reservoirs and vectors tested by RT-PCR and Nested PCR, were negative for the both serotypes. In this paper we discuss the results and we suggest the realization of additional studies regarding this aspects. Key words: Didelphis marsupialis, reservoirs, sentinels herds, Simulium spp. , vectors.
FVSBGC: a hybrid of the physiological model STAND-BGC and the forest vegetation simulator

The physiological model STAND-BGC was linked to the forest vegetation simulator (FVS) as a system ex- tension. With the linked model, an FVS user can invoke STAND-BGC to obtain tree- and stand-level physiological out- put in addition to standard FVS mensurational output. An FVS user may choose to have increments in diameter, height, crown ratio, and mortality from STAND-BGC replace those generated by FVS. This option essentially replaces the empirical growth engine of FVS with the physiological engine from STAND-BGC. Physiological and mensurational outputs were generated for an existing, fully stocked, Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. stand, with and without thinning, using the hybrid model. The STAND-BGC engine produced results similar to FVS for the unthinned stand but pre- dicted more rapid tree growth than FVS following thinning. Simulations for a newly regenerated stand using the linked model allowed assessment of the predicted effects of grass competition and drought on stand production. Comparisons of model predictions to remeasured permanent plot data showed the empirical and process growth engines had similar precision, but that STAND-BGC substantially overpredicted growth, while FVS slightly underpredicted growth. The need for model calibration and opportunities for more sophisticated communication between models is discussed. Resume : Le modele physiologique STAND-BGC a ete joint au Simulateur de vegetation forestiere (SVF) en tant qu'extension du systeme. A l'aide du modele auxiliaire, un utilisateur du SVF peut faire appel a STAND-BGC pour obtenir des resultats physiologiques a l'echelle du peuplement et de l'arbre en plus des resultats dendrometriques stan- dard de SVF. Un utilisateur de SVF peut choisir d'utiliser les accroissements en diametre, hauteur, proportion de cime et mortalite produits par STAND-BGC a la place de ceux generes par SVF. Dans les faits, cette option substitue le mo- teur de croissance empirique de SVF par le moteur physiologique de STAND-BGC. Des resultats physiologiques et dendrometriques ont ete generes a l'aide du modele hybride pour un peuplement dense existant de Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. , avec et sans eclaircie. Le moteur de STAND-BGC a produit des resultats comparables a ceux de SVF pour le peuplement non eclairci mais a predit une croissance plus rapide que celle predite par SVF suite a l'eclaircie. Des simulations effectuees a l'aide du modele auxiliaire pour un peuplement recemment regenere ont permis d'evaluer les effets prevus de la competition herbacee et de la secheresse sur la production du peuplement. Une comparaison des predictions du modele avec les donnees de placettes permanentes remesurees a montre que les moteurs empiriques et de processus ont une precision similaire. Toutefois, STAND-BGC surestime substantiellement la croissance alors que SVF la sous-estime legerement. La necessite de calibrer le modele et de developper des liens plus sophistiques entre les modeles est abordee.
Searching for the sister to sedges (Carex): resolving relationships in the Cariceae-Dulichieae-Scirpeae clade (Cyperaceae)

With approximately 2000 species, tribe Cariceae (Cyperaceae) comprises a morphologically distinctive cosmopolitan clade, with holocentric chromosomes (N = 6 to 56), complex biogeographical patterns, and habitat diversity ranging from rainforests to deserts. Such a remarkable combination of characteristics should make Cariceae an ideal model for studying the evolution of biodiversity, although they also obscure their relationships in Cyperaceae, complicating attempts to identify the contributing factors to diversity of Cariceae. Recent molecular studies place Cariceae in a strongly supported clade consisting of tribes Dulichieae, Scirpeae s.s, and the enigmatic monotypic genus Khaosokia, although relationships in this clade are unresolved. Using the plastid genes matK and ndhF and a greatly improved taxonomic sampling covering 16 of 17 genera and 55% of the species outside Cariceae, our analyses firmly position Dulichieae and Khaosokia (79% and 85% bootstrap support) as successive sisters to a clade consisting of five major lineages (Calliscirpus, Trichophorum + Oreobolopsis + Cypringlea, Cariceae, Scirpus + Eriophorum, and Amphiscirpus + Phylloscirpus + Zameioscirpus), the first four of which receive good to strong support (> 80% bootstrap support). Cariceae are sister to the Trichophorum clade, although topological tests cannot exclude either Calliscirpus or a Scirpus clade + Zameioscirpus clade as sister to the tribe. Trichophorum appears to be paraphyletic and Eriophorum is firmly nested in Scirpus. There appears to be a trend in the increase of chromosome numbers in Scirpus and Eriophorum and a trend in the reduction and proliferation of the inflorescence throughout the major Cariceae-Dulichieae-Scirpeae clades. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014, 176, 1–21.
Advances in Maize Breeding through the Cumulative Complex Improvement of Sources (Review)

Maize breeding, on which the future of maize production is based, can be expected to undergo further important developments in the 21 st century. Opportunities for development are latent in a more scientific approach to production methods and in the better exploitation of the available genetic resources. There is no lack of favourable gene combinations contributing to higher yield (e.g. 20–22 t/ha). However, the genes and gene combinations controlling the improvement and stabilisation of performance are unfortunately scattered over various different races, varieties and individual plants, where they occur at low frequency. Combination breeding and, more recently, cumulative source management are designed to collect these genes and concentrate them in special parental lines and heterosis sources.The pure line method has been a basic procedure in maize breeding for the last 100 years, and is likely to remain so for the next 100 years. Combination breeding and cumulative source management are an integral par.
Photooxidative stress in plants

The light-dependent generation of active oxygen species is termed photooxidative stress. This can occur in two ways: (1) the donation of energy or electrons directly to oxygen as a result of photosynthetic activity; (2) exposure of tissues to ultraviolet irradiation. The light-dependent destruction of catalase compounds the problem. Although generally detrimental to metabolism, superoxide and hydrogen peroxide may serve useful functions if rigorously controlled and compartmentalised. During photosynthesis the formation of active oxygen species is minimised by a number of complex and refined regulatory mechanisms. When produced, active oxygen species are eliminated rapidly by efficient antioxidative systems. The chloroplast is able to use the production and destruction of hydrogen peroxide to regulate the thermal dissipation of excess excitation energy. This is an intrinsic feature of the regulation of photosynthetic electron transport. Photoinhibition and photooxidation only usually occur when plants are exposed to stress. Active oxygen species are part of the alarm-signalling processes in plants. These serve to modify metabolism and gene expression so that the plant can respond to adverse environmental conditions, invading organisms and ultraviolet irradiation. The capacity of the antioxidative defense system is often increased at such times but if the response is not sufficient, radical production will exceed scavenging and ultimately lead to the disruption of metabolism. Oxidative damage arises in high light principally when the latter is in synergy with additional stress factors such as chilling temperatures or pollution. Environmental stress can modify the photooxidative processes in various ways ranging from direct involvement in light-induced free radical formation to the inhibition of metabolism that renders previously optimal light levels excessive. It is in just such situations that the capacity for the production of active oxygen species can exceed that for scavenging by the antioxidative defense systems. The advent of plant transformation, however, may have placed within our grasp the possibility of engineering greater stress tolerance in plants by enhancement of the antioxidative defence system.