Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influences of environmental factors and antidote addition on glyphosate toxicity to freshwater fish, Labeo rohita (Hamilton)

The effect of glyphosate (a potential herbicide: trade name glycel™, isopropyl amine salt of glyphosate, 41% w/w and inert materials 59% w/w) has been investigated on the survival rate of a freshwater fish Labeo rohita. In the present study, we also analysed the influence of some environmental factors (e.g. pH, calcium, and salinity levels of water) and of antidote application (fresh cow dung) on the glyphosate toxicity. A concentration of glyphosate at 12.3l a.i. ha−1 m−1 was very effective in inhibiting the growth of some aquatic submerged macrophytes, and so this dose was chosen as a toxicant to the fish. Survival rate of the fish was considered as an index of glyphosate toxicity. The results showed that the toxicity of glyphosate persisted for c. 18 d after which the herbicide degraded, and the survival rate of Labeo rohita (mean weight 24.5±0.3 g and mean length 14.5±0.25 cm) was 100%. We observed the total mortality of the fish up to the 12 d of the experiment. The toxic effect of the glyphosate was significantly reduced (P<0.05) at pH 6.8–7.6, at salinity 1.0 ppt, and at water calcium level c. 200 mg l−1. Our results showed that a dose of 30 ml l−1 (9990 kg ha−1m−1) of fresh cow dung (3.33% w/v in water) reduced the toxicity of glyphosate and the survival rate of the fish reached 100% up to 96 h from the application.
Pikeperch, Stizostedion lucioperca (L.), catch in relation to juvenile density and water temperature in Pärnu Bay, Estonia

The abundance of 0+ pikeperch, Stizostedion lucioperca (L.), in trawls was compared with water temperature, water level and commercial catches 6–9 years later. The abundance of juveniles in autumn was positively correlated with the water temperature but not with water level in May or in June. The sum of a year abundance of juveniles showed a strong correlation with the catch years later. This abundance and the cumulative water temperature between August and October inclusive in five consecutive years one year prior to recruitment into the commercial fishery explained 86% of the variation in catches. This empirical model indicates that catches of pikeperch depend on both juvenile abundance and water temperature.
Possible effects of global warming on fish recruitment: shifts in spawning season and latitudinal distribution can alter growth of fish early life stages through changes in daylength

Shoji, J., Toshito, S. , Mizuno, K. , and Kamimura, Y. , Hori, M. , Hirakawa, K. 2011. Possible effects of global warming on fish recruitment: shifts in spawning season and latitudinal distribution can alter growth of fish early life stages through changes in daylength. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: 1165–1169.Changes in growth rates, shifts in the spawning season, and shifts in the spawning area (latitude) are expected after an increase in sea temperature resulting from global warming. Fish can avoid higher temperatures by a poleward shift in the spawning area and a temporal shift in spawning timing. However, these shifts will include changes in daylength experienced during their early life stages. To understand comprehensively the possible effects of global warming on fish recruitment, effects of temperature and daylength on growth, daily ration, and growth efficiency of black rockfish, Sebastes cheni, a dominant species in coastal waters of the western North Pacific, were examined under wild and laboratory conditions. The growth rate was elevated at higher temperatures between 11.1 and 21.3°C. Growth efficiency was highest at 16°C. The effect of photoperiod on growth was also significant, with enhanced growth resulting from the longer daylength. The effect of shifts in spawning season and spawning area would differ among fish species and spawning season. Comparison of early growth under different daylength conditions between S. cheni and ayu, Plecoglossus altivelis altivelis, indicated that the shifts in spawning season and spawning area would have different effects on fish early life stages (FELSs) related to changes in daylength. Changes in daylength resulting from a poleward shift in the spawning area will have opposite effects for summer- and winter-growing FELSs, and the effects are more prominent at higher latitudes.
High Expression of the γ5 Isoform of G Protein in
 
Neuroepithelial Cells and Its Replacement of the γ2 Isoform During Neuronal Differentiation in the Rat Brain

Abstract : High concentrations of G proteins, which include multiple isoforms of each subunit, α, β, and γ, are expressed in the adult brain. In this study, we concentrated attention on changes of these isoforms during embryonic development in the rat brain. Concentrations of γ2 as well as GoAα, GoBα, and β2 were low in early embryogenesis and then increased, whereas expression of γ5, in contrast, was initially high followed by a drop, with only very low levels observed throughout postnatal development. Among the other isoforms, Gi1α, Gsα‐short, G12α, G13α, β4, γ3, γ7, and γ12 were present in the embryonic brain at low levels, but their levels markedly increased after birth. In contrast, the levels of Gi2α, Gsα‐long, Gq/11α, and β1 were essentially constant throughout. Immunohistochemical staining of the brain vesicles in the embryos showed γ5 to be specifically expressed in the proliferative region of the ventricular zone, whereas γ2 was mainly present in differentiated neuronal cells of the marginal zone. Furthermore, differentiation of P19 mouse embryonal carcinoma cells to neuronal cells with retinoic acid induced the expression of γ2 and a decrease of γ5, the major isoform in the undifferentiated state. These results suggest that neuronal differentiation is responsible for the on/off switch of the expression of γ2 and γ5 subunits.
Electron microscopic studies of the compound eye of the toadbug, Gelastocoris oculatus

There are eight retinula cells in the ommatidium of the compound eye of the toadbug (Gelastocoris oculatus), two of which are central in position. Along the axial sides of the six peripheral retinula cells expand six cytoplasmic processes from the apical crystalline cone cells. These processes, which contain longitudinally‐oriented microtubules, are associated with all eight retinula cells by means of desmosomal junctions. In addition to providing structural support, the possibility is set forth that the interconnecting cone processes might also serve to functionally integrate the retinula cells of an ommatidium. The eight retinula cells possess microvillus surfaces, which are especially prominent in the six peripheral cells, where they extend into the lumen of the ommatidium. There is evidence of pinocytotic activity at the bases of microvilli. Multivesicular bodies are present in the cytoplasm of retinula cells, and the means by which these bodies might be elaborated are discussed.
The causes of inherently slow growth in alpine plants : an analysis based on the underlying carbon economies of alpine and lowland Poa species

To investigate the underlying causes of the inherently low relative growth rate (RGR) in alpine plants, we compared the carbon economy of six altitudinally contrasting Poa species. These included two alpine (P. fawcettiae and P. costiniana), one sub-alpine (P. alpina) and three temperate lowland (P. pratensis, P. compressa and P. trivialis) species. All species were grown hydroponically under identical controlled conditions. The RGRs of each of the selected species were: P. fawcettiae (111 mg g -1 day -1 ), P. costiniana (125 mgg -1 day -1 ), P. alpina (166 mg g -1 day -1 ), P. pratensis (179 mg g -1 day -1 ), P. compressa (188 mg g -1 day -1 ) and P. trivialis (255 mg g -1 day -1 ). The slow growth of the alpines could not be attributed to lower rates of photosynthesis per unit leaf area. Similarly, higher rates of shoot and root respiration rates per unit dry mass per se could not explain the slower growth exhibited by the alpine species. The differences in RGR were also not owing to differences in whole plant carbon concentration or the proportion of whole plant biomass allocated to the leaves, stems and roots. The only parameter that did explain the variation in RGR was specific leaf area (SLA, leaf area per leaf dry mass), with the alpine species exhibiting significantly lower SLAs than the sub-alpine and lowland species. Consequently, the rate of photosynthesis per unit leaf dry mass was substantially lower in the slow-growing alpine species. The alpine species also used a greater proportion of their daily fixed carbon in respiration than did the fast-growing lowland species. We conclude that low SLA is the primary cause of the inherently low growth rates of the selected alpine Poa species in our controlled environment. The possible causes of low RGR of field-grown alpine plants are discussed.
Bioavailability of a bilberry anthocyanin extract and its impact on plasma antioxidant capacity in rats

Anthocyanins are secondary metabolites from the flavonoid family, frequently found in fruits and vegetables. They have been shown to possess beneficial health effects and various in vitro assays have highlighted their powerful antioxidant capacity. However, little is known about their metabolism after digestion and their antioxidant potency in vivo. The aim of this work was to evaluate anthocyanin bioavailability and to determine the impact of an anthocyanin-rich diet on plasma antioxidant status in rats. Animals were fed for 8 days with a vitamin E-deficient diet supplemented with a bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) anthocyanin extract providing daily 1.43 mmol anthocyanins kg−1 body weight. An anthocyanin-enriched diet significantly enhanced the plasma antioxidant capacity compared with a control diet (P < 0.0001). Moreover, anthocyanins were recovered in urine in the intact glycosidic forms in addition to unknown metabolites. Urinary excretion of bilberry anthocyanins and their metabolites was 0.71 ± 0.08 µmol per 24 h (ie 0.22% of the ingested dose). Anthocyanins and their corresponding aglycones were detected in caecal contents. After a single oral administration of the bilberry extract, native anthocyanins quickly (30 min) appeared in plasma. Hence, in spite of a low bioavailability, bilberry anthocyanin extract consumption has a positive effect on plasma antioxidant capacity. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
Abstract 3874: Loss of DDB2 enhances the tumorigenicity of ovarian cancer cells through expanding cancer stem-like cell population

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Ovarian cancer is an extremely aggressive disease associated with a high percentage of recurrence and chemotherapy resistance. DNA damage binding protein 2 (DDB2) is a 48-kDa protein originally identified as a component of the damage-specific DNA-binding heterodimeric complex DDB. Besides the known ability of DDB2 protein to bind ultraviolet (UV)-damaged DNA and serving as the initial damage recognition factor during nucleotide excision repair (NER), DDB2 was also reported to be involved in the promotion of apoptosis to reduce cisplatin resistance of ovarian cancer cells, control of cell migration, invasiveness and breast tumor progression, as well as suppression of metastasis of colon cancer through a transcriptional regulatory mechanism. Here we show that DDB2 is downregulated in human ovarian serous adenocarcinomas. DDB2 overexpression in human ovarian cancer cell line CP70 suppressed its capability to recapitulate tumors in athymic nude mice, as well as the growth of these cells cultured in semisolid media. Flow cytometry analyses indicate that DDB2 overexpression in CP70 cells reduced the abundance of ALDH+ cells, which are believed to be cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) in ovarian cancer. In contrast, downregulation of DDB2 in ovarian cancer cell line A2780 increased the percentage of ALDH+ cells. In addition, we analyzed the expression level of DDB2 in the putative CSCs isolated from various ovarian cancer cell lines, and demonstrated that DDB2 expression is downregulated in all tested CSCs in comparison with their parental bulk tumor cells. Overexpression of DDB2 in the ovarian CSCs reduced the expression of CSC marker Nanog, as well as inhibited the self-renewal of these CSCs. In addition, overexpression of DDB2 in CSCs isolated from ovarian cancer cell line SKOV-3 also decreased the tumorigenicity of these cells in NOD/SCID mice. Further analysis of publicly available gene expression array datasets revealed that low DDB2 expression correlates with poor outcomes among ovarian cancer patients, suggesting that loss of DDB2 may promote ovarian tumor relapse through expanding CSC population. Given that the DDB2 protein level is downregulated in ovarian tumor cells, targeting DDB2 expression could be a promising strategy to eradicate CSCs, and helps to halt ovarian cancer relapse. (Supported by NIH R01 grant CA151248 to QEW) Citation Format: Chunhua Han, Ran Zhao, Xingluo Liu, Amit Kumar Srivastava, Li Gong, Hsiaoyin Mao, Meihua Qu, Weiqiang Zhao, Jianhua Yu, Qi-En Wang. Loss of DDB2 enhances the tumorigenicity of ovarian cancer cells through expanding cancer stem-like cell population. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3874. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3874
A strain of peanut mottle virus seedborne in bambarra groundnut.

Peanut mottle virus (PMoV) was detected in nine of 95 bambarra groundnut (Voandzeia subterranea) plants grown in Florida from seed produced in Africa. This virus (PMoV-VS) induced systemic mosaic symptoms in cultivars of peanut (Arachis hypogaea), lima bean (Phaseolus limensis), and pea (Pisum sativum). PMoV-VS induced symptoms in differential bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) cultivars similar to those noted for an isolate of PMoV from the United States. PMoV-VS and PMoV induced very similar scroll, pinwheel, and laminated aggregate inclusions in infected leaf tissues. In immunodiffusion tests with PMoV-VS antiserum, precipitin lines of PMoV-VS and PMoV fused without spur formation (.)
Ciclo espermatogénico de dos especies de Telmatobius del Noroeste Argentino

Se analizan, desde un punto de vista histologico, el ciclo espermatogenico de Telmatobius laticeps y T. pisanoi. Las observaciones han podido ser cuantificadas mediante la aplicacion de una metodologia numerica que evita una senalacion arbitraria de los datos. Los resultados indican que en ambas especies la espermatogenesis, potencialmente continua, sufre cierta detencion durante algunos meses. Se definen dos momentos del ciclo: uno de "actividad espermatogenica", que para T. laticeps se observa desde diciembre hastay abril, y para T. pisanoi desde diciembre hasta junio; el otro, de "reposo espermatogenieo, se observa desde junio hasta octubre en la primera especie, y desde agosto hasta octubre en la segunda. Abstract. The spermatogenic cycles of Telmatobius laticeps and T. pisanoi are analyzed histologically using a new numerical method. Results indicate that in both species spermatogenesis does not proceed at a cons- tant rate. Two periods are defined: one of "spermatogenic activity", that is observed in T. laticeps from December through April, and in T. pisanoi from December through June; the othcr period, of "spermatogenic rest", is observed from June through October in the first species, and from August through October in the second.
Sex differences in amplitude regulation of distance calls in Bengalese finches, Lunchula striata var. domestica

Many animals regulate their vocal amplitude in relation to environmental noise levels. This behaviour is important both for maintaining auditory feedback and for long distance communication. In this experiment we asked two specific questions. Firstly, does the Bengalese finch, a species of songbirds that critically relies on immediate auditory feedback for its vocalisations, change the amplitude of distance calls against noise? Secondly, if it does, is there any difference between the sexes in the degree of amplitude regulation? To answer these, we recorded distance calls of male and female Bengalese finches under various noise conditions and compared amplitude regulation between the sexes. Results suggest that the finches do show amplitude regulation and that the degree of compensation is much stronger in males than in females. Results are discussed in view of the sex differences in neural mechanisms and the function of distance calls in this species.
Antihyperlipidemic activity of Sphaeranthus indicus on atherogenic diet induced hyperlipidemia in rats.

The present study was designed to investigate the Antihyperlipidemic activity of alcoholic extract of Sphaeranthus indicus L. flower heads in atherogenic diet induced hyperlipidemia. Sphaeranthus indicus extract was administered in a dose of 500 mg/kg/day, p.o. for eight days. Marked decrease in body weight, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein and very low density lipoprotein whereas significant increases in the level of high-density lipoprotein were obtained after treatment with Sphaeranthus indicus extract. The present work indicates that, Sphaeranthus indicus extract in a dose of 500 mg/kg/day effectively suppressed the atherogenic diet induced hyperlipidemia in rats, suggesting the potential protective role in atherosclerosis. Key words: Sphaeranthus indicus, atherogenic diet, hyperlipidemia
Egg physical characteristics and hatchability

The physical characteristics of the egg play an important role in the processes of embryo development and successful hatching. The most influential egg parameters are: weight, shell thickness and porosity, shape index, described as maximum breadth to length ratio, and the consistency of the contents. The average values of the physical characteristics mostly meet the requirements for the embryo's development. For those eggs, whose parameters do not fall in to the average range, the incubation process is more successful if the shell is thicker than average, the eggs are more pointed rather than round, and the contents firm. The results reported for investigations into incubating eggs, whose weights are not within the average values, are contradictory. Both thick shells and firm interiors, which are accepted as being higher than average, lead to an increase in egg weight, which probably results in the more successful hatching of embryos from heavier eggs.
Antioxidant Activity of Melanoidins from Different Sugar/Amino Acid Model Systems: Influence of the Enantiomer Type

The effect of amino acid enantiomers on the antioxidant activity of melanoidins was examined. For this purpose, antioxidant activities were evaluated on the basis of ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) and free radical scavenging activity including 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazil (DPPH) and 2, 2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), diammonium salt (ABTS) and ferrous ion chelating activity. Ethylene diamine tetraacetate and trolox, a water-soluble analog of tocopherol, were used as the reference antioxidant compounds. Melanoidins formed from D-isomers were found to be effective antioxidants in different in vitro assays with regard to the ferrous ion chelating activity, ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activities, and FRAP. In particular, the antioxidant activities of melanoidins formed from fructose systems were higher than those of melanoidins formed from glucose systems. In addition, the results showed that melanoidins formed from D-isomers had antioxidant activities, similar to those of melanoidins formed from L-isomers.
Pioneers in the Ventral Telencephalon

OL-protocadherin is a member of the non-clustered-type protocadherin family. A recent study of ours showed that it is essential not only for growth of striatal axons but also for higher ordered neural circuit formation in the ventral telencephalon. The phenotype of OL-protocadherin-deficient mice is striking: several major neural pathways such as thalamocortical pathway, corticothalamic pathway, corticospinal pathway and strionigral pathway were misrouted and/or congested in the ventral telencephalon. Moreover, we detected abnormal patterning of putative guidance cues for thalamocortical axons such as the Nkx2.1+ cell domain and permissive "corridor" in the ventral telencephalon. Analyses of the expression pattern and phenotypes suggested that deficiency of striatal axons is the primary cause of these phenotypes. With these observations in mind, we proposed a novel hypothesis that proper growth of striatal axons is essential in patterning guidance cues and subsequent formation of neural circuits in the ventral telencephalon. This hypothesis will open a new possibility to reveal the unknown mechanism of neural circuit formation in the ventral telencephalon.
LUMENAL PLASMA MEMBRANE OF THE URINARY BLADDER

A technique has been devised for isolation of lumenal plasma membranes from transitional epithelial cells lining the urinary bladder in rabbits and for subsequent separation of particle-bearing plaque regions from particle-free areas of the membranes. The success of the procedures employed and their effects on the isolates were assessed by electron microscopy of conventional plastic sections, negatively stained preparations, and freeze-etch replicas. When bladders are distended with a solution of 0.01 M thioglycolic acid, which reduces sulfhydryl bridges, cytoplasmic filaments are disrupted, and large segments of the lumenal membranes rupture and float free into the lumen. A centrifugation procedure was developed for isolating a fraction enriched with the large fragments. A comparison of membranes isolated in the presence of thioglycolate with those isolated from epithelial cells homogenized in sucrose medium indicates that thioglycolate has little effect on their fine structure except for the removal of filaments which are normally associated with their cytoplasmic surface. The curved plaques of hexagonally arrayed particles and the particle-free interplaque regions, both characteristic of membranes before exposure to thioglycolate, are well preserved. Subsequent treatment of thioglycolate-isolated lumenal membranes with 1% sodium desoxycholate (DOC) severs many of the interplaque regions, releasing individual plaques in which the particles are more clearly visible than before exposure to desoxycholate. Presumably, DOC acts by disrupting the hydrophobic bonds within the membrane; therefore, this type of cohesive force probably is a major factor maintaining the structural integrity of interplaque regions. This conclusion is consistent with the observation that interplaque regions undergo freeze-cleaving like simple bilayers with a plane of hydrophobic bonding.
The wilty tomato mutants flacca and sitiens are impaired in the oxidation of ABA‐aldehyde to ABA

Abstract. Deuterium-labelled ABA-aldehyde was fed to various tomato genotypes. Normal and notabilis mutant plants incorporated substantial amounts of the label into ABA. In contrast, two ABA-deficient mutants, flacca and sitiens, reduced ABA-aldehyde to a mixture of cis- and trans-ABA alcohol rather than oxidizing it to ABA. It was concluded that ABA-aldehyde is the immediate precursor of ABA in higher plants. It appears that the flacca and sitiens lesions both act to block the last step of the ABA biosynthetic pathway. The mutant gene loci are likely to be involved in coding for different sub-units of the same dehydrogenase enzyme.