Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of supplemental l-threonine on laying performance, serum free amino acids, and immune function of laying hens under high-temperature and high-humidity environmental climates

SUMMARY Babcock Brown layers (n = 960), 40 wk of age, were allocated to 1 of 5 dietary treatments groups, each of which included 6 replicates of 32 hens. Each group received the same basal diet formulated with corn, peanut meal, and crystalline amino acids for 8 wk. l-Threonine was added to the basal diet at 0 (control), 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4%, to achieve 0.47 (NRC, 1994), 0.57, 0.67, 0.77, and 0.87% threonine, respectively. Although supplementing the diet with lthreonine did not affect ADFI, FCR, egg weight, or egg quality (P > 0.05), the egg production response to supplemental l-threonine was quadratic, and it was maximized at 0.2% supplemental l-threonine. No differences were observed for uric acid, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, Ca, and P concentrations among the treatments. Serum total protein concentration increased quadratically to supplemental threonine, and the response was maximized at 0.2 and 0.3% supplemental l-threonine. Serum free threonine increased quadratically as supplemental threonine increased, and the response was maximized between 0.2 and 0.3% supplemental lthreonine. The addition of l-threonine at 0.3% of the diet resulted in linearly increasing levels of IgG and total Ig (P < 0.05) as compared with those of the control group. In conclusion, current NRC (1994) recommendations for dietary threonine are insufficient for modern commercial laying hens strains reared under subtropical summer climates. We suggest that 0.2% threonine resulted in optimal egg production, whereas 0.3% l-threonine may have had a positive effect on the humoral immune response of laying hens under conditions of high temperature and humidity.
Upregulation of Reg 1α and GW112 in the epithelium of inflamed colonic mucosa

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Colonic epithelium is involved in the regulation of intestinal function and mucosal immune responses, and its function is altered in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, a comprehensive analysis of the genetic alterations in inflamed colonic epithelium is not available at present. The aim of our study was to detect genes that are preferentially expressed in inflamed colonic epithelia and clarify the biochemical responses of epithelial cells in inflamed colonic mucosa. METHODS cDNA representation difference analysis was used to identify candidate genes selectively expressed in inflamed colonic epithelia. Selective expression of these genes in the epithelium of inflamed colonic mucosa, including IBD and non-IBD tissues, was examined by real time polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridisation. The effect of cell confluence and inflammatory mediators on Reg 1α gene expression was examined using a colon cancer cell line (HT29). RESULTS We identified seven candidate genes that were presumed to be upregulated in the inflamed colonic epithelium. Of these, Reg 1α and GW112 were the dominant species and expression of these genes was confined to the crypt epithelium. In vitro studies using a colonic epithelial cell line suggested that cell confluence regulates Reg 1α gene expression. CONCLUSIONS Selective expression of Reg 1α and GW112 genes in the crypt epithelium of inflamed colonic mucosa suggests the important regulatory functions of these genes.
FLOCCULATION CHARACTERISTICS OF YEASTS: III. GENERAL ROLE OF FLOCCULATING AGENTS AND SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF A YEAST FLOCCULATED BY ALCOHOL

A particular strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been shown to be atypical in that it flocculates in dilute solutions of calcium sulphate and in beer only when a lower alcohol is present. The stimulating effect of calcium ions on the flocculation of this and other yeasts is discussed in connection with evidence that the relative specificity of calcium as a flocculating agent disappears once the yeast cells have been removed from their growth medium.
Use of Ulva Lactuca to distinguish pH‐dependent toxicants in marine waters and sediments

Ulva lactuca (sea lettuce) is a cosmopolitan marine attached green seaweed capable of sequestering high environmental levels of ammonia. Ammonia can be acutely toxic to marine organisms and is often found in dredged sediments from highly industrial areas or from areas with high carbon inputs. For the purposes of dredged sediment disposal as well as in determining causes of toxicity in complex mixtures, it is important to distinguish ammonia toxicity from the toxicity of other compounds. The use of U. lactuca to selectively remove ammonia from waters and sediments as part of a toxicity identification and evaluation (TIE) procedure was evaluated. Ulva lactuca lowered concentrations of total ammonia from 75 to 17 mg/L in <8 h in water‐only exposures. This treatment also reduced 48‐h amphipod mortality from 75 to 20%. In whole sediments, U. lactuca lowered interstitial water concentrations of ammonia from 60 to 20 mg/L, while keeping overlying water concentrations below detectable limits (<1 mg/L). To determine the limitations of the U. lactuca method to selectively remove ammonia from solution, metal and organic accumulation experiments were performed. Ulva lactuca generally took up <15% of metals present, with most of the exposures resulting in less than a 10% uptake. In contrast, U. lactuca removed 77% of lindane and 95% of fluoranthene. Results of a TIE conducted on sediments from an industrial marine harbor indicated U. lactuca was useful, in conjunction with other procedures, in categorizing ammonia as a sediment toxicant.
Bio-control of Radopholus similis on Black Pepper, Piper nigrum L. under field conditions

The burrowing nematode, Radopholus similis is known to cause pepper yellows of black pepper. An attempt was made to manage the burrowing nematode population infesting black pepper under field conditions for four years, using the bio-control agents viz. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), Paecilomyces lilacinus and Pasteuria penetrans. The black pepper vines were trailed on to individual live standards of Glyricidia maculata stems. The plants inoculated with burrowing nematode alone had the minimum vine length, number of leaves, shoot and root weight, maximum root-lesion index and highest population of burrowing nematodes. The bio-agents individually or in combinations were highly effective in enhancing plant growth and suppressing nematode multiplication. This study clearly indicated that both burrowing and root-knot nematode population on black pepper can be managed using the three bio-agents and can avoid the application of nematicides. The introduction of the bio-agents is to be done to the nursery potting mixture as well as into the planting pits at the time of transplantation in the field.
The Rhizosphere Effect on the Bacterial Genera Associated with Crude Oil Polluted Soil Ecosystem

rhizo-bacterial genera associated with these plants Cyperus amabalis, Desmodium triflorum, Phaseolus sp. , Solenstemon sp. , Mariscus sp were isolated, enumerated and studied. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference (P>0.05) between the rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere of total culturable heterotrophic and hydrocarbon-utilizing bacterial counts in both polluted and unpolluted soils. The rhizosphere effect values of the above named plants were determined. All the plants exhibited positive rhizosphere effects on the rhizo-bacteria. The rhizosphere effect ratio of the hydrocarbon-utilizing bacteria showed significant difference between the polluted and unpolluted soils of Phaseolus sp. (P=0.022), Solenstemon sp. (P=0.012). The hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria isolated were identified as Acinetobacter, Alcaligenes, Arthrobacter, Corynebacterium, Flavobacterium, Pseudomonas and Serratia spp. All the isolates grew on petroleum hydrocarbon at different growth rates. Based on these results, the hydrocarbon utilisers isolated can serve as seeds for bioaugmentation during remediation of crude oil polluted soil while the plants may be employed in rhizoremediation of oil polluted soil.
Exploring the mechanics of thunniform propulsion: a model study

Thunniform propulsion is considered a case study in convergent evolution. Independently derived at least four times, it is characterized by uniquely high lift-based thrust and efficient performance. As such, it has been the focus of studies from biologists, engineers, and physicists. Unfortunately, direct physical measurements of this phenomenon are difficult to obtain. Therefore, the majority of research so far has consisted of theoretical modeling or experimental testing with models of low biofidelity. We created a test apparatus that would more accurately mimic thunniform propulsion as seen in the skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis (L., 1758)). Motion parameters and swimming speeds, as well as caudal fin size, shape, and material properties, were all taken into account and closely matched with in vivo measurements. Instantaneous lateral and in-flow forces were measured in tests over a range of motion regimes. Overall, general motion parameter requirements for thrust generation were determined and quanti.
Food quality of anemophilous plant pollen for zooplankton

Pollen rain can lead to considerable allochthonous particulate organic carbon input into freshwater systems. However, the importance of allochthonous pollen deposition for zooplankton production has not so far been considered. Here, standardized growth experiments were performed to assess the quality of pollen from three species (Alnus sp., Populus sp., and Cedrus sp.) as a food source for two cladocerans (Daphnia longispina and Simocephalus vetulus). Although lipid analysis revealed high polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) contents in pollen, both cladoceran species exhibited suboptimal development when directly fed on pollen (ranging from 0.2 d−1 to 0.3 d−1). The low food value of pollen was attributed to the presence of a refractory wall reducing its digestibility. In a second set of experiments, cladocerans were fed on a mixture of heterotrophic microorganisms (bacteria, chytrids, and protozoa) that had grown on pollen grains (Cedrus sp.). The introduction of microorganisms as an intermediate trophic level resulted in cladoceran growth rates that were about double those obtained on pollen alone. Hence, our findings suggest that pollen carbon could sustain zooplankton growth indirectly, and highlight the key role of microorganisms, and especially of chytrids, in transferring and upgrading pollen PUFA to higher trophic levels.
Oxidative stability of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.), coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) and niger (Guizotia abyssinica Cass.) crude seed oils upon stripping

Information on stability of edible oils is important for predicting the quality deterioration of the oil during storage and marketing. Stripping of crude oils removes most of non-triacylglycerol components, including polar lipids and phenolics. Oxidative stability of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.), coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) and niger (Guizotia abyssinica Cass.) crude and stripped seed oils was investigated and compared. The factors influencing the oxidative stability of different seed oils were also discussed. Oil samples were stored under accelerated oxidation conditions for 21 d. The progress of oxidation at 60 °C was followed by recording the ultraviolet absorptivity and measuring the formation of oxidative products (peroxide and p-anisidine values). Inverse relationships were noted between peroxide values and oxidative stabilities and also between secondary oxidation products, measured by p-anisidine value and stabilities at termination of the storage. Absorptivity at 232 nm and 270 nm increased gradually with the increase in time, due to the formation of conjugated dienes and polyenes. In general, oxidative stabilities of crude oils were stronger than their stripped counterparts and the order of oxidative stability was as follows: coriander > black cumin > niger seed. Levels of polar lipids in crude oils correlated with oxidative stability. Thus, the major factor that may contribute to the better oxidative stability of crude oils was the carry-over of their polar lipids.
Mejoramiento genético forestal acelerado mediante selección genómica

La industria silvicola chilena no debiera desarrollarse al margen de las nuevas herramientas biotecnologicas. Los actuales programas de mejoramiento genetico forestal se han sustentado en la seleccion de progenitores basandose en ensayos de progenie evaluados a largo plazo, en que la estimacion de los valores geneticos esta afectada por el ambiente. La seleccion asistida por marcadores moleculares ha facilitado detectar regiones genomicas cuantitativas asociadas a caracteristicas productivas, aunque explica solo una pequena proporcion de la variacion genetica. En mejoramiento animal, la incorporacion de marcadores de alta resolucion en la prediccion de valores genomicos, estrategia denominada seleccion genomica, ha permitido utilizar simultanea y eficientemente la informacion de miles de marcadores ahorrando tiempo en evaluacion y seleccion. En este trabajo se revisan los principales aspectos de la seleccion genomica con el objeto de evaluar sus posibles implicancias en el mejoramiento genetico forestal. La aplicacion de esta estrategia requiere desarrollar un gran numero de marcadores para capturar gran parte de la variacion genetica y definir los factores involucrados en los analisis, tales como el nivel de desequilibrio de ligamiento de la poblacion, la heredabilidad de la caracteristica, los metodos estadisticos y de validacion de las predicciones. Se concluye que la implementacion de seleccion genomica permitiria la captura temprana de los mejores individuos, obtener una mayor ganancia genetica anual y permitir la plantacion operacional del mejor material genetico en forma mas eficiente y productiva.
Meta-análise do uso de ácido linoleico conjugado na alimentação de suínos

This work aimed at meta-analyzing the association of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) with the performance and the carcass and meat quality in pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus). The database used assembled 15 scientific papers, published from 1999 to 2006, comprising 216 diets and 5,223 animals. Meta-analysis was carried out by graphical examination (to observe biological coherency), correlation (to identify correlated variables) and variance-covariance analysis of the data. The analysis of variance included only meat and carcass variables with stronger correlation to CLA consumption by the animals, and encodings to inter and intra-experimental effects. The inclusion of CLA in diets showed a negative correlation with feed efficiency and a positive correlation with feed intake and weight gain. Conjugated linoleic acid-suplemented diets for pigs did not affect feed intake, weight gain and feed efficiency. Conjugated linoleic acid increased the lean meat content in the carcass in 9%. Average backfat thickness also varied according to conjugated linoleic acid consumption. Conjugated linoleic acid increases lean meat content and reduces backfat thickness, without influencing performance and meat quality in pigs.
Flexible docking of DNA fragments and actinocin derivatives

We have applied molecular docking methods to systems containing nucleic acids as targets and biologically active substances as ligands. The complexes of DNA fragments and actinocin derivatives with different lengths of aminoalkyl side chains were obtained by molecular docking. It was observed that actinocin derivatives could form energetically favourable complexes with DNA both as intercalators and minor groove binders. It was shown that small changes in the binding energy (∼1 kcal/mol) could result in complexes with substantially different structure. The complexes of actinocin derivatives and DNA fragments were stabilized by hydrogen bonding upon intercalation and minor groove binding. It was found that the change of solvent-accessible surface area upon binding of the actinocin derivative to DNA linear increased with the growth of methylene groups' number in ligand side chains. The solvation energy change upon binding of actinocin derivatives to DNA calculated by the WSAS method was favourable in the case of small uncharged ligands and unfavourable for positively charged ligands.
Estudo econômico da produção de cordeiros cruzados confinados abatidos em diferentes pesos

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the economic viability of producing crossbred lambs in feedlots, and to determine which slaughter weight is more profitable. Fifty-three male and female animals were used, from three different genetic groups: Santa Ines (SI), Ile de France x Santa Ines (ISI) and Texel x Santa Ines (TSI). The animals were slaughtered at different body weights (BW) (30, 35, 40 and 45 Kg). Only variable costs were analyzed, as other costs were presumed to be fixed. The BW operational cost per kg was R$ 4.01, R$ 3.58 and R$ 3.38 for SI, ISI and TSI, respectively. The animals slaughtered with 45 kg BW cost R$ 3.51 per kg of BW produced, which was significantly lower than other groups. With estimated revenue of R$ 3.50 per kg of BW, sheep production in the Federal District (DF) is not profitable. The use of management practices to increase the number of twin births may increase the gross profit margin of the activity. Payment for carcass weight and meat quality as well as the improvement of productivity indices and better food conversion obtained by animal breeding programs are urgently needed to guarantee sheep production profitability. KEYWORDS: Breed, profitability, slaughter weight, variable costs.
Taxonomy of the African giant pouched rats (Nesomyidae: Cricetomys): molecular and craniometric evidence support an unexpected high species diversity

Our study combined a mitochondrial cytochrome b phylogeny with cranial measurements from giant pouched rats collected across sub-Saharan Africa. The mitochondrial phylogeny resolves two West African clades and a clade with east and central Africa representatives. This last clade can be further divided into four subclades. Altogether they represent six species (Cricetomys gambianus, Cricetomys ansorgei, Cricetomys emini, and three undescribed taxa) that can be distinguished on the basis of their mitochondrial DNA sequences and craniometry. In the absence of adequate craniometric data the existence of Cricetomys kivuensis cannot be confirmed by our data. Our combined molecular and craniometric data allowed us to broadly delineate the distribution ranges of the detected species. Cricetomys gambianus occurs in the savannah and forest clearings of West Africa. Cricetomys ansorgei is distributed in the savannah of East and southern Africa. Cricetomys emini, as currently recognized across the Guineo-Congolian forest of Africa, is shown to be diphyletic. Cricetomys sp. 1, a separate operational taxonomic unit closely resembling C. emini, occurs in the forest zone of West Africa. An undescribed sister-species of C. ansorgei, Cricetomys sp. 2, occurs in the forest of Central Africa along the left bank of the Congo River. Cricetomys sp. 3 occurs on the right bank of the Congo River from Cameroon to the Republic of Congo, whereas the true C. emini also occurs on the right bank of the Congo River but appears to be restricted to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Cranial phenotype within the genus tends to conform to ecological zonation (either forest or savannah) rather than to phylogenetic affiliation of the species concerned, suggesting that diversifying selection across environmental gradients could be responsible for biological diversification within the genus.
Amana wanzhensis (Liliaceae), a new species from Anhui, China

Amana wanzhensis , a new species from Ningguo County, Eastern China, is described and illustrated. A. wanzhensis is similar to A. erythronioides in sharing villous tunics and oblanceolate leaves, but differs from it by having shorter bracts (0.1–0.5 cm long), yellow anthers, and deciduous tepals.
Molecular mapping as a tool for pre-emptive breeding for resistance to the exotic barley pathogen, Puccinia striiformis f. sp. hordei

Barley stripe rust (BSR), caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. hordei, has been a major disease problem to the barley industry worldwide that has not, to date, been detected in Australia. This paper describes the mapping of stripe rust resistance genes in Tallon/Kaputar (TK) and Arapiles/Franklin (AF) populations. The paper also reports on the usefulness of markers associated with alternative sources of resistance previously identified in the varieties Orca and Shyri in the USA. Stripe rust screening was conducted at the adult plant stage in Toluca, Mexico, for 2 years. Two major quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were found on chromosomes 2H and 5H in both populations. One region on chromosome 5H was highly significantly associated with resistance to stripe rust (R2 = 68% and 34% in TK and AF, respectively). The QTL on chromosome 2H accounted for 36% of the variation in TK and 10% of the variation in the AF population. These associations were consistent over both years. Further work will involve screening for additional markers in the target regions to identify polymorphism that can be used to select for multiple resistances in the absence of the pathogen.
Morphological and pathological aspects of the rete ovarii in sheep (Ovis aries)

Sixty-four ovaries of adult woolly sheep from the Centro de Pesquisa dos Campos Sul Brasileiros - Embrapa, Bage-RS, Brazil, were analyzed histologically. The presence of the rete ovarii was detected in 55 of the 64 ovaries (85.9%), located in the periovarian tissue, in the hilus and in the medullary or cortical regions. As also observed in other mammals, the rete ovarii of sheep is morphologically divided into three portions: intraovarian rete, connecting rete and extraovarian rete. Continuity between the extraovarian rete and the uterine tube was observed in five ovaries (7.8%), suggesting a tuboretial connection, as reported for cows and does. Pathological examination of the rete showed the formation of cysts surrounding the connecting and/or extraovarian rete in seven cases (10.9%) and one case of hyperplasia of the extraovarian rete (1.6%).
Below‐ and Aboveground N and P Use by Abies amabilis Stands

Annual N and P requirements and internal redistributions were determined for above- and belowground vegetation component of young (23-yr-old) and mature (1 80-yr-old) subalpine Abies amabilis stands in the Washington Cascades Mountains. The primary objective was to evaluate the importance of fine-root production in determining total vegetation N and P uptakes from soil nutrient pools. In the young stand, N and P requirements for aboveground plant components were, respectively, 42.7 and 5.54 kg ha-' yr-', while for belowground plant components, requirements were 75.5 and 10.94 kg ha-' yr-'. Aboveground N and P requirements in the mature stand totalled 27.7 and 4.11 kg ha-' yr-', respectively, with belowground components totalling 74.5 and 14.61 kg ha-' yr-'. Requirements were met by both nutrient uptake from the soil and internal nutrient redistribution. Total uptakes of N and P for aboveground components were 26.9 and 2.86 kg ha-' yr-' in the young stand; uptakes for belowground components were 44.0 and 5.64 kg ha-' yr-'. In the mature stand, N and P uptakes for aboveground plant components totalled 11.7 and 1.68 kg* ha-' yr-', while those of belowground components were 34.4 and 4.58 kg ha-' yr-'. In the young stand 41% of N and 48% of P requirements were provided by internal redistribution. Internal redistribution provided 55% of N and 66% of P requirements in the mature stand. The ratio of below- to aboveground total production was 1.8 in the young stand, and 2.8 in the mature stand. Below- to aboveground nutrient requirement and uptake ratios were from 1.6 to 2.0 in the young stand, while those for the mature stand were from 2.7 to 3.6. Within-stand patterns of nutrient uptake were not fundamentally different from those of nutrient requirements. Ratios of uptake for above- and belowground components were generally within 10% of corresponding requirement ratios.