Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Purification and Partial Characterization of a Rainbow Trout Egg Lectin

Abstract A lectin that agglutinates rabbit red blood cells (RBCs) and human type B RBCs was isolated from ova of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. Hemagglutination of rabbit RBCs was inhibited completely by 10 mM L-rhamnose but not by certain other sugars, 100 mM EDTA, or 100 mM 2-mercaptoethanol. Partial purification of this hemagglutinating material was achieved by affinity chromatography of an H2O-dialyzed yolk homogenate on rhamnose-linked Sepharose. A polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) performed on this sample revealed two polypeptides with approximate molecular masses of 19 kilodaltons (kDa) and 30 kDa. By fast-phase liquid chromatography, proteins with a molecular mass of less than 20 kDa were separated from other elements of the affinity-purified hemagglutinating material. These proteins were found to lack hemagglutinating activity. When a western blot with rabbit antilectin antiserum was performed against yolk extract, rainbow trout serum, or yolk from larvae, a 30-kDa polypeptide was.
In-vitro-Phagozytose-Stimulierung durch isolierte Pflanzenstoffe gemessen im Phagozytose-Chemolumineszenz-(CL)-Modell

In our search for potential stimulants of granulocyte-phagocytosis, more than 75 compounds isolated from higher plants have been investigated in the chemoluminescence-model for phagocytosis stimulating properties. The data were compared with those obtained from the microscopic test system. Both methods are suitable for systematic screening investigations. The alkaloids isopteropodin, emetin and aristolochic acid-Na, the sesquiterpenlactones helenalin and eufoliatin, the naphthoquinone plumbagin and the polysaccharides of ECHINACEA PURP. , EUPATORIUM PERFOL. , ACANTHOPANAX SENTICOSUS and CHAMOMILLA RECUTITA have been investigated in detail.
Length-weight relationship and prediction equations of body composition for growing-finishing cage-farmed Nile tilapia

The objective of the present study was to develop models for predicting live weight from the length-weight relationship and body composition of Nile tilapia. A total of 3,000 juvenile fish (initial weight = 28.6±4.16 g and standard length = 13.8±0.16 cm) were distributed into three circular cages (12 m3 each). The fish were hand-fed extruded diets containing 332 g kg-1 of crude protein and 3,230 kcal kg-1 of digestible energy, until apparent satiety, twice daily, for 100 days. Twelve fish were collected from each cage every 20 days for measurements of body weight and length, and proximate composition analysis; statistical analysis was conducted using linear regression. The value of the slope b and the intercept for the length-weight relationship were 3.0604 and 0.0203, respectively. The prediction equations obtained for body moisture (MO), crude protein (CP), crude lipid (CL), and ash against body weight (BW) in g/100 g of fish were as follows: MO = 70.0090 - 0.0071BW; CP = 13.7550 + 0.0037BW; CL = 9.2636 + 0.0057BW; and ash = 4.2392 - 0.0024BW. It is possible to develop equations to predict body weight and composition, which can be used to control the production of Nile tilapia and improve its commercial value.
Feeding habits of the cockfish, Callorhinchus callorynchus (Holocephali: Callorhinchidae) from off northern Argentina

ABSTRACT The feeding habits of Callorhinchus callorynchus were investigated in coastal waters off northern Argentina. The effect of body size, seasons and regions was evaluated on female diet composition using a multiple-hypothesis modelling approach. Callorhinchus callorynchus fed mainly on bivalves (55.61% PSIRI), followed by brachyuran crabs (10.62% PSIRI) and isopods (10.13% PSIRI). Callorhinchus callorynchus females showed changes in the diet composition with increasing body size and also between seasons and regions. Further, this species is able to consume larger bivalves as it grows. Trophic level was 3.15, characterizing it as a secondary consumer. We conclude that C. callorynchus showed a behavior of crushing hard prey, mainly on bivalves, brachyuran, gastropods and anomuran crabs. Females of this species shift their diet with increasing body size and in response to seasonal and regional changes in prey abundance or distribution.
Chinese Yam polysaccharide enhances growth performance and cellular immune response in weanling rats

In order to develop a novel dietary additive for the potential application in domestic animals and human, one fraction of Chinese Yam (CY) polysaccharide was prepared. This study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary supplementing CY polysaccharide on the immune response and health growth in weaned rats. Dietary supplementing CY polysaccharide increased the average daily feed intake and average daily gain, while decreased the feed-gain ratio overall after the supplementation compared with the non-additive group. CY polysaccharide also significantly increased the serum contents of IL-2 and TNF, as well as proliferation activity of peripheral lymphocytes, but decreased the serum contents of low density lipoprotein, total cholesterol and triglyceride compared with the non- supplemented group. An increase in cellular immunity in the CY polysaccharide- supplemented weaned rats, conferring an important protective role in the non- specific defense against infections. The herbal polysaccharide, as a natural green dietary additive for promoting the immune response and healthy growth, may offer an effective alternative to antibiotics for weaned animals.
Hierarchy and the reconstruction of evolutionary trends: evidence for constraints on the evolution of body size in terrestrial caniform carnivorans (Mammalia)

Abstract Body mass is an important organism-level variable in mammalian biology, correlated with physiology, life history, and ecology. To analyze the dynamics of body size evolution, increases and decreases in body mass were tallied for ancestor-descendant (AD) species pairs for 519 terrestrial caniform taxa. To account for uncertainty phylogeny, a bootstrapping routine shuffled hypothesized AD pairs, and average proportions of increases were binned as a function of ancestral body mass. A set of models relating the rate of body size increase were evaluated with the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC). AIC selected three models of the candidate set as equivalent in support by the observed body mass data. These three models propose body size increase for small AD pairs and body size decrease for large AD pairs, although they differ in their treatment of taxa at intermediate sizes. These results demonstrate the presence of constraints bounding the caniform distribution at large and small body sizes, stabilizing the distribution through time, which stands in contrast to a broader mammalian pattern. At a finer phylogenetic scale, subclades within intermediate size classes display proportions that are significantly different from unbiased, with several clades previously cited as examples of “Cope's Rule” showing biased increases in size, and basal mustelids (badgers, and allied genera), Mephitidae (skunks), and Vulpini (“foxes”) exhibiting biased decreases. The caniform pattern is therefore the result of superimposed, clade-specific trajectories, demonstrating that the inferred dynamics of body size evolution and even the direction of trends in body size evolution within the Caniformia, and for mammals in general, depend on the hierarchical scale of the analysis.
Comparative Study on the Sporicidal Activity of a Newly Developed and Conventional Chemical Sporicidal Agents Against Bacillus subtilis Spores

To investigate the practical usefulness of a newly developed agent, named the KMT reagent (Kida et al., 2004) , a comparative study on sporicidal activities of the KMT reagent, peracetic acid (Acecide(R)), chlorine dioxide (Exspor (R)), hydrogen peroxide, and sodium hypochlorite against Bacillus subtilis spores prepared at 22 or 37•Ž was performed. The spores prepared at 37•Ž were more resistant than those prepared at 22•Ž against the agents tested, and the sporulation temperature seemed to be an important factor in the determination of sporicidal activity. Acecide(R) showed the most potent sporicidal activity among the agents tested. Exspor(R) also showed potent activity, but its activity, like that of sodium hypochlorite, was strongly inhibited by serum as an organic substance. The sporicidal activity of the KMT rea-
Corn Starch‐Xanthan Gum Interaction and Its Effect on the Stability During Storage of Frozen Gelatinized Suspension

The knowledge of starch pastes behavior during frozen storage becomes necessary to understand more complex systems (e.g. sauces, dressings and desserts) The effect of sub-zero storage on the quality attributes of corn starch pastes (10% w/w) with and without xanthan gum (0.3% w/w) was analyzed. Pastes were frozen at different rates (0.3 to 270cm/h) and stored at −5, −10 and −20°C. Exudate production (syneresis) and rheological behavior were studied by means of capillary suction and rotational viscometry respectively. Ice recrystallization was analyzed by indirect microscopic observations using isothermal freeze fixation and amylopectin retrogradation by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Samples stored at −5°C (glass transition temperature) or higher temperatures were under the rubbery state evidenced by starch recrystallization. This state favored molecular mobility leading to deteriorative changes (like spongy structure formation related to amylose retrogradation). At lower storage temperatures (−10 and −20°C) under the glassy state, starch retrogradation was not detected and deteriorative changes can be related to ice recrystallization. The addition of xanthan gum minimized amylose retrogradation, syneresis and rheological changes, however, its presence did not prevent ice recrystallization nor amylopectin retrogradation.
Agronomic potential of synthetic hexaploid wheat-derived populations

Wild relatives of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) have primarily been used as sources of genes for biotic and abiotic stress resistance. A more direct approach to grain yield improvement has been sought by using exotic germplasm to enhance quantitative traits, including grain yield. This study was conducted to determine whether synthetic hexaploids, developed from artificial hybridization of durum wheat [Triticum turgidum ssp. durum (Desf.) Husn. ] with Aegilops tauschii Coss. , can enhance yield or yield components of wheat. Two hundred eighty-two BC 2 F 2 -derived lines, involving six crosses between different synthetic hexaploids and four spring wheat cultivars, were evaluated for grain yield and its components. These synthetic-derived lines were compared with their recurrent parent in field experiments conducted during the 1995 to 1996 and 1996 to 1997 crop seasons near Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico. More than 80% of the synthetic-derived lines were significantly superior to their recurrent parent for kernel weight. Eight lines had significantly higher grain yield compared with their recurrent parent. Grain yields of superior lines were up to 11% higher than those of their recurrent parents. A strong association between grains m -2 , biomass, spikes m -2 , and grain and biomass production rates and grain yield was observed in all populations. Path coefficient analyses of yield components revealed a strong direct effect of spikes m -2 and grains spike -1 on grain yield. Results indicate that synthetic hexaploids can be a valuable source of alleles to improve kernel weight.
The Effects of Intensive Versus Routine Treatment in Patients with Acute Kidney Injury.

BACKGROUND In patients with acute kidney injury (AKI), specialized treatment-initiated in response to an early-warning system- may be beneficial compared with routine treatment. METHOD To explore effect estimators in a pilot trial (DRKS00010530), patients with AKI on regular wards of a university hospital were treated either in the usual way (control group) or more intensively (intervention group). The subjects were allotted randomly to the two treatment groups. The more intensive treatment consisted of an early warning system for a rise in the serum creatinine concentration, immediate consultation of a specialist, and the issuance of a patient kidney passport. The primary endpoint was recovery of renal function after AKI during the index hospitalization. Renal complications and process indicators were the secondary endpoints. RESULTS The proportion of patients whose renal function returned to baseline after AKI was 50% in the intervention group (N = 26) and 42% in the control group (N = 26) (odds ratio 1.4, 95% confidence interval [0.5; 4.0], p = 0.58). The calculated glomerular filtration rate went down, from hospital admission to discharge, by 3 mL/min/1.73 m2 (1st-3rd quartile: [6; -20]) in the intervention group and by 13 mL/min/1.73 m2 in the control group (1st-3rd quartile: [0; -25]; p = 0.09). Complications of AKI such as hyperkalemia, pulmonary edema, and renal acidosis were rarer in the intervention group (15% versus 39%; p = 0.03). In the intervention group, compared with the control group, the cause of AKI was identified more frequently (27% versus 4%; p = 0.05); drugs with relevance to the kidney were discontinued more frequently (65% versus 31%; p = 0.01); and the diagnosis of AKI was more frequently documented in the patient's chart (58% versus 37%; p = 0.03). CONCLUSION Specialized consultations supported by an early warning system for AKI seem to be beneficial for patients. The findings of this pilot trial should be verified in larger-scale randomized controlled trials.
Antibiotic resistant bacteria in terrestrial and aquatic environments: A review

Antibiotic resistant bacteria have become increasingly widespread in environment and their prevalence is a serious problem for health. The rise and spread of this resistance is primarily due to overuse of antibiotics in clinical therapeutics and as growth promoters for livestock. Overuse undermines the usefulness of antibiotics by giving a selective advantage to microbes that are resistant. The problem has been exacerbated by the emergence of bacteria that are resistant to multiple antibiotics, and by the ability of these resistance determinants to spread horizontally between different bacteria via horizontal gene transfer. Such transfer can, for example, take place in the guts of farm animals, which can become reservoirs of multiple antibiotic resistant bacteria (MARB). Antibiotics and MARB enter the environment via wastewater, especially from hospitals and pharmaceutical plants, and through agricultural runoff, leading to contamination of surface and ground water. This is a serious problem in arid regions such as Oman where wastewater is recycled for irrigation and recharging aquifers. Even treatment with chlorine does not completely remove bacteria from wastewater or prevent their re-growth in downstream distribution systems. MARB can reach humans via contaminated food and drinking water, or directly from the environment. Agricultural runoff and sewage, either treated or untreated, are also the main sources of antibiotic resistant bacteria in coastal sea water. It is necessary to use antibiotics more prudently in medicine, treat wastewater more effectively, eliminate the discharge of untreated waste into the environment, and curtail the profligate use of antibiotics as growth promoters for livestock.
Effects of Zn2+ on wild and mutant neuronal α7 nicotinic receptors

Zn 21 is a key structuralyfunctional compo- nent of many proteins and is present at high concentrations in the brain and retina, where it modulates ligand-gated receptors. Therefore, a study was made of the effects of zinc on homomeric neuronal nicotinic receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes after injection of cDNAs encoding the chicken wild or mutant a7 subunits. In oocytes expressing wild-type receptors, Zn 21 alone did not elicit appreciable membrane currents. Acetylcholine (AcCho) elicited large currents (IAcCho) that were reduced by Zn 21 in a reversible and dose-dependent manner, with an IC50 of 27 mM and a Hill coefficient of 0.4. The inhibition of IAcCho by Zn 21 was competitive and voltage- independent, a behavior incompatible with a channel blockade mechanism. In sharp contrast, in oocytes expressing a recep- tor mutant, with a threonine-for-leucine 247 substitution ( L247T a7), subnanomolar concentrations of Zn 21 elicited mem- brane currents (IZn) that were reversibly inhibited by the nicotinic receptor blockers methyllycaconitine and a-bunga- rotoxin. Cell-attached single-channel recordings showed that Zn 21 opened channels that had a mean open time of 5 ms and a conductance of 48 pS. At millimolar concentrations Zn 21 reduced IAcCho and the block became stronger with cell hy- perpolarization. Thus, Zn21 is a reversible blocker of wild- type a7 receptors, but becomes an agonist, as well as an antagonist, following mutation of the highly conserved leucine residue 247 located in the M2 channel domain. We conclude that Zn 21 is a modulator as well as an activator of homomeric nicotinic a7 receptors.
Phylogeny of the family Characidae (Teleostei: Characiformes): from characters to taxonomy

The family Characidae is the most diverse among Neotropical fishes. Systematics of this family are mainly based on pre-cladistic papers, and only recently a phylogenetic hypothesis for Characidae was proposed by the author. That phylogeny was based on 360 morphological characters studied for 160 species, including representatives of families related to Characidae. This paper is based on that phylogenetic analysis, with the analyzed characters described herein and documented, accompanied by comparisons of their definition and coding in previous papers. Synapomorphies of each node of the proposed phylogeny are listed, comparisons with previous classifications provided, and autapomorphies of the analyzed species listed. Taxonomic implications of the proposed classification and the position of the incertae sedis genera within Characidae are discussed. A discussion of the phylogenetic information of the characters used in the classical systematics of the Characidae is provided.
Phenotypic Differences Exist between BPH/5 Offspring in a Sex‐Dependent Manner

The maternal obesogenic environment is known to play a role in offspring development and metabolism in a sex‐dependent manner. The impact of gestating in obese mothers, with superimposed preeclampsia (PE), on male and female development into adulthood is not completely understood. To investigate this, we utilized the obese BPH/5 female mouse which spontaneously develops hypertension in late gestation, fetal demise, and fetal growth restriction (FGR) while showing excessive gestational weight gain early in pregnancy. We have previously shown that calorie restricted pregnant BPH/5 females have reduction in adiposity and improved outcomes when pair‐feeding is imposed beginning at the time of conception, embryonic day (e) 0.5, including attenuation of inflammatory cytokines at the maternal‐fetal interface and in maternal circulation. We hypothesized that phenotypic differences exist between female and male BPH/5 offspring and that pair‐feeding BPH/5 dams during pregnancy would alter this.
Learning To Re-Rank For Multistakeholder Recommendations

Recommender Systems are personalized applications aiming to assist decision making by a list of tailored recommendations. Traditional recommender systems only focus on addressing the objective of the end users whose decisions ultimately determine the deal of the recommendation systems. However, the customer of the recommendations is not the only party whose needs should be represented. The needs of multiple stakeholders should be taken into account. In this paper, we are considering re-rank functions that are designed to balance end-user and online retailer needs. A variety of methodological approaches of different complexities are explored to incorporate profit information into recommenders and to balance preference and profitability. Taking the above factors into consideration, we tackle the problem balancing two sides by proposing a novel algorithm-Preference with Revenue Recommendation (PRR). Extensive experiments conducted on real world dataset indicate our method can be done with a marginal or no loss in ranking accuracy.
First record of Apogon queketti Gilchrist (Osteichthyes: Apogonidae) in the Mediterranean Sea

The spotfin cardinalfish Apogon queketti is recorded for the first time in the north-eastern Mediterranean Sea (Iskenderun Bay, Turkey). Two specimens of this species, 111 and 102 mm total length were caught by a commercial trawler at depths of 55 and 60 m on 14 October 2004 and 23 April 2005, respectively. The occurrence of this species in the Mediterranean Sea is the result of migration from the Red Sea via the Suez Canal.
Prolonged foraging bouts of a solitary gleaning/hawking bat, Myotis evotis

We investigated the foraging behaviour of reproductive female long-eared bats, Myotis evotis, roosting solitarily in natural habitat in the badlands of the South Saskatchewan River valley, Alberta, Canada. Myotis evotis behaved differently than other temperate-zone insectivorous species studied previously. Individuals foraged all night, every night, regardless of ambient temperature or reproductive condition, and only spent a small proportion of the night roosting (less than 10% of the time spent out of the roost). A high daily energy demand and an energetically costly mode of flight may necessitate this behaviour. The ability to both aerial-hawk and glean prey from surfaces may make night-long foraging profitable for M. evotis, and for other flying nocturnal insectivores that can glean.
Desertification and disarray: the threats to plant genetic resources of southern Darfur, western Sudan

A civil war is being fought in Darfur in western Sudan that has resulted in a humanitarian disaster with large numbers of Sudanese refugees seeking a safe haven in neighbouring Chad. The conflict is largely ecological in origin and is based on competition for natural resources, including plant genetic resources. Western Sudan has relatively low rainfall and supports rainfed sedentary agriculture and nomadic pastoralism, and a range of domesticated plant species is grown under irrigation by seasonal watercourses. Nomadic pastoralist populations move their herds according to established routes of seasonally available range and pasture species. There has always been a delicate balance between the sedentary and nomadic ways of life that through careful use of water and plant genetic resources has maintained the ecology of the region in balance. Drought, deforestation, overpopulation and overgrazing have accelerated desert encroachment and have exerted huge pressures on the ecology of the region. Indigenous plant genetic resources, including many wild species used as famine foods, are the key to livelihoods in the region. The upsurge in violence has resulted in many farmers abandoning their farms and seed stocks. Social systems are disrupted and rehabilitation of agriculture will be very difficult. This article describes domesticated and wild plant genetic resources of southern Darfur and details their importance to livelihoods in the region.