Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Glutamate tRNA : involvement in protein synthesis and aminolevulinate formation in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Glutamyl-tRNA (Glu-tRNA Glu ) is a precursor for protein and for porphyrin biosynthesis in chloroplasts and many bacteria. Here we review the current knowledge of tRNA Glu and of the two enzymes which interact with this RNA molecule. Glutamyl-tRNA synthetase (GluRS) forms Glu-tRNA in the presence of ATP and glutamate. The other enzyme, glutamyl-tRNA reductase (GluTR), is the first enzyme in the C 5 -pathway leading to 5-aminolevulinate (ALA) synthesis from glutamate
Rariglanda jerseyensis, a new ericalean fossil flower from the Late Cretaceous of New Jersey1

A new species, Rariglanda jerseyensis, is described from well-preserved fusainized fossil flowers collected from the Late Cretaceous of New Jersey. Phylogenetic analyses and comparisons with extant and extinct taxa place R. jerseyensis within the monophyletic Ericales, sister to Clethraceae. The most distinctive feature of R. jerseyensis is a dense covering of conspicuous multicellular trichomes on the abaxial surface of the calyx. These multicellular trichomes appear to be glandular, and similar trichomes are found in several other, unrelated, Late Cretaceous fossils. In particular, the ericalean fossil Glandulocalyx upatoiensis bears the most similarity to R. jerseyensis, although differences in androecium and trichome characters clearly separate the two taxa. In addition, phylogenetic analyses confirm the position of G. upatoiensis within the Ericales, but place it within the sarracenioid clade, in a polytomy with Actinidiaceae and Roridulaceae. Past ecological studies associating trichomes with defens.
Identification and characterization of novel alleles required for antiviral RNA interference in Caenorhabditis elegans

Author(s): Coffman, Stephanie Renee | Advisor(s): Ding, Shou-wei | Abstract: Antiviral RNAi is a conserved antiviral pathway in plants and invertebrates that mediates clearance of viral RNA. Antiviral RNAi has been extensively studied in plants and insects, but Caenorhabditis elegans has only recently emerged as a model to study antiviral immunity. C. elegans is an ideal model to study antiviral RNAi, because it shares key commonalities with mammals, including a single Dicer and an expanded class of duplex RNA activated ATPases (DRAs). While several genetic screens have been done to identify the genes required for RNAi induced by exogenous long dsRNA, this unbiased forward genetic screen is the first with the ability to reveal gene required uniquely for antiviral RNAi or novel antiviral pathways. This dissertation develops an EMS screen based on a viral replicon that is defective in RNAi suppression. Viral replication is rescued in animals defective in RNAi and visualized by GFP. Thirteen worm mutants were identified that are defective in antiviral RNAi and four novel alleles of drh-1, a DRA homologous to the mammalian gene RIG-I, were revealed. Both RIG-I and DRH-1 function in antiviral immunity through the activation of type-I interferon signaling in mammals and antiviral RNAi in C. elegans, respectively. This work investigates the function of DRH-1 in the production of virus-derived siRNAs (vsiRNAs). Deep sequencing of wild-type and drh-1 mutants challenged with Orsay Virus demonstrated that drh-1 mutants produced primary vsiRNAs that are dependent on DCR-1 and the dsRNA-binding protein RDE-4. However, these DRH-1 independent vsiRNAs are predominantly derived from the 5’ terminal regions of both OrV RNA1 and RNA2 and were depleted from the internal regions of viral RNA. In contrast, wild-type and other mutant animals did not exhibit a bias for primary vsiRNA biogenesis from the 5’ terminal regions. Mammalian RIG-I acts as an ATP-powered translocase, though the biological function of this activity is unknown. Therefore, DRH-1 may function to promote the production of primary vsiRNAs spreading from the 5’ terminal regions to the internal and 3’ regions of the viral RNA using translocase activity.
Changes in the structure of a Posidonia oceanica meadow and in the diversity of associated decapod, mollusc and echinoderm assemblages, resulting from inputs of waste from a marine fish farm (Malta, Central Mediterranean)

Nutrient inputs resulting from fish farming activities located in the vicinity of seagrass meadows can potentially alter the structure and affect the functioning of these ecosystems, however, few studies have addressed this problem. The impact of waste generated by an offshore fish farm in Malta (Central Mediterranean) on the structure of a meadow of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica and on the associated decapod, echinoderm and mollusc assemblages was studied by collecting samples from stations located at distances of 10 m, 30 m, 50 m, 90 m, 170 m and 330 m away from the farm. Meadow morphology and leaf epiphyte load changed with distance from the fish cages, as did the species richness and abundance of macroinvertebrates associated with the seagrass. However, while shoot morphometric measures increased significantly in value over the whole length of the transect (330 m), macroinvertebrate species richness and abundance peaked at an intermediate distance (40-160 m) from the cages. These results suggest that while waste generated from fish farms can severely alter the structure of a seagrass meadow over a large area, nutrient enrichment could increase productivity in certain parts of the same meadow, leading to a localized increase in species richness and abundance of associated macroinvertebrates. These changes result in different 'ecological zones' round the source of nutrient input.
CD24 as a Molecular Marker in Ovarian Cancer: A Literature Review

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic cancer, with a mortality rate of > 60%. Cancer stem cell (CSC) hypothesis offers an attractive explanation of chemoresistance, metastasis, etc., associated with the disease. However, there are still controversy and limitation in defining the CSC markers. CD24 is a mucin-type glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol-linked glycoprotein, expressed on the surface of cells, which serves as a normal receptor for P-selectin and is found involved in molecular adhesion and metastatic tumor spread. Expression rate of CD24 has been associated with progression of various cancers and poor survival rates. In this review, the function of CD24 in ovarian cancer, especially in ovarian CSC system, was discussed in an effort to broaden the interpretation of potential mechanism.
The Effects of Age-Related Modifications on the Stability and Function of Human Eye Lens Crystallins

The crystallins are the primary proteins of the eye lens and are largely responsible for its high transparency, high refractive index and long-term stability. While the crystallin proteins are often able to remain stable for the lifetime of an individual, the lack of protein turnover in the lens means they are subject to a wide range of age-related, post-translational modifications. These modifications build up over the protein’s life and many are correlated with lens opacification and cataract-related blindness. This thesis details the investigation of several such age-related modifications, characterising their effect on crystallin protein structure, function and stability. Chapter 3 investigates the structures of several short peptides that are the product of truncations in crystallin proteins. The crystallins undergo spontaneous peptide cleavage events as the lens ages via several nonenzymatic pathways. One common such truncation pathway involves an N,Oacyl shift that can occur at the N-terminal side of serine residues. This rearrangement is responsible for the appearance of several short peptides in the lens as it ages, such as αA-crystallin 55-65 (LDSGISEVR), βA3-crystallin 200-215 (SHAQTSQIQSIRRIQQ) and γS-crystallin 167-178 (SPAVQSFRRIVE). In this study these three peptides were characterised structurally using NMR spectroscopy.
Long-Term Treatment of HIV-Infected MT-4 Cells in Culture with HIV Proteinase Inhibitor RO 31-8959 Leads to Complete Cure of Infection

An HIV-infected cell culture was treated with the specific HIV proteinase inhibitor Ro 31-8959 for three months to analyse the antiviral effect and possible cytotoxicity of the drug in long-term treatment. The drug was added 1 h after HIV infection with 0.002 m.o. i. and maintained for 87 days in the cell culture. There was no detectable cell death nor any evidence of HIV production in this time. Cells were proven to be initially infected, since premature drug removal led to a re-emergence of infectious HIV and cell death. However, after 87 days of treatment the drug could be removed safely and HIV was cleared demonstrably from the culture. These data suggest that long-term dosage may be advantageous to the clinical treatment of HIV infection by HIV proteinase inhibitors.
FACULDADE DE ZOOTECNIA E ENGENHARIA DE ALIMENTOS - FZEA UNIVERSIDADE DE SÃO PAULO

The Beta adrenergic agonist (βAA) are knowed for increase muscle hypertrophy and lipolysis, in this case on way for decrease the lipolysis effect is use the immunocastration. The objective of this research was evaluated the effect of βAA and immunocastration on meat quality of Nellore . Ninety-six Nellore were fed in this trial; half of the animals (n = 48) received one dose of immunocastration vaccine on d 0, and received another dose at d 30. The other half of animals (n = 48) received no vaccine. Animals were fed with a standard diet consisting of 24% forage and 76% concentrate for 70 d. After 70 d of the standard diet, animals were divided into three groups, and were fed 30 d with one of the following diets: CON standard diet used in the previous phase, without the addition of βAA; ZIL standard diet plus 80 mg/d Zilpaterol hydrochloride; RAC standard diet plus 300 mg/d Ractopamine hydrochloride . After this period, animals were harvested and the Longissimus dorsi sample were colleted to evaluate meat quality, total lipid content, fatty acid profile, consumer sensory analysis, muscle morfometric profile, genes expression of calpain and calpastatin and sarcomere length. For almost of characteristics evaluated, were not observed interactions between treatments. The effect of sexual condition, imunocastrated animals showed higher intensity of color L, a and b, total lipidics, oleic, palmitic and total monounsaturated acids and more frequency for oxidative fibers (FO) and glycolytic fibers (FG) in relation at noncastrated. However, non-castrated animals had a tendency to show a meat tender in sensory analysis and more frequency of oxidative-glicolytics fibres (FOG) in relation to imunocastrated. The βAA effect, ZIL group showed a meat less tender, higher concentrations of heptadecanoic, linoleic, araquidic acids, C20:3 N6C8C11C14, omega 6, higher frequency for FO and less for FG than RAC and CON group. Animals of CON and ZIL group showed more FO area than RAC group, while for the FOG, animals from COM group showed more area than animals from RAC and ZIL group. In the sensory analysis, RAC and ZIL group received lower grades for tenderness and global quality in relation to COM group. Was no observed effect of sexual condition and βAA for genes expressions and sarcomere length. As conclusion, sexual condition and βAA affected the meat quality, fatty acid profile, muscle fibers, but not affect genes expression and sarcomere lenght.
Design of Aerodynamic Shapes by Means of Inverse Method

This work develops an efficient technique for modeling aerodynamic bodies submitted to flows at high speeds. The inverse method, based on the Elastic Membrane Technique, is used to find a new geometry. Pressure coefficient results from the Euler equations solved by the finite volume, explicit Runge-Kutta five-stages scheme. Numerical tests are carried out for NACA 0012, 0009 and a new geometry for Mach 0.8 using the Euler equations and the results are found to compare favorably with experimental or numerical data available in the literature. Besides, the technique build on earlier ones, because optimization shape coefficients are adequately evaluated. keywords: aerodynamics, optimization, inverse method, finite volume, Runge-Kutta.
Estudio de la cinética de degradación in vitro de cuatro forrajes tropicales y una leguminosa de clima templado

Four tropical grasses (Pennisetum clandesti­num, Brachiaria decumbens, Bothriochloa pertusa and Dichantium aristatum) and the temperate legume (Medicago sativa) were compared by using the In Vitro Gas Transducer Technique with the aim to obtain their degradation rates (%/hr), total gas volume and final residue. Carbohydrate fractions: Whole for­rage = ME, Ethanol insoluble residue = RIE and Neutral Detergent Fiber = FDN, from the four grasses were prepared from whole material from each one and incubated with rumen fluid up to 48 hours in a closed com­puterized in vitro gas system. Data from the incubations were analyzed by a non lineal regression, fitting gas data to an exponential equation from Mertens & Loften (1980). Gas accumulation was recorded via pressure transducers connected to 50 ml bottles with substrate (100 mg) and medium (8 ml) plus rumen fluid as inoculum (2 ml). Data were recorded every 20 min via an analog/di-gital card attached to a computer. Voltages recorder were converted to ml of gas in a spreadsheet using Excel® macros. The hig-hest gas production was found in whole for­age from B decumbens: 39.4 ml and the lowest was in NDF from alfalfa: 8.4 ml in 48 hours. Higher degradability was found in NDF from Kikuyu grass: 77% ± 9.8, and the low­est degradation was observed in NDF from angleton: 47% ± 2.3. The low gas production from NDF in all 5 forages was associated with the lignin content in the substrate. The kinetic analysis by curve subtraction for the soluble carbohydrates was consistent for alfalfa but not for the grasses.
Effect of housing system on cholesterol, vitamin and fatty acid content of yolk and physical characteristics of eggs from Polish native hens

The intensive selection and increasing use of highly productive breeds of laying hens in recent years have led to the displacement of native breeds by more productive ones, causing the populations to lose genetic diversity. Paradoxically, despite the loss of biodiversity in hens, consumers demand eggs and meat produced by free-range hens which are believed to be of native origin. Normally, it may be expected that native and local breeds are less demanding in terms of environmental conditions are thus best suited to this housing system (SARTER, 2004). Small local populations of native hens can only survive and remain productive thanks to conservation efforts (SPALONA et al., 2007). In Poland, the conservation programme includes 10 breeds/lines of laying hens. Most of these, including the breeds investigated in this study, i.e. Greenleg Partridge (Z11) and Yellowleg Partridge (Z33), were included in the FAO World Watch List for Domestic Animal Diversity (FAO, 2000) together with their characteristics. These breeds were kept in two Polish farms in single flocks of about 1000 birds, on litter floor in confinement, but currently they are shifted into free-range and organic production systems. It would therefore be interesting to study the effect of free-range system on productivity and egg quality of these hens. Many studies have shown that housing system can affect egg quality in commercial flocks (ZEMKOVÁ et al., 2007; LICHOVNÍKOVÁ and ZEMAN, 2008; SINGH et al., 2009; DJUKICSTOJCIC et al., 2009). Much of the scientific literature on the relationship between housing system and egg quality comes from the USA. When referring to American studies, however, it has to be considered that the layer housing system in the USA is different from the European one. Due to the EU ban on traditional cages, which is scheduled for 2012, the majority of European research focuses on comparing the productivity of commercial layers and the quality
The description of a new genus and twenty-three new species of Metarbelidae (Lepidoptera : Cossoidea) from the lowland tropical rain forests of the Guineo-Congolian Region with notes on habitats and biogeography /

Haberlandia gen. nov. is described. Currently, it comprises twenty-four species from Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Togo (West Africa); Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of the Congo and Gabon (Central Africa) with a single record from the Lake Victoria basin (Uganda, East Africa). Based on its distribution, Haberlandia gen. nov. is classified as endemic to the lowland tropical rain forests of the Guineo-Congolian Region. The new genus is therefore treated as a potential indicator of Pleistocene tropical rain forest refuges. Due to a strong link to that habitat and additional primitive morphological characteristics, the new genus appears to be of Cretaceous origin. Twenty-three new species are described, along with photographs of adult specimens, illustrations of their wing venation and genitalia as well as information on the floristic composition of their habitats. Lebedodes hintzi Grünberg (1911) has been transferred from the genus Lebedodes Holland (1893) into Haberlandia gen. nov. The type species of the new genus is Haberlandia odzalaensis spec. nov.
A biotype of common waterhemp (Amaranthus rudis) resistant to triazine and ALS herbicides

A common waterhemp biotype that was not controlled by triazine or acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicides was isolated from a field in Bond County, IL, in the fall of 1996. Greenhouse and laboratory experiments determined resistance to atrazine and three ALS-inhibiting herbicides in this biotype. Based on whole-plant response, the Bond County common waterhemp biotype required over 1,000 times more imazethapyr relative to a susceptible biotype to reduce growth 50%. Cross-resistance to thifensulfuron, a sulfonylurea, and flumetsulam, a triazolopyrimidine sulfonanilide, was also detected. Based on in vivo enzyme assays, ALS in the Bond County common waterhemp biotype was 20-, > 8-, and 68-fold less sensitive than ALS in the susceptible biotype to imazethapyr, thifensulfuron, and flumetsulam, respectively. Whole-plant efficacy trials also indicated that the Bond County common waterhemp biotype required more than 20 kg ha−1 of atrazine to inhibit growth 50%. Chlorophyll fluorescence assays revealed that 100 nM atrazine inhibited photosynthesis in the susceptible biotype, whereas 10 M did not affect photosynthesis in the resistant biotype. Regions of the genes encoding ALS and D1 proteins were sequenced to determine the molecular basis for the resistances. Triazine resistance was conferred by a glycine for serine substitution at residue 264 of the D1 protein, while ALS resistance was conferred by a leucine for tryptophan substitution at residue 569 of ALS.
Field observations of the ant Camponotus sylvaticus (Hym.: Formicidae): diet and activity patterns

Dietary spectrum and foraging activity patterns of the ant Camponotus sylvaticus have been studied in a savanna-1ike grassland in the Mediterranean coast. C. syh'atlcus has a very narrow diet, consisting almost exclusively of sugary liquids, specially the honeydew of two species of aphids and, in a much lesser extent, the nectar of flowers. 1t is a species of crepuscular and nocturnal habits: foraging starts in the late afternoon, persists throughout the night and ends in the early morning, when many workers go back to the nest from the food sources. When temperatures are between certain ranges tolerated by the species(14-29 。 C), light intensity is the most important factor influencing the beginning and end of foraging activity. At the food sources, presence of workers tending aphids is continuous for the whole day, while nectar-collecting individuals end at dusk. C. sylvaticus is an aggressive species that interacts against other ants and prevents them from exploiting natural and artificial food sources. KEY-WORDS: Ant Camponotus sylvaticus Dietary spectrum Foraging activity Aphid-tender. RESUME Le regime trophique et 1'activite de recolte chez la fourmi Camponotus sylvaticus ont ete etudies sur une pelouse xerophyle sur la c6te Mediterraneenne. Le regime trophique de C. sylvaticus est tres strict, et est presque entierement constitue par des liquides sucres, surtout du miellat des aphidiens mais aussi du nectar de fleurs. Ses habitudes sont crepusculaires et nocturnes. Son activite commence a la tombee du jour, se poursuit tout au long de la nuit et finit au matin, quand la plupart des ouvrieres qui se trouvent sur les sources de nourriture retournent au nid. Lorsque la temperature est d'un ordre tolere par 1'espece (14-29 。 C), 1'intensite de la lumiere est Ie facteur Ie plus important pour determiner Ie debut et la fin de 1'activite exterieure. La presence d'ouvrieres a 1'elevage des pucerons est constante pendant tout Ie jour, tandis que les ouvrieres qui recoltent du nectar retournent au nid Ie soir. C. sylvaticus est une espece agressive qui s'attaque aux autres fourmis et les empeche d'exploiter les ressources alimentaires naturelles et artificielles dont elle se nourrit. MOTS-CLES : Fourmi Camponotus sylvaticus Regime trophique メ cf ぬ 打 efre ぬ rgCoLf ・ 互ぬ L 口 g ピぬ s クぱ Cero 八 s. Ada (Ecohgica/CEcoIogia Generalis, 0243-766X/88/01/109/9/S 2.90/ ゥ Gauthier-Villars 102 J. RETAT^A, X. CERDA, A. ALSINA AND J. BOSCH
Relative susceptibilities of rotifers and cladocerans to Microcystis aeruginosa

Laboratory experiments tested the hypothesis that Microcystis aeruginosa would inhibit population growth (r m ) of large cladocerans to a greater extent than that of rotifers. Daphnia magna and D. pulex were both inhibited by increasing concentrations of Microcystis within a naturally occurring range (5 x 10 4 , 10 5 and 5 x 10 5 cells/ml). In addition, adult Daphnia body size was significantly reduced. Although Daphnia pulex was inhibited by two Microcystis strains (UTEX 2061 and PCC 7820), suppression by UTEX 2061 was significantly greater. Population growth of two rotifers, Keratella crassa and K. cochlearis, was similarly inhibited by increasing concentrations of Microcystis. Keratella cochearis was inhibited by both UTEX 2061 and PCC 7820, but there was no significant difference in suppression by the two strains. Since the magnitude of inhibition varied greatly among experiments for both cladocerans and rotifers, the relative effects of Microcystis (UTEX 2061) on D. pulex and K. cochlearis were evaluated in two separate sets of concurrent experiments. At both of the concentrations tested (5 x 10 4 and 10 5 cells/ml) suppression of D. pulex was significantly greater than that of K. cochlearis (P < 0.001). There was no apparent indirect effect of Microcystis on the zooplankton via the Cryptomonas food used in these experiments. Standard toxicity tests were conducted to investigate the mechanism by which Microcystis suppressed daphniids. Two strains (UTEX 2061 and JMIKE) were toxic to D. pulex while one (86MIKE) was not. Through differential inhibiton of population growth (rm), and reductions in body size and filtering rates of cladocerans, Microcystis has the potential to alter zooplankton community structure by favoring rotifers