Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
IgE secretion is attenuated by an inhibitor of proteolytic processing of CD23 (FcεRII)

CD23, the low‐affinity IgE receptor, is up‐regulated on interleukin (IL)‐4‐stimulated B cells and monocytes, with a concomitant increase in the release of soluble fragments of CD23 (sCD23) into the medium by proteolytic processing of the surface‐bound intact CD23. The effect of inhibition of the processing of CD23 on IgE production in human and mouse cells and in a mouse model in vivo was evaluated. CD23 processing to sCD23 from RPMI 8866 (a human Epstein‐Barr virus‐transformed B cell line) cell membranes was inhibited by a broad‐spectrum matrix‐metalloprotease inhibitor, batimastat, with an IC50 of 0.15 μM. Batimastat also inhibited CD23 processing in whole RPMI 8866 cells as well as in IL‐4‐stimulated purified human monocytes with similar IC50. Batimastat inhibited IgE production from IL‐4/anti‐CD40‐stimulated human tonsil B cells as well as mouse splenic B cells in a manner consistent with inhibition of CD23 processing. Release of soluble fragments of CD23 in the cell supernatants of tonsil B cells was inhibited over the concentration range of 1–10 μM batimastat and intact cell surface CD23 was increased on mouse splenic B cells in the presence of these concentrations of batimastat. IgE production of IL‐4‐stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells was also blocked by 1–10 μM batimastat, again with comparable inhibition of sCD23 release over the same concentration range. Finally, in a mouse model of IgE production, batimastat inhibited IgE production in response to ovalbumin challenge as determined by serum IgE levels. Taken together, the data support a role of CD23 in IgE production and point to CD23 processing to sCD23 as a therapeutically relevant control point in the regulation of IgE synthesis.
Inhibitory Effects of Resveratrol Oligomers in Sophora mooracroftiana on Lipid Peroxidation by Superoxide Anion

The in vitro inhibitory effects were investigated for two resveratrol oligomers, sophorastilbene A and (+)-α-viniferin, isolated from Sophora mooracroftiana, on lipid peroxidation by superoxide anion. They each inhibited production of lipid peroxidation by superoxide anion and generation of superoxide anion by the xanthine–xanthine oxidase system. The inhibitory effects of sophorastilbene A were stronger than those of (+)-α-viniferin on production of lipid peroxidation by superoxide anion and generation of superoxide anion by the xanthine–xanthine oxidase system. It was demonstrated that the differences of inhibitory effects depend on a double bond at 7c–8c of resveratrol oligomer. Their effects were similar to superoxide dismutase as a superoxide anion scavenger. These results demonstrate that these resveratrol oligomers have the inhibitory effects on oxidative stress.
Reversible inactivation of d-xylose utilization by d-glucose in the pentose-fermenting yeast Pachysolen tannophilus

A major problem in fermenting pentoses using lignocellulosic substrates is the presence of d-glucose which inhibits d-xylose utilization. We previously showed that d-glucose represses the induction of xylose reductase and xylitol dehydrogenase activities, thereby inhibiting d-xylose utilization in Pachysolen tannophilus. The question arose whether d-glucose can also inactivate d-xylose fermentation. P. tannophilus cells were grown on a defined d-xylose-containing liquid medium. At about 40 h, d-glucose was added to a final concentration of 3% (w/v). This led to a rapid cessation of d-xylose utilization, which resumed after 10–12 h before d-glucose was completely consumed. This suggests that d-glucose inactivated existing d-xylose catabolic enzymes and that inactivation was reversed at low d-glucose concentrations. This reversible inactivation was distinct from d-glucose repression. Addition of cycloheximide did not block the resumption of d-xylose consumption, suggesting that reactivation was independent of protein synthesis.
Functional & technological aspects of resistant starch

Resistant starch (RS) has evoked a considerable position in human society due to its putative and positive impacts on health. Dietary starches are significant sources of energy for human being and contributions to health. Resistant starch plays important role in potential health benefits similar to soluble fiber and in functional properties. Resistant starch absolutely influences the function of the digestive tract, the blood cholesterol level and microbial flora. Resistant starch is also lower impact on the sensory properties of food compared with traditional aspects due to its swelling capacity, viscosity, gel formation and water-binding capacity which make it useful in a variety of foods. By this resistant starch (RS) has drawn considerable attention over the last two decades.
Phosphorus homoeostasis in grazing breeder cattle

The phosphorus (P) balances and 32P kinetics of 15 Droughtmaster heifers were studied in mid and late pregnancy and early and late lactation to compare their P absorption coefficients and their P endogenous faecal losses with those of growing cattle. The heifers continuously grazed three paddocks of tropical pasture for a year to provide a range of P intakes. The daily dry matter (DM) and P intakes of the heifers were generally much higher during lactation (17–26 g DM/kg LW and 11–40 mg P/kg LW) than during pregnancy (10–16 g DM/kg LW and 6–22 mg P/kg LW), due in part to the heifers calving at the beginning of the wet (pasture growing) season. Plasma inorganic P levels decreased as the experiment progressed and were very low (<30 mg/l) in all treatments in late lactation. Milk and milk P secretion were high in early lactation (4·0–5·5 l/day and 12–16 mg P/kg LW per day) so the heifers were in more negative balance during lactation than during pregnancy. The coefficient of P absorption was similar to that previously observed in growing cattle consuming forage diets and it was concluded that 0·75 was the appropriate value to use in the estimation of requirements. Endogenous faecal losses ranged from 7 to 17 mg/kg LW and were related to P intake or DM intake plus plasma inorganic P. Comparison of the regressions with those from the larger data set for growing cattle showed that the endogenous faecal losses were similar and there were no special faecal endogenous losses in breeding cattle.
The mournful ape: Conflating expression and meaning in the mortuary behaviour of Homo naledi

HOW TO CITE: Randolph-Quinney PS. The mournful ape: Conflating expression and meaning in the mortuary behaviour of Homo naledi. S Afr J Sci. 2015;111(11/12), Art. #a0131, 5 pages. http://dx.doi. org/10.17159/sajs.2015/a0131 As an article in the last issue of the South African Journal of Science1 highlighted, in the last few months we have seen a bonanza of early hominin material from the Cradle of Humankind – Homo naledi – presented to the world, courtesy of Lee Berger, John Hawks, Paul Dirks and the Rising Star science team. Firstly, there were papers on the taxonomy2, and the geological and taphonomic3 context, followed shortly afterwards by the detailed functional anatomy of the hands and feet of H. naledi in papers led by Tracy Kivell4 and Will Harcourt-Smith5, respectively. The media attention surrounding the fossils, and inferred mortuary behaviours, has been intense, but it has definitely put South African palaeoanthropology back on the world stage, and more importantly, encouraged the public to engage directly with the science and – via social media and exhibitions – with the scientists themselves.
Juvenile guanaco survival: management and conservation implications

Summary 1. The Chilean National Forestry and Park Service is striving to implement a guanaco management programme of sustained-yield use. To achieve this, the rate, variation and causes of juvenile guanaco mortality must be understood thoroughly. Therefore, we monitored the survival of 409 radio-collared juvenile guanacos in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile, from 1991 to 1996. 2. The Kaplan–Meier product limit estimator of survival for staggered entry was calculated, and survival rates between juvenile males and females and among years were compared using the lifetest procedure in SAS. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to relate mortality rate to explanatory variables such as juvenile sex, birth weight, adult female aggression towards researchers during the capture and tagging of newborns, population density, and mean monthly winter snowfall. 3. Mean juvenile survival rate (Ŝ) was 0·38, but varied between 0·31 and 0·55. Survival rates between the sexes were not significantly different, although male survival was lower than that of females. Mortality rate was highest during the first 14 days after birth. Most deaths occurred between birth and 7 months of age. 4. The risk of mortality increased by almost 6% with every 1 cm increase in winter snowfall, whereas the risk of mortality decreased by almost 24% as adult female aggression increased towards researchers. 5. Current management objectives are aimed at the implementation of a rational harvest of guanacos on the Chilean side of the island of Tierra del Fuego. Our results provide improved and updated estimates of juvenile guanaco survival and will aid in the modelling of harvest rates of guanacos in southern Chile. Future proposed harvests from wild populations in southern Chile need to consider the rate and variation of this critical life-history parameter.
Light Regulation of Gene Expression in Higher Plants

In this review areas of currently active research are considered which have demonstrated that a plant's response to light involves changes in the expression of specific genes at the level of RNA. The regulation of gene expression by phytochrome and the UV-sensitive photoreceptor have been studied most extensively at the molecular level, and this review particularly focuses on such studies in higher plants. Some of the observations made on the differences in gene expression between light-grown and dark-grown plants are also included, although the photoreceptor(s) responsible for the differences may not have been ascertained. In some of these cases, phytochrome involvement has been or may be demonstrated in later studies, while in others the observed differences may be a result of the action of other photoreceptors or of multiple light-affected processes. One such process is the development of chloroplasts, a major developmental step triggered by light in angiosperms. In addition, many of the genes whose expression is changed by light and which have been studied at a molecular level encode chloroplast proteins. 156 references.
Limited Genetic Variation Across the Range Of The Red-bellied Newt, Taricha Rivularis

Abstract Early studies of genetic variation in the Red-Bellied Newt, Taricha rivularis, revealed only small amounts of genetic differentiation among populations. However, these studies sampled only a limited portion of the range of the species. To address this gap in our understanding, we measured genetic variation in T. rivularis using allozymes (45 loci) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) cytochrome b sequences (366 base pairs). With the goal of surveying broadly for levels of genetic variation, four populations were sampled, three in the southern portion of the range, and one at the northern end of the range. Allozyme divergence throughout T. rivularis was low, with a maximum Nei's genetic distance of DN = 0.039. MtDNA haplotype diversity was similarly low, with only two haplotypes differing by a single base pair recovered among the four populations. Relative to other salamander species in western North America, T. rivularis shows weak genetic differentiation among populations.
A Preliminary Study on the Inhibitory Substances in Seeds of Solanum rostratum Dun.

The inhibitory substances in Solanum rostratum seeds were extracted with three different solvents by bioassay method and their effects were determined with cabbage seeds. The results showed that some substances extracted from the seeds, especially by water and could depress the germination and growth of the cabbage seeds. We concluded that the inhibitory substances in S. rostratum seeds might be one of the factors regarding to its seed dormancy.
Chronic Morphine Administration Increases β‐Adrenergic Receptor Kinase (βARK) Levels in the Rat Locus Coeruleus

Abstract: Based on the established role of β‐adrenergic receptor kinase (βARK) and β‐arrestin in the desensitization of several G protein‐coupled receptors, we investigated the effect of chronic morphine administration on βARK and β‐arrestin levels in selected brain areas. Levels of βARK were measured by blot immunolabeling analysis using antibodies specific for two known forms of βARK, i.e., βARK1 and βARK2. It was found that chronic morphine treatment produced an ∼35% increase in levels of βARK1 immunoreactivity in the locus coeruleus, but not in several other brain regions studied. In contrast, chronic morphine treatment failed to alter levels of βARK2 immunoreactivity in any of the brain regions studied. Levels of β‐arrestin immunoreactivity, measured using an antiserum that recognizes two major forms of this protein in brain, were also found to increase (by ∼20%) in the locus coeruleus. It is proposed that chronic morphine regulation of βARK1 and β‐arrestin levels may contribute to opioid‐receptor tolerance that is known to occur in this brain region.
Evaluation of feed utilization and growth performance of juvenile striped catfish Pangasianodon hypophthalmus fed diets with varying inclusion levels of corn gluten meal

A nutrition trial with striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) juveniles was undertaken to evaluate the effect of replacing dietary fishmeal (FM) protein with corn gluten meal (CGM). A diet with FM as the main protein source was used as the control diet (FM). Five experimental diets (approximately 320 g kg−1 crude protein) were formulated to progressively replace 20% (CGM20), 40% (CGM40), 60% (CGM60), 80% (CGM80) and 100% (CGM100) of FM protein. Fifteen fish per tank (initial weight 11.2 ± 0.6 g) were randomly distributed into 18 80-litre fibreglass tanks connected to a closed recirculation system (temperature 30.3 ± 1.0 °C). The diets were tested in triplicate for 12 weeks. The final weight and specific growth rate (SGR) of fish fed diets CGM20, CGM40 and CGM60 were not significantly different compared to fish fed the FM diet. Feed intake (FI) tended to decrease with increasing dietary CGM level. Striped catfish fed FM, CGM20 and CGM40 had significantly lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared with fish fed CGM80 and CGM100 (P < 0.05). The protein efficiency ratio (PER) of fish fed the CGM80 and CGM100 diets was significantly lower than those of all other treatments (P < 0.05). Total ammonia-nitrogen (TAN) excretion increased with elevated dietary CGM inclusion. The viscerosomatic index (VSI) of fish fed the CGM80 and CGM100 diets were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those of fish fed the other treatments. The crude lipid content in the final body composition of the striped catfish was elevated significantly with increasing dietary CGM levels. Fish fed the CGM80 and CGM100 diets displayed haematocrit levels significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those fed the other diets. The haemoglobin content in fish was significantly higher in fish fed CGM20 and lower at CGM100 compared to fish fed the FM diet. The results of the present trial indicated that the optimum level of FM protein replacement with CGM determined by quadratic regression analysis was 25.1% on the basis of maximum SGR.
Short Communication Role of Polymorphisms in Codons 143 and 160 of the O 6 -Alkylguanine DNA Alkyltransferase Gene in Lung Cancer Risk 1

O 6 -Alkylguanine DNA alkyltransferase (AGT) plays an important role in the repair of alkylating agent-induced DNA damage and protection from the carcinogenic effects of environmental agents. To examine the importance of the AGT codon 143 and codon 160 polymorphisms in risk for lung cancer and to assess the prevalence of these polymorphisms in different racial groups, we performed genotype analysis of lung cancer patients and matched controls. The prevalence of the AGT 143Val allele in controls was 0.07 in Caucasians and 0.03 in African Americans. The AGT 143Val allele was not detected in an unmatched Asian control cohort. The prevalence of the AGT 160Arg variant allele was 0.01 in Caucasians, 0.02 in African Americans, and 0.03 in Asians. A marginally significant association was observed between the AGT codon 143 (isoleucine/valine) genotype and risk for lung cancer (odds ratio 5 2.1; 95% confidence interval 5 1.01‐ 4.7). The prevalence of the AGT 160Arg variant allele was similar in lung cancer cases
Relative efficiency of different Gramineae genera for haploid induction in triticale and triticale x wheat hybrids through the chromosome elimination technique

The study was undertaken to evaluate the relative efficiency of different Gramineae genera for haploid induction in triticale (xTriticosecale) and triticale x wheat (Triticum aestivum) hybrids through the chromosome elimination (wheat x maize, Zea mays) system. Eight intergenotypic triticale and 15 triticale x wheat crosses were subjected to hybridization with nine different Gramineae genera viz., Z. mays, Sorghum bicolor, Pennisetum americanum, Setaria italica, Festuca arundinacea, Imperata cylindrica, Cynodon dactylon, Lolium temulentum and Phalaris minor in two separate experiments. This was followed by in vivo auxin treatment of the crossed spikes and subsequent rescue of the haploid embryos to regenerate green haploid plantlets. All the triticale and triticale x wheat crosses resulted in seed set in variable frequencies when hybridized with maize, I. cylindrica, pearl millet and sorghum. Seed set was also obtained with S. italica, F. arundinacea and P. minor in a few crosses in both groups. In general, all the triticale x wheat crosses, except for one in each case, resulted in embryo formation and green haploid plantlet regeneration when hybridizations were carried out with maize and I. cylindrica. However, the latter outperformed the former in embryo formation (25.48% vs. 20.0%) and regeneration (34.17% vs. 15.10%) frequencies, the differences being significant for regeneration frequencies. In the case of triticale hybrids, no significant differences between maize and I. cylindrica were observed for the three parameters of haploid induction. Embryo formation and regeneration were also observed in some of the triticale as well as triticale x wheat F 1 hybrids when hybridized with sorghum and pearl millet.
Undirected Song Encourages the Breeding Female Zebra Finch to Remain in the Nest

Wild zebra finches sing frequently during the breeding season, but the vast majority of song is of the undirected song type that is not directed at any individual, and the function of which is obscure - it appears to be ignored by all potential recipients. It is sung close to the nest-site, has a peak in production during the egg-laying period, and diminishes thereafter. The incidence of undirected song is positively correlated with extra-pair courtship, a finding consistent with the hypothesis that it is a means of advertising availability for extra-pair matings. Typically, undirected song occurred outside the nest when the female was inside, and a positive relationship was found between the amount of singing given by the male during the 5-min interval immediately after the female entered the nest and the time she subsequently spent inside the nest. Keeping the partner inside the nest during her fertile period is an advantage to the male: it serves as a form of paternity protection against other males and it allows him opportunities to pursue his own extra-pair matings. Occupancy of the nest during laying is also a means of guarding against intraspecific brood parasitism, which was high at this colony.
Comparison of performance and intestinal morphology of broilers using step-down supplementation with a mannan-rich fraction versus bacitracin methylene disalicylate

Two experiments were conducted to compare effects of utilising step-down dosing of a mannan-rich fraction (MRF) of yeast cell wall or the antimicrobial growth promoter (AGP) bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD) when chicks were raised on built-up litter. Chicks were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups (12 pen replicates; 50 birds per pen): basal diet (control) or basal diet plus MRF (Actigen™; Alltech Inc., Nicholasville, KY) or BMD (Alpharma Inc., Fort Lee, NJ). In experiment two, intestinal morphology and litter scores were determined on d 42. In experiment one, MRF and BMD increased BW gain at d 21 and d 42 compared with control ( P ≤ 0.05) and d 42 BW was greater in BMD birds than controls ( P ≤ 0.05). Adjusted FCRs were lower in MRF and BMD birds from d 0 to d 42 ( P = 0.06). In experiment two, there was no effect of treatment on d 21 BW, but MRF and BMD improved adjusted FCR ( P = 0.02) compared with control. By d 35, both MRF and BMD birds had greater BWs than controls ( P = 0.04). At d 42, MRF-supplemented birds had greater BW than controls ( P ≤ 0.05). D 35 and d 42 FCR improved with MRF or BMD compared with control ( P ≤ 0.01). Litter conditions improved (P ≤ 0.05) when birds were fed diets with BMD and MRF compared with control-fed birds. Jejunal morphology, including villi height ( P ≤ 0.05), villi height: crypt depth ratio ( P ≤ 0.05), and goblet cell numbers ( P ≤ 0.05) improved with MRF and BMD compared with control. Both MRF and BMD improved broiler performance, potentially related to the improvements observed in intestinal morphology. In conclusion, step-down supplementation with MRF may offer a potential alternative to AGP to improve performance in broilers raised in commercial settings.
Influence of temperature on conservability of chilled vacuum packed beef from different origins

The objective of this experiment was to study the conservability of chilled vacuum-packed meat depending on storage temperature (-1 °C vs . +4 °C) during the last third of their shelf life. Physicoc hemical parameters (pH and colour) and microbiological growth (total aerobic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae , Pseudomonas spp. and Brochothrix thermosphacta ) of Longissimus dorsi samples from different origins (United Kingdom and Ireland, Australia and Brazil) were measured at: i) 2/3 of t heir shelf life and ii) the end of their shelf life. Sam ple bacteria population growing on MRS was identified by API 50 CHL strips. Unlike Irish and British samples, pH of some Australian and Brazilian samples decreased during conservation. The colour of the samples remained stable and it did not seem to be influence d by temperature. All samples conserved at -1 °C presented a satisfactory microbiological quality at the end of their shelf life (British and Irish meat = 35~45 days; Australian meat = 140 days and Brazilian meat = 120 days). On Australian and Brazilian samples, temperature did not influence total aerobic bacteri a growth, but conservation at +4 °C favoured lactic a cid bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae growth. API 50 CHL strip identifications revealed the presence of bact eria like Lactobacillus brevis , Carnobacterium maltaromaticum and Lactobacillus fermentum , which occur naturally in fresh meat and are known for their bioprotective effect against other microorganisms. Further analyses are being carried out using molecu lar methods in order to study the initial bacteria popu lation diversity and its evolution during storage.