Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
BDN F Down‐regulates Neurotrophin Responsiveness, TrkB Protein and TrkB mRNA Levels in Cultured Rat Hippocampal Neurons

Regulation of Trk receptors by their ligands, the neurotrophins, was investigated in dissociated cultures of embryonic day 18 rat hippocampal neurons. Cultures were exposed to brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin‐3 (NT‐3) or NT‐4/5 for 24 h upon plating followed by factor washout. As determined by immunohistochemical staining and phosphotyrosine blotting, the functional responses to acute stimulation with BDNF, NT‐3 and NT‐4/5, including c‐Fos induction and phosphorylation of Trk and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) proteins, were significantly decreased after 6 days in culture by prior exposure to BDNF. As determined by Western and Northern blot analysis respectively, there was a parallel down‐regulation of TrkB protein as well as of trkB and trkC mRNA levels in BDNF‐pretreated cultures. Exposure to NT‐3 or NT‐4/5 at the same concentrations as BDNF did not down‐regulate any of the measured cellular responses or TrkB protein and/or trkB and trkC mRNA levels. Regulation of hippocampal neuronal TrkB protein does not appear to be just a developmental phenomenon, as infusion of BDNF into the hippocampus of adult rats for 6 days produced an 80% decrease in levels of full‐length TrkB protein. We thus show that exposure of hippocampal neurons to BDNF, both in culture and in the adult brain, results in down‐regulation of TrkB. At least in vitro, this leads to long‐term functional desensitization to BDNF. NT‐3 and NT‐4/5. as well as down‐regulation of trkB and trkC mRNA.
Recent past and future extinctions in birds

Most recent extinctions of birds have been caused by habitat loss or by human or introduced predators and have been on islands. Local losses of species in habitat patches are particularly prevalent amongst various specialist feeders and species occurring in small numbers. Future candidates for global extinction are hard to pick from lists of species with indicators of susceptibility. Population modelling should help, but data are generally lacking. A review of threatened birds in the Americas shows that declines and rarity are often inferred from habitat loss and infrequent records, in the absence of quantitative data. The most threatened species often occur in very few places, where their future is likely to be determined. Safeguarding protected areas within centres of endemism offers a pragmatic response for a high proportion of globally threatened birds and probably other taxa as well.
RAPID PHOSPHODIESTER HYDROLYSIS BY ZIRCONIUM(IV)

A 3×109-fold faster cleavage of DNA dinucleotide 1 to thymidine and phosphate can be achieved under mild conditions (pH 5.5, 20°C) with a zirconium(IV) complex containing tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane as ligand [Eq. (1)]. In view of applications of artificial DNAses to molecular biology and gene therapy, non-redox-active zirconium(IV) is an alternative to the highly efficient but reduction-sensitive cerium(IV).
Do epibenthic algae induce species-specific settlement of coral larvae?

Effect of epibenthic algae as species-specific coral settlement inducers was examined by laboratory experiments using six Acropora species. When epibenthic algae grew on artificial plates at three depths (shallow, middle and deep) on a reef slope over a period of two months, there was no effect as species-specific inducers. However, when the growth period was prolonged to five months, the larvae of Acropora digitifera which dominates on the shallow reef slope mainly settled on the plates that were conditioned at the shallow depth, while the larvae of A. muricata which dominates on the middle slope concentrated on the plates that were conditioned at the middle depth. These results indicate that epibenthic algae may act as a cue for the habitat selection of Acropora corals as a settlement inducer. However, the fact that there was no preference for specific plates in other species suggested that epibenthic algae do not act as a sole indicator in selecting a suitable settlement place for Acropora larvae.
Auditory Tuning and Call Frequency Predict Population-Based Mating Preferences in the Cricket Frog, Acris crepitans

We examined frequency tuning of the female's peripheral auditory system, the dominant frequency of the male's mating call, and population-based mating preferences in cricket frogs (Acris crepitans) to determine how the relationship between the mean call frequency and mean frequency sensitivity of the female's auditory system determines such preferences. Females could exhibit preferences for either local calls or foreign calls. In all instances in which there was a preference, females preferred lower-frequency calls, regardless of whether they were local or foreign. These patterns of female preference are consistent with data showing that females are tuned below the mean call frequency of their population. Tuning also explains differences in preference among females of the same population. Tuning is negatively correlated with body size, and within a population larger females preferred lower frequencies and smaller females preferred higher frequencies. Thus female preference will generate directional selection acting on male call frequency but will also contribute to variation in call frequency.
Rate of feed degradation in strip-grazing dairy cows

Nylon bags containing Persian clover, perennial ryegrass or perennial pasture hay were incubated for 12-h periods in lactating dairy cows grazing Persian clover pasture. The hypothesis was that the rate of dry matter disappearance over the first 12 h of incubation in the rumen would be lower when bags were inserted at a time when the rumen pH was at its lowest point for the day compared with a time when it was at its highest. It was also hypothesised that the reduction in rate of DM loss over 12 h at the initially low and then fluctuating rumen pH would be lower for Persian clover than for perennial ryegrass and the hay. Rumen fistulated cows grazing at 4 different pasture allowances (9, 16, 32 and 53 kg DM/day; 4 cows per treatment) were used in a completely randomised, split-plot design. The nylon bag incubation periods were 0700 to 1900 hours (period 1) and 1900 to 0700 hours (period 2) and rumen fluid pH was measured every 3 h during these periods. The ruminal fluid pH at the time of insertion of the nylon bags was higher (6.3 v. 5.7; P<0.001) in incubation period 1 than in period 2, and there was an interaction between the effects of incubation period and pasture allowance on the average rumen fluid pH in each period. Rate of DM loss was higher (3.47 v. 3.28%/h; P = 0.019) in incubation period 1 than in incubation period 2, highest (P<0.001) for clover, followed by ryegrass and then hay (5.05 v. 3.15 v. 1.93%/h) and higher (P<0.001) in cows grazing at the low (9 and 16 kg DM/cow) compared with high (32 and 53 kg DM/cow) allowances. There was a significant linear relationship (P<0.05) between DM loss rate calculated over 12 h and rumen fluid pH for grass and hay, but for clover this relationship only occurred in incubation period 2. These results suggest that more than 1 factor is important for determining feed degradation rates in the rumen at any particular time and that only using rates of forage DM loss that are obtained from nylon bags inserted prior to the morning feed, may overestimate the extent of rumen degradation of the feed eaten over the whole day in cows strip-grazing highly digestible pastures.
Bat activity is low in thinned and unthinned stands of red pine

We investigated the use of red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) plantations by bats in the Manistee National Forest of Michigan. Using ultrasonic detectors, we compared the activity of bats in the interior of stands of red pine and in openings within the stands, both before and after thinning (mean time after thinning = 7 years). Bat activity was more than 20 times greater in small openings within thinned and unthinned stands than within the stands themselves, and bat activity was associated with greater insect abundance in openings. Thinning lead to a significant change in structural complexity, as shown by a 39% decrease in basal area and a 45% decline in tree density, although these changes did not lead to an increase in use of red pine stands by bats. Red pine plantations, even after thinning, most likely are too structurally complex and have low insect abundance, making them a largely unsuitable habitat for bats.
Extended-spectrum β-lactamases-producing Escherichia coli from a tertiary hospital in Malaysia: emergence of CTX-M-type β-lactamases variation

A study was conducted to portray a preliminary characteristic of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs)-producing Escherichia coli in a local tertiary hospital in Malaysia. Sixteen clinical isolates of ESBLs producing E. coli from different sources were examined for blaSHV/TEM/CTX-M ESBL genes by PCR molecular assay. Each strain was found to carry at least one of the genes. This study demonstrated a high prevalence of blaCTX-M (81.3%) and blaTEM genes (75%). Only two strains (12.5%) carried the blaSHV gene. Nucleotide and deduced protein sequences determination showed; 61% produced CTX-M-15, 31% produced CTX-M-14 and 8% produced CTX-M-3. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing data determined that almost all sixteen isolates were resistant to oxyimino-cephalosporins, 46% resistant to gentamicin, 69% resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and 46% resistant to ciprofloxacin. This study preliminary emphasizes the epidemiology of the ESBL-producing E. coli particularly SHV, TEM and CTX-M-type producing E. coli in Malaysia.
Comparison of different lactation curve models of Anatolian buffaloes.

In this study, eight different lactation curve models were compared by using test day milk yield records belonging Anatolian Buffaloes raised in different Farm conditions between 2011 and 2013. To identify the best lactation curve models of Wood, Cobby and Le Du, Logaritmic Quadratic, Exponential, Parabolic exponential, Quadratic, Inverse Polynomial and Logaritmic Linear mathematical functions were used. The coefficient of determination (R2) and residual standard deviation (RSD) statistics were used for determination of best fitted model in lactation curve. Logaritmic Quadratic and Quadratic functions are the best goodness of fit model as having the highest R2 and lowest RSD coefficients. As a result, the parameters are estimated by logarithmic quadratic or quadratic models, for use in breeding programs will make an important contribution to research in this field.
Nutrition of ostrich ( Struthio camelus var. domesticus ) breeder birds

ABSTRACT This review discusses current data on nutrition in ostrich breeding birds. Nutritional demands increase during breeding par-ticularly the calcium and phosphorus requirements for egg production. The correct balance of amino acids, vitamins andcarbohydrates is important for the maintenance of high fertility after the attainment of sexual maturity at 24 months ofage for female birds and 36 months of age for male birds. Most problems relating to health and performance, includingfertility, hatching, chick survival, growth rates and deformities in the early weeks, are usually traced to inadequate breederrations. KEYWORDS: breeder, nutrition, ostrich. INTRODUCTION The ostrich ( Struthio camelus var. domesticus ) is the larg-est of the ﬂightless birds. Ostriches have been rearedon farms for more than 100 years in South Africa. Theostrich is a prized farm animal as it produces 1.4–1.8 kg of feathers, 34–41 kg of low-fat red meat and1.1–1.3 m 2 of leather. The meat is much in demand inwestern countries by health-conscious individuals.The skin is used to manufacture boots, wallets, purses,belts and clothing and is favored for its versatility, dis-tinctive ﬁnish, suppleness and style. Adequate nutri-tion is essential for good ostrich productivity. Breederbird nutrition should cater for increased calcium andphosphorus requirements during egg production andinclude the correct amino acids, vitamins and carbo-hydrates for maintenance of high fertility after theattainment of sexual maturity at 24 months of age forfemale birds and 36 months of age for male birds.When egg production is forced by continually remov-ing eggs, hens require increased calcium intake pro-vided as a dietary inclusion of 16 g/kg and ad libitumaccess to granulated calcium carbonate or oyster shell(Ullrey & Allen 1996). An attempt was made in thispaper to combine and discuss literature on ostrichnutrition in breeding birds.
An assay for quantitative virulence in Rhynchosporium commune reveals an association between effector genotype and virulence

Detailed knowledge of the evolutionary genetics of virulence is needed to understand and predict host–pathogen dynamics. This study used a virulence assay based on digital image analysis and treated virulence as a quantitative rather than a binary trait. Such quantitative data may better reflect the genetic underpinning of virulence in many pathogen systems and provide better resolution in statistical investigations. A greenhouse experiment based on a common garden design was conducted to measure virulence (% of leaf area covered by lesions) of 126 genetically distinct isolates of the barley scald pathogen, Rhynchosporium commune, originating from nine field populations around the world. Virulence in this pathosystem was found to be a quantitative trait with a continuous distribution in all populations. By comparing population genetic differentiation for virulence and neutral microsatellite markers (i.e. a QST/GST comparison), evidence that virulence is under stabilizing selection across populations was found. Heritability values were high and ranged from 052 to 096 with a mean heritability of 084. Virulence was positively correlated with spore production as predicted by the trade-off theory of virulence evolution. Furthermore, an association analysis between virulence and sequence haplotypes of three known necrosis-inducing effector genes (NIP1, NIP2 and NIP3) revealed a significant effect of NIP2 haplotypes and NIP1 deletions. Overall, the results support a quantitative model for virulence in the R. commune–barley pathosystem and very high evolutionary potential for this trait.
A comparison of polymorphism of DQA genes in European bison belonging to two genetic lines: Lowland and Lowland-Caucasian

A comparison of polymorphism of DQA genes in European bison belonging to two genetic lines: Lowland and Lowland-Caucasian. The currently living population of European bison (Bison bonasus) is divided into two genetic lines: Lowland line (LB) and Lowland-Caucasian line (LC). In order to compare the genetic diversity in two above mentioned lines the polymorphism of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) DQA1 and DQA2 genes was analyzed. MHC genes are highly polymorphic and can therefore be used to asses genetic diversity in different species including endangered ones. The genetic polymorphism of exon 2 DQA1 and DQA2 genes was examined in 200 individuals of Lowland line and 56 individuals of Lowland-Caucasian line. The SSCP analysis revealed two alleles and two genotypes of exon 2 DQA1 gene and three alleles and four genotypes of exon 2 DQA2 gene. Frequency of genotypes of exon 2 DQA2 gene was signifi cantly different (chi-square test p ≤ 0.05) between two genetic lines of European bison. Four haplotype confi gurations of DQA genes – DQA1, DQA2, DQA1/DQA2 and DQA1/DQA2_2 were observed. DQA1 haplotype confi guration was observed only in individuals belonging to LC and DQA1/DQA2_2 only in European bison from LB. Differences of frequency of haplotypes in two genetic lines were highly signifi cant (chi-square test
Histological studies of resistance to soybean rust, Phakopsora pachyrhizi Syd

Histological comparisons were made of susceptible, resistant, and immune responses of soybean to infection by rust, Phakopsora pachyrhizi, at intervals after inoculation. In the susceptible host there was extensive hyphal growth and vigorously sporulating uredia developed. The immune hosts showed no macroscopic symptoms of infection, but at the microscopic level exhibited a hypersensitive response which was limited to a few cells. In the resistant host the hypersensitive response was not as limited, fungal development and associated host cell necrosis were more extensive, and symptoms of infection were visible macroscopically.
Hepatoprotective activity of 1-(4-(Dimethylamino)Benzylidene)-5-(2-Oxoindolin-3-ylidene) Thiocarbohydrazone in rats

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of 1-(4-(dimethylamino)benzylidene)-5-(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene) thiocarbohydrazone, a novel isatin derivative against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Hepatic damage was induced by administration of CCl4 (1 ml/kg, b.w., p.o.) in combination with liquid paraffin (1:1) as a single dose. The hepatotoxic rats were treated with test compound at doses of 50 or 100 mg/kg for three days and liver damage biomarkers, including activities of serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and levels of total serum bilirubin (TB) measured in blood samples. Results demonstrated that treatment with test compound at doses of 50 or 100 mg/kg to hepatotoxic rats produced a significant dose-dependent reduction of elevated SGOT, SGPT, ALP activities and TB levels indicating a hepatoprotective effect that was confirmed by histopathological examination of liver tissues. The study results confirmed the hepatoprotective activity of 1-(4-(dimethylamino)benzylidene)-5-(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene) thiocarbohydrazone in rats.
ORGANIZATION and REGULATION OF BACTERIAL LUMINESCENCE GENES

Knowledge of the luminescence systems of marine and terrestrial bioluminescent bacteria has developed rapidly in the past 10 years, due in large part to the impetus given the field by the cloning and sequencing of the genes involved in luminescence (the lux genes). Substantial progress has been made, for example, in understanding the biochemistry of the luminescence enzymes, in the presence of and organization in different species of luminous bacteria of the genes specifying these enzymes and encoding other associated genes, in the control of luminescence at the gene level, and in the ecological distribution and symbiosis of luminous bacteria. A burgeoning area also is that of applications for the bacterial lux genes. In this review, current understanding of the organization and regulation of bacterial luminescence systems will be assessed, and possible functions for bacterial luminescence will be discussed. Emphasis is placed on the lux system of the marine, facultatively anaerobic bacterium, Vibrio fischeri. Information on lux gene regulation is most detailed in this species, and it therefore provides a paradigm useful for comparative purposes. An additional intent of this review is to draw attention to the complexity of lux gene regulation in V. fischeri and to the need for an integrative understanding of lux gene expression in the context of cellular physiology and ecology. As in other active fields, bacterial bioluminescence has been reviewed from various perspectives recently. General aspects of the biology of luminous bacteria have been presented by Nealson and Hastings (1991) and Farmer and HickmanBrenner (1991). Recent descriptions of the symbiosis of luminous bacteria with marine animals are those of Hastings et a! (1987) and Dunlap and McFall-Ngai (1987). The biochemistry and molecular biology of bacterial bioluminescence have been emphasized in reviews by Meighen (1988, 1991) and Baldwin and Ziegler (1991), and the luminescence system of V . fischeri in the context of its symbiosis with monocentrid fish was addressed by Dunlap and Greenberg (1991). The forthcoming review by Meighen and Dunlap (1992) will provide an analysis of the biochemistry, physiology, and molecular genetics of bacterial bioluminescence, as well as some key references to current applications for bacterial lux genes. The reader is encouraged to examine 0 1 2 3 1 5 8 7 8 9 1 0
Induced Systemic Resistance by Bacillus vallismortis EXTN-1 Suppressed Bacterial Wilt in Tomato Caused by Ralstonia solanacearum

【Biocontrol activity of five strains of selected rhizo-bacteria were tested in tomato against bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum. After root bacterization the plants were grown in a perlite-hydroponic system. Upon challenge inoculation with the pathogen, all of the rhizobacterial strains efficiently suppressed the bacterial wilt in tomato in various rates, at maximum by the strain, Bacillus vallismortis strain EXTN-1. While the percent of infected plants in the non-bacterized control plants were 95%, it was only 65% in plants pre-treated with EXTN-1. It was also demonstrated that the movement of R. solanacearum within the stem was significantly hampered when the plants were root bacterized. As EXTN-1 has no antagonistic properties against R. solanacearum, the bacterial wilt was probably suppressed by a mechanism other than antibiosis. Previously, the strain had been proven to produce an efficient elicitor for inducing systemic resistance in many crops. As the present study confirmed that EXTN-1 has the ability for reducing the pathogen spread in tomato, the strain could be effectively used as a potential biocontrol agent against bacterial wilt. 】
The application of informatics systems in restaurants

Informatics systems help in the running of organizations such as restaurants. There are several informatics systems that business organizations can use to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their operations. The informatics system include transaction processing systems, management information systems, decision support systems, executive support systems, and customer relationship management systems. These systems play different roles in restaurants; however, they all help to ensure that the decisions adopted by the management are those that benefit the business. In addition, they help to ensure that the customers of a business are given a high quality of service, to ensure they keep coming back. There are some of the functions that these systems play in restaurant businesses. The article is a review of currently used informatics systems in restaurant. The content of this paper will help to systemize the contemporary knowledge about these systems.