Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A screen of approved drugs and molecular probes identifies therapeutics with anti–Ebola virus activity

Several FDA-approved drugs, including bepridil and sertraline, may be therapeutics against filovirus infections. Drug repurposing for Ebola virus The recent Ebola virus outbreak has highlighted the lack of therapies for filovirus infection. FDA-approved drugs serve as a source of medications with a proven safety record. Johansen et al. have now screened about 2600 FDA-approved drugs and molecular probes and found 80 that have some efficacy against Zaire ebolavirus in vitro. These drugs were mechanistically diverse, and several drugs, including a calcium channel blocker and an antidepressant, could protect against infection in a mouse model. Although new therapy development is ongoing, these repurposed drugs can rapidly move to human testing and may serve on the frontline against Ebolavirus infection. Currently, no approved therapeutics exist to treat or prevent infections induced by Ebola viruses, and recent events have demonstrated an urgent need for rapid discovery of new treatments. Repurposing approved drugs for emerging infections remains a critical resource for potential antiviral therapies. We tested ~2600 approved drugs and molecular probes in an in vitro infection assay using the type species, Zaire ebolavirus. Selective antiviral activity was found for 80 U.S. Food and Drug Administration–approved drugs spanning multiple mechanistic classes, including selective estrogen receptor modulators, antihistamines, calcium channel blockers, and antidepressants. Results using an in vivo murine Ebola virus infection model confirmed the protective ability of several drugs, such as bepridil and sertraline. Viral entry assays indicated that most of these antiviral drugs block a late stage of viral entry. By nature of their approved status, these drugs have the potential to be rapidly advanced to clinical settings and used as therapeutic countermeasures for Ebola virus infections.
Frugivory and seed dispersal of Carissa spinarum (L.) in a tropical deciduous forest of central India

Four species of birds (Carpodacus erythrinus, Passer domesticus, Pycnonotus cafer, Streptopelia decacto) have been found to feed the ripen fruits of shrub Carissa spinarum (L.) in a tropical deciduous forest of Chhuhia, Rewa (M.P.). Birds usually swallowed whole fruit and voided seeds either by regurgitation (P. domesticus) or defecation (C. erythrinus, P. cafer, S. decacto) beneath the canopy of perching trees and shrubs of the forest. Each frugivore consumed an average of 4.42 fruits during any foraging bout. The frugivorous birds removed approximately 196 seeds per day per plant of the shrub within forest. Of the four birds, Pycnonotus cafer, P. asser domesticus and S. decacto performed much of potential seed dispersal events and proved themselves as principal dispersers of Carissa spinarum seeds in the Chhuhia forest.
Suitability of BovineSNP50 BeadChip for the evaluation of the Cervidae family diversity.

Polymorphic SNPs were identified using BovineSNP50 BeadChip in three groups of cervids: farmed Red deer ( n = 3), and free range Red deer ( n = 5) and Fallow deer ( n = 2). From the total of 54 609 SNPs, 53.85% could be genotyped. Out of 28 502 successfully genotyped autosomal SNPs only 5.3% were polymorphic. The average minor allele frequency within cervids was 0.23 (number of polymorphic SNPs ranged from 467 to 686). Results of the molecular variance analysis showed that 67.38% of variation occurred within individuals and the rest was explained by a species difference ( F ST = 0.32). The value of F IT (0.33) indicated a higher proportion of homozygote genotypes in the analyzed dataset. Pairwise F ST values showed very clearly the genetic differentia - tion between Red and Fallow deer which ranged from 0.06 (farmed and free range deer) to 0.74 (farmed Red and Fallow deer). A similar result was found for Nei's genetic distances that ranged from 0.01 (among Fallow deer) to 0.79 (among farmed Red and Fallow deer). The genetic differentiation of the analyzed cervid species was evalu - ated also by the principal component analysis with the involvement of 6 other species from the family Cervidae, which showed a division of the Cervidae cluster into 7 subpopulations. The panels of SNPs primarily produced for a model species are becoming the marker of choice for the application in other species, but the best methods of their discovery, validation, and genotyping in non-model species need further investigations.
Carcass and meat quality characteristics of young bulls of Norwegian cattle and crossbreds with Angus, Hereford and Charolais

Crossbreeding effects on beef production characteristics, growth, carcass and meat quality traits were registered on a total of 162 purebred Norwegian (NRF) dual‐purpose and crossbred bulls obtained from mating (AI) NRF dams with NRF, Aberdeen Angus, Hereford and Charolais sires. The offspring were reared in commercial farms until slaughter. Data were analysed by mixed models and adjusted to either constant carcass weight (305 kg), slaughter age (19.5 mos.) or carcass fat level (6% fat) end points. Improvements in beef production traits obtained by crossbreeding were highly dependent on the choice of sire beef breed. NRF × Charolais crossbreds had the highest daily carcass gain and carcass quality (fleshiness grading) at all end points. Crossbreeding with Aberdeen Angus and Hereford gave no growth advantages, an intermediate increase in carcass fleshiness grading and an increase in weight constant carcass fat level compared to purebred NRF. The small, significant breed differences observed for colour, fla.
I. REACTION NORMS

To understand genetic and phenotypic constraints on the sex ratio in a parasitic wasp that attacks fly pupae, I carried out a laboratory study of sex ratio variability in five strains of Muscidifurax raptor (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae). I manipulated the environment through com- binations of temperature and day length, and the numbers of females that attack a group of hosts. The change of phenotype in each strain over the range of environmental conditions describes the norm of each reaction for that strain, and measures how a strain responds to environmental variation to create phenotypic variability. Sex ratio in parasitic wasps is a complex trait that has several components-the numbers of eggs laid by an ovipositing wasp and the fraction of eggs that are fertilized (female). Further, sex ratio may be influenced by a female's reaction to other females exploiting the same hosts (superparasitism). I found no strain-environment interactions in either sex ratio or fecundity when I varied environmental conditions. Although strains differed in sex ratio and fecundity, all strains produced a more female-biased sex ratio and had higher fecundity when temperature and day length increased. Sex ratio and fecundity were phenotypically correlated, and strains with greater fecundity also produced a more female-biased sex ratio. All strains fac- ultatively shifted sex ratio toward a higher fraction of males with increasing female density, despite apparent differences in superparasitism among strains. Males and females survived equally during development, so that mortality differences among strains and across environments could not account for sex ratio variability. This study indicates that sex ratio variability among strains is constrained by the correlation between sex ratio and fecundity, and that strains display similar facultative shifts in sex ratio as female density increases because sex ratio shifts are insensitive to differing levels of superparasitism.
Towards failure of cytoskeletal actin networks

A numerical model is presented that describes the shear deformation of networks of cross-linked cytoskeletal actin filaments subject to large strains. Thermal undulations are accounted for in the initial configuration. The results show that at small strains the network deforms by filament bending, while at large strains percolations of straightened-out filaments are formed causing severe strain hardening.
Regulation from Within: The Hormone Dilemma

The classical theory of the hormonal regulation of plant growth and development proposes that the five classical types of plant hormones are responsible for the regulation of many different aspects of plant development. Furthermore, it is also thought that the flexibility and diversity required for such control are provided by modulation of hormonal levels and interactions between different hormones. However, the central question as to how far the controls exerted by plant hormones result from modulation of the hormone levels or from modulation of the 'sensitivity' of plant cells to the hormonal signals, remains largely unanswered. Furthermore, a growing body of evidence showing a variety of plant responses to small oligosaccharides strongly suggests that the diversity of chemical messages used by plants to react to external signals and/or to integrate their functions at the whole plant level is far greater than that corresponding to the 'classical' plant hormones. This calls for some re-evaluation of our concept of plant hormones. Ideas about the mechanisms of action of plant hormones have been strongly influenced by the concepts and the methodologies relative to animal systems. The few pieces available for this large puzzle suggest interesting similarities between plants and animals in terms of reception, transduction and amplification of the hormonal signal. However, this is mostly documented for auxins and no coherent picture is emerging from our present knowledge of the mechanisms by which hormones control plant development. The characterization of receptors for plant hormones is still in its infancy in spite of many descriptions of different proteins or membrane fractions able to bind hormones. Progress in this domain is likely to be linked to a reappraisal of some basic aspects of the methodologies, to the characterization of functional responses associated with hormone binding and to the use of more appropriate biological systems, including mutants affected in their sensitivity to hormones. The developmental regulation of plant hormone receptors, and more specifically the hypothesis that the amount of receptors could be controlled by the hormonal levels, is one of the most exciting questions for the next few years.
Ontogeny of the vocal repertoire in the Willow Tit Parus montanus

Results of a long-term study of the Willow Tit Parus montanus population in the birch region at Venabu, Ringebu (61? 39'N, 10008'E) in Central Norway, are presented. After fledging, the juvenile Willow Tits were dependent on their parents for another 2-3 weeks. During that period, they developed their vocabulary, which was nearly complete before independence. The syntax and ontogeny of eight main vocalizations (including the song) are described and illustrated by spectrograms. Non-aggressive calls developed before those with an aggressive content, the latter being postponed to the end of the period of parental dependence, or immediately thereafter. This pattern is probably adaptive. For comparison, also the corresponding adult vocalizations are described and illustrated by spectrograms. Besides the main sounds, a special puretone note, which evidently is restricted to the Willow Tits at Venabu and maintained in the deme by learning, is described. It is suggested that subsong has an important function in the process of vocal development.
Impact of stocking rate on species diversity and composition of a subtropical grassland in Argentina

Questions: What is the effect of a range of controlled stocking rates on plant species richness and diversity? Location: Subtropical grasslands of Corrientes, Argentina, South America. Methods: We studied the effect of three controlled stocking rates (0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 cow equivalents (ha1) on species diversity and composition during 8 yr. We calculated species diversity using the antilog of the Shannon-Wiener index, and considered its two components, richness and evenness. We also assessed the proportion of prostrate and erect species. Species abundance was based on biomass estimations. Results: Species diversity under high stocking rates gradually decreased throughout the experiment and became nearly 50% lower than under low stocking rate. This decline was largely accounted for by changes of evenness because species richness was not affected by stocking rates. Species composition clearly diverged among the three treatments over time. Low stocking rate maintained a fairly constant relative cover of erect and prostrate grasses throughout the experiment, whereas intermediate and high stocking rate treatments were gradually and consistently enriched in prostrate grasses and forbs. These effects occurred simultaneously with drastic inter-annual changes likely driven by annual precipitation. Conclusions: The range of stocking rates had no effect on species richness, but reduced diversity through the effect on evenness. High stocking rate progressively increased the proportion of prostrate species in the biomass.
Antiviral Activity of low-MW Dextran Sulphate (Derived from dextran MW 1000) Compared to Dextran Sulphate Samples of Higher MW

Dextran sulphate inhibits the replication of enveloped viruses (such as retro-, herpes-, toga, arena-, rhabdo-, orthomyxo- and paramyxoviruses), but is inactive against non-enveloped viruses (such as polio, Coxsackie and reovirus). Within the molecular weight (MW) range of 10000–50000, not much variation was observed in the antiviral potencies of different dextran sulphate (DS) samples, irrespective of the virus examined. However, in contrast with the higher MW samples, the low MW DS sample (prepared from dextran with a MW of 1000) was virtually inactive against herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2, vesicular stomatitis virus, vaccinia virus, influenza A virus, respiratory syncytial virus and togaviruses (Sindbis, Semliki Forest). It was 10–20-fold less active than the higher MW samples against cytomegalovirus and arenaviruses (Junin, Tacaribe). The inhibitory potency of the 1000 MW DS sample against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) varied considerably depending on the virus strain and cell type. When examined in MT-4 cells, the 1000 MW DS sample was 7000-, 1000-, 200- or 10-fold more inhibitory to HIV-1HE than HIV-2EHO, HTLV-IIIB, HTLV-IIIRF and LAV-2ROD, respectively. In CEM cells, however, HIV-1HE was less sensitive to the inhibitory effect of the 1000 MW DS sample than HIV-2EHO, equally sensitive as HTLV-IIIB and fivefold more sensitive than LAV-2ROD.
Oxidative enzymes in coconut cultivars in response to Raoiella indica feeding

The increase in oxidative enzyme activities is related to diminished mite infestation. Some biological aspects of Raoiella indica Hirst reared on the coconut cultivars (‘Jamaican Tall’ (JT), ‘Malayan Yellow Dwarf’ (MYD), Niu Leka (NL) and a hybrid JT x MYD) were studied under laboratory conditions. Aditionally, changes in oxidative enzyme activities (peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase) as response to R. indica feeding were studied in the cultivars where red palm mites showed highest and lowest biological parameters values. Longer time spans and lower oviposition rates observed on the JT suggest this cultivar to be more resistant to R. indica feeding. Cultivar JT showed the highest value in PPO/POX ratio, being about twice the value shown by MYD in the infested plants. The observed enzyme activity ratios in both genotypes showed a slight increase 24 h after mite infestation, suggesting these enzymes could be related to plant resistance to R. indica. However, this relationship is still unclear. The biological parameters of R. indica together with higher enzyme activity, particularly on JT suggest this cultivar could be considered as a more resistant cultivar as compared to MYD. More detailed studies are required to determine the effect of these enzymes on coconut resistance to red palm mites. Key words: Coconut, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, red palm mite.
Stimulation of Plant Growth and Drought Tolerance on Wheat by Endophytic Bacteria from Dry Environment

Stimulation of Plant Growth and Drought Tolerance on Wheat by Endophytic Bacteria from Dry Environment The four drought tolerant endophytic bacteria isolated from the grasses of Kutch were examined for their ability to increase drought tolerance in wheat growing under water stress condition. The two combination cultures were inoculated on wheat seeds and effect of these bacteria seem to have a developed mechanisms to cope with drought stress fewer than 55% water holding capacity. Their inoculation increased wheat growth, shoot and root biomass, root and shoot length as compared with the control. The potent bacteria from harsh environment are a promising, novel way to improve plant water use efficiency and drought tolerance.
Effects of Probiotics on Survival, Growth and Biochemical Constituents of Freshwater Prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii Post Larvae

The present study was attempted to examine the combined effects of probiotics, Lactobacillus sporogenes (LS), Bacillus subtilis (BS) and yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) on survival, growth, biochemical changes and energy utilization performance of the freshwater prawn M. rosenbergii post larvae. The probiotics, L. sporogenes (4), B. subtilis (3) and S. cerevisiae (4) were taken and mixed. 1%, 2%, 3% and 4% of LS+BS+SC (4+3+4) was incorporated with basal diet. Diet without probiotics served as control. PL-30 of M. rosenbergii was fed with LS+BS+SC (4+3+4) incorporated diet for a period of 90 days. The growth parameters, such as survival, weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion efficiency and protei n efficiency rate were significantly (P<0.05) higher in 3% LS+BS+SC incorporated diet fed post larvae (PL) followed by other experimental groups when compared with control. Whereas, the feed conversion ratio was significantly (P<0.05) lower in 3% LS+BS+SC incorporated diet fed PL. Similarly the tissues biochemical composition such as protein, amino acid, carbohydrate and lipid content were significantly (P<0.05) higher in 3% LS+BS+SC incorporated diet fed PL. However, insignificant difference was recorded in moisture content between control and experimental groups. The energy utilization parameters, such as feeding rate, absorption rate, conversion rate, NH3 excretory rate and metabolic rate were significantly (P<0.05) higher in 3% LS+BS+SC incorporated diet fed PL. Therefore, the probiotics 3% LS+BS+SC incorporated diet fed PL was produced better growth performance.
EFFECTS OF ENSILING OR DRYING ON FIVE FORAGE SPECIES IN WESTERN KENYA: ZEA MA YS (MAIZE STOVER),PENNISET UM PURPUREUM (PAKISTAN NAPIER GRASS), PENNISETUM SP.

Brown, D.L. and Chavalimu, E. , 1985. Effects of ensiling or drying on five forage species in western Kenya: Zea mays (maize stover), Pennisetum purpureum (Pakistan napier grass), Pennisetum sp. (bana grass), Impomea batata (sweet potato vines) and Cajanus ca]an (pigeon pea leaves). Anita. Feed Sci. Technol. , 13: 1--6. Tropical livestock production systems are enhanced when surplus wet season feeds can be preserved for use during dry seasons. For this reason, new locally feasible preservation methods were tested on locally available feeds at Maseno in western Kenya. Values for the chemical composition of fresh, dried and ensued maize stover, napier grass, bana grass, sweet potato vines and pigeon pea leaves were compared. Silage and hays preserved nutrients with equal efficiency, except for sweet potato vine silages. The sweet potato silages suffered a shift of protein into the acid detergent insoluble fraction, representing a loss of 37 g plant crude protein per kg silage dry matter. Only 15 g crude protein per kg dry matter was damaged when sweet potato vines were dried.
CRASSULACEAN ACID METABOLISM IN YOUNG

SUMMARY Acidity fluctuations typical of Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) were observed in both young and mature leaves of a succulent orchid hybrid Arachnis Maggie Oei. The maximum level of acidity in young leaves was only half the peak value in the mature leaves. The stomatal rhythm and CO2 gaseous exchange of mature leaves exhibited CAM characteristics, whereas young leaves showed typical non-CAM behaviour with low stomatal resistance and a net CO2 uptake during the day, high resistance and a net CO2 output during the night. The stomatal movement of both young and mature leaves was regulated by the internal CO2 concentration of sub-stomatal chamber.
Premières observations néotaphonomiques sur des assemblages osseux de Bialowieza (N.-E. Pologne) : Intérêts pour les gisements pléistocènes d'Europe

Les recherches en neotaphonomie (caracterisation des assemblages osseux crees et/ou modifies par des agents biologiques et abiotiques modernes) ont ete particulierement developpees dans les annees 1970-1990 en Afrique orientale et australe afin d'interpreter les gisements Plio-pleistocenes (fonction des sites, chronologie des occupations/activites d'origine humaine et non humaine). Certains de ces parametres actualistes ne peuvent effectivement provenir que d'observations " made in Africa " (regime alimentaire des predateurs exclusivement africains, dynamique des relations proies-predateurs), d'autres sont en revanche transferes sans aucune restriction aux echantillons pleistocenes d'Europe (action des agents climato-edaphiques), d'autres sont encore mal documentes d'un point de vue taphonomique (carnivores extra-africains). Afin d'obtenir des modeles plus facilement transposables aux contextes continentaux et/ou peri-glaciaires d'Europe, des etudes de neotaphonomie ont ete engagees dans le nord-est de la Pologne (zone forestiere exploitee de Bialowieza ) et concernent l'utilisation des carcasses par les predateurs (loups, lynx) et leurs charognards corollaires (corvides, petits canides, mustelides, rongeurs) ainsi que l'action des agents climato-edaphiques (meteorisation). Un premier bilan est dresse relatif a l'interaction predateurs (loup) - proies (cerf, bison d'Europe) - charognards (carnivores, rongeurs, oiseaux) ainsi qu'a l'action des agents atmospheriques ; il suppose une re-evaluation des modeles de transfert utilises en taphonomie pour le Paleolithique europeen.
Endothelium protection by the glycocalyx

Sepsis is still a major cause of elevated mortality ratein the intensive care unit. Endothelial cell function plays a key role in this pathophysiological process. Recent studies provide evidence that degradation of glycocalyx on the lumi- nal cell membrane is an early step in endothelial dysfunction. The glycocalyx is composed of negatively charged glycopro- teins, discovered by electron microscopy more than 40 years ago. The glycocalyx is a key determinant of vascular function regulating vascular permeability and interactions with peri- pheral blood cells. During sepsis, the glycocalyx may be degraded to various components including heparan sulfate and syndecan-1 that are released into the bloodstream. Howe- ver, functional assessment and visualization of glycocalyx are still complex to establish. Preservation of glycocalyx could be a future therapeutic target for treatment. Therefore, develop- ment of therapeutic strategies to maintain and/or repair the glycocalyx may become a research focus in the management of septic patients.