cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.14268308.v1
title: Brain and plasma amino acid concentration in infant rats prenatally exposed to valproic acid

description: Abstract Autism spectrum disorder is associated with alterations in GABAergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission. Here, we aimed to determine the concentration of GABA, glutamate, glutamine, aspartate, taurine, and glycine in brain tissue and plasma of rats prenatally exposed to valproic acid (VPA), a well-characterized experimental model of autism. Pregnant rats were injected with VPA (600mg/Kg) during the twelfth-embryonic-day. Control rats were injected with saline. On the fourteen-postnatal-day, rats from both groups (males and females) were anesthetized, euthanized by decapitation and their brain dissected out. The frontal cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, brain stem and cerebellum were dissected and homogenized. Homogenates were centrifuged and supernatants were used to quantify amino acid concentrations by HPLC coupled with fluorometric detection. Blood samples were obtained by a cardiac puncture; plasma was separated and deproteinized to quantify amino acid concentration by HPLC. We found that, in VPA rats, glutamate and glutamine concentrations were increased in hippocampus and glycine concentration was increased in cortex. We did not find changes in other regions or in plasma amino acid concentration in the VPA group with respect to control group. Our results suggest that VPA exposure in utero may impair inhibitory and excitatory amino acid transmission in the infant brain.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.14275559
title: Orthogonal test design for optimizing culture medium for in vitro pollen germination of interspecific oil tea hybrids

description: Abstract Oil Tea (Camellia oleifera) is an important woody edible oil plant in China. Oil Tea suffers from low rate of fruit set during production, which is related to poor pollination and fertilization. Pollen vigor is directly related to pollination and fertilization. Using the interspecific hybrid Y3 (C. grijsii × C. oleifera) as plant material, we studied the effects of sucrose, H3BO3, MgSO4, and IAA on pollen germination using an orthogonal design to determine the best culture medium. Results indicated that pollen germination rates were significantly affected by medium components and ranged from 29.13% to 56.84%. Pollen tube length was the longest in the T5 medium surpassing the control group by 489.36 μm. MgSO4 turned out to be the most important germination medium component having great effect on the pollen germination rate. The optimal culture medium to promote pollen tube growth of Oil Tea Y3 was: 1% agar, 150 g·L-1 sucrose, 0.15 g·L-1 H3BO3, 0.07 g·L-1 MgSO4, and 0.01 g·L-1 IAA. The results of this paper may provide information for foliar application of Mg and IAA, which can improve pollen tube growth of Oil Tea in practice.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.14275562
title: A new record of Tayassuidae (Mammalia: Cetartiodactyla) from the Pleistocene of northern Brazil

description: Abstract In this contribution, we described a new fossil of a Pleistocene Tayassuidae from northern Brazil. The specimen is a left dentary with molars assigned to cf. Pecari tajacu recovered from an outcrop of the Rio Madeira Formation, State of Rondônia, Brazil. It represents the first Pleistocene fossil of this clade with stratigraphic provenance in the Amazon region of Brazil. This record contributes to the knowledge on the paleofauna of Rio Madeira Formation as well as extend the past geographic distribution of peccaries in South America.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.14275559.v1
title: Orthogonal test design for optimizing culture medium for in vitro pollen germination of interspecific oil tea hybrids

description: Abstract Oil Tea (Camellia oleifera) is an important woody edible oil plant in China. Oil Tea suffers from low rate of fruit set during production, which is related to poor pollination and fertilization. Pollen vigor is directly related to pollination and fertilization. Using the interspecific hybrid Y3 (C. grijsii × C. oleifera) as plant material, we studied the effects of sucrose, H3BO3, MgSO4, and IAA on pollen germination using an orthogonal design to determine the best culture medium. Results indicated that pollen germination rates were significantly affected by medium components and ranged from 29.13% to 56.84%. Pollen tube length was the longest in the T5 medium surpassing the control group by 489.36 μm. MgSO4 turned out to be the most important germination medium component having great effect on the pollen germination rate. The optimal culture medium to promote pollen tube growth of Oil Tea Y3 was: 1% agar, 150 g·L-1 sucrose, 0.15 g·L-1 H3BO3, 0.07 g·L-1 MgSO4, and 0.01 g·L-1 IAA. The results of this paper may provide information for foliar application of Mg and IAA, which can improve pollen tube growth of Oil Tea in practice.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.14275562.v1
title: A new record of Tayassuidae (Mammalia: Cetartiodactyla) from the Pleistocene of northern Brazil

description: Abstract In this contribution, we described a new fossil of a Pleistocene Tayassuidae from northern Brazil. The specimen is a left dentary with molars assigned to cf. Pecari tajacu recovered from an outcrop of the Rio Madeira Formation, State of Rondônia, Brazil. It represents the first Pleistocene fossil of this clade with stratigraphic provenance in the Amazon region of Brazil. This record contributes to the knowledge on the paleofauna of Rio Madeira Formation as well as extend the past geographic distribution of peccaries in South America.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.14268262
title: An Efficient Synthesis of Novel Dextran-Arsenite Nanoparticles intended for Potential Antitumor Drug Material

description: Abstract The functionalization of polysaccharides with synthetic nanopolymers has attracted great attention owing to the applications of this method in many industrial fields. This work aimed to investigate the effect of arsenic trioxide on the functionalization of dextran. Dextran-arsenite nanoparticle formation was induced by microwave with sulfuric acid as a catalyst. Various analytical techniques were used to verify the structure of the nanopolymers. Besides, various reaction conditions, such as dextran concentration, arsenic trioxide concentration and pH, were investigated to determine their impact on particle size. The results indicated that the product was an arsenite-based nanomaterial retaining the basic configuration of dextran and that the product size was positively correlated with pH but negatively correlated with arsenic trioxide concentration. Moreover, the inhibitory effects of the dextran-arsenite nanoparticles on the growth of the human colorectal cancer cell line HCT-116 and human hepatoma carcinoma cell lines Huh-7 and SMMC-7721 were studied. The results showed that the product could inhibit the proliferation of these three tumor cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore, the product could be a new type of functional nanomaterial for further study on the synthesis, biological activity and development of polysaccharide drugs.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.14268262.v1
title: An Efficient Synthesis of Novel Dextran-Arsenite Nanoparticles intended for Potential Antitumor Drug Material

description: Abstract The functionalization of polysaccharides with synthetic nanopolymers has attracted great attention owing to the applications of this method in many industrial fields. This work aimed to investigate the effect of arsenic trioxide on the functionalization of dextran. Dextran-arsenite nanoparticle formation was induced by microwave with sulfuric acid as a catalyst. Various analytical techniques were used to verify the structure of the nanopolymers. Besides, various reaction conditions, such as dextran concentration, arsenic trioxide concentration and pH, were investigated to determine their impact on particle size. The results indicated that the product was an arsenite-based nanomaterial retaining the basic configuration of dextran and that the product size was positively correlated with pH but negatively correlated with arsenic trioxide concentration. Moreover, the inhibitory effects of the dextran-arsenite nanoparticles on the growth of the human colorectal cancer cell line HCT-116 and human hepatoma carcinoma cell lines Huh-7 and SMMC-7721 were studied. The results showed that the product could inhibit the proliferation of these three tumor cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore, the product could be a new type of functional nanomaterial for further study on the synthesis, biological activity and development of polysaccharide drugs.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.14275563
title: Re-description of the braincase of the rebbachisaurid sauropod Limaysaurus tessonei and novel endocranial information based on CT scans

description: Abstract CT scans of the type braincase of Limaysaurus tessonei (MUCPv-205) allowed the first study of the endocranial cavities (brain and inner ear) for this South American taxon. Comparisons of the cranial endocast of L. tessonei with other sauropods indicate that 1) South American rebbachisaurids are more similar to each other than to Nigersaurus, and 2) certain association of traits are present in all known rebbachisaurid cranial endocasts, such as lack of an enlarged dorsal expansion, poorly laterally projected cerebral hemispheres, presence of a small flocculus of the cerebellum, markedly long passage for the facial nerve (CN VII), markedly inclined pituitary, and presence of a passage for the basilar artery communicating the floor of the endocranial cavity and the pituitary fossa. The relatively enlarged olfactory region indicates that smell was an important sense for this group of dinosaurs, suggesting different olfactory capabilities when compared to coeval titanosaurs.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.14275563.v1
title: Re-description of the braincase of the rebbachisaurid sauropod Limaysaurus tessonei and novel endocranial information based on CT scans

description: Abstract CT scans of the type braincase of Limaysaurus tessonei (MUCPv-205) allowed the first study of the endocranial cavities (brain and inner ear) for this South American taxon. Comparisons of the cranial endocast of L. tessonei with other sauropods indicate that 1) South American rebbachisaurids are more similar to each other than to Nigersaurus, and 2) certain association of traits are present in all known rebbachisaurid cranial endocasts, such as lack of an enlarged dorsal expansion, poorly laterally projected cerebral hemispheres, presence of a small flocculus of the cerebellum, markedly long passage for the facial nerve (CN VII), markedly inclined pituitary, and presence of a passage for the basilar artery communicating the floor of the endocranial cavity and the pituitary fossa. The relatively enlarged olfactory region indicates that smell was an important sense for this group of dinosaurs, suggesting different olfactory capabilities when compared to coeval titanosaurs.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.14275568
title: Gonadal development in pejerrey (Odontesthes bonariensis) during spawning season in relation with sex steroids and temperature variation in Gómez lake (Pampas region, Argentina)

description: Abstract Gómez lake (34 ° 39 ‘S 61 ° 01’ W) is a typical shallow lake of Pampas region placed in the upper area of the Salado river. The most abundant fish species in this lake is the pejerrey (Odontesthes bonariensis) valued due to the quality of its flesh and its attractiveness as a game fish. The aim of this study was to describe for the first time in this pejerrey wild population the gonadal stages during three consecutive spawning seasons (August to December) in relation with sexual steroids and temperature in this lake. In general, pejerrey gonadal development, the gonadosomatic index and the plasma levels of estradiol and testosterone varied in relation to air temperature. During the sampling period, pejerrey females started to ovulate in early August (winter), with a peak in October and ending in December with some of them with atretic oocytes. For males, it was possible to find spermiating animals during the whole spawning season and some arrested animals only in December. Our results confirm the relationship with pejerrey maturation and temperature and can be useful for decision making in the management of this natural resource.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.14275568.v1
title: Gonadal development in pejerrey (Odontesthes bonariensis) during spawning season in relation with sex steroids and temperature variation in Gómez lake (Pampas region, Argentina)

description: Abstract Gómez lake (34 ° 39 ‘S 61 ° 01’ W) is a typical shallow lake of Pampas region placed in the upper area of the Salado river. The most abundant fish species in this lake is the pejerrey (Odontesthes bonariensis) valued due to the quality of its flesh and its attractiveness as a game fish. The aim of this study was to describe for the first time in this pejerrey wild population the gonadal stages during three consecutive spawning seasons (August to December) in relation with sexual steroids and temperature in this lake. In general, pejerrey gonadal development, the gonadosomatic index and the plasma levels of estradiol and testosterone varied in relation to air temperature. During the sampling period, pejerrey females started to ovulate in early August (winter), with a peak in October and ending in December with some of them with atretic oocytes. For males, it was possible to find spermiating animals during the whole spawning season and some arrested animals only in December. Our results confirm the relationship with pejerrey maturation and temperature and can be useful for decision making in the management of this natural resource.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.14275569
title: Exotic species are perceived more than native ones in a megadiverse country as brazil

description: Abstract Research on environmental perception is essential for the understanding of individuals’ relations and expectations towards natural environments. Here, we evaluated the perception of high school students on exotic and native species in Brazil. We interviewed 371 students from two high schools located in the state of Goiás, one with and one without a protected area within its premises. Students needed to identify native and exotic species and to indicate species origin. We used a t-test to evaluate differences between students’ scores regarding the correctness of species origin and also ANOVA to assess whether these scores varied among taxonomic groups. Students identified exotic species better than native ones. Students better identified exotic mammals, fishes, and birds than native ones. We found there were no significant relationships of students’ knowledge of species’ origins with socioecological factors. Students’ perceptions of exotic and native species were low and focused on charismatic large-bodied species. We suggest that students are encouraged to expand their knowledge of local biodiversity. Teachers, local schools, and policymakers are essential to achieve this aim. A more diverse methodology for teaching, including new technologies and citizen-science projects, can help establish a genuine interest of local biodiversity students.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.14275569.v1
title: Exotic species are perceived more than native ones in a megadiverse country as brazil

description: Abstract Research on environmental perception is essential for the understanding of individuals’ relations and expectations towards natural environments. Here, we evaluated the perception of high school students on exotic and native species in Brazil. We interviewed 371 students from two high schools located in the state of Goiás, one with and one without a protected area within its premises. Students needed to identify native and exotic species and to indicate species origin. We used a t-test to evaluate differences between students’ scores regarding the correctness of species origin and also ANOVA to assess whether these scores varied among taxonomic groups. Students identified exotic species better than native ones. Students better identified exotic mammals, fishes, and birds than native ones. We found there were no significant relationships of students’ knowledge of species’ origins with socioecological factors. Students’ perceptions of exotic and native species were low and focused on charismatic large-bodied species. We suggest that students are encouraged to expand their knowledge of local biodiversity. Teachers, local schools, and policymakers are essential to achieve this aim. A more diverse methodology for teaching, including new technologies and citizen-science projects, can help establish a genuine interest of local biodiversity students.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.14275572
title: Safflower seed supplementation in lamb feed: effects upon fatty acid profile and quality of meat patty formulations

description: Abstract The aims of this study were to determine the fatty acid profile of meat from lambs fed with different levels of safflower seed (0%, 7.5%, and 15%) and, also, to compare the characteristics of the meat patties prepared from this lamb meat (LMP) with beef meat patties (BMP). The safflower seed-supplemented diet did not change the contents of polyunsaturated and unsaturated fatty acids, except for C22:1. All meat patty formulations were considered safe for consumption. The values of cooking yield, shrinkage, water absorption index, luminosity (L*), and redness (a*) were similar for the LMP and BMP tested. While the safflower seed-supplemented diet did not alter the moisture, ash, and protein levels of LMP, the lipid content was lower than that in BMP. The incorporation of 15% safflower seed into lamb feed contributed to promoting better sensory attributes of the meat patties. Most of the physicochemical properties evaluated were similar among LMP and BMP. However, to improve the sensory properties of the product, dietary supplementation with 15% safflower seed is recommended.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.14275572.v1
title: Safflower seed supplementation in lamb feed: effects upon fatty acid profile and quality of meat patty formulations

description: Abstract The aims of this study were to determine the fatty acid profile of meat from lambs fed with different levels of safflower seed (0%, 7.5%, and 15%) and, also, to compare the characteristics of the meat patties prepared from this lamb meat (LMP) with beef meat patties (BMP). The safflower seed-supplemented diet did not change the contents of polyunsaturated and unsaturated fatty acids, except for C22:1. All meat patty formulations were considered safe for consumption. The values of cooking yield, shrinkage, water absorption index, luminosity (L*), and redness (a*) were similar for the LMP and BMP tested. While the safflower seed-supplemented diet did not alter the moisture, ash, and protein levels of LMP, the lipid content was lower than that in BMP. The incorporation of 15% safflower seed into lamb feed contributed to promoting better sensory attributes of the meat patties. Most of the physicochemical properties evaluated were similar among LMP and BMP. However, to improve the sensory properties of the product, dietary supplementation with 15% safflower seed is recommended.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.14275574
title: Nutritional performance and metabolic characteristics of cattle fed tropical forages with protein and starch supplementation

description: Abstract Effects of protein supplementation, with and without starch supplementation, on nutritional performance and metabolic characteristics of cattle fed low- and medium-quality tropical forages were evaluated using 4 cannulated steers distributed according to a 4 × 4 Latin square. Experimental periods were divided into two subperiods. In the first subperiod, two animals received low-quality hay and two animals received medium-quality. Supplementation schemes were evaluated in the second subperiod: low-quality hay with protein (300 g of crude protein – CP/d); low-quality hay with protein (300 g CP/d) and starch (225 g/d); medium-quality hay with protein (300 g CP/d); and medium-quality hay with protein (300 g CP/d) and starch (225 g/d) supplementation. Without supplementation, medium-quality forage provided higher intake, digestibility, nitrogen balance (NB) and efficiency of nitrogen utilization (EFNU). Comparing subperiods, supply of supplements depressed medium-quality forage intake, but did not affect low-quality forage intake. Supplementation increased NB, EFNU and serum concentration of IGF1 in animals fed low-quality forage. Protein supplementation increases nitrogen retention in animals, an effect attributed mainly to anabolic stimuli. However, this effect is more prominent when animals are fed low-quality forages. No positive impact on animal metabolism was obtained with combination of supplemental protein and starch.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.14275574.v1
title: Nutritional performance and metabolic characteristics of cattle fed tropical forages with protein and starch supplementation

description: Abstract Effects of protein supplementation, with and without starch supplementation, on nutritional performance and metabolic characteristics of cattle fed low- and medium-quality tropical forages were evaluated using 4 cannulated steers distributed according to a 4 × 4 Latin square. Experimental periods were divided into two subperiods. In the first subperiod, two animals received low-quality hay and two animals received medium-quality. Supplementation schemes were evaluated in the second subperiod: low-quality hay with protein (300 g of crude protein – CP/d); low-quality hay with protein (300 g CP/d) and starch (225 g/d); medium-quality hay with protein (300 g CP/d); and medium-quality hay with protein (300 g CP/d) and starch (225 g/d) supplementation. Without supplementation, medium-quality forage provided higher intake, digestibility, nitrogen balance (NB) and efficiency of nitrogen utilization (EFNU). Comparing subperiods, supply of supplements depressed medium-quality forage intake, but did not affect low-quality forage intake. Supplementation increased NB, EFNU and serum concentration of IGF1 in animals fed low-quality forage. Protein supplementation increases nitrogen retention in animals, an effect attributed mainly to anabolic stimuli. However, this effect is more prominent when animals are fed low-quality forages. No positive impact on animal metabolism was obtained with combination of supplemental protein and starch.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.14275575
title: Dynamics of Transmission of Urban Arbovirus Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya in Southwestern Region of Bahia, Brazil

description: Abstract Arboviral diseases are disseminated all over the world. In Brazil, they remain neglected, alerting public authorities to possible outbreaks. Over here, we report the epidemiological indicators of Dengue from 2010 to 2015, Zika between 2015 and 2016, and Chikungunya from 2014 to 2016, within 19 municipalities of Southwestern Region of Bahia, Brazil. The data were collected from Brazilian national public information systems (SISFAD, SINAN, and IBGE) and by Endemic Control Agents. The analysis consisted of a description of vector characteristics, Home Infestation Index and characterization of human reported cases. The years 2011 and 2013 were recorded as having the highest frequencies of positive properties for the presence of the arboviruse vectors. Most municipalities presented high annual values of Home Infestation Index indicating an alert situation (62.28%). In the evaluated period, there were (i) 9,196 cases of Dengue, (ii) 636 cases of Zika and (iii) 224 cases of Chikungunya reported. This is the first report of the epidemiological characteristics of these arboviruses in the 19 municipalities of Bahia. It is believed that the data collected may contribute to public health policies aimed at controlling future epidemics of these arboviruses.