Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Growth parameters of strawberry plants in biennial production on the Atlantic Coast of Buenos Aires, Argentina

ABSTRACT The aim of this work was to evaluate the differences in growth parameters of one- and two-year-old plants of a day-neutral strawberry Aromas® grown in the Atlantic Coast production area of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Fresh-dug, leafless, bare-rooted plants were planted in the second week of May of the years 2009 and 2010. Two-year-old plants (T2) showed higher total biomass production, fruit yield and precocity. Crown and root yields of T2 plants in October were 49 and 32 times higher, respectively, and leaf area of T2 plants was three times larger than leaf area of one-year-old plants. T2 plants yielded a higher proportion of crowns and roots, and a lower proportion of dry matter partitioning into leaves. Fruits were the strongest photoassimilates sink (65% to 72% of dry weight accumulation), followed by leaves (13% to 20%), crowns (6% to 10%), roots (2% to 7%), and inflorescences (3% to 4%). Individual fruit weight from T2 plants was lighter than fruit weight of one-year-old plants, and this difference was observed principally from October to December, when T2 plants carried a high fruit load. T2 plants showed a decline in all measured growth parameters from February onwards, associated with crown and root diseases.
The complete mitochondrial genome of Soriculus nigrescens (Soricomorpha: Soricinae)

Abstract The Himalayan Shrew (Soriculus nigrescens) Gray, 1842 belongs to the subfamily Soricinae, which is distributed in southwest China, Nepal, India, and Bhutan. This species is classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. In this study, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of S. nigrescens. This mitogenome is 17,284 bp in length and contains a set of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA genes (rRNA), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNA), one origin of L strand replication, and one control region. In order to explore the molecular phylogenetics evolution of Soricinae, the nucleotide sequence data of 13 PCGs of S. nigrescens and other 17 Insectivores were used for the phylogenetic analysis.
A diluent containing coconut water, fructose, and chicken egg yolk increases rooster sperm quality at 5°C

Aim: The present study was conducted to evaluate the quality of rooster sperm at 5°C after treatment with a diluent containing coconut water, fructose, and chicken egg yolk and stored the semen sample at 5°C. Materials and Methods: Ten semen samples from 10 healthy roosters were subjected to four different treatments. For the treatments, 0.2 ml fresh semen with a sperm concentration of 5.2×109 cell/ml was mixed with T0 (no diluent), T1 (0.34 ml coconut water and 6 µl fructose), T2 (0.274 ml coconut water, 0.12 ml egg yolk, and 6 µl fructose), and T3 (0.34 ml egg yolk and 6 µl fructose) solutions. Each treated solution was stored at 5°C and evaluated both macroscopically and microscopically. Macroscopically, semen volume, pH, and sperm concentration were evaluated. The microscopic sperm characteristics examined included total motility (i.e., rapid, medium, or slow), progressive and non-progressive motility, viability, and spermatozoa abnormalities noted at different storage times. The results showed that spermatozoa motility was under 40%. Results: The results indicated that sperm viability significantly affected (p<0.05). The highest mean value of sperm viability on day 7 of storage was found after treatment with the T2 solution (46.100±0.5677%). Similarly, spermatozoa abnormalities were significantly lower after treatment with the T2 solution (6.680±1.702%). Conclusion: The addition of a diluent containing coconut water, egg yolk, and fructose helped in the better preservation spermatozoa motility, as well as viability for up to 7 days when the semen samples were stored at 5°C.
Hormesis of 2,4-D Choline Salt in Biometric Aspects of Cotton

Plant hormesis is a phenomenon that involves the presence of toxic compounds at high doses but can be beneficial at low doses. Thus, the aim of this study was to use dose-response curves to assess the effect of hormesis caused by sub-toxic of 2,4-D choline herbicide on biometric variables of cotton plants. The study adopted a completely randomized experimental design with seven replications, and the treatments consisted of nine fractions of the average rate indicated on the 2,4-D choline salt herbicide label: 0 (control); 0.4275; 0.855; 1.71; 3.42; 8.55; 17.1; 34.2 and 68.4 g ae ha-1 applied at phenological stages V4 or B4 of cotton plants. The plants were assessed for the main morphological parameters. The results were subjected to analysis of variance and, when significant, the hormesis model was tested aiming to describe the dose-response curves with low rates stimulation. The maximum hormesis effect for the variables plant height and number of leaves in cotton plants at stage V4 was estimated, in due order, for sub-doses between 1.14 and 3.02 and 1.37 and 5.54 g ae ha-1 of 2,4-D choline. The hormesis effect was not significant for total dry matter production when 2,4-D choline was applied at stage V4, irrespective of the year of study. Sub-doses between 0.855 and 1.71 g ae ha-1 of 2,4-D choline salt applied at stage B4 caused hormesis in the height, number of leaves, shoots dry matter and total dry matter of cotton plants.
Relationships between foraging and open-field activity in young chicks and feather pecking in adult birds: results of analyses using quantitative genetics and structural equation models

Feather pecking is a serious damaging behaviour in the domestic fowl. Despite intensive research, the causes of this behaviour are not fully understood. Foraging and fear are considered as important causal motivations for feather pecking in the Domestic Fowl. There exist however, contrasting results which challenge the general validity of the hypotheses. It was the aim of the present study to unravel the relationships between severe feather pecking (FPD; bouts of severe feather pecks delivered), foraging (FOR, sum of walking and litter pecking), and open-field activity (OFA; number of steps) as criterion for fear, using observations of 862 birds of a F2-cross of lines selected for high or low levels of feather pecking. Heritability, phenotypic- and genetic correlations were estimated using standard multitrait analysis. Putative causal relationships between the criteria were determined using structural equation models. It was hypothesised that both OFA and FOR influence FPD, and that OFA influences FOR. Heritability for FPD and OFA was 0.19 and 0.21 respectively. The heritability for FOR was zero. Consequently, it was not possible to estimate genetic correlation between FOR and other traits. Genetic correlation between OFA and FPD as well as all phenotypic correlations among traits were very low. Recursive effects among the traits were also low and varied between 0.01 and 0.004. The results of the F2-cross used in the present study do not support the hypotheses that FOR and OPA have a causal influence on FPD.
Purification and Identification of miRNA Target Sites in Genome Using DNA Affinity Precipitation

Combination with genomic DNA is one of the important ways for microRNAs (miRNAs) to perform biological processes. However, because of lack of an experimental method, the identified genomic sites targeted by microRNA were only located in the promoter and enhancer regions. In this study, based on affinity purification of labeled biotin at the 3′-end of miRNAs, we established an efficiently experimental method to screen miRNA binding sequences in the whole genomic regions in vivo. Biotinylated miR-373 was used to test our approach in MCF-7 cells, and then Sanger and next-generation sequencing were used to screen miR-373 binding sequences. Our results demonstrated that the genomic fragments precipitated by miR-373 were located not only in promoter but also in intron, exon, and intergenic. Eleven potentially miR-373 targeting genes were selected for further study, and all of these genes were significantly regulated by miR-373. Furthermore, the targeting sequences located in E-cadherin, cold-shock domain-containing protein C2 (CSDC2), and PDE4D genes could interact with miR-373 in MCF-7 cells rather than HeLa cells, which is consistent with our data that these three genes can be regulated by miR-373 in MCF-7 cells while not in HeLa cells. On the whole, this is an efficient method to identify miRNA targeting sequences in the whole genome.
Cancer cell growth inhibition by aroylhydrazone derivatives

Abstract Hydrazones have versatile properties that make them promising for a range of possible applications. In this study, we examined a library of 17 aroylhydrazones derived from nicotinic acid hydrazide (1-12) and isonicotinic acid hydrazide (A-E) created by us for their biological activity. The antiproliferative activity of the compounds was investigated on non-tumour MCF-10A cells and cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. Four compounds were selected as most active in cell growth inhibition of the tumour cell lines. These compounds, 5, 11, C and E, were tested on four additional cell lines: non-tumour BJ and cancer cell lines, HeLa, HepG2 and HT-29. Compounds 5 and E exhibited the highest selectivity index on cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231, HeLa and HepG2. High selectivity to MCF-7 cells was demonstrated with compound 5. Compound C was very selective to HepG2 cells as well as to MDA-MB-231 but to a lesser degree. Compound 11 showed selectivity against MDA-MB-231. The obtained results allow assessing the structure–activity relationship of the compounds and provide insight into the further development of this group of aroylhydrazones as more potent and selective anti-neoplastic agents.
Muc5b-deficient mice develop early histological lung abnormalities

ABSTRACT Gel-forming mucins are the main organic component responsible for physical properties of the mucus hydrogels. While numerous biological functions of these mucins are well documented, specific physiological functions of each mucin are largely unknown. To investigate in vivo functions of the gel-forming mucin Muc5b, which is one of the major secreted airway mucins, along with Muc5ac, we generated mice in which Muc5b was disrupted and maintained in the absence of environmental stress. Adult Muc5b-deficient mice displayed bronchial hyperplasia and metaplasia, interstitial thickening, alveolar collapse, immune cell infiltrates, fragmented and disorganized elastin fibers and collagen deposits that were, for approximately one-fifth of the mice, associated with altered pulmonary function leading to respiratory failure. These lung abnormalities start early in life, as demonstrated in one-quarter of 2-day-old Muc5b-deficient pups. Thus, the mouse mucin Muc5b is essential for maintaining normal lung function. Summary: The gelling mucin MUC5B is essential for the mucociliary clearance at adulthood. Here we show that Muc5b-deficient mice exhibit an early lung inflammation that may lead to respiratory distress.
The study to evaluate the prevalence of Yersinia species in salad sold and water supplied in Quetta city, Pakistan

The study to evaluate the prevalence of Yersinia species in salad and Abstract The spectrum of foodborne illness has been changed dramatically because of modern life style. This pilot study was intended to investigate the contaminated salad and water with Yersinia species and to determine their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern in 200 collected samples. Typical biochemical tests along with advanced molecular techniques were adopted for characterization of the isolated bacteria. In salad sample 20% (n=100) were contaminated with Yersinia species when biochemical tests were adopted for identification, however polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test confirmed the contamination of 27% of the samples. Out of 100 water samples analyzed 6 and 8 were found contaminated as confirmed by biochemical and PCR respectively. PCR based species typing was performed on the Yersinia isolated from the analyzed samples. The PCR confirmed isolates were further investigated by multiplex PCR to identify the specific species involved. Multiplex PCR demonstrated that 34 were Yersinia enterocolitica and 5 were identified as Yersinia pseudotuberculosis . Further segregation of multiplex PCR outcomes demonstrated that salad samples were most contaminated with Y. enterocolitica (n=27) and only two water samples were found positive. Similarly, out of five Y. pseudotuberclosis isolated, 4 were detected in salad samples while only 1 water sample was found contaminated with Y. pseudotuberclosis . Importantly, no sample was found contaminated with Y. pestis . The isolated Yersinia species were susceptible to Gentamicin, Tobramycin, Chloramphinicol, Nalidixic acid, Levofloxacin, Ciprolopxicin, Imipenum, Ceftaxine, and Cefrixone but resistant against Ampicillin, Amoxicillin, Tetracycline and Fosfomycin.
EFFECT OF MICROBIOLOGICAL FERTILIZER FOR MITIGATING WATER STRESS IN CHERRY TOMATO

Murtic, S. , R. Oljaca; M. S. Murtic; I. Koleska; L. Karic and J. Avdic, 2018. Effect of microbiological fertilizer for mitigating water stress in cherry tomato. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 24 (1): 106–111 This study was carried out to examine the effect of microbiological fertilizer ‘Slavol’ (MB) on selected physiological parameters for evaluating drought tolerance of seedlings (content of proline, leaf water potential, leaf area, content of photosynthetic pigments, total phenolic and fl avonoids) and subsequently on the yield and fruit quality of cherry tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. var. cerasiforme). Cherry tomato seedlings treated by MB had a lower content of proline and higher leaf water potential compared to non-treated seedlings under water stress, which indicates that microorganisms present in fertilizers contributes to better adaptation of cherry tomato seedlings to stress. The research results also showed that application of MB contribute to increasing of phenolic compounds and consequently strengthening of cherry tomato antioxidant defense system. Fruit quality parameters (TSS, TA, TPC, TFC, FRAP, content of ascorbic acid and lycopene) were signifi cantly higher in fruits of cherry tomato subjected to drought, regardless of MB treatment, suggesting that exposure of plant to controlled water stress conditions may represent a very promising approach to enhance the nutritional quality of cherry tomato.
Age-related Differences in Oscillatory Activity in Hippocampal and Neocortical Networks

The brain adapts to structural and functional changes that naturally occur over the latter half of the human lifespan, enabling people to maintain cognitive function. However, the nature of these changes has not yet been fully characterized. The present dissertation examines the extent to which aging is associated with changes in the recruitment of oscillatory activity within hippocampal and neocortical regions to support relational memory performance on a short delay visuospatial memory task. Structural magnetic resonance imaging and magnetoencephalography were used to characterize potential age-related changes in hippocampal volume, oscillatory activity, and subsequent memory performance, and the relationships among them. Sixteen younger and 16 older adults were sequentially presented with three objects during a study phase. Following a short delay, the objects were re-presented simultaneously, and participants had to determine whether the spatial relations among the objects had been maintained. Older and younger adults showed similar task accuracy, and older adults had preserved hippocampal volumes, but had longer response latencies relative to younger adults. Age-group differences in
Genetic variability of invasive species, Fallopia convolvulus (Polygonaceae) in Iran

Abstract Fallopia (Polygonaceae) as a noxious weed contains 17 species in the world out of which three species occur in Iran with invasive distribution. F. convolvulus growing in wide range of soil types causes significant problems for native ecosystems of river banks. In this study, we have examined genetic variability in F. convolvulus for the first time in Iran. Ten Inter Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR) markers were used to study the genetic variability on 11 populations of this species. Genetic diversity parameters, genetic distance and gene flow were determined. Genetic variation at inter- and intra-population level was evaluated by different methods. AMOVA and structure analyses revealed high genetic diversity within populations. Mantel test revealed a significant correlation between genetic and geographic distances. Between populations a limited gene flow was observed. It is concluded that local adaptation, low gene exchange and genetic drift can affect genetic diversity of F. convolvulus. Despite self-compatibility of this species, it is proposed that outcrossing may occur because of higher genetic variation among populations of this taxon.
Genetic resistance to Colletotrichum lindemuthianum in the Andean cultivar Jalo Pintado 2 of common bean

The anthracnose caused by fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum (Sacc. & Magnus) Briosi & Cavara is the most widespread disease and economically important fungal disease of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The use of resistant cultivars is considered as one of the most effective methods in controlling this disease. The present study had as aim to characterize the genetic resistance of the Andean common bean cultivar Jalo Pintado 2 to the C. lindemuthianum through inheritance and allelism tests. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions at Laboratório de Melhoramento do Feijão Comum e de Biologia Molecular do Núcleo de Pesquisa Aplicada a Agricultura (Nupagri) at Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Paraná, Brazil. The results of the F2 population from the crossing 'Jalo Pintado 2' (R) × Cornell 49-242 (S), inoculated with race 73 of C. lindemuthianum, adjusted to the ratio of 3R: 1S, demonstrating the action of a dominant gene in the cultivar Jalo Pintado 2. The allelism tests evidenced that the gene in the 'Jalo Pintado 2' is independent from those previously characterized: Co-1, Co-2, Co-3, Co-34, Co-4, Co-42, Co-43, Co-5, Co-6, Co-11, Co-12, Co-13, Co-14, Co-15 and Co-16. This gene is also independent from those genes not yet named present in Paloma, Perla and Amendoim Cavalo cultivars. The authors propose the Co-18 symbol to designate the new gene for resistance to anthracnose.
Vascular Expression of Hemoglobin Alpha in Antarctic Icefish Supports Iron Limitation as Novel Evolutionary Driver

Frigid temperatures of the Southern Ocean are known to be an evolutionary driver in Antarctic fish. For example, many fish have reduced red blood cell (RBC) concentration to minimize vascular resistance. Via the oxygen-carrying protein hemoglobin, RBCs contain the vast majority of the body’s iron, which is known to be a limiting nutrient in marine ecosystems. Since lower RBC levels also lead to reduced iron requirements, we hypothesized that low iron availability was an additional evolutionary driver of Antarctic fish speciation. Antarctic Icefish of the family Channichthyidae are known to have extreme alteration of iron metabolism due to loss of two iron-binding proteins, hemoglobin and myoglobin, and no RBCs. Loss of hemoglobin is considered a maladaptive trait allowed by relaxation of predator selection, since extreme adaptations are required to compensate for the loss of oxygen-carrying capacity. However, iron dependency minimization may have driven hemoglobin loss instead of a random evolutionary event. Given the variety of functions that hemoglobin serves in the endothelium, we suspected the protein corresponding to the 3’ truncated Hbα fragment (Hbα-3’f) that was not genetically excluded by icefish, may still be expressed as a protein. Using whole mount confocal microscopy, we show that Hbα-3’f is expressed in the vascular endothelium of icefish retina, suggesting this Hbα fragment may still serve an important role in the endothelium. These observations support a novel hypothesis that iron minimization could have influenced icefish speciation with the loss of the iron-binding portion of Hbα in Hbα-3’f, as well as hemoglobin β and myoglobin.
Ankrd2 in Mechanotransduction and Oxidative Stress Response in Skeletal Muscle: New Cues for the Pathogenesis of Muscular Laminopathies

Ankrd2 (ankyrin repeats containing domain 2) or Arpp (ankyrin repeat, PEST sequence, and proline-rich region) is a member of the muscle ankyrin repeat protein family. Ankrd2 is mostly expressed in skeletal muscle, where it plays an intriguing role in the transcriptional response to stress induced by mechanical stimulation as well as by cellular reactive oxygen species. Our studies in myoblasts from Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy 2, a LMNA-linked disease affecting skeletal and cardiac muscles, demonstrated that Ankrd2 is a lamin A-binding protein and that mutated lamins found in Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy change the dynamics of Ankrd2 nuclear import, thus affecting oxidative stress response. In this review, besides describing the latest advances related to Ankrd2 studies, including novel discoveries on Ankrd2 isoform-specific functions, we report the main findings on the relationship of Ankrd2 with A-type lamins and discuss known and potential mechanisms involving defective Ankrd2-lamin A interplay in the pathogenesis of muscular laminopathies.
Downregulated microRNA-133a induces HUVECs injury: Potential role of the (pro) renin receptor in angiotensin II-dependent hypertension

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) serves an essential role in hypertension. MicroRNAs (miRs) have been reported to be important regulators in angiotensin (Ang) II-dependent hypertension. We aimed to explore the roles of Ang II and miR-133a in the mechanism underlying hypertension. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were identified by immunofluorescence staining. Cell viability and miR-133a expression under the inhibition of Ang II of various concentrations were determined by an MTT assay and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), respectively. The effects of HUVECs transfected with miR-133a mimic or inhibitor on Ang II-induced apoptosis were measured using flow cytometry. The potential targeting of miR-133a to the 3′ untranslated region of (pro) renin receptor (PRR) was assessed using TargetScan and a dual-luciferase assay. The effects of PRR interference using small interfering (si)RNA on PRR expression and the rate of apoptosis were determined by RT-qPCR, western blotting and flow cytometry, respectively. Ang II at a concentration of 10−5 M significantly inhibited the cell viability (P<0.05) and miR-133a expression (P<0.01); Downregulation of miR-133a suppressed cell viability. HUVECs transfected with miR-133a mimic reduced the rate of Ang II-induced apoptosis from 21.99 to 12.38%, but miR-133a inhibitor promoted Ang II-induced apoptosis (apoptosis rate, 28.9%). PRR was predicted to be a target gene of miR-133a. Transfection with siPRR decreased the apoptotic rate in Ang II + negative control and Ang II + miR-133a inhibitor group to 11.39 and 12.94%, respectively. Our findings also suggested that Ang II promoted PRR expression to enhance the apoptotic rate of HUVECs via the suppression of miR-133a. Furthermore, siPRR efficiently decreased the Ang II-induced apoptosis.