Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Study of Fermentation Variables for the Preparation of Wine from Jamun Fruit

The present investigation was conducted with the objective to explore the production of wine from Jamun fruit by manipulating the fermentation variables. During study three different wine yeasts strains viz. Sachharomyces cerevisiae 3304, 4787 and 3604 were first screened at 15oC and 25oC for their ability to produce wine using Jamun juice with respect to sugar utilization, alcohol production and yeast viable count, strain S. cerevisiae 4787 was selected on the basis of fermentation rate and final alcohol level in the wine. This strain was used for experiment carried out to investigate the effect of inoculum levels (2.5%, 5% and 7.5%) on the wine. Wine was chemically analyzed and observed that there was no significant effect of inoculum level. Considering the chemical composition of wines, yeast strain S. cerevisiae 4787, 7.5% inoculum level and fermentation temperature 25oC were optimum conditions for the preparation of wine. Wine thus prepared was evaluated chemically as well as organoleptically. It was observed that Jamun wine was quite acceptable and acceptability of wine was increased with storage.
The complete mitochondrial genome of Asian palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) with phylogenetic consideration

Abstract Asian palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) is one of the smallest palm civet which is least studied. Here, we report the first complete mitochondrial (mt) genome of Asian palm civet (P. hermaphroditus). The circular mt genome with a length of 16,706 bp contained 1 control region, 2 rRNAs, 13 protein-coding genes, and 22 tRNAs. Overall base composition of the complete mt DNA was 33.7% A, 30.5% T, 22.9% C, and 12.9% G. All the genes in mt genome of Asian palm civet (P. hermaphroditus) were distributed on the H-strand, except ND6 and eight tRNA genes encoded on the L-strand. Maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods were used to infer the phylogenetic relationship of P. hermaphroditus. The phylogenetic analysis shows that all species from the family Viverridae cluster together, in which P. hermaphroditus exhibits the closest relationship with P. larvata.
Phosphorylation of cytochrome C: functional and structural features

Post-translational modifications often modulate protein function. Actually, phosphorylation of cytochrome c occurs in vivo at threonine 28, serine 47 and tyrosines 48 and 97. Phosphorylation of the two latters, in particular, is related to a wide range of human diseases as cytochrome c plays a pleiotropic role serving as an electron carrier in the respiratory electron transfer and acting as a cell death signal at the onset of apoptosis. The effect that phosphorylation of threonine 28 and serine 47 bears on the physiological functions of this protein remains concealed. The low yield of phosphorylated cytochrome c purification from cell extracts makes its analysis challenging. Also the specific kinases acting on the protein remain unknown. Hence, it has resorted to mutations to mimic targeted phosphorylation. Here, we have replaced threonine 28 and serine 47 by aspartate. And the analysis of tyrosine 48 and 97 phosphorylation has been performed by using the non-canonical amino acid p-carboxymethyl-L-phenylalanine (pCMF), which is a close phosphorylation mimic of tyrosine. Noteworthy, the Y48pCMF mutation significantly lowers the value for the alkaline transition pKa of oxidized cytochrome c. The negative charges at positions 28 and 48 cause a decrease in the midpoint redox potential value of 30 mV and 60 mV, respectively, and lower the affinity towards the distal site of cytochrome c1 in complex III. However, the phosphomimic variants at position 28, 47 and 48 are more efficient as electron donors to cytochrome c oxidase than the wild-type species. Concerning the role of cytochrome c in programmed cell death, negative charges at positions 48 and 97 hinder its ability to triger caspase-3 activation. In addition, any modification of residue 47 affects the pro-apoptotic function of cytochrome c. In summary, phosphorylation of cytochrome c modulates its distinct functions depending on the targeted residue, and can thus be the basis to understand an ample set of molecular diseases.
Grazing and Feeding Selectivity of Oithona davisae in the Black Sea: Importance of Cryptophytes

Feeding of non-indigenous cyclopoid copepod Oithona davisae in natural coastal phytoplankton assemblages from the Sevastopol Bay, the Black Sea, in late July and in late November 2013 and in artificial phytoplankton assemblage (mixture of 5 cultured microalgae) have been studied in laboratory experiments using flow cytometry. Three distinct main clusters of phytoplankton (2 μm < ESD < 20 μm) were identified in the natural water samples in both sampling period: photosynthetic picoeukaryotes, nanophytoplankton and nanoplanktonic cryptomonads (NanoPE). Female O. davisae grazed on all 3 phytoplankton groups but the highest ingestion rate in terms of carbon was on NanoPE with the value of 0.29±0.03 μg Cprey cop-1 d-1 in July. Low abundance of 3 phytoplankton groups in late November resulted in a very low but significant carbon ingestion on cryptophytes (0.008±0.002 μg Cprey cop-1 d-1) than on the other groups. Clearance rates and electivity indices confirmed positive selection only for cryptophytes from natural phytoplankton assemblages, and for cryptophyte strain IBSSCr54 and Tetraselmis suecica from artificial plurialgal mixture. Highest daily specific carbon-rations of O. davisae females were found on cryptophytes (ESD 7 12 μm): up to 135% and 184% body carbon d-1 in late July and on artificial phytoplankton assemblage, respectively.
Mycotoxins in Poultry

Mycotoxins, the toxic secondary metabolites of fungi, particularly produced by many species of Aspergillus , Fusarium and Penicillium , have affected animal and human health for over thousand years, whereas little has been discovered so far about these complex substances in poultry, which are generally very sensitive. Even though it varies by spe‐ cies and sex, some common effects are reduced feed intake, weight gain, feed efficiency, growth performance, immunity and hatchability along with increased mortality, organ damages (mainly kidney and liver), carcinogenicity, teratogenicity and decreased egg production. Besides their adverse health effects and the decrease in production rate, concerns over their importance in public health is still under debate. Decontamination approaches to reduce mycotoxins in feed are technologically diverse and based on chemical, biological and physical strategies. Chemical remediation strategies involve the conversion of mycotoxins via chemical reactions. Biological strategies involve vari‐ ous substances such as plant ingredients, enzymes and microorganisms. Physical pro‐ cesses include sorting, milling, dehulling, cleaning, heating, irradiation or combinational approaches. New strategies for the prevention and treatment of mycotoxicosis, including beneficial microorganisms/products, along with alternative treatments, including plant extracts/essential oils, are current hot topics in the poultry industry.
Effects of ZnCl2 on ROS generation, plasma membrane properties, and changes in protein expression in grapevine root explants

Abstract This study is aimed at the responses of grapevine adventitious root explants to zinc (Zn2+) excess. Within 24 h Zn2+ induced oxidative burst in concentration-dependent manner. The time course analysis revealed biphasic response in superoxide (O2–·) production. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) accumulation rose gradually within 24 h. Enhanced Zn2+ concentrations did not induce progression of cell death. Immediately upon Zn2+ addition to the perfusion solution, root epidermal cells exhibited hyperpolarization of their electrical membrane potential (EM), that was transient and independent of Zn2+ concentration. The subsequent, transient depolarization of EM was concentration-dependent and its magnitude increased with increasing Zn2+ concentration. After 24 h the EM in treated roots recovered and its values were identical with those of control roots. Membrane permeability of root cells increased in the roots treated with 5 mM Zn2+ within 24 h while the lower concentrations did not show any impact on membrane permeability. Differences in protein expression pattern identified by proteomic approach involving antibody microarray expression profiling revealed Zn2+-induced upregulation of apoptosis-related protein dolichyl-diphosphooligosaccharide-protein glycosyltransferase subunit (DAD1), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), some antioxidant enzymes and structural proteins in the roots. Moreover, the proteins involved in plant defense mechanisms endochitinase I (CHIT 1) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) were down-regulated indicating a cross-talk between defense and heavy metal signaling pathways. Taken together, these results showed that the grape cultivar Limberger is highly Zn2+-responsive and could be used as a model plant for studying physiological and molecular responses to heavy metal excess.
Functional morphology of the sting apparatus of the spider wasp Cryptocheilus versicolor (Scopoli, 1763) (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae)

The females of the spider wasps (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) hunt spiders to provision their larvae. The genital structures of pompilid females are modified in a sting that is used for paralyzing the prey (spiders) and defense. The skeleto‐muscular structure of the sting apparatus of a typical representative of the family (Cryptocheilus versicolor) is examined. The shape of sclerites, their relative positions and articulations are described. Some morphological adaptations are described for the first time. The wide anal arc of the tergum IX provides a stiff support for the muscles that move the valvulae. The resilin structures in the areas of articulation support the work of muscles and in some cases replace them. The 1st valvulae form a venom duct along their entire length, which provides the delivery of the venom to a specific point. An unpaired flap in the venom duct provides a dose of venom in the sting. This mechanism probably enhances the speed and accuracy of the wasp's sting movements. Functions of muscles and interactions of the structures of the sting apparatus of C. versicolor are discussed.
Recent spring warming limits near-treeline deciduous and evergreen alpine dwarf shrub growth

Warming may lead to a cover increase of tundra shrubs and a north- and upward shift of treelines. The latter may be inhibited by a densi ﬁ cation of shrub stands. However, the climatic drivers of near-treeline shrub growth are relatively unexplored, especially that of shrub species from different functional groups growing intertwined, in competition for light and resources. We measured ring widths from two dominant dwarf shrubs species, the deciduous Betula nana and the evergreen Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum from a near-treeline alpine ridge in the Central Norwegian Scandes, and tested the in ﬂ uence of on-site and regional climate, and changes therein, over the past 55 yr. Radial growth of B. nana was found to be negatively in ﬂ uenced by early summer (June – July) precipitation, possibly related to low amounts of photosynthetically active radiation and nitrogen leaching, and positively by July temperatures. That of E. hermaphroditum was positively correlated with late summer (July – August) temperatures. In recent decades, the in ﬂ uence of summer climate on both species ’ growth has declined and been replaced by a negative in ﬂ uence of May temperatures. Rising spring temperatures in recent decades have likely advanced key phenology events in B. nana and E. hermaphroditum , such as budburst and ﬂ owering. This may have left the shrubs ’ soft tissues vulnerable to late frost events, which in recent decades occur more frequently after the advanced start of the growing season, resulting in suppressed growth.
IPM for tropical crops: rice.

Rice is a staple food and the foundation of national stability and economic growth in many developing countries. Rice pests are major biotic constraints limiting rice production globally. This review discusses the biology, ecology, global distribution and plant damage and yield losses caused by insect pests, plant diseases, nematodes, rats and weeds. The interactions among insects, weeds and diseases are discussed. A proposed conceptual framework for arthropod pest management in organic crop production is explained. In this framework, arthropod pest management strategies are classified into four ‘phases’. The framework prioritizes pest management options that will prevent damaging levels of pests (phase 1 and 2) and minimize the need for curative actions (phases 3 and 4). We adopt and modify this conceptual framework to structure a discussion on various rice pest management options in rice ecosystems. A detailed package of practices for managing rice pests is given. The relative efficiencies of the Farmers Field Schools and mass media campaigns in transferring IPM technology to rice farmers are discussed.
Multiple Herbicide-Resistant Junglerice (Echinochloa colona): Identification of Genes Potentially Involved in Resistance through Differential Gene Expression Analysis

Abstract Herbicide resistance, and in particular multiple-herbicide resistance, poses an ever-increasing threat to food security. A biotype of junglerice [Echinochloa colona (L.) Link] with resistance to four herbicides, imazamox, fenoxaprop-P-ethyl, quinclorac, and propanil, each representing a different mechanism of action, was identified in Sunflower County, MS. Dose responses were performed on the resistant biotype and a biotype sensitive to all four herbicides to determine the level of resistance. Application of a cytochrome P450 inhibitor, malathion, with the herbicides imazamox and quinclorac resulted in increased susceptibility in the resistant biotype. Differential gene expression analysis of resistant and sensitive plants revealed that 170 transcripts were upregulated in resistant plants relative to sensitive plants and 160 transcripts were upregulated in sensitive plants. In addition, 507 transcripts were only expressed in resistant plants and 562 only in sensitive plants. A subset of these transcripts were investigated further using quantitative PCR (qPCR) to compare gene expression in resistant plants with expression in additional sensitive biotypes. The qPCR analysis identified two transcripts, a kinase and a glutathione S-transferase that were significantly upregulated in resistant plants compared with the sensitive plants. A third transcript, encoding an F-box protein, was downregulated in the resistant plants relative to the sensitive plants. As no cytochrome P450s were differentially expressed between the resistant and sensitive plants, a single-nucleotide polymorphism analysis was performed, revealing several nonsynonymous point mutations of interest. These candidate genes will require further study to elucidate the resistance mechanisms present in the resistant biotype.
The parasitoid wasp Eruga unilabiana Pádua & Sobczak, sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) induces behavioral modification in its spider host

Some polysphinctine parasitoid wasps can alter the web building behavior of their host spiders. In this paper, we describe and illustrate a new species Eruga unilabiana sp. nov. and report for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, the interaction between this parasitic wasp and the linyphiid spider Dubiaranea sp. We investigated the wasp's host selection, development, and manipulation of host behavior. We found that most of the parasitized spiders were intermediate‐sized adult females that probably provide sufficient resources for parasitoid larvae and are less vulnerable for parasitoid females than larger host individuals at attack. The cocoon web of Dubiaranea sp. consists of a complex three‐dimensional tangle structure with several non‐stick radial lines that converge at the cocoon. In addition, E. unilabiana individuals construct their cocoons horizontally, which differ from cocoons of the majority of polysphinctine wasps. This study provides important information and discussion to further understand the evolution of parasitoid wasp–spider interactions.
Cytotoxicity, Genotoxicity and Mutagenicity of Aluminum, Manganese and Lead in Meristematic Cells of Root Allium cepa

Metals are chemical contaminants that are not normally biodegradable and accumulate in living organisms. In addition, they may present toxic effects to plants and affect human health causing mutations and adn damage of exposed organisms. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and mutagenicity of the aluminum, manganese and lead using A.cepa test. Solutions in three concentrations with the metals and controls were prepared for the genetic analyzes. The seeds of A. cepa were exposed to germination, and evaluation of cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and mutagenicity. The results showed that the concentrations of the metals did not interfere in the growth of the radicle, but the increase in the concentration of the metals was directly proportional to the increase of the number of seeds germinated. For the mitotic index it was observed that the increase in Al concentration provided the increase of cells in cell division, but for Mn and Pb there was reduction. The metals at the concentrations evaluated did not present genotoxic and mutagenic potential for meristematic cells of A. cepa . The A. cepa test it showed to be effective for performed analyzes, however, further studies are needed using other biological assays. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.17807/orbital.v10i1. 1037
The Role of miRNAs in Diagnosis, Prognosis and Treatment Prediction in Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer represents one of the major problems of health women worldwide, espe‐ cially in the developing countries. If discovered in its earliest stages, cervical cancer is successfully treatable; however, due to lack of proper implementation of screening pro‐ grams, the majority of cervical cancer patients are diagnosed in advanced stages, which dramatically influence their outcome. Almost a half of these patients will suffer recur ‐ rence or metastasis in the following 2 years after therapy. If there are no immediate pros ‐ pects in terms of developing new or more effective therapies, identifying new tools for early diagnosis, prognosis and treatment prediction remains a big challenge for cervical cancer. miRNAs have been validated to be key players in cell physiology, alterations in miRNA expression being associated with cancer progression and response to therapy. Cervical cancer studies have showed that alterations of miRNA expression can be identi ‐ fied in tumor tissues, exfoliated cervical cells and patients serum and that their transcrip ‐ tion pattern is regulated by the present HPV genotype. Furthermore, miRNAs have been associated with patients response to therapy, therefore suggesting their potential to be used as biomarkers for cervical cancer diagnosis, prognosis and treatment response.
Mercury's Effects on Feather Color and Fitness of Eastern Bluebirds

Mercury levels in the environment have been increasing steadily since the industrial age. Mercury can have deleterious effects on a variety of types of tissue in vertebrates; however, effects of mercury in some animals and/or tissues may be masked by animal’s compensatory mechanisms. It is still widely unknown how these rising levels are affecting wildlife, specifically Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis). The goal of this research was to explore a novel method through which mercury may be affecting the fitness of Eastern Bluebirds exposed to varying levels of environmental mercury. Birds on contaminated and reference sites were monitored for two years and various fitness measures were recorded. Four different feather types were also taken to measure mercury’s effects on structural coloration. This is the first study to show that mercury in feathers may impact plumage coloration through three possible mechanisms: (1) binding to the sulfide bonds in keratin causing a change in the regular spacing that produces the blue color, (2) inhibition of melanin synthesis, or (3) impacts on the overall health of individuals resulting in lower investment in color production. The overall effects of mercury on bluebirds’ fitness and their offspring varied based on adult sex; females with high feather mercury had fewer eggs, and males with high blood mercury fledged fewer offspring. In conclusion, these studies showed a novel way in which mercury may impact birds in an exposed environment as well as ways in which mercury may affect fitness based on sex of the individual and time of exposure.
Effects of dietary black soldier fly larvae on performance of broilers mediated or not through changes in microbiota

A total of 40 one-day-old male Ross chickens were individually fed a commercial feed with either 0 or 8% of de-frosted larvae of black soldier flies (BSF; wet weight). We recorded daily body weights and feed intake of each chicken for a period of 13 days. After euthanasia, we visually scored masses of abdominal fat tissues, and lesions and quantity of fat in intestinal villi. We measured percentages of tibia ash. Larvae, their growing substrate, and the caecal content of the chickens were collected for further microbiota characterisation. Statistical analyses included analyses of variance, chi-square tests, partial least square regressions and mediation analyses. We did not observe any significant differences in the overall means of zootechnical measures and in the relative abundances of most bacterial families in the caeca of birds fed insect larvae or not. On the other hand, relative abundances of both Rhodobacteraceae and Bacillaceae were lowest in birds receiving larvae. We identified new, and confirm.