Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Brandtia ciliaticola gen. et sp. nov. (Chlorellaceae, Trebouxiophyceae) a common symbiotic green coccoid of various ciliate species

Many freshwater protists harbor unicellular green algae within their cells and these host‐symbiont relationships slowly are becoming better understood. Recently, we reported that several ciliate species shared a single species of symbiotic algae. Nonetheless, the algae from different host ciliates were each distinguishable by their different genotypes, and these host‐algal genotype combinations remained unchanged throughout a 15‐month period of sampling from natural populations. The same algal species had been reported as the shared symbiont of several ciliates from a remote lake. Consequently, this alga appears to play a key role in ciliate‐algae symbioses. In the present study, we successfully isolated the algae from ciliate cells and established unialgal cultures. This species is herein named Brandtia ciliaticola gen. et sp. nov. and has typical ‘Chlorella‐like’ morphology, being a spherical autosporic coccoid with a single chloroplast containing a pyrenoid. The alga belongs to the Chlorella‐clade in Chlorellaceae (Trebouxiophyceae), but it is not strongly connected to any of the other genera in this group. In addition to this phylogenetic distinctiveness, a unique compensatory base change in the SSU rRNA gene is decisive in distinguishing this genus. Sequences of SSU‐ITS (internal transcribed spacer) rDNA for each isolate were compared to those obtained previously from the same host ciliate. Consistent algal genotypes were recovered from each host, which strongly suggests that B. ciliaticola has established a persistent symbiosis in each ciliate species.
Verbenaceae J.St.-Hil. do Parque Estadual do Ibitipoca, Minas Gerais, Brasil

O Parque Estadual do Ibitipoca (PEIB) faz parte do Complexo da Mantiqueira situado no sudeste da Zona da Mata Mineira e inserido no Dominio Atlântico, com predominio dos campos rupestres, em altitudes entre 1000 e 1784 m. Este trabalho apresenta o estudo da familia Verbenaceae na area, onde foram encontrados quatro generos e nove especies: Lantana camara, L. fucata, Lippia hermannioides, L. lupulina, L. origanoides, Stachytarpheta sellowiana, Verbena bonariensis, V. hirta e V. litoralis. Registros recentes de L. hermannioides e S. sellowiana nao foram encontrados e as colecoes destas especies datam de mais de 45 e 120 anos de ocorrencia na area, respectivamente. Stachytarpheta sellowiana e considerada criticamente ameacada e com ocorrencia restrita para a regiao Sul da Serra da Mantiqueira.
Blood Clinical Biochemistries and Packed Cell Volumes for the Mexican Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum)

Abstract Mexican axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum) are used as research animals in a variety of fields, and are also kept as pets. However, there are limited clinical pathology references available for Mexican axolotls that can be used to interpret cases with clinical disease. To establish plasma biochemical and packed cell volume reference intervals, we collected blood samples from 43 clinically healthy Mexican axolotls (mean body weight, 59.6 ± 17.5 g; total length, 21.1 ± 1.8 cm) under anesthesia with a 0.2% ethyl 3-aminobenzoate methanesulfonate solution. Plasma biochemical tests were performed with the use of two types of automated biochemical analyzers, and packed cell volume was measured simultaneously. Bland–Altman analysis was used to measure agreement between the analyzers. Reference intervals for packed cell volume and plasma biochemical values obtained from both analyzers were established for the Mexican axolotl. The results revealed systematic biases in values derived from both analyzers. This study has provided a baseline for the plasma biochemical profile and packed cell volume in clinically healthy Mexican axolotls. The results of this study suggest that the reference intervals for plasma biochemical values of the Mexican axolotl be customized for each analyzer.
Music training improves the ability to understand speech-in-noise in older adults

It is well known that hearing abilities decline with age, and one of the most commonly reported hearing difficulties reported in older adults is a reduced ability to understand speech in noisy environments. Older musicians have an enhanced ability to understand speech in noise, and this has been associated with enhanced brain responses related to both speech processing and the deployment of attention, however the causal impact of music lessons in older adults is poorly understood. A sample of older adults was randomly assigned to learn to play piano (Mus), to learn to play a visuo-spatially demanding video-game (Vid), or to serve as a no-contact control (Nocon). After 6 months, the Mus group improved their ability to understand a word presented in loud background noise. This improvement was related to an earlier N100, enhanced P250 (P2/P3) and a reduced N600 (N400). These findings support the idea that music lessons provide a causal benefit to hearing abilities, and that this benefit is due to both enhanced encoding of speech stimuli, and enhanced deployment of attentional mechanisms towards the speech stimuli. Importantly, these findings suggest that music training could be used as a foundation to develop auditory rehabilitation programs for older adults.
Molecular study on some antibiotic resistant genes in Salmonella spp. isolates

Studying the genes related with antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella spp. is a crucial step toward a correct and faster treatment of infections caused by the pathogen. In this work Integron mediated antibiotic resistant gene IntI1 (Class I Integrase IntI1) and some plasmid mediated antibiotic resistance genes (Qnr) were scanned among the isolated non-Typhoid Salmonellae strains with known resistance to some important antimicrobial drugs using Sybr Green real time PCR. The aim of the study was to correlate the multiple antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella spp. with the presence of integrase (IntI1) gene and plasmid mediated quinolone resistant genes. Results revealed the presence of Class I Integrase gene in 76% of the isolates with confirmed multiple antibiotic resistances. Moreover, about 32% of the multiple antibiotic resistant serotypes showed a positive R-PCR for plasmid mediated qnrA gene encoding for nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin resistance. No positive results could be revealed form R-PCRs targeting qnrB or qnrS. In light of these results we can conclude that the presence of at least one of the qnr genes and/or the presence of Integrase Class I gene were responsible for the multiple antibiotic resistance to for nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin from the studied Salmonella spp. and further studies required to identify the genes related with multiple antibiotic resistance of the pathogen.Studying the genes related with antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella spp. is a crucial step toward a correct and faster treatment of infections caused by the pathogen. In this work Integron mediated antibiotic resistant gene IntI1 (Class I Integrase IntI1) and some plasmid mediated antibiotic resistance genes (Qnr) were scanned among the isolated non-Typhoid Salmonellae strains with known resistance to some important antimicrobial drugs using Sybr Green real time PCR. The aim of the study was to correlate the multiple antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella spp. with the presence of integrase (IntI1) gene and plasmid mediated quinolone resistant genes. Results revealed the presence of Class I Integrase gene in 76% of the isolates with confirmed multiple antibiotic resistances. Moreover, about 32% of the multiple antibiotic resistant serotypes showed a positive R-PCR for plasmid mediated qnrA gene encoding for nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin resistance. No positive results could be reveal.
Heterosis and Inbreeding Depression in Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)

Linseed, a self-pollinated, is being raised for both oil and fiber. Principally, linseed oil is used more in agro based industries as a lubricant for the manufacture of paint and varnish, oilcloth, printing, lithographic inks, leather finishing, plasticizers, pharmaceutical products etc. than an edible oil. Linseed crop is of great importance but still its production is comparatively low. So, to increase yield a detailed investigation for the presence of heterosis in terms of standard heterosis, heterobeletosis and heterosis over mid parent were carried out in the present study. Similar kind of work on heterosis in linseed have also been reported by, Saraswat et al., (1993); Ratnaparkhi et al., (2004); Sharma et al., (2005). The estimates of heterosis over standard linseed variety (Hira), better parent and mid parent were calculated for four F1s on 11 metric traits to assess their genetic potential as breeding material. Rao et al., (2001) studied heterosis and inbreeding depression for 10 traits and found heterosis in either direction for most of the characters. Information about various aspects of heterosis for yield and yield attributing traits may be useful in providing further clues for exploitation of heterosis in linseed. Kumar et al., (2014) studied the effect of heterosis in different genotypes of linseed for different characters. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 7 Number 02 (2018) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com
New or Otherwise Interesting Records of Lichens and Lichenicolous Fungi from Belarus. III. With an Updated Checklist of Lichenicolous Fungi

Abstract: Tsurykau, A. 2017. New or otherwise interestíng records of lichens and lichenicolous fungi from Belarus. III. With an updated checklist of lichenicolous fungi. — Herzogia 30: 152–165. Data on 13 species of lichenized and lichenicolous fungi from Belarus are presented; two lichens (Biatora efflorescens and Catillaria croatica) and ten lichenicolous fungi (Abrothallus microspermus, A. suecicus, Arthonia phaeophysciae, Arthrorhaphis aeruginosa, Merismatium decolorans, Phacopsis oxyspora, Polycoccum peltigerae, Pronectria subimperspicua, Taeniolella delicata and Zwackhiomyces echinulatus) are new to the country. Diploschistes muscorum is reported on lichens for the first time from Belarus. An updated checklist of lichenicolous fungi known from Belarus is also provided.
Detección de genotipos A (I y II) y B por PCR-RFLP de Giardia lamblia en heces humanas y animales en La Plata y su área de influencia

Teniendo en cuenta que los metodos moleculares proveen una herramienta util para estudiar la epidemiologia de giardiosis, el objetivo de esta tesis fue detectar la presencia de Giardia spp. en heces humanas y de animales de La Plata y su area de influencia y realizar una clasificacion basada en caracteres genomicos aplicando la metodologia de PCR-RFLP.
Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Cycle Regulation in Pancreatic α- and β-cells that Control Glucose Homeostasis

Pancreatic islet cell mass is achieved through a rapid surge of neogenesis and proliferation during embryogenesis. However, this plasticity declines significantly in the postnatal period, resulting in the majority of mature islet cells, which permanently exit from cell cycle and are incapable of regenerating in adulthood. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that govern both neogenesis and proliferation in islet cells is paramount for treatment of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. In this thesis, genetically modified mice were used to investigate molecular mechanisms of specific cell cycle regulators in αand β-cell homeostasis under physiological and experimentally-induced diabetes. Specifically, in Chapter IV, I describe the consequences of deleting the retinoblastoma protein (Rb) in proliferating islet progenitor cells. I show that loss of Rb increases βto α-cell ratio by regulating cell proliferation, differentiation and survival, leading to improved glucose homeostasis and protection against diabetes. In Chapter V, I demonstrate that a central role for Rb, but not its family member p107, in the dual effects of GLP-1 on αand β-cells in governing islet cell proliferation and survival. In Chapter VI, I show that the focal
PIKK-dependent activation of the DNA damage response by long wavelength ultraviolet radiation

Ultraviolet radiation (UV) is one of the main risk factors that increase a person’s chance of developing skin cancer. UV is divided into three subtypes, called UVA, UVB and UVC. UVA and UVB both have the ability to cause different types of DNA damage. Our understanding of UVA and its mechanism of carcinogenesis is poorly understood due to UVB being the focus of research. The DNA damage response (DDR) detects DNA damage, and triggers a signalling pathway which results in cell cycle arrest, DNA repair or apoptosis. The DDR is important for preventing the persistence of UVinduced DNA damage in skin cells. This project used HaCaT cells to investigate UVA and its ability to generate double strand breaks, and how the DDR is activated as a result. Cells exposed to 100 KJ m-2 UVA displayed significant amounts of DSBs, which were largely repaired within 1 hour of irradiation. γH2AX was used as a biomarker of DNA damage, and investigated using Western blotting and immunofluorescence. UVA-induced γH2AX accumulation peaked between 1 and 2 hours, which was seen in the Western blotting. ATM was inhibited using KU-60019, which caused a delay in the accumulation of UVA-induced γH2AX following. UVA-induced CHK2 and p53 activation followed similar patterns in both ATM inhibited and uninhibited samples, and suggested that both components are linked to an ATM independent pathway. UVA-induced PNKP activation was delayed with the addition of an ATM inhibitor, and increased slightly 1 hour post irradiation, suggesting a greater dependence on ATM activity. 53BP1 foci formation was used to investigate NHEJ activation. There was a significant increase in the number of UVA-induced 53BP1 foci, while the addition of an ATM inhibitor prevented this increase, suggesting an ATM dependence for NHEJ activation. This data suggests that UVA generates double strand breaks, which result in the activation of the DDR which peaks within the first 2 hours following UVA irradiation. Furthermore, ATM is essential for the activation of NHEJ, but is not the only kinase responsible for the activation the DDR.
Plant mortality and seedling recruitment responses to flupropanate in grassland populations of Nassella trichotoma

Flupropanate (sodium 2,2,3,3 tetrafluoropropanate), a slow-acting lipid bio- synthesis-inhibiting herbicide, was recently registered in New Zealand as Taskforce (745 g/L flupropanate as the sodium salt) for the selective and long-term control of Nassella trichotoma (nassella tussock) in pastures. In five dose-response experiments in permanent hill pastures in Canterbury, conducted between 2012 and 2016, we measured the efficacy of the herbicide against established plants of N. trichotoma and its residual activity against recruiting seedlings. Mortality, as an average across the five sites, was 93% 1.5 years after applying 1.49 kg flupropanate/ha (the label-recommended rate), and 100% at 2.98 kg/ha. This indicates that an application rate higher than the label rate will be necessary for complete control of a N. trichotoma infestation. The presence of 1,000 and 6,250 visible seedlings of N. trichotoma/ha in the autumn 3.2 and 2.1 years after applying 1.49 kg flupropanate/ha (at a Greta Valley and Scargill site respectively) indicates that the herbicide’s soil residues had decayed within 12 months to a concentration lower than necessary to kill the germinating seedlings of N. trichotoma.
Egg Characteristics in Relation to Skipped Days of Laying in the Grey Partridge

Birds sometimes skip a day along the sequence of egg laying, which may vary the mass or the composition of delayed eggs compared with those that were laid consecutively. Our literature review shows that this has been interpreted as a short-term adaptation that enables females to overcome energetic constraints during the laying period, but other hypotheses implying the influence of weather, pollution, or hormonal cycles have also been proposed. We collected freshly laid Grey Partridge Perdix perdix eggs to determine the effects of laying gaps on egg characteristics. Egg shape, as well as egg components (beta-carotene, avidin and lysozyme concentrations) did not vary in relation to skipped days. Eggs were slightly heavier when one or two days were skipped (0.72% and 0.45%, respectively). However, when examining the hatching rate, we found a significant decrease in relation to skipped days, hence eggs following laying gaps showed a lower hatching rate than other eggs. The pattern observed could indicate the presence of some physiological stress that caused females to skip one or two days and to lay eggs that hatched less.
Relative water content, membrane stability index and DAB assay in relation to reduction in yield components and resource remobilisation under water stress in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

The present study reports use of relative water content (RWC), membrane stability index (MSI), DAB (Diaminobenzidine) assay and yield parameters for screening drought tolerance in common bean. Highest reduction in RWC was recorded for SR-1 (26.11%) while as lowest decrease was observed in case of WB-451 (2.97%). Membrane stability index values under water stress were lowest in case of SR-1 (0.113) followed by WB-257 (0.189) and WB-185 (0.220), where as it was highest in case WB-83 (0.814) followed by WB-401 (0.751) and WB-341 (0.735). Invariably, genotypes with better yield performance and better resource remobilisation had better values of membrane stability index (MSI) under stress. Largest reduction in pod length was observed in case of SR-1 (44.52) followed by WB-1587 (26.34) and WB-83 (22.58) while as smallest reduction was recorded for WB-341 (8.96%). WB-6 and Arka Anoop suffered largest reductions in seed weight (18.93 and 17.45% respectively) while as lowest reduction was recorded in case of WB-1634 (5.74%). Largest reduction in seed yield under drought was observed in case of WB-6 (55.09%) followed by WB-1492 ((51.86%), whereas lowest reduction was recorded for WB-1634 (11.33%). Largest decrease under drought was recorded for seed yield per plant followed by pods per plant, whereas lower decrease was recorded for 100-seed weight. DAB (3, 3-Diaminobenzidene) assay clearly differentiates the lines on the basis of darker staining of leaves under water stress. The lines showing greater per cent reductions in yield parameters show greater staining in DAB assay underlining the reliability of using this assay as a reliable supplement to phenotyping protocols for characterising large germplasm sets.
True phosphorus digestibility of camelina meal in broiler chickens

Abstract: This study was conducted to determine the true digestibility of phosphorus (P) in two different cold-pressed camelina meals using regression method. Six semi-purified experimental diets containing 120, 240, or 360 g of camelina meal (CM) per kilogram from camelina meal 1 (CM1) and camelina meal 2 (CM2) were formulated. A total of 384 male Ross 708 broilers were allocated to six dietary treatments with eight cages per treatment from day 18 to day 23 post hatching in a randomized complete block design. The result showed that body weight gain, gain:feed ratio, ileal dry matter (DM) digestibility, DM and nitrogen (N) retention decreased (linear, P < 0.001) with increasing levels of CM1 and CM2. Apparent ileal digestibility of P and Ca decreased (P < 0.01) with increasing dietary levels of CM. From the regressions of ileal and excreta P output against intake of P from CM1 or CM2, true ileal P digestibility and true P retention were determined to be 35% and 15%, and 24% and 21% for CM1, and CM2, respectively. Results from the current experiment showed that high level of dietary CM inclusion resulted in a significant reduction in utilization of P in diets, and there was a considerable range in P utilization between the two camelina meal samples.
Gross Anatomical Studies on Primary Lymphoid Organs (Thymus and Bursa of Fabricius) of Kadaknath Birds

The gross anatomical study of thymus and bursa of Fabricius was carried out on 30 Kadaknath birds of different age groups ranging from day old to 26 week. The birds were divided into five equal groups according to age as day old to 2 week, 2 to 4 weeks, 4 to 8 weeks, 8 to 16 weeks and 16 to 26 weeks, each consisted of six birds. The shape, colour and location were observed. The thymus gland in Kadaknath consisted of two long chains having 6-8 irregular shaped lobes. The shape and color of thymic lobes as well as length and width of thymus varied amongst groups. Grossly there was no regression of thymus after 26th week of age. The bursa of Fabricius was located on the dorsal wall of proctodeum of cloaca. The shape and color of bursa of Fabricius varied amongst age groups. Grossly there was complete regression of bursa after 25th week of age. The dissimilarities in these findings might be due to species difference.
Pleistocene refugia in the Chihuahuan Desert: the phylogeographic and demographic history of the gymnosperm Ephedra compacta

We investigate the influence of late Neogene orogenic activity and Pleistocene glacial‐interglacial cycles on intraspecific divergence and demographic history in the gymnosperm shrub Ephedra compacta. We test refugia hypotheses to explain geographical patterns of genetic diversity and phylogeographic structure in a warm North American desert that reaches inter‐tropical latitudes.
Fertilising semi‐natural grasslands may cause long‐term negative effects on both biodiversity and ecosystem stability

Recently, the use of nutrientrich residues from bioenergy production (digestate) and intensive husbandry (slurry) for fertilising traditionally managed grasslands has gained increased attention (e.g. Duffková, Hejcman, & Libichová, 2015; Duffková & Libichová, 2013; Hensgen, Bühle, & Wachendorf, 2016; Kováčiková, Vargová, & Jančová, 2013). Hensgen et al. (2016) used lowdose nutrient applications (i.e. 25–54 kg N ha−1 year−1, 2–5 kg P ha−1 year−1 and 20–51 kg K ha−1 year−1 for 5 years) in seminatural grasslands to maintain productivity and claimed that these applications did not result in a loss of species richness during the 5year study. Similar shortterm experiments by Duffková and Libichová (2013) and Duffková et al. (2015) came to similar conclusions: lowdose cattle slurry application (i.e. 0–240 kg N ha−1 year−1 and 0–240 kg N ha−1 year−1, 0–40 kg P ha−1 year−1 and 0–180 kg K ha−1 year−1 for 6 years, respectively) increases the herbage yield without affecting the diversity in a speciesrich grassland. The use or recommendation of new intensive management strategies in seminatural grasslands is complicated. Such complexity is typical in ecosystems with high biodiversity and conservation values (e.g. Veen, Jefferson, de Smidt, & Van der Straaten, 2009). Generally, fertilisation decreases plant diversity and changes the species composition (Bobbink, Hornung, & Roelofs, 1998; Borer et al., 2014; De Schrijver Received: 18 September 2017 | Accepted: 22 January 2018 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13129
Competence of Tropical Maize Lines to Agrobacterium-Mediated Transformation and the Expression of Maize Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase (PARP2) Gene under Drought Stress.

xv CHAPTER ONE. 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION . 1 1.1 Background of the study . 1 1.1.1 Origin and domestication of maize . 1 1.1.2 The biology and genetics of maize . 2 1.1.3 Production, economics, and utilization of maize . 3 1.1.4 Threats to maize production in sub-Saharan Africa . 4 1.1.5 Approaches to enhance maize production . 7 1.2 Statement of the problem . 8 1.3 Justification . 8 1.4 Null hypotheses . 9 1.5 Objectives . 9 1.5. 1 Broad objective . 9 1.5. 2 Specific objectives. 9