Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antimicrobial drug resistance and genetic diversity if commensal Escherichia coli from caeca of chickens in Grenada

The main goal of this study was to generate baseline data on resistance to 11 antimicrobial drugs of global importance among commensal Escherichia coli from healthy chickens in Grenada. For this purpose, a total of 183 commensal Escherichia coli isolates from 197 chickens (147 broilers and 50 layers) originating from 11 poultry farms in Grenada were studied using a standard disk duffusion method. The isolates were further studied for their haemolytic properties using sheep blood agar, and genotypes using the enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus sequence PCR (ERIC-PCR). Sixty-six isolates were positive for alpha haemolysis, and the remaining were non-haemolytic. There was no difference in the antimicrobial susceptiblilty between haemolytic and non-haemolytic isolates. Resistance was highest against tetracycline (58.5%) followed by streptomycin (44.3%) and lowest to chloramphenicol(0.55%). Only three isolates (1.6%) showed resistance to fluoroquinolones. Resistance was highest against tetracycline, streptomycin, and gentamicin were significantly lower among isolates from layers, compared with those from broilers. Multiple resistance to three or more classes of drugs was found in 10.4% of total isolates; the most common R-profile was Amp,Str,Tet. Twenty genotypes were identified among 24 randomly isolates that originated from 11 unrelated farms and 5 geographical locations. Isolates sharing similar genomic diversity figerprints by ERIC-PCR had different resistance profiles, whereas isloates that originated from 11 unrelated farms and 5 geographical locations. Isolates sharing similar genomic fingerprints by ERIC-PCR had different resistance profiles, whereas isolated with different genotypes shared similar profiles. In conclusion, this study showed the genetic diversity of chicken isolates from Grenada, and that E. coli isolates from layers had lower resistance rates to certain drugs when compared with isolates from broilsers. The haemolytic patterns of E.coli isolates of chicken-origin, and their significance, and the epidemiologial significance of ERIC-PCR genotypes among among poultry isolates need further study.
Antitumor Activity of IFN-λ in Murine Tumor Models1

IFN-λ 1, -λ 2 and -λ 3 have been discovered as the latest members of the class II cytokine family and shown to possess antiviral activity. Murine B16 melanoma and Colon26 cancer cells were transduced with mouse IFN-λ to determine whether IFN-λ possesses antitumor activity. Overexpression of IFN-λ induced cell surface MHC class I expression and Fas/CD95 Ag, induced significant caspase-3/7 activity, and increased p21Waf1/Cip1 and dephosphorylated Rb (Ser780) in B16 cells in vitro. IFN-λ expression in tumor cell lines markedly inhibited s.c. and metastatic tumor formation in vivo compared with mock transfections (p < 0.05). Moreover, IFN-λ expression induced lymphocytic infiltrates, and an Ab-mediated immune cell depletion assay showed that NK cells were critical to IFN-λ-mediated tumor growth inhibition. Hydrodynamic injection of IFN-λ cDNA successfully targeted liver metastatic foci of Colon26 cells, and moderately decreased the mortality of mice with tumors. IFN-λ overexpression in the liver increased NK/NKT cells and enhanced their tumor-killing activity, and suggested the activation of innate immune responses. Thus, IFN-λ induced both tumor apoptosis and NK cell-mediated immunological tumor destruction through innate immune responses. These findings suggested that local delivery of IFN-λ might prove a useful adjunctive strategy in the clinical treatment of human malignancies.
Planting Date, Insect Damage and Yield of Cowpea in Western Nigeria

SUMMARY With the exception of leafy and daylength-sensitive cultivars, cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp), produced larger yields in the first season (April-July) than in the second season (September-November) at Ibadan, Western Nigeria, whether or not the crop was protected by insecticide. The populations of major cowpea pests were low at the start of the rainy season and reached their peaks in September or October. The implications of these results in insect control strategy are discussed.
Screening for Booroola (FecB) mutation in Munjal, Nali and Nali crosses.

Considering the importance of Booroola fecundity gene in enhancing reproductive performance of sheep, 10 Nali and 20 Munjal and 20 Nali crosses were used to detect the FecB gene polymorphism through PCR-RFLP technique. After isolating genomic DNA from blood samples, PCR protocol for amplification of 140 bp and 198 bp fragments corresponding to ex on 8 and exon 9 region of FeeB gene was standardized on digestion with Avail and Sspl and no restriction site was observed in exon 8 and exon 9, respectively in all animals under study suggesting absence of mutated form of FeeB gene.
Growth pattern and structural nature of amylases produced by some Bacillus species in starchy substrates

The growth pattern and microbial biomass formed during metabolic activities of the Bacillus species on starchy substrates was determined. The result showed that the strains B. subtilis (WBS), B. licheniformis (WBL) and B. coagulans (MBC) generally had high growth rate. B. circulans (SBC) and B. coagulans (WBC) has specific affinity for growth and some enzymatic activity on corn starch medium compared with other lower growth observed in B. polymyxa (WBP) but higher enzyme production. The amylolytic Bacillus species obtained utilized white corn starch substrate as a sole carbon source as well as soluble starch. The amylase production values range from 0.022 x 10 2 unit/cfu in B. circulans (WBC) to 0.912 x 10 2 unit/cfu in B. licheniformis (WBL) for corn starch, and 0.01 x 10 2 unit/cfu in both B. megaterium (SBG) and B. licheniformis (SBL) to 0.693 x 10 2 unit/cfu in B. subtilis (WBS) for soluble starch. Keywords: Activity, Bacillus , enzymatic, metabolic, starchy, substrate
COMPARISON OF TWO HUMAN CELL LINES FOLLOWING EXPOSURE TO LOW DOSE RADIATION AND TREATMENT WITH SOYBEAN MISO AND ITS ACTIVE INGREDIENT GENISTEIN

Exposure to radiation is increasingly becoming a worldwide health issue. Because of this the need for effective radioprotectors is critical. This need is not met by amifostine the current "gold standard" in radioprotectors due to its limited availability and potentially severe side effects. The fermented soy product miso has been credited with a host of beneficial effects among which are radioprotection and as a common food miso is readily available known to be safe and is easily administered. As such it is the hypothesis of this dissertation that miso may be an effective radioprotector. Unfortunately few rigorous studies of miso's reputed actions have been undertaken. It is the objective of this investigation therefore to better identify and characterize the radioprotective and antioncogenic properties of miso and its most abundant active ingredient genistein. To accomplish this experiments were designed using tumorigenic (PC3 cells) and non-tumorigenic (RWPE-1 cells) experimental prostate models to characterize the effects of miso and genistein both alone and following a series of low dose radiation exposures. Results demonstrated that neither miso nor genistein appeared to display radioprotective abilities in the radiation dose range used in this investigation. However both compounds induced a strong growth inhibitory effect that appeared to synergize with radiation to significantly reduce cell survival in a manner that preferentially enhanced tumor cell kill over non-tumor cell kill suggesting potential antioncogenic potential for these compounds.
Male display areas in exploded leks: the importance of food resources for male mating success

The distinction between true lekking and resource-defense mating systems is difficult in exploded-lekking species, where resources in male territories may influence female choice. Here, we propose the use of path analysis as a way to establish the relative importance of phenotypic characteristics versus food resources on mating success and hence decide whether a population is closer to one or the other extreme of an exploded lek-resource-defense continuum. Using great bustards Otis tarda as model species, we first performed logistic regression analyses of potential predictors of display sites in three leks. Males selected sites with high visibility, close to resources, and exposed to females. Second, we examined through path analysis how the mating success of radiotagged males was affected by resources, females and competitors, compared with age and weight, the major phenotypic correlates of mating success. The direct effects of age and weight were much higher than their indirect effects via resources or females. This suggests that female choice based on male characters is the most important sexual selection mechanism during mating and supports defining the great bustard mating system as a true exploded lek. However, half of the males showed a variable degree of resource defense toward intruders, indicating that both mating tactics, exploded lekking and resource defense, occur together in the same population. We suggest that individual variability in the use of resource defense might exist in many other exploded-lekking species, increasing the difficulties found in fitting their mating behavior to accepted definitions of alternative mating tactics. [Behav Ecol]
A reduced fraction of plant N derived from atmospheric N (%Ndfa) and reduced rhizobial nifH gene numbers indicate a lower capacity for nitrogen fixation in nodules of white clover exposed to long-term CO 2 enrichment

Using the δ 15 N natural abundance method, we found that the fraction of nitrogen derived from atmospheric N (%Ndfa) in field-grown white clover ( Trifolium repens L.) plants was significantly lower (72.0% vs. 89.8%, p = 0.047 in a grassland exposed to elevated CO 2 for 13 yr using free air carbon dioxide enrichment (FACE). Twelve months later we conducted an experiment to investigate the reasons behind the reduced N fixation. We took cuttings from white clover plants growing in the FACE and established individual plants in a glasshouse using soil from the appropriate ambient or elevated CO 2 treatments. The established plants were then transplanted back into their "rings of origin" and sampled over a 6-week period. We used molecular ecological analyses targeting nifH genes and transcripts of rhizobia in symbiosis with white clover ( Trifolium repens L.) to understand the potential mechanisms. Shoot biomass was significantly lower in eCO 2 , but there was no difference in nodule number or mass per plant. The numbers of nifH genes and gene transcripts per nodule were significantly reduced under eCO 2 , but the ratio of gene to transcript number and the strains of rhizobia present were the same in both treatments. We conclude that the capacity for biological nitrogen fixation was reduced by eCO 2 in white clover and was related to the reduced rhizobia numbers in nodules. We discuss the finding of reduced gene number in relation to factors controlling bacteroid DNA amount, which may imply an influence of nitrogen as well as phosphorus.
THE EFFECT OF NITROGENOUS FERTILIZER ON AN ESTABLISHED WHITE CLOVER SWARD

The effect of nitrogenous fertilizer on a white clover sward was studied to obtain information to be used in the evaluation of white clover in grassland. There was no evidence of a yield response. The weight of nodules was depressed by the addition of fertilizer. Where management is adjusted to maintain white clover in swards receiving large quantities of nitrogenous fertilizer the clover may use part of this fertilizer at the expense of symbiotic fixation. The relation of the results obtained to the assessment of the benefit derived from white clover in mixed swards is briefly discussed.
Biological Activity of Extracts from Some Mediterranean Macrophytes

Seventy one species of marine macrophytes from the Central Mediterranean have been screened for the production of antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, cytotoxic and antimitotic compounds. Sixty five of the species displayed some kind of activity and most of them were active on more than one organism or cell tested. Antifungal activity was the most widespread (70% of the plants), whilst the incidence of antibacterial activity was extraordinarily low (6% of the plants). Of the plants tested 21% showed antiviral activity, 35% were cytotoxic and nearly 50% had antimitotic properties. The maximum level of activity was found among the Chlorophyfa; some members of the Bryopsidales (Flabellia petiolata, Caulerpa prolifera, Halimeda tuna) were the most active species. Most of the dominant species in Mediterranean phytobenthic communities (Corallina elongata, Lithophyllurn lichenoides, Phyllophora crispa, Cystoseira spp., Halopteris spp., Codium spp., Halimeda tuna, Valonia utricularis, Posidonia oceanica, Zostera noltii and Cyrnodocea nodosa) exhibited strong antifungal properties.
The taxonomic value of leaf anatomy and trichome morphology of the genus Cyclotrichium (Lamiaceae) in Turkey

F. Satil, Dept of Biology, Faculty of Science and Art, Balikesir Univ., TR-10145 Balikesir, Turkey. A. Kaya (aykaya@anadolu.edu.tr),Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Anadolu Univ., TR-26470 Eskis¸ehir, Turkey. T. Dirmenci, Dept of Biology Education, Facultyof Necatibey Education, Balikesir Univ., TR-10100 Balikesir, Turkey.The genus Cyclotrichium (Boiss.) Manden. & Scheng. is represented by six species in Turkey: C. glabrescens,C. leucotrichum, C. longiflorum, C. niveum, C. origanifolium and C. stamineum. They are aromatic perennial subshrubsused as spices or herbal teas in traditional Turkish medicine. The leaf anatomy and tomentum morphology of leaves andcalyces of Cyclotrichium species in Turkey was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light microscopy(LM). The investigated species have equifacial (C. niveum, C. origanifolium) or bifacial leaves (C. glabressens,C. leucotrichum, C. longiflorum, C. stamineum). All species have peltate and capitate glandular, and simple (all species)or branched (C. niveum) eglandular trichomes and diacytic stomata. Peltate trichomes consist of a basal cell embedded inthe epidermis, a stalk cell, and a broad 12 ( 13)-celled secretory head arranged in two concentric circles. The capitatetrichomes observed in Cyclotrichium can be grouped into five types, differing in structure and size. They consist of either apear-shaped or globose unicellular head and uni-or bicellular stalk, or a bicellular head and bicellular stalk. The density ofpeltate, capitate and eglandular trichomes differs between species. Peltate trichomes are densely spaced only on the calyxand on the leaf surface of C. niveum and C. origanifolium and on the abaxial leaf surface of C. longiflorum andC. stamineum. The significance of trichome architecture for taxonomy in Cyclotrichium and Lamiaceae in general isdiscussed.
Tracking trends in key sites for biodiversity: a case study using Important Bird Areas in Kenya

Summary Important Bird Areas (IBAs) form a network of priority sites that are critical for the conservation of birds and biodiversity. A standard framework for monitoring IBAs is being implemented by the BirdLife Partnership globally. Scores are assigned on a simple ranked scale for state (condition), pressure (threats) and response (conservation action) at each site, from which IBA indices can be calculated. In Kenya, this scoring system was applied retrospectively using information in the national IBA directory (1999) and subsequent status reports (2004 and 2005). IBA indices for 36 IBAs show that their average condition deteriorated between 1999 and 2005, with the mean state score being between ‘unfavourable’ and ‘near favourable’. Pressures on IBAs showed a slight decline in intensity, especially from 2004 to 2005, coincident with an improvement in management that was reflected in increasing response scores. Compared to unprotected IBAs, officially protected sites had substantially greater conservation responses underway, were subject to marginally lower pressures and tended to be in slightly better condition. Other disaggregations of the data allow comparisons to be made for sites in different habitats, of different size, and managed by different agencies. This national example for Kenya suggests that the BirdLife IBA monitoring framework provides a simple but effective way of tracking trends in the state of IBAs, the pressures upon them, and the responses in place. The system is sensitive enough to detect differences between sites and over time, but simple enough to be implemented with little training and without sophisticated technology. The results provide vital information for managers of individual protected areas, management agencies responsible for suites of sites, and national governments, and can be used to track progress in tackling the global biodiversity crisis.
Host Range of Three Strains of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides From Tropical Pasture Legumes, and Comparative Histological Studies of Interactions Between Type B Disease-Producing Strains and Stylosanthes scabra (Non-Host) and S. guianensis (Host)

The Type A isolate of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides from Stylosanthes hamata and an isolate from Aeschynomenefalcata had relatively wide host ranges, causing disease on 10 and 11 respectively of the 22 plant species tested. Seven plant species were common hosts to the two strains. The Type B isolate from Stylosanthes guianensis had a relatively narrow host range, causing severe disease on S. guianensis only and slight disease on Desmodium barbatum only. Because of this, a special form is proposed for the Type B isolate, namely C. gloeosporioides f. sp. guianensis, to indicate its specificity towards Stylosanthes guianensis. The histopathology at the light microscope level of the non-host resistance of S. scabra to C. Gloeosporioides f. sp. guianensis was studied both on whole leaves that had been cleared and stained, and in transverse sections. The compatible interaction between S. guianensis and C. gloeosporioides f. sp. guianensis was also studied in parallel as a control. Quantitative whole leaf studies showed that the pre-penetration processes were similar for the two interactions, with higher levels of germination occurring on the non-host (35%) than on the host (27%). Of 2250 appressoria examined for evidence of penetration in whole leaves for each of the two interactions at 72 h after inoculation, 6.6% had penetrated for the compatible interaction and in all cases only direct penetration was observed. For the interaction with the non-host (S. scabra) only one penetration was observed, and this appeared to occur through a stomate. The studies on transverse leaf sections showed that in the non-host interaction, penetration pegs, if produced, remained localised in the cuticle and were surrounded by a densely staining reaction matrix. In the compatible interactions, the fungus produced a vesicle in the cuticle by 24 h. A dense reaction matrix was often observed in the cuticle beneath the appressorium but penetration of the host epidermal cell, followed by subcuticular, intercellular and intracellular growth, had occurred by 72 h. Cell collapse was not evident after this period, suggesting the fungus was biotrophic for the first 72 h of the interaction.
Invasion of the Florida Citrus Ecosystem by Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and Asymmetric Competition with a Native Species, Cycloneda sanguinea

Abstract Field data collected from the major citrus-producing regions of Florida over the past 5 yr indicate that the introduction of the multicolored Asian lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas), has increased in abundance while the formerly dominant Cycloneda sanguinea (L.) has declined. What is known of the diet breadth, habitat preferences, and thermal thresholds for development of these two species indicates considerable niche overlap. The larger H. axyridis has many intrinsic advantages over C. sanguinea, including higher fecundity and fertility, and a lower rate of larval cannibalism. In laboratory tests, adults and larvae of H. axyridis consumed eggs of C. sanguinea more readily than vice versa. All H. axyridis adults provided with either a conspecific or a heterospecific second-instar larva killed and ate it, whereas only 15% of C. sanguinea adults consumed a second-instar larva of H. axyridis over a 24-h period. Larvae of H. axyridis were more aggressive against larvae of C. sanguinea in laboratory tests than vice versa; even when H. axyridis larvae were paired with a C. sanguinea larva 2 d older and two to three times as large, they won 67% of contests. In choice tests, larvae of both species preferred to feed on dead C. sanguinea larvae than on dead H. axyridis larvae. Larvae of H. axyridis were capable of completing development exclusively as intraguild predators on C. sanguinea larvae, whereas the reverse was not true. The data suggest that H. axyridis is a highly evolved interspecific competitor, whereas C. sanguinea is adapted more to intraspecific competition and has few defenses against H. axyridis. Competitive displacement of C. sanguinea by H. axyridis appears to be in progress in the citrus ecosystem in Florida.
PREDICTING NURSERY GROWTH AND TRANSPLANTING SHOCK IN RICE

Seedling growth in the nursery and the magnitude of shock experienced by the seedlings after transplanting can affect subsequent growth and development of transplanted rice (Oryza sativa). These two processes have not been adequately represented by rice growth simulation models. In this study, seedling growth in the nursery was described with respect to endosperm mobilization, dry matter (DM) distribution and seed size. In addition, the transplanting shock process was represented describing the crop development and growth in relation to seedling age at transplanting. These relationships, as two sub-models, were incorporated into CERES-Rice, a rice growth model, and their performances compared with independent field data. The nursery growth sub-model was also evaluated with another model, RIBHAB. Results of the comparison showed that the nursery growth sub-model, either with CERES-Rice or RIBHAB, closely predicted observed seedling growth. On the other hand, CERES-Rice overestimated root and leaf DM and underestimated culm DM, while RIBHAB underestimated all the growth traits considered in the evaluation. Transplanting shock period predicted by the sub-model closely mimicked observation, whereas CERES-Rice highly overestimated it. It is concluded that the developed nursery growth and transplanting shock sub-models can be incorporated into CERES-Rice and other rice growth models for better simulation of those growth processes.