Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of glutathione reductase and glutathione-dependent formaldehyde dehydrogenase in Synechococcus PCC 7942

ROLE OF GLUTATHIONE REDUCTASE AND GLUTATHIONEDEPENDENT FORMALDEHYDE DEHYDROGENASE IN SYNECHOCOCCUS PCC 7942 Cyanobacteria, the only prokaryotes capable of oxygenic photosynthesis, generate reactive oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen (RNS) species as by-products of photosynthesis and cellular metabolism. To defend against oxidative and nitrosative stress caused by ROS and RNS, glutathione (GSH), a low molecular weight thiol and an antioxidant, is employed by cyanobacteria and is involved in maintenance of the intracellular reducing environment. Glutathione reductase (Gor) regenerates GSH from glutathione disulfide (GSSG) maintaining a high GSH:GSSG ratio. GSH-dependent formaldehyde dehydrogenase (Fdh) involved in formaldehyde detoxification is able to metabolize S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO). To investigate the role of GSH dependent enzymes in protection against oxidative, nitrosative and metal stress, gor:Tn and fdh:Tn mutants disrupted in gor and fdh respectively were generated in Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942, a model organism for photosynthetic studies and stress adaptation. Isolation of both mutants and their complemented strains gorC:Tn and fdhC:Tn was successfully achieved. Compared to wildtype, fdh:Tn mutant was susceptible to formaldehyde and nitrosative stress while gor:Tn mutant grew similarly to wildtype when subjected to oxidative and metal stress. Thiol levels were determined in wildtype, gor:Tn and gorC:Tn under normal and stress conditions. GSH levels decreased under peroxide, plumbagin, Fe 2+ and Cu 2+ stress. The long-term goal of this research is to understand the role of these enzymes in protecting photosynthetic organisms against stress. Michelle Abou Naoum August 2015 ROLE OF GLUTATHIONE REDUCTASE AND GLUTATHIONEDEPENDENT FORMALDEHYDE DEHYDROGENASE IN SYNECHOCOCCUS PCC 7942 by Michelle Abou Naoum A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Biology in the College of Science and Mathematics California State University, Fresno August 2015
Complex life-histories and biogeochemical cycles : interactions between amphibian life-history strategies and elemental cycling

Top-down and bottom-up forces shape the ecological roles of both producers and consumers. In many aquatic systems, amphibians with complex life-histories tie together terrestrial and aquatic systems. Studies of aquatic amphibian larvae generally investigate the effects of the larval habitat on survival and fitness of the amphibians themselves. Fewer studies yet investigate or document the effects of amphibians on their aquatic habitats. We use a series of manipulative mesocosm treatments varying in bottom-up and top-down pressures to investigate the effects of amphibian larvae on aquatic productivity and water nutrients. Decreasing the strength of bottom-up effects through increased shading resulted in not only reduced productivity, but switches in the effects of amphibians on their aquatic environments. Top-down effects of predation generally increased productivity through a reduction of primary consumer biomass. Predation prevented the drawdown of phytoplankton in high light tanks and thus maintained total water P in phytoplankton biomass, whereas high light tanks with large primary consumers were most likely supplemented by the translocation of benthic P to the water column as was evident from an increase in dissolved P.
Pro-embrionary Somatic Structure of Three Cacao Genotypes (Theobroma Cacao l.) Using Staminodes

Staminodes of three cocoa genotypes (BT1, ICS-39 and CCN-51), were used to perform the characterization of somatic embryos induced and maintained by DKW culture medium enriched with 2% of sucrose, 10% of coconut water and 0.01% of cysteine, 2,5 mg/l 2,4 D, 5 µg/lTDZ respectively. The ANOVA and the comparison mean test, shown significant differences between globular-, heart-, torpedo- and cotyledonal-stages for each genotype. Additionally, the embryogenic stages and regenerants plants proportions were highest for Blanco Tarapotino 1 (BT1) genotype. A morphological comparison of somatic and zygotic embryos shows similarities in form and symmetry.
Manganese in Brewing Raw Materials, Disposition during the Brewing Process, and Impact on the Flavor Instability of Beer1

Like iron and copper, manganese promotes the staling of beer, by converting ground state oxygen to reactive oxygen species. Manganese was detected in beers at levels that are likely to impact the aging of beer. Manganese originates in the grist materials but is present at even higher levels in hops. Although there is substantially more iron in those hops than manganese, the delivery into beer of these ions is much greater for manganese. Leaching of manganese into beer is much higher than in the equivalent quantity of deionized water. This study suggests that further study is warranted into the adverse impact of dry hopping on the flavor stability of beers.
mechanistic analysis of the tryptophan biosynthetic enzyme indole-3-glycerol phosphate synthase

The design and production of enzymes that are capable of performing reactions in an industrial setting is of profound importance for the advancement of technologies including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, agriculture, and materials. While some natural enzymes have industrial relevance, the design of novel enzymes whose catalytic reactions are not found in natural systems would greatly enhance the scope and efficiency of industrial processes. The difficulty of engineering such enzymes is that it requires in depth knowledge of all factors of catalysis and how they affect the reaction, including an understanding of the natural enzyme scaffold to be used in new design. Indole-3-glycerol phosphate synthase (IGPS), a tryptophan biosynthetic enzyme that catalyzes the ring closure of 1-(o-carboxyphenylamino)-1-deoxyribulose 5-phosphate (CdRP) to form indole-3-glycerol phosphate (IGP), is widely used as a scaffold in enzyme engineering studies. However, the rate enhancements of these engineered enzymes are much lower than those of natural enzymes. This work has analyzed the IGPS enzyme from the thermophile Sulfolobus sulfataricus (ssIGPS) and gained a more complete understanding of the kinetic and chemical mechanism for this enzyme that can be leveraged towards enzyme engineering applications. Steady-state kinetic assays were used to analyze wild type (WT) ssIGPS and variants. The results showed a temperature dependent change in the rate-determining step of the reaction; the ring closure is rate-determining at high temperatures and product release is rate-determining at low temperatures. These studies also showed that thermophilic ssIGPS and mesophilic IGPS from Escherichia coli (ecIGPS) have different rate-determining steps at their biologically relevant temperatures.
The activity of metabolic enzymes in the saliva of lung cancer patients

Background: So far, optimization problems for diagnostics and prognostication aids have been still relevant for lung cancer as a leader in the structure of cancers. Aims and Objectives: A search for regularities of changes in the saliva enzyme activity in patients with lung cancer. Materials and Methods: In the case-control study, 859 people divided into two groups took part: Primary (lung cancer, n = 286) and control (conventionally healthy, n = 573). All the participants went through a questionnaire survey, saliva biochemical counts, and a histological verification of their diagnosis. The enzyme activity was measured by spectrophotometry. Between group differences were measured with the nonparametric test. Results: In terms of lung cancer, we observe metabolic changes described with decreased de Ritis coefficient (P ˂ 0.001), as well as the increased activity of alanine aminotransferase (P = 0.022), alkaline phosphatase (P ˂ 0.001), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (P = 0.043), and α-amylase (P ˂ 0.001). We have identified specifics of the change in the enzyme activity depending on a histological type and a growth form of the tumor. There is the observable increased activity of α-amylase in the saliva in lung adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine tumors (P ˂ 0.001). It has been found that irrespective of the histological type of lung cancer in a transition from central to peripheral forms of growth; there is the observable increased activity of all the enzymes. The significantly reduced activity of aspartate aminotransferase (by 51.4% for adenocarcinoma, P = 0.032; 48.8% for squamous cell lung cancer, P = 0.042) is a distinctive feature of central lung cancer. Conclusion: The nature of the change in the enzyme activity is ambiguous and to a greater degree depends on the tumor form of growth (central/peripheral lung cancer) than the histological type (adenocarcinoma/squamous cell lung cancer).
PERSISTENCE, DISTRIBUTION AND IMMUNOPATHOGENESIS OF INFECTIOUS BURSAL DISEASE VIRUS IN CHICKENS

ii TABLE OF CONTENTS . viii LIST OF TABLES . xi CHAPTER 1 . 1 LITERATURE REVIEW . 1 PERSISTENCE, PATHOGENESIS AND IMMUNOLOGY OF INFECTIOUS BURSAL DISEASE VIRUS . 1 CHAPTER 2 . 30 PERSISTENCE AND TISSUE DISTRIBUTION OF INFECTIOUS BURSAL DISEASE VIRUS IN SPF AND COMMERCIAL BROILER CHICKENS . 30 2.1 SUMMARY . 30 2.2 INTRODUCTION . 32 2.3 MATERIALS AND METHODS . 34 2.4 RESULTS. 37 ix 2.5 DISCUSSION . 40 2.7 REFERENCES . 45 CHAPTER 3 . 66 DIFFERENTIAL MODULATION OF CYTOKINES AND TOLL LIKE RECEPTORS EXPRESSION IN THE BURSA OF CHICKENS INFECTED WITH CLASSICAL AND VARIANT STRAINS OF INFECTIOUS BURSAL DISEASE VIRUS. 66 3.1 SUMMARY.66 3.2 INTRODUCTION . 67 3.3 MATERIALS AND METHODS . 70 3.4 RESULTS. 74 3.5 DISCUSSION . 76 3.6 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . 80 3.7 REFERENCES . 81 CHAPTER 4 . 101 EXPRESSION OF PERFORIN-GRANZYME PATHWAY GENES IN THE BURSA OF INFECTIOUS BURSAL DISEASE VIRUS-INFECTED CHICKENS . 101 4.1 SUMMARY.100 4.2 INTRODUCTION . 102 4.3 MATERIALS AND METHODS . 104 4.4 RESULTS. 108 x 4.5 DISCUSSION . 110 4.6 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . 114 4.7 REFERENCES . 114 BIBLIOGRAPHY . 130
Species diversity utilization of zingiberaceae in Phu Laenkha national park, Chaiyaphum province

Zingiberaceae in Phu Laenkha National Park were studied from three trails between January and December 2013. Sixteen species, eight genera and three tribes were investigated. Tribe Zingibereae is the most common tribe in the area with five genera, namely Boesenbergia (1 species), Curcuma (5 species), Kaempferia (3 species), Stahlianthus (1 species) and Zingiber (1 species). The second is tribe Alpinieae with two genera, namely Alpinia (2 species) and Amomum (1 species). The third is tribe Globbeae and it included only genus Globba (2 species). Fourteen species are used as food and ornamental plants, for example Alpinia galanga L. , A. zerumbet (Pers.) B.L. Burtt & R.M. Sm. , Boesenbergia rotunda (L.) Mansf. , Curcuma alismatifolia Gagnep. , C. singularis Gagnep. and Kaempferia rotunda L. Five species, Amomum villosum Lour. , Boesenbergia rotunda (L.) Mansf. , Curcuma alismatifolia Gagnep. , C. harmandii Gagnep. and Stahlianthus macrochlamys (Baker) Craib are recognized as rare species. The vernacular names, phenology, ecology information, utilization and an artificial key to species are provided.
Variations in Bryophyte Communities in a Short Elevational Gradient in Atlantic Forest of Southeastern Brazil

Abstract In order to better understand the influence of short elevational gradient on the attributes of bryophyte communities, we examined the bryophyte flora within six elevational belts (10, 50, 400, 800, 950, and 1170 m a.s.l.) on a mountain in the Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil. Ten subplots (10 × 10 m) distributed randomly in 1 ha forest plot of forest at each elevation were surveyed. A total of 253 species were encountered and the richness did not vary depending significantly on elevation. The floristic similarities of the elevational belts were high > 50%, with the exception of the Mountaintop forest (< 35%), and the classification analyses indicated groups defined by Atlantic Forest vegetation types. Endemism demonstrated a positive correlation with elevation, while the amplitudes of the phytogeographical patterns of the species diminished with increasing elevation. The dioicous condition predominated in all of the elevational belts, and the dioicous/monoicous ratio showed an inverted-parabolic pattern along the gradient. Data concerning bryophyte species richness and distributions will be useful in future projects monitoring the effects of climate change on tropical forests.
Physiochemical and Organoleptic Properties of Feta Cheese Made from Goat Milk

ABSTRACT We characterized physicochemical properties and examined the organoleptic and textural evaluations of Feta cheese made from goat's milk. Nutritional compositions of goat Feta cheese were fat 23.50%, protein 11.03% with moisture content of 59.54%. Cell numbers of lactic starter cultures in Feta cheese maintained from log 8.46 CFU/g and pH 5.76 during storage at 4for 14 day's aging. The color of Feta cheese was whitish (L. 93.19) at after finishing brine salting, but became a little yellowish(b. 3.52) (a. -0.71). For texture profile analysis of goat Feta cheese, hardness, fracturability springness, and cohesiveness seemed to be week, but adhesiveness gumminess, chewiness, and resilience were enhanced as aging times extended to 14days, resulted in the overall textural properties was to be superior to control cheese(commercial Mozzarella cheese). Organoleptic evaluations were examined based on the intensities and the preferences for flavour, tastes, texture and mouth feeling. saltiness, bitterness and acidity were stronger in the intensities than control cheese, but the preferences were enhanced by aging to be better than control cheese at 14 days and later on, however, the texture changed to be weaker in hardness and unpleasant in mouthfeel. The fatty acid compositions of Feta cheese analysed by Gas chromatography were saturated fatty acid 42.06%, monoenoic acids 29.67%, di-enoic acids 24.24%, tri-enoic acids 1.21%. (
GENETIC EVALUATION FOR FRIESIAN CATTLE IN EGYPT USING SINGLE-TRAIT ANIMAL MODEL

A total number of 1011 first lactation records of Friesian cows daughters of 705 dams and 103 sires for a period of 19 years raised at Agricultural Research Station, Sakha, Kafr El-Sheikh Province, belonging to Animal Production Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture, Egypt were used to evaluate the genetic parameters of total milk yield (TMY), 305-day milk yield (305-dMY), lactation period (LP), age at first calving (AFC), number of service per conception (NOS), calf birth weight (BW) and calf weaning weight (WW) as well as estimating breeding values (BV) of animals using single-trait animal model. Data were analyzed using Multi-trait Derivative Free Restricted Maximum Likelihood (MTDFREML) Program to calculate the genetic parameters and BV. Statistical Analysis System (SAS) was utilizing to investigate the effect of fixed effects on these traits using mixed model procedure. Means (± SD) of TMY, 305-dMY, LP, AFC, NOS, BW and WW were 2653±1191, 2338±864 kg, 332±107 days, 31.8±5.8 months, 2.25±1.80, 29±4.26 and 95±10.5 kg, respectively. Heritability estimates (h2) for the same traits were 0.07, 0.27, 0.12, 0.04, 0.25, 0.19 and 0.06, respectively. The range of BV for all animals was -2.64 to 2.95, -3.43 to 5.62 kg, -3.41 to 6.44 days, -4.01 to 7.94 months, -2.77 to 3.34, and -2.12 to 1.62 kg, respectively. Spearman rank correlations and Pearson correlations between estimated breeding values of all animals in pedigree (cows, dams and sires) provided by the genetic analysis ranged between 0.19–0.99. Rank correlations of animals between traits were the lowest for reproduction traits. It could be concluded that improving the environment conditions will improve these traits. Also, with the moderate h2 and the wide range in BV between animals regarding to 305-dMY and AFC will help in improving these traits genetically.
Histological study on the postnatal alterations in the rat kidney

INTRODUCTION : The aging kidney is characterized by numerous morphological changes in the nephrons and interstitium which are usually associated with failure of renal function. The aim of the present study is to describe and compare histological age-related changes in the kidney in three age groups of rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS : Male Wistar rats aged 2, 4 and 6 months (n=3; per age group) were used in the present study. Alterations in kidney morphology were observed by light microscopic analysis using PAS reaction and Mallory`s trichrome staining. RESULTS : We observed normal histological structure of the kidney in 2-month-old rats. We noted that renal corpuscles were relatively well preserved and proximal and distal tubules were visible as well-defined structures. No pathological changes in blood vessels and interstitial fibrosis were observed. As age advanced (4 and 6 months) we described periglomerular and periarteriolar sclerosis, wrinkling and thickening of glomerular and tubular basement membranes; interstitial fibrosis was generally expressed. CONCLUSION : Renal aging is a multifactorial process characterized by an increased number of sclerotic glomeruli, tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis and is associated with declining renal function.
A core speech circuit between primary motor, somatosensory, and auditory cortex: evidence from connectivity and genetic descriptions

What adaptations allow humans to produce and perceive speech so effortlessly? We show that speech is supported by a largely undocumented core of structural and functional connectivity between the central sulcus (CS or primary motor and somatosensory cortex) and the transverse temporal gyrus (TTG or primary auditory cortex). Anatomically, we show that CS and TTG cortical thickness covary across individuals and that they are connected by white matter tracts. Neuroimaging network analyses confirm the functional relevance and specificity of these structural relationships. Specifically, the CS and TTG are functionally connected at rest, during natural audiovisual speech perception, and are coactive over a large variety of linguistic stimuli and tasks. Importantly, across structural and functional analyses, connectivity of regions immediately adjacent to the TTG are with premotor and prefrontal regions rather than the CS. Finally, we show that this structural/functional CS-TTG relationship is mediated by a constellation of genes associated with vocal learning and disorders of efference copy. We propose that this core circuit constitutes an interface for rapidly exchanging articulatory and acoustic information and discuss implications for current models of speech.
Influence of varying levels of dried citrus pulp on nutrient intake, growth performance and economic efficiency in lambs

ABSTRACT The study was conducted to evaluate the influence of partial replacement of concentrate with dried citrus pulp (DCP) on nutrient intake, digestibility, nitrogen metabolism, growth rate and economic efficiency in lambs. Citrus pulp was sun dried and chemical evaluation was conducted. Forty entire male Lohi lambs approximately 4–5 months of age were used in a randomized complete block design. On the basis of body weight, lambs were divided into 4 groups, 10 lambs in each group. The animals were fed 30% forages and 70% concentrate. The concentrate contained DCP10%, DCP20%, DCP30% or DCP40%. The experiment continued up to 120 days. A non-significant effect was observed on nutrient intake and digestibility by various levels of DCP. Nitrogen balance was also remained unaffected among the treatments. A non-significant effect was observed on average daily gain in lambs fed varying levels of DCP. A decreasing trend in price per kg of feed was observed as the level of DCP increased in the diet. These results indicated that DCP can be used successfully up to 40% of the concentrate in the diet of lambs without any adverse effect on feed intake and growth performance.
Detection of Shiga Toxin – Producing Escherichia coli in Raw and Pasteurized Milk

One hundred random samples of raw buffalo and pasteurized cow milk (50, each) were collected from different localities of Sharkia Governorate for the detection of E. coli . The isolates were screened by PCR for virulence associated genes as well as antibiotic sensitivity test to determine the most effective antimicrobial agent. Furthermore, an experimental study was carried out to detect the influence of pasteurization and processing of kariesh cheese and yoghurt on E. coli O 111 :H 8 inoculated in milk with the concentration of 10 8 CFU/mL. The obtained results showed that the occurrence of E. coli in the examined raw buffalo and pasteurized cow milk samples were 66% and 30%, respectively. Serogrouping of E. coli isolates revealed that O128, O26 and O111 were recorded as the most frequent O-serogroups. The sensitivity test showed that E. coli isolates were more sensitive to gentamicin (79.2%), followed by ciprofloxacin (70.8%) and colistin (68.8%). However, the examined isolates were completely resistant to erythromycin (100%) followed by sulphamethazole- trimethoprim (79.2%). Molecular identification of virulence associated genes revealed stx 1, stx 2 and eae A genes. The experimental study showed that milk pasteurization was more effective on E. coli O 111 :H 8 survival at refrigeration temperature compared with processed products such as kariesh cheese and yoghurt.
Diet composition of the Morocco dentex: Dentex maroccanus Valenciennes, 1830 (Teleostei: Sparidae) in the central Turkish Aegean Sea

Abstract This study examined the stomach contents of 230 individuals out of 439 samples obtained from commercial fishermen between January 2013 and March 2014 from a trawler using trawl bags with a full cod-end mesh size of 44 mm. It was found that 216 samples were full and the stomach fullness index was estimated at 93.9%. The varying diet composition of the species was determined by estimating the percentage numerical composition (N%), frequency of occurrence (F%), gravimetric composition (W%) and the index of relative importance (IRI%). Diversity (Shannon index), richness (Margalef index) and similarity (Bray-Curtis index) of the catches in different seasons were calculated using the Biodiversity Professional (Version 2) software. Three major groups were identified in the catches: Crustacea, Mollusca and Teleostei. At least 17 different prey groups were identified. With regard to the diversity of consumed prey, the winter (1.204), autumn (1.079) and spring (1.000) seasons were characterized by a medium level of diversity, summer (0.699) – by a low level of diversity. However, the richness of prey does not show seasonal differences. As indicated by the Bray-Curtis index, the highest similarity between the prey groups was observed between the autumn and winter seasons, at 81.61%.
Effect of ripening time on colour and texture properties in cheese

The group of semi-hard cheeses is quite heterogenous and there are distinctions between individual representatives of this group. The aim of this paper was a comparison the colour changes and texture properties of semi-hard pasta filata cheeses during ripening. Spectrophotometer Konica Minolta CM-3500d was used for the colour measurements of cheese samples. Color parameters L* a* b* were determined for the edge part and for the middle part of samples. The texture properties of cheese were measured by TIRATEST 27025. Measurements were made for part following the edge and the middle part of samples as well. During ripening of cheese samples there were observed statistically significant changes in the colour parameters of the edge part of oiled cheese. Total colour difference (ΔE * ab ) during storage was the most noticeable in first 10 days of ripening. In compare with changes in a* parameter of the edge part of cheese samples, red tone (a* parameter) in the middle part of cheese samples did not show so large change. The measured strenght of edge part of the cheese samples was in range between from 7.44 N up to 23.49 N. Firmness of middle part varied from 4.46 N to 24.40 N in 60 days of maturating.