Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploring the acclimation to depth of Posidonia oceanica comparing the morphological variation to the histo-anatomical characteristics of the leaves

Abstract Posidonia oceanica is a marine plant that plays an important ecological role in marine ecosystems. Understanding the eco-physiology of this plant is fundamental for planning conservation and restoration actions covering this species and its habitat. The aim of this study was to explore the acclimation of P. oceanica to depth by examining the leaf morphological variation in a depth gradient. We measured leaf length, width and thickness, as well as the distance of fifth and sixth ribs from the margin and the central rib at different depths, comparing leaves morphology and histo-anatomy. Leaf length was the only morphological character clearly related to depth, whereas the overall morphological variation seems to be due to a change in the histo-anatomical characters. Depth-related characters showed a different variation pattern from that of not depth-related ones. Our results do not fit the model used to explain the seagrass responses to light variation; most morphological leaf traits are not directly linked to the acclimation of this species to depth. Finally, we hypothesise that the variation pattern of not depth-dependent characters is an expression of P. oceanica meadow genetic structure along the depth gradient.
Influence of Different Media on Shoot Regulation, Shoot Multiplication and Callus Induction in Long Pepper ( Piper longum L.)

An experiment on tissue culture studies in long pepper ( Piper longum L.) was carried out in the year 1999-2001, to develop suitable protocol for plant multiplication technique at Green Earth Biotechnologies Ltd., Jigani Industrial Area, Bengaluru in collaboration with UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru. The concentration of 0.1 per cent mercuric chloride (HgCl 2 ) for 60 seconds to achieve disinfection of leaf segment explants was found effective, giving maximum survival (10.02 %) and minimum contamination (0.70 %). MS media containing BAP (1.5 mg/lit.) + 2,4-D (1.0 mg/lit.) from leaf explants gave higher (9.72 %) response for calli induction, 1.54 mg amount of callus with green colour and very good score of callus. BAP 3.0 mg/lit. was ideal for the better proliferation and regeneration of shoot (40 %). The Highest number of multiple shoots (2.00), Length of shoot (1.04 cm) and number of leaves per shoot (3.00), was produced using BAP (1.0 mg/lit.) + NAA(0.1 mg/lit.). Best results for shoot were observed with the MS media combination containing BAP at 1.5 mg/lit. , Kinetin at 1.0 mg/lit. and IAA at 0.5 mg/lit. , gave the maximum number of buds per calli (36.00) and number of shoots (5.20) and length of shoots (1.62 cm). The in vitro rooting was achieved with the application of NAA at 1.0 mg/l 70 per cent rooting, number of primary roots (2.40) length of primary root (2.00) and number of secondary roots (2.00).
Genetic and environmental effects on the fertility of beef cattle in a tropical environment.

Calving data recorded over a 28-year period were analysed for the effects of breed, filial generation, lactational status, cow liveweight at mating and year of mating. The herd comprised six distinct breeding lines ('breeds') and analysis was performed both within and across breeds. The least fertile breeds were the high grade (314-718) Africander (A) and high grade (718-purebred) Brahman (B) cows which had average calving rates of 56% and 55%, respectively. Crossing these with a Hereford- Shorthorn line, which had an average calving rate of 6O%, resulted in 19% heterosis (in absolute calving percentage units) in the F1 Africander-cross (AX) and 16% heterosis in the F1 Brahman-cross (BX). In subsequent generations, 13% residual heterosis remained in the AX, while in the BX only 1% remained. Reciprocal crossing of the AX and BX lines generated 6% heterosis in the Fl AXBX, and all of this was maintained in subsequent generations. In the F2 et seq. generations of the AXBX, the line of animals carrying the Bos indicus Y chromosome was similarly fertile (P> 0.05) to the line carrying the Bos taurus Y chromosome. Lactating mature (3 5-year-old) cows were on average 15% less fertile than non-lactating cows. This lactation effect was larger in younger cows. There was a curvilinear response in fertility to increasing liveweight at mating which was most pronounced in 2-year-old heifers. Breed appeared to react differently to the effects of environmental stress where the AX and HS cows were limited more by liveweight, and the BX and AXBX were more limited by lactation effects per se. Lactating cows that also lactated in the previous year were 6% more fertile than lactating cows that were dry the previous year, suggesting that calving records are moderately repeatable and therefore that permanent differences in fertility could be established by phenotypic selection.
Tiny terminological disagreements with far reaching consequences 1 for global bird trends

11 Various combinations of data and expert opinion have been used to select species for indices of 12 bird trends. Commonly these indices break species into groups based on their habitat preference 13 such as woodland specialist, farmland specialist and generalist birds. It is unclear what influence 14 differences in how species are allocated to these groups might have on trends in these indices. 15 There is uncertainty surrounding reported trends in these bird groups with studies variously 16 showing declines or increases in prevalence. This is usually attributed to ecological factors but if 17 studies classify bird groups differently this variation may be due to inconsistency in 18 classification. Disagreement about whether these bird groups are stable, increasing or declining 19 has the potential to obscure important changes in bird prevalence and impede appropriate, timely 20 conservation. 21 We examined how consistently European and Australian researchers classified woodland, 22 farmland and generalist birds, and whether this affected the trends in indices of these groups. 23 Researchers from both regions classified species differently, and the population trends seen in 24 these groups were strongly affected by differences in classification. While all classifications we 25 studied suggest that populations are consistently declining for Australian woodland and 26 European farmland birds and increasing for European woodland birds. European generalist and 27 Australian farmland and generalist birds may be seen as increasing or decreasing in prevalence 28 depending on classification. 29 Our results question the current practice of idiosyncratically classifying indicators in scientific 30 research and conservation. Current practice is making it more difficult to infer whether, when 31 and how to preserve bird groups in Europe and Australia, potentially leading to sub-optimal
A new species of small Amphisbaena (reptila : amphisbaenia : amphisbaenidae) from western Amazonian Brazil

Amphisbaena cunhai novo spec. is described on the basis of a series collected in the area of Cachoeira Samuel, rio Jamari, east of Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil. It can be distinguished from other (small) amphisbaenids in lowland northern South America by having four large precloacal pores, three supra and three infra labiaIs, one row ofpostgenials, 14-16 dorsal and 14-18 ventral scales per annulus at midbody, a dorsal sulcus, malars in contact with the postmental and the nasalsforming a median suture. A key and the known distribution areas for ali small species of Amphisbaena in the Amazon region are given.
Recent declines in the coral fauna of the Spaanse Water, Curacao, Netherlands Antilles

Over the last three decades the coral populations of the Spaanse Water have declined precipitously. A comparison of survey data collected in 1961 and 1992, indicates that this has been accompanied by some significant shifts in community composition. Based on the 19 sites studied, major losses in relative abundance have taken place for Colpophyllia natans and Dichocoenia stokesii, whereas a major increase in relative abundance has taken place for Siderastrea siderea. Coral extension rates for S. siderea, the principal head coral of the bay, have been consistently low since the early 1980s. In addition, in comparison to a fringing reef reference population, remaining S. siderea coral heads within the Spaanse Water had highly elavated levels ofpartial mortality. These results are discussed in relation to various potential underlying causes among which the extensive development of the bay for residential purposes since the early 1980s.
Investigating the Role of O-GlcNAc Glycosylation in Neurodegeneration

O-GlcNAc glycosylation of nuclear and cytosolic proteins is an essential post-translational modification implicated in many diseases, from cancer to diabetes. Importantly, many important neuronal proteins are also O-GlcNAc modified, and aberrant O-GlcNAcylation of these proteins may contribute to the pathology of neurodegenerative diseases although these mechanisms have not been well defined. Here we investigated the role of O-GlcNAc glycosylation in the brain, utilizing both chemistry and molecular biology to study O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT), the enzyme that adds the sugar modification. To evaluate the role of OGT in adult neurons, we generated a forebrain-specific conditional knockout of OGT (OGT cKO) in mice. Although indistinguishable from wild-type littermates at birth, after three weeks we observe progressive neurodegeneration in OGT cKO mice. Hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease, including neuronal loss, neuroinflammation, behavioral deficits, hyperphosphorylated tau, and amyloid beta peptide accumulation, are observed. Furthermore, decreases in OGT protein levels were found in human AD brain tissue, suggesting that altered O-GlcNAcylation likely contributes to neurodegenerative diseases in humans. This model is one of a few mouse models that recapitulate AD phenotypes without mutating and overexpressing human tau, amyloid precursor protein, or presenilin, highlighting the essential role of OGT in neurodegenerative pathways. Given the importance of OGT in the brain, we further investigated the regulation of the OGT enzyme by phosphorylation. We found that phosphorylation of OGT near its C-terminus reduces its activity in cancer cells, and have developed phosphorylation-specific antibodies to aid mechanistic studies. Furthermore, mutation of this phosphorylation site on OGT, followed by overexpression in neurons was shown to enhance neurite outgrowth, demonstrating a functional consequence for this site. Thus phosphorylation of OGT inhibits its activity and enhances neurite outgrowth, and current studies aim to characterize the signaling pathway that regulates OGT phosphorylation in neurons.
Abundance and distribution of early life stages of krill around Iceland during spring

ABSTRACT Abundance, distribution and development of early life stages of krill (eggs, nauplii, calyptopes and furciliae) around Iceland were studied during the latter half of May 2013. Multivariate analyses were used to examine the relationships between water mass characteristics and phytoplankton spring bloom dynamics and distribution of krill. The results show that krill eggs, nauplii and calyptopes were most abundant over the shelf edges off the southwest and east coasts, while furciliae were most abundant on the shelf off the southwest coast. Meganyctiphanes norvegica and Thysanoessa longicaudata larvae were found mainly in the southwest, while T. inermis larvae were found in highest numbers on the east coast. Redundancy analysis showed that phytoplankton biomass, temperature and bottom depth explained 41% of the distribution pattern of early ontogenetic krill stages. In areas where krill eggs and larvae were most abundant (off the southwest coast), the phytoplankton spring bloom was in an advanced state, and the phytoplankton biomass and temperature were particularly high.
Identification of QTLs for Flesh Mealiness in Apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.)

During apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) storage, a loss in fruit firmness can occur. This is frequently associated with mealiness, an undesirable trait. There have been studies, such as phenotypic analyses and transcriptomics, as well as others employing a transgenic approach, focusing on this trait. Certain genetic approaches, such as quantitative trait loci (QTL) approach, however, have not been attempted. In this study, to identify and characterize QTLs controlling flesh mealiness and to investigate their application in apple breeding, we performed classical QTL mapping based on a bi-parental population and a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of mealiness. Phenotypic data for mealiness allowed us to identify two QTLs in the bi-parental family located on linkage group 10. The GWAS discovered significant marker-trait associations on chromosomes 2, 9, and 10. The MdPG1 locus, located on chromosome 10, was identified as the locus with the strongest significance by both QTL mapping and GWAS, suggesting its primary contribution to flesh mealiness. Using a tri-allelic simple sequence repeat marker, Md-PG1SSR10kd, 10 kb downstream of the MdPG1 coding sequence, we divided apple accessions into six groups based on their genotypes. Among the six groups, the Md-PG1SSR10kd genotype “2/2” had the least mealy phenotype.
Sharks caught in the KwaZulu-Natal bather protection programme, South Africa. 13. The tiger shark Galeocerdo cuvier

The current study provides long-term catch rate and biological data for tiger sharks Galeocerdo cuvier caught in the KwaZulu-Natal bather protection programme. Between 1978 and 2014, 1 760 G. cuvier were caught in nets and between 2007 and 2014, 108 G. cuvier were caught on drumlines. Standardised catch rates increased significantly over time (p < 0.001) for both small (≤180 cm precaudal length, PCL) and large sharks (>180 cm). There was also a significant temporal increase in the mean size of sharks across gear types (p < 0.001). A quasi-Poisson generalised additive mixed model showed that the deployment of drumlines had no significant effect on the catch rate of sharks in nets. The nets, however, caught significantly larger sharks (mean 184.5 cm, SD 39) than did drumlines (mean 138.6 cm, SD 36.5; p < 0.001). The size frequency of the catch was unimodal and females significantly outnumbered males in both gear types. Few young-of-the-year (0.8%) or mature sharks (1.8%) were caught. Only 23 (4.7%) of the 486 sharks tagged and released were recaptured, with the majority (87.0%) of those recaptured <150 km from their original tagging locality. The results from this study suggest an increasing local population trend in G. cuvier along the KwaZulu-Natal coast.
Effect of Leftover Certain Crops and some Bioagents on Controlling Onion White Rot Disease

lfalfa, broccoli, carrot and Sudan grass were used as preceding crops residues to evaluate their effect on onion white rot caused by Sclerotium cepivorum Berk. either alone or in combined treatments with Trichoderma harzianum and with the bio-product Plant guard. The fungicide Folicure was used as check treatment. All treatments decreased percentage of infection, soil scleroial number and increased onion bulb yield. Combined treatments were effective more than single ones in most cases. Under greenhouse conditions, broccoli residues as single or combined with Plant guard strongly reduced disease incidence (20.0% infection with 71.0% efficacy) in comparison with the other tested treatments. Under open field conditions, however, all treatments decreased the percentage of infection during 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 growing seasons. According to the mean values of the two seasons, broccoli residues combined with T. harzianum recorded the lowest percentage of infection by S. cepivorum (16.56%) with 70.06% efficacy. Sclerotial number was counted under greenhouse and open field conditions before onion transplantation and at the end of each season. Before transplantation, under greenhouse conditions all treatments significantly decreased sclerotial number with an efficacy that ranged between 25.89% with alfalfa and 45.5% with broccoli. Under open field conditions treatments decreased sclerotial number between 15.0% with alfalfa and 40.0% with broccoli. At the end of seasons, broccoli resides gave 3.0 sclerotia/g soil (72.73% efficacy) under greenhouse. Wherever, under open filed conditions broccoli residues combined with T. harzianum gave efficacy reached 73.13% and whereas it gave 70.15 % efficacy with Plant guard. All tested treatments under investigation significantly increased bulb yield compared to non-treated plants.
IN VITRO ANALYSIS OF ANTIMICROBIAL COMPOUNDS FROM ALSTONIA SCHOLARIS

Objective: The increasing prevalence of drug-resistant pathogens has gained the attention of pharmaceutical and scientific communities toward potential antimicrobial agents from plant-derived sources. The present work deals with the extraction, screening, and characterization of antimicrobial compounds from Alstonia scholaris against various pathogenic micro-organisms. Methods: The components of crude extracts obtained after soxhlet extraction of plants were characterized through thin layer chromatography (TLC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antimicrobial effect was checked at different concentration against Bacillus subtilis MTCC 121, Staphylococcus aureus MTCC 96, Escherichia coli MTCC 43, Klebsiella pneumonia MTCC 432, Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC 424, and Streptococcus pyogenes MTCC 497. Results and Conclusion: A. scholaris extract showed a significant antibacterial effect against selective pathogens. The bioactive compounds were separated and identified by TLC and GC-MS, respectively. Keywords: Bioactive metabolites, Extraction, Bioactivity, Pathogens, Minimum inhibitory concentration.
IN VITRO REGENERATION OF AVOCADO (PERSEA AMERICANA, MILL.) AND TRANSIENT GENE EXPRESSION

Efficient in vitro regeneration systems for avocado (Persea americana Mill.) were developed by consecutive culture using three different types of growth media. With embryonic tissue explants, 1.0 mg 1 -1 BAP in MMS gave the highest number of multiple adventitious shoots. From a single piece of embryonic tissue, an average of ten adventitious multiple shoots were obtained with shoot multiplication medium. WPM supplemented with 1.0 mg 1 -1 IBA and 10 -4 M putrescine plus 0.2% activated charcoal was found to be optimal for root development in avocado. Gene transfer into avocado cells was observed using wild strains of Agrobacterium tumefaciens, namely Ach5 and C58, and six different disarmed vectors, namely AGL1/pBI121, AGL1/pCGP904, GV3850/pBI121, GV3850/pCGP904, LBA4404/pBI121 and LBA4404/pCGP90. Among them, wild strain C58 and disarmed vector GV3850/pBI121 were found more effective when the pH of the co-cultivation medium was 5.2 and the medium contained 200mM acetosyringone. Tumour formation and X-gluc assays confirmed the successful transfer of genes into avocado cells.
Carcass and non-carcass characteristics of sheep fed on annatto byproduct

Annatto byproduct is the residue from the extraction of powder dye that covers the seed pericarp; after processing, between 94% and 98% of the original product is considered a byproduct. The aim was to evaluate the influence of increasing levels of annatto byproduct on the components of sheep body weight. Thirty-two male sheep, not castrated, with initial weight of 23.17 ± 1.45 kg, without a defined breed, were used in randomized blocks in all four treatments (0, 100, 200 and 300 g kg? 1 of annatto byproduct in the diet dry matter). The increase to 300 g kg? 1 of annatto byproduct had a negative linear effect (P < 0.05) for hot carcass weight (kg) and cold carcass weight (kg). Increasing levels of annatto byproduct resulted in a linear reduction (P < 0.05) for palette weight (kg), leg weight (kg), carcass compactness index (kg cm? 1), liver weight (kg) and skin weight (kg). The inclusion of annatto byproduct up to 200 g kg? 1 of dry matter in sheep diets did not affect the components of sheep body weight.
Role of Different Sawdusts and Bioinoculant in the Management of Root-Knot Nematode Infesting Chickpea

The impact of amending soil with composted sawdusts derived from different woods [Neem (Azadirachta indica), sheesham (Dalbergia sissoo), teak (Tectona grandis) and chir (Pinus roxburghii)] at different concentrations (12.5, 25 and 50 g per pot) and a bio-inoculant, Pseudomonas fluorescens, singly and in combination, was investigated in terms of plant growth parameters of chickpea, both in the presence and absence of root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita. Effect of these amendments on nematode reproduction was also assessed. All the sawdusts at all the concentrations and the bioinoculants either singly or in combination, improved plant growth parameters in terms of plant length, fresh weight, dry weight and number of nodules per plant and suppressed root-knot nematode infection in terms of number of galls/plant and nematode population. Among the four sawdusts, neem was found to be most effective followed by sheesham, teak and chir. The effectiveness of all the four sawdusts was proportional to their doses. However, addition of Pseudomonas fluorescens along with the different sawdusts was more efficient than either of them applied alone, the maximum improvement was recorded in all growth variables in the plants those received the combined application of neem sawdust at 50 g/pot+Pseudomonas fluorescens.
Emergency Cervical Cerclage: A Case Report

This report describes emergency cervical cerclage performed at Ondokuz Mayis University. A women with singleton pregnancy in 20 weeks gestation presented with a cervical dilatation of 10 cm and membrane prolapse. After exclusion of labor, preterm rupture of membranes and chorioamnionitis, an emergency cervical cerclage was proposed to the patient. The membranes were replaced using the technique of overfilling the urinary bladder and then performing McDonald’s cerclage. The patient received prophylactic antibiotics and tocolytics. Pregnancy ended in live birth. The extension of pregnancy in the survivor was 17 weeks, and the gestational age at delivery 37 weeks. Emergency cerclage should be considered as a management option in women with painless cervical dilatation and membrane prolapse in the midtrimester.
ANTIMICROBIAL PEPTIDE P34 INFLUENCES GENE EXPRESSION OF LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES GROWING IN SOFT CHEESE

Objective: To evaluate whether antimicrobial substances produced by autochthonous lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from Minas Frescal cheese are able to enhance the activity of bacteriocin P34 against Listeria monocytogenes and investigate the influence of P34 in specific gene expression of this bacterium after the inoculation in Minas Frescal cheese. Methods: Bacillus sp. P34 and L. monocytogenes ATCC 7644 were used in this study. The antimicrobial peptide P34 was purified and applied (0, 800 or 6400 AU/ml) to cheese surface before inoculation with L. monocytogenes . Antimicrobial activity and synergism were detected using the agar diffusion technique. E xpression levels of D-Alanine-D-alanyl carrier protein ligase (dltA), Putative phospholipid lysinylation ( Imo 1695 ) and EIIAB Man of mannose-specific PTS ( mptA ) mRNAs in bacteriocin-treated L. monocytogenes growing in Minas Frescal cheese were determined using real-time PCR. Results: The peptide P34 showed increased antilisterial activity when combined with culture supernatants of some selected LAB isolated from Minas Frescal cheese. The addition of peptide P34 to cheese caused a decrease of up to 3 log cycles in viable counts of artificially inoculated L. monocytogenes . The influence of peptide P34 on the expression of genes associated with components of the cell surface of L. monocytogenes was investigated by real-time PCR. A significant increase in the expression of the genes dltA, Imo 1695 and mptA was observed after 96 h in the presence of peptide P34. Conclusion: These results suggest that the peptide P34 influences the expression of genes involved in D-alanylation of teichoic acids and lipoteichoic acids and lysination of the cell membrane of phospholipids.