Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular Phylogenetics of the Metazoan Clade Lophotrochozoa

Abstract : DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analyses were conducted to investigate evolutionary relationships between taxa within the metazoan clade Lophotrochozoa. Chapter 1 presents an introduction to phylogenetics of the Metazoa and the clade Lophotrochozoa. Chapter 2 analyzes relationships between the major groups within the phylum Mollusca using sequences of the nuclear ribosomal large-subunit RNA gene (LSU rDNA). Results presented provide the first molecular evidence for a close relationship between the Scaphopoda and Cephalopoda. Chapter 3 utilizes LSU rDNA sequences to analyze relationships between phyla within the clade Lophotrochozoa. LSU rDNA sequences provided greater resolution than have previous analyses of the nuclear small-subunit ribosomal RNA gene (SSU rDNA). Analysis of LSU rDNA sequences recovered the monophyly of several phyla, such as Mollusca and Annelida, whose members are found to be paraphyletic using SSU rDNA sequences alone. Results also suggest that the clade Platyzoa may have arisen within the Lophotrochozoa. Chapter 4 investigates the Hox gene complement of the bryozoan Bugula turrita. Six Hox genes were recovered, including an ortholog of the posterior class gene Post2, which is a synapomorphy for the Lophotrochozoa. The identification of a Post2 ortholog provides evidence of a close relationship between the Bryozoa and other lophotrochozoan phyla.
Characterization and Technological Properties of Bifidobacterium Strains Isolated from Breast-fed Infants

Bifidobacteria represent the largest group of human intestinal bacteria. They have an important place in human health and represent the dominant group microflora of the newborn breast-fed. Following the behavior of strains of Bifidobacteria isolated from the breast-fed infants and from saline rehydration solution was considered in order to develop therapeutic fermented milk. Samples from newborn infants aged 10 months, or from a saline rehydration solution (Celia/Develop ORS) containing Bifidobacteria sold was used and isolated strains belonged to breve and longum species. Those strains showed preferences to neutral pH. They are mesophilic and tolerate high temperatures (42 °C). Glucose was commonly carbohydrate used in selective media for Bifidobacteria. Production of titratable acidity and therefore lowering the pH varies from one strain to another.
Studies on the edible terrestrial snails Helix aspersa Muller food conversion ratio in a confined microclimate system.

Terrestrial edible snail breeding is an agricultural activity that finds itself at pioneering stage in Romania. One of the species used in snail farming is Helix aspersa Muller. In order to accelerate their growth, farmers feed the snails with pumpkins as well as concentrated forage consisting of mix of flours to which calcium carbonate is added in order to supplement snails need for shell’s development. In a controlled microclimate environment we measured the average growth of six weeks old Helix aspersa Muller snails placed in four different plastic enclosures. The consumption of different type of foods within 24 hours period was measured. The wheat (60%), corn flour (20%) and calcium carbonate (20%) mix had a superior food conversion ratio (FCR) of 4.80, whereas the second FCR registered 6.04 in the case of 53% pumpkin and 47% flour mix served in the same time followed by the pure fresh vegetable mix accounting for a FCR of 8.00 and by 19.02 when only the pumpkin has been administrated as meal. During the experiments the snails did not have access to soil, being known that soil is an integral part of their diet.
In Situ Tissue Regeneration: Chemoattractants for Endogenous Stem Cell Recruitment

Tissue engineering uses cells, signaling molecules, and/or biomaterials to regenerate injured or diseased tissues. Ex vivo expanded mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have long been a cornerstone of regeneration therapies; however, drawbacks that include altered signaling responses and reduced homing capacity have prompted investigation of regeneration based on endogenous MSC recruitment. Recent successful proof-of-concept studies have further motivated endogenous MSC recruitment-based approaches. Stem cell migration is required for morphogenesis and organogenesis during development and for tissue maintenance and injury repair in adults. A biomimetic approach to in situ tissue regeneration by endogenous MSC requires the orchestration of three main stages: MSC recruitment, MSC differentiation, and neotissue maturation. The first stage must result in recruitment of a sufficient number of MSC, capable of effecting regeneration, to the injured or diseased tissue. One of the challenges for engineering endogenous MSC recruitment is the selection of effective chemoattractant(s). The objective of this review is to synthesize and evaluate evidence of recruitment efficacy by reported chemoattractants, including growth factors, chemokines, and other more recently appreciated MSC chemoattractants. The influence of MSC tissue sources, cell culture methods, and the in vitro and in vivo environments is discussed. This growing body of knowledge will serve as a basis for the rational design of regenerative therapies based on endogenous MSC recruitment. Successful endogenous MSC recruitment is the first step of successful tissue regeneration
In-vitro Shoot Regeneration in Mimosa pudica L.

The species of Mimosa pudica has been subjected to morphogenic studies for the first time from Jharkhand and it is the maiden report as well from our country. The cotyledons and epicotyls, cultured on MS basal medium, exhibited regeneration of shoots. However, subcultures of cotyledons yielded shoot regeneration only. After the 3rd sub cultures, plantlets had the potential to develop roots as well. Hypertrophy and callusing were quite evident in different concentrations.
Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia Induces Systemic Hypertension, and Tachycardia, and Impairs Baroreflex Control of the Heart Rate in Conscious Mice (C57BL/6J)

Chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) induces systemic hypertension and tachycardia, and impairs baroreflex bradycardia in Avertin anesthetized mice (Lin et al. 2006). However, anesthesia significantly blunts phenylephrine (PE)‐ and completely abolishes sodium nitroprusside (SN)‐induced heart rate response. In this study, we studied baroreflex sensitivity in conscious mice. Mice were exposed to either room air (RA) or CIH (6 min alternations of 21 % O2 and 5.7 % O2) starting at the age of 3 months for 4 months. Mean arterial blood pressure (mABP) and mean heart rate (mHR) were measured from a femoral artery catheter. PE and SN were administered using a microinfusion pump (100 μg/ml; 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 μl/min i.v.) for 1 min. Changes in mHR (ΔmHR) were plotted against changes in mABP (ΔmABP). Our data indicate that
Continued expansion of the Wedge-tailed Shearwater, Puffinus pacificus, nesting colonies on Rottnest Island, Western Australia

Abstract The areas and burrow densities of Wedge-tailed Shearwater, Puffinus pacificus, colonies on Rottnest Island, Western Australia, were measured in April 2002. In the 10 years since the previous survey on Rottnest Island, two new colonies have been established. Summed over all colonies, there was an increase of 46% in the total area of colonies, to 45785 m2, and a doubling of the total number of burrows, to 11745 ± 1320 (s.e.). Burrow densities differed significantly between colonies and vegetation type. Burrow densities were lowest on the edge of the colonies, where the heath plant Olearia axillaris was present. The growth of the Wedge-tailed Shearwater colonies is consistent with the increase in reproductive effort observed in many other tropical, colonial-nesting seabirds in south-western Western Australian waters.
Characterization of putative G1/S transcription complex factors Swi6p, Swi4p and Mbp1p in the fungal pathogen Candida albicans

The G1/S transition governs cell proliferation in many systems, and involves essential transcription complexes such as SBF and MBF in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, or MBF in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. SBF and MBF are composed of the regulatory subunit Swi6p and the DNA-binding elements Swi4p (SBF) or Mbp1p (MBF). The fungal pathogen Candida albicans contains orthologues of SWI6, SWI4 and MBP1. Previous genetic, DNA expression and bioinformatic data suggest that Swi4p and Swi6p may be core components of a single MBF-like complex. However, direct evidence is lacking, and the role of Mbp1p is unclear. In order to determine the composition and mechanisms of action of the putative G1/S transcription complex in C. albicans, and identify other factors important for G1/S control, we determined physical interactions between Swi6p, Swi4p and Mbp1p using co-immunoprecipitation, systematically affinity-purified each protein and identified interacting factors through mass spectrometry, and investigated putative Swi4p targets using genome wide location analysis (ChIP-chip). We show that Swi6p physically interacts with Swi4p and Mbp1p, and Swi4p may bind Mbp1p. Affinity purifications did not identify many additional interacting proteins, suggesting that Swi6p, Swi4p and Mbp1p may be the core complex factors. Finally, ChIP-chip analysis identified putative Swi4p targets including G1 cyclins, cell wall-associated factors, and regulators of hyphal growth, consistent with the swi4/ phenotype. Unexpectedly, few putative Swi4p target promoters contained the conserved MBF binding site (ACGCGT). Rather, 8.6% contained a canonical SBF-binding (CNCGAAA) motif, and 43.0% contained a related motif, CACAAAA. Although the ChIP-chip data require confirmation by qPCR, the results suggest that Swi4p may be involved in regulating G1/S progression and hyphal development, but may not exclusively function through the conserved MBF-binding element. In summary, our results provide new insights on G1/S regulation in C. albicans, which have important implications for controlling cell proliferation and development in the pathogen.
Search for correlations between the arrival directions of IceCube neutrino events and ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays detected by the Pierre Auger Observatory and the Telescope Array

This paper presents the results of different searches for correlations between very high-energy neutrino candidates detected by IceCube and the highest-energy cosmic rays measured by the Pierre Auger Observatory and the Telescope Array. We first consider samples of cascade neutrino events and of high-energy neutrino-induced muon tracks, which provided evidence for a neutrino flux of astrophysical origin, and study their cross-correlation with the ultrahigh-energy cosmic ray (UHECR) samples as a function of angular separation. We also study their possible directional correlations using a likelihood method stacking the neutrino arrival directions and adopting different assumptions on the size of the UHECR magnetic deflections. Finally, we perform another likelihood analysis stacking the UHECR directions and using a sample of through-going muon tracks optimized for neutrino point-source searches with sub-degree angular resolution. No indications of correlations at discovery level are obtained for any of the searches performed. The smallest of the p-values comes from the search for correlation between UHECRs with IceCube high-energy cascades, a result that should continue to be monitored.
Antibacterial effect of garlic (Allium sativum) and ginger (Zingiber officinale) against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus.

Antibacterial activity of extracts of Allium sativum (garlic) and Zingiber officinale (ginger) has been evaluated against four different bacteria namely Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhi, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus. Two methods were used to determine the antimicrobial activity of garlic and ginger extracts namely disk diffusion method and agar well diffusion method. Garlic extract exhibited excellent antibacterial activity against all four test organisms while ginger extract showed antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus only. In addition, agar well diffusion method showed higher zone in inhibition when compared with the zone of inhibition produced by the spice of same concentration against the test microorganism by disk diffusion method. Antibiotic sensitivity of the four different bacteria was tested with commercially available antibiotics namely Ciprofloxacin; Oxytetracycline; Vancomycin; Streptomycin; Gentamicin; Tetracycline; Novobiocin; Amikacin and Penicillin G. Penicillin G produced the highest zone of inhibition of 40.00±0.00against Staphylococcus aureus and the lowest zone of inhibition of 0.00±0.00against Escherichia coli. JMBFS / Bandna Chand 2013 : 2 (4) 2481-2491 2482
Comparative life table analysis of Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) on 14 soybean genotypes

Abstract The life table parameters of two‐spotted spider mite (TSSM), Tetranychus urticae Koch, on 14 soybean genotypes (Sari, Sahar, Tellar, Zane, Ks3494, L17, Dpx, 032, 033, Clark, Hill, I27, Tms and Williams) were evaluated at 28 ± 1°C, 65%± 5% RH and a photoperiod of 16 : 8 h L : D. The survivorship data (lx) of adult females were fitted to the Weibull frequency distribution model in all genotypes tested. Based on the Weibull parameters, the survival curve was type I on all genotypes, which indicated that the mortality mostly occurred in old individuals. Furthermore, two mathematical models (Analytis and Enkegaard) were fitted to age‐specific fecundity data (mx). The highest intrinsic rate of increase (rm) was recorded on L17 (0.392) and the lowest values of this parameter were obtained on Tms (0.233), Hill (0.236), 032 (0.236), I27 (0.237) and Clark (0.240). In addition, net reproductive rate (R0) and finite rate of increase (λ) of the TSSM had the highest value on L17 as 45.521 and 1.475, respectively. The lowest values of these parameters were recorded on Tms as 12.149 and 1.258, respectively. Doubling time (DT) varied significantly on different genotypes and the shortest and longest values of this period were obtained on L17 and 032, respectively. Our findings revealed that Tms, Hill, 032, I27 and Clark were less suitable genotypes, suggesting that they are more resistant to the TSSM than the other genotypes.
Nutritional status of adult women belonging to Khond Gadaba and Porja tribes of Andhra Pradesh.

In India tribals are neglected a lot discriminated in terms of income distribution and social status. Most Of them are desperately poor backward generally uneducated and lead a hard and miserable life. There are more than 400 tribal communities In India out of which 75 Primitive Tribal Groups (PTG) have been Identified by the government by 1989. Tribal women in India are at a great disadvantage due to illiteracy and ignorance. Various research studies on tribal population of India revealed that their diets are nutritionally deficient. There is paucity of information regarding the women of the PTG and hence this investigation was undertaken to study the socio-economic and dietary background and to assess the nutritional status of selected women from three primitive groups of Andhrapradesh. (excerpt)
Increases in α4* but not α3*/α6* nicotinic receptor sites and function in the primate striatum following chronic oral nicotine treatment

Knowledge of the effects of chronic nicotine is critical considering its widespread use in tobacco products and smoking cessation therapies. Although nicotine is well known to up‐regulate α4* nAChR sites and function in the cortex, its actions in the striatum are uncertain because of the presence of multiple subtypes with potentially opposing effects. We therefore investigated the effect of long‐term nicotine treatment on nAChR sites and function in the primate striatum, which offers the advantage of similar proportions of α3*/α6* and α4* nAChRs. Nicotine was given in drinking water, which resembles smoking in its intermittent but chronic delivery. Plasma nicotine and cotinine levels were similar to smokers. Chronic nicotine treatment (> 6 months) enhanced α4* nAChR‐evoked [3H]dopamine release in striatal subregions, with an overall pattern of increase throughout the striatum when normalized to uptake. This increase correlated with elevated striatal α4* nAChRs. Under the same conditions, striatal α3*/α6* nAChR sites and function were decreased or unchanged. These divergent actions of chronic nicotine treatment on α4* versus α6* nAChRs, as well as effects on dopamine uptake, allow for a complex control of striatal activity to maintain dopaminergic function. Such knowledge is important for understanding nicotine dependence and the consequences of nicotine administration for the treatment of neurological disorders.
Improved humoral immune response of oil adjuvant vaccine by saponin co-adjuvantation against haemorrhagic septicaemia in mice and buffalo calves

Oil adjuvant vaccine (OAV) formulations, viz. OAV (OAV without saponin) and S-OAV (OAV with 420 µg saponin/ ml) were prepared against haemorrhagic septicaemia using Pasteurella multocida, P52 antigen. Three groups of mice, each group with 40 mice, were inoculated with respective OAV, S-OAV and sterile phosphate buffer saline and monitored the ELISA antibody titer for 45 days. In another experiment, 2 groups of buffalo calves, each group with 3 calves, were vaccinated with OAV and S-OAV and monitored the ELISA antibody titer for 4.5 months. Viscosity of OAV was 222.28 and of S-OAV 215.10 centipoise. The anti-P. multocida specific serum ELISA antibody titers were significantly higher in S-OAV on 14th days post vaccination compared to OAV and control and remained consistently higher during the experiment. Fluorescent activated cell sorter study revealed that CD4 T cells were significantly higher in S-OAV group as compared to OAV and control, while CD8 T cells was 28.83% higher than control. All vaccinated groups were 100% protected after direct intraperitoneal challenge with 100 LD50 of live P. multocida, serotype B, strain P52 on 45th DPV. However, after challenge with 1000 LD50 the S-OAV group had 80% protection as compared to 60% protection by OAV. Trial on buffalo calves further confirmed the finding of mice model as higher ELISA antibody titers were observed by S-OAV group as compared to OAV throughout the experiment period since seventh DPV onwards. Thus, saponin co- adjuvantation of OAV increased the CD4, CD8 T cells population, improved the humoral immune response and protection.
On the occurrence of white mouth crevalle, Uraspis helvola (Forster) in the Bay of Bengal

During the study of the carangids off the coasts of Andhra and Orissa in 1964-'65, the author was able to collect a large number of specimens of Uraspis helvola (Forster) varying from 92 mm. to 220 mm. in standard length from the trawl catches in the depth range 20-50 metres. The genus Uraspis Bleeker is unique among carangidae in having edentulous tongue, palate and vomer, a thick white membrane on the toiigue, roof and floor of the mouth (the rest dark) and the scutes along the straight part of the lateral line with the spinose projections sometimes directed forwards. This is the first record of the genus Uraspis Blkr. from seas around India
Leaf water potential, nutritional status and must composition in grapes 'Pinot Nero' with and without irrigation

A irrigacao em solos de vinhedos pode afetar o potencial hidrico da videira, o estado nutricional e a composicao do mosto. O trabalho objetivou avaliar o potencial de agua em folhas, o estado nutricional e a composicao do mosto, em videiras da cv. 'Pinot Nero', cultivadas com e sem irrigacao. O experimento foi conduzido em um vinhedo comercial de 'Pinot Nero' 828, enxertada sobre o porta enxerto SO4, implantado em 2002 em Trento, Norte da Italia. Os tratamentos foram com irrigacao (I) e sem irrigacao (SI) ao longo da safra de 2013. Avaliou-se o potencial hidrico das folhas, o teor total de nutrientes em folhas e bagas, a massa de 100 bagas e, no mosto, foram avaliados o teor de solidos soluveis totais, pH e acidez total titulavel. A irrigacao, apesar de proporcionar potencial de agua menos negativo nas folhas da videira, nao afetou o estado nutricional, a composicao do mosto e pouco interferiu no teor de nutrientes na baga.
Concentrations of heavy metal in different parts of the gastropod, Faunus ater (linnaeus), collected from intertidal areas of Peninsular Malaysia.

Marine gastropods, Faunus ater (Linnaeus), were collected from Pantai Sri Tujoh (Kelantan), Pantai Bisikan Bayu (Kelantan), Kg. Telaga Nenas (Perak) and Kesang Laut (Johor). Soft tissues of gastropods were dissected into digestive caecum (DC), foot, remainder, muscle, and operculum. The shell and dissected parts were analyzed for Cd, Cu, Ni, and Pb. It was found that the DC and the remainder accumulated high concentrations of Cu ranging between 159.1 and 290.2 μg/g dw. The shell was shown to highly accumulate non-essential Pb, Ni, and Cd compared to the soft tissues. Meanwhile, higher bioavailabilities of Cd and Cu were found in Pantai Sri Tujoh, whereas higher bioavailabilities of Ni and Pb were found in Pantai Bisikan Bayu compared to other sampling sites. The present results suggested that F. ater could be used as a potential biomonitor of heavy metal contamination. However, further studies are still needed in order to validate the use of F. ater as a good biomonitor of heavy metal pollution.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FLOWERING TIME AND FRUIT SET OF THE ENTOMOPHILOUS ALPINE SHRUB

Flowering phenology, fruit set, and pollinator frequency of the ericaceous alpine dwarf shrub, Rhododendron aureum, were compared among three quadrats arranged along a snowmelt gradient on a slope. Bagging and self-pollination experiments showed that R. aureum was physiologically self-compatible, but pollinator visitation highly enhanced fruit set. Depending on the lateness of snowmelt, flowering time varied from mid-June to late July among quadrats. Pollinator visitation increased as the flowering season progressed, and fruit set was significantly higher in the quadrat with latest snowmelt. Emasculation experiments suggested that later flowering might promote cross-pollination. Thus, later flowering was advantageous for effective pollination. On the other hand, later-flowering plants often failed to set fruits because of the onset of autumn frost and snow before fruit maturation.
The leucine-rich repeat containing protein NGL-2 regulates input-specific synapse development in CA1 pyramidal neurons

An important organizing feature of the central nervous system is that individual neurons receive input from many different sources. Independent regulation of synaptic input is critical for the function and adaptive responses of the nervous system, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are not well understood. We identify the leucine rich repeat (LRR)-containing protein NGL-2 (Lrrc4) as a key regulator of input-specific synapse development in the hippocampus. Using genetic deletion and shRNA- mediated knockdown, we demonstrate a novel role for NGL-2 in regulating the strength of synaptic transmission and spine density specifically at Schaffer collateral synapses in the stratum radiatum (SR) in CA1. NGL-2 expression is restricted to SR and spine regulation requires NGL-2's LRR and PDZ-binding domains. Finally, loss of NGL-2 disrupts cooperative interactions between distal and proximal synapses in CA1 pyramidal cells. These results demonstrate that NGL-2 is critical for pathway-specific synapse development and functional integration of distinct inputs