Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Standardization of protocol for in-vitro shoot tip grafting in Kinnow mandarin (Citrus deliciosa)

An experiment to standardize the rootstocks and PGRs for success and survival of in-vitro shoot tip grafting in Kinnow mandarin (Citrus deliciosa) was conducted during the year of 2007-08 at Department of Horticulture, Agricultural Research Station, Sriganganagar, Rajasthan. For this, in-vitro generated and 2-3 weeks etiolated old seedlings of cleopatra, rough lemon and carrizo were used as rootstocks. The seedlings were grafted by shoot tips measuring = 1 mm in length containing apical meristem and one or two leaf primordial which were excised from in-vitro generated shoots and grafted on rootstocks. Among different rootstocks used, twelve days old seedlings of Carrizo recorded the maximum success (56.60 %) and length of shoot (1.43 cm). All the concentrations of the PGRS tried to accelerate the growth of new shoot and survival per cent of STG, BAP @ 1.0 mg/l was found to be best in minimizing the time taken to bud break (12.12 days) and recorded maximum shoot length (3.10 cm). The results of the study revealed that the maximum survival (66.90 %) was observed with 2, 4-D @ 3.0 mg/l in all the PGRs tried for growth promotion of scion shoots. It is also revealed from the study that the 90 % grafted plants survival in greenhouse at after 45 days after shoot tip grafting. Based on the observations, the Carrizo as rootstocks, BAP and 2, 4-D were found to be the best protocol for shoot tip grafting in Kinnow mandarin.
Dissection génétique de résistances complexes à plusieurs virus chez le piment (Capsicum annuum L. ) à l'aide de marqueurs moléculaires : organisation des facteurs de résistance sur le génome

La lignee perennial cumule des resistances totales ou partielles a plusieurs potyvirus: potato virus y (pvy), potyvirus e, chili veinal mottle virus (cvmv) and pepper veinal mottle virus (pvmv) ainsi qu'a l'installation et a la multiplication du cmv. Une resistance a la migration du cmv a ete mise en evidence chez la lignee vania. La cartographie genetique et l'evaluation des resistances ont ete realisees sur des descendances haploides doublees issues de croisements intraspecifiques entre ces geniteurs de resistance et des lignees sensibles. La carte genetique du croisement perennial x yolo wonder comporte 136 marqueurs (dont 83 rapd) repartis sur 13 groupes de liaison et couvre environ 80% du genome du piment. Soixante et onze marqueurs (dont 44 rapd) ont ete cartographies sur la descendance h3 x vania. Les marqueurs rapd forment des agregats sur certains groupes de liaison. Certains de ces agregats semblent correspondre aux centromeres. Des systemes genetiques plus ou moins complexes expliquent la resistance aux differents potyvirus: monogenique pour le cvmv, complementation entre deux genes pour le pvmv, quantitative et polygenique pour les pvy et le potyvirus e. Treize regions genomiques a effet additif et/ou epistatique expliquent la quasi-totalite de la variation phenotypique observee pour ces resistances. Certaines regions sont impliquees dans la resistance a plusieurs potyvirus alors que d'autres sont specifiques d'un seul virus ou pathotype. Des co-localisations qtl-gene majeur de resistance ont ete mises en evidence. Les differentes composantes de resistance partielle au cmv sont controlees par plusieurs genes. Sept regions genomiques specifiques d'une composante ou communes a deux composantes ont ete identifiees. Deux regions genomiques apparaissent impliquees a la fois dans la resistance a l'installation du cmv et dans la resistance aux potyvirus. Un meme mecanisme de resistance pourrait donc etre actif vis a vis de virus tres differents
Early Expression of a Functional TCRβ Chain Inhibits TCRγ Gene Rearrangements without Altering the Frequency of TCRγδ Lineage Cells1

To investigate the consequences of the simultaneous expression in progenitor cells of a TCRγδ and a pre-TCR on αβ/γδ lineage commitment, we have forced expression of functionally rearranged TCRβ, TCRγ, and TCRδ chains by means of transgenes. Mice transgenic for the three TCR chains contain numbers of γδ thymocytes comparable to those of mice transgenic for both TCRγ and TCRδ chains, and numbers of αβ thymocytes similar to those found in mice solely transgenic for a rearranged TCRβ chain gene. γδ T cells from the triple transgenic mice express the transgenic TCRβ chain, but do not express a TCRα chain, and, by a number of phenotypic and molecular parameters, appear to be bona fide γδ thymocytes. Our results reveal a remarkable degree of independence in the generation of αβ and γδ lineage cells from progenitor cells that, in theory, could simultaneously express a TCRγδ and a pre-TCR.
Plants in Changing Environments: Linking Physiological, Population, and Community Ecology

1. Introduction and background 2. Plant strategies and successional change: a resource-response perspective 3. Community composition and trends of dominance and diversity in recovering ecosystems 4. The environment of successional plants: disentangling causes and consequences 5. Recruitment in successional habitats: general trends and specific differences 6. How do plants interact with each other? 7. Plant/plant interactions and ecosystem recovery 8. Competition and the evolution of response breadths and niches 9. Ecological and genetic variation in early successional plants 10. Coping with a variable environment: habitat selection, response flexibility: tracking, acclimation, and plasticity 11. Physiological trends of plant in recovering ecosystems 12. Crossing the scales: can we predict community composition from individual species response? 13. From fields to forests: forest dynamics and regeneration in a changing environment 14. Succession and global change: the implications of migration, extinction, and adaptation References Index.
Evolutionary Ecology of Giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis ) in Etosha National Park, Namibia

The giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) occupies a variety of habitats across subSaharan Africa. It is characterised by a loose social organisation, and a dominancedriven polygynous mating system. This project sought to explain biogeographic and inter-sexual variation in pelage colouration in the context of natural and sexual selection. I also sought to test the hypothesis that in a semi-arid environment, limited resources (food and water) would predictably concentrate females, increasing the potential for dominant males to monopolise matings. I analysed photos from across Africa, and reveal that where yearly bright sunshine is greater, female giraffe in particular tend to be lighter, resulting in sexual dichromatism in high insolarity locations. I hypothesised that dark pelage colour is maintained in males through sexual selection for a costly status signal. Field work was carried out in Etosha NP, Namibia. Using photographic records, I identified 431 individual giraffe. I surveyed the study area regularly and collected data on group composition and behaviour upon locating giraffe. I carried out focal watches, and recorded all observations of agonistic and mating behaviour. Darker males tended to be older and more dominant than lighter males, associated less with females, but had greater success in courting females. Food and water affected female movements on both a spatial and temporal scale. At waterholes, encounter rates were increased and consequently mating and agonistic interactions more frequent. Paler males had a greater chance of interacting with females at waterholes because of higher intruder pressure, but when present, darker males always monopolised courtship opportunities. Mature males demonstrated a diversity of ranging strategies that affected association with females. These individual differences are assumed to relate to status and probably affect individual reproductive success. Evidence suggests male reproductive success is skewed towards mature dark males, but may also vary among dark males, with some potentially being excluded from mating.
Limited gene flow and partial isolation phylogeography of Himalayan snowcock Tetraogallus himalayensis based on part mitochondrial D-loop sequences

Himalayan snowcock Tetraogallus himalayensis are distributed in alpine and subalpine areas in China. We used mi- tochondrial DNA control-region data to investigate the origin and past demographic change in sixty-seven Himalayan snowcock T. himalayensis. The fragments of 1155 nucleotides from the control region of mitochondrial DNA were sequenced, and 57 poly- morphic positions defined 37 haplotypes. A high level of genetic diversity was detected in all populations sampled and may be associated isolation of the mountains and habitat fragmentation and deterioration from Quaternary glaciations. In the phylogenetic tree, all haplotypes grouped into four groups: clade A (Kunlun Mountains clade), clade B (Northern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau clade), clade C (Tianshan Mountains clade) and clade D (Kalakunlun Mountains clade). We found a low level of gene flow and significant genetic differentiation among all populations. Based on divergence time we suggest that the divergence of Himalayan snowcock occurred in the middle Pleistocene inter-glaciation, and expansion occurred in the glaciation. Analysis of mtDNA D-loop sequences confirmed demographic population expansion, as did our non-significant mismatch distribution analysis. In conclusion, limited gene flow and a pattern of partial isolation phylogeographic was found in geographic populations of T. hima- layansis based on the analysis on mtDNA D-loop sequences (Current Zoology 57 (6): 758-767, 2011).
Encoding of light by the cone photoreceptor synapse

Author(s): Jackman, Skyler Lofstrand | Advisor(s): Kramer, Richard H; Liphardt, Jan | Abstract: Retinal photoreceptors are the primary sensory neurons responsible for vertebrate vision. The photoreceptor converts light into a voltage signal that modulates neurotransmitter release at the photoreceptor synapse. Synaptic release from photoreceptors stimulates downstream cells and ultimately provides our brain with an image of the visual world. Hence, converting the voltage signal into a synaptic signal at the photoreceptor synapse is the crucial first step in visual perception. Here I present research conducted for this dissertation that elucidates multiple mechanisms that shape synaptic transmission from cone photoreceptors.
Ethanol Sensitivity and Tolerance of Rat Neuronal BK Channels: A Dissertation

Neuroscience iii ABSTRACT BK channels are well studied targets of acute ethanol action. They play a prominent role in neuronal excitability and have been shown to play a significant role in behavioral ethanol tolerance in invertebrates. The focus of my work centers on the effects of alcohol on the BK channel and comprises studies that examine how subcellular location affects acute ethanol sensitivity and how duration of acute alcohol exposure impacts the development of rapid tolerance. My results also provide potential mechanisms which underlie acute sensitivity and rapid tolerance. I first explore BK channel sensitivity to ethanol in the three compartments (dendrite, cell body, and nerve terminal) of magnocellular neurons in the rat hypothalamic-neurohypophysial (HNS) system. The HNS system provides a particularly powerful preparation in which to study the distribution and regional properties of ion channel proteins because the cell bodies are physically separated from the nerve terminals. Using electrophysiological and immunohistochemical techniques I characterize the BK channel in each of the three primary compartments and find that dendritic BK channels, similar to somatic channels, but in contrast to nerve terminal channels, are insensitive to alcohol. Furthermore, the gating kinetics, calcium sensitivity, and iberiotoxin sensitivity of channels in the dendrite are similar to somatic channels but sharply contrast terminal channels. The biophysical and pharmacological properties of iv somatodendritic vs. nerve terminal channels are consistent with the characteristics of exogenously expressed αβ1 vs. αβ4 channels, respectively. Therefore, one possible explanation for my findings is a selective distribution of β1 subunits to the somatodendritic compartment and β4 subunits to the terminal compartment. This hypothesis is supported immunohistochemically by the appearance of distinct punctate β1 or β4 channel clusters in the membrane of somatodendritic or nerve terminal compartments, respectively. In conclusion, I found that alcohol sensitivity of BK channels within the HNS system is dependent on subcellular location and postulate that β-subunits modulate ethanol sensitivity of HNS BK channels. In the second and primary focus of my thesis I explore tolerance development in the striatum, a brain region heavily implicated in addiction. Numerous studies have demonstrated that duration of drug exposure influences tolerance development and drug dependence. To further elucidate the mechanisms underlying behavioral tolerance I examined if BK channel tolerance was dependent on duration of alcohol exposure using patch clamp techniques in cultured striatal neurons from P8 rats. I found that persistence of rapid tolerance is indeed a function of exposure time …
Under strong niche overlap conspecifics do not compete but help each other to survive: facilitation at the intraspecific level

1. Competition among conspecifics of the same cohort has been traditionally thought to be a main process driving population dynamics. In this classical view, however, the role of facilitation in stressful conditions has rarely been considered. Here, using a transplant experiment across a forest–prairie gradient, we test whether the stress gradient hypothesis (SGH) extends to individuals thought to be strongly competing.
Evaluation of genotypes of sorghum in first cutting and regrowth for silage production.

1Zootecnista, Mestre em Zootecnia UNIMONTES. Rua Serra do Cipó, 30, Morada da Serra, CEP: 39401-768, Montes Claros, MG, Brasil, E-mail: polizoo@bol.com. br 2Professor do Departamento de Ciências Agrárias da Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros Campus Janaúba. Rua Reinaldo Viana, 2630, Bico da Pedra, Cx. Postal 91, CEP: 39440-000, Janaúba, MG, Brasil, E-mail: piresdaa@gmail.com 3Professor do IF Triâgulo, Uberaba, MG, Brasil. Rua Iraci de Oliveira Novais, 220/203 BA, Cândida Câmara, CEP: 39401-043. Montes Claros, MG, Brasil, E-mail: diogogj@gmail.com
TGF-β1 treated murine dendritic cells are maturation resistant and down-regulate Toll-like receptor 4 expression

Objective: To explore the effects of transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1) on dendritic cells (DC). Methods: Murine bone marrow cells were cultured with GM-CSF and TGF-β1 to develop TGF-β1-treated DC (TGFβ-DC). Then they were stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Their phenotypes were assessed by flow cytometry (FCM). The allogeneicstimulating capacity of DC was measured by mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) using BrdU ELISA method and IL-12p70 protein was detected by ELISA. The expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) was analyzed by semi quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and FCM. Results: Compared to immature DC (imDC) cultured by GM-CSF alone, the TGFβ-DC express lower CD80, CD86, I-A^b and CD40. The TGFβ-DC were resistant to maturation with LPS. Maturation resistance was evident from a failure to up-regulate co-stimulatory molecules (CMs), to stimulate larger T cells proliferation and to enhance secretion of IL-12p70. We also found that TGF-β1 could down-regulate TLR4 expression on TGFβ-DC. Conclusion: TGFβ-DC are resistant to maturation stimulus (LPS) and might have some correlation with the down-modulation of TLR4 expression.
The Evolution of MAT: The Ascomycetes

This chapter provides a summary of the structure and evolution of mating-type locus (MAT) in a range of species representing the major subphyla and sister groups. Whereas the gene content and gene order at the MAT locus vary considerably across the ascomycetous yeasts, the position of MAT is surprisingly well conserved. Analysis of mating in Saccharomyces cerevisiae provided a paradigm for one's understanding of sexual pathways in ascomycetes, and indeed in many other fungi. The analysis of homothallic and heterothallic isolates led to the description of the mating loci, the discovery of the cassette-based system, and the identification and characterization of mating-type switching. Switching occurs through unidirectional transposition, triggered by the action of the Ho endonuclease. Ashbya gossypii is a filamentous yeast that has historically been used to generate large quantities of riboflavin. The Ho endonuclease is most closely related to the VDE intein. It also encodes protein-splicing and endonuclease domains, but it contains an additional zinc finger domain at the C terminus required for mating type switching. Mating appeared to be an extremely inefficient process, until an association was made with phenotypic switching. The structure of the MAT loci in heterothallic Cochliobolus and Aspergillus species is somewhat simpler, as each idiomorph contains only one gene, either MAT-1 (alpha-box protein) or MAT-2 (HMG domain). The ongoing genome-sequencing projects will provide an invaluable resource for further investigation, particularly to address the origin of these additional genes and the evolution of mating within the Candida clade.
Detection and molecular characterization of a Haemoproteus lineage in a Tawny Owl (Strix aluco) in Turkey

Kanatli kan parazitlerinin taksonomik yeri ve konak spesifiteleri hakkinda cok sinirli bilgiler bulunmakta ve teshis genellikle morfolojik metotlar ile yapilmaktadir. Ancak gunumuzde, Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, Fallisia ve Leucocytozoon gibi kanatli haemosporidian turlerinin ozellikle mitochondrial cytochrome b (mt-cytb) gen bolgelerinin sekans analizlerinin yapilmasi, parazitlerin ozgullugu ve durumlari hakkinda daha net bilgiler sunmaktadir. Bu calismanin materyalini, kanatlari kirik vaziyette Mugla’daki bir hayvan hastanesine getirilen bir alaca baykus (Strix aluco) olusturmustur. Baykusun kanat alti venasindan perifer kan ornegi alinarak surme preparatlar hazirlanmistir. Genetik analizler icin brachial damardan kan ornegi alinmis ve genomik DNA ekstraksiyonu yapilmistir. Elde edilen genomik DNA ekstrakti, avian haemosporidian mitokondrial (mt) DNA’sinin parsiyel cyt-b gen bolgesinin amplifikasyonu icin Nested PCR analizine tabii tutulmustur. Son PCR urunu jelden purifiye edilerek sekanslanmistir. Elde edilen izolat JQ768232 aksesyon numarasi ile GenBank Uluslararasi Nukleotid Sekans Veritabani’na kaydedilmistir. Kan preparatlarinin mikroskobik incelemesinde Haemoproteus sp. ’nin intraeritrositik formlari saptanmistir. Amplifiye edilmis sekansin filogenetik analizi, baykusun Haemoproteus sp. ile enfekte oldugunu dogrulamistir. Filogenetik kiyaslamalara gore saptanan Haemoproteus izolati GenBank’a kayitli diger Haemoproteus izolatlari arasinda, en yuksek identikligi (%99,8) Almanya’da bir baykustan (Strix aluco) izole edilen “H-STAL2” izolati ile gostermistir. Sonuc olarak bu calisma, Turkiye’de bir baykustaki Haemoproteus enfeksiyonunun mikroskobik ve molekuler teshisini ilk kez rapor etmektedir. Ayrica bu calismada, cesitli Haemoproteus izolatlari arasindaki soy ozellikleri ve filogenetik iliskiler de degerlendirmeye alinmistir
Apolipoprotein (a) as a Predictor of Cardiovascular Diseases among Type 2 Diabetes patients in Gaza Strip

The present study was aimed to investigate Lp(a) as a predictor of cardiovascular diseases among type 2 diabetic patients. This study is a case-control study composed of 100 T2DM patients without heart disease, and 100 T2DM patients diagnosed as heart disease and 100 normal individuals of age matching control. Questionnaire interviews were applied. Lp(a) and high sensitive (hs.CRP) were measured using immunoturbidimetric technique. Fasting blood sugar (FBS), creatine phosphokinase (CPK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), cholesterol (TC), Triglycerides (TG) and high density lipoprotein (HDL-C) were measured using colorimetric and kinetic methods. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) was calculated by empirical relationship of Friedewald. All ethical permission from local ethical committee was obtained before study conducting. Study showed that the levels of FBS, TC, TG, HDL, LDL, LDH, CPK, hs.CRP and Lp(a) were significantly increased among T2DM patients (P≤0.05). , In T2DM+HD, the level of FBG was significantly lower than its level in T2DM; LDH and CPK levels were significantly increased (P≤0.05). 51% of T2DM and 65% of T2DM+HD have high levels of Lp(a). High levels of hs.CRP were observed among 57% of T2DM and 63% among T2DM+DH. A positive correlation was found between Lp(a) and FBS, hs.CRP and LDL, while negative correlation was found with HDL level. Strong positive correlation was found between TC and LDL (r=0.894,P=0.001), and negative correlation was found with HDL (r=-0.512 P=0.001) respectively. Furthermore strong positive correlation was found between AST and CPK. There is a strong correlation between the presence of abnormal levels of Lp(a) and hs.CRP, T2DM and T2DM+HD. Lp(a) and hs.CRP may be considered as predictor, diagnostic and prognostic marker of CVD mortality and myocardia infraction among T2DM. Significant increased Lp(a) and hs.CRP were recorded among diabetic patients suffering from heart disease.
Development of a foot-and-mouth disease virus replicon system for the study of RNA replication

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly infectious disease of wild and domestic cloven–hoofed animals such as cattle, swine and deer. It is caused by one of the most contagious animal diseases known; FMD virus (FMDV). Since the disease is endemic in many countries, transmission by international travel/ trade presents an on-going potential threat to the UK. Very little is known at the molecular level about how FMDV replicates within host cells. In this study, FMDV replicons have been used to investigate FMDV RNA replication and to improve our understanding of the viral life cycle: a process which will aid in the production of a new generation of live-attenuated vaccine candidate strains. Sequences encoding the capsid coding region of the genome have been replaced with green fluorescent protein (GFP) such that replication can be monitored in live cells via GFP fluorescence. This provides a rapid, non-invasive screen for replicative fitness that can be used outwith high disease security facilities. Differences between replicating and non-replicating forms could easily be distinguished, highlighting the potential of this system to screen for attenuated genomes. The FMDV replicon system was improved through a series of construct modifications until an optimal system was produced. A range of different methods were used to attenuate the replication of these genomes. Of major significance is the finding that increasing dinucleotide frequencies were shown to decrease growth kinetics of Echovirus 7 – as opposed to altering the codon-pair bias and the application of this finding to construction of further replicon systems (and RNA viruses in general) is described.