Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Did the peridinin plastid evolve through tertiary endosymbiosis? A hypothesis

Most photosynthetic dinoflagellates harbour the peridinin plastid. This plastid is surrounded by three membranes and its characteristic pigments are chlorophyll c and the carotenoid peridinin. The evolutionary origin of this peculiar plastid remains controversial and is hotly debated. On the recently published tree of concatenated plastid-encoded proteins, dinoflagellates emerge from within the Chromista (clade containing cryptophytes, heterokonts, and haptophytes) and cluster specifically with Heterokonta. These data inspired a new version of the ‘chromalveolate’ model, according to which the peridinin plastid evolved by ‘descent with modification’ from a heterokont-like plastid that had been acquired from a rhodophyte by an ancestral chromalveolate. However, this model of plastid evolution encounters serious obstacles. Firstly, the heterokont plastid is surrounded by four membranes, which means that the ancestral peridinin plastid must have lost one of these primary membranes. However, such a loss could be traumatic, because it could potentially disturb protein import into and/or within the plastid. Secondly, on the phylogenetic tree of Dinoflagellata and Heterokonta, the first to diverge are not plastid, but heterotrophic, aplastidal taxa. Thus, when accepting the single origin of the heterokont and peridinin plastids, we would have to postulate multiple plastid losses, but such a scenario is highly doubtful when the numerous non-photosynthetic functions of plastids and their existence in heterotrophic protists, including parasitic lineages, are considered. Taking these obstacles into account, we suggest an alternative interpretation of the concatenated tree of plastid-encoded proteins. According to our hypothesis, the peridinin plastid evolved from a heterokont alga through tertiary endosymbiosis.
Caracterização morfológica dos tricomas foliares e caulinares de duas espécies de Lamiaceae conhecidas popularmente como “falso-boldo” - DOI: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v29i2.445

The morphoanatomical description of vegetable species, for medical purpose, is necessary to foreground the analyses of quality control in the pharmacognostic laboratories. The objective of this study was to analyze two Lamiaceae species known as “false-boldus” ( Plectranthus barbatus and P. grandis ), characterizing and quantifying the trichomes present in their leaves and stems. For the morphoanatomical analyses transverse sections of the leaves, petiole, and stem were prepared, using common techniques of plant morphology and anatomy for the preparation of semi-permanent slides, stained with astra blue and safranin. Analyses revealed that the leaves of both species are morphologically similar, but differ with regard to dimensions. The glandular trichomes found were: peltate, short-capitate and long-capitate; and tectors (simple uniseriate with two or more cells in the base). With few exceptions, all five trichomes types were observed in the leaves, petiole and stem, and the averages obtained for P. grandis significantly were superior to the ones found in the P. barbatus organs, except for the trichome simple tector which was more abundant in the stem of the second specie.
Molecular epidemiology of dengue in the Pacific: introduction of two distinct strains of dengue virus type-1 into Hawaii

Abstract In 2000, a major dengue epidemic, caused by the type-1 virus (DENV-1), began in the Pacific and Asia, with cases still being reported in 2006. The phylogenetic analysis of full-length sequences of the envelope-protein gene of DENV-1 isolates recovered during outbreaks in Hawaii and Tahiti in 2001–2002 indicated that most Hawaiian isolates were Tahitian in origin. All the Hawaiian and Tahitian isolates were identified as the Pacific subtype (i.e. subtype IV) of DENV-1. A Hawaiian isolate, collected from a resident who had travelled to Samoa, differed significantly at the nucleotide level, however, from all the other Hawaiian strains, clustering, in the phylogenetic analysis, with a virus previously isolated from another visitor to Samoa. These results not only indicate that two distinct strains of DENV-1 were introduced into Hawaii in 2001 but also illustrate the ease with which dengue can be carried across distances of many thousands of miles.
Blood Glucose Level Decrease Caused by Extracts and Fractions from Lepechinia caulescens in Healthy and Alloxan-diabetic Mice

The traditional preparation, hexane, methylene chloride, methanol and water extracts obtained from the flowers of Lepechinia caulescens (Labiatae) were administered to fasting healthy mice. The investigation results showed that only the traditional preparation and the water extract significantly reduce blood glucose after intraperitoneal administration (P < 0.05). The water extract, whose effects were in a dose-dependent manner, was macerated with methanol obtaining a precipitate (F1 fraction) and a methanol soluble fraction (F2 fraction), and both were studied in healthy mice. Methanol fraction F2 did not significantly decrease blood glucose level in this experimental model. The water fraction F1 showed significant hypoglycemic activity in healthy and mild alloxan-diabetic mice, but not in severe alloxan-diabetic mice.
Enhancement of antimicrobial activity by co-administration of poly(propylene imine) dendrimers and nadifloxacin

Despite the studies of dendrimers for biomedical application, the antibacterial activity of dendrimers has not been extensively explored. In the presented study we evaluate the antimicrobial activity of poly(propylene imine) dendrimers (PPI-G4) and their derivatives modified with maltose (PPI-25%mG4) in combination with nadifloxacin against Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 15442 and Proteus hauseri ATCC 13315. Cytotoxicity of all studied dendrimers and nadifloxacin was investigated in a Chinese hamster fibroblast cell line (B14), a human liver hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2), a mouse neuroblastoma cell line (N2a) and a rat liver cell line (BRL-3A). The obtained results indicate that co-administration of nadifloxacin and studied dendrimers enhances the antimicrobial activity of the antibiotic against Gram-negative bacteria, at concentrations that are at the same time harmless to the eukaryotic cell lines. Moreover, the contribution of dendrimers allows using lower doses of the antibiotic.
Shelf Life of Sardine and Bacterial Flora in Brine Containing Acetic Acid during Immersed Storage

This paper investigates the effect of 0.05% acetic acid with brine on fish preservation. The main reasons for choosing acetic acid for this trial were its known antimicrobial activity, low cost and because it is generally recognized as safe (GRAS). Sardine were immersed in 4, 10, and 15% brine after adding acetic acid and stored at 15•Ž. Controls were run at 0•Ž. The results of sensory evaluation and chemical changes in flesh (pH, VB-N, and K value) and microbial changes in the immersion brine are presented here. Based on the sensory evaluation, sardines immersed in 4% brine with acetic acid had a storage
An analysis of primary production in the Daly River, a relatively unimpacted tropical river in northern Australia

In this paper, the dynamics of primary production in the Daly River in tropical Australia are investigated. We used the diurnal-curve method for both oxygen and pH to calculate photosynthesis and respiration rates as indicators of whole-river productivity. The Daly River has maximum discharges during the summer, monsoonal season. Flow during the dry season is maintained by groundwater discharge via springs. The study investigated how primary production and respiration evolve during the period of low flow in the river (April–November). The relationship between primary production and the availability of light and nutrients enabled the role of these factors to be assessed in a clear, oligotrophic tropical river. The measured rate of photosynthesis was broadly consistent with the estimated mass of chlorophyll associated with the main primary producers in the river (phytoplankton, epibenthic algae, macroalgae, macrophytes). A significant result of the analysis is that during the time that plant biomass re-established after recession of the flows, net primary production proved to be ~4% of the rate of photosynthesis. This result and the observed low-nutrient concentrations in the river suggest a tight coupling between photosynthetic fixation of carbon and the microbial degradation of photosynthetic products comprising plant material and exudates.
Changes in water relations, carbohydrate contents, and acid invertase activity associated with perianth elongation during anthesis of cut gladiolus flowers

Changes in water relations, carbohydrate contents, and acid invertase activity in expanding gladiolus perianths on cut stems were studied.1. The specific rate of elongation of the perianth was fastest just before anthesis, but slowed down while the floral organs unfolded; it approached zero as the perianth became fully expanded.2. Pressure potential of tissue water was high while the perianth was growing rapidly.3. Fructose and glucose were the predominant soluble sugars in the perianth. These solutes were considered to contribute to the low osmotic potential of perianth tissues during their elongation process.4. Acid invertase activity of perianth tissue was correlated to the specific rate of elongation. There was no correlation between the enzyme activity and the growth rate when the perianth was wilting.5. Starch in florets was considered to be the primary source of soluble carbohydrates which contribute to the early stages of flower expansion. 6. At the wilting stage, soluble sugars were probably translocated from the perianth to other organs.
Effects of Canthaxanthin on Egg Production, Egg Quality, and Egg Yolk Color in Laying Hens

The effects of canthaxanthin (CTX) on egg production, (average daily feed intake) ADFI, egg quality, and yolk color compared with n atural xanthophylls in feedstuffs in laying hens were studied in a 5-wk trial. A total of 280 36-wk-old ISA Brown layers were divided into the following 7 treatments: T1, negative control (30% corn+20% wheat); T2, diet with 50% corn; T3, diet with 5% DDGS; T4, diet with 10% DDGS; T5, T1+0.011% CTX; T6, T1+0.021% CTX; T7, commercial diet with 40% corn. Although ADFI, and egg quality were not affected by dietary treatments, the egg production was higher ( P slightly degraded chernozem, formed from loess. The examined inoculants were applied during sowing. The presented results of the studies on the symbiotic nitrogen fixation by leguminous plants indicate that the productivity of pea was positively affected by the application of IUNG (noncommercial) inoculant. On the other hand, it is not recommended to use Nitragine TM separately, as it inhibits the growth of pea. Plants of the ‘Klif’ variety used the symbiotically fixed nitrogen more effectively and demonstrated higher yield component and better phenotypic parameters.
Regular and homeward travel speeds of arctic wolves

Single wolves ( Canis lupus arctos ), a pair, and a pack of five habituated to the investigator on an all-terrain vehicle were followed on Ellesmere Island, Northwest Territories, Canada, during summer. Their mean travel speed was measured on barren ground at 8.7 km/h during regular travel and 10.0 km/h when returning to a den.
Impact of seedlings age on vegetable Marrow production

A study was conducted at the research field of Horticultural Research Institute, National Research Center (NARC), Islamabad, Pakistan during two consecutive years of 2011 and 2012 to compare the performance of seedlings raised in polythene bags with traditional direct seeding in respect of early harvesting and profitability. Seedlings of three different ages (40, 50 and 60 days old) of vegetable marrow were compared with traditional direct seeded crop. Transplanted seedlings of vegetable marrow produced fruits 36-38 days earlier and availability period of 34-38 days longer than direct seeded crop. Similarly, higher fruit plant -1 , fruit weight plant -1 and fruit yield ha -1 were obtained from seedling treatments. Averaged over years, 50-69% increase in yield and 64-100% increase in profit were recorded in seedling treatments than direct seeded crop. Among seedling ages, 60 days old seedlings were the best performer. The overall results of two years study revealed that seedling transplantation was superior to traditional direct seeded practice of growing vegetable marrow and among those 60 days old seedlings was the best in respect of yield components, fruit yield and profit. SAARC J. Agri. , 13(1): 215-222 (2015)
Assessment of anthracnose resistance (Colletotrichum graminicola) in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) germplasm under field conditions in Nigeria

Twenty-one elite sorghum lines were assessed for resistance to foliar, peduncle, rachis, grain and overall panicle anthracnose under natural infection at Samaru and Bagauda in 1996 and 1997. Three genotypes (R 6078, IS 14384 and CCGM 1/19-1-1) were completely resistant to all forms of the disease while Nagawhite was completely resistant to foliar, peduncle and rachis but moderately resistant to panicle anthracnose. The data indicate vertical disease progression from leaves onto peduncle and the rachis. More genotypes were susceptible to grain than rachis anthracnose thus indicating that grain infection could be direct or through vertical progression and direct pathways.
Earthworms vermicompost: a powerful crop nutrient over the conventional compost & protective soil conditioner against the destructive chemical fertilizers for food safety and security.

Earthworms vermicompost is proving to be highly nutritive 'organic fertilizer' and more powerful 'growth promoter' over the conventional composts and a 'protective' farm input (increasing the physical, chemical & biological properties of soil, restoring & improving its natural fertility) against the 'destructive' chemical fertilizers which has destroyed the soil properties and decreased its natural fertility over the years. Vermicompost is rich in NKP (nitrogen 2-3%, potassium 1.85-2.25% and phosphorus 1.55-2.25%), micronutrients, beneficial soil microbes and also contain 'plant growth hormones & enzymes'. It is scientifically proving as 'miracle growth promoter & also plant protector' from pests and diseases. Vermicompost retains nutrients for long time and while the conventional compost fails to deliver the required amount of macro and micronutrients including the vital NKP to plants in shorter time, the vermicompost does.
THE IMPROVEMENT AND STANDARDIZATION OF ANTIVENOM PRODUCTION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: COMPARING ANTIVENOM QUALITY, THERAPEUTICAL EFFICIENCY, AND COST

The first antivenom was prepared by Calmette in 1894. More than a century later, it is still the only specific treatment for envenoming. The methods currently used by almost all antivenom producers worldwide to isolate and concentrate antivenom antibodies and their enzymatically derived fragments are improvements of those originally developed by Pope in 1938. Several new alternatives have been proposed to produce F(ab')2 or Fab antivenoms to improve their purity, neutralizing potency, and safety and to overcome the problems encountered in the production protocols based on ammonium sulfate precipitation of equine immunoglobulin. These include complete or partial modifications in the antivenom production regarding animal producers (ovine, laying hens.), immunization protocols, crude serum preparation and/or purification procedures concerning antibody extraction (PEG, caprylic acid, ion-exchange chromatography or immunoaffinity chromatography), and cleavage conditions (pepsin, papain.). In Tunisia, antivenom has been produced since the 1950's. Constant improvements and standardization of all the steps involved in antivenom production, purification, and quality control have resulted in a pure, safe, and efficient F(ab')2 product with no side effects when used intravenously, and with a high seroneutralization yield, as a result of the high toxin specific F(ab')2 concentration. The real impact of the new or modified procedures is a substantial increase in the cost of an antivenom dose. The quality is similar to that of the old procedure when its production was accurately standardized, optimized, correctly conducted and controlled. In addition, severe side effects have been reported after application of either equine F(ab')2 or ovine Fab antivenoms purified by the new methods (i.e. ion-exchange chromatography and immunoaffinity chromatography). Consequently, the introduction of these methods in developing countries still needs justification.
Fungos antagonistas e efeito de produtos químicos no controle da podridão parda em pomar de pessegueiro

The efficiency of biological controllers and chemical products in the control of brown rot was investigated in a field experiment during the 2002 growing season in the municipality of Lapa-PR. The cultivar BR1 was used in the experiment. The objective of the experiment was to select treatments with biological control by comparing them with chemical treatments in management systems used in the region. The treatments were four antagonistics previously selected in a post-harvest study, the F1, F2, F4 isolates (Trichothecium roseum), F9 isolate (Penicillium sp) (in 16 applications), Integrated Peach Production (PIP) (nine applications), Ca and K phosphites + captan (11 applications), fungicide alternation (eight applications), conventional farm treatment (PC) (nine applications), sprayed from flowering to harvest, and a control without spraying. For assessment, the number of fruits per marked branch was counted after thinning and at the start of harvest. The disease incidence was determined for the fruit selected on the branches at harvest and at 3 and 5 days post harvest. The Integrated Peach Production (PIP), Ca and K phosphites + captan, and F4 isolate reduced the disease 95.5 63.6 and 68.2%, respectively, as compared with the control that showed 44% of the fruits harvested with brown rot at the 5th day. The treatments with fungicide alternation were the most effective, since no disease was observed on the fruits. However, a reduction of 76.5% in the number of fruits between thinning and harvest was noted as compared with 50% on average of other treatments, indicating a probable phytotoxic effect.
Species Composition, Biology And Management Of Sweet Potato Weevils (Cylas Species) In Southern Ghana

Species composition of sweet potato weevils (Cylas spp) on two sweet potato varieties was determined in the southern parts of the country. One species, Cylas puncticollis Boh. was found to be present in the southern part of Ghana. Studies on the biology of Cylas puncticollis were evaluated on two varieties, red and white varieties, under laboratory conditions at 27.0°C and 70% RK The incubation period of the eggs were 4 days on the red variety and 5 days on the white variety. Larval stages ranged from 10-11 days on the red and 10-12 days on the white. The pupal stage lasted 6-8 days on the red and 7-8 days on the white. Three larval instars were identified. Total developmental period from the egg stage to the adult stage ranged from 19-23 days on the red variety and 19-25 days on the white variety. Limited copulation significantly (P<0.05,t-test) increased oviposition and longevity periods of female weevils on both varieties. However, there was no significant difference in the number of eggs laid by females with limited copulation and those with unlimited copulation. Average percentage hatchability of eggs laid by females with limited copulation was 79.5 % and that of females with unlimited copulation was 85.7%. Cores from sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam] root tubers (red and white varieties) were presented to Cylas puncticollis in choiceand nochoice bioassays. The red variety was significantly (P<0.05) preferred for oviposition in the choice bioassay. The effect of treatments (fertilizer, furadan, a combination of fertilizer and furadan) on sweet potato weevil populations was evaluated on two varieties in two separate fields . In University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug. edu.gh
Textural Changes During Iced Storage of Salmon (Salmo salar) and Cod (Gadus morhua)

Abstract Textural properties, protein solubility, water holding capacity and activity of collagenolytic enzymes of salmon (Salmo salar) and cod (Gadus morhua) fillets were measured during iced storage. Breaking strength and hardness of fillets were reduced during iced storage. Elasticity of cod fillets was reduced, while cohesiveness of salmon increased during storage. Salmon was softer and less elastic than cod. During storage, total amount of extracted proteins was reduced for cod, and increased followed by a reduction for salmon. The fraction of salt soluble proteins increased during storage, and values for cod were higher than those for salmon. The activity of collagenolytic enzymes was higher in cod than salmon during the whole storage period.
Xanthoparmelia lineola s. l. in Australia and North America

Populations previously included in Xanthoparmelia lineola and X. digitiformis from Australia and North America have been investigated using ITS rDNA sequences, chemistry and morphology and have been compared with possible related species. The new species, Xanthoparmelia knudsenii Elix, A. Thell & Sochting is described and the new combination Xanthoparmelia rimalis (Kurok.) Elix, A. Thell & Sochting is proposed
OPTIMIZATION OF VACUUM PULSE OSMOTIC DEHYDRATION OF CANTALOUPE USING RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY

The optimum levels of vacuum pressure, concentration of osmotic solution and dehydration time for vacuum pulse osmotic dehydration of cantaloupe were determined by response surface methodology (RSM). The response surface equations ( P 0.1) explain the 97.6, 88.0 and 97.1% of the variability in weight loss, water loss and °Brix increase, respectively, at 95% confidence level. The canonical analysis for each response indicated that the stationary point is a saddle point for weight loss and °Brix increase, and a point of maximum response for water loss. The region that best satisfied all the constraints (low values in weight loss and °Brix increase, and high value in water loss) is located within the intervals from 49.5 °Brix to 52.5 °Brix for concentration and from 75 min to 84 min for dehydration time at a vacuum pulse of 740 mbar.
Cropland age from grassland conversion to cropland affects nitrous oxide emissions

The effects of soil properties and cropland age on atmospheric nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions following the conversion of grassland to cropland in temperate grassland ecosystems are uncertain. In this study, N2O emissions were compared among grassland and cropland soils in the agro-pastoral ecotone of Inner Mongolia over three growing seasons. Four adjacent sites with different land-use histories were selected, including grassland and croplands cultivated for 5, 10, and 50 years after conversion. N2O flux measurements were obtained using a closed-chamber method and were performed continuously during vegetation periods. After the conversion of grassland to cropland, N2O emission initially decreased and thereafter increased in the study sites. The cumulative N2O emissions of the cropland soils 5 and 10 years in age were 10–50% less than those of the grassland, and the N2O emissions from the cropland soil 50 years in age were 10–30% greater than the grassland. When the seasonal emissions were correlated against single soil parameter, the key soil parameter that affected N2O emissions over the entire growing season was the soil moisture content. When the interactions among soil parameters were considered, the amount of N2O emissions could be quantitatively described by a linear combination of two soil variables, the soil ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N) and moisture concentrations. This study demonstrates how the time of land use conversion from grassland to cropland can positively or negatively affect N2O emission.