Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bacillus cereus associated food borne disease. quantitative aspects of exposure assessment and hazard characterization

The consumption of food contaminated with the bacterium Bacillus cereus may lead to either symptoms of vomiting or symptoms of diarrhoea. As the symptoms are rather mild, few patients seek medical attention. Therefore, it is hard to estimate the number of cases. To improve estimation of this number and to gather more insight into factors that may determine the chance for disease, the following aspects have been investigated: the prevalence of B. cereus in food commodities in the Netherlands, the survival of B. cereus in simulated gastric fluid and the growth potential in simulated intestinal fluid, the interaction between B. cereus and intestinal cells, and the production of toxins that cause the disease symptoms. Together with literature data the results of these investigations have been used to determine the chance for disease by B. cereus. In combination with the number of meals that are consumed and that are contaminated with B. cereus, the yearly number of disease cases in the Netherlands has been estimated using different scenarios.
Effect of wither malformation on the pre-disposition of sheep to fleece rot and body strike

The presence of the conformational fault 'pinch' (narrow depression over the 4th-6th ribs) was examined in relation to fleece rot susceptibility. A field study involving 189 Merino ewes showed that the identification of the fault (incidence was 11%) by 4 independent observers was highly repeatable. Fleeces on the pinch site showed a disorderly staple arrangement with a higher incidence of tangled and narrow staples compared with unaffected sheep. The pinch fault appeared to be associated with excessively sloping front pasterns ( lt; 45¦ from the ground) compared with unaffected sheep (about 70¦). In 2 experiments, it was shown that the 'pinch' fault was associated with a higher incidence of fleece rot and a higher level of moisture penetration and retention in the fleece during fleece rot induction. Staple crimp, staple density and fibre diameter (mean and variability) were associated with the wetting and drying characteristics of the fleece but not specifically with the pinch fault. It is suggested that the mechanical movement of the fleece at the pinch site was responsible for the increased moisture penetration which, in turn, increased the chance of development of fleece rot and fly strike.
The Micronutrient Boron Causes the Development of Adventitious Roots in Sunflower Cuttings

Abstract Three-day-old light-grown sunflower seedlings were de-rooted and incubated in nutrient solutions that either contained or lacked boric acid (B). In the absence of B, in the majority of the seedlings, no adventitious roots were formed. The micronutrient B caused the development of numerous roots in the lower part of the hypocotyl. The effect of B occurred without the supply of any phytohormones. A dose-response curve of B-induced rooting yielded an optimum concentration of 0.1 m m boric acid. Histological studies revealed that cell divisions occurred in the control but no root primordia developed. In cuttings that were incubated in B (0.1 m m ) root primordia were observed that rapidly developed into well-differentiated adventitious roots. Sunflower cuttings that were planted with their cut end in vermiculite that was moistened with nutrient solutions without B degenerated after several weeks. In the presence of B the cuttings formed numerous adventitious roots that entirely replaced the tap root system of intact seedlings. The rooted cuttings developed into sturdy adult sunflower plants. Our results are discussed with respect to the possible role of B in the evolution of vascular from prevascular plants.
The Effectiveness Of Blended Learning Strategy On Students’ Writing Competency Of The Tenth Grade Students

This research aimed at investigating whether or not there was a significant difference on writing competency of the tenth grade students at SMA Negeri 1 Singaraja. This research was experimental research with Pre-test and Post-test Only Control Group Design and used cluster random sampling technique to determine the samples. There were two classes chosen as samples in this study. The two groups were given treatments to obtain the required data. The experimental group was taught by using Blended Learning Strategy and the control group was taught by using conventional technique. The obtained data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially. The mean score of experimental group (81.10) was higher than the mean score of control group (78.83). Moreover, the result of inferential analysis showed that there was a significant difference on students’ writing competency between the students who were taught by using Blended Learning Strategy and those who were taught by conventional technique (Sig.(2-tailed) = 0.022, p < 0.05). The alternative hypothesis is accepted in which the students who are taught by using Blended Learning Strategy achieves better than those who are taught by using conventional technique.
Perennial grassland dynamics on fertile plains: Is coexistence mediated by disturbance?

The response of grasslands to disturbance varies with the nature of the disturbance and the productivity of the landscape. In highly productive grasslands, competitive exclusion often results in decreased species richness and grazing may allow more species to coexist. Once widespread, grasslands dominated by Dichanthium sericeum (Queensland bluegrass) and Astrebla spp. (Mitchell grass) occur on fertile plains but have been reduced in extent by cultivation. We tested the effects of exclusion of livestock grazing on these grasslands by comparing the floristic composition of sites in a nature reserve with an adjacent stock reserve. In addition, sites that had been cultivated within the nature reserve were compared with those where grazing but no cultivation had occurred. To partition the effects of temporal variation from spatial variation we sampled sites in three different years (1998, 2002 and 2004). Some 194 taxa were recorded at the nature reserve and surrounding stock routes. Sampling time, the occurrence of past cultivation and livestock grazing all influenced species composition. Species richness varied greatly between sampling periods relating to highly variable rainfall and water availability on heavy clay soils. Native species richness was significantly lower at previously cultivated sites (13-22 years after cultivation), but was not significantly influenced by grazing exclusion. After 8 years it appears that reintroducing disturbance in the form of livestock grazing is not necessary to maintain plant species richness in the reserve. The highly variable climate (e.g. droughts) probably plays an important role in the coexistence of species by negating competitive exclusion and allowing interstitial species to persist.
The ACE2-Ang-(1-7)-Mas Axis and Cardioprotection

It is well known that the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is a crucial regulator of the cardiovascular system playing an important role in the control of blood pressure and cardiac function. The relevance of the RAS in cardiovascular diseases is illustrated by the efficiency of RAS blockade to improve survival and cardiac function in patients with heart failure. Emerging evidence suggest that, at least, part of the benefits observed with the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) and AT1 receptor blockers (ARBs) could be attributed to the increased Ang-(1-7) levels observed during administration of these agents. Moreover, several experimental studies in animal models of cardiomyopathies have demonstrated that Ang-(1-7) can exert its effects through direct effects produced by ligation to its recent identified Gprotein coupled receptor Mas or indirectly through ACE or AT1 receptors-related mechanisms. The identification of the novels components of the RAS, ACE2 and Ang-(1-7) receptor Mas, provided essential elements for considering the existence of a vasodilator arm of the RAS, represented by the ACE2-Ang-(1-7)-Mas axis. This review briefly highlights the Ang-(1-7) effects in the heart, paying special attention to emerging data suggesting its cardioprotective actions in several cardiomyopathies with focus on the possible role of the ACE2-Ang-(1-7)-Mas axis. In addition, we will discuss the relationship between Ang-(1-7), SRA blockers, and the kallikrein-kinin system.
Potential biological control Pseudomonas sp. PCI2 against damping-off of tomato caused by Sclerotium rolfsii.

Fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. isolated from the roots of healthy tomato plants were screened for their antagonistic activities against Sclerotium rolfsii, Alternaria alternata and Fusarium solani, three phytopathogenic fungi of tomato and pepper. They were tested for phosphate solubilization ability and production of siderophores, hydrolytic enzymes, indole 3-acetic acid and hydrogen cyanid. The isolates were also characterized based on biochemical (API 20NE test) and genotypic (ERIC-PCR fingerprinting) features. A Pseudomonas sp. strain denoted PCI2 was chosen as a potential candidate for controlling tomato damping-off caused by Sclerotium rolfsii. PCI2 was identified at the genus level with a 16S rDNA partial sequence analysis and its phylogenetic relationship with previously characterized Pseudomonas species was determined. PCI2 clustered with the P. putida species. Growth chamber studies resulted in statistically significant increases in plant stand (29%) as well as in root dry weight (58%). PCI2 was able to establish itself and survive in tomato rhizosphere after 40 days, following planting of bacterized seeds. PCI2 is a potential biological control agent that may contribute to the protection of tomato plants against damping-off caused by S. rolfsii.
The Requirement for Low-Intensity Light in the Accumulation of Proline as a Response to Water Deficit

The effect of light on proline accumulation has been examined in excised segments from the first leaf of barley (cv. Prior) that were subjected to water deficit by exposure to polyethylene glycol solutions. Illumination either of the intact plant prior to leaf excision or of the leaf segments after excision promoted proline accumulation. This promotion was not due to a change in tissue water potential and the response was saturated at a low irradiance ( 15-75 //E m V, depending upon previous illumination of the intact plant). Saturation was not due to a finite capacity of the leaf segments to accumulate proline, but was apparently associated with a finite rate of accumulation. The stimulation of proline accumulation by light was apparent at all levels of external water potential imposed but the magnitude of accumulation increased as water potential was decreased both in light and darkness. Proline, or its precursor, was readily translocated within the leaf, since leaves that were partially shaded whilst subjected to water deficit contained the same proline concentration throughout. It is concluded that proline accumulation is not evoked by light through a triggering mechanism but rather is stimulated by the continuous presence of light.
Degradation properties of wild Adansonia digitata (Baobab) and Prosopsis africana (Lughu) oils on storage

The deterioration of Adansonia digitata and Prosopsis africana oils on storage for 140 days was evaluated using chemical and physical parameters. The chemical parameters evaluated included peroxide value (PV), iodine value (IV), percentage free fatty acids (%FFA), and saponification value (SV). The physical parameters used involved the measurement of infrared (IR) spectroscopy and refractive index (RI). The metallic ions present in the A. digitata and P. africana oil have been analysed using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The metallic ions found to be present included calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and sodium (Na) with potassium occurred in relatively high amount in A. digitata oil (280 ± 1.34 mg/100 g). Systematic variations in these parameters with storage time were observed. These include initial increase followed by decrease in peroxide value, iodine value and increase in free fatty acids, saponification value and refractive index. These changes have been interpreted to be due to some structural changes in the triglyceride leading to the formation of new chemical properties or products over the period of storage. The IR spectra also have given an indication of the rancid state of the oils, due to bands observed at 3470 – 3490, 1745 – 1740, 970 and 870-890 cm-1 for hydroperoxides, ester C = O stretching (indicating possible formation/presence of aldehyde, ketones and acids), trans-isomer, peroxides, respectively, which are products of oxidative rancidity.
Investigating the Role of Conserved Coding-Region Regulatory RNA Elements in Modulating the Dengue Viral Life Cycle

Dengue (DENV) is the most important mosquito-borne virus affecting humans and is transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus mosquitoes. DENV is an enveloped virus in the family Flaviviridae, with a positive-strand RNA genome that contains a single open reading frame, which is flanked by highly structured 5' and 3' untranslated regions (UTRs). Thus far, investigations of cis-acting regulatory RNA elements have focused on those within the UTRs, though we have recently described an RNA element in the DENV coding-region, the capsid-coding hairpin, which has been shown to regulate both viral translation and RNA synthesis. Using sequence alignments and secondary structure prediction algorithms, additional coding-region RNA elements were identified and characterized for their ability to modulate the viral life cycle in mammalian and mosquito cells. Three candidate RNA structure elements were identified in the capsid- and NS5-coding region, termed capsid-1 (C-1), C-2 and NS5-2. Three RNA sequence elements were identified in the capsid-, prM- and NS5-coding region of the genome, termed the prM-coding conserved region 1 (prMCR1), the NS5-coding conserved region 1 (NS5CR1) and the conserved capsid-coding region 1 (CCR1). Mutations were introduced into a DENV2 infectious clone to disrupt either the conserved predicted secondary structures or the primary nucleotide sequence while maintaining reading frame, amino acid R groups, adjacent predicted secondary structures, and codon usage bias in both baby hamster kidney (BHK) and Ae. albopictus mosquito (C6/36) cells. Initial infectivity screens showed that neither C-1, C-2, NS5-2, prMCR1 nor NS5CR1 were critical for the viral life cycle. However, changes to the primary nucleotide sequence of CCR1 were shown to decrease viral titer in both BHK and C6/36 cells, though its effects were shown to have a more critical role in mosquito cells. The defects in viral replication in C6/36 cells were confirmed in vivo, where mutations to CCR1 decrease viral replication in Ae. aegypti mosquito bodies, leading to a defect in viral dissemination to the salivary glands. Furthermore, CCR1 was shown not to regulate viral translation, RNA synthesis or virion retention in BHK or C6/36 cells but rather to modulate viral assembly, as mutations resulted in the release of non-infectious virions. Whereas most of the identified RNA elements in DENV have been shown to regulate RNA synthesis or viral translation, our data has implicated CCR1 as an assembly signal whose function is more important for the mosquito vector rather than the mammalian host. Understanding the role of cis-acting regulatory RNA elements in the DENV coding region will provide insight into viral replication strategies and may uncover novel anti-viral drug targets.
Spatio-temporal variability of zooplankton community structure off east Antarctica (90 to 160°E)

Spatio-temporal variability of zooplankton community structure off east Antarctica (90 to 160° E) was studied from 1988 to 1996 based on samples collected by the Japanese icebreaker 'Shirase'. Three community groups with distinctive species compositions were obtained by cluster analysis. Group 1 was defined as the 'Subantarctic community' because it appeared exclusively north of the Polar Front, and indicator species of the group included Eucalanus longiceps and Limacina retroversa, which are typical subantarctic species. Groups 2a and 2b occurred in the Antarctic Cir- cumpolar Current (ACC), and are thus defined as the 'ACC communities'. All indicator species for Group 2b, including large copepods, Calanoides acutus, Calanus propinquus and Metridia gerlachei, were also common indicators for Group 2a. In Group 2a, smaller copepods (small calanoids, cyclo- poids and poecilostomatoids) and non-copepod herbivores were also indicators. Total abundance was markedly high in Group 2a, and copepods numerically dominated all 3 groups (>70% in Group 1, >80% in 2a, >90% in 2b). The longitudinal distribution pattern of Groups 2a and 2b varied between years, although they occurred along the same latitude. Multiple-regression analysis on environmen- tal variables and distribution of the groups demonstrated that Group 2a tended to occur in relatively warm water masses with high chlorophyll a and low silicate concentrations. While Group 2b occurred in colder areas with low chlorophyll a concentrations, the results of this study suggest that the occa- sional intrusion of northern water further south caused by meandering of the ACC might have been responsible for the observed distribution patterns of the zooplankton community.
Regulation of T Lymphocyte Trafficking into Lymph Nodes During an Immune Response by the Chemokines Macrophage Inflammatory Protein (MIP)-1α and MIP-1β

By virtue of their target cell specificity, chemokines have the potential to selectively recruit leukocyte subpopulations into sites of inflammation. Their role in regulation of T lymphocyte traffic into lymph nodes during the development of an immune response has not previously been explored. The sensitization phase of contact hypersensitivity induced by the hapten, dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) in the mouse was used as a model of T lymphocyte trafficking in response to antigenic stimulation. Rapid accumulation of CD8+ and CD4+ T cells in the draining lymph nodes was closely associated with strongly enhanced expression of macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α and MIP-1β mRNAs and proteins. Mast cells accumulating in the nodes during DNFB sensitization were the predominant source of MIP-1β, whereas MIP-1α was expressed by multiple cell types. Neutralization of these chemokines profoundly inhibited T lymphocyte trafficking into lymph nodes and altered the outcome of a subsequent challenge to DNFB. Thus, β-chemokines regulate T lymphocyte emigration from the circulation into lymph nodes during an immune response and contribute significantly to the immunologic outcome.
Effects of low temperature on nitrate uptake, and xylem and phloem flows of nitrogen, in Secale cereale L. and Brassica napus L.

The effect of low temperature on nitrate uptake and subsequent N translocation and cycling was investigated in Secale cereale L. and Brassica napus L. transferred to 7 °C for 9 d or kept at a warm temperature (20 °C). Some plants were grown with a split root system and 15 NO3 - , labelled to measure NO3 - uptake, root-to-shoot and shoot-to-root translocation of N from NO3 - , taken up. Other plants with single-root system were subjected to 15 N pulse-chase labelling to quantify endogenous N remobilization. Lowering growth temperature from 20 to 7 °C reduced nitrate uptake more strongly in rye (-59%) than in winter rape (-28%). A very large proportion of the nitrate taken up was further translocated to shoots in both species. However, lowering the temperature decreased, xylem N translocation by about 60 and 30% in S. cereale and B. napus, respectively. Most root N in the latter species came directly from root absorption, while in rye roots the proportions ascribe able to direct root allocation and phloem flow were well balanced. Cold treatment did not significantly modify the imbalance between the two origins. Mobilization of endogenous N from roots to shoot, estimated by pulse-chase labelling, was limited in B. napus and significant in S. cereale despite a depressive effect of low temperature. In general, low temperature led to an increase in root N concentration in both species. It is Suggested that low temperature may directly affect the nitrate uptake system, and also that N accumulation in the roots (resulting from greater inhibition of N xylem flow than of NO3 - uptake) might increase the inhibition of uptake by higher cellular NO3 , and/or amino acid content. The usefulness (for spring growth) of root N accumulation triggered by low temperature is discussed.
Intraspecific Variation and Genetic Differentiation of the Collared Tuco-tuco (Ctenomys Torquatus) in Southern Brazil

Abstract The collared tuco-tuco, Ctenomys torquatus Lichtenstein, 1830 (Ctenomyidae), is a subterranean rodent that occurs in grassland habitats of southern Brazil and northern Uruguay. A population of collared tuco-tucos located in Alegrete Municipality, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, has been proposed as a potential new species because of their remarkable differences in chromosome number and their unique patterns of pelage coloration. The aim of this work was to evaluate the degree of genetic differentiation of this population using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences and nuclear microsatellite markers, and to describe spatial patterns of genetic diversity for the other 5 populations of C. torquatus in southern Brazil, focusing on patterns of intra- and interpopulation variation in coat color. The analysis of 1,110 base pairs of the mtDNA cytochrome-b (Cytb) gene and 9 nuclear microsatellite loci revealed 7 haplotypes (n = 65) and 48 alleles (n = 70), respectively. Genetic diversity was moderately low within populations (HE = 0.40–0.56), and significantly partitioned among locations (RST = 0.21; P < 0.01). Analysis of the microsatellite data suggested that genetic differentiation is consistent with a simple model of isolation by distance (r = 0.56, P < 0.05), and that the population is in equilibrium between gene flow and local genetic drift. The partially reconstructed phylogeny revealed that the haplotypes derived from the Alegrete population were not reciprocally monophyletic, and that there was a lack of structure for coat color and karyotype variation. Thus, the individuals from the Alegrete population fall within the range of variation for C. torquatus, and should not be considered a new species. We suggest that they be considered a local, specialized lineage that could be treated and managed from a conservation perspective as a Management Unit.