Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cholinergic modulation of microglial activation by α7 nicotinic receptors

Almost all degenerative diseases of the CNS are associated with chronic inflammation. A central step in this process is the activation of brain mononuclear phagocyte cells, called microglia. While it is recognized that healthy neurons and astrocytes regulate the magnitude of microglia‐mediated innate immune responses and limit excessive CNS inflammation, the endogenous signals governing this process are not fully understood. In the peripheral nervous system, recent studies suggest that an endogenous ‘cholinergic anti‐inflammatory pathway’ regulates systemic inflammatory responses via α7 nicotinic acetylcholinergic receptors (nAChR) found on blood‐borne macrophages. These data led us to investigate whether a similar cholinergic pathway exists in the brain that could regulate microglial activation. Here we report for the first time that cultured microglial cells express α7 nAChR subunit as determined by RT–PCR, western blot, immunofluorescent, and immunochistochemistry analyses. Acetylcholine and nicotine pre‐treatment inhibit lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced TNF‐α release in murine‐derived microglial cells, an effect attenuated by α7 selective nicotinic antagonist, α‐bungarotoxin. Furthermore, this inhibition appears to be mediated by a reduction in phosphorylation of p44/42 and p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK). Though preliminary, our findings suggest the existence of a brain cholinergic pathway that regulates microglial activation through α7 nicotinic receptors. Negative regulation of microglia activation may also represent additional mechanism underlying nicotine's reported neuroprotective properties.
Association studies for processing traits in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

The present investigations were carried out to study the correlations and path coefficient studies between yield and quality traits at the experimental area of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during 2008–09 and 2009–10. Positive association of yield components with desirable quality traits viz. titrable acidity, lycopene, dry matter and ascorbic acid has been observed. Considering the direct and indirect effect of various components characters, it was ascertained that number of fruits per plant, number of branches per plant, days taken to marketable maturity, total soluble solids, pericarp thickness are the characters to be emphasized in improving the yield.
Use of Ras effector RASSF1A promoter gene methylation and chromosome 9p loss of heterozygosity (LOH) to predict progression-free survival (PFS) in perioperative chemotherapy (CT) phase III trial IFCT-0002 in resectable non-small cell lung cancer

7500 Background: IFCT-0002 phase 3 trial compared two timings of CT in early lung cancer, all before surgery (PRE) versus PERIoperative, and two CT regimens, CDDP-Gem vs. CBDCA-Pac. 528 patients were randomized. Early results showed no difference between the two CT regimens for response rate or tolerance, but a better compliance in PRE vs. PERI arm. We hypothesized that molecular markers could help to define the subgroups that did not beneficiate from CT. Methods: Molecular alterations in key pathways regulating G1/S transition or apoptosis were screened. TP53, EGFR and K-RAS mutations, RASSF1A, DAPK, ECAD, FHIT, TIMP3 and p16 promoter gene methylation, 3p, 17p and 9p LOH were evaluated in 178 patients with snap-frozen tissue collected at time of surgery. Results: K-ras mutations identified in 16.3% of patients, was the only molecular alteration associated with the absence of tumor response to chemotherapy (crude RR = 2.13 95%CI [1.11–4.55], p=0.019). However, K-ras mutations were not associated with PFS .
Plant Community Characteristics Associated with the Endangered Northern Flying Squirrel, Glaucomys sabrinus, in the Southern Appalachians

-Overstory and understory vegetation and physical parameters were sampled at sites where two endangered subspecies of the northern flying squirrel Glaucomys sabrinus are known to occur in the southern Appalachians. The 13 sites were disjunct, occurring at high elevations in mesic communities. Picea rubens was always present in the canopy (191173 trees/ha); the northernmost sites had greater densities of P. rubens and Betula lutea, while the southern sites had greater densities of Abies fraseri and Fagus grandifolia. Cluster analysis of overstory importance value data indicated the more southern sites and the more northern sites differed in species composition. In comparison the understory was highly variable among sites, both in species composition and percent cover and was therefore considered to be a poor indicator of suitable habitat for populations of G. sabrinus. Site characteristics indicate that the endangered populations of G. sabrinus may be restricted to patches of suitable habitat which remain at only a limited number of sites at high elevations in the southern Appalachian Mountains.
ANALISIS KANDUNGAN KARBOHIDRAT DAN NILAI INDEKS GLISEMIK SERTA AKTIVITAS ANTI ULSER DAN ANTI KOLESTEROL UMBI GANYONG (Canna edulis Ker.)

Canna is one of sources carbohydrate and fiber sources. Canna is also has potential, as a food functional primarily for diabetes patients, because it has low glycemic index (GI). The aims of this research were to analyze carbohydrate, starch, fiber and heteropolysacharide content, calculate the glycemic index (GI), and determine anti-cholesterol as well as anti ulcer activities. The results showed that, Canna simplicia tuber powders (CSTP) and Canna starch (CS) contain reduced carbohydrates, unreduced carbohydrates, starch and crude fiber levels of 4. 20Â±0.96 % and 0.747 Â± 0.13%
Effect of temperature and sulphur treatments on storage behaviour of litchi fruits

Fruits of litchi cv. Shahi were treated with sulhpur fumes by burning sulphur @ 50 or 60 g/100 kg fruits in a closed chamber. The sulphited fruits were pre-cooled at 10 ± 2°C for two hours and stored either at ambient temperature (30 ± 2°C and 55 ± 5% RH) or at low temperature (4 ± 1°C and 85 ± 5% RH). Unsulphited (control) fruits were also stored at similar temperature regimes. Sulphited fruits stored at low temperature could limit weight loss in fruits to 3–4 per cent and decay loss to 4–5 per cent on 33rd day of storage. At low temperature, spoilage was negligible up to 21st days of storage when fruits were sulphited and pre-cooled for 2 h. Untreated (control) fruits at ambient temperature exhibited 29.02 per cent weight loss and 100 per cent decay on the last (33rd) day of storage. More than 80% fumigated treated fruits at low temperature were acceptable on 25th day of storage. Effect of sulphur burning @ 60 g/100kg fruits in a closed chamber was more pronounced than burning 50 g S/100kg fruits. Untreated fruits turned brown and lost their acceptability just after 2 days of harvest at ambient temperature and after 7 days at 4 ± 1°C. No browning in sulphited fruits was observed at low temperature till the last, i.e. 33rd day of storage.
Application of a Microfluidic Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction Technique to Monitor Bacterial Pathogens in Beach Water and Complex Environmental Matrices

Microfluidic quantitative polymerase chain reaction (MFQPCR) and conventional quantitative polymerase chain reaction methods were compared side by side in detecting and quantifying 19 genetic markers associated with Escherichia coli and select bacterial pathogens in algae, beach sand, and water from Lake Michigan. Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, Salmonella spp. , Campylobacter jejuni, and Clostridium perfringens were among the pathogens tested. Of the pathogenic markers, eaeA that encodes intimin in EPEC was detected in all sample types: water (5%), detached/floating algae (42%), exposed/stranded algae (43%), sand below exposed algae (27%), and nearshore sand with no algae (22%). Other pathogenic markers, however, were detected sporadically. Despite comparable results from the two methods for the genetic markers tested in this study, the MFQPCR method may be superior, with the advantage of detecting and quantifying multiple pathogens simultaneously in environmental matrices.
Interdependent regulation of cytomegalovirus proteins in complex

INTERDEPENDENT REGULATION OF CYTOMEGALOVIRUS PROTEINS IN COMPLEX Lisa L. Bolin Eastern Virginia Medical School and Old Dominion University, 2009 Director: Dr. Ann E. Campbell Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a ubiquitous herpesvirus that causes significant morbidity and mortality in the immune compromised. Using the murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) model,'we identified two genes, M140 and M141, which are determinants of macrophage tropism. Monocytes/macrophages are a critical cell type for cytomegalovirus (CMV) pathogenesis as sites of viral latency and by supporting viral replication and disseminating virus throughout the body. We previously found that the localization of the M140/M141 gene products (pM140/pM141) is different when the proteins are co-expressed as compared to their individual expression. When the proteins are individually expressed pM141 localizes diffusely throughout the cytoplasm and, to a lesser extent, the nucleus while pM140 localizes almost exclusively in the nucleus. Coexpression alters the localization of either protein, as they co-localize to a distinct perinuclear region. The proteins form a stable complex and in the absence of pM140, pM141 is significantly destabilized. These results imply a complex regulation and interdependence of the proteins. The purpose of this study was to identify protein domains within pM140 and pM141 that are required for the interdependent regulation of the proteins and to determine the mechanism of pM141 protein degradation. We identified an interaction domain within pM140 at the extreme N terminus of the protein that is required foroptimal complexing with in vitro expressed pM141. We found that pM141 is degraded in a proteasome-dependent, but ubiquitin-independent pathway. The Ml41 protein is stabilized by pM140 in a concentration-dependent manner and we identified the region of pM140 required to stabilize pM141. However, direct complexing between pM140 and pM141 is not sufficient to stabilize the protein. Thus, our results support a model in which pM140 protects pM141 from proteasomal degradation by recruiting an additional viral or cellular protein to the pM140 and pM141 complex and this as yet unidentified protein is strictly required for pM141 stability.
Structure et écologie de la forêt à Diospyros mespiliformis Hochst. ex A.DC. et à Dialium guineense Willd. de la réserve de Massi (La Lama), Bénin

The Massi natural forest within the Lama forest reserve makes up a particular ecosystem which is unique in Benin, lying on clay vertisols that are periodically inundated with rainwater. As a contribution to its protection, a phytosociological inventory was made using an integrated synusial method for an in-depth study of the forest's spontaneous vegetation. We identified several phytocenoses, the most extensive being a population dominated by Diospyros mespiliformis and Dialium guineense. A dendrometric and ecological study of this population was then conducted, with the main results showing satisfactory tree density of 230 stems per hectare and a basal area of 14 m2/ha. Thanks to a high density of seedling regeneration, the forest clearly has significant potential for resilience. Concerning tree height, the highest values recorded were for Afzelia africana and Mimusops andongensis. The diameter class distribution fits Weibull's theoretical "reverse J" distribution, with small-sized stems well represented. This study is the starting point for a programme designed to establish a well-informed management system for the entire 1500-hectare Lama forest, whose guiding principles are described in the conclusion.
Identification of Plant SUN Domain-Interacting Tail Proteins and Analysis of Their Function in Nuclear Positioning

ii Dedication . iv Acknowledgments. v Vita . vii Publications . vii Fields of Study . vii List of Tables . xv List of Figures . xvi Essential function of SUN-KASH complexes in opisthokont nuclear CHAPTER 1 positioning and the importance of plant nuclear positioning . 1 1.1 Abstract . 2 1.2 Introduction to SUN and KASH proteins . 3 1.3 Function of opisthokont SUN and KASH proteins . 4
Vertical facial height and proportions of face in Hausa - Fulani children in Northern Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the vertical facial height and proportions of face in Hausa-Fulani children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 100 subjects aged 11-13 years of Hausa-Fulani ancestry and with no previous orthodontic treatment were selected for the study. Lateral cephalometric radiographs were traced and measurements made to produce values for-Upper Anterior Facial Height (UAFH), Lower Anterior Facial Height (LAFH), Lower Posterior Facial Height (LPFH), and Total Posterior Facial Height (TPFH). From these measurements the various ratios were then derived. RESULTS: The range of normal values in both sexes for UAFH =53.1-57.8mm with a mean value of 55.8+/- 3.9mm: LAFH =67.6- 73.8mm with a mean value of 70.7 4.9mm;LPFH =42.0-47.7mm with a mean of 44.7+/-4.6mm; TPFH=73.0- 80.7mm with a mean value of 44.7+/-4.6mm; TPFH= 73.0-80.7mm with a mean value of 76.7+/-6.0 mm. UAFH/TAFH was 44.2% for males and 44. 1% for females. LPFH/TPFH was constant (58.4%) for both sexes. TPFH/TAFH was 61.5% for males and 63.0% for females. CONCLUSIONS: Vertical facial height and proportions of face among Hausa-Fulani children differ from those of other ethnic groups and should be used in orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning in Hausa-Fulani children.
How meat quality and sensory perception is influenced by feeding poultry plant extracts

The aim of this review is to discuss aspects of poultry meat quality which are influenced by supplementing the bird's diets with plant extracts. Nutritional approaches are often more effective than direct addition of the additive to meat since the compound is preferably deposited where it is most needed. Physical qualities of broiler meat, including pH and colour, is of major importance, since broiler chicken meat is nowadays usually consumed as cut up pieces or processed products. Sensory and proximate meat quality should be taken into consideration because this allows manufacturers to identify, understand and respond to consumer preferences more effectively. Lipids including cholesterol are an important component of meat and contribute to several desirable sensory characteristics of meat and meat products. Amongst meat products, poultry meat is considered to be more prone to the development of oxidative rancidity compared to red meat. This is explained by the higher content of phospholipids in poultry meat. The available literature is limited regarding changes in meat quality due to the effect of medicinal plants, especially in poultry, however this review will summarise the results of the investigations that have been published to date.
Evaluation of sensitivity of Plasmodium falciparum to Morinda lucida leaf extract sample using rabbit in vitro microtest technique

Objective: To evaluate the antimalarial activity of Morinda Lucida leaf extract, using a rabbit in vitro model. Methods: The petroleum ether extract and fractions of the leaf samples of Morinda lucida were evaluated for antimalarial effects against Plasmodium falciparum using the rabbit in vitro technique. The sera collected from rabbits administered with the extract, fractions, chloroquine (Standard) and normal saline. These were used to evaluate their activity in inhibiting growth of the parasites in vitro. Results: The petroleum ether extract, chloroquine and fractions A and C at the employed doses inhibited the P. falciparum growth. Conclusion: Petroleum ether extract and some fractions of M. lucida inhibited the maturation of drug sensitive strain of P falciparum in-vitro.
Effect of Plant Spacing and Integrated Nutrient Management on Yield and Quality of Seed and Vegetative Growth Parameters in African Marigold (Tagetes Erecta Linn.)

An experiment was conducted at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad (Karnataka), had 12 treatments comprising of six levels of fertilizers and two planting spacings viz., 60 x 40 and 60 x 60 cm in African marigold (Tagetes erecta Linn.) cv. Orange Double. The results revealed that the wider spacing (60x60cm) recorded more number of branches (11.6), flowers (59.6), seed yield per plant (15.4 g) and per hectare (453.5 kg) than closer spacing of 60 x 40 cm. However, an application of vermicompost as 50% RDN along with 50% RDF recorded significantly higher plant height (100.3 cm), maximum number of primary branches (13.1), flowers (66.2), seed yield per plant (18.6g) and per hectare (499.00 kg) and recorded higher 1000 seed weight (3.7g), root length (6.2 cm), shoot length (5.5 cm) and vigour index (1047) compared to RDF alone.
Structural and functional analysis of the bacterial root microbiota of Arabidopsis thaliana and relative species.

Plants that reside in the soil interact with a plethora of organisms, such as nematodes, fungi, oomycetes or bacteria. Soil bacteria can colonize the rhizosphere and roots of plants and influence plant growth via interference with hormones, mobilization of nutrients or suppression of phytopathogens. With the advances in the last years, we begin to understand the structure of the root and rhizosphere bacterial microbiota and the factors that influence community assembly. However, remarkably little is known about the stability and functional abilities of bacteria in a community context. To address these gaps, two approaches were undertaken that will be discussed in two chapters within this study. In the first chapter, I compared root bacterial communities of the plant species Arabidopsis thaliana, Cardamine hirsuta and Arabis alpina to the corresponding soil microbiota by pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicon libraries. Further, A. alpina was used as a model system to dissect the influence of residence time of plants in the soil, plant developmental stage and growth under natural conditions on bacterial community structure using Illumina sequencing. Additionally, I isolated bacteria from roots of the three plants species and assessed their influence on plant growth. Using this experimental setup, I demonstrated that the tested Brassicaceae plant species assembled highly similar bacterial root communities and only few quantitative differences allowed to distinguish the three host plant species. By this a shared bacterial microbiota was defined that consisted of a few bacterial families. The major factors determining community composition were the compartment, soil type, time and environmental conditions. Surprisingly, plant species and plant developmental stage influenced bacterial communities only to a minor extent. Finally, several bacterial members of the root microbiota were successfully isolated and a high number of isolates positively affected root growth of A. thaliana, C. hirsuta and A. alpina in mono-associations as well as in synthetic communities. In the second chapter, I isolated rhizobia from roots of A. thaliana and tested 22 isolates on their ability to affect plant growth under different nutrient conditions using a gnotobiotic growth assay. One Rhizobium was more closely investigated and the proliferation on plant roots, as well as phenotypic and transcriptional changes induced by this Rhizobium, were monitored in a time-resolved manner, the latter by RNA-Sequencing. Based on this approach, I established that members of the rhizobial population act as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria that affect primary root growth under various nutrient conditions and A. thaliana accessions. Rhizobia were able to proliferate on the root system and induced transcriptional changes that were associated with hormone homeostasis, nutrient availability and enhanced stress tolerance.
Comparative efficacy of fungicides and biological control agents for the management of chickpea wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris.

Efficacy of fungicides and biological control agents were tested side by side both in vitro and in glass house against chickpea wilt pathogen. In-vitro study showed that Carbendazim was proved to be best by checking the mycelia growth with mean of 83.7 % growth inhibition over control. Almost similar result was obtained in Glass house assay where Carbendazim was proved to be best followed by all other fungicides at different concentrations. In dual culture test of bio control agents with Foc showed that Pseudomonas fluorescens had more mycelial growth inhibition of pathogen (Foc) with 70.94 % inhibition over control. Trichoderma harzianum was proved to be second best followed by Rhizobia spp. and Bacillus subtilis with 63.95%, 60.79% and 57.68% growth inhibition respectively. In glass house assay Pseudomonas fluorescens was proved to be most effective on one moderately resistant variety (Noor 91) and two susceptible varieties (Pb2000 and ICC131-21) showed highly disease reduction percentage with mean 76.78 over uninoculated control. Comparative study of biological control agents and fungicides showed that both are almost equally effective against chickpea wilt disease. Seed treatment with Trichoderma harzanium followed by Carbendazim drenching was proved most effective by increasing the disease reduction percentage up to 93.75%.
Age determination in the Cape molerat Georychus capensis

An analysis of 92 specimens of Georychus capensis showed them to have a distinct season of birth (October to December) with a maximum of two litters per season. Given this distinct seasonality in breeding, and using the date of capture and the presence or absence of placental scars, the age of non-parous and most nonpregnant females could be determined with an accuracy of about 1,5 months (half the length of the birth period). Six cheek tooth eruption and wear stages were recognized. These, as well as body mass, were significantly positively correlated with age. Tooth characteristics and body mass were therefore used, in conjunction with the date of capture, to determine the age of males and pregnant and multiparous females. The growth characteristics of G. capensis were then investigated: growth in mass appears to continue after reproductive maturity with only a slight levelling off. All body and skull measurements were significantly positively correlated with age ( P < 0,001). A semi-log regression model (with age logm transformed) gave the best fit of the data, except in the case of body mass, which was slightly better predicted by a linear model. Skull parameters were generally more strongly correlated with age than was body mass, which in turn was better than linear o body measurements. Lower jaw length, two separate measurements of skull height, and zygomatic width were the individual measurements most strongly correlated with age. No sexual α dimorphism was found in G. capensis.
Persistence of Cypermethrin on Stored Pulses and its Decontamination

The persistence of cypermethrin on blackgram (Phaseolus mungo Roxb.), chickpea (Cicer arietinum Linn.), cowpea (Vigna synensis L. Savi ex. Hassk.) and lentil (Lens culinaris Medik syn. L. esculenta Moench.) was studied under laboratory conditions. The grains were treated at 3 and 5 mg kg−1 levels of cypermethrin and stored for six months. The high recovery of extractable residues of cypermethrin in all the pulses revealed its high persistence (62–71% of the applied insecticide) after 6 months of the treatments. Dissipation of cypermethrin was biphasic with initial rapid decline upto 3 months followed by a phase of slow and steady dissipation. Decontamination processes like washing and steaming dislodged the residues by 37 to 49% and 63 to 74%, respectively. Maximum concentration of cypermethrin was found on seed coat only. However, the treatments did not reduce the germinability of the treated pulse grains.