Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite markers for Alternaria alternata

Alternaria alternata is of major significance as a food and feed contaminant and is able to produce a range of mycotoxins that may elicit adverse effects in both animals and humans. We describe the isolation and characterization of five microsatellite markers for studying A. alternata. Marker polymorphism was screened in 64 isolates of A. alternata. The number of alleles per locus ranged from eight to 24, and allelic diversity ranged from 0.425 to 0.882. These markers will be useful in the study of relationships and population genetics amongst isolates of A. alternata.
Loss of desiccation tolerance during germination in neo-tropical pioneer seeds: implications for seed mortality and germination characteristics†

Abstract Orthodox, desiccation-tolerant seeds lose desiccation tolerance during germination. Here, we quantify the timing of the loss of desiccation tolerance, and explore the implications of this event for seed mortality and the shape of germination progress curves for pioneer tree species. For the nine species studied, all seeds in a seedlot lost desiccation tolerance after the same fixed proportion of their time to germination, and this proportion was fairly constant across the species (0.63–0.70). The loss of desiccation tolerance after a fixed proportion of the time to germination has the implication that the maximum number of seeds in a seedlot that can be killed by a single drying event during germination (Mmax) increases with an increasing time to 50% germination (t50) and an increasing slope of the germination progress curve. Consequently, to prevent the seed population from becoming highly vulnerable to desiccation-induced mortality, species with a greater t50 would be expected to have a shallower germination progress curve. In conclusion, these data suggest that the loss of desiccation tolerance during germination may constitute a significant, but previously unexplored, source of mortality for seeds in seasonal environments with unpredictable rainfall.
SURVEY OF PRESCRIPTION PATTERN OF ANTIHYPERTENSIVE DRUGS IN HYPERTENSIVE AND DIABETIC HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS

Objective: This study was conducted in order to establish the drug prescribing trend of anti-hypertensive agents in hypertensives and diabetic hypertensives in General Medicine Department of Veer Surendra Sai Medical College and Hospital, Sambalpur, Odisha. Methods: A prospective study of 2 months duration was conducted at the Veer Surendra Sai Medical College and Hospital, Sambalpur. The prescriptions containing antihypertensives were collected from the patients attending the outpatient department of general medicine. Pregnant women were excluded from the study. Results: A total of 422 prescriptions were monitored, of which 285 were male and 137 were female. The age group of the patients varies from 35 to 75 years. Among 422 prescriptions, 118 prescriptions were of hypertensives and 304 prescriptions were diabetic hypertensives. Among hypertensives, 48% of patients were treated with anti-hypertensive drug combinations and 52% of patients were treated with single anti-hypertensive drug. 83% patients are suffering from primary hypertension (HTN) and only 17% patients suffering from secondary HTN. For the treatment of HTN, both monotherapy and combination therapy were followed. In monotherapy, amlodipine was most commonly prescribed followed by telmisartan. In combination therapy, a two-drug combination consisting of calcium channel blockers (amlodipine) and beta blocker (atenolol) were given to the majority of patients, followed by amlodipine and AT1 antagonist (telmisartan or olmesartan) combination. Among diabetic hypertensives, 31% of patients were treated with single anti-hypertensive drug and 69% of patients were treated with anti-hypertensive drug combinations. In monotherapy, beta-blocker (metoprolol) was most commonly prescribed. In combination therapy, a two-drug combination consisting of calcium channel blockers (amlodipine) and beta blocker (atenolol or metoprolol) were given to the majority of patients, followed by a combination of calcium channel blockers (amlodipine) and AT1 antagonist (telmisartan or olmesartan). Conclusion: The present study represents the current prescribing trend for anti-hypertensive agents. According to JNC 7 guidelines, for Stage 1 HTN (systolic blood pressure [SBP] 140-159 or diastolic blood pressure [DBP] 90-99 mmHg), thiazides-type diuretics should be prescribed. For Stage 2 HTN (SBP ≥160 or DBP ≥100 mmHg), two drug combinations (usually thiazide-type diuretics and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors) should be prescribed. In our study, the prescription pattern does not follow the guideline. Keywords: Hypertension, Prescription, Diabetes, Cardiovascular disease.
DNA and Amphibian Life History

Data are presented on the amount of DNA in absorption units per nucleus for 43 species of frogs belonging to nine families. Values range from 4.5 au/nucleus in Scaphiopus holbrookii to 26 in Rana catesbeiana. Comparison of amounts of nuclear DNA and of minimum known durations of the larval stages indicates that the species that have the least amounts of nuclear DNA pass through the larval stages most rapidly. Data are also presented on the amount of nuclear DNA of two species of salamanders. It is suggested that a high level of DNA and low rate of development restrict some frogs and salamanders to the vicinity of permanent water while a low level of DNA and rapid rate of development allow other frogs to invade arid environments.
Peptidoglycan and teichoic acid from Staphylococcus epidermidis stimulate human monocytes to release tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β and interleukin-6

Cytokines play a major role in the pathophysiology of septic shock. In this study, human periferal blood monocytes were stimulated with peptidoglycan and teichoic acid, purified from a strain of Staphylococcus epidermidis. Polymyxin B (PM-B) was added to avoid the effects of possible contamination with endotoxin. Tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF), interleukin-1β (IL-1), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the supernates were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Peptidoglycan and teichoic acid induced TNF, IL-1, and IL-6 in a concentration-dependent manner. Teichoic acid was a weaker inducer than peptidoglycan, especially for IL-1. Lipopolysaccharide from an E. coli strain was used as a control, being 100–1000 times more potent than peptidoglycan and teichoic acid.
Evaluation of morphological traits, winter survival and biomass potential in wild Japanese Miscanthus sinensis Anderss. populations in northern Japan

Miscanthus ×giganteus has potential as a biomass feedstock for bioenergy production in cold environments. However, its sterility, high cost propagation and relative lack of cold tolerance constrain its cultivation especially during its first winter. Diploid Miscanthus sinensis is a closely related species with substantial genetic diversity, amenable to seed propagation and broadly distributed across a range of environments in eastern Asia including Japan. Forty-three wild Japanese M. sinensis populations collected across a range of latitudes (from N31°30′ in southern to N44°30′ northern Japan) and altitudes (0–1375 m) were evaluated in Sapporo (N43°; 56 m), Japan to assess morphological traits, winter survival and biomass productivity (BP). Seventy percent of M. sinensis from Hokkaido Island and 67% from other areas of Japan survived over three winter seasons in Sapporo. M. sinensis populations from cooler climates and higher elevations in other areas of Japan showed greater number of tillers, plant height and leaf length whose characteristics were associated with high BP. BP varied among accessions with higher potential productivity in plants from other areas of Japan than from Hokkaido, but annual biomass yield increase is less in the other Japan group. The present study concludes that wild M. sinensis populations from other areas of Japan could be used for domestication as an energy crop in cold environment areas such as Hokkaido. With the observed variability that exists among wild populations, further genetic improvement of M. sinensis for high yield and stability in BP is feasible.
Bryophyte photosynthesis in sunflecks: greater relative induction rate than in tracheophytes

Abstract Photosynthetic kinetics in changing light intensity is considered pivotal for the survival of understorey tracheophytes; however, it is virtually unknown for bryophytes because bryophytes and tracheophytes have contrasting physio-ecological strategies. Anatomy suggests that relative rate of photosynthetic induction is faster in bryophyte gametophytes due to the absence of stomata, whose slow response may limit photosynthesis of tracheophyte leaves in changing light intensity. We measured steady-state and dynamic CO2 exchange in 10 bryophyte species. We performed an in-depth survey of the moss Hypnum cupressiforme sampled from sun and shade sites. Our key results are: (1) Bryophyte photosynthesis after dark acclimatisation induced much faster than in tracheophytes, reaching 50% of maximum gross photosynthesis (Agross) in about 90 s. Such rapid induction is comparable only to tracheophytes whose stomata do not limit CO2 uptake. Times to reach 90% of Agross were also substantially shorter in bryophytes (ca 220 s) than those reported for most tracheophytes (500–2000 s). (2) Shade-grown mosses did not reveal lower photosynthetic capacity than sun ones. (3) Shade-grown H. cupressiforme induced photosynthesis slightly faster than that from forest gaps. We conclude that bryophytes are efficient utilizers of temporal light heterogeneity, increasing carbon gain during short high-light events such as sunflecks in forest understorey.
Relative pollen representation in relation to vegetation composition, Westland, New Zealand

Abstract Moss cushions were collected at six localities near Harihari, South Westland, and analysed for their pollen content. Basal area data were compiled for all plants over 1.5 m tall at each locality. Comparison of vegetation and pollen data indicates that Coprosma, Phyllocladus, and Cyathea are over-represented; Dacrydium cupressinum, Quintinia, Pennantia, and Dicksonia are more-or-less proportionately represented; and Weinmannia, Dacrycarpus, Metrosideros, Podocarpus ferrugineus, P. spicatus, and Dacrydium colensoi are under-represented. Limited application was found for R-values in this study.
GROWTH STUDIES ON ARTHROBACTER GLOBIFORMIS

Studies have been undertaken to establish the growth behavior of A. globi-formis in liquid media of different nutritional levels. It has been found that this organism exhibits a distinct morphological pattern during the growth cycle. Cells reached maximum size just prior to division and at this time the pleomorphic forms typical of the genus Arthrobacter were observed. In a simple basal salts medium cells doubled in size while in a complex synthetic medium an 8-to 10-fold increase in cell size was noted during the predivision lag. After the lag period successive divisions occurred with a gradual decrease in size until the cells finally reverted to the normal coccoid form.
Deoxygenation of Waste Chicken Fats to Green Diesel over Ni/Al2O3: Effect of Water and Free Fatty Acid Content

The deoxygenation of waste chicken fat containing a high degree of free fatty acids (FFAs) and water has been implemented to produce a green diesel, known as biohydrogenated diesel (BHD). The effect of the water and free fatty acid content in the chicken fat on the conversion, BHD yield, and liquid/gas product distribution was investigated over a Ni/γ-Al2O3 catalyst in a trickle-bed reactor. The major reaction pathway was decarbonylation/decarboxylation (DCO/DCO2), whereas hydrodeoxygenation was minor. Methane from methanation of the resultant CO/CO2 and propane cracking was a major gaseous product. The FFA and water content improved the BHD yield and the overall contribution of the DCO/DCO2. The presence of water accelerated the breakdown of the triglyceride molecules into FFAs. Therefore, waste chicken fat from food industries containing a high degree of FFAs and water content can be used as a low-cost feedstock for renewable diesel production without requirement of a pretreatment process.
DEVELOPMENTAL DIFFERENCES IN ACTION OF R AND B ALLELES IN MAIZE

Alleles of the B and R loci collected from different geographic races of maize differ with respect to concentration, pattern, and tissue specificity of anthocyanin formation. No differences were found between the pigments formed by B action and those formed by R action. The activities of four B alleles and five R alleles when compared in a common genetic background and described in terms of the whole life cycle show differences in the following respects: In a given tissue, for example the aleurone, there are differences in a) rate of activity, b) time of onset of activtiy, c) time that activity ceases. Apparent tissue specificity is shown when the development of a tissue coincides with the period during which the gene is active. True tissue specificity is shown by alleles that have different activities in tissues that develop at the same time. This latter type of specificity was shown only by alleles known to consist of more than one synaptically homologous region, or by those derived in some way from suc.
Potencial mutagênico dos poluentes na água do rio Paraíba do Sul em Tremembé, SP, Brasil, utilizando o teste Allium cepa

A mutagenicidade pode estar relacionada com quebras cromossomicas induzidas por poluentes ambientais. O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar o potencial mutagenico dos poluentes presentes na agua do rio Paraiba do Sul, cidade de Tremembe – SP, analisando alteracoes cromossomicas em celulas meristematicas de Allium cepa, no verao (abril) e inverno (agosto) de 2008. Os bulbos foram expostos aos tratamentos por 72 h: agua do rio, solucao de Hoagland (controle negativo) e 15 µg/L de MMS - metilmetanosulfonato (controle positivo). Em cada tratamento, 3 bulbos foram expostos, para cada bulbo, 5 lâminas foram confeccionadas. Para analise do indice mitotico (IM) e frequencia de micronucleos (MN) foram analisadas 2.000 celulas por raiz/lâmina e 100 celulas para aberracoes cromossomicas (AC). Em abril, os poluentes exerceram alto potencial mutagenico nas celulas meristematicas de A. cepa, a frequencia de MN, stickiness (cromossomos pegajosos) e AC do tipo nao identificadas, foram maiores em relacao ao controle negativo. Em agosto, a unica alteracao encontrada em nivel significante foram as pontes cromossomicas. Nao houve alteracao significante para o IM. Esses resultados indicam que os efluentes de origem variada estao exercendo efeitos nocivos no bioindicador utilizado, sendo importante manter o biomonitoramento e adotar medidas de controle de efluentes. Essas medidas sao importantes porque essas aguas sao utilizadas para abastecimento publico, irrigacao, entre outras utilidades.
Effects of Dinocap on the Mitosis of Allium cepa L

Cytogenetic effects of dinocap were investigated in root tip cells of Allium cepa L. Mitotic index (MI), frequency of mitotic phases, mitotic and chromosomal abnormalities were determined in the presence of 0.00 (Control), 6.25 (EC50/4), 12.5 (EC50/2), 25 (EC50), 50 (EC50×2), 100 (EC50×4) mg/l concentrations of dinocap at 12, 24 and 48 h treatment. 100 mg/l concentration was toxic in all treatment times. Mitotic index decreased significantly with increasing of concentration in all treatment periods as compared to their controls. However, dinocap has not induced significant effect on the percentage of the mitotic stages except 25 and 50 mg/l at 48 h. This fungicide induced stickiness, C-mitosis, bridges, laggards, multipolarity, polyploidy, fragments, micronuclei and binucleated cells. In addition, in pretreated root tips, chromosome breaks, fragments, tetraploidy and sister union were detected.
The use of bird species richness and abundance indices to assess the conservation value of exotic Eucalyptus plantations

The East Usambaras are within the Eastern Afromontane hotspot, which is known for its exceptionally rich biodiversity. The original forest of the East Usambaras has been reduced by human activities, including establishment of Eucalyptus plantations, but little is known about the value of these plantations for biodiversity. Therefore, from July 2003 to June 2004, we studied avifauna in natural forests and plantations using the timed species count (TSC) method, based on which we provide an assessment of the conservation value of Eucalyptus plantations to the local avifauna. From 240 TSCs, 100 species in 79 genera, 32 families and seven orders were recorded. A total of 63 forest species were recorded in forest and 41 forest species in the Eucalyptus plantations with four forest species exclusively in the plantations. The two habitats shared a greater percent of non-forest bird species (85%) than forest bird species (64%). There was some degree of seasonal variation in species richness and relative abundance between habitats. The study shows that ‘responsibly managed’ plantations could benefit some local avifauna. We recommend proper management of the Eucalyptus plantations, including the retention of some undergrowth and of surviving isolated forest trees, in order to provide hospitable habitats for birds.
Gene Expression Proé ling of Metastatic and Nonmetastatic Colorectal Cancer Cell Lines

cDNA microarrays were used to compare the gene expression pattern of a nonmetastatic colorectal cancer cell line (SW480) with its metastatic derivative (SW620). Co-hybridization of euores- cently labeled cDNA generated from SW480 (Cy3) and SW620 (Cy5) total RNA to microarrays containing 4000 human cDNA clones revealed differential expression of 129 genes involved in the regulation of tran- scription, cell-cycle control and division, cell signaling, cell adhesion, and cell metabolism. The results of this microarray analysis corresponded to previously reported gene expression proeling experiments with SW480 and SW620 using SAGE. Predictably, the metastatic cell line SW620 exhibited underexpression of genes involved in cell adhesion and overexpression of genes involved in transcription and translation compared with its nonmetastatic counterpart SW480. Finally, by applying a novel bioinformatics approach to the gene expression data, a number of genes underexpressed in SW620 compared with SW480 were demonstrated to map to chromosomal band 17q21-23, a region that may be associated with loss of heterozygosity during the metastatic progression of colorectal cancer.
PATTERN CLADISTICS OR EVOLUTIONARY CLADISTICS?

We can also put it like this. The introduction of an auxiliary hypothesis should always be regarded as an attempt to construct a new system; and this new system should then always be judged on the issue of whether it would, if adopted, constitute a real advance in our knowledge of the world—K. R. Popper.
The significance of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in Eucalyptus globulus breeding programs

Summary Eucalyptus globulus (Labill.) is the most widely planted eucalypt for pulpwood in temperate regions of the world. Breeding to improve pulp properties of this species has been hampered by the long time between planting and pulp trait assessment and the high cost of estimating pulp traits. Identifying and employing allelic variants that associate with superior pulp yield and quality has the potential to assist breeding programs. Before this strategy can deliver benefits, detailed knowledge of population structure, nucleotide diversity, haplotype diversity and linkage disequilibrium (LD) must be collected. To address this, 20 wood quality candidate genes were sequenced in 8 to 28 Eucalyptus globulus individuals. Relative to other tree species where such studies have been conducted, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) frequencies were high. Decay of linkage disequilibrium was rapid at all loci tested, with linkage rarely extending beyond 500 base pairs. Regions within many candidate genes exhibited significant positive or negative selection signatures, indicative of purifying or balancing selection, respectively. Our findings have implications for association mapping in Eucalyptus species. The potential for E. globulus pedigree reconstruction and whole-genome association approaches in eucalypts in general are discussed.
A Survey and Isozyme Analysis of Wild Mandarin, Tachibana (Citrus tachibana (Mak.) Tanaka) Growing in Japan

Tachibana (Citrus tachibana (Mak.) Tanaka) trees growing in the wild and cultivated in Japan were surveyed and analyzed for their isozyme genes. Many trees were observed in south-western areas from Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka Prefecture to Ishinami, Kushima, Miyazaki Prefecture. Although most of them are cultivated, some are suggested to be wild. Isozyme analysis of the tachibana population clearly demonstrated a difference between the tachibana and mandarin cultivars introduced from China. Almost all tachibana trees examined had CC genotype atPx (peroxidase) locus, while most of the Chinese mandarins are reported to have DD at Px. In addition, an allele A at Got (glutamate oxalacetate transaminase)-2 was unique to the tachibana population. A rare allele T at Got-3, which has not been recorded in any other citrus, was found in some individuals of the tachibana population. A heterogeneity for isozyme genes was also observed in the tachibana population. These findings indicate that tachibana has been genetically isolated from other citrus in the Asian Continent, and is native to Japan. Several natural hybrids between tachibana and cultivated Chinese mandarins were found in the tachibana-growing areas.
COMPOSITION EN ACIDES AMINÉS DE QUELQUES ALIMENTS

La valeur nutritive des protéines dépend d’une façon assez étroite de leur composition en acides aminés. Aussi avons nous utilisé la méthode de chromatographie sur colonne de MooRE et STEIN (1958) pour étudier la composition des protéines d’un certain nombre d’aliments utilisés par le monogastrique, ainsi que de l’oeuf entier, dont les protéines sont souvent prises comme référence. Les produits analysés sont d’une part des céréales, qui constituent la base des rations des monogastriques en tant qu’apport énergétique et contiennent une proportion non négligeable de protéines (8 à 15 % de la matière sèche) fournissant la moitié des protéines de la ration pour le porc et d’autre part, des aliments riches en protéines (tourteaux, graines de féverolle, farines de poisson, laits en poudre). Ne disposant pas encore d’une méthode satisfaisante pour le dosage du tryptophane dans les aliments, nous avons dû provisoirement ignorer cet acide aminé.
Caracterização da comunidade bacteriana endofítica de citros por isolamento, PCR específico e DGGE

The aim of this work was to characterize endophytic bacterial community of assintomatic (escape) and Citrus Variegated Chlorosis (CVC)-affected citrus plants using isolation in culture medium, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) technique and Methylobacterium mesophilicum as well as Xylella fastidiosa specific PCR, allowing to assess this community and its interactions with CVC. The study of bacterial community by DGGE analysis allowed the detection of X. fastidiosa, as well as Klebsiella sp. e Acinetobacter sp. , which were not detected previously. Curtobacterium sp. , Pseudomonas sp. , Enterobacter sp. and Bacillus spp. were also observed as endophyte in citrus plants. Using specific primers Methylobacterium mesophilicum and X. fastidiosa were observed, reinforcing that these bacteria could interact inside the host plant.