Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular characterization and potential sources of Citrus tristeza virus in Oman

A study was conducted to characterize occurrence, molecular variability and potential sources of Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) in Oman. A survey during 2009 and 2010 showed that CTV occurs in most (91%) of the surveyed districts. Moderate to high levels of infection with CTV in lime were detected in northern Oman (15–63%) compared to the south (0–12%). This could be related to the continuous introduction of infected citrus germplasm in the north from abroad, where CTV was detected in 45% of citrus seedlings imported from Syria, Lebanon, India, Pakistan and Egypt. CTV was detected for the first time in sweet lime, sweet lemon, citron, mandarin, sweet orange and sour orange and was found to be associated with stem pitting, stunting, leaf curling and vein clearing symptoms in many of the infected trees and seedlings in Oman. Bi-directional reverse transcription-PCR analysis of the coat protein (CP) gene of 22 randomly selected CTV-positive samples provided evidence that severe strains of CTV exist in Oman. Cloning and sequencing the CP gene of six isolates showed that they have 91–100% nucleotide identity with each other and 96–99% with representative isolates from other parts of the world. Phylogenetic analysis of the CTV isolates showed that four belong to CTV Group 4. However, two isolates formed a separate clade with 100% bootstrap support for separation from Group 5. Phylogenetic analysis and coefficient of differentiation values suggest that the two isolates from Oman constitute a new CTV phylogenetic group.
Contagem de Staphylococcus sp. e detecção de enterotoxinas estafilocócicas e toxina da síndrome do choque tóxico em amostras de leite cru refrigerado

In order to count and identify Staphylococcus sp. , the detection of the Staphylococcal enterotoxins (SE) and toxic shock toxin syndrome (TSST-1), 80 raw milk samples cooled at 4°C and stored in bulk tanks for 48 hours in different farms from Minas Gerais State were analyzed. Staphylococcus sp. was observed in all samples and the counts varied from 1.0 × 105 to 2.5 × 107 CFU/ml (mean = 5.60 log CFU/ml; sd = 0.53 and CV = 9.46 %). A total of 436 strains of Staphylococcus were isolated and identified as S. aureus, S hyicus, S. epidermidis, S. intermedius, S. cohnii, S. sciuri, S. schleirferi and S. delphini. Strains showing identical biochemical profile, from the same sample, were grouped into a pool and them were induced to produce SE and TSST-1. The detection of toxins was made by the OSP (Optimum Sensivity Plate) method and the cellophane-over-agar technique. It was identified SEA, SEB, SEC, SED and TSST-1 in different percentages. From the 138 formed pools, 91 produced, at least, one or more toxin, including TSST-1. From the enterotoxigenic pools, 24.6% were coagulase positive, while 41.3% were negative. The presence of entorotoxigenic negative coagulase Staphylococcus strains isolated from milk samples is important in relation to public health.
Interstock effects on topgraft vitality and strobili production after topgrafting in Pinus sylvestris

Reducing generation turnover in breeding programs should increase the genetic gain per unit time. This could potentially be achieved by topgrafting, since it can be used to induce strobili production in young plant material. I therefore studied the effect of the interstock clone on the vitality and strobili production of topgrafts in Pinus sylvestris L. over 4 years. The experiment consisted of 20 interstock clones × 3 ramets per interstock × 10 topgrafts per ramet, giving a total of 600 topgrafts. There were large differences in topgraft survival rates among the different interstock clones, ranging from 60% to 93% in the spring of the experiment’s fourth year. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that both the interstock and the topgraft had significant effects on female and male topgraft strobili production. The effect of the ramet within the interstock was small on topgraft vitality but was large and significant on strobili production. The interaction between interstock and topgraft was not significan.
INTERACTION BETWEEN SILICON AND ALUMINUM IN TRITICUM AESTIVUM L. (CV. CELTIC)

ABSTRACT Seedlings of Triticum aestivum L. (cv. Celtic) were suspended in plastic tubs containing 500 μmol L−1 Ca(NO3)2 and 31 μmol L−1 KC1 as background solution. A1C13 (0 and 100 μmol L−1) and Na2SiO3.5H2O (0 and 2000 μmol; L−1) were added to this basal nutrient medium, and solution pH was set at 4.2 or 4.6. Tubs were aerated and supplied with a continuous flow of pH-adjusted test solution. Plants were grown for 4 d in a growth cabinet at 25 °C with a 16 h photoperiod. At pH 4.2 and 4.6 root length of the seedlings was inhibited at 100 μmol L−1 Al. An amelioration of Al-induced toxicity symptoms was observed in the 100 μmol L−1 A1/2000 μmol L−1 Si treatment at pH 4.6, but not at pH 4.2. Both the shoot (S) and root (R) dry weight of seedlings treated with 100 μmol L−1 Al were reduced when compared with controls. Treatment with Al increased S:R ratios, and this effect was ameliorated by Si, but only at pH 4.6. Al content of roots treated with 100 μmol L−1 Al or 100 μmol L−1 Al/2000 μmol L−1 Si increased s.
Variation of Microfibril Angle in Plantation trees of Cunninghamia Lanceolata Determined by pit Apertures and X-Ray Diffraction

Microfibril angle (MFA) is an important ultrastructural feature of the wood cell wall that provides insight into tree growth and wood quality. Unfortunately, it is a property whose value is sensitive to the method of measurement. The aims of this study are to clarify and compare the variation of MFA in Chinese fir [Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook. ] plantation trees by using the pit aperture (PA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods. A decrease in the average MFA from 25° to 12° as determined by PA and from 15° to 9° as determined by XRD was shown from growth ring 2 to ring 26. When measured at various stem heights up to 5.3 m, the MFA decreased from 18° to 15° using PA and from 12° to 9° using XRD. The results show that XRD tended to measure lower MFA values both in the juvenile and mature wood than PA. The majority of within-tree variation in MFA is mainly attributed to the difference between the juvenile and mature wood.
Growth-Related Changes in Skeletal Muscle Fiber Type and Insulin Resistance in Diabetic Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty Rats

We investigated whether a relationship exists between the fiber type distribution in skeletal muscles and the insulin resistance of different ages of diabetic rats. The fiber type distributions of the slow soleus and fast plantaris muscles in 5-, 9-, and 21-week-old male Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats as an animal model of spontaneous type 2 diabetes mellitus were examined and compared with those in age-matched non-diabetic Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats. In the soleus muscle, a higher percentage of type I fibers was observed in the 9- and 21-week-old OLETF rats compared with the age-matched LETO rats, and there were no type IIA fibers remaining in the soleus muscle of the OLETF rats. In the plantaris muscle, a lower percentage of type IIA fibers and a higher percentage of type IIB fibers were observed in the 9- and 21-week-old OLETF rats compared with the age-matched LETO rats. In addition, a lower percentage of type I fibers in the plantaris muscle was observed in the 9-week-old OLETF rats compared with the age-matched LETO rats, and there were no type I fibers in the plantaris muscle of the 21-week-old OLETF rats. All 20-week-old OLETF rats showed serum insulin concentrations of more than 20 ng/ml. The present study suggests that insulin resistance and impaired glucose tolerance from altered muscle fiber type are linked to the cause of diabetes.
Effect of molybdenum deficiency on the growth and metabolism of corn plants raised in sand culture

Molybdenum deficiency decreased the dry matter yield, tissue concentration of molybdenum, and chlorophyll content of corn (Zea mays L. cv. T.41) plants. Compared with the normal (control) plants, leaves of molybdenum-deficient plants had significantly lower activities of nitrate reductase, catalase, aldolase, and alanine aminotransferase and higher activities of peroxidase, β-glycerophosphatase, and ribonuclease. Within 72 h of supplying molybdenum (50 μM) to molybdenum-deficient plants, chlorophyll concentration, soluble protein, and activities of nitrate reductase, catalase, and alanine aminotransferase showed considerable recovery but the increase in the peroxidase activity was further enhanced. Supply of molybdenum to molybdenum-deficient plants did not significantly affect the activity of aldolase, ribonuclease, and β-glycerophosphatase.
Potential hydraulic efficiency in angiosperm trees increases with growth-site temperature but has no trade-off with mechanical strength

Aim Xylem structures are closely related to a tree's hydraulic efficiency and mechanical stability, both of which affect the life history and ecological strategy of a species. Although mechanical strength and hydraulic capacity can be shaped by the environment, no such associations between hydraulic efficiency and climatic variables have been reported across a wide range of tree species.
Review of the immature stages of the family Lycidae (Insecta: Coleoptera)

A review of lycid larvae is given. Larvae of the following Lycidae are described for the first time: Cautires pulcher Kleine, C. asper Kleine, Lycostomus formosanus Pic, Macrolycus pectinifer (Kiesenwetter), M. similaris Nakane, Metanoeus pendleburyi Kleine, Metriorrhynchus lobatus Bocak and Matsuda, M. thoracicus (Fabricius), M. philippinensis Waterhouse, M. cribripennis Waterhouse, Plateros lictor (Newman), Porrostoma rhipidium (W. MacLeay), P. haemorrhoidale Waterhouse, and Pseudosynchonnus arrogans (Kleine); pupae of Lycostomus ferrugineus (F.), Lygistopterus sanguineus (Linnaeus), Macrolycus pectinifer (Kiesenwetter), M. similaris Nakane, Metanoeus pendleburyi Kleine, Porrostoma rhipidium (W. MacLeay), and P. haemorrhoidale Waterhouse. Larvae of several species previously described are illustrated and their descriptions complemented. The characters potentially useful for defining higher taxa are discussed; data taken from specimens identified only to genus or suprageneric level are also used. The data on natural history and habits of Lycidae are summarized and complemented. A key to the genera is given.
‘METACHRONOUS’ CLEAVAGE AND INITIATION OF GASTRULATION IN AMPHIBIAN EMBRYOS

The cleavage pattern in the egg of Xenopus laevis has been investigated with the aid of time‐lapse cinematography. From the 5th cleavage onward, divisions of the surface blastomeres are not synchronous but metachronous. A few blastomeres in a very restricted region which is situated in most cases in the dorsal side of the animal hemisphere, slightly distant from the median line and near the equatorial junction of the animal and vegetal hemispheres, divide before the other blastomeres, and a wave‐like propagation of the divisions travels along the surface from that region toward the animal and vegetal poles. The wave‐like propagation ends in the vegetal pole region. In the animal hemisphere, this pattern of cleavage is continued until the 13th cleavage and thereafter the divisions of surface blastomeres become asynchronous. In the vegetal pole region, however, the 14th metachronous division of blastomeres is clearly observed in the film. Gastrulation begins after 14 cleavages.
Habitatansprüche des Kleinspechts (Dendrocopos minor) in Wäldern der Nordost-Schweiz

Viele Aspekte der Autokologie des Kleinspechts(Dendrocopos minor) sind schlecht untersucht. Dies gilt in besonderem Mas fur seine Habitatanspruche in den Waldern Mitteleuropas. Ein Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit bestand deshalb darin, in ausgewahlten Waldern der Nordost-Schweiz die fur den Kleinspecht relevanten Habitatstrukturen zu identifizieren. Ausserdem wurde die Eignung von Tonband-Klangattrappen fur die Kartierung untersucht. Fur die Habitatanalyse wurden in 21 der 22 Walder mit Kleinspechten und in einer Kontrollgruppe von 21 Waldern ohne Kleinspechtvorkommen verschiedene Habitatvariablen erhoben. Mit einer logistischen Regression wurden die Variablen ermittelt, die am meisten zur Unterscheidung der beiden Gruppen beitragen. Es resultierten vier Variablen als Pradiktoren fur das Vorkommen von Kleinspechten: 1) Weichholzer begunstigen die Anwesenheit des Kleinspechts; 2) besiedelte Walder weisen eine geringere Entfernung zu einem Gewasser auf; 3) Kleinspechte kommen hauptsachlich in tieferen Lagen vor; 4) Die untersuchten Kleinspecht-Walder weisen im Vergleich mit den Kontrollwaldern weniger stehende tote Baume mit BHD ≥ 15 cm auf. Die Erhebung von Kleinspecht-Bestanden mit einer Klangattrappe kann wahrend eines kurzen Zeitraums im Marz/April effizient und zuverlassig durchgefuhrt werden.
ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF LACTIC ACID BACTERIA

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have long history of application in fermented foods as a starter cultures to produce dairy, meat, bakery and vegetable fermentation because of their beneficial influence on nutritional, organoleptic, and shelf-life characteristics. LAB are also known to produce and excrete compounds with antimicrobial activity, such as hydrogen peroxide, carbon dioxide, diacetyl, bacteriocins and bacteriocin like substances. All antimicrobial compounds can antagonize the growth of some spoilage and pathogenic bacteria in foods and have been explored in the control of most unwanted organisms. Looking for antimicrobial compounds is crucial to provide an alternative to chemical additives, offering to the market new and appealing food products. The present work aims to give an overview of the recent advances in antimicrobial activity of LAB for the production of industrially important compounds.
Characterization of two latex parameters from Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex A. Juss.) Müll. Arg. clones in the Colombian Altillanura.

Latex was characterized from RRIM 600, IAN 873 and FX 3864 Hevea brasiliensis clones, during the third year of tapping in the Colombian Altillanura region. Using random sampling, six tapping systems were evaluated per clone on a monthly basis for ten months. Response variables were Total Solids Content (TSC) and Dry Rubber Content (DRC) in latex. Data was adjusted by covariance analysis and matrices for comparison among response variables were generated for tapping system for each clone. Annual average rate of TSC and DRC was statistically different among treatments. The greater average TSC (36.8 % 46.3%) and DRC (35.5 % 43.4 %) occurred in systems without tapping stimulant application. Higher precipitation resulted in a decrease in average DRC values for all clones.
PRELIMINARY STUDIES ON THE PROXIMATE COMPOSITION OF SOME SELECTED SEAWEEDS FROM MKOMANI AND KIBUYUNI, KENYA

The proximate composition of various seaweed species collected from Mkomani and Kibuyuni sites along theKenya coast was determined The seaweed species had a moderate to high ash content. The seaweed with thelowest ash content (12.76±0.18% dw) was Ulva reticulata and the highest ash content (67.60±0.02% dw) wasHalimeda macroloba. Protein contents were low to moderate, with Hypnea musciformis having the highest value(14.17±0.04 dw), followed by Ulva reticulata (11.87±0.10% dw). Dictyota sp. (variety 1) had the lowest proteincontent (1.71±0.04% dw). The crude fat contents were within the range mentioned for most seaweeds (<3% dw). The crude fibre contents for the selected seaweeds ranged between 4.00–18.06% dw. Based on the biochemicalanalysis, the composition of the studied seaweed species is comparable to that of several seaweeds traditionallyused in human and animal nutrition thus may be utilized for animal and human consumption.
Association analysis for yield and its components in mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek).

Two hundred germplasm lines along with six commercial varieties of mungbean were evaluated over four environments for morphological characters, seed yield and its components. Mean values over environments were used for estimation of correlation coefficients. On the basis of association analysis it was concluded that plant height, primary branches per plant, clusters per plant, pods per plant, pods per cluster, seeds per pod and seeds per plant are the major components of seed yield per plant; plant height, primaly branches per plant, clusters per plant, pods per plant, seeds per pod and seeds per plant are the major components of biological yield per plant and seeds per pod, seeds per plant and seed yield per plant are the major components of harvest Index, Seeds per pod and seeds per plant were identified as common components for seed yield per plant, biological yield and harvest Index, Therefore these should be considered as the selection criterion to Improve seed yield per plant, biological plant and harvest Index in mungbean.
DNA diagnostic for Armillaria species in British Columbia: within and between species variation in the IGS-1 and IGS-2 regions.

Intensive sampling of British Columbia isolates of Armillaria species confirmed the useful- ness of a species diagnostic based on restriction site differences in the first ribosomal intergenic spacer region. Greater variation within species and new frag- ment patterns were observed compared to earlier re- ports. The only species confusion observed using this marker was between A. gallica and some isolates of A. sinapina. These isolates could be distinguished by restriction site differences in the second intergenic spacer. Use of both sections of the ribosomal inter- genic spacer region confirms identifications based on the first intergenic spacer, and provides additional data for species which have the same restriction sites in the first intergenic spacer.
Attraction of Food Baits for Use in Red Palm Weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier Pheromone Trap

Field trials conducted to study the attractiveness of food baits for use in red palm weevil (RPW) Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier pheromone traps indicated that dates recorded the best weevil captures and was statistically at par with sugarcane. The study also showed that it is essential to add a food bait in RPW pheromone traps to sustain the trapping efficiency. However, oil palm fruit proved to be a poor bait as it adversely affected the efficiency of RPW pheromone trap.
Internal Phosphorus Load in an Oligotrophic Precambrian Shield Lake with an Anoxic Hypolimnion

The release of phosphorus from sediments into the anoxic water of oligotrophic Chub Lake, Ontario, determined with three different methods, showed that the average release rate of 2.2 mg∙m−2∙d−1 is much smaller than release rates of more eutrophic lakes (14 mg∙m−2∙d−1). Our hypothesis that anoxic release rates depend on lake trophy was confirmed by the significant positive regression of release rates on lake phosphorus concentrations for 56 lakes from the literature. Despite a comparably small phosphorus release rate, the sediments play an important role in Chub Lake as a source of phosphorus because phosphorus from internal sources is in a highly available form and external loads are small.
Molecular Fate Determinants in Embryonic and Adult Neural Stem Cells

The molecular signals specifying neuronal, glial or multipotent precursors in the developing and adult central nervous system (CNS) are largely unknown. Radial glial cells have recently been discovered as major precursor population generating neurons or glial cells in separate lineages in the developing CNS. Towards this aim to identify the key molecular determinants for neurogenic versus gliogenic fate in radial glial cells I used a novel method to selectively enrich neurogenic or non-neurogenic radial glia and compared their gene expression to adult subependymal zone (SEZ) precursors in vitro and in vivo. The expression profile of the transcription factors Olig2 and Pax6 were particularly intriguing. Olig2 was 67 fold higher in multipotent compared to neuronal or glial precursors, while Pax6 showed strongest expression in neuronal precursors. I therefore focused further on the functional analysis of Pax6 and Olig2 in neural stem cell in vitro and in vivo. Interference with Olig2 in neural stem cells in vitro revealed its role in self-renewal. In adult neural stem cells of the SEZ overexpression of Olig2 promoted oligodendrocyte formation. Pax6, in contrast, proved to be a very potent neurogenic determinant since neurogenesis is not only Pax6-dependent in neural stem cells in vitro, but also in adult neural stem cell in vivo. Taken together, these results demonstrate a pathway combining transcription factors of dorsal and ventral regions that is activated in a specific lineage progression of adult neural stem cells in vitro and in vivo. Most importantly also in regard to therapeutic approaches, this work revealed the molecular mechanisms to direct adult neural stem cells towards a specific cell fate, neuronal or oligodendroglial.
Detection of extended spectrum β-lactamase among gram negative clinical isolates from a tertiary care hospital in South India -

Background: The β lactamase enzymes produced by the organisms break down the structural beta-lactam ring of β lactam antibiotics. Many genera of gram negative bacteria possess a naturally occurring, chromosomally mediated β lactamase and also some are plasmid mediated β lactamases. The objective of the study was to detect extended spectrum β lactamases among gram negative clinical isolates. Methods: 200 clinical were subjected to routine disc diffusion technique and zone diameter of ≤27mm for Cefotaxime and ≤22mm for Ceftazidime or ≤25mm for Ceftriaxone were included in this study. The strains are subjected to double disc synergy test. Results: Of 200 samples, 174 yielded organisms belonging to enterobacteriaceae and 26 yielded growth of nonfermenters. Out of 174 members of enterobacteriaceae family, 122 were E. coli , 36 Klebsiella spp , 8 Proteus spp , 5 Enterobacter spp and 3 Citrobacter spp . Out of 26 nonfermenters, 18 were Pseudomonas spp and 8 were Acinetobacter . Conclusions: In the present study prevalence of ESBL was 23.3%, the high prevalence may be due to irrational use of third generation cephalosporins in both the hospital and community.
Isolation and Characteristics of Carboxypeptidase B from Zebra Blenny (Salaria basilisca) Viscera

Carboxypeptidase B (CPB) from zebra blenny (Salaria basilisca) viscera was purified using ammonium sulphate precipitation and Sephadex G-100 gel filtration, with a 28-fold increase in specific activity and 21.72% recovery. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 34.5 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The optimum pH and temperature for the enzyme activity were around pH 8.0 and 60°C, respectively, using Hippuryl-l-Arg as a substrate. The enzyme was unstable above 50°C and below pH 5.0. The enzyme was activated by Co2+ and Zn2+ and inhibited by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the enzyme was determined as S P S Y T K Y N T. The CPB kinetic constants, Km and kcat for Hippuryl-l-Arg, were 0.32 mM and 36.23 s−1, respectively.