Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Old Apple Cultivars from Bosnia and Herzegovina by Means of Pomological and Biochemical Analysis

The assessment of quality of old apple varieties was made in order to preserve and use these germplasm in the area of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The characterization was done for ten old varieties of apples selected on the basis of good characteristics of sensory analysis. The following parameters were considered: fruit weight, fruit length and width, stalk length and width, fruit flesh firmness; soluble solids content and total dry matter content of the fruit juice; pH, titratable acidity (TA), vitamin C, total phenolics, total flavonoids and antioxidant potential evaluated by DPPH radical scavenging assay. Statistical analysis was performed separately for sensory, pomological and biochemical characterization (in two consecutive years) by analysis of variance. Only traits such as weight, width and height of the fruit were the biggest in ‘Vinjugara’ which had a low content of titratable acidity whereby it could be singled out as an acceptable variety for consumers. ‘Đedovaca’ had the highest content of phenols (1711.8 mg GAE/100 g of fruit weight), which is in complete relationship with good free radical scavenging activity (11.1 mg of fresh fruit/ml). ‘Kolacara’ and ‘Gospoinjaca’ were distinguished as particularly interesting for good nutritional characteristics, primarily the content of phenols, flavonoids and free radical scavenging ability, but also for suitable storage characteristics, °Brix content and firmness. Due to favourable pomological and biochemical characteristics these varieties were recommended to be included in the breeding program that will result in the enrichment of germplasm of the apples from these areas.
Improved nucleic acid testing strategies to detect and discriminate veterinary relevant Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex members

v Index of Figures . x Index of Tables . xii List of Abbreviations . xiii List of Units . xv CHAPTER 1. General Introduction 1.1. Tuberculous mycobacteria and tuberculosis . 1 1.1.1. Classification and general characteristics of mycobacteria . 2 1.1.2. The Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex . 4 Phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary scenario . 7 Clonal complexes of Mycobacterium bovis . 9 1.2. Bovine tuberculosis . 12 1.2. 1. Implications for public health . 14 1.2. 2. Epidemiological features . 15 Transmission of Mycobacterium bovis . 15 Global epidemiological situation . 16 Tuberculosis in free-ranging wildlife populations . 17 1.3. Diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis . 20 1.3. 1. Conventional methodologies . 21 Immunologically-based approaches . 21 Anatomopathological diagnosis . 22 Bacteriological diagnosis . 23 1.3. 2. Rationale of the molecular-based strategies for the assessment of the MTC . 25 Detection and identification . 25
Complete mitochondrial genome of Siberian musk deer Moschus moschiferus (Artiodactyla: Moschidae) and phylogenetic relationship with other moschus species

Abstract The Siberian musk deer, Moschus moschiferus, is an Endangered species in South Korea due to its decreasing population size caused by illegal hunting and habitat destruction. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of M. moschiferus was determined using next-generation sequencing. Total length of its mitogenome is 16,356 bp in length, encoding 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and one control region. Its AT contents are 62.4%, which are higher than its GC contents (37.7%) (A, 34.1%; C, 24.9%; G, 12.8%; and T, 28.3%). Phylogenetic relationship of genus Moschus showed topologies similar to those reported in previous studies. Sequence comparison between two M. moschiferus from South Korea indicated high sequence variations with 122 nucleotide differences. These results provide useful information necessary for further phylogenetic studies of Moschus species.
Vascular regulation of embryonic neurogenesis

Neural progenitor cells (NPCs) in the embryonic nervous system generate a large number and variety of neurons in a process known as neurogenesis. NPCs reside in a regulatory ‘niche’ that provides an extensive array of diverse signals, and loss of any one of these signals can deplete the pool of NPCs and therefore impair neural development. These niche signals are most commonly studied in the forebrain, where a complex array of cell divisions yields a set of diverse NPCs. In contrast, little is known on the role of niche signals in regulating the behaviour of NPCs in the hindbrain, the evolutionary oldest part of the brain that is essential for many vital bodily functions. In the adult brain, blood vessels and the vascular growth factor VEGF-A regulate the behaviour of neural stem cells (NSC). However, it is not known whether either also regulates hindbrain neurogenesis. For my PhD research, I have used the mouse embryo hindbrain as a model to examine the role of blood vessels and VEGF-A receptors in developmental neurogenesis. My studies have revealed that NPCs divide most actively during a period of extensive blood vessel growth in the hindbrain, that hindbrain NPCs reside within a well-vascularised germinal zone (GZ) and that they make physical contact with the GZ vasculature. To establish whether VEGF-A receptors or hindbrain blood vessels regulate the behaviour of hindbrain NPCs, I have analysed mouse embryos lacking the neurovascular cell surface receptor NRP1 in either the neural or endothelial lineages. I found that NRP1 regulates the proliferative behaviour of hindbrain NPCs through its role in promoting GZ vascularisation, but not as a receptor for VEGF-A in NPCs. I have further shown that GZ vasculature sustains the size of the NPC pool through the period of hindbrain neurogenesis and may do so by limiting the expression of pro-differentiation signals to set the pace of neurogenesis. Even though blood vessels are best know for their role in tissue oxygenation, my results also show that NRP1-dependent GZ vasculature does not regulate hindbrain NPC behaviour through its role in oxygenating the neuroepithelium. In conclusion, my results identify an essential role for blood vessels in regulating NPC behaviour in the embryonic hindbrain and have increased our understanding of the regulatory niche that orchestrates developmental neurogenesis.
COMPARATIVE STUDY OF IN SILICO AND IN VITRO ANTICANCER ACTIVITY OF TRADITIONAL INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS-A REVERSE PHARMACOLOGICAL APPROACH

Objective : Cancer is one of the major deaths occurring worldwide and its prophylaxis demands the daily consumption of extracts or dietary supplements of traditional medicinal plants which possess anticancer activities. This study focuses on the evaluation of the chemo preventive and antiproliferative effects of the active constituents of Indian medicinal plants such as Withaniasomnifera , Phyllanthusemblica and Zingiberofficinale by in silico and in vitro studies. Methods: In silico docking analysis is performed using Molegro Virtual Docker choosing the targets as p-glycoprotein and thymidylate synthase for the identified phytoconstituents. In vitro colorimetric cell metabolic activity assay is performed for the standardized extracts of these plants in various cell lines using the standards. Results: The phytoconstituents in the plants, Withaniasomnifera and Phyllanthusemblica revealed good binding affinity towards thymidylate synthase and p-glycoprotein respectively as compared to that of the standards. Conclusion : Phyllanthusemblica showed a maximal antiproliferative effect on breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7) when compared to the other plant extracts. Zingiber officinalis was found to inhibit HT-29 cell lines to a greater extent and Withaniasomniferum resulted in highest A549 cell death. A combination of these extracts in any dosage form could be used in the therapeutic efficacy in cancer.
Effects of anestrus dog serum on superovulation in rats and mice

Objective: To study the effects of anestrus dog serum in rodents (contains high amount of FSH) compared with two common superovulatory programs. Methods: Rats (n=30) at diestrus phase were evenly divided into pregnant mare serum gonadotrophins (PMSG) group (administrated with 30 IU PMSG, and 48 h later following by 25 IU hCG), recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (rFSH) group (reducing dose every 12 h from 5 to 1 IU, then following by 25 IU hCG) and anestrus dog serum group (reducing dose every 12 h from 0.6 to 0.1 mL, then following by 25 IU of hCG). Mice (n=30) were also evenly divided into PMSG group (5 IU PMSG used at 13 pm, and 48 h later following by 5 IU of hCG), rFSH group (from 13 pm, reducing dose every 12 h from 2.5 to 0.5 IU, then following by 5 IU hCG) and anestrous dog serum group (from 13 pm, reducing dose every 12 h from 0.100 to 0.025 mL, then following by 5 IU hCG). Mice and rats placed with males for 24 h after last injection. Histology samples of ovaries were prepared and the numbers of corpus lutea were counted on day 14 after mating. Results: In mice, the differences among mean number of corpus lutea in all groups (P=0.01) and between FSH and dog serum group were significant (P=0.000 7). But no significant differences were found between the mean number of corpus lutea in dog serum and PMSG, or between FSH and PMSG groups. In rats, mean number of corpus lutea were significant differences among three groups (P=0.01), and between PMSG and dog serum groups (P=0.02). Conclusions: Superovulatory response in anestrus dog serum group is similar to PMSG group in mice, which is relatively similar to FSH in rats.
Mitochondrial impairment and rescue in riboflavin responsive neuropathy

Brown-Vialetto-Van Laere syndrome (BVVLS) represents a phenotypic spectrum of motor, sensory, and cranial nerve neuropathy, often with ataxia, optic atrophy and respiratory problems leading to ventilator-dependence. Loss-of-function mutations in two riboflavin transporter (RFVT) genes, SLC52A2 and SLC52A3, have recently been linked to BVVLS. However, the genetic frequency, neuropathology and downstream consequences of RFVT mutations have previously been undefined. By screening a large cohort of 132 patients with early-onset severe sensory, motor and cranial nerve neuropathy we confirmed the strong genetic link between RFVT mutations and BVVLS, identifying twenty-two pathogenic mutations in SLC52A2 and SLC52A3, fourteen of which were novel. Brain and spinal cord neuropathological examination of two cases with SLC52A3 mutations showed classical symmetrical brainstem lesions resembling pathology seen in mitochondrial disease, including severe neuronal loss in the lower cranial nerve nuclei, anterior horns and corresponding nerves, atrophy of the spinothalamic and spinocerebellar tracts and posterior column-medial lemniscus pathways. Mitochondrial dysfunction has previously been implicated in an array of neurodegenerative disorders. Since riboflavin metabolites are critical components of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC), we hypothesized that reduced riboflavin transport would result in impaired mitochondrial activity, and confirmed this using in vitro and in vivo models. ETC complex I and complex II activity were decreased in SLC52A2 patient fibroblasts, while global knockdown of the single Drosophila RFVT homologue revealed reduced levels of riboflavin, downstream metabolites, and ETC complex I activity. RFVT knockdown in Drosophila also resulted in severely impaired locomotor activity and reduced lifespan, mirroring patient pathology, and these phenotypes could be partially rescued using a novel esterified derivative of riboflavin. Our findings indicate mitochondrial dysfunction as a downstream consequence of RFVT gene defects in BVVLS and validate riboflavin esters as a potential therapeutic strategy.
Character Displacement Is a Pattern: So, What Causes It?

Character displacement was originally defined simply as a pattern – divergence between two species in sympatry but not allopatry – and it was recognized that multiple processes might generate this pattern. However, over time, character displacement has come to be nearly synonymous with the process of adaptive divergence between species caused by selection stemming from resource-competitive interactions (and if not, then from reproductive interac-tions). This tight link between character displacement and resource competition has generated, and continues to generate, imprecision and confusion in the literature. Here, to address this problem, we suggest unlinking character displacement – the pattern – from any specific process (e.g. natural selection arising from species interactions). That is, character displacement should be documented as a pattern, agnostically with respect to process. Purposeful, direct investigation of what process generated character displacement then naturally follows. This has the benefit of acknowledging that there can be many different avenues to divergence in sympatry.
Seed quality of the Sino–Himalayan endemic genus Cyananthus (Campanulaceae) increases with elevation and varies with life histories

Background: Seed quality can directly determine the survival and population dynamics of alpine plant species. However, how the quality of seeds is affected by elevation-related stress in the Hengduan mountains in the South-western China remains unclear. Aims: To determine how the seed quality of species of Cyananthus varies with elevation, life history and adaptive strategies. Methods: Nine species, including three annuals and six perennials, in the Himalaya-Hengduan Mountains from ca. 2500 m to ca. 4700 m a.s. l. were selected. For each population, seeds from at least 25 individuals were collected. After air-drying, we related seed mass and per cent germination with elevation and compared these parameters between life histories. Results: Results showed that seed mass (annual species) and germinability (annual and perennial species) were positively correlated with elevation. In addition, seeds from higher elevation exhibited explosive germination within a short period. No correlation was found between seed germination and seed mass. Conclusions: These findings indicate that selective pressure (e.g. low temperature and short growing season) might favour the formation of larger seeds in species from higher elevation, as well as a higher germination percentage and more rapid seed germination. These traits further confer high seed quality at higher elevation. We suggest that elevation is the main determinant of seed quality for Cyananthus species, but seed quality does differ between life histories.
MORPHOLOGICAL STUDY OF ADRENAL GLAND IN PRENATAL AND POSTNATAL PERIODS OF DOMESTIC RABBIT (ORYCTOLAGUSCUNICULUS)

ABSETRACT The developmental study of adrenal gland has been done on the local rabbit fetuses and neonate, which including a morphological and histological description of the adrenal gland. The study revealed that the differentiation of the adrenal gland began in the rabbit between twenty two and twenty four days from pregnancy as adrenal cortex and medulla and relatively completed it is histologically pictures at twelve days old. Also the study showedthat the adrenal cortex composed of three zones: zonaglomerulosa or the zonaarcuata , the zona fasciculate and the zonareticularisglomerulus, whilethe medulla have dark and light cells.The purpose of our study was to provide a more complete quantitive description of the histomorphology of the adrenal gland in rabbits during prenatal and postnatalperiods.
Two dimensions define the variation of fine root traits across plant communities under the joint influence of ecological succession and annual mowing

Quantifying the variation in community‐level fine root (<2 mm) traits along ecological gradients or in response to disturbances is essential to unravel the mechanisms of plant community assembly, but available surveys are scarce. Whether fine root traits covary along a one‐dimensional economic spectrum, as previously shown for leaves, is highly debated. We measured six fine root traits at the community level along a 69‐year succession, with or without annual mowing, offering a unique design of two nested disturbances. We examined whether (1) there is variation and covariation in community‐level fine root traits along the succession and in response to mowing and (2) morphological root traits mirrored analogous leaf traits (using previously acquired data). Early‐successional communities were herbaceous‐dominated (48 ± 6% in <10‐year‐old plots) and possessed fine roots with high specific root length (SRL), low root dry matter content (RDMC) and low root carbon concentration (RCC), while later successional communities were dominated by woody species (56 ± 9% in >40‐year‐old plots) and possessed opposite trait values. Root nitrogen concentration (RNC) did not vary across communities along the succession. The trait values at community level were not affected by mowing, except for a reduction in root mass density. We found covariation of fine root traits across communities along two dimensions: the first dimension (60% of total variation) represented changes in root foraging capacity (related to SRL) and resource conservation (related to RDMC, RCC, mean root diameter), whereas the second dimension (17%–20% of the variation) represented variations in RNC, potentially related to root respiration and metabolism. Specific root length and specific leaf area were correlated regardless of the mowing regime, but there was no analogous relationship between leaf dry matter content and RDMC in mown communities, showing a decoupling in the investment in tissue density above‐ and below‐ground. Synthesis. Our study demonstrates coordinated variations of community‐level fine root traits along a succession gradient and provides evidence that fine root traits covaried along two dimensions, regardless of mowing regime. The relationship between leaf dry matter content and root dry matter content observed in unmown communities was modified by mowing, reflecting an uncoupled response to mowing.
A comparison of growth, antioxidant levels and fatty acid metabolism in juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) reared in two different stocking densities: low and high

Abstract The effects of high stocking density (HSD) on molecular, enzymatic, and biometric parameters of juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were compared to those of a low-density control group. The expression of genes related to growth, oxidative stress, and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) metabolism as well as antioxidant enzyme activities in the liver and muscle, the fatty acid composition of the whole fish and its growth parameters were determined in a control (10 kg/m3) and HSD group (39 kg/m3). At the end of a 60-day experiment: (1) Body weight change (BWC) decreased from 471.7% (control group) to 245.0% (HSD group); (2) Specific growth rate was 7.9%/day in the control group and 5.6%/day in the HSD group; (3) The level of n-3 PUFA and docosahexaenoic acid, the ratio of n-3/n-6 PUFA and mRNA expression of Δ-6 desaturase in the liver and muscle, sod1 in the liver as well as elongase in the muscle increased in fish reared at HSD; (4) the mRNA transcript level of other genes in both tissues was down-regulated by HSD, except that of sod1 and gpx1 in the muscle, which remained almost unchanged; and (5) HSD decreased antioxidant enzyme activities and the level of lipid peroxidation in both tissues.
Trapping the Walnut Twig Beetle 1 to Determine Flight Patterns in Colorado

Abstract. The walnut twig beetle, Pityophthorus juglandis Blackman, and its fungal associate Geosmithia morbida Kolařík et al., produce thousand cankers disease, which has devastated black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) in several states of the western U.S.A. To better understand beetle flight dynamics and life history, flight times were documented in the urban corridor along the Colorado Front Range during 2 years -- in 2008 with yellow sticky card traps and in 2012 with baited multiple funnel traps. Walnut twig beetles were determined to be active throughout the trapping season from March through November, exhibited overlapping generations, and potentially a bivoltine life cycle. Most beetles were collected from traps between July and September, and the greatest trap density frequently occurred in August. The total number of beetles collected throughout the trapping season differed at each location. In 2008 the number of beetles collected ranged from 12 to 145, and from 60 to 12,909 in 2012. More beetles were found in municipalities experiencing early disease development when compared to cities with chronic disease.
Isolation and cultivation of oleaginous yeast for microbial oil production

Yeasts were isolated from oil-contaminated soil and water samples, collected during the rainy season in the area of the KKU campus by the enrichment technique. A total of 69 isolates were obtained, and 10 isolates were preliminarily de ned as oleaginous yeast with lipid accumulation of more than 20% of cellular dry weight (CDW). Among 10 yeast isolates, isolate OYS3 was found to accumulate the highest cellular lipid content. The yeast was identi ed by a molecular genetics technique based on sequence analysis of the variable D1/D2 domain of the large subunit (26S) ribosomal DNA and it was identi ed as Candida viswanathi i. The optimal culture conditions for lipid accumulation by C. viswanathii OYS3 were obtained to be as follows: glucose 90 g/L; pH of 5.0; (NH4)2SO4 0.1 g/L, incubated at 30°C. Under these conditions, a biomass of 7.9 g/L, speci c growth rate of 0.258 d-1, and lipid content of 52.7 %CDW could be achieved after cultivation for 8 days. Initial study for ask fed-batch fermentation revealed a biomass of 9.11 g/L and lipid content of 59.50 %CDW. Among the carbon sources tested, pure glycerol supported the maximum biomass of 7.8 g/L with lipid content of 37.2 % CDW, followed by molasses of 7.1 g/L with lipid content of 39.4 %CDW. Gas chromatography analysis revealed that lipids from C. viswanathii OYS3 contained mainly long-chain fatty acids with 16 and 18 carbon atoms. The three major constituent fatty acids were palmitic acid, stearic acid, and oleic acid that are comparable to conventional vegetable oils, suggesting that microbial lipids from the C. viswanathii OYS3 could be used as potential feedstock for biodiesel production.
Effect of bud scale removal and AOA on bud break and ACC content of Muscat Bailey A grapevines buds. temperature on the ACC content of grape vine.

A study was carried out to examine the effect of bud scale removal (BSR) and aminooxy acetic acid (AOA) on bud break and 1aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) content of ‘Muscat Bailey A’ grapevines using single-eye cuttings. Samples were collected monthly from October to February. Single-eye cuttings were subjected to these treatments; BSR, BSR + AOA, control and AOA. The results show that in October and November, BSR and BSR + AOA were more effective on bud break without big difference between the two treatments. Whereas, control and AOA were found to be more effective from December up to February. In October, ACC content recorded a marked increase after one week and decreased afterwards under BSR and BSR + AOA. However, it showed a continuous increase under control and a reverse trend under AOA. In November, it increased after one week and decreased in the fourth week under all treatments. A continuous increase was recorded in December under all treatments. In January, there was no significant change under control with time and AOA treatment exhibited decline with time, while BSR and BSR + AOA treatments recorded small increment and then decreased. In February, it decreased under all treatments with time. The results indicate that bud break of grapevine seems to be associated with the promotion of ethylene biosynthesis caused by wounding stress.