Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Variability of polyphenolic extracts from different oil palm trees and evaluation of their effect on Coelaenomenodera lameensis (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) larvae

Coelaenomenodera lameensis is an insect and the major pest of the oil palm. In case of strong attack, it causes up to 50% loss of production. Larval development of C. lameensis is more pronounced on sensitive palm tree Elaeis guineensis originating from La Me, Yocoboue and Deli compared to tolerant palm trees Elaeis oleifera originating from Central American. The objective of this work is to study the variability content of polyphenols from different palm trees and their effect on the larvae of C. lameensis . To do this, the extracts from the leaflets of these palms were analyzed by HPLC and tested on larvae of the leaf miner. Considering the results, HPLC analysis has revealed additional peaks polyphenols characterizing trees palm Elaeis oleifera tolerant, the retention time of 22.9, 26.4 and 30.4 min. Furthermore, bio-essays conducted on the larvae of Coelaenomenodera lameensis showed differential mortality of these larvae following the origin, the time and the concentration of applied chemical extracts. Indeed, this result indicates that the molecules in the three characteristic peaks are probably potential polyphenols and are in charge of tolerance to C. lameensis . Keywords : Elaeis guineensis, Elaeis oleifera , leaf miner, HPLC, polyphenols.
Karyotype analysis of three Solanum plants using combined PI-DAPI staining and double fluorescence in situ hybridization with 45S and 5S rDNA probes

In this study, mitotic metaphase chromosomes of Solanum surattense Burm . , Solanum lyratum Thunb. and Solanum photeinocarpum Nakam. were well prepared using an advanced chromosome preparation method. The chromosomes were distinguished by combined PI-DAPI (CPD) staining and double fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with 45S and 5S rDNA probes and their molecular cytogenetic karyotypes were established. Although, the karyotype of S. surattense Burm. and S. photeinocarpum Nakam was first established, the karyotype formulas of the three Solanum plants ( S. surattense Burm., S. lyratum Thunb. and S. photeinocarpum Nakam) can be described as follows: 2n=24=18m +4sm+2st (2SAT), 2n=24=18m +4sm+2st (2SAT) and 2n=24=18m +6sm (2SAT). Moreover, the karyotype asymmetry of the three species belongs to 2A type. After CPD staining, the centromeres of all chromosomes in the three species were shown as red CPD bands, indicating the presence of GC-rich DNA sequences in the chromosomes. Subsequential double FISH shows that S. surattense Burm. , S. lyratum Thunb. and S. photeinocarpum Nakam, all have a pair of 45S rDNA sites located on chromosomes, and all of these 45S rDNA sites correspond to the respective prominent CPD banded regions. S. surattense Burm. , S. lyratum Thunb. and S. photeinocarpum Nakam correspond to the CPD banded regions at the ends of chromosomes 8, 10 and 12, respectively. The three Solanum plants all have a pair of 5S rDNA sites. In S. surattense Burm. , the 5S rDNA sites are located on the long arm of the 6th chromosome pair, while the 5S rDNA sites of S. lyratum Thunb. and S. photeinocarpum Nakam are all located on the short arms of the 4th chromosome pair. Our study shows that the CPD bands and rDNA FISH signals provide effective chromosome markers allowing us to establish accurate molecular cytogenetic karyotypes of the three species tested. Key words: Solanum surattense Burm. Solanum lyratum Thunb. , Solanum photeinocarpum Nakam , karyotype, CPD staining, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).
A Comparative Analysis of the Mechanical Role of Leaf Sheaths of Poaceae, Juncaceae, and Cyperaceae

Similarities in structural organization of the culm in Poaceae, Juncaceae, and Cyperaceae such as leaf sheaths and the presence of intercalary meristems at every node suggest the same mechanical properties and, accordingly, the same functionality. Meristems are zones of tissue formation, which constitute areas of weakness along the entire culm and provide the basis for rapid shoot elongation. Leaf sheaths clasp the culm preventing the shoot from breaking, ensuring the rigidity to grow erectly and to avoid damage of the meristematic tissue. The mechanical influence of leaf sheaths was investigated in members of Poaceae, Juncaceae, and Cyperaceae in the flowering stage. Mechanical properties of Poa araratica, Bromus erectus, Arrhenatherum elatius (Poaceae), Luzula nivea (Juncaceae), and Carex arctata (Cyperaceae) were determined in three-point bending before and after the removal of leaf sheaths. The presence of leaf sheaths results in smoothing the distribution of flexural rigidity and therefore avoids stress peaks. The achieved maxima of relative contribution of leaf sheaths to entire flexural rigidity ranged from 55% up to 81% for Poaceae, 72% for C. arctata, and 40% for L. nivea. Across the investigated families, the mechanical role of leaf sheaths could be verified as essential for culm stability during development and beyond.
Molecular variability among the isolates of Sclerotium rolfsii causing stem rot of groundnut by RAPD, ITS-PCR and RFLP

Genetic variability among the virulent isolates of Sclerotium rolfsii was studied using molecular techniques like RAPD, ITS-PCR and RFLP. The RAPD banding pattern reflected the genetic diversity among the isolates by formation of two clusters. A total of 221 reproducible and scorable polymorphic bands ranging approximately as low as 100 bp to as high as 2500 bp were generated with five RAPD primers. ITS region of rDNA amplification with specific ITS1 and ITS4 universal primers produced approximately 650 to 700 bp in all the isolates confirmed that all the isolates obtained are Sclerotium rolfsii. Studies by ITS-RFLP indicated that there was no polymorphism in restriction banding pattern among the isolates with the restriction endonucleases used.
ISOLATION AND PARTIAL CHARACTERIZATION OF A NOVEL BACTERIOCIN PRODUCED BY LACTOCOCCUS LACTIS SSP. LACTIS MC38

This work presents the isolation and partial characterization of a new lactococcal bacteriocin produced by Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis MC38. The bacteriocin demonstrated broad spectrum of inhibition activity against both pathogenic and food spoilage organisms, and various lactic acid bacteria. This antimicrobial substance appeared to be proteinaceous because its activity was completely inactivated by proteinase K and α-chymotrypsin. It was heat and pH stable. The apparent molecular mass of the purified bacteriocin, determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, was 8.0 kDa. The amino acid composition of the studied bacteriocin was found to be quite different from known lactococcal bacteriocins. The calculation of the number of amino acid residues in the bacteriocin molecule revealed that it contained 62 amino acids.
Biochemical evaluation of a series of synthetic chalcone and hydrazide derivatives as novel inhibitors of cruzain from Trypanosoma cruzi

Chagas' disease, a parasitic infection widely distributed throughout Latin America, is a major public health problem with devastating consequences in terms of human morbidity and mortality. The enzyme cruzain is the major cysteine protease from Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of American trypanosomiasis or Chagas' disease, and has been selected as an attractive target for the development of novel trypanocidal drugs. In the present work, we describe the synthesis and inhibitory effects of a series of thirty-three chalcone and seven hydrazide derivatives against the enzyme cruzain from T. cruzi. Most of the compounds showed promising in vitro inhibition (IC50 values in the range of 20-60 μM), which suggest the potential of these compounds as lead candidates for further development. Twelve compounds have not been reported before, and four of them (7, 13, 16 e 18) are among the most potent inhibitors of the series.
Nature and Role of the Lytic Factor in Hemolytic Streptococcal Fibrinolysis.∗

Summary The lytic factor of Milstone and the globulin substance may both be activated by certain organic solvents to yield a true proteolytic enzyme. Both lytic factor and globulin substance are comparable in their quantitative content of the proteinase. Fibrinolysin was found to activate the serum tryptase from an inert precursor.
Revision of the genus Asconema (Porifera: Hexactinellida: Rossellidae)

The genus Asconema, widely distributed in the North Atlantic and Arctic, was for some time considered to be monospecific. Its revision shows that it contains five species including the previously known A. setubalense, reinstated A. foliata and three new species (two of which are subdivided into three and four subspecies). The generic diagnosis is changed to encompass the specific characters of the new species.
Body Condition and Fuel Deposition Patterns of Calidrid Sandpipers During Migratory Stopover

We compared seasonal variations in body condition and fuel deposition patterns of five calidrid sandpipers at Chongming Dongtan (eastern China), a stopover site in the East Asian—Australasian Flyway. We tested the hypothesis that long-distance migrants show different body condition and fuel deposition patterns relative to those undertaking short-distance flights. Results indicated that the body condition and fuel deposition patterns of the sandpipers varied between the northward and southward migration seasons and between age-classes. Great Knots Calidris tenuirostris and Red Knots Calidris canutus migrate southwards on a long-distance nonstop flight from Chongming Dongtan to northwest Australia, while covering on the return flight a relatively short-distance between Chongming Dongtan and the north Yellow Sea region. Both species attained a significantly higher body condition at Chongming Dongtan during the southward than northward migration. Moreover, they showed a significant increase in body condition at Chongming Dongtan during northward migration stopover, which we see as a recovery from the long flight from Australia. In contrast, Red-necked Stints Calidris ruficollis and Long-toed Stints Calidris subminuta, employing series of relatively short-distance flights during migration, indicated no significant difference in departure body condition at Chongming Dongtan between seasons, nor significant increase in body condition during either migration stopover. Dunlins Calidris alpina on the other hand, showed a significantly higher body condition during northward than southward migration stopover, most likely in anticipation of the longer travelling distance after leaving Chongming Dongtan during northward migration. This study confirms that the body condition and fuel deposition patterns among shorebird species that undertake long-distance nonstop flights are different from those that undertake series of short-distance flights, suggesting that the comparison of body condition and fuel deposition patterns of calidrid sandpipers can be an important tool to understand their migration strategies.
Sexual behaviour of Armillaria heimii and A-mellea isolates from Africa

Summary Thirty isolates of Armillaria heimii from western, eastern and southern Africa were cultured for fruit body production in the laboratory. Most isolates fruited easily. Investigation of single-spore progenies revealed that all the isolates do not have the same sexual behaviour: some are heterothallic and unifactorial while others are homothallic. Two African isolates belonging to the species Armillaria mellea also appeared homothallic. Unifactorial heterothallism has not previously been described in Armillaria, species. Homothallic behaviour has been reported only in a rare European species Armillaria ectypa and in the Japanese subspecies Armillaria mellea ssp. nipponica.
Functional proteomics of protein phosphorylation in algal photosynthetic membranes

Mapping of in vivo protein phosphorylation sites in photosynthetic membranes of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii revealed that the major environmentally dependent changes in phosphorylation are clustered at the interface between the photosystem II (PSII) core and its light-harvesting antennae (LHCII). The photosynthetic membranes that were isolated form the algal cells exposed to four distinct environmental conditions affecting photosynthesis: (i) dark aerobic, corresponding to photosynthetic State 1; (ii) dark under nitrogen atmosphere, corresponding to photosynthetic State 2; (iii) moderate light; and (iv) high light. The surface-exposed phosphorylated peptides were cleaved from the membrane by trypsin, methyl-esterified, enriched by immobilized metal affinity chromatography, and sequenced by nanospray-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. A total of 19 in vivo phosphorylation sites were mapped in the proteins corresponding to 15 genes in C. reinhardtii. Amino-terminal acetylation of seven proteins was concomitantly determined. Sequenced amino termini of six mature LHCII proteins differed from the predicted ones. The State 1-to-State 2 transition induced phosphorylation of the PSII core components D2 and PsbR and quadruple phosphorylation of a minor LHCII antennae subunit, CP29, as well as phosphorylation of constituents of a major LHCII complex, Lhcbm1 and Lhcbm10. Exposure of the algal cells to either moderate or high light caused additional phosphorylation of the D1 and CP43 proteins of the PSII core. The high light treatment led to specific hyperphosphorylation of CP29 at seven distinct residues, phosphorylation of another minor LHCII constituent, CP26, at a single threonine, and double phosphorylation of additional subunits of a major LHCII complex including Lhcbm4, Lhcbm6, Lhcbm9, and Lhcbm11. Environmentally induced protein phosphorylation at the interface of PSII core and the associated antenna proteins, particularly multiple differential phosphorylations of CP29 linker protein, suggests the mechanisms for control of photosynthetic state transitions and for LHCII uncoupling from PSII under high light stress to allow thermal energy dissipation.
Lycopene Concentration of Tomato Fruit can be Estimated from Chromaticity Values

Chromaticity values (L*, a*, b*) of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. 'Celebrity', 'Early Pick', and 'Mountain Delight') were measured using a Minolta CR- 200b tristimulus colorimeter. Lycopene concentrations in acetone extracts of skin disks or pericarp plugs were measured spectrophometrically at 503 nm. The L* or a* value was related to lycopene concentration in all the cultivars; however, the ratio of (a*/ b*) 2 provided the best R 2
Relationship of fruit morphology and weight to fruit strength in 'Meeker' red raspberry.

Additional index words. compression, firmness, Rubus idaeus, fruit quality, path analysis Abstract. Fruit weight and morphological characteristics of 'Meeker' red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) fruit, including drupelets (height, diameter, number), receptacle cavities (depth, diameter), and pits (individual weight) were measured five times in 1988. Fruit strength, as measured by compression, was recorded. The relationship of fro-it weight to fruit strength had linear and quadratic components. Fruit weight was correlated with fruit strength, drupelet height and number, receptacle cavity depth and diameter, and individual pit weight. Besides fruit weight, fruit strength was cor- related with drupelet diameter and number, receptacle cavity depth, and individual pit weight. Drupelet number, receptacle cavity depth, and individual pit weight pro- vided the largest component contribution to fruit strength, as determined by path analysis.
Population northern genetic structure of brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) within boreal forest stream

Brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) population genetic structure and its temporal stability were studied within a small forest stream in central Sweden using five microsatellite loci. Both resident and migrating brown trout are present in the watershed. Tissue samples were collected from seven sections of the stream during two consecutive years. No differences were found in multilocus FST estimates between years within sections except in one case. Moreover, differences between age cohorts within sample sections were rare. The low interannual variation and the low heterogeny between cohorts is interpreted as indications of temporal stability. Pairwise multilocus FST estimates increased with increasing geographic distance, indicating isolation by distance. It is argued that the brown trout of the Farsin stream represent a population complex. The structure is probably maintained by precise natal homing and a limited, but important, amount of gene flow between closely situated sections within the stream supporting a stepping-stone model of gene flow.
Plant species and functional group effects on abiotic and microbial soil properties and plant–soil feedback responses in two grasslands

1 Plant species differ in their capacity to influence soil organic matter, soil nutrient availability and the composition of soil microbial communities. Their influences on soil properties result in net positive or negative feedback effects, which influence plant performance and plant community composition. 2 For two grassland systems, one on a sandy soil in the Netherlands and one on a chalk soil in the United Kingdom, we investigated how individual plant species grown in monocultures changed abiotic and biotic soil conditions. Then, we determined feedback effects of these soils to plants of the same or different species. Feedback effects were analysed at the level of plant species and plant taxonomic groups (grasses vs. forbs). 3 In the sandy soils, plant species differed in their effects on soil chemical properties, in particular potassium levels, but PLFA (phospholipid fatty acid) signatures of the soil microbial community did not differ between plant species. The effects of soil chemical properties were even greater when grasses and forbs were compared, especially because potassium levels were lower in grass monocultures. 4 In the chalk soil, there were no effects of plant species on soil chemical properties, but PLFA profiles differed significantly between soils from different monocultures. PLFA profiles differed between species, rather than between grasses and forbs. 5 In the feedback experiment, all plant species in sandy soils grew less vigorously in soils conditioned by grasses than in soils conditioned by forbs. These effects correlated significantly with soil chemical properties. None of the seven plant species showed significant differences between performance in soil conditioned by the same vs. other plant species. 6 In the chalk soil, Sanguisorba minor and in particular Briza media performed best in soil collected from conspecifics, while Bromus erectus performed best in soil from heterospecifics. There was no distinctive pattern between soils collected from forb and grass monocultures, and plant performance could not be related to soil chemical properties or PLFA signatures. 7 Our study shows that mechanisms of plant–soil feedback can depend on plant species, plant taxonomic (or functional) groups and site‐specific differences in abiotic and biotic soil properties. Understanding how plant species can influence their rhizosphere, and how other plant species respond to these changes, will greatly enhance our understanding of the functioning and stability of ecosystems.
Potential use of Mucor circinelloides for the biological control of certain helminths affecting livestock reared in a care farm

A preliminary study to evaluate the possibilities of biological control procedures against parasites affecting livestock reared in a care farm has been conducted. Adults with mental disabilities were involved in spreading the spores of the filamentous fungus Mucor circinelloides directly onto the faeces, or as a food additive. In the first assay, the spores were sprayed directly onto the faeces of piglets and calves parasitised by roundworms (Ascaris suum) and liver flukes (Fasciola hepatica), respectively. In the second assay, the spores were mixed with on-farm mash feed. Participation of the adults in the experiments was fully satisfactory. In the manure sprayed Mucor spores, the viability of eggs of roundworms and flukes reduced by 53% and 74%, respectively. Significant reductions of viability of eggs of Ascaris (60%) and Fasciola (67%) in the faeces of piglets and calves given mash feed-added Mucor spores were achieved, which demonstrates their ability to survive in the digestive tract of the animals. It is concluded that biological control of parasites could be helpful to decrease the risk of infection in animals reared by intellectually disabled adults in a care farm, and it could motivate them to accomplish new tasks.
Street foods: Handling, hygiene and client expectations in a World Heritage Site Town, Cape Coast, Ghana

Handling, vending and hygienic quality of street foods available to local residents, internal and foreign tourists to Cape Coast, the most important tourism hub in Ghana, were investigated. Questionnaires assessed stakeholder commitment to and expectations of food hygiene. Laboratory analysis evaluated microbial contamination levels of the street foods. Patronised by both local residents and tourists, foreign tourists put the hygienic safety as the principal criterion over curiosity and price to patronise street foods. Although licences had been given to 27 (54%) of the 50 investigated food vendors, only 15 (55.5%) of the licensed vendors had had medical examination (8 only once and 7 annually). Food vending premises visibly needed improvement in sanitation. The foods had the following bacterial contamination levels in colony forming units per gram (cfu/g): meat pie (1.3 ◊ 10