Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enhanced α-Zearalenol Hydrolyzing Activity of a Mycoestrogen-Detoxifying Lactonase by Structure-Based Engineering

The enzyme ZHD101 from Clonostachys rosea hydrolyzes and deactivates the mycotoxin zearalenone (ZEN) and its zearalenol (ZOL) derivatives. ZHD101 prefers ZEN to ZOL as its substrate, but ZOL, especially the α-form, shows higher estrogenic toxicity than ZEN. To enhance α-ZOL selectivity, we solved the complex structures of ZHD101 with both ZOLs and modified several lactone-surrounding residues. Among the mutants, V153H maintained activity for ZEN but showed a 3.7-fold increase in specific activity against α-ZOL, with an ∼2.7-fold reduction in substrate affinity but a 5.2-fold higher turnover rate. We then determined two V153H/ZOL complex structures. Here, the α-ZOL lactone ring is hydrogen-bonded to the H153 side chain, yielding a larger space for H242 to reconstitute the catalytic triad. In conclusion, structure-based engineering was successfully employed to improve the ZHD101 activity toward the more toxic α-ZOL, with great potential in further industrial applications.
Virulence Genes of the Streptococcus agalactiae Associated with Bovine Mastitis in Minas Gerais Livestock Herds, Brazil

Brazil has the second largest dairy herd in the world. Minas Gerais is the largest milk producer in Brazil and accounts for about 30% of all production in the country. The mastitis is a disease that causes major losses in the dairy industry under the economic point of view, because maintains a high prevalence and limited response to therapy and may be caused by more than one hundred different etiologic agents mainly bacteria. It is estimated that the loss in milk production by untreated, reach between 12 and 15%. Whatever its origin, there are chemical and physical changes in the milk, accompanied by pathological changes in the glandular tissue. Streptococcus agalactiae is highly contagious and ubiquitous in the mammary gland, is a major etiological agents of mastitis. The elucidation of the virulence factors of this agent is of great importance for the prevention and treatment of mastitis. Because of the few published studies with S. agalactiae isolates from cattle, this study aims to compare isolates from clinical and subclinical mastitis in relation to the presence of virulence genes related to polysaccharide capsule rich in sialic acid, hyaluronate lyase, fibrinogen binding protein and pili. Primers were designed to amplify the genes fbsA, cpsC, cpsD, cpsE, cpsK, neuB and the PI-1 cluster of 16 isolates of Streptococcus agalactiae from clinical mastitis and subclinical mastitis. Molecular analysis showed the presence of gene fbsA in 85.07% of the isolates, 38.80% in hylB, cpsC, cpsD and cpsE at 4.48%, cpkJ, cpsK and neuB 79.10% in the cluster and PI-1 at 1.49%. Observed diversity of strains within and between different flocks, however, no relationship was observed among virulence factors evaluated and the severity of infection.
Status and distribution of Black-necked Crane (Grus nigricollis) in India

In order to understand and monitor the status and distribution of the Black-necked Crane (Grus nigricollis) in India, we carried out systematic long term yearly surveys between 2000 and 2014 at all previously known locations as well as attempted to explore new areas. In this paper, we have summarized the distribution and status of the species in its historic range based on the literature and data collected during surveys in Jammu & Kashmir and at few locations in Northeast India. This paper presents a detailed account of the current status and distribution of the Black-necked Crane in India. The present study is first of its kind which monitored the Black-necked Crane population in India for a period of 15 years. During the entire study period, a maximum of 139 birds were recorded in breeding areas in Ladakh in 2012, and 11 wintering birds were recorded in norteast India in 2006.
Níveis de fósforo e fitase para poedeiras comerciais leves

The objective of this research was to evaluate the performance and bone quality of laying hens after peak production fed diets containing phosphorus levels and phytase. An experiment was conducted with 384 Hy-line distributed in a completely randomized in a factorial 4 x 3 with 4 levels of available phosphorus and 3 levels of phytase. The experimental period was divided into four periods of 28 days, at the end of each cycle were determined experimental feed intake, egg production, egg weight, feed conversion, mortality, and average egg weight, shell thickness, Haugh units and specific gravity. At the end of the experimental period were determined amounts of calcium and phosphorus excreted by the method of total excreta collection and a fowl per experimental unit was sacrificed for collection of bones and evaluation of width, length and level of robustness from femur and tibia. There was interaction between phosphorus levels and phytase on feed intake, feed conversion and percentage of posture. For inclusion levels of phytase all egg quality variables showed no significant differences. The treatments did not affect bone characteristics of laying hens.
Feeding ecology, isotopic niche, and ingestion of fishery-related items of the wandering albatross Diomedea exulans at Kerguelen and Crozet Islands

Feeding ecology and isotopic niche of the wandering albatross Diomedea exulans were investigated in the poorly studied population on the Kerguelen Islands and compared to that on the Crozet Islands. Fish (48% by mass) and cephalopods (46%) were similarly important in chick food at Kerguelen, while cephalopods (87%) dominated the diet at Crozet. Fish prey included mainly deep-sea species, with the Patagonian toothfish Dissostichus eleginoides being the main item. Cephalopod beaks were identified, most of which were from adult oceanic squids. Albatrosses preyed upon the same taxa at both localities, but in different proportions. Histioteuthis atlantica (30% by number), Galiteuthis glacialis (13%), and Kondakovia longimana (10%) were the main squid prey at Kerguelen, while K. longimana (35%) and H. eltaninae (23%) dominated at Crozet. Chick feather δ15N values were higher in wandering albatrosses than in other oceanic seabirds of the 2 communities, indicating that the wandering albatross is an apex consumer together with the sperm whale and sleeper shark that have similar δ15N values. Satellite-tracked wandering albatrosses foraged in local subantarctic waters and farther north, with some Crozet birds overlapping with those from the Kerguelen population in western Kerguelen waters. Anthropogenic items (e.g. plastic fragments, hooks) were found in half the food samples. All fishery-related items were from the local toothfish fishery. The high number of hooks from Crozet indicated the presence of a fairly large number of illegal longliners in the area during the Austral winter 1998. A review of the feeding habits of Diomedea spp. highlights the need for more dietary investigations to achieve effective conservation and management of this endangered group of charismatic seabirds.
Can root trait diversity explain complementarity effects in a grassland biodiversity experiment?

Aims The positive relationship between plant biodiversity and community productivity is well established. However, our knowledge about the mechanisms underlying these positive biodiversity effects is still limited. One of the main hypotheses is that complementarity in resource uptake is responsible for the positive biodiversity effects: plant species differ in resource uptake strategy, which results in a more complete exploitation of the available resources in space and time when plant species are growing together. Recent studies suggest that functional diversity of the community, i.e. the diversity in functional characteristics ('traits') among species, rather than species richness per se, is important for positive biodiversity effects. However, experimental evidence for specific trait combinations underlying resource complementarity is scarce. As the root system is responsible for the uptake of nutrients and water, we hypothesize that diversity in root traits may underlie complementary resource use and contribute to the biodiversity effects. Methods In a common garden experiment, 16 grassland species were grown in monoculture, 4-species mixtures differing in root trait diversity and 16-species mixtures. The 4-species mixtures were designed to cover a gradient in average rooting depth. Above-ground biomass was cut after one growing season and used as a proxy for plant productivity to calculate biodiversity effects. Important Findings Overall, plant mixtures showed a significant increase in biomass and complementarity effects, but this varied greatly between communities. However, diversity in root traits (measured in a separate greenhouse experiment and based on literature) could not explain this variation in complementarity effects. Instead, complementarity effects were strongly affected by the presence and competitive interactions of two particular species. The large variation in complementarity effects and significant effect of two species emphasizes the importance of community composition for positive biodiversity effects. Future research should focus on identifying the traits associated with the key role of particular species for complementarity effects. This may increase our understanding of the links between functional trait composition and biodiversity effects as well as the relative importance of resource complementarity and other underlying mechanisms for the positive biodiversity effects.
DNMT3A mutations in acute myeloid leukemia

DNMT3A Mutations in Acute Myeloid Leukemia — Source link Timothy J. Ley, Li Ding, Matthew J. Walter, Michael D. McLellan . +44 more authors Institutions: Washington University in St. Louis Published on: 16 Dec 2010 The New England Journal of Medicine (Massachusetts Medical Society) Topics: Germline mutation, Mutation, Myeloid leukemia, Frameshift mutation and Nucleic acid amplification technique
Effect of exopolymers of Aureobasidium pullulans on improving osteoporosis induced in ovariectomized mice

Treatment with exopolymers of Aureobasidium pullulans SM-2001 containing β-1,3/1,6-glucan inhibited osteoclastogenesis of bone marrow stem cells in a co-culture system with calvariae osteoblastic cells. In addition, the treatment increased mineral deposition in osteoblastic cells. These two observations prompted us to evaluate whether the exopolymers could be used as an anti-osteoporotic agent, and efficacy of the exopolymers to prevent bone loss was compared with alendronate, a bisphosphonate, in ovariectomized mice prone to osteoporosis. Administration of the exopolymers to the ovariectomized mice resulted in improved effects on femur weight and histomorphometric changes of femur such as trabecular bone volume (TBV), trabecular bone thickness (TBT), and cortical bone thickness (CBT). In conclusion, the exopolymers treatment inhibited bone loss from osteoporosis induced by ovariectomy, and the effect was comparable to alendronate administration.
The Development of Olfactory Organ of Lissotriton Vulgaris (Amphibia, Caudata)

Abstract The Development of Olfactory Organ of Lissotriton vulgaris (Amphibia, Caudata). Kovtun, M. F, Stepanyuk, Ya. V. - Using common histological methods, the morphogenesis of olfactory analyzer peripheral part of Lissotriton vulgaris (Amphibia, Caudata) was studied, during the developmental period starting with olfactory pit laying and finishing with definitive olfactory organ formation. Special attention is paid to vomeronasal organ and vomeronasal gland development. Reasoning from obtained data, we consider that vomeronasal organ emerged as the result of olfactory epithelium and nasal cavity differentiation.
NOTAS CIENT˝FICAS CaracterizaÁªo da diversidade genØtica em feijªo por meio de marcadores RAPD (1)

Abstract – RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) markerswere used to evaluate the genetic diversity among 19 common bean( Phaseolus vulgaris €L.) cultivars. Amplifications using 15 decamersprimers revealed 108 RAPD loci , 70 of which were polymorphic. Therelative genetic distance was estimated using the complement ofJaccard´s coefficient and grouping analyses were derived fromUPGMA and Tocher. These two grouping analyses confirmed thebroad genetic diversity among the common bean tropical germplasm,which was divided into two main groups. These groups correspond tothe Andean (genotypes with medium and large size seeds) andMesoamerican (genotypes with small seeds) domestication centers.The relative genetic diversity was greater among the Andean cultivarsthan that of the Mesoamerican cultivars.Index terms: Phaseolus vulgaris , genetic markers, genetic distances. (1) Aceito para publicacao em 27 de abril de 2000.Extraido da tese de doutorado, apresentada pelo primeiro autor a Universidade Federalde Vicosa (UFV), Vicosa, MG
Preventing suicide in children and youth

As an interdisciplinary research group in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University, we aim to connect research and policy to improve children’s social and emotional well-being, or children’s mental health. We advocate the following public health strategy for children’s mental health: addressing the determinants of health; preventing disorders in children at risk; promoting effective treatments for children with disorders; and monitoring outcomes for all children. To learn more about our work, please see www.childhealthpolicy. sfu.ca Reducing youth suicide: What works?
Effect of carbon and nitrogen source concentrations on the growth and lipid accumulation of yeast Trichosporon oleaginosus in continuous and batch culture

BACKGROUND Biodiesel is an alternative to conventional fossil diesel fuel. Currently, it is mainly produced from vegetable oils and consequently it has an adverse impact on food price. Lipids from oleaginous microorganisms (e.g. microalgae, bacteria, fungi and yeasts) could be an alternative feedstock for biodiesel production and therefore the growth and lipid accumulation of Trichosporon oleaginosus was studied under different conditions. RESULTS The growth of T. oleaginosus on the xylose containing media enhanced the lipid accumulation and reduced cell growth, while on the glucose-containing media the opposite effect was observed. Trichosporon oleaginosus can accumulate above 50% of total lipids in dry cell mass during continuous and batch culture in the nitrogen-limited conditions. In the continuous culture relatively high productivity of total lipid accumulation (0.67 g dm−3 h−1) was observed on the glucose containing media. The type of substrate limitation has considerable impact on the fatty acid composition of yeast cell lipids. The predicted biodiesel properties (based on the fatty acids composition of lipids) were found to meet the CEN quality standards. CONCLUSION The results obtained show that T. oleaginosus has great potential for feasible biodiesel production, especially when sugars from industrial and agricultural waste are used as a substrate. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Effets apoptotiques du dinoflagellé Alexandrium catenella et de ses toxines sur les cellules immunitaires de l'huître creuse Crassostrea gigas : implications dans la susceptibilité de l'huître aux vibrioses

En France, les sites ostreicoles de la mediterranee sont confrontes regulierement a de fortes mortalites de juveniles de Crassostrea gigas mais egalement a des efflorescences recurrentes du dinoflagelle producteur de toxines paralysantes (PSTs), Alexandrium catenella. Parmi les pathogenes associes de maniere recurrente a ces mortalites, on retrouve des souches de Vibrio appartenant au clade Splendidus. Nous nous interessons ici aux interactions entre A. catenella et l’huitre C. gigas confrontee a des vibrios pathogenes. Dans une premiere partie, nous avons montre qu'en conditions experimentales controlees, A. catenella augmentait la sensibilite de l’huitre C. gigas au pathogene Vibrio tasmaniensis LGP32. In situ, nous avons egalement constate la coincidence entre la mortalite des huitres en 2014 et la presence des PSTs dans leurs tissus. Dans une seconde partie, nous avons etudie les interactions entre les PSTs produites par A. catenella et les cellules immunitaires de l’huitre, les hemocytes. Un resultat important de cette these a ete de montrer que la saxitoxine, une des toxines produites par A. catenella, se lie a des structures granulaires presentes dans le cytoplasme des hemocytes de C. gigas et induit une mort hemocytaire caspases-dependante. Cette mort est independante de la production d’especes reactives de l’oxygene. Nous avons egalement demontre que la toxine majoritaire des cellules d’A. catenella, la gonyautoxine 5, est la plus toxique sur les hemocytes de C. gigas. Parmi les populations hemocytaires touchees, les hyalinocytes sont tres sensibles a ce stress toxique. Les hemocytes etant les cellules immunocompetentes de l’huitre qui jouent le role central dans la defense contre les infections, nous supposons que leur mort cellulaire induite par les PSTs affecte negativement la defense des mollusques bivalves et explique l'augmentation de la susceptibilite des huitres a l'infection par Vibrio tasmaniensis LGP32 quand elles sont exposees a A. catenella.
Historical Diets of Forage Fish and Juvenile Pacific Salmon in the Strait of Georgia, 1966–1968

Abstract The Strait of Georgia, British Columbia, provides important feeding and rearing habitat for forage fish, such as Pacific Herring Clupea pallasii and Eulachon Thaleichthys pacificus as well as all species of North American Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. during their juvenile out-migration. In recent decades, this region has undergone large-scale physical and biological changes. Pacific Herring and Pacific salmon populations have experienced dramatic population fluctuations, while Eulachon have failed to recover from precipitous declines in the 1990s. Archival records of stomach content data from the 1960s, collected primarily from juvenile Pacific salmon, Pacific Herring, and Eulachon, allowed us to investigate diet variability in these species 60 years ago. Consistent with contemporary reports, we found that all species except Eulachon had generalist diets. In contrast to recent studies finding that Pacific Herring are the most important fish prey, Eulachon were the most frequently consumed fish, occurring in 28% of all piscivorous fish stomachs. This suggests that Pacific Herring are an important component of some Pacific salmon diets now, but only because lipid-rich Eulachon are no longer available. Chinook Salmon O. tshawytscha and Coho Salmon O. kisutch had the most similar diets, in part because of their greater piscivory. Species, length, and month and year of capture showed some explanatory power in differentiating the diets of the fish, although they explained less than 10% of total diet variation. Historical data, such as those presented here, offer a unique opportunity to investigate temporal differences in foraging ecology, informing management on how changes in the Strait of Georgia ecosystem may impact the trophic interactions between species.
The Implementation of Balance Scorecard and Its Impact on Performance: Case of Universiti Utara Malaysia

The intensity of competition among contemporary Higher Education Institution (HEIs) has led to many of such institutions to focus more on how to provide high quality education so as to attain a suitable position in the university world ranking by adopting a suitable performance management. This study aims to demonstrate how UUM implement and uses the BSC to enhance and improve its strategic plans by addressing the issues facing its strategic management process. This study employed a qualitative case study approach. Data were collected using interview and reviewing the university quarterly and annual reports, organizational structure and the university’s webpage as well as its news bulletins. Data were analyzed qualitatively using thematic analysis. Consistent with Kaplan and Norton BSC model in public sector, findings indicates that the case institution implements the BSC ideology by adapting the concept such that it reflects the unique contextual needs of UUM. This study found that in implementing the BSC project, the university staff’s buy-in, top management commitment, organizational culture and communication strategy has significant effects on the case institution’s performance. Also, findings revealed that the implementation of BSC ideology in UUM has a significant impact on its performance in that it helps in improving the case institution’s overall university rankings. The implication of BSC implementation in UUM is that it helps the university management to monitor its performance with regard to its 2016-2020 phase II strategy plans. Future study should consider more institution that implements BSC so as to get more detail results that may be generalized.
Blueberry Cultivars of North America

The blueberry cultivar situation in North America is undergoing rapid change. Attempts to grow blueberries in non-traditional areas, and increased biotic and abiotic challenges in traditional production areas, are fueling the search for superior, adapted cultivars. This survey of all blueberry-producing states/provinces in the United States and Canada provides the current status and projected trends in blueberry cultivar use in North America. Most (86%) of current hectarage is comprised of 25 northern highbush, 10 rabbiteye, and two southern highbush cultivars. ‘Bluecrop’ is the dominant northern highbush cultivar, with 35% of the highbush area, while ‘Tifblue’ occupies 40% of the rabbiteye area. Some historically important cultivars, such as ‘Jersey’, ‘Weymouth’, and ‘Woodard’ are in decline. New cultivars of all blueberry types are beginning to have a positive impact on the blueberry industry.
Polymorphism of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors gene in Yunnan Han population,China

Objective To study the polymorphism of killer immunoglobulin(Ig)-like receptor(KIR) gene in Yunnan Han population.Methods A total of 150 unrelated healthy individuals were randomly selected from volunteer blood donors in Yunnan Han population.The samples were genotyped by PCR-SSP,and the genotypes and haplotypes were assigned according to standard model of Hua.Results All of the 17 already known KIR genes were observed in our samples.Framework genes 3DL3,3DP1,2DL4 and 3DL2 were expressed in all individuals.The frequencies of 2DL1,2DL3,2DPl,3DP1*003,3DLl,2DS4*001/002 loci were normal,while the frequencies of 2DL2,2DL5A,2DL5B,2DS1,2DS2,2DS3,2DS4*003,2DS5,3DS1 and 3DP1* 001/002 were relatively low.A total of 31 different kinds of KIR genotype were identified.The most common KIR genotypes were AJ(2,2) and AF(1,2),with frequencies of 26.67%and 17.33%,respectively.A total of 15 different kinds of KIR haplotypes were identified.The haplotype 2 was predominant,with a frequency of 47.3%. Furthermore,two new genotypes,which had not been observed in other population so far,have been found.And three new KIR genotypes could not be assigned to the haplotypes,according to standard method of Hua.Conclusion It is clear that the KIR gene polymorphisms in Yunan Han people are similar to those of Chinese Han population.Meanwhile,there are distinctive frequencies of KIR gene,haplotype as well as genotype,in Yunnan Han population.