Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Proximate composition and amino acid profiles of snakehead (Parachanna obscura) mudfish (Clarias gariepinus) and African pike (Hepsetus odoe) in Igboho dam, South–West Nigeria

This study was conducted to determine the proximate composition and amino acid profile of some selected commercially important fish species in Igboho Dam, South West Nigeria. Three fish species; snakehead (Parachanna obscura), mudfish (Clarias gariepinus) and African pike. (Hepsetus odoe) were purchased from the landings of local fisherman and analysed for their proximate composition and amino acid profile. The data analysis of the proximate composition revealed that Parachanna obscura has the highest crude protein content (20.77 + 0.08) and the highest crude fat (1.81 + 0.02). However, the highest moisture was recorded in Clarias gariepinus (76.85 + 0.01). The order of crude protein in the three fish species studied was; Parachanna obscura > Hepsetus odoe > Clarias gariepinus. The amino acid profile also revealed that fish species contain all the essential amino acid needed for growth. The highest amount of essential amino acid was recorded in Hepsetus odoe (9.90 + 0.24). There is no significant difference among the fish species in respect of the proximate composition and the amino acid profile. The study clearly indicated that proximate composition values obtained would be useful in helping consumers in choosing fish based on their nutritional values and will also provide an update to food composition database.
Population trend and conservation status of the Capricorn Yellow Chat Epthianura crocea macgregori

Summary The average population size of Capricorn Yellow Chat Epthianura crocea macgregori was estimated at 251 +/-31 (SE) by repeated surveys over seven years (2004–2010) using consistent search effort at known occupied sites. Because the survey period coincided with a mixture of dry and wet years (drought from 2004 to 2007 followed by flood rainfall in early 2008 and 2010), it is particularly valuable as a preliminary benchmark upon which to base management decisions. Most of the population (74.5%) was in the Broad Sound area in the north, with lower numbers in the Fitzroy River delta area in the south (22%) and at Curtis Island (3.5%). Sites on Torilla Plain in Broad Sound accounted for two-thirds of the estimated population, making it a priority for conservation efforts. Depending on habitat configuration, some Capricorn Yellow Chats showed a seasonal pattern of habitat use, moving from flooded breeding habitats as they dried to refuge sites such as salt fields or upper marine plains in the dry season; distances moved being < 10 km. Standard surveys from Torilla Plain showed that the chat count during a sequence of above-average rainfall years was almost double that of the average for drought years: 162 +/-28 (2008–2015) compared with 85 +/-15 (2004–2007) respectively. Low population size, large annual fluctuations in population with prior rainfall, rapid declines in low rainfall years, a fragmented distribution and almost half the population concentrated at one site point to a subspecies vulnerable to chance events. Increased climatic extremes predicted by climate change such as higher temperatures, evaporation rates, extended droughts and more intense rainfall events add to its vulnerability.
Long-term effects and chemosensitizing potential of perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Increased awareness of the human and environmental health risks associated with perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) has raised intensive discussions among authorities and policymakers. Yet, despite declined use of PFCs in industrial and consumer products, these emerging contaminants are still being detected in aquatic environments worldwide. In light of the persistent properties of PFCs, fairly little attention has been given to long-term effects. Another challenging topic in the context of PFCs concerns their potential to interact synergistically; a relevant matter given the complex exposure scenarios in aquatic systems. This thesis aimed at increasing the knowledge and understanding of PFCs and their toxicity towards an aquatic vertebrate model, the zebrafish (Danio rerio). Focus was on multixenobiotic resistance (MXR) and toxicity following chronic exposure. Selected PFCs were evaluated in transporter efflux assays serving to determine the synergistic potential via P-glycoprotein (P-gp) transporter inhibition. Long-term effects following single and binary exposures of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and bisphenol A (BPA) were evaluated over two full generations with emphasis on survival, histological alterations, vitellogenin (Vtg) and reproductive success. Among the tested PFCs, PFOS induced the strongest accumulation of the standard P-gp transporter substrate rhodamine B (RhB) in zebrafish embryos. An up to fourteen-fold RhB-retention was found in PFOS-exposed embryos if compared with control animals. In comparison, the effect of PFOS on the uptake of the P-gp substrate calcein-AM by MDCKII cells overexpressing human P-gp was substantially smaller than that of the reference compound verapamil indicating that PFOS only weakly interacts with human P-gp. In the long-term study, the most prevalent effects following waterborne PFOS-exposure were decreased survival in off-spring generations and hepatocellular alterations. The hypothesis that the presence of PFOS increases the endocrine potential of BPA could not be confirmed in zebrafish. This thesis provides further evidence of the chemosensitizing potential of some PFCs in zebrafish. Although the exact mechanisms of action behind the increased uptake of P-gp substrates remain unclear, the results obtained further highlight the importance of mixture toxicity when investigating the hazardous potential of PFCs. Adverse long-term effects on liver structure and survival in zebrafish were only seen at concentrations well above ecologically relevant concentrations. Yet, the decline in survival rates following PFOS-exposure seen over generations again documents the necessity of long-term approaches within the assessment of persistent environmental pollutants.
Post-release habitat utilisation by Francolinus bicalcaratus ayesha, a critically endangered subspecies endemic to Morocco: implications for optimising future release programmes

Summary Characterising the habitat use of released captive-bred birds is required to help optimise future avian reintroduction programmes. The critically endangered Double-spurred Francolin Francolinus bicalcaratus ayesha is endemic to north-west Morocco, where it inhabits forests of cork oak Quercus suber. To improve the viability of this threatened population, 300 captive-bred francolins were released into a game reserve, and post-release monitoring was conducted. This study aimed to identify habitat variables determining the habitat selection of the Double-spurred Francolin. Auditory detection was used during transect surveys of calling males to locate birds and their habitat occupation. Comparison of occupied and random plots showed that this bird is found mostly in flat topography with high cover of shrubs and dense cork oak trees, and close to the release site and water points. Conservation of Double-spurred Francolin depends on the choice of the release point within the cork oak forest, which should be in proximity to suitable cover of cork oak trees, shrubs and water points. Such choices would allow a rapid adaptation to prevailing conditions within release sites. Further multi-scale studies are needed to improve our understanding of the effects of ecological factors on the processes of habitat selection by this endemic subspecies.
Efficacy of Dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) in the control of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita and the cyst nematode Heterodera carotae on carrot in field condition in Italy

Dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), in shank application, was used in two field trials on carrot in Emilia-Romagna and Apulia regions (Italy) against the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita and the cyst nematode Heterodera carotae. The soil was subdivided in plots 30 or 50 × 4.8 m for shank application with machines. Each plot was subdivided in 4 or 5 sub-plots to provide replications for each treatment. In the trial with M. incognita treatments were: i) DMDS at the rate of 250 L/ha, ii) granular oxamyl (60 kg/ha) followed by the commercial product Micosat F WP NE (6 kg/ha) and iii) granular oxamyl (60 kg/ha) followed by Bioact WG including Paecilomyces lilacinus (4 kg/ha). In the trial with H. carotae treatments were: i, ii and iii, DMDS at the rates of 370, 280 and 180 L/ha and iv) 1,3 dichloropropene (140 L/ha). In both trials untreated soil was used as control. DMDS was applied 3 weeks before sowing in a wet soil (70% of the water holding capacity) with a temperature higher than 20°C. The DMDS and 1,3-D treated plots were then covered for 2 weeks with a very impermeable plastic film (VIF). After one week of soil aeration carrot seeds were sown in each plot. At the end of the crop cycle in the experiment with M. incognita, DMDS treatment significantly increased marketable carrot yield (9.7 kg/m2) in comparison to oxamyl followed by either Bioact WG (7.2 kg/m2) or Micosat F WP NE (1.8 kg/m2) and the untreated control (3.9 kg/m2). Also M. incognita soil population density was significantly decreased by DMDS treatment (Pf/Pi=0.2) in comparison to the untreated control (Pf/Pi=14.4) giving the lowest reproduction factor. M. incognita infestation on the roots was assessed according to a scale of 6 classes from 0 to 5. In the experiment in Apulia the significantly highest marketable carrot yield (5.8 kg/m2) was observed in plots treated with 400 L/ha of DMDS in comparison to all other treatments and to the untreated control (0.0 kg/m2). H. carotae soil population density in the untreated control (10.8 eggs and juveniles/g soil) was significantly higher than those observed in the highest DMDS dose (4.5 eggs and juveniles/g soil).
Decomposing leaf mass into metabolic and structural components explains divergent patterns of trait variation within and among plant species

Across the global flora, interspecific variation in photosynthetic and metabolic rates depends more strongly on leaf area than leaf mass. In contrast, intraspecific variation in these rates is strongly mass-dependent. These contrasting patterns suggest that the causes of variation in leaf mass per area (LMA) may be fundamentally different within vs. among species. We developed a statistical modeling framework to decompose LMA into two conceptual components – metabolic LMAm (which determines photosynthetic capacity and dark respiration) and structural LMAs (which determines leaf toughness and potential leaf lifespan) - using leaf trait data from tropical forests in Panama and a global leaf-trait database. Decomposing LMA into LMAm and LMAs improves predictions of leaf trait variation (photosynthesis, respiration, and lifespan). We show that strong area-dependence of metabolic traits across species can result from multiple factors, including high LMAs variance and/or a slow increase in photosynthetic capacity with increasing LMAm. In contrast, strong mass-dependence of metabolic traits within species results from LMAm increasing from sunny to shady conditions. LMAm and LMAs were nearly independent of each other in both global and Panama datasets. Synthesis: Our results suggest that leaf functional variation is multi-dimensional and that biogeochemical models should treat metabolic and structural leaf components separately.
IPR 100 - Rustic dwarf Arabica coffee cultivar with resistance to nematodes Meloidogyne paranaensis and M. incognita

‘IPR 100’ was derived from a crossing between “Catuaí” and a hybrid (“Catuaí” x BA-10 coffee). ‘IPR 100’ is a medium size dwarf cultivar with high rusticity, with late ripening cycle, and with resistance to Meloidogyne paranaensis and to some M. incognita populations.
Characterizing nonmodel microorganisms and reconstructing catabolic pathways for bio-productions

13 C-assisted metabolism analysis provides rigorous calculations of the intracellular reaction rates (i.e., fluxes) within the central metabolism of microbial hosts. This mapping of the intracellular network within microbes has proven to be essential for understanding the cell physiology. The approach can identify central metabolic nodes, probe the rigidity of a metabolic network and reveal hidden pathways. Here we present the methodology of using stable isotopic analogues of carbon substrates for both qualitative and quantitative ( 13 C-Metabolic Flux Analysis; 13 C-MFA) metabolism analysis.
Development of ovarian cancer-targeted adenoviral vectors

Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynaecological cancer, with less than half of patients surviving five years from diagnosis. The asymptomatic nature of the early disease commonly results in diagnosis at an advanced stage where peritoneal metastases are prevalent, and the disease rapidly develops resistance to platinum-based agents. Innovative treatments are needed to combat this untreatable disease that has a poor prognosis. Adenoviruses (Ad) are versatile gene therapy vehicles that have been studied for six decades. Their wider clinical use has been limited by poor tumour-specificity, pre-existing immunity, and toxicity-inducing off-target delivery. We have generated an Ad5.3D. A20 vector that is re-targeted to an epithelial cancer-specific marker, αvβ6 integrin, and fully de-targeted from native interactions ‒ αvβ3/5 integrins, coxsackie and adenovirus receptor (CAR), and human coagulation factor 10 (FX). Ad5.3D. A20 selectively transduced αvβ6+ epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cells in vitro and clinical ovarian ascites-derived EOC cells ex vivo, including in the presence of neutralising anti-Ad antibodies. In vivo, Ad5.3D. A20 exhibited significantly reduced off-target accumulation and transduction of the liver, spleen and lungs, relative to Ad5. Efficacy studies are underway to investigate its oncolytic potential. Furthermore, we explored the potential use of alternative serotypes from the rare seroprevalence subgroup D. A novel Ad10 vector showed improved resistance from neutralisation and lack of FX binding. Chimaeric Ad5 vectors pseudotyped with Ad10, -15, -24, -29, -48 or -53 fiber had reduced interactions with CAR, but no binding to CD46. Our strategy for translation initially is via intraperitoneal delivery of oncolytic vectors, bypassingmany of the barriers presented by systemic delivery, but enabling transduction of disseminated metastases. These exquisitely tumour-targeted vectors may be further modulated to carry therapeutic moieties to complement their direct cell-killing activity via the stimulation of anti-cancer immunity. The generated tropism-modified vectors have significant therapeutic potential for a wide range of immuno-oncolytic applications.
Effects of Suckling Schedule on Growth Characteristics of Saanen Kids

Abstract. This study was carried out with single-born Saanen kids raised at Uvecik Research and Training Centre of Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University. In the study, the kids were raised according to two suckling program. In the first program, the kids suckled full-udder of their dams for 30 min at 08.00 and 18.00. In the second program, the right lob of the udder of the kid’s dams was milked by hand, and then the kids were allowed to suckle their dams for 30 min at 08.00 and 18.00. The kids in the both groups were weaned at 5 weeks of the study. The live weights of the kids of the first and second program were 10963.0±274.4 and 10384.9±285.1 g (P>0.05) at 5 weeks of the study and 17932.9±676.3 and 17482.7±702.8 g (P>0.05) at 12 weeks of the study, respectively. The height at withers and heart girth of the kids of the first and second program were 51.7±0.9 and 51.1±0.9 cm (P>0.05), and 61.1±0.8 and 58.5±0.8 cm (P≤0.05) at 12 weeks of the study, respectively. The live weight increase between 1-5 and 1-12 weeks of the kids of the first and second program were determined as 192.0±9.5 and 178.6±9.9 g (P>0.05), and 160.2±8.4 and 157.0±8.7 g (P>0.05), respectively. No significant difference was found between the programs in terms of roughage intake (P>0.05), concentrate feed intake (P>0.05), water intake (P>0.05), rumination (P>0.05) behaviors. In conclusion, the growth performance and behaviors of kids which were raised according to two suckling program were found similar.
Covariation of soil nutrients drives occurrence of exotic and native plant species

Nutrient enrichment with phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) threatens biodiversity globally, particularly because it drives invasion by exotic plant species. However, the effects of nutrients on plants can interact with other ecosystem processes such as competition and grazing, and these interactions can be scale-dependent. Furthermore, P and N are often correlated, making it difficult to separate the effects of each. After implementing a herbivore-exclusion experiment for 3 years in grassy woodlands, SE Australia, we assessed the relationship of native and exotic plant species with soil nutrients, grazing and spatial scale. Nitrate (NO3), available P and organic carbon (C) were partitioned into two principle components and further divided into plot- and site-level variation. The correlated components of NO3, P and C (principle component 1) appeared to drive a dominant competitive relationship. Two exotic annual grasses likely out-competed native and exotic species in areas high in NO3, P and C. In contrast, responses to principle component 2 (gradient from high NO3 to high P) indicated that native and exotic species generally benefitted when NO3 was high relative to P. Plant–nutrient relationships were further modified by grazing and spatial scale. Native and exotic species benefitted from grazing but did so under specific nutrient regimes. Summed occurrence of exotic species and native richness was reduced in the absence of grazing and high values of NO3 relative to P at site scales, but not at plot scales, suggesting competition is more important at a scale of hundreds of square metres while soil properties are most important at the plot scale (25 m2). Synthesis and applications. Dividing soil nutrients into uncorrelated principal components showed that niche space for native and exotic plant species is partitioned by positive and negative covariation of nitrate (NO3), phosphorus (P) and carbon (C), and interactions of these soil properties with grazing and spatial scale. Increasing NO3 relative to P could increase species richness, but requires further experimentation to define beneficial concentrations. Native plant richness can be enhanced with adequate levels of grazing by native herbivores and, in the long term, by reducing P from areas enriched with NO3 and P. These actions will help prevent likely competitive dominance by annual exotic grasses.
Distribution of enterotoxin genes and AGR types in Staphylococcus aureus (Enterotoxins and AGR types in S.aureus)

Staphylococcus aureus is a major human pathogen harboring several virulence factors and super antigens (Sag) or staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs). These factors are associated with the presence of agr (Accessory Gene Regulator) locus that controls the expression of several of them. We aimed to determine the prevalence of super antigens and agr groups in 151 methicillin resistant and sensitive S. aureus and to investigate possible relationships between them. A series of six multiplex PCR were conducted. Gradual increase in methicillin resistant S. aureus isolates was evident in this study. Additionally, steady decline in agr II, III and IV types with emergence of agr type I as predominant type was a significant feature. Seventy nine toxin genotypes were observed, with the most common genotype being sea-sek-seq. A meaningful relationship between the major toxin genes, methicillin resistance and agr type 1 was observed. Enterotoxin gene cluster (egc)1 was more common than egc2. The overall prevalence of virulence factors corresponds with that seen in other European countries; however preferential association in this study between agrI and sea-sek-seq combination may serve as efficient triggering signal of virulence in clinical S.aureus isolates.
Effect of Dietary Lipids and Cholesterol on Liver and Yolk Cholesterol Levels and Fatty Acid Composition of Serum Cholesterol Esters in Laying Hens.

Several experiments were conducted to evaluate the influence of various lipids on laying hen cholesterol metabolism. Hens of equal age and production status were used and housed in individual cages with individual feeders. Main responses measured were yolk, liver and serum cholesterol, and fatty acid composition of serum cholesterol esters. Preliminary results showed a significant linear yolk cholesterol increase on day 9 with 0, 0.5, and 1% dietary cholesterol. Added levels of up to 4% cholesterol for 21 days failed to significantly increase further yolk cholesterol. Serum cholesterol was unaffected. In six subsequent experiments, the following lipid comparisons were made with or without 1% dietary cholesterol: one, hydrogenated coconut oil (HCO), lard and tallow; two, HCO, safflower oil (SO) and olive oil (00); three, coconut oil (CO), 00 and SO; four and five, SCH-00 and 00+TO respectively at 8-0, 6-2, 4-4, 2-6 and 0-8% combinations; six, tripalmitin (TP) and TO at 0 and 9% levels. The lipids themselves did not affect most variables measured. Dietary cholesterol significantly increased yolk and liver cholesterol with all lipids used. With cholesterol, HCO versus 00 and SO, and TP versus TO promoted significantly higher yolk cholesterol. Likewise, liver cholesterol was increased by TP but the opposite was true with HCO or SO as compared to 00, lard and tallow. Increasing TO in the 00-T0 mixture depressed liver cholesterol. Cholesterol significantly Increased serum cholesterol (total, ester, free) and most esters particularly cholesterol oleate (CIS:1) but ester/free ratios were unaffected. With cholesterol, 00 promoted higher serum cholesterol, cholesterol myristate, palmitate, palmitoleate steareate, oleate and
Studies on the Mitotic Karyotype and Synoptonemal Complex of Gekko Gecko

The diploid chromosome number of the Gekko gecko is 38 for the 2 male and 2 female studied.The karyotype consists of 2 pairs metacentric elements (Nos.1,4);3 pairs submetacentric (Nos.2,3,5)and 14 pairs telocentric or subtelocentric elements (Nos.6-19). No heteromorphic sex chromosomes is observed in the karyotype of Gekko Gecko.A pair of Ag-NOR on the terminal of No.7 chromosome is found.The identification and progression of the prophase stages of meiosis in Gekko gecko gonads are reported.With a combination of surface spreading and silver staining technique synaptonemal complex (S.C) of the Gekko gecko was studied by electron microscopy.The S.C karyotype of the Gekko gecko with 19 bivalents has been constructed.