Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Staphylococcus aureus prevalence in the fresh salad and vegetables of the Quetta city

Staphylococcal aureus (S. aureus) has been reported as the most prevalent bacteria which can cause foodborne disease worldwide. Since fresh salads, vegetables are consumed uncooked and if contaminated with microbial pathogens may lead to severe food borne illness. This study aimed to evaluate the contamination rate of Staphylococcal aureus in fresh ready to eat salad, sold in local markets of Quetta city, Pakistan. Out of 100 samples tested, 54 were found contaminated with S. aureus. Out of 54 S. aureus isolates, 32 (59%) were coagulase positive S. aureus. However, 22 (40%) were coagulase negative. Enumeration of coagulase positive S. aureus samples revealed that only10% (n=3) of the total collected samples were within the level of acceptance<20 cfu g-1, while 40% (n=12) sample were almost on the threshold of Borderline (20-<10-4cfu g-1). Whereas 50% (n=17) samples were at Unacceptable level (>10-4cfu g-1). Furthermore, higher S. aureus contamination of fresh food samples was observed during early summer season.
Changes in the physicochemical, microstructural and rheological properties of traditional Kope cheese during ripening

The effect of ripening time on the microstructural, physicochemical and rheological characteristics of traditional Kope cheese ripened in clay pots was investigated. The moisture content, pH and total nitrogen (TN)/dry matter (DM) of the cheese decreased, and DM, fat in DM and water-soluble nitrogen/TN increased during this period. Storage and loss moduli increased, while loss tangent decreased; as a result, the elasticity characteristics were greater than the viscous characteristics of the samples. Microstructure images showed that the size of pores and casein network density increased significantly during ripening and, after 90 days, the structure of many pores became very similar to each other.
Reproductive Soundness and Egg Quality in Chickens Selected for Low and High Antibody Response

For 36 generations, White Leghorn chickens were selected for high (HAS) or low (LAS) antibody response to sheep red blood cells. The focus of this thesis was to investigate correlated responses in reproductive soundness and egg quality resulting from that selection. Forty-five hens and 25 roosters from each antibody line were used. In hens, commencement and intensity of lay, and egg quality, were analyzed; in both sexes, length of fertility was considered. Hens and roosters were mated to an intercross line to avoid confounding selection with sex effects. The LAS line was more reproductively sound, commencing lay at a younger age (11.67 ± 3.53 d; P < 0.001), lighter body weight (-169.46 ± 40.20 g; P < 0.001) and with greater intensity (2.68 ± 0.25%; P = 0.001) than the HAS line. Additionally, the LAS line had a greater length of fertility (hens: 2.43 ± 0.55 d; P < 0.001; roosters: 3.11 ± 0.71 d; P < 0.001). In contrast to their poorer reproductive soundness, the HAS line had superior egg quality compared to the LAS line. Egg shape index (4.12 ± 0.55; P < 0.001) and albumen height, measured in both mm (0.27 ± 0.12 mm; P < 0.001) and Haugh units (1.89 ± 0.91; P = 0.04), were superior in HAS hens. Selection for increased antibody response appeared to compromise reproductive soundness, perhaps due to limitations in available resources. However, the selection did not compromise egg quality.
Isolation and Identification of Culturable Fungal Species Associated with Disease in Vachellia tortilis in Namibia

Vachellia tortilis is a tree belonging to the family Fabaceae that inhabits high temperature and dry environments of the world. It is ecologically and economically significant amongst others of the genera Vachellia and Senegalia. It is native to Namibia and several other countries. Various parts of the V. tortilis plant are used for different therapeutic purposes both in the traditional and pharmacological settings. However, V. tortilis is vulnerable to pathogenic infection to which they lack natural resistance and little is known regarding the pathogens responsible for such infections. The aim of the study was to isolate and identify the fungal species associated with twig dieback disease in V. tortilis. Pure cultures from diseased V. tortilis were grown using potato dextrose agar (PDA) and DNA was subsequently isolated and later amplified in a PCR reaction using ITS1 and ITS4 primers. Sequencing and BLAST search revealed the identity of the isolates as; Penicillium rubefaciens, Penicillium herbarum, Trichoderma longibrachiatum and Trichoderma harzianum. Results indicated that P. herbarum was associated with disease symptoms in A. tortilis, T. longibrachiatum and T. harzianum were antagonistic fungi while the effect of P. rubefaciens on V. tortilis remained unknown. It is recommended that further investigations using Koch’s postulates should be performed on V. tortilis using the isolates.
Performance and Movement in Relation to Postmetamorphic Body Size in a Pond-Breeding Amphibian

Abstract We examined the effect of body size on locomotor performance and movement behavior in early postmetamorphic toadlets of Fowler's Toad (Anaxyrus fowleri). Dispersal, if strictly density dependent, should be favored among the relatively small toadlets that emerge from crowded growth conditions, but not among the relatively large toadlets that result from low-density conditions; however, smaller toadlets may have less physical capability to disperse than larger toadlets. The net result may thus be that actual dispersal probability is greatest among intermediate-sized toadlets. Using toadlets of various sizes purposefully raised by manipulating their densities as tadpoles, we tested toadlet locomotor jumping endurance in relation to body size. We also compared the animals' initial body size against their overall movements in the wild, determined using capture–recapture methods, over 2 yr as they grew from toadlets to adults. We calculated movement rate and dispersal probability for each individual recaptured more than twice and determined whether successful movement strategies were correlated or uncorrelated. Our results show that toadlets of intermediate size are most likely to disperse farthest, even though they do not necessarily exhibit the highest levels of endurance. Therefore, knowledge of individual life experience across multiple life stages may be necessary to understand dispersal tendencies in amphibians and may be required in future studies aiming to predict dispersal and population dynamics.
Evaluation of the interaction of two phenothiazines with 2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate) and potassium iodide in horseradish peroxidase reaction

The effect of two phenothiazines: promethazine and chlorpromazine on the initial velocity of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) oxidation of 2,2’-azinobis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS) and potassium iodide (KI) was investigated. The phenothiazines enhanced the oxidation of ABTS and KI by HRP. Chlorpromazine (10 µM - 100 µM) produced a proportional increase in the initial velocity of HRP for oxidation of KI and ABTS. Increase in promethazine concentration within the range of 10 µM – 60 µM caused a linear increase in the activity of the enzyme. However, higher concentrations of promethazine (60 µM mM to 100 µM) resulted in a proportionate decrease in HRP activity. Unlike promethazine, chlorpromazine caused a linear increase in oxidation products within a range of 10 µM-100 µM. A comparative study of the phenothiazines showed that chlorpromazine was a better redox mediator of the enzyme than promethazine. Hence, the turnover of the enzymatic products depends on the structure of the phenothiazine.
Trait association and morphological diversity in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes

Efforts were made to analyze the genetic variability, correlation and path coefficient analysis of yield and its contributing traits in 49 wheat genotypes. The study revealed highly significant differences among the genotypes for yield and its contributing components except grain length and grain breadth. The higher magnitudes of phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) were observed than genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV). The estimates of GCV and PCV were high for plant height, number of tillers per meter, spike weight, spike length, number of grains per spike ,number of spikelets per spike, flag leaf area, 1000-grain weight, grain yield. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance in per cent of mean was observed for flag leaf area, biological yield/meter, and number of grains/spike indicating that these traits were under additive gene control and selection for genetic improvement for these traits would be effective. The magnitude of correlation coefficients at genotypic level was higher than phenotypic correlation coefficients. Path analysis showed that harvest index had highest direct positive effect on grain yield followed by biological yield, number of tillers per meter, spike weight and number of grain per spike thereby indicated that these were main contributors to the grain yield. The Mahalanobis D analysis showed the 49 germplasm clustered into 7 clusters. This shows the germplasm to become moderately divergent. Cluster pattern revealed that, cluster 2 was the largest group consisting of 16 genotypes which was followed by cluster 4 (11 genotypes), Maximum difference among the genotypes within the same cluster was shown by cluster 7 (4.95). So, these characters should be taken into consideration in selection for yield improvement.
Long-day increase of HvVRN2 expression marks the deadline to fulfill the vernalization requirement in winter barley

Vernalization and photoperiod cues are integrated in winter barley plants to flower in the right conditions. We hypothesize that there is a timeframe to satisfy the vernalization needs in order to flower in the optimum moment. Growth and expression of different flowering promoters (HvVRN1, HvCO2, Ppd-H1, HvFT1, HvFT3) and repressors (HvVRN2, HvCO9 and HvOS2) were evaluated in two winter barley varieties under: (1) natural increasing photoperiod, without vernalization, and (2) under short day conditions in three insufficient vernalization treatments. Here, we provide evidence of the existence of a day-length threshold, around 12 h 30 min in our latitudes (Zaragoza, Spain, 41°43’N), marked by the rise of HvVRN2 expression, which defines the moment in which cold requirement must be satisfied to acquire competency to flower. Before that, expression of HvCO2 was induced and might be promoting HvFT1 in both inductive and non-inductive conditions. HvFT3, to be effectively expressed, must receive induction of cold or plant development, through downregulation of HvVRN2 and HvOS2. We emphasize the contribution of HvOS2, together with HvVRN2, in the delay of flowering in vernalization-responsive cultivars. Understanding this complex mechanism of flowering might be useful for breeders to define varieties, particularly in a climate change scenario.
Variability, Correlation and Path Analysis studies in Clusterbean Genotypes during summer season under Haryana conditions

Twenty elite genotypes of clusterbean (guar) were evaluated in the present study for nine traits in RBD during summer 2016 at CCSHAU Hisar. High PCV and GCV estimates were found for the characters; seed yield per plant, number of branches per plant and plant height. High heritability coupled with genetic advance as per cent of mean was observed for traits like number of branches per plant and seed yield per plant, indicating additive effect in these traits. High positive and significant correlation of seed yield per plant observed with number of pods per plant followed by seed weight, number of branches per plant, number of seeds per pod and pod length. Path coefficient study revealed that very high direct positive effect on seed yield per plant was observed by 100 seed weight, number of pods per plant and pod length. Moderate direct positive effect on seed yield per plant was observed by number of seeds per pod. The number of branches per plant showed positive indirect effect on seed yield per plant via 100 seed weight and number of pods per plant.
Characterization and translocation of lactic acid bacteria from the intestine of mothers to their milk and progeny

From 70 different samples (infants and adults faeces, breast milks and fermented foods) 700 bacterial isolates were assigned to 36 species. The predominant species were investigated with respect to their RAPD genotypes, survival, stress tolerance and growth behaviour. The ability was demonstrated for one milk Isolate of L. plantarum, which was indistinguishable from isolates found in this mothers’ and her babies’ faeces to affect the tightness of the mucosal barrier. In pregnant and lactating mice fed with this strain it translocated through the placenta and milk to the progeny.
Data-mining of Antibiotic Resistance Genes Provides Insight into the Community Structure of Ocean Microbiome

Background Antibiotics have been spread widely in environments, asserting profound effects on environmental microbes as well as antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) within these microbes. Therefore, investigating the associations between ARGs and bacterial communities become an important issue for environment protection. Ocean microbiomes are potentially large ARG reservoirs, but the marine ARG distribution and its associations with bacterial communities remain unclear. Methods we have utilized the big-data mining techniques on ocean microbiome data to analysis the marine ARGs and bacterial distribution on a global scale, and applied comprehensive statistical analysis to unveil the associations between ARG contents, ocean microbial community structures, and environmental factors by reanalyzing 132 metagenomic samples from the Tara Oceans project. Results We identified in total 1,926 unique ARGs and found that: firstly, ARGs are more abundant and diverse in the mesopelagic zone than other water layers. Additionally, ARG-enriched genera are closely connected in co-occurrence network. We also found that ARG-enriched genera are often more abundant than their ARG-less neighbors. Furthermore, we found that samples from the Mediterranean that is surrounded by human activities often contain more ARGs. Conclusion Our research for investigating the marine ARG distribution and revealing the association between ARG and bacterial communities provide a deeper insight into the marine bacterial communities. We found that ARG-enriched genera were often more abundant than their ARG-less neighbors in the same environment, indicating that genera enriched with ARGs might possess an advantage over others in the competition for survival in the oceanic microbial communities.
Metabolic and haematological responses of Labeo rohita to dietary fucoidan

ABSTRACT Immunomodulatory properties of fucoidan have been extensively studied in fish. However the effect of dietary fucoidan on the metabolic enzymes is not studied in detail with respect to aquatic organisms. An investigation of the effect of dietary fucoidan on the metabolic and haematological status of Labeo rohita fingerlings is presented. One hundred and eighty fingerlings were distributed into four experimental groups in triplicates. Each group was fed isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets containing 0% fucoidan (T1), 1% fucoidan (T2), 2% fucoidan (T3) and 3% (T4) seaweed powder to satiation for a period of sixty days. Dietary fucoidan was found to significantly (P < 0.05) reduce malate dehydrogenase and aspartate aminotransferase activity in the liver tissue. Alanine aminotransferase activity in the muscle tissue of fucoidan fed groups was significantly higher than the control. The liver and gill superoxide dismutase activity was significantly reduced in the fucoidan fed groups compared to the control. The catalase activity in the liver and gill was significantly lowered in the T3 group. The blood profile of the different experimental groups also revealed beneficial effects of dietary fucoidan yielding a superior haematological status in the groups fed with fucoidan.
Novel Approaches of Oxidative Stress Mechanisms in the Multiple Sclerosis Pathophysiology and Therapy

ABSTRACT It is suspected that the development of multiple sclerosis (MS) can be affected by oxidative stress (OS). In the acute phase of the disease, OS is responsible for initiating inflammation, whereas in the chronic phase it sustains neurodegenerative process. Redox processes in MS are related to dysregulation of axonal bioenergetics, cerebral iron accumulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, impaired oxidant/antioxidant balance, and OS memory. This chapter gives an overview of the role of OS in MS.
Is plantain ( Plantago lanceolate L.), chicory ( Cichorium intybus L.) and clover mixtures effective on weaned lamb growth?

The research was undertaken to assess the lamb production performance over two consecutive years (2011/2012 and 2012/2013) on three sward mixtures; Pasture mixture, Plantain mixture and Chicory mixture in early spring, late spring, summer and autumn. The Pasture mixture consisted of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L.) whereas the Plantain mixture was included with plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.), white clover and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.). The Chicory mixture contained plantain, chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), whiteand red-clover. It was hypothesised that the highest lamb live weight gain (LWG) and carcass weights would be obtained by feeding Plantain and Chicory mixtures in all four periods. In each period weaned lambs were reared on the three herbage treatments for a maximum of two months. The lambs were weighed fortnightly throughout the experimental period and slaughtered at the end. Both Plantain and Chicory mixtures produced higher (P<0.05) LWG and carcass weights compared to the Pasture mixture in all periods. Both Plantain and Chicory mixtures had lower (P<0.05) feed conversion ratios (FCR) and higher (P<0.05) herbage utilization efficiencies compared to the Pasture mixture. This research has shown that sheep farmers in New Zealand can finish lambs at a faster rate for heavier carcasses from spring to autumn using herb-clover mixtures than using ryegrass/white clover pastures.
Temperature effects on growth and buoyancy of Microcystis aeruginosa

Batch cultures of Microcystis aeruginosa ( M. aeruginosa ) were cultivated at seven different temperatures to measure the speci ﬁ c growth rate at each temperature. A relationship between temperature and speci ﬁ c growth rate was established. We propose a cardinal temperature model for M. aeruginosa with the in ﬂ ection point (optimal temperature) located at 27.5 ° C. The model describes 98% of the variability of experimental data from 5 ° C to 35 ° C. A digital inline holographic microscope was employed to visualize and analyze the buoyancy of the M. aeruginosa colonies at two different temperatures. The results demonstrated a ﬁ ve times difference in buoyant velocities of colonies at 17.5 ° C and 28 ° C. A model was derived to calculate the density of a colony using the buoyant velocity and colony size. The ﬁ ndings provide a better understanding of temperature effects on the growth and buoyancy of M. aeruginosa . The results could facilitate the prediction and mitigation of harmful algal blooms in aquatic ecosystems.
Reconstructing the demographic history of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) across its distribution range using Approximate Bayesian Computations

Understanding the dual roles of demographic and selective processes in the buildup of population divergence is one of the most challenging tasks in evolutionary biology. In the Northern hemisphere in particular, species genetic makeup has been largely influenced by severe climatic oscillations of the Quaternary Period. Here, we investigated the demographic history of Atlantic Salmon across the entire species range using 2035 anadromous individuals from 77 sampling sites from North America and Eurasia genotyped at 4,656 SNPs. By combining results from admixture graphs, geogenetic maps and an approximate Bayesian computation framework, we validate previous hypotheses pertaining to secondary contact between European and Northern American populations, but also demonstrate that European populations from different glacial refugia have been exchanging alleles in contemporary times. We further identify the major sources of admixture from the southern range of North America to more northern populations along with a strong signal of secondary gene flow between genetic regional groups. We hypothesize that these patterns reflects the spatial redistribution of ancestral variation across the entire American range. Results also point to a role for linked selection in the form of background selection and or positive hitchhiking. Altogether, differential introgression and linked selective effects likely played an underappreciated role in shaping the genomic landscape of species in the Northern hemisphere Therefore we conclude that such heterogeneity among loci should be systematically integrated into demographic inferences of the divergence process, even between incompletely reproductively isolated populations.
Experimental manipulation of photoperiod and temperature does not influence nest size in Blue and Great tits

ABSTRACT To anticipate future breeding conditions in spatiotemporally dynamic environments, any proximate aspect of breeding is expected to be causally associated with environmental cues or constraints. Photoperiod, ambient temperature, and food are considered to be among the most important environmental determinants of breeding performance. However, the importance of these determinants in the expression of nest size has not previously been investigated experimentally in laboratory conditions. We report that captive Blue Tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) and Great Tits (Parus major) did not adjust the size of their cavity nest to experimental changes in photoperiod or ambient-temperature regimes. Results did not change when we controlled for first-egg date and clutch size. In addition, captive birds fed ad libitum did not build larger nests than free-ranging breeders in standardized nest boxes. Thus, we report no evidence that nest size per se is proximately influenced by commonly studied environmental factors like photoperiod, temperature, food abundance, or the level of investment in egg production—factors that can all pose energetic challenges to breeding birds. However, we do not exclude the possibility that, in natural conditions, energy- or resource-associated constraints might influence aspects of nest design other than nest size (e.g., rare nest components) or that constraints on nest building might only be revealed when birds need to build substantially larger nests (i.e. in larger cavities). Therefore, additional experimental work will be required to determine which are the proximate determinants of nest design in cavity breeders.