Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization and Kinetics of Growth of Bacteriocin like Substance Produced by Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Ewe Milk and Traditional Sour Buttermilk in Iran

Ethnic people of Iran consume variety of traditional fermented milk products including buttermilk made from ewe's milk. The purpose of this study was to isolate and characterize bacteriocin producing by Lactic acid bacteria from these products, and to exploit their potential as bio preservative. Ten strains of Lactic acid bacteria isolated from ewe's milk, traditional yoghurt and sour buttermilk from different areas in Azarbayjan-e-sharqi, Iran were screened for their ability to produce bacteriocin like inhibitory substances (BLIS). According to results, Lactobacillus pentosus, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus brevis, Pediococcus acidilactici were shown to produce proteinaceous substances inhibitory against a number of Gram positive and negative bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella enteritidis. The inhibitory activities of two Lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus paracasei and Pediococcus acidilactici isolated from ewe milk and buttermilk respectively) were unaffected by the action of pH neutralization and hydrogen peroxide while completely inhibited in the presence of proteolytic enzymes. The kinetic of bacteriocin like inhibitory substances against Staphylococcus aureus indicated a direct relationship between the growth rate and the amount of bacteriocin produced. The inhibitory activity of these lactic acid bacteria started in the early logarithmic phase and continued to the end of exponential phase. During ultrafiltration studies, bacteriocins produced by Pediococcus acidilactici, Lactobacillus paracasei were able to pass through the cellulose membranes with10 and 30 KDa. Titre of bacteriocins produced by Lactobacillus pentosus, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus brevis were estimated 1600 AU/mL while the titre for bacteriocin which produced by Pediococcus acidilactici was calculated as 3200 AU/mL.
Ancient DNA reveals substantial genetic diversity in the California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus) prior to a population bottleneck

ABSTRACT Critically endangered species that have undergone severe population bottlenecks often have little remaining genetic variation, making it difficult to reconstruct population histories to apply in reintroduction and recovery strategies. By using ancient DNA techniques, it is possible to combine genetic evidence from the historical population with contemporary samples to provide a more complete picture of a species' genetic variation across its historical range and through time. Applying this approach, we examined changes in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region (526 base pairs) of the endangered California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus). Results showed a >80% reduction in unique haplotypes over the past 2 centuries. We found no spatial sorting of haplotypes in the historical population; the periphery of the range contained haplotypes that were common throughout the historical range. Direct examination of mtDNA from California Condor museum specimens provided a new window into historical population connectivity and genetic diversity showing: (1) a substantial loss of haplotypes, which is consistent with the hypothesis that condors were relatively abundant in the nineteenth century, but declined rapidly as a result of human-caused mortality; and (2) no evidence of historical population segregation, meaning that the available genetic data offer no cause to avoid releasing condors in unoccupied portions of their historical range.
Screening of mushrooms for nematophagous activity against the pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus

Pine wilt disease is a severe plant disease that is found in many Asian and European countries including Japan, Korea, China, Portugal and Spain. This disease kills millions of pine trees (Pinus species) every year and causes marked changes in ecosystems including that of the rhizosphere microbes (Cheng et al., 2010; Mamiya, 1983). This disease is induced by the pinewood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner and Buhrer) Nickle. Several attempts to develop strategies for killing or managing the PWNs have been made. From the environmental point of view, using biological pesticides for this purpose has become extremely important. Some wood-decaying mushrooms, including Pleurotus ostreatus Jacq. ex Fr. (oyster mushroom), Hohenbuehelia species, Resupinatus silvanus Sacc. , Hyphoderma species and the lawn mushroom, Conocybe lactea Lange are nematophagous (Hutchison et al., 1996; Saikawa and Arai, 1986; Thorn and Barron, 1984; Tzean and Liou, 1993). Furthermore, Mamiya et al. (2005) previously confirmed that the edible mushrooms, P. pulmonarius Fr. , P. eryngii De Cand. , Lentinula edodes Berk. (shiitake mushroom), Neolentinus lepideus Fr. and Pholiota nameko S. Ito and the inedible mushrooms, Omphalo tu s g uepin i for mis Be rk . [for merly, Lampteromyces japonicus Kawam. ], Trichaptum abietinum Pers. ex J.F. Gmel. and Cryptoporus volvatus Peck have the ability to prey on PWNs on agar plates. The hyphae of nematophagous fungi grow toward nematodes, penetrate their bodily orifices, e.g., mouth or anus, and then digest the body contents. These fungi are believed to use the nutrients from their prey to supplement the low nitrogen content that is available in wood (Thorn and Barron, 1984). Several nematophagous fungi produce specialized nematode-trapping structures on the surface of their mycelia, such as adhesive knobs, hourglass-shaped cells, nets, or constricting rings. These structures can severely damage the cuticle of nematodes upon contact and kill them with extreme efficiency. In addition, some fungi release toxins to inactivate nematodes prior to penetration. Following contact with droplets of ostreatin (2-decenedioic acid), which is a nematicidal toxin found in P. ostreatus (Kwok et al., 1992), nematodes recoil and then become immobilized. P. ostreatus also possesses adhesive knobs to trap organs of the nematodes (Saikawa and Wada, 1986). In the genus Pleurotus, several species produce nematicidal toxin droplets on water agar (WA) plates: P. cornucopiae Paulet, P. cystidiosus O.K. Mill. , P. dryinus Pers. , P. eryngii, P. levis Berk. and M.A. Screening of mushrooms for nematophagous activity against the pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus
Checklist of liverworts of the Pasvik State Nature Reserve (Murmansk Region, Russia)

Liverworts flora of the Pasvik State Nature Reserve (Pasvik Reserve) consists of 103 species, 5 subspecies and 2 varieties. We have summarized all available data on the diversity of liverworts of the Pasvik Reserve, including approximately 650 specimens collected by the authors. Calycularia laxa and Oleolophozia perssonii are reported for the second time from Murmansk Region. The territory is quite representative for protection and sustainable development of rare liverworts species – we found new localities for four red-listed European species ( Barbilophozia rubescens, Haplomitrium hookeri, Lophozia ascendens and Nardia japonica ), three liverworts included in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation ( Haplomitrium hookeri, Nardia breidleri and Oleolophozia perssonii ) and 12 red-listed in the Murmansk Region.
COLOUR AND TEXTURE OF VEAL AS INFLUENCED BY BREED AND AGEING

– The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of breed and ageing on colour and texture of veal. Twenty-eight male calves, 14 Holstein-Friesian (F) and 14 Crossbreds (C), were slaughtered at 6 months of age at 268 kg and 280 kg of live weight for F and C group, respectively. At 24 h after slaughter, the carcasses were weighed and a sample of longissimus thoracis muscle was collected, weighed and aged for 5 and 10 days at 4°C, then frozen and stored until analysis. Thawing loss, pH, CIELab parameters, heme pigment, collagen content, heat solubility of collagen, Warner-Bratzler and Hardness at 20% and 80% were determined. Live weight, cold carcass weight and dressing percentage in the C group were higher than in F group. Under these experimental conditions, the veal quality of the two groups was similar even if C group showed a more vivid colour. No effects due to ageing were observed for all the characteristics. The higher market value of crossbred calves sold at livestock auctions is probably due to the effect of sire breed that contributes to a higher dressing percentage and to a higher proportion of high-value cuts in the carcass.
Strategies for Soil Amelioration Using Sulphur in Salt Affected Soils

Abstract Effective use of salt affected soils needs the development of the most efficient and suitable reclamation technology to optimize farm management and better crop yields. Different chemical methods and amendments are used to reclaim the salt affected soils and after reclamation such soils may be used for sustainable agricultural production. Choice of a chemical amendment depends on its availability, cost, handling and time of application. Application of sulfur is very effective technique to suppress the uptake of undesired toxic elements and to improve the quantity and quality of produce in salt affected soils. So, a three-year field experiment was carried out to evaluate the comparative reclamation efficiency of two sulfur sources, i.e elemental sulfur and gypsum to improve the soil conditions by reducing the salinity/sodicity impact and yield characteristics of rice and wheat crop. A saline-sodic field {(ECe = 6.10 dS m−1, pHs = 9.21 and SAR = 41.67 (mmol L−1)1/2, SO4-S = 16.0 (mg kg−1) and soil gypsum requirement (SGR) of 9.10 t ha−1 for 0-15 cm soil depth} was selected. The treatments included were: control, gypsum application @ 100 SGR, S application @ 25, 50, 57, 100 and 125 % of SGR. Statistical analysis of three-year pooled data showed that varying levels of sulfur and gypsum significantly improved soil properties and rice-wheat yield than control, however, gypsum @ 100% of soil GR was at par with S @ 125 and 100% of SGR in term terms of improving yield component of both test crops and reducing soil pHs, ECe and SAR. Efficiency of treatment could be arranged as gypsum @ 100% SGR = S @ 125 % of SGR= S @ 100% of SGR> S @ 75 % of SGR> S @ 50 % of SGR> S @ 25% of SGR>control.
Continuous Long‐Term Bioelectrochemical Chain Elongation to Butyrate

We demonstrate here the long-term continuous bioelectrochemical chain elongation from CO2 and acetate by using a mixed microbial culture. The role of applied current (3.1 vs. 9.3 A m−2) on the performance was investigated. The main product was n-butyrate which was continuously produced over time. Trace amounts of propionate and n-caproate were also produced, but no alcohols were detected during the whole course of the experiment (163 days). Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) systems controlled with more current (9.3 Am−2) showed a butyrate concentration that was 4.5 times higher (maximum 0.59 g L−1) and increased volumetric production rates (0.54 g L−1 day−1) compared to the low-current reactors (0.12 g L−1 day−1), at 58.9 and 71.6 % electron recovery, respectively. Biocatalytic activity of the microbial consortia was demonstrated. This study revealed that the solid-state electrode does control the chain elongation reaction as an essential electron donor and determines the performance of MES systems. This study highlights MES as a promising alternative for acetate upgrading
Perceptions of natural disturbance in Tatra National Park, Poland

Abstract Since the last decades, natural disturbances in forests including protected areas have intensified. They have the potential to impact visual quality and safety of visitors as well as spread beyond protected area boundaries. While economic and ecological impacts are well studied, there is still a lack of work focused on human dimensions and social aspects. This study examines visitor perceptions towards bark beetle infestation in Tatra National Park, Poland. The findings, based on visitor surveys collected during the summer of 2014, indicate the significance of different factors influencing visitor attitudes towards the bark beetle. Age of visitors and importance of the bark beetle issue for them (based on subjective ratings of importance of bark beetle issue for respondents) are the most prominent variables. Also place of origin and environmental worldview were recognized as significantly important variables in accordance with similar studies. Results suggest management implications for park authorities including public relations and environmental education in order to increase knowledge and support for natural disturbance and ecological integrity policies in the national park.
Methane emissions from oceans, coasts, and freshwater habitats: New perspectives and feedbacks on climate

Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, and atmospheric concentrations have risen 2.5 times since the beginning of the Industrial age. While much of this increase is attributed to anthropogenic sources, natural sources, which contribute between 35% and 50% of global methane emissions, are thought to have a role in the atmospheric methane increase, in part due to human influences. Methane emissions from many natural sources are sensitive to climate, and positive feedbacks from climate change and cultural eutrophication may promote increased emissions to the atmosphere. These natural sources include aquatic environments such as wetlands, freshwater lakes, streams and rivers, and estuarine, coastal, and marine systems. Furthermore, there are significant marine sediment stores of methane in the form of clathrates that are vulnerable to mobilization and release to the atmosphere from climate feedbacks, and subsurface thermogenic gas which in exceptional cases may be released following accidents and disasters (North Sea blowout and Deepwater Horizon Spill respectively). Understanding of natural sources, key processes, and controls on emission is continually evolving as new measurement and modeling capabilities develop, and different sources and processes are revealed. This special issue of Limnology and Oceanography gathers together diverse studies on methane production, consumption, and emissions from freshwater, estuarine, and marine systems, and provides a broad view of the current science on methane dynamics of aquatic ecosystems. Here, we provide a general overview of aquatic methane sources, their contribution to the global methane budget, and key uncertainties. We then briefly summarize the contributions to and highlights of this special issue.
Evaluation of Amitraz and Diazinon against Rhipicephalus decoloratusand Amblyomma variegatum in Bako Agricultural Research Center

Ticks are blood feeding ectoparasites that induce huge production losses in livestock industry and creating serious public health problems in the world. Although the use of chemicals is still the most effective method of tick control, uncontrolled applications may have accelerated the emergence of tick resistance to several active ingredients available. This study was conducted to assess the efficacy of commonly used acaricides (amitraz and diazinon) against Rhipicephalus decoloratus and Amblyomma variegatum collected from cattle by using Adult immersion test method. The in-vitro test employed an adult immersion technique. For laboratory experiment, adult ticks collected were exposed to Amitraz or Diazinon. The in-vitro assay showed no statistically significant tickicidal difference (p>0.05) between these compounds, although amitraz proved a relatively better efficacy. For both acaricides, doubled concentration was more effective in tick killing. In conclusion, comparing the efficacy of the two acaricides, amitraz is the preferable one. Furthermore, right application and choice of acaricides, avoidance of uncontrolled utilization of commercial insecticides and Strategies involving the early detection of resistance needs to be pursued in order to avoid any resistance against ticks in cattle.
Chemical composition and insecticidal effects of the essential oil of cardamom, Elettaria cardamomum on the tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta

Abstract Tuta absoluta is one of the key pests of Solanaceae family in the world. This insect is an oligophagous pest and its larva causes damage on the host plants by feeding on leaf, stem and fruit of them. In the current study, chemical composition and insecticidal activities of the essential oil from cardamom, Elettaria cardamomum on egg, the 2nd larval instars and adults of T. absoluta were evaluated. Results indicated that oil is toxic to the T. absoluta. The major components in the oil were as follow: terpinenyl acetate (36.61%), 1,8-cineole (30.42%), linalyl acetate (5.79%) and sabinene (4.85%). LC50 values for eggs, larvae and adults were 351.19, 7.88, 1.55 and 1.88 μl L−1 air, respectively. The tomato leaf miner (TLM), T. absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is a important pest on tomato, potato and other Solanaceous with a huge economic importance. TLM can be regarded as a serious threat to tomato production in Iran. TLM larvae cause about 100% losses by attacking tomato leaves, flowers, stems and especially fruits. The discovery of active compounds that are less persistent will be beneficial to both the environment and agricultural product consumers. Management of the pest can be problematic, especially when the infestation pressure is high. The utilization of natural compounds such as plant essential oils is considered as a alternatives to chemical pesticides because of their lower toxicity on the non-target and low persistence in the environment. In the present study, the chemical composition and insecticidal activities of the essential oil from cardamom, E. cardamomum (Maton) (Zingiberales: Zingiberaceae) on egg, the 2nd larval instars and adults of T. absoluta were evaluated. The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation method, using a modified clevenger-type apparatus. Experiments were performed at 27 ± 2 °C, 65 ± 5% RH and 16 L:8D h photoperiods. Results showed that the essential oil of E. cardamomum is toxic to T. absoluta. The major components in the oil were α-terpinyl acetate (36.61%), 1,8-cineole (30.42%), linalyl acetate (5.79%) and sabinene (4.85%). Probit analysis showed that the LC50 values for eggs, 2nd larval instar (inside leaf, outside leaf) and adults were 351.19, 7.88, 1.55 and 1.88 μl L−1 air, respectively. The overall results showed that cardamom essential oil has high potential in controlling TLM, especially in protected areas.
Expression, purification and characterization of human myosin 9a

Myosins form a large family of actin-based motor proteins that are involved in different forms of cellular motility. Those include muscle contraction, intracellular transport, endo- and exocytosis and cell division and locomotion. Certain myosin isoforms are also involved in hearing and vision processes. So far, very little is known about the myosin class 9. Myosin 9 has been proposed to be involved in cell differentiation and morphology. Mammals express two class 9 myosins; myosin 9a is expressed in brain and its loss results in the formation of hydrocephalus, while myosin 9b appears to be involved in the directional movement of dendritic cells. On the structural level, myosin 9 contains a RhoGAP domain in its tail region, indicating it could link its mechanical activity along actin filaments to intracellular protein G signaling. So far, only myosin 9b orthologs have been investigated. Here, I used the baculovirus/insect cell system to express recombinant human myosin 9a constructs, optimized the purification procedure and examined the function of myosin 9a motor in vitro. Designed constructs contained the motor and neck domains of myosin 9a, fused to different N- and C-terminal tags to facilitate purification. I addressed the ATPase activity of myosin 9a (particularly the Minimal Motor Domain construct) in the absence and presence of F-actin by means of an NADH enzyme-linked assay. The mechanical activity of myosin 9a was addressed by means of the gliding filament assay. The velocity of actin gliding over the lawn of surface-bound myosin 9a molecules was largely independent from the motor density on the surface of a flow cell. In summary, this work presents the first successful purification of recombinant human myosin 9a motor constructs and describes basic mechanochemical properties of human myosin 9a motor. The results presented in this work provide framework for further investigation of myosin 9a properties, including investigation of the regulatory role of the tail domain of myosin 9a.
Produtos Alternativos para Controle de Thaumastocoris peregrinus e Indução de Resistência em Plantas

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of alternative insecticide on Thaumastocoris peregrinus, as well as the potential to act in the resistance induction process in plants. Leaves of Eucalyptus camaldulensis were immersed in the solution of Orobor®, Topneem®, Rotenat®, Rotenat CE®, Baicao®, Compostonat®, Pironat®, Assist®, garlic extract and bordeaux mixture. They were subsequently transferred to tubes containing 10 adults of T. peregrinus, assessing daily the number of dead insects. The products with insecticidal effect were tested for their potential to induce resistance, evaluating the synthesis of the phytoalexin glyceollin (pterocarpanoide) and phenylpropanoids route activation in soybean cotyledons by the enzyme phenylalanine ammonia-lyase. We used water as control and chitosan (1%) as an inductor of reference. Rotenat®, Compostonat®, Rotenat CE® and Topneem® showed insecticidal effect while Rotenat CE® and Topneem® showed potential as resistance inducers, expressing significant amounts of phytoalexins and activity of PAL (phenylalanine ammonia-lyase).
Development and Function

The effects of lead on the development of the nervous system are of immediate concern to human health. While it is clear that lead can affect neuronal development at levels of exposure within the range found in the environment, the particular mechanism of the disruption is not readily ascertained. Lack of knowledge of the mechanism of lead-induced damage hampers its treatment and prevention. The goal of our research is to develop a model system in which the effects of lead on central nervous system development can be demonstrated. The complexity of the brain hampers such investigations because often it is not clear if apparent toxic effects represent changes secondary to somatic changes, such as endocrine or hematological defects, that could alter brain development, or even transneuronal effects caused by toxicity at a distal site that deprives a brain area of a synaptic input needed for its proper development. A related problem is the redundancy of compensatory systems in the brain. Such systems may disguise the severity of the initial toxic insult and themselves can cause functional disturbances. To study neuronal development in a system that minimizes such difficulties, we have grafted discrete brain regions derived from rat fetuses into the anterior chamber of the eye of adult hosts. The brain pieces continue organotypic development in the eye, but are isolated from possible secondary changes due to alterations in the development of the endocrine and other somatic systems because the adult host has these systems already fully developed. Similarly, effects mediated by connecting brain areas are minimized since the transplant is isolated in the anterior chamber of the eye. Using this system, we have discovered that lead induces a hypernoradrenergic innervation of central nervous system tissue. The increased innervation is observed not only structurally, but also functionally. Since norepinephrine is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, this ingrowth may explain the profound slowing of discharge of cerebellar neurons recorded in grafts of lead-treated animals. Studies in other tissues suggest that increased axonal ingrowth may be a general problem of lead intoxication that encompasses many brain areas, as well as peripheral sympathetic systems. Syndromes such as hyperactivity might be the behavioral consequence of these alterations in neuronal development.