Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microscopic colitis : clinical features and gastroduodenal and immunogenetic findings

The aims of this study were to investigate the clinical features, the endoscopic and histological abnormalities of ileocolonic and gastroduodenal mucosa and immunogenetic background of microscopic colitis (MC) and its subtypes collagenous colitis (CC) and lymphocytic colitis (LC). 30 patients with CC and 54 with LC were examined with different control groups used according to the study. The mean age at diagnosis was in the sixties in both CC and LC, with a female preponderance in both Autoimmune conditions such as celiac diseased (CD) were common in MC. Bronchial asthma associated with LC. Lactose intolerance associated with MC but colonic diverticulosis was rare. Ileal histological changes were common in MC. Focal gastritis did not associate with MC. Lymphocytic gastritis was found only in LC. Gastric endoscopic erosions were more prevalent in CC than in LC. The age at diagnosis of MC was higher in H. pylori positive than negative patients. The patients with MC had shorter duodenal villi than controls even when patients with CD were excluded. HLA-DR3-DQ2 haplotype and TNF2 allele carriage were more frequent in patients with MC compared to controls. The genotype GG of IL-6-174 was more prevalent in MC compared to the controls. IL-6 genotype did not associate with the serum IL-6 concentration. The concentration of IL-6 was higher in patients with CC than in LC. In conclusion, in addition to colonic typical inflammation, histological abnormalities were detected also in gastric, duodenal and ileal mucosa. CD was common in MC, but there was no association with specific types of gastritis. HLA association was found in MC. Polymorphism in the proinflammatory IL-6-174 gene displayed a possible association with MC. Although CC and LC share many clinical features, the differences in the occurrence of immune conditions, gastric abnormalities and IL-6 response point to differences in their pathogenesis.
Activation of p90Rsk1 Is Sufficient for Differentiation of PC12 Cells

ABSTRACT We investigated the role of Rsk proteins in the nerve growth factor (NGF) signaling pathway in PC12 cells. When rat Rsk1 or murine Rsk2 proteins were transiently expressed, NGF treatment (100 ng/ml for 3 days) caused three- and fivefold increases in Rsk1 and Rsk2 activities, respectively. Increased activation of both wild-type Rsk proteins could be achieved by coexpression of a constitutively active (CA) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase, MEK1-DD, which is known to cause differentiation of PC12 cells even in the absence of NGF. Rsk1 and Rsk2 mutated in the PDK1-binding site were not activated by either NGF or MEK1-DD. Expression of constitutively active Rsk1 or Rsk2 in PC12 cells resulted in highly active proteins whose levels of activity did not change either with NGF treatment or after coexpression with MEK1-DD. Rsk2-CA expression had no detectable effect on the cells. However, expression of Rsk1-CA led to differentiation of PC12 cells even in the absence of NGF, as evidenced by neurite outgrowth. Differentiation was not observed with a nonactive Rsk1-CA that was mutated in the PDK1-binding site. Expression of Rsk1-CA did not lead to activation of the endogenous MAPK pathway, indicating that Rsk1 is sufficient to induce neurite outgrowth and is the only target of MAPK required for this effect. Collectively, our data demonstrate a key role for Rsk1 in the differentiation process of PC12 cells.
CRYPTIC SPECIES OR INTRAGENOMIC VARIATION: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE MILLEPORES

Fire corals of the genus Millepora are ubiquitous in tropical western Atlantic reefs. Two distinct morphologies of Millepora, currently classified as separate species, exist off the coast of the Bahamas. M. complanata have broad, smooth blades and prefer shallow waters whereas M. alcicornis have finer, knobby branches and prefer deeper waters. However, due to extensive phenotypic plasticity in the group, a wide range of intermediate growth forms exist that do not fit into either species group. In order to untangle the evolutionary relationship of the millepores, we initiated a phylogenetic analysis. A maximum likelihood tree constructed from 36 rDNA sequences showed that the millepores separated into two distinct clades suggesting that millepores may be reproductively isolated cryptic species. Although, phylogenetic analysis based on DNA has helped untangle evolutionary relationships, one of the major concerns with using rDNA is the existence of variability among the repeated rDNA units, which may cause extensive differentiation even within single individuals. The problem concerns the assumption that these repeated sequences have undergone concerted evolution, a process involving homogenization of individual repeats of a multigene family. We have analyzed the variability within rDNA repeats in order to ascertain the level of intragenomic variability within the millepores. We analyzed twenty rDNA clones isolated from a single Millepora complanata colony and found low intragenomic sequence divergence ranging from 0-0.087%. When these 20 clones were compared to M. exaesa, the rDNA sequence divergence ranged from 0.649-0.655%. Construction of an unrooted phylogenetic tree also indicated low levels of intragenomic rDNA variation within the millepores. Although intragenomic sequence variation was low, DGGE analysis showed the existence of rare rDNA variants. These results indicate that using rDNA is a useful tool for phylogenetic constructions in the millepores as long as the level of intragenomic variability is determined.
Conservation of coastal stingrays: seasonal abundance and population structure of the short-tailed stingray Dasyatis brevicaudata at a Marine Protected Area

Elasmobranch (shark, ray, and skate) populations around the world are in decline, and effective conservation measures are urgently needed. Marine Protected Areas (MPA) placed in locations important for key life-history stages may form part of an effective conservation strategy. In this context, we examined the seasonal abundance and population structure of the short-tailed stingray (Dasyatis brevicaudata) at an offshore MPA in northeastern New Zealand, and the reported use of this location as a mating ground. Diver surveys were conducted from 2004 to 2007 at the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve (PKIMR). During this time, we observed: (i) a substantial increase in adult and subadult numbers, particularly females during the suggested breeding season, and a corresponding increase in females bearing fresh mating scars; and (ii) large numbers of smaller (probably immature) D. brevicaudata individuals of both sexes from spring to autumn. These results suggest that the PKIMR acts as both a mating aggregation location and a nursery for this species. We suggest that for coastal stingrays such as D. brevicaudata, small MPAs may be effective at protecting key life-history stages, but that as movements outside of reserve boundaries also occur, additional management tools may also be necessary.
RNA-based gene delivery system hidden in breast milk microvesicles -

Human milk samples contain microvesicles similar to the retroviruses. These microvesicles contain single-stranded RNA and possess reverse transcriptase activity. It has recently been reported that RNA content of the microvesicles could be transferred to other cells and be functional in their new location. These microvesicles may therefore transfer genetic signals from mother to neonate during breastfeeding. Moreover, transfer of wild type RNA from a healthy wet-nurse to the suckling neonate through the milk microvesicles and its subsequent reverse transcription and integration into the neonate genome could result in permanent correction of the clinical manifestations in genetic diseases.
Fungal Diversity in Vegetables

Copyright: © Author(s), This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial No Derives License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made. The present work was carried out on vegetable to study fungal diversity. The vegetable were purchased and collected from Bhadrawati and Warora vegetable market and allow to grow fungus on them. The Total of 25 vegetable were collected and categarised them in Earth vegetables, Undergound vegetables, Herbage vegetables and Fruit vegetable. Among these collected 25 vegetables those infected by fungus were identified as Pythium sp. , Alternaria sp. , Phytophthora sp. , Aspergillus sp. , Aspergillus niger, Pythium sp. , Helminthosporium sp. , Rhizopus sp. , Aspergillus sp. , Aspergillus sp. , Verticillium sp. , Trichoderma sp. , Rhizopus sp. , Rhizopus sp. , Fusarium sp. , Alternaria sp. , Trichoderma sp. , Mucor sp. , Fusarium sp. , Mucor sp. , Trichoderma sp. , Colletotrichum sp. , Cephalosporium sp. , Erysiphe sp. , Cladosporium sp. , respectively. This shows that there is a great fungal diversity in vegetables.
Genetic profile of Varroa destructor infesting Apis mellifera iberiensis colonies

Summary The genetic profile of the Varroa destructor mite infesting Apis mellifera iberiensis colonies located in the Iberian Peninsula and also on Canarian and Balearic islands was determined through standard molecular assays (RFLP of the mitochondrial cox1 fragment). The V. destructor Korea haplotype was found in all of the 575 samples analyzed except in one, confirming the worldwide expansion of the more virulent haplotype. The mitochondrial haplotypes of the honey bees from an apiary where the Japan haplotype was detected were also determined, but no significant relationship was observed in the parasite-host haplotype distribution.
Performance of three closely related Myosotis species in an experiment in which substrate quality and competition were manipulated Reakce tří blízce příbuzných druhů Myosotis v experimentu s manipulovanou kvalitou substrátu a konkurencí

Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, České Budějovice, CZ-370 05, Czech Republic, email: eva.egi@seznam.cz, suspa@ prf.jcu. cz; Section of Plant Ecology, Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Dukelská 135, Třeboň, CZ-37982, Czech Republic; Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Branišovská 31, České Budějovice, CZ-370 05, Czech Republic
`Prime-Jan' (`APF-8') and `Prime-Jim' (`APF-12') Primocane-fruiting Blackberries

Prime-Jan (APF-8) and Prime-Jim (APF-12) are the first commercial cultivars of primocane-fruiting blackberry (Rubus subgenus Rubus). Prime-Jan resulted from a cross of Ark. 1836 × Arapaho, whereas Prime-Jim was obtained from Arapaho × Ark. 830, and both were developed in Arkansas, USA. This unique type of blackberry fruit on current-season canes (primocanes) and second-season canes (floricanes). All other existing blackberry cultivars fruit only on floricanes, requiring canes to be overwintered to produce a crop. This new type of fruiting habit has the potential to revolutionize blackberry production much like that occurring in primocane-fruiting red raspberries (R. ideaus). These first primocane-fruiting cultivars are intended primarily for home-garden production, and for limited commercial trial evaluations.
Comparative Analysis of Phytochemical Profile and Antioxidant Activity of Some

In the current study, we carried out a comparative analysis of the antioxidant activities of methanolic and aqueous extracts of the selected leaves of herbs commonly used in Indian cuisine. Total content of phenols, carotenes, tannins and flavonoids was quantitatively estimated from leaves of lemon grass, mint, coriander and curry leaves. Antioxidant activity of the two extracts using free radical scavenging assays like DPPH, FRAP, SO, NO and H2O2 was determined. It was observed that presence of greater amount of phenolic compounds leads to a more powerful radical scavenging effect as was shown by methanolic extract of the leaves when compared to the aqueous extracts. Among the herbs investigated by us lemon grass exhibited the maximum content of phenols and hence greatest antioxidant profile. Mint showed significant concentration of phenols and thus good activity against deleterious oxidants. The results show that use of the natural antioxidants occurring in herbs used in the Indian diet, or their extracts, is a viable option for the food industry as long as the organoleptic characteristics of the food
Effects of Temperature on Some Senescence Parameters during Dry Storage of Cut Flowers of Gerbera 'Suzanne'

Gerbera flower is one of the most popular cut flowers in the world but longevity can be shorter than desired by consumers, mainly for those that are drystored. The effect of dry storage was investigated on one of Brazil’s most popular Gerbera cultivars, the orange-petaled Suzanne. Fresh cut flowers were packed in micro-perforated plastic and dry stored for 7 days under different conditions: 2°C, 85% RH; 4°C, 83% RH; 6°C, 80% RH or before transfer to 20°C, 70% RH. Every 3 days thereafter respiration rate, loss of fresh weight, dry weight, relative water content of the petals, water uptake, petal color, and both soluble and reductive carbohydrates were measured. The appearance, percentage stem break and longevity of the flowers was also recorded. Low temperatures, between 2 and 6°C, during dry storage, were effective for keeping postharvest quality of Gerbera ‘Suzanne’, with appearance and decorative quality best retained with storage at 2°C. Flowers kept at 20°C had an average longevity of 8.6 days, whilst at low temperatures it reached a maximum of 13.8 days (2°C).
Summary of Ammonia and Particulate Matter Emission Factors for Poultry Operations

ABSTRACT Limited data on pollutant emissions from poultry operations are available to assess the effect of these operations on the environment and to put their contribution in perspective with other sources of pollutants. To alleviate this problem, numerous studies at various poultry facilities have been undertaken to improve the knowledge base in quantifying emissions of NH3 and size-fractionated particulate matter (PM). For these emission data to be of practical use for government agencies and policy makers, the emission rates must be reported as an emission factor with a production unit that enables the emissions from one poultry operation to be correlated to another poultry operation. This paper presents a compilation of NH3 and PM emission data from several studies in the form of emission factor on a per-500 kg of live weight or animal unit basis. In addition, best management practices that lower pollutant emissions from poultry operations have been reported along with their effectiveness at reducing NH3 and PM. Unfortunately, the compiled data were insufficient to characterize the variability in emissions caused by differences in house design, suggesting that more studies are needed to complete a comprehensive emission inventory. Once complete, this inventory will enable poultry producers to estimate emissions from their facilities and, if necessary, select management practice(s) to lessen their emissions of NH3, PM, or both.
Semen Quality Traits of Seven Strain of Chickens Raised in the Humid Tropics

This research was conducted to investigate variation in semen quality traits of seven chicken strains. A to tal of 42 cocks belonging to 7 sire strains comprising of 3 Nigerian indigenous (Naked-neck, Frizzle and Normal feathered) cocks, 3 Exotic cocks (Nera Black, White Leghorn and Giriraja) and an improved indigenous crossbred (Alpha) cock developed at the Poultry Breeding Unit of the Teaching and Research Farm, College of Animal Science and Livestock Production, University of Agriculture, Alabata Road, Abeokuta, Ogun State between March, 2002 and April, 2003. Strain effect significantly affected semen volume (P 0.05). The White Leghorn had the highest semen volume, while the Naked neck had the least. The observed semen volume ranged from 0.37±0.02 to 0.73±0.01 ml. Naked neck birds had the highest value for sperm concentration followed by the Normal feathered strain, Nera black, White Leghorn, Alpha, Frizzle feather and Giriraja with corresponding values of 4.21±1.45 x 10 /ml, 4.05±0.65 x 10 /ml, 3.89±0.83 x 10 /ml, 3.53±1.00 x 10 /ml, 3.45±0.46 x 10 /ml, 3.40±0.31 9 9 9 9 9 x 10 /ml respectively. Naked neck had the highest value for motile spermatozoa while the Giriraja had the 9 least value. The Pearson correlation coefficients between semen volume and other quality traits were generally low with positive values ranging from 0.01-0.35 between semen volume and percentage sluggish spermatozoa and semen pH and sperm motility respectively. It is concluded that large genetic variation existed in semen quantity and quality traits in cocks used for the study and that indigenous cocks had comparable results with the exotics and can therefore be included in A.I for genetic improvement as contributors of rare genes.
Fertilization success and UV ornamentation in blue tits Cyanistes caeruleus: correlational and experimental evidence

Cases where less ornamented males are favored through sexual selection are rare among birds. Here we show, based on data from 3 consecutive breeding seasons, that male blue tits with less ultraviolet (UV)-ornamented crown feathers sire more offspring. This pattern was mainly driven by the higher success of older, less UV-ornamented males at siring extrapair offspring. The reason behind this relationship is unclear although we hypothesize that being less UV-ornamented may enable adult males to intrude into nearby territories by mimicking juveniles. To test causality, we experimentally manipulated male crown coloration creating 2 groups, one with higher (UV(p) treatment) and one with lower UV reflectance (UV( - ) treatment). Contrary to our expectations, UV( - ) males were less likely to sire extrapair offspring than UV(p) males. The treatment had no effect on the likelihood of losing paternity in a male's own nest. Because the experimental evidence does not support the observational data, a direct effect of male crown color on extrapair success cannot be confirmed. However, potential pitfalls of this and other such color manipulation experiments, like fading of treatment with time and mismatches between behavior and coloration, call for new improved manipulation techniques and detailed behavioral observations to conclusively test for the effect of blue tit crown coloration on male extrapair success. Copyright 2007, Oxford University Press.
Microorganisms associated with the production of volatile compounds in spoilt tomatoes

The microorganisms associated with the production of volatile compounds in spoilt tomatoes has been isolated and identified. The mean heterotrophic bacterial count recorded range between 8.7 x 106 to 9.1 x 106 cfu/g. The highest value was obtained from Bado and the least from Dundaye market. The organisms isolated and identified include three species of bacteria and four fungal species. These include Bacillus , Listeria , Morganella , Aspergillus , Absidia , and Fusarium . GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of eight compounds dominated by 9, 12 – octadecadienoic acid (31.08%), 2, 3 – Butandiol (28.79%), and n-Hexadecanoic acid (19.85%). This study suggests that spoilt tomatoes could be exploited for the biogeneration of some volatile compounds that could provide baseline knowledge for curbing post harvest lost.
Subspecies-Specific Nested PCR Assay for Detection of Lactococcus lactis spp. lactis and spp. cremoris

A nested PCR-based assay composed of Lactococcus lactis species-specific primers for the nest 1 amplification and subspecies-specific primers for the nest 2 amplification was validated with the identified strains of L. lactis isolated from dairy and nondairy sources and positive and negative control strains. Forward and reverse primer set was designed for nest 1 amplification targeting the conserved housekeeping gene yueF encoding nonproteolytic protein from peptidase family M16 of L. lactis. Amplicons of 447 bp of yueF were subjected for nest 2 amplification producing amplicons of 372 bp. The designed outer primer set for nest 1 amplification was observed to be specific to L. lactis because the DNA from other bacteria could not be amplified and the inner primer set for nest 2 amplification was found to be specific for the detection of ssp. lactis and cremoris of L. lactis.
Background pollination in Pinus sylvestris seed orchards

The proportion of background pollen grains in the seed crops of two Pinus sylvestris seed orchards in Central Finland was estimated with the aid of multilocus allozyme markers. The orchards studied were more than 30 years old and in full pollen production. For the bulked seed crops of the seed orchard with southern clones the estimated average of background pollination over four years was 26%. There were statistically significant differences between years. No significant heterogeneity in the degree of background pollination between clones was found. Among single ramets there was significant heterogeneity in the estimated contamination rates, but the variation was not related to position in the orchard. For the seed orchard with northern clones the bulked seed crop was studied only for one year and the level of background pollination was found to be 33 %. These estimates are fairly high, but lower than for many other orchards. Background pollination at this level will cause losses in expected genetic gains.
About the biodiversity of parasites of freshwater fish from Brazil

The authors analyze the biodiversity of parasites of freshwater fish from Brazil. It is concluded that the number of parasites described so far is low compared to the biodiversity of host species in the country, and that the number of parasites of the different taxa is very variable. An interpretation of these data is suggested, and several recommendations are suggested for the study of fish parasites in Brazil.