Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
NEW SPECIES OF AMYNTHAS, PHERETIMA AND PLEIONOGASTER (CLITELLATA: MEGASCOLECIDAE) OF THE MT. KITANGLAD RANGE, MINDANAO ISLAND, PHILIPPINES

Earthworm material collected from the Mt. Kitanglad Range, Bukidnon Province, the Philippines, consisted of 18 new species of megascolecid earthworms. Fifteen new species of Pheretima (Pheretima) were found, including Pheretima baletei, P. bukidnonensis, P. heaneyi, P. kitangladensis, and P. monotheca in the P. urceolata species group with spermathecae in segment vi, and P. alba, P. baungonensis, P. diesmosi, P. monoporata, P. paucisetosa, P. rubida, P. rugosa, P. quincunxia, P. vicinipora, and P. virgata in the P. sangirensis species group with spermathecae in segment vii or viii. Amynthas heaneyi, a new proandric species, was the only member of its genus in the collection. Pleionogaster kitangladensis and Pl. valida are new species of this Philippine endemic genus, and are distinct from type material of previously described members of the genus. A re-evaluation of Pleionogaster revised the genus definition and concluded that some previously synonymized species should be restored. Considering the usual patterns of exotic species invasions and the barriers inherent to earthworm dispersal among Southeast Asian archipelagos, it is very improbable that the species described here are exotic or are actually range extensions of previously known species from Indonesia.
Modulation of Alphaviruses by Small RNAs

Mosquito-borne diseases remain a significant burden on global public health. Maintenance of mosquito-borne viruses in nature requires a biological transmission cycle that involves alternating virus replication in a susceptible vertebrate and mosquito host. Although infection of the vertebrate host is acute and often associated with disease, continual transmission of these viruses in nature depends on the establishment of a persistent, nonpathogenic infection in the mosquito vector. It is well known that invertebrates rely on small RNA pathways as an adaptive antiviral defense. The canonical antiviral response in these organisms involves dicer enzymes that cleave viral doublestranded RNA replicative intermediates (RIs) into small interfering RNAs (siRNAs; ~2124 nucleotides). One strand of the siRNA duplex guides the targeting and destruction of complementary viral RNAs when loaded and retained in a multi-protein complex called the RNA-induced silencing complex. Here, we show that mosquito vectors mount a redundant double defense against virus infection mediated by two different small RNA pathways. Specifically, we demonstrate that in addition to a canonical antiviral response mediated by siRNAs, virus infection of the mosquito soma also triggers an antiviral immune pathway directed by ping-pong-dependent PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs; ~24-30 nucleotides). The complexity of mosquito antiviral immunity has important implications for understanding how viruses both induce and modulate RNA-silencing responses in mosquito vectors. In mammals, viral RIs induce a range of relatively nonspecific antiviral responses. However, it remains unclear if viral RIs also trigger RNA silencing in mammals. Mosquito-borne viruses represent an ideal model for addressing this question as their transmission cycles involve alternating replication in mammalian and invertebrate hosts. Although we report identifying a subset of virus-derived small RNAs that appear to be products of RNA silencing in two mammalian cell lines infected with the mosquito-borne
EFFECT OF SUBACUTE EXPOSURE TO BONNY LIGHT CRUDE OIL ON PLASMA BIOCHEMISTRY AND LIVER HISTOPATHOLOGY OF ALBINO RAT

The study investigated the consequences of the effect of sub-acute exposure to Nigerian Bonny Light Crude Oil (BLCO) crude oil on the blood chemistry and integrity of the liver of male albino rats. A total of 20 male wistar rats were used for the study. Exposure to crude oil was achieved by oral administration of increasing doses (0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.0 ml of BLCO/g body weight) to the rats every day for two weeks. The initial and final body weights were recorded. The toxic effects on the liver were accessed using commercial kits and histopathological studies were carried out using standard histopathological technique. The results revealed that liver cells were damaged due to the crude oil administered. There was significant increase (p<0.05) in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities and total and direct bilirubin concentrations, and a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the total protein concentration as compared with the control group. Histopathological examinations indicated that crude oil caused severe pathological changes, it also revealed mild to severe disruption of the normal architectural structure of the liver accompanied by the death of many liver cells and the presence of pocket of blood within the liver parenchyma and cholangitis in the group treated with the highest dose (1.00 ml of BLCO /g body weight). The results therefore indicate that the sub-acute administration of the crude oil brought about impaired function of the liver which could lead to liver disease at very low doses and are such the use of the crude oil as a therapy to poisons, convulsion and other gastrointestinal disorders should be discouraged.
A tropical epiphytic orchid uses a low‐light interception strategy in a spatially heterogeneous light environment

Light is considered a non‐limiting factor for vascular epiphytes. Nevertheless, an epiphyte's access to light may be limited by phorophyte shading and the spatio‐temporal environmental patchiness characteristic of epiphytic habitats. We assessed the extent to which potential light interception in Rodriguezia granadensis, an epiphytic orchid, is determined by individual factors (plant size traits and leaf traits), or environmental heterogeneity (light patchiness) within the crown of the phorophyte, or both. We studied 104 adult plants growing on Psidium guajava trees in two habitats with contrasting canopy cover: a dry tropical forest edge, and isolated trees in a pasture. We recorded the number of leaves and the leaf area, the leaf position angles, and the potential exposure of the leaf surface to direct irradiance (silhouette area of the leaf blade), and the potential irradiance incident on each plant. We found the epiphytes experience a highly heterogeneous light environment in the crowns of P. guajava. Nonetheless, R. granadensis plants displayed a common light interception strategy typical of low‐light environments, resembling terrestrial, forest understory plants. Potential exposure of the total leaf surface to direct irradiance correlated positively with plant size and within‐plant variation in leaf orientation. In many‐leaved individuals, within‐plant variation in leaf angles produced complementary leaf positions that enhanced potential light interception. This light interception strategy suggests that, in contrast to current wisdom, enhancing light capture is important for vascular epiphytes in canopies with high spatio‐temporal heterogeneity in light environments.
Effects of chromium supplementation from inorganic and organic sources on nutrient utilization, mineral metabolism and meat quality in broiler chickens exposed to natural heat stress

One hundred 1-day-old Ven Cobb chicks were used to study the effect of supplementation with 0-2 mg chromium (Cr) per kg diet from potassium chromate (T 1 ), chromium chloride (T 2 ) and chromium-yeast complex (T 3 ). The control group (C) received no supplemental chromium. Each experimental group consisted of five replicates of five birds each and the supplementation was continued for 35 days. The weekly live-weight gain, food conversion ratio and the live-weight gain: food intake ratio were unaffected by the treatments. Metabolizability of the organic nutrients increased in the Cr supplemented groups compared with the C group and significantly higher values were observed in the T 3 group indicating beneficial effects of Cr-yeast complex. Intake of the trace elements (copper, zinc, iron and manganese) fulfilled the requirements specified for broiler chickens. Retention of all these trace elements was higher (P 3 group the retention of copper, zinc, iron and manganese was higher (P 2 groups. Two birds were slaughtered from each replicate at the end of 21 and 35 days of feeding to observe Cr in the liver; this was higher (P 1 T 2 and T 3 groups. Cr concentration in the plasma was higher (P 1 T 2 and T 3 groups titan those in the C group. The differences between the Cr supplemented groups in this respect were not significant, however. Liver copper was higher (P 0-05). Other meat quality parameters including sensory evaluation scores improved due to Cr supplementation and Cr-yeast complex was found to have exerted significantly greater effects on these parameters. It was concluded that the supplementation of 0-2mg Cr per kg food dry matter would improve the performance of broiler chickens in terms of metabolizability of organic nutrients, retention of trace elements and meat quality.
Life History of Dwarf Longnose Sucker (Catostomus catostomus) in the Elk River Watershed

In 2004, a population of dwarf longnose sucker was discovered co-existing with the normal form within the Elk River Watershed of south-eastern British Columbia. This thesis evaluated morphological, genetic and life history characteristics of this dwarf longnose sucker form to determine whether the dwarf morphotype warranted designation as an evolutionary significant unit and to determine any special habitat requirements. In addition to size, distinct morphological differences were indicated between Elk River Watershed dwarf and normal adult longnose sucker, with dwarf adults appearing to retain morphological features of juveniles and sharing morphological features with Salish sucker, which is a separate dwarf longnose sucker form that is considered endangered. Slight, but significant, genetic differences were indicated between Elk River Watershed dwarf and normal longnose sucker forms, and compared to Salish sucker, suggesting some basis for separate designation of the dwarf form. Dwarf longnose sucker are widespread in the Elk River Watershed, and most abundant in small, cool lentic water bodies that contained dense vegetative cover, potential oxycline fluctuation and/or limited fish species diversity. Dwarf adult longnose sucker showed some habitat preference differences compared to normal longnose sucker, with the findings suggesting that dwarf longnose sucker have adopted a more opportunistic life-history strategy than normal longnose sucker. It is postulated that an ontogenetic niche shift has allowed dwarf longnose sucker to more successfully exploit habitats experiencing periodic disturbances (e.g., hypoxia) that, in turn, has led to the occurrence of two longnose sucker morphotypes in the Elk River Watershed.
Prevalence and antibiotic resistance patterns of Proteus mirabilis isolated from catheter-associated urinary tract infection.

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of the bacterial agents that cause urinary tract infection in catheterized patients at Zagazig University Hospital and to assess the antimicrobial resistance pattern of Proteus mirabilis isolates against various antimicrobial agents used for treating urinary tract infections in the spate of its recorded increasing resistance patterns.Urine specimens were obtained from catherized patients suffering from a urinary tract infection (UTI). The different isolates obtained were identified by conventional microbiological methods.The antibiotic susceptibility profile of Proteus mirabilis isolates was determined by agar dilution method. Patient's medical records showed significant increase in incidence of catheter associated urinary tract infection (CA-UTI) upon prolonged catheterization, among immunocompromised patients and patients with concomitant chronic diseases, elderly patients and female gender. The frequency of the obtained isolates was Eschersheia coli (33%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (14%), Enterococcus faecalis (13%), Proteus species (10.2%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10%), Staphylococcus aureus (10 %) and unidentified gram positive cocci (9.8%). 90% of the Proteus isolates were Proteus mirabilis. The resistance of P. mirabilis isolates were highest against Nalidixic acid, Ampicillin/Sulbactam, Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, ceftazidime and cefuroxime (95.5%-57.8%). Lower resistance rates of P. mirabilis were found against amikacin, levoflxacin, ciporofloxacin and gentamicin (2.2 % -17.8 %). While P.mirabilis isolates were 100% sensitive to Imipenem. In conclusion, Imipenem is recommended to be used as an empirical treatment of CA-UTI caused by P. mirabilis.
Toward Viral Vaccine Development: A Modified Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Replicon as Strategy for Optimizing Immunogenicity

Abstract : Alphaviral vectors have been used as vaccines for immunization against several viral infections. However, these vectors typically induce rapid cytopathic effects in mammalian cells. The cytopathicity of these vectors allow for only transient expression of transgenes. In viral models where long-term expression may be needed to induce adequately differentiated immune responses, the current wild-type alphaviral vectors may not be sufficiently immunogenic. This thesis describes development of attenuated, prolonged-expression, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEE) vectors by modifying the non-structural protein-2 gene (NsP2) through the introduction of single or double point mutations. We studied the potential of wild-type and modified VEE replicon particles (VRPs) for optimizing and enhancing the immunogenicity of HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein and to the fusion (F) and attachment (G) glycoproteins of two zoonotic pathogens, Hendra and Nipah viruses, in a murine and rabbit model. We demonstrate in this study that modified VRPs are efficient in optimizing neutralizing antibody responses. Three-fold lower doses and only two vaccinations of modified VRPs were sufficient to induce maximal HIV-1 neutralizing antibody responses in mice compared to three vaccinations of wild-type VRPs. We also report here for the first time that, high-level cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies against henipaviruses were achieved using VRPs. Overall, these data suggest that the use of modified alphavirus-based vaccine platforms should be given consideration for the development of viable antiviral vaccines.
Size and Growth of Cardiosoma armatum and Cardiosoma guanhumi as Ecological Parameters for Mangrove Ecosystem

The Samples of Cardiosoma armatum and Cardiosoma guanhumi were collected from the Lagos Lagoon mangrove area of the University of Lagos. They were studied for their size composition and influence on growth pattern. A comparative analysis was done on both crabs. The carapace length of Cardiosoma armatum and Cardiosoma guanhumi examined ranges from 2.50 cm to 9.30 cm and 2.50 cm to 9.20 cm respectively. The carapace-width examined ranges from 2.70 cm to 9.40 cm and 2.80 cm to 9.40 cm respectively. The total weight of the Cardiosoma armatum ranges between 96.00 g and 290.00 g while Cardiosoma guanhumi ranges between 4.70 g and 295.00 g. The length- weight relationship of the two crabs showed low correlation value of 0.3378 and 0.2113 respectively. The Statistical T-test of the right and left chelipeds, the carapace length and carapace width of Cardiosoma armatum and Cardiosoma guanhumi showed that there were no statistical significances (p>0.05) between carapace length of both crabs. There are statistical significance (p<0.05) between carapace weight of both crabs collected in February, March, June and July. The statistical significance (p<0.05) between the right and left chelipeds of both crabs are highly recognized. This research study indicates almost similar biological features for both species and evidently shows that both crabs are important spotlight for mangrove habitat.
Characterization and immobilization of engineered sialidases from Trypanosoma rangeli for transsialylation

A sialidase (EC 3.2.1.18; GH 33) from non-pathogenic Trypanosoma rangeli has been engineered with the aim of improving its transsialylation activity. Recently, two engineered variants containing 15 and 16 amino acid substitutions, respectively, were found to exhibit significantly improved transsialylation activity: both had a 14 times higher ratio between transsialylation and hydrolysis products compared to the first reported mutant TrSA 5mut . In the current work, these two variants, Tr15 and Tr16, were characterized in terms of pH optimum, thermal stability, effect of acceptor-to-donor ratio, and acceptor specificity for transsialylation using casein glycomacropeptide (CGMP) as sialyl donor and lactose or other human milk oligosaccharide core structures as acceptors. Both sialidase variants exhibited pH optima around pH 4.8. Thermal stability of each enzyme was comparable to that of previously developed T. rangeli sialidase variants and higher than that of the native transsialidase from T. cruzi (TcTS). As for other engineered T. rangeli sialidase variants and TcTS, the acceptor specificity was broad: lactose, galactooligosaccharides (GOS), xylooligosaccharides (XOS), and human milk oligosaccharide structures lacto- N -tetraose (LNT), lacto- N -fucopentaose (LNFP V), and lacto- N -neofucopentaose V (LNnFP V) were all sialylated by Tr15 and Tr16. An increase in acceptor-to-donor ratio from 2 to 10 had a positive effect on transsialylation. Both enzymes showed high preference for formation α(2,3)-linkages at the non-reducing end of lactose in the transsialylation. Tr15 was the most efficient enzyme in terms of transsialylation reaction rates and yield of 3’-sialyllactose. Finally, Tr15 was immobilized covalently on glyoxyl-functionalized silica, leading to a 1.5-fold increase in biocatalytic productivity (mg 3’-sialyllactose per mg enzyme) compared to free enzyme after 6 cycles of reuse. The use of glyoxyl-functionalized silica proved to be markedly better for immobilization than silica functionalized with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) and glutaraldehyde, which resulted in a biocatalytic productivity which was less than half of that obtained with free enzyme.
Optimization of synbiotic yogurts with yacon pulp (Smallanthus sonchifolius) and assessment of the viability of lactic acid bacteria

Abstract The aim of this study was check the effects of sugar, yacon pulp and skimmed milk powder in the aroma, flavour, texture, appearance, overall impression and intent to purchase on synbiotic yogurts to optimize the formulation using Response Surface Methodology. The most accepted formulations were subjected to viability tests during 21 days by counting traditional and probiotic bacteria. Were constructed a complete 2 3 factorial design, totalling 17 experiments, and considered independent variables (percentage of ingredients) and dependent variables (sensory attributes). All attributes were graded using an acceptability assessment, for this balanced incomplete block was applied. The number of viable cells was determined using specific culture medium for each species. The percentage of yacon pulp had a pronounced negative influence on flavour, texture, appearance, overall impression and intent to purchase. Model predictions adjusted to the variables aroma, flavour, texture, appearance, overall impression and intent to purchase exhibited good predictive ability and hence could be used as tools for process control. Traditional bacterial strains and probiotic remained viable throughout the storage period. The counts of probiotic bacterial in the formulations were above 6 log CFU/g. The addition of
Seed priming with ascorbic acid or calcium chloride mitigates the adverse effects of drought stress in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seedlings

Drought stress is one of the most important factors limiting the survival and growth of plants in different habitats of Egypt. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of drought stress on growth and some metabolic activities of sunflower seedlings under treatments with ascorbic acid (AsA) or CaCl2. Drought stress showed a marked reduction in shoot length, leaf area, shoot fresh and dry weight, photosynthetic pigments, soluble sugar, and amylase activity. On the other hand, root length, soluble proteins, protease activity, proline content, soluble phenolics and flavonoid contents, phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), peroxidase (POX), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities, H2O2 and Malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, and total antioxidant capacity were induced compared with normal plant. The application of AsA or CaCl2 mitigated the drought stress throughout the increase of growth criteria, antioxidant enzymes and photosynthetic pigments and decreased of H2O2, Malondialdehyde (MDA), soluble phenolics and flavonoid contents.
Alternative biomass strategies for bioenergy: implications for bird communities across the southeastern United States

Concerns over energy demands and climate change have led the United States to set ambitious targets for bioenergy production in the coming decades. The southeastern United States has had a recent increase in biomass woody pellet production and is projected to produce a large portion of the nation's cellulosic biofuels. We conducted a large‐scale, systematic comparison of potential impacts of two types of bioenergy feedstocks – corn (Zea mays) and pine (Pinus spp.) – on bird communities across the southeastern United States. In addition, we evaluated three biomass alternatives for woody biomass from pine plantations: thinning, residue harvest, and short‐rotation energy plantations (SREPs). We conducted transect counts for birds in eight different land uses across the region (85 sites), including corn fields, reference forest, and plantation forests, 2013–2015. We then used hierarchical occupancy models to test the effect of these biomass alternatives on 31 species. Across all species, birds had lower rates of occupancy in corn fields compared to pine stands. Thinning had positive effects on the average occupancy across species, while residue harvest and the potential conversion of conventional plantations to SREPs had negative effects. Cavity nesters and species with bark‐gleaning foraging strategies tended to show the strongest responses. These results highlight the potential negative effects of corn as an energy crop relative to the use of pine biomass. In addition, harvesting biomass via thinning was a bird‐friendly harvest method in comparison with other alternatives. While SREPs may negatively impact some bird species, previously reported yields emphasize that they may provide an order of magnitude greater yield per unit area than other alternatives considered, such that this land‐use practice may be an important alternative to minimize the bioenergy impacts across the landscape.