Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ultrafiltration-modified chicken egg white lysozyme and its antibacterial action

Summary The aim of the study was to produce a lysozyme preparation with an increased content of enzyme polymeric forms using the ultrafiltration (UF) technique. The effect of selected parameters of the membrane process on the extent of enzyme modification was examined. The study showed that the membrane technique, developed for the production of lysozyme monomer, could also be used in the direct production of a preparation containing enzyme polymers. Under optimal conditions of the modification procedure, the obtained preparation contained 53.3% of lysozyme polymeric forms. The effectiveness of the antibacterial action of UF-modified lysozyme against selected strains of bacteria was determined. Its bacteriostatic activity depended on the applied modification conditions. Among lysozyme preparations modified by UF, the highest bacteriostatic activity against selected strains of bacteria was recorded in the preparation containing 53.3% polymeric forms. The modification procedure facilitates the extension of the antibacterial spectrum of lysozyme against Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas fluorescens).
Crescimento in vitro de linhagens de coloração vermelha e verde clara de Gracilaria birdiae (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta) em dois meios de cultura: análise de diferentes estádios reprodutivos

Gracilaria sp. is one of the main species collected for agar production in Brazil nowadays. The aim of this work was to compare the in vitro growth of different reproductive phases of wild specimens (reddish) and a color strain (light green) of Gracilaria sp. , when cultivated in two culture media: Von Stosch and Provasoli. Six strains were selected: reddish (rd) and light green (lg) gametophytes, both female (F) and male (M); reddish tetrasporophytes, but obtained from different crosses, Frd x Mrd and Flg x Mrd. The growth rates, which were analysed for 28 days, were calculated using fresh mass (mGR) and length (lGR). The light green strain showed lower mGR and lGR than the reddish specimens. The growth was satisfatory in both culture media for wild strains. Reddish and light green male gametophytes and reddish tetrasporophytes showed higher mGR and lGR when cultivated in Provasoli. Light green female gametophytes showed similar mGR in both culture media, but the lGR were higher in Von Stosch. The IGR of tetrasporophytes derived from crosses Frd x Mrd were higher than the tetrasporophytes derived from Flg x Mrd.
Características de carcaça de cordeiros Texel x Bergamácia, Texel x Santa Inês e Santa Inês puros, terminados em confinamento, com casca de café como parte da dieta

RESUMO - Trinta e seis cordeiros (18 machos inteiros e 18 femeas) de tres diferentes grupos geneticos: 12 cordeiros cruzas Texel x Bergamacia (T x B), 12 cordeiros cruzas Texel x Santa Ines (T x S) e 12 cordeiros puros Santa Ines (SI) foram alimentados com tres diferentes dietas experimentais: A- sem casca de cafe; B. com casca de cafe in natura; e C- com casca de cafe, tratada com ureia e grao de soja moido. Os pesos das carcacas quente e fria, o rendimento de carcaca quente (RC), a quebra de peso da carcaca devido ao resfriamento, as medidas de comprimento interno e total da carcaca, o comprimento de perna, o comprimento total de perna (CTP), o perimetro da garupa (PG), a largura da garupa (LG), a profundidade do torax (PT) e a gordura subcutânea (GS), de acordo com a dieta, o grupo genetico e sexo foram avaliados. Nao houve efeito das dietas sobre as variaveis avaliadas. Os cordeiros cruzas T x B e T x S apresentaram menor CTP e maiores PG, LG e GS. Os cordeiros T x B apresentaram valores superiores para PT. Houve superioridade dos animais cruzados nos pesos das carcacas quente e fria, nao ocorrendo diferencas para o rendimento da carcaca quente entre os grupos geneticos. Nao houve diferenca entre machos e femeas para GS. As femeas apresentaram melhor RC que os machos. Para as outras caracteristicas, os machos mostraram valores superiores em relacao as femeas.
ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ACTINOBACTERIA WITH POTENTIAL FOR CONTROL OF FUSARIUM SPP AND COLLETOTRICHUM KAHAWAE

Smallholder subsistence farming is important in the production of food crops for basic livelihoods and income generation in rural areas. However, yields have remained low due to high disease, weed and pest incidences. Currently, crop pests and diseases are largely controlled by use of chemicals, which have adverse effects on the environment and nontarget organisms. There is need for new methods that are environmentally safe to supplement existing control strategies in order to enhance pest and disease control. Microorganisms and their natural products are potentially important alternatives. Identification and characterization of such microorganisms is critical in creating biological control alternative strategies. In the present study, actinobacteria isolated from soil collected from selected protected areas in Kenya (National Parks and Reserves) were screened for antagonistic activity on three prevalent plant fungal pathogens. A total of four hundred and twenty eight (428) isolates were screened for antifungal activity on the three test fungi, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium spp and Colletotrichum kahawae. Three hundred and seventy nine (379) isolates did not show any observable antagonistic effects on the three test fungi in vitro. Twenty (20) isolates showed very minor antagonism in most of the fungi tested with the activity disappearing within a week. Eighteen (18) isolates showed in vitro activity on only one or two of the test fungi. Eleven isolates showed broad-spectrum activity on the three test fungi and were therefore studied further. The isolates that were not antagonists (379), those that showed inhibition on only one or two of the test fungi (18) and those isolates with minor inhibition whose activity disappeared with time (20), were not investigated further. The eleven isolates that were studied further and3characterized were selected based on in vitro broad-spectrum antifungal activity on all the three test fungi. They were isolated from different National Parks with Chyulu having the majority (6 isolates) while Ruma, Kakamega, Imenti, Aberdares and Shimba Hills National Parks produced one each. The isolates were characterized using morphological, biochemical and molecular methods. Phylogenetic analysis of amplified 16S rDNA sequence revealed that the eleven isolates belonged to the genus Streptomyces. Majority clustered with known Streptomyces species. This was supported with physiological, cultural and morphological studies that demonstrated that the isolates displayed characteristics typical of streptomycetes. Three isolates out of the eleven showed very strong in vitro antagonistic effects than the rest indicating that the three are likely to produce novel antifungal secondary metabolites which can find useful application in biological control of crop diseases caused by fungi.
Fungi occurrence on seeds of field pea

Seeds of four edible cultivars of Pisum sativum and three fodder harvested in 2004-2006 from eight localities, scattered in all region suitable for pea production in Poland, were evaluated for fungi occurrence on CN agar medium in Petri plates. The highest number (27) of species was isolated in 2004, while the lowest (16) in 2006. Number of fungi inhabiting seeds was influenced mainly by environmental conditions of locality and years. Alternaria alternata dominated in each sample of 450 seeds. Species of Penicillium contaminated seeds as the next and infection by Stemphylium botryosum was at similar level. Fusarium poae was the most often occurring species of this genera. Pea specific pathogens: Mycosphaerella pinodes, Phoma pinodella and Ascochyta pisi infected more seeds in 2004 and 2005 than 2006, and at the last season only A. pisi was noted. In general, level of infection by those pathogens was low, reaching on an average only 2.56%, with the highest for A. pisi, and the lowest for M. pinodes .
Varietal variations in biochemical changes during growth and redifferentiation of rice callus cultures

Calli initiated from 7 rice varieties belonging to 3 subspecies, indica, japonica, and javanica were cultured for 2 and 14 months on the callus maintenance medium, transferred to the plant regeneration medium, and various organ redifferentiation/plant regeneration abilities were examined. Considerable variations especially in the shoot regeneration were observed among the varieties; four varieties [Tadukan (indica), Nipponbare and Sasanishiki (japonica) and Allorio (javanica)] retained the same redifferentiation abilities, while the remaining 3 varieties [Fujisaka 5 (japonica) and Te-tep and Choukoutou (indica)] showed only very much lowered abilities after 14 months. During the redifferentiation/regeneration period, samples were taken at 4-day intervals up to 36 days and peroxidase and acid phosphatase activities were measured. Activities of these enzymes increased after transfer to the regeneration medium. The patterns of the increase, although the same among varieties within the same subspecies, differed markedly between subspecies. Significant correlations between the redifferentiation/regeneration abilities and the activities of the two enzymes were observed.
A Revision of the Family Pselaphidae (Coleoptera) from South Korea

This is the second revision of the family Pselaphidae from South Korea treating twenty-nine species, of which fifteen species arc new to science and six species are new to the fauna of South Korea. New species are Philoscotus corea- tzus, Batrisodes baejeongdoki, Basitrodes myrmecophilus, Bahiscenellus brachy- gaster, Nipponobythus longicollis, Trissemus petzinsulanus, Btyaxis nogodanensis, B. macheonensis, B. kitnjongkuki, B. leechanyoungi, B. chilimonlanus, B. petzinsu - lanus, Tainochus abdon$nalis, Dicentrius cornurus, Curculionellus komyungXyu- neae. Species new to ihe fauna of South Korea are Batrisus sibiricus Sharp, Rybaxis lamellifer L6b1, Batraxis splendida Nomura, Pilopius mroczkowskii (Liibl), Sogrzol-us breviceps (Sharp), Parucyathigerfujiyamai (Kubota).
Assessment of the recreational linefishery in selected Eastern Cape estuaries: trends in catches and effort

Boat-based creel surveys were used to collect catch and effort data on the shore- and boat-based linefisheries of the Kromme, Gamtoos, Swartkops, Sundays, Bushmans, Kariega, Kowie and Great Fish estuaries in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, from January 1996 to April 1997. The surveys, which were performed primarily during routine fisheries law enforcement patrols by a regional conservation agency, recorded the catch and effort of 2 468 individual angler outings (12 840 angling hours) during 337 angler-count patrols. Although 26 species were recorded, a large proportion of the catch (85%) comprised only four species. Spotted grunter Pomadasys commersonnii (43%) was most commonly caught, followed by Cape stumpnose Rhabdosargus holubi (16%), dusky kob Argyrosomus japonicus (14%) and white seacatfish Galeichthys feliceps (12%). In terms of mass, the overall catch was dominated by A. japonicus (50%) and P. commersonnii (33%). Overall catch per unit effort (cpue) by number was highest during summer and lowest during winter, and vice versa for cpue according to mass. Angler counts showed the Sundays Estuary had the highest mean angling effort for both weekdays and weekends (10.1 and 22.9 anglers count−1 respectively). The Gamtoos Estuary had the lowest count for weekdays (5.5 anglers count−1) and the Kariega Estuary the lowest for weekends (9.8 anglers count−1). Shore-based was more popular than boat-based angling (59% compared to 41%), and all estuaries had substantially higher angling effort on weekends than on weekdays. Angling with bait (93.3%) was more popular than lure- or fly-angling (6.7% combined). Considerations for management of A. japonicus in the Eastern Cape estuarine linefishery are presented.
Relations between vulnerability to xylem embolism and xylem conduit dimensions in young trees of Quercus cerris

Measurements of xylem conduit length and width and the distribution of xylem conduit ends were made in inter-nodes (I), nodes (N) and twig junctions (J) of 1-, 2- and 3-year-old twigs of plants of Quercus cerris L. Parallel measurements were also made of the loss of hydraulic conductivity of twigs subjected to pressure differentials across conduit pit membranes, equalling the leaf water potential at the turgor loss point. The loss of theoretical hydraulic conductivity was calculated as the ratio of i esivr4 (where r is the conduit radius) of the non-conducting conduits to that of all the conduits in the outermost wood ring of I, N and J. Stem zones such as 1-year-old nodes and junctions were localized with narrower and shorter xylem conduits and with higher percentages of conduit ends than internodes. Such ‘constricted zonesrsquo; were less vulnerable to embolism than internodes. Latewood conduits were consistently narrower, shorter and less vulnerable to embolism than earlywood ones. A positive relation therefore existed between conduit diameter and length and vulnerability to embolism. The overall vulnerability to embolism of Q. cerris plants is discussed in terms of xylem conduit width and length and of the distribution of conduit ends.
Bakterie z rodzaju Enterococcus jako ważny czynnik etiologicznym zakażeń układu moczowego u pacjentów ambulatoryjnych

W pracy przedstawiono role bakterii z rodzaju Enterococcus w zaka? eniach uk³adu moczowego u pacjentow ambulatoryjnych na podstawie wynikow badan bakteriologicznych moczu wykonanych w latach 2007-2009. Przeanalizowano wyniki 2360 probek moczu. W¶rod nich stwierdzono 947 posiewow dodatnich (41,69%). Do rodzaju Enterococcus nale? a³o 187 izolatow (19,75%). Do gatunku Enterococcus faecalis zaliczono 182 (97,32%) spo¶rod 187 wyizolowanych enterokokow. Pozosta³e 5 izolatow nale? a³o do gatunku Enterococcus faecium . Enterokoki w wiekszo¶ci by³y wra? liwe na ampicyline, amoksycyline z kwasem klawulanowym i nitrofurantoine. Forum Medycyny Rodzinnej 2010, tom 4, nr 3, 189-193
Reduced Soluble Proteins Associated with Maize Endosperm Protein Bodies

Endosperm protein bodies from developing maize were purified by discontinuous sucrose gradient centrifugation and the protein content analysed by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAE). Major proteins detected were zein polypeptides plus a component with Mr 28 000 and a doublet around Mr 58 000. These proteins were present only in the protein body fraction of the sucrose gradient. Treatment of protein bodies with the reducing agent dithiothreitol (DTT) in aqueous buffer dissolved the components with Mr 28 000 and 58 000, plus minor ones, but not zein. The reduced soluble proteins were separated by DEAE-Sephacel chromatography into three fractions: two of these contained the component with Mr 28 000, and the third the components around Mr 58 000 plus minor ones. Proteins from the three fractions had characteristic amino acid compositions, markedly different from those of zein polypeptides. Chymotryptic digestion experiments performed on protein bodies under various conditions, and two-dimensional electrophoresis of proteins from protein bodies suggested that the major zein polypeptides, the protein with Mr 28 000 and the other reduced soluble proteins have different native organizations.
Impact of different hop compounds on the overfoaming volume of beer caused by primary gushing.

When weather conditions favour the growth of moulds on barley, beers brewed from the resulting malts often tend to gush. Certain Fusarium species (e.g., F. graminearum and F. culmorum) may cause this problem. Supersaturated with CO 2 , a primary gushing beer contains an overcritical concentration of microbubbles; these are reputed to be stabilised by Fusarium-derived hydrophobins. Research with varying brewhouse parameters has been performed to investigate the factors of primary gushing. As hops are known to contribute to a wide range of both gushing positive and negative substances in beer, the hopping regime has emerged as an important aspect. This paper examines the impact of different hop varieties on gushing. Hop oils and unsaturated fatty acids are reputed to be gushing-suppressors. Compounds such as dehydrated humulinic acid can intensify the effect. Hop pellets, with a prevalent range of conductometric values (5―10% α-acid), commonly employed in breweries to adjust bitterness and aroma were selected. By working with the same "gushing malt", the spectrum of compounds in the finished beer only differed through the hop product used. The overfoaming volumes of different samples were determined according to MEBAK guidelines. Respective hop oil and fatty acid concentrations (by GC) and iso-α-acid contents (by HPLC) were compared and a chronological sequence of the changing percentages of beer loss is shown.
Normal Variations in the Amount of Ascorbic Acid in the Blood of Dairy Cattle

Summary 1.Nineteen calves, 4 heifers and 24 cows were used to determine the variations that occur in the plasma ascorbic acid of normal dairy animals. 2.The mean ascorbic acid value found for the calves was 0.32mg. per 100ml. of plasma (range 0.03 to 0.77mg.), for the heifers was 0.49mg. (range 0.24 to 0.80mg.) and for the cows was 0.44mg. (range 0.11 to 0.80mg.). 3.Marked variations were found to occur in the amount of ascorbic acid in the blood when the samples were taken at the same hour each day for a period of 8 or 10 days. 4.Marked variations were also found to occur in the amount of ascorbic acid in the blood of individual cows when the samples were obtained at 3-hour intervals. 5.These data indicate that random ascorbic acid determinations are of little value in determining the normal concentration of this vitamin in the blood of dairy animals.
Measurement of chick provisioning in Antarctic prions Pachyptila desolata using an automated weighing system

The frequency and mass of meals delivered to ten Antarctic Prion Pachyptila desolata chicks nesting at Bird Island, South Georgia were examined using automated weighing systems, placed in the nest chamber of the burrow. The weighing systems, which consisted of an artificial nest platform mounted on electronic load cells linked to a data logger, recorded the mass of the chick every 10 min. Meal delivery was concentrated in the first few hours after dark with a peak (45% of meals) in the second hour of darkness. The mean number of meals per night per chick ranged from 0.4 to 1.7 with 80% of chicks receiving at least one meal per night; there were no nights when none of the chicks was fed. Chick 9, which had the highest feeding frequency, received smaller meals (mean 18 g) than all of the other chicks (mean 37 g). The mass of first and second meals delivered in the same night was not different nor was there a relationship between meal mass and feeding frequency (except for chick 9). There was no relationship between meal mass and chick age between 5 and 50 days. Meals delivered following a night when a chick received no meal were larger than when a chick had been fed the previous night. The proportion of chicks receiving 0, 1 and 2 meals per night differed from the predicted binomial distribution, assuming the independence of feeding by both parents, with more chicks receiving one meal per night than expected. Comparison with periodic weighing methods indicates that the latter underestimates meal size and feeding frequency. The variation within the small sample of chicks studied indicates the need for large sample sizes to estimate population provisioning parameters. However, the weighing system was very successful in providing accurate data on chick provisioning and, with additional development, could provide data on the individual provisioning strategies of adult birds.
Compatibility of Acaricide Residues with Phytoseiulus persimilis and Their Effects on Tetranychus urticae

The twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, is a serious pest of many nursery crops. Regular acaricide applications are required to maintain acceptable population levels of this pest. Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot is a commercially available predator used to control T. urticae populations. The effects of acaricide residues were tested on P. persimilis and T. urticae using a leaf disk system. Both species were exposed to residues for 24 hours 1, 3, 7, and 14 days after acaricide application. Abamectin, Gowan 1725, hexythiazox, horticultural oil, neem oil, pyridaben, and spionosyn residues caused no mortality to P. persimilis 1, 3, 7, or 14 days after application. Chlorfenapyr was harmful to both species at all times after application. Bifenthrin residue was toxic to P. persimilis at all times after application, but was only harmful to T. urticae up to one week after application. Tetranychus urticae mortality from Gowan 1725, horticultural oil, and neem oil residues was significantly greater than the control 24 hours after application, but not thereafter. Tetranychus urticae mortality from hexythiazox and spinosad residues was not significantly greater than the control. Proper pesticide selection may create favorable conditions for release of P. persimilis and reduce acaricide dependency.
Calcite and aragonite distributions in the skeletons of bimineralic bryozoans as revealed by Raman spectroscopy

Abstract. Bryozoans are among a diverse range of invertebrates capable of secreting calcium carbonate skeletons. Relatively little is known about biomineralization in bryozoans, despite the importance of understanding biomineralization processes for nanotechnology and the threats imposed by ocean acidification on organisms having calcareous skeletons. Ten species of cheilostome bryozoans that are reported to have bimineralic skeletons of calcite and aragonite are studied here using Raman spectroscopy. This technique allowed identification of the two mineral phases at submicron spatial resolution, allowing the distributions of calcite and aragonite within bryozoan skeletons to be determined with unprecedented precision. Confirming previous findings based on the use of chemical stains, most of the bimineralic species analyzed exhibited a calcitic skeletal framework, composed of basal, vertical, and inner frontal walls, having aragonite deposited subsequently onto the outer surfaces of the frontal walls. In one species (Odontionella cyclops), aragonite formed the superstructure above the autozooids, and in two others, traces of aragonite were detected on the undersides of the frontal shields. Using Raman spectroscopy, it was possible for the first time to determine the mineralogy of small-scale structures, including orificial rims, condyles and hinge teeth, avicularian pivotal bars and rostra, and ascopore rims and sieve plates. Even when surrounded by aragonitic frontal shields, these structures were found typically to be calcitic, the two exceptions being the aragonitic avicularia of Stylopoma inchoans and O. cyclops. Unexpectedly, the first-formed part of the basal wall at the distalmost growing edge of Pentapora foliacea was found to consist mainly of aragonite. This may point to a precursory phase of biomineralization comparable with the unusual mineralogies identified previously in the earliest-formed skeletons of members of some other invertebrate phyla.
Mouthparts and feeding of certain ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

The feeding apparatus of 17 species of ground beetles (Carabidae), representing 17 genera and 12 tribes has been studied, and the observations correlated with gut content analyses and the ability of certain species to regurgitate pre-oral digestive fluids. The diverse feeding habits of species investigated include zoophagous fluid feeders, zoophagous fragmentary feeders and mixed feeders. In the last-named group, the food intake may be both fluid and fragmentary, and either of animal or of both animal and plant origin.