Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of Drought Stress and Mycorrhizae on Growth of Two Native Forbs

Seedlings of Baptisia australis (L.) R. Br. and Liatris aspera Michx. , grown in prairie soil with no additional P, benefited significantly from inoculation with Glomus etunicatum Becker and Gerd. , regardless of whether they were adequately watered or moderately or severely drought-stressed. In the presence of additional P, growth of severely droughted inoculated seedlings for both plant species was not significantly greater than noninoculated plants. When the influence of four Glomus species on growth of the two forbs was compared under drought-stress conditions with no supplemental P, growth of both plant species was signficantly improved by all fungal species compared to noninoculated controls. Preinoculated seedlings of both plant species were transplanted into disturbed-site soils with indigenous vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi present and subjected to severe moisture stress. After 12 weeks, inoculated seedlings were significantly larger than noninoculated seedlings for all soil types, with or without additional fertilizer (0.15 kg P/m3 + 0.075 kg N/m3). Under conditions of drought stress and low fertility, preinoculated seedlings of both B. australis and L. aspera grew significantly larger than noninoculated seedlings.
Individual and population level dispersal of black-browed albatrosses Diomedea melanophris and grey-headed albatrosses D. chrysostoma in response to Antarctic krill

Two congeneric albatrosses, Black-browed Diomedea melanophris and Grey-headed Albatrosses D. chrysostoma that nest at South Georgia have diets that differ mainly with respect to the amount of Antarctic Krill Euphausia superba consumed, the former being more of a krill specialist. We quantified albatross foraging behaviour both from ships using binoculars and from land using satellite-tracked transmitters. Black-browed Albatrosses changed their movement behaviour in the vicinity of krill swarms whereas Grey-headed Albatrosses did not. We compared the patterns of population dispersal of both species around South Georgia in three years of very different krill abundance. In 1994, a year of exceptional krill scarcity, Black-browed, but not Grey-headed, Albatrosses dispersed much farther offshore than during either 1986 or 1993, years of plentiful krill. The tendency for Black-browed Albatrosses to disperse farther offshore when krill was scarce was confirmed both by satellite tracking and by offshore surveys of population distribution.
Impacts of Breeder Age, Storage Time and Setter Ventilation Program on Incubation and Post-Hatch Performance of Broilers

ABSTRACT The impacts of breeder age (32 and 55 weeks), egg storage time (2-12 days), setter ventilation program (control-test) on incubation and post-hatch performance of broilers were investigated in this study. Young (Y) and old (O) breeders’ hatching eggs were incubated in two different setters operated by two different ventilation programs as control (C) and test (T). Incubation took place after a short (S) and long (L) time of storage in this study. According to the trial design, eight treatment groups were as YSC, YST, YLC, YLT, OSC, OST, OLC and OLT. In total 9600 eggs and 6400 chicks were used. Early stage embryonic mortality (ED) rates were lower and accordingly hatchability of fertile eggs (HF) were higher (p<0.05) in YS than the other treatment groups. In contrast, incubation performance in eggs hatched in C and T programs were found to be similar. However, interaction between treatments were significant (p<0.05) and ED and HF were significantly (p<0.05) improved at OC. Liveability in growing period was affected (p<0.05) by breeder age but it wasn’t affected by storage time and incubation program. Higher post-hatch performance was achieved in chicks of OST but differences between groups weren’t significant except for chick weights in comparison by breeder age. However, interactions between treatments were significant (p<0.05) and reached the highest post-hatch performance in YST (p<0.05). In conclusion, the long time storage of old breeders’ eggs improved incubation and post-hatch performance when they were incubated at test program.
A Study of the Action of Bovine Cathepsin D on Intra muscular Connective Tissue

••. •. ••. • . •• . • •••. • . •. • • . • . ix INTRODUCTION •. • . •. ••. • . •. •• • • . •• . • . •. •. • . •. ••. 1 LITERATURE REVIEW. • . • . • . 5 The Ca th ep sins . 5 Cathepsin D Mode of Action on Natural and Synthetic Substrates . • . 14 Multiplicity of Cathepsin D and the Associated Implications . ••. 18 The Nature of the Active Site on the Cathepsin D t~olecule . 23 The Action of Cathepsin Don Bovine · Hemoglobin (The most Commonly Used Substrate for Cathepsin D Assay) . 25 Cathepsin D I nhibition . 27 Purification of Cathepsin D by Affinity Chromatography . 32 Studies Implicating Cathepsin D in Connective Tissue Breakdown . •. •. 36 The Role of Cathepsin D in Meat T ende ri za ti on . 39 MATERIALS AND METHODS . • . 43 Cathepsin D Extraction from Bovine Sternomandibularis Muscle . • . • . 43 Extraction of Cathepsin D from Bovine Spleen . •. 45 Purification of Cathepsin D by Affinity Ch rorna tog raphy . •. 45
Retention of residual formaldehyde in treated Indian mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta) under iced storage and related food safety concern

Indian mackerel Rastrelliger kanagurta dip-treated with different concentrations of formaldehyde (0.2, 0.5 and 1%) was stored in ice along with untreated control fishes and evaluated the formaldehyde residue level as well as changes in pH, total volatile base nitrogen (TVBN), aerobic plate count (APC) and sensory quality, during the 24 days storage period. Formaldehyde residue levels of 7.61±0.5, 13.83 ±2.21 and 20.7±2.02 mg kg-1 were recorded in 0.2, 0.5 and 1% treatments. Initial decrease in APC and its slow increase during storage was noticed. Shelf life of 18 days for 0.2 and 0.5% formalin treated fishes and 22 days for 1% treated fishes as compared to just 10 days in control fishes was observed. Marketed fishes with fresh appearance having higher values of TVBN, lower microbial load and with a higher formaldehyde residue can be considered as clear indications of formaldehyde treatment. Since fresh appearance of treated fishes can mislead the consumers, monitoring of formaldehyde residue, microbial and biochemical indices of ice stored fishes coming in markets needs to be undertaken in order to control marketing of fishes treated with the harmful chemical.
Remote monitoring heart and respiration rates using structured light and multi band camera

Introduction Recent advances in optics and computer vision technology have allowed the camera to become an instrumentation for monitoring vital signs remotely. The ability to determine physiological parameters, including the heart rate (HR) and the respiratory rate (RR), using a video camera has been recently reported in [1-3]. The majority of investigations are focused on how to decrease influence of head pose variations and facial expressions. In general, three basic steps in Imaging Photo Plethysmography (IPPG) can be distinguished: extraction of the intensity fluctuation signal, determination of the PPG signal, and heart rate estimation. Depending on the final application these three stages can be realized in many ways. The first step is selecting the most useful points or a set of points from the face image. The most common areas are determined automatically by finding the edge of face. For more accurate positioning, algorithms for facial features detection may be used. In the next step an unwanted low and high frequency noises are eliminated, caused by illumination changes and movements, respectively. This is realized using a bandpass filter [4] or signal detrending algorithms [5] connected with an averaging algorithms [6]. For a multidimensional signal (as RGB) a signal dimension reduction by linearly combining the channels is used. The two most popular techniques of Blind Source Separation (BSS) are based on ICA [7] or PCA (Principal Component Analysis) [5] methods. The HR estimation can be realized using a frequency analysis. The most popular algorithms are based on Fast Fourier Transform [4,5,7]. Determination of RR is usually done using the same process as for HR, by changing the range of bandpass filter. However, these methods are not effective, so it is often necessary to use a separate breath tracking system. Many solutions use time of flight (ToF) 3D image sensors [8]. The approach proposed in this work enable estimation of heart rates using a multiband camera, while respiratory rates are determined using a camera and a laser projection system.
Primulina wenii (Gesneriaceae), a new species from China

Primulina wenii (Gesneriaceae) is described and illustrated here as a new species. Morphologically, this new species resembles P. juliae (Hance) Mich. Moller & A. Weber, but it is distinct from the latter by some obvious features in leaf blade, bract, indumentum, corolla, filament, stigma and pistil. Nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and plastid trn L-F intronspacer ( trn L-F) DNA sequence data from the new species and its 22 relatives are used to determine the systematic position of the new species within Primulina . Molecular evidence suggests that P. wenii is strongly supported as a sister to a clade in which P. juliae is included. The conservation status of P. wenii is assessed as "Critically Endangered" (CR) according to IUCN Red List categories and criteria. Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 24 (2): 173–182.
Tandem tyrosine residues in the EPEC multicargo chaperone CesT support differential type III effector translocation and early host colonization

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) are worldwide human enteric pathogens inflicting significant morbidity and causing large economic losses. A type 3 secretion system (T3SS) is critical for EPEC intestinal colonization, and injection of effectors into host cells contributes to cellular subversion and innate immune evasion. Here, we demonstrate that two strictly conserved C-terminal tyrosine residues, Y152 and Y153, within the multicargo T3SS chaperone CesT serve differential roles in regulating effector secretion in EPEC. Conservative substitution of both tyrosine residues to phenylalanine attenuated EPEC type 3 effector injection into host cells, and significantly limited Tir effector mediated intimate adherence, a key feature of attaching and effacing pathogenesis. Whereas CesT Y153 supported normal levels of Tir translocation, CesT Y152 was strictly required for the effector NleA to be expressed and subsequently translocated into host cells during infection. Other effectors were observed to be dependent on CesT Y152 for maximal translocation efficiency. Unexpectedly, EPEC expressing a CesT Y152, Y153F variant exhibited significantly enhanced effector translocation of many CesT-interacting effectors, further implicating Y152 in CesT functionality. A mouse infection model of EPEC intestinal disease using Citrobacter rodentium revealed that CesT tyrosine substitution variants displayed delayed colonization and were more rapidly cleared from the intestine. These data demonstrate genetically separable functions for strictly conserved tandem tyrosine residues within CesT. Tyrosine 152 of CesT is implicated in NleA expression, providing functional relevance for localized amino acid conservation. Therefore, CesT via its novel C-terminal domain, has relevant roles beyond typical T3SC that interact and stabilize effector proteins.
Gamma-Interferon Attenuates Yellow Fever Virus Vaccine Strain 17D

The genus Flavivirus in the family Flaviviridae consists of many medically important vector- borne viruses, including West Nile, yellow fever (YFV), dengue, and Zika viruses. In the recent decade, these viruses have emerged beyond their historical geographical boundaries, causing outbreaks and posing a threat to public health systems. Despite their medical importance, licensed, effective drugs and/or vaccines against these viruses are lacking, with the exception of the YFV. The live attenuated vaccine for YFV, strain 17D, is among the most effective viral vaccines ever developed. While this vaccine is relatively avirulent and highly immunogenic, its attenuated phenotype was derived by blind passage of a virulent strain, leaving the mechanisms of attenuation unknown. Moreover, 17D has been engineered as a delivery vector for heterologous antigens. Importantly, the successful and safe use of 17D as a vaccine vector and the development of live attenuated vaccines (LAVs) to related flaviviruses requires an understanding of the molecular mechanisms leading to 17D attenuation. Using subcutaneous infection of interferon signaling-deficient mouse models of wild type yellow fever virus (WT YFV) pathogenesis and 17D-mediated immunity, we have investigate the role of type II interferon (IFN-g) in attenuation of 17D in vivo. We found that in the absence of type I IFN (IFN-a/b), IFN-g restricted replication of 17D but not WT YFV by 2 days post- infection. In this context, IFN-g responses protected 17D-infected animals from mortality, largely restricted the virus to lymphoid organs, and eliminated viscerotropic disease signs such as steatosis in the liver and inflammatory cell infiltration into the spleen. In contrast, WT YFV caused a disseminated infection, gross liver pathology, and rapid death of the animals. We also uncovered a mechanism by which IFN-g can restrict 17D in human vacinees. IFN-g treatment of myeloid cells suppressed the replication of 17D significantly more than that of WT YFV in vitro, suggesting a direct differential effect on 17D virus replication. Overall, our results indicate that an important mechanism of 17D attenuation in vivo is enhanced sensitivity to IFN-g-stimulated responses elicited early after infection.
A human airway model for Mycoplasma pneumoniae colonization

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is an important cause of acute and chronic respiratory disease, especially in school-aged children and young adults. To date, a suitable in vitro human model system for studying native mycoplasma interactions with the mucociliary defense has not been available nor has this aspect of infection been studied in detail. The current study employed normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells in air-liquid interface culture to examine the interaction(s) of M. pneumoniae with the mucociliary defense of differentiated airway epithelium. NHBE cells, when grown in air-liquid interface culture, form a pseudostratified, polarized epithelium, with tight junctions, mucus secretion, and ciliary function. The stepwise analysis of NHBE cell development and mycoplasma interactions are characterized utilizing immunohistochemistry and standard attachment assays. I have developed a model for acute and chronic exposure of M. pneumoniae to NHBE cells that details not only early localization events on the luminal surface but also mycoplasma transmigration of the paracellular surfaces and localization within the basolateral compartment, revealing a strong relationship between mycoplasma migration, desquamation and reorganization of the epithelium. This study is the first and only report to describe a link between gliding mycoplasmas, early localization, and migration through basolateral surfaces followed by loss of ciliation, desquamation and subsequent reorganization of the epithelium. These findings are essential steps in elucidating M. pneumoniae pathogenesis, in that mycoplasmas primarily localize to the basolateral surfaces where they alter mucociliary clearance via initiation of airway reorganization, a hallmark of M. pneumoniae disease in vivo, potentially reflecting a mechanism for extrapulmonary spread. INDEX WORDS: Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Airway, Acute, Chronic, Mucociliary A HUMAN AIRWAY MODEL FOR MYCOPLASMA PNEUMONIAE COLONIZATION
Anthropogenic activity in the Halifax region, Nova Scotia, Canada, as recorded by bulk geochemistry of lake sediments

ABSTRACT Dunnington DW, Spooner IS, Krkošek WH, Gagnon GA, Cornett RJ, Kurek J, White CE, Misiuk B, Tymstra D. 2018. Anthropogenic activity in the Halifax region, Nova Scotia, Canada, as recorded by bulk geochemistry of lake sediments. Lake Reserv Manage. 34:334–348. Separating the timing and effects of multiple watershed disturbances is critical to a comprehensive understanding of lakes, which is required to effectively manage lacustrine systems that may be experiencing adverse water quality changes. Advances in X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technology has led to the availability of high-resolution, high-quality bulk geochemical data for aquatic sediments, which in combination with carbon, nitrogen, δ13C, and δ15N have the potential to identify watershed-scale disturbance in lake sediment cores. We integrated documented anthropogenic disturbances and changes in bulk geochemical parameters at 8 lakes within the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), Nova Scotia, Canada, 6 of which serve as drinking water sources. These data reflect more than 2 centuries of anthropogenic disturbance in the HRM that included deforestation, urbanization and related development, and water-level change. Deforestation activity was documented at Lake Major and Pockwock Lake by large increases in Ti, Zr, K, and Rb (50–300%), and moderate increases in C/N (>10%). Urbanization was resolved at Lake Fletcher, Lake Lemont, and First Lake by increases in Ti, Zr, K, and Rb (10–300%), decreases in C/N (>10%), and increases in δ15N (>2.0‰). These data broadly agree with previous paleolimnological bioproxy data, in some cases identifying disturbances that were not previously identified. Collectively these data suggest that bulk geochemical parameters and lake sediment archives are a useful method for lake managers to identify causal mechanisms for possible water quality changes resulting from watershed-scale disturbance.
Maturação e dormência em sementes de Peltophorum dubium (Spreng) Taub. de diferentes árvores matrizes

The study aimed to identify the moment of installation of dormancy during seed maturation, to determine the physiological maturation of the species and to assess the intensity of tegumentar dormancy in ‘canafistula’ seeds ( Peltophorum dubium ), from diff erent tree arrays. To evaluate the process of maturation, the fruits and seeds were classifi ed into fi ve stages and seeds were evaluated by the germination test. To evaluate the degree of dormancy, ripe fruits were collected from fi ve tree arrays and their seeds underwent treatments for dormancy breaking and, subsequently, evaluated by a soaking curve and germination test. Evidence of dormancy was observed in the stage V and physiological maturity of the seeds has was found in stage IV, when the fruits had a light brown color. Seeds from diff erent tree arrays varied in the intensity of tegumentar dormancy
Two Active X-chromosomes Modulate the Growth, Pluripotency Exit and DNA Methylation Landscape of Mouse Naive Pluripotent Stem Cells through Different Pathways

16 Sex is an increasingly important feature of mouse naive pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), but the 17 regulatory processes involved remain enigmatic. Here, we addressed how sex modulates 18 pluripotency by characterizing the transcriptional state, differentiation dynamics, growth and 19 DNA methylation in female ESCs with heterozygous deletions of Dusp9. Our results show that 20 sex-specific regulation of DNA methylation by Dusp9 can be molecularly uncoupled from the 21 regulation of sex-specific differences in growth, transcription and pluripotency exit. We also 22 addressed how sex modulates pluripotency by characterizing, in male and female cells, the 23 transcriptional state and differentiation dynamics of iPSCs. We found that iPSCs adopt distinct 24 sex-specific transcriptional states, pluripotency exit kinetics and growth properties, which 25 correlate with the presence of two active X chromosomes. Differences in growth and 26 pluripotency exit are not explained by X-linked pluripotency genes. We also examined the open 27 chromatin landscape of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Epigenomic profiling revealed sex28 specific open chromatin landscapes associated with pluripotency and development that underlie 29 key pluripotency and signaling transcription factor binding sites. The differential enrichment of 30 binding sites in sex-specific open chromatin regions provides a molecular link between 31 transcriptional regulators, maintenance of and exit from pluripotency. Our results uncover that 32 different pathways regulate distinct sex-specific differences in PSCs and reveal new molecular 33 insights on sex-specific cellular states. 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42
Parasitary Infestation In Three Tiger Cubs

Being an apex predator, the tiger is known as an indicator of healthy ecosystems. This animal's crucial role causes a significant decrease in the population, in case death occurs the ecosystem devastation also occurs. This highlights the importance of this species' protection. Apart from hunting, traps, road causalities, starvation and unidentified reasons, diseases, mostly parasites are one of the most significant reason of these animals' death. There are different researches explaining the most important and frequent parasites detected in tigers. Toxocara spp. is one of them. This case report explains the treatment period of three tiger cubs suffering from Toxocara spp. One female cub and a male cub revealed gastrointestinal signs. Anemia accompanied these signs in male cub. The third cub was asymptomatic. Apart from supportive treatment, pyrantel pamoate was administrated to all cubs. The treatment was judged as successful. The therapy procedure and preventive measurements were evaluated.
Isolation, identification, and improving nematotoxicity of rhizobacterial strains against Meloidogyne incognita

Background and objectives Root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne spp. , have been reported to cause severe losses to field, horticultural, and medicinal plants throughout the world. Chemical nematicides are routinely applied for protection of the aforementioned crops. Residues of these toxic nematicides are carried to the final consumed products, which can be quite hazardous to human health on consumption. Biocontrol by using antagonistic organisms to inhibit the pathogens and reduce diseases is an ecofriendly management tool. This study was planned to isolate, identify, and improve or increase the activity of two isolated rhizobacterial strains known to have nematicidal properties − based on preliminary studies − using protoplast fusion technique and assessing the nematicidal potential of the fusants against root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita J2. Materials and methods Certain rhizobacterial colonies isolated from the rhizosphere soil of cucumber and banana plants were identified by 16S rDNA to Pseudomonas aeruginosa (accession number LC187271) and Bacillus licheniformis (accession number LC187270). They were manipulated using protoplast fusion technique to improve their nematicidal potentials. The fused protoplasts generated and 10 fusant isolates were assessed against M. incognita J2. Results and conclusion All the tested fusants exhibited increase in their nematicidal activity than their parents against root-knot nematode, M. incognita J2, under laboratory conditions. The percentages of nematode mortality after 72 h of exposure were 85 and 86% by B. licheniformis and P. aeruginosa suspensions, respectively, whereas the percentages of mortality caused by fusants ranged between 91 and 99% as compared with control. The obtained results indicated that protoplast fusion technique is a successful tool to enhance the lethal effect of the isolated rhizobacteria strains against root-knot nematode. The genetically engineered bacteria can play a dual role under field conditions as a biocontrol agent against nematode and subsequently improve plant productivity.