Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative jejunal expression of MUC 13 in Indian native pigs differentially adhesive to diarrhoeagenic E. coli

ABSTRACT Escherichia coli are important pathogens among bacterial causes of neonatal piglet diarrhoea. Their adhesion to the intestinal epithelial cells is an essential prerequisite for incidence of diarrhoea, which makes certain animal innately resistant and this adhesion pattern is genetically controlled. Among the candidate genes associated with adhesion pattern, MUC13 is the most likely responsible gene examined in diverse outbred swine populations. The present investigation aimed to evaluate the native Indian (desi) pigs in terms of E. coli adhesion pattern (with Indian isolate) and MUC13 expression profile across adhesion phenotypes. Out of 80 pigs screened, 27 were found to be non-adhesive, 46 adhesive and 7 were weakly adhesive. Effect of sex was found to be significant (P<.05) with non-significant age effect. RT-PCR analysis revealed that although, porcine MUC13 mRNA expression was highest in adhesive (2.67±0.69 fold), moderate in weakly adhesive (1.22±0.35 fold) and low levels in non-adhesive (calibrator) phenotypes, differences were statistically non-significant (P<.05). While the availability of non-adhesive phenotypes among Indian desi pigs implicates abundance of input genetic resources to start a breeding programme against diarrhoea, the descending expression of MUC 13 in adhesive and weakly adhesive samples speculates its important role in adhesion of E. coli.
Forage seeding in rangelands increases production and prevents weed invasion

Increasing forage productivity in the Sierra foothill rangelands would help sustain the livestock industry as land availability shrinks and lease rates rise, but hardly any studies have been done on forage selections. From 2009 to 2014, in one of the first long-term and replicated studies of seeding Northern California's Mediterranean annual rangeland, we compared the cover of 22 diverse forages to determine their establishment and survivability over time. Among the annual herbs, forage brassica (Brassica napus L.) and chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) proved viable options. Among the annual grasses, soft brome (Bromus hordeaceus) and annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) performed well. However, these species will likely require frequent reseeding to maintain dominance. Long-term goals of sustained dominant cover (> 3 years) are best achieved with perennial grasses. Perennial grasses that persisted with greater than 50% cover were Berber orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata), Flecha tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) and several varieties of hardinggrass (Phalaris aquatica L., Perla koleagrass, Holdfast, Advanced AT). In 2014, these successful perennials produced over three times more dry matter (pounds per acre) than the unseeded control and also suppressed annual grasses and yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis L.) cover.
Estimation of Stature from Lower Extremity among the Santhal Tribe of Odisha, India

In this study, an attempt was made to develop a new regression procedure for predicting and to analyze anthropometric relationships between dimensions of the lower extremity and body height. Analysis is based on a 316 sample of middle aged people of Santhal tribes of Odisha (205 male and 111 female adult Santhali residing in Odisha). Measurements taken are stature, trochanteric height, thigh length, lower leg length, leg length, and foot length, breadth and height. Out of five variables entered into the regression analysis, all but foot breadth participate in the analysis with leg length as the first and followed by thigh and foot lengths, and finally foot height in males (R2). There were also individually calculated formulae for some of these measurements which provided smaller R2-values. In conclusion, the study suggested that estimation of a living height can be made possible using various dimensions of the lower extremity. One must consider differences between populations in order to apply functions as such to others.
Comparative studies on glucanases and β-glucosidase activities of Pleurotus ostreatus and P. pulmonarius in solid state fermentation

Agricultural wastes constitute major environmental problem. However, these wastes can be used as substrates for the production of enzymes such as cellulases by filamentous fungi including Pleurotus species. This present investigation was therefore aimed at screening Pleurotus ostreatus DBUI 14 and P. pulmonarius DBUI002 for glucanases and β-glucosidase using rice bran, corn cob and sawdust as substrates. Both P. ostreatus DBUI14 and P. pulmonarius DBUI002 cultivated on pretreated rice bran, corn cob and sawdust were screened for cellulolytic enzymes under solid state fermentation (SSF) for a period of 15 days using standard methods. The protein contents were determined using the method of Lowry. The results showed that lowest activities of these enzymes by Pleurotus spp occurred on the third and fifteenth days while the highest activities occurred on the ninth day of fermentation. The highest endoglucanase as well as lowest exoglucanase activities were obtained from Pleurotus pulmonarius DBUI002cultivated on corn cob (PPCC). Pleurotus ostreatus DBUI 14 cultivated on corn cob (POCC) had the lowest endoglucanase but highest exoglucanase activity when grown on rice bran (PORB). Moreover, lowest β-glucosidase activity was obtained from POCC while PPCC and PORB had the highest β-glucosidase activities. Pleurotus pulmonarius cultivated on corn cob and P. ostreatus cultivated on rice bran could be harnessed in the commercial production of endoglucanase and exoglucanase. In addition, both Pleurotus ostreatus DBUI 14 strain and P. pulmonarius DBUI002 could be harnessed in synthesis of β-glucosidase.
Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Effects of an Aqueous Extract of Lannea acida Stem Bark

Background: Different parts of Lannea acida A. Rich (fam: Anarcadiaceae) are used traditionally to treat various ailments including inflammation, facial pain, schistosomiasis, haemorrhoids and toothache. Objective: This study was carried out to investigate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of an aqueous extract of the stem bark of Lannea acida. Methodology: Rats were given sub-plantar injection of prostaglandin E2 to induce oedema, which was measured using calipers over 21⁄2 hours at 30 min interval. In the acetic acid–induced abdominal writhing test, mice were given intraperitoneal injection of acetic acid and writhing movements were recorded. Oedema test was run for both prophylactic and curative protocols. In both paw oedema and writhing test models, inhibitory effects of the plant extract were compared Original Research Article Owusu and Ofori-Amoah; BJPR, 16(6): 1-8, 2017; Article no.BJPR. 33266 2 with diclofenac. Results: Aqueous extract (30 – 300 mg/kg) of Lannea acida stem bark significantly reduced prostaglandin E2–induced paw oedema in both prophylactic and curative protocols. The extract also significantly inhibited acetic acid–induced abdominal writhing movement in Imprint Control Region (ICR) mice. Conclusion: The aqueous extract of Lannea acida stem bark inhibited prostaglandin E2–induced paw oedema in rats and acetic acid–induced writhing behaviour in ICR mice; indicating a possible anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities.
Dynamics of Teleaulax-like cryptophytes during the decline of a red water bloom in the Columbia River Estuary

The mixotrophic ciliate, Mesodinium rubrum , is a globally distributed ciliate that relies on the acquisition and use of chloroplasts derived from its cryptophyte prey. The ecology and physiology of the cryptophytes is not well known, nor is it clear how their growth in ﬂ uences M. rubrum blooms. A 4-week survey was conducted in the Columbia River estuary in 2013 during the decline of the annual M. rubrum bloom to better understand how environmental factors in ﬂ uence the dynamics of the cryptophyte prey, Teleaulax amphioxeia . Abundances and division rates of free-living Teleaulax -like cryptophytes were continuously monitored using ﬂ ow cytometry. Cryptophyte division rates, estimated in situ for the ﬁ rst time using a size-structured division rate model, ranged from 0.2 to 1.5 d − 1 , with the highest rates observed in accordance with high abundances. These division rates were positively correlated with concentrations of dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus, suggesting nutrient availability limited the growth of Teleaulax -like cryptophytes at that time. Assuming a minimum ingestion rate of ~1 cryptophyte ciliate − 1 day − 1 , the growth of M. rubrum may have been limited by the low abundance of Teleaulax -like cryptophytes during the M. rubrum bloom decline. Our results highlight the importance of prey availability for understanding the dynamics of red water blooms.
Uncovering Bunyavirus-Host Interactions

Bunyaviruses are a large family of enveloped RNA viruses that are distributed globally and include many important human and agricultural pathogens. Compared with other pathogenic viruses, bunyaviruses are relatively understudied. Currently, there are no licensed vaccines or antivirals to treat bunyavirus infections in the United States. To better understand bunyavirus interactions with their mammalian hosts in the hopes of uncovering novel therapeutic targets, we utilized a forward genetic screening approach in a human haploid cell line (HAP1). We performed insertional mutagenesis of the HAP1 cells with a retroviral gene-trap vector and subsequently challenged the cells with recombinant vesicular stomatitis viruses (rVSV) encoding heterologous glycoproteins from representative bunyaviruses, severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) and Andes virus (ANDV). The use of rVSV-SFTSV and rVSV-ANDV allows us to specifically interrogate the early steps of bunyavirus entry, as replication of VSV is uniformly cytotoxic. Selection of cells resistant to rVSV-SFTSV or rVSV-ANDV and sequencing of mutagenic integrations sites identified genes important for virus entry. For SFTSV, the synthesis of the glycolipid glucosylceramide was found to play a role in the proper trafficking and/or fusion of incoming virus particles. Selection with rVSV-ANDV uncovered a profound dependence upon cholesterol synthesis and a requirement for cholesterol in membranes for efficient internalization and fusion. In addition to discovering novel aspects of bunyavirus biology, both of these cellular pathways have FDA approved pharmacological inhibitors and future studies aim to determine whether these factors can serve as targets for antiviral intervention. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Graduate Group Cell & Molecular Biology First Advisor Paul Bates
Microbial control of cotton pests: use of the naturally occurring entomopathogenic fungus Aspergillus sp. (BC 639) in the management of Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and beneficial insects on transgenic cotton crops

ABSTRACT The commercial adoption of transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton (Bollgard II®) reduced the use of insecticides to control Helicoverpa spp. However, the ineffectiveness of the Bt toxin against sucking pests such as silverleaf whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) resulted in a marked increase in B. tabaci populations and in the use of insecticides to control this pest. The effect of the entomopathogenic fungus Aspergillus sp. BC 639 on B. tabaci and beneficial insects (predominantly predatory insects) was studied in commercial cotton field trials. The results showed that oil-based extracts of the entomopathogenic fungus BC 639 control the number of B. tabaci adults and nymphs in commercial transgenic cotton crops. The BC 639 fungus caused 60.0%, 67.2%, and 68.8% mortality in adults, and 54.6%, 62.3%, and 51.7% in nymphs at 7, 14, and 21 days after treatment, respectively, relative to the unsprayed controls. The effect of BC 639 at concentrations of 125, 250, and 500 ml/ha on low-density B. tabaci (∼10 nymphs/leaf) did not differ significantly from that of the commercial insecticide (pyriproxifen). However, at higher densities (>50 nymphs per leaf), low concentrations of BC 639 (125 and 250 ml/ha) were not as effective as 500 ml/ha BC 639 in successfully controlling the pest. A simple graphic analysis suggested that the more B. tabaci nymphs per leaf, the fewer adults per leaf, and that once the number of nymphs increased to ∼70 per leaf, a negative feedback regulatory effect reduced the survivorship of the nymphs and adults and/or caused the emigration of the adults from the contaminated leaves in search of new resources. Therefore, the ability of BC 639 to control B. tabaci adults and nymphs with minimal effects on predatory insects indicates its potential utility in supplementing integrated pest management programmes for cotton crops.
A molecular and morphological review of the asterinid, Patiriella gunnii (Gray) (Echinodermata: Asteroidea)

O’Loughlin, P.M. , Waters, J.M. , and Roy, M.S. 2003. A molecular and morphological review of the asterinid, Patiriella gunnii (Gray) (Echinodermata: Asteroidea). Memoirs of Museum Victoria 60(2): 181–195. The six-rayed species of the asterinid genus Patiriella Verrill from the rocky shallows of southern Australia are reviewed. Based on molecular and morphological evidence, it is judged that Patiriella brevispina H.L. Clark is a junior synonym of Patiriella gunnii (Gray). Three new species are described: Patiriella medius sp. nov., Patiriella occidens sp. nov. and Patiriella oriens sp. nov. A key to the four species of Patiriella is provided.
Inter-guild differences and possible causes of the recovery of cichlid species in Lake Victoria, Tanzania

Until the 1970s, the fish fauna of Lake Victoria was dominated by 500+ endemic haplochromine cichlid species in which detritivores was the dominant group followed by zooplanktivores. With the upsurge of Nile perch in the 1980s, a strong decline of haplochromines occurred. During the1990s, a resurgence of some haplochromine species was observed and the abundance of detritivores and zooplanktivores reversed. In establishing the status of the recovering haplochromines in the period 2006-2008, the study has given evidence for a strong resurgence of the detritivorous, zooplanktivorous and oral mollusc shelling species, while other trophic groups were rare or absent. The recovered haplochromines extended their habitats. Differences in diet of detritivores and zooplanktivores and differences in predation pressure by Nile perch on the two trophic groups have been tested as potential ecological factors for their differential resurgence. It was found that both groups had switched from a restricted to a more diverse diet, with a greater overlap. Further, the study shows that resurgent haplochromines became the major prey of Nile perch, but there was no differential predation effect by Nile perch on detritivores and zooplanktivores. Thus, it is not likely that these factors played an important role in differential resurgence of the two trophic groups in Lake Victoria.
Global pattern and controls of soil microbial metabolic quotient

The microbial metabolic quotient (MMQ), microbial respiration per unit of biomass, is a fundamental factor controlling heterotrophic respiration, the largest carbon flux in soils. The magnitude and controls of MMQ at regional scale remain uncertain. We compiled a comprehensive data set of MMQ to investigate the global patterns and controls of MMQ in top 30 cm soils. Published MMQ values, generally measured in laboratory microcosms, were adjusted on ambient soil temperature using long-term (30 yr) average site soil temperature and a Q10 = 2. The area-weighted global average of MMQ_Soil is estimated as 1.8 (1.5–2.2) (95% confidence interval) μmol C·h−1·mmol−1 microbial biomass carbon (MBC) with substantial variations across biomes and between cropland and natural ecosystems. Variation was most closely associated with biological factors, followed by edaphic and meteorological parameters. MMQ_Soil was greatest in sandy clay and sandy clay loam and showed a pH maximum of 6.7 ± 0.1 (mean ± se). At large scale, MMQ_Soil varied with latitude and mean annual temperature (MAT), and was negatively correlated with microbial N:P ratio, supporting growth rate theory. These trends led to large differences in MMQ_Soil between natural ecosystems and cropland. When MMQ was adjusted to 11°C (MMQ_Ref), the global MAT in the top 30 cm of soils, the area-weighted global averages of MMQ_Ref was 1.5 (1.3–1.8) μmol C·mmol MBC−1·h−1. The values, trends, and controls of MMQ_Soil add to our understanding of soil microbial influences on soil carbon cycling and could be used to represent microbial activity in global carbon models.
Effect of different levels of lysine and threonine on carcass characteristics, intestinal microflora and growth performance of broiler chicks

Abstract The aim of current study was to evaluate the effect of different levels of lysine and threonine on performance, carcass characteristics and intestinal microflora of broiler. Nine hundred and sixty Ross 308 one-day-old female broiler chicks were selected, and they were randomly divided in a factorial design with 12 treatments, four replicates and 20 chicks in each replicate. The tested diets included four levels of lysine (100, 110, 120 and 130%, suggested by NRC) and three levels of threonine (100, 110 and 120%, suggested by NRC). Two phase (starter 0–21d; finisher 22–42 d) feeding schedule was followed. Results showed that of 21 days of age, 120% of lysine and threonine the live and carcass weights and breast, thigh and liver yields in chicks increased (p < .05). At the age of 42 days those treatments which received 120% of threonine gained the highest rate of live and carcass weights and yield of carcass characteristics. The intestinal microflora, in 42 days of age, with the increase in concentration of lysine significantly decreased in the intestinal microflora. The level of threonine in diet, and the interaction between threonine and lysine at 42 days of age effect on intestinal microflora. The best feed conversion ratio was related to 120% lysine. According to the results of this study, the carcass characteristics and growth performance can be improved with increasing in lysine and threonine levels to 120% above from NRC recommendations for commercial broilers.
Assessment of avoidable yield losses in crop brassicas by insect-pests

A five years’ field study was carried out to assess the avoidable yield losses in Brassica juncea and B. rapa due to insect-pests from 2011-12 to 2015-16 crop seasons at the Oilseeds Research Farm of Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with three replications and two sets viz. protected and unprotected. The protected set was sprayed with thiamethoxam 25 WG @ 100 g ha-1 and dichlorvos 85 SL @ 500 ml ha-1 against mustard aphid and cabbage caterpillar, respectively. Data on the insect-pests were recorded at weekly intervals while yield data were recorded at harvest. The loss in seed yield due to mustard aphid and cabbage caterpillar infestation varied from 18.3 to 24.5 per cent. The two B. juncea varieties NRCDR 2 and PBR 91 suffered about 24 per cent yield loss and harboured significantly higher mustard aphid and cabbage caterpillar population than B. rapa BSH 1 which suffered 18.3 per cent yield loss.
Population genetics of three sympatric springtail species (Hexapoda: Collembola) from the South Shetland Islands: evidence for a common biogeographic pattern

Three sympatric springtail species, from the South Shetland Islands archipelago in the maritime Antarctic, are analysed here in a common biogeographic and evolutionary framework. This study was designed to compare their population genetic structure using the same molecular marker. Haplotype data for the mitochondrial cox1 gene have been obtained for seven populations of Folsomotoma octooculata and are compared with the data obtained, in previous studies and the current one, for the sympatric species Cryptopygus antarcticus antarcticus, and Friesea grisea. Molecular data obtained are consistent with the hypothesis that all species have been present in the archipelago since well before the last glacial maximum (around 20 000 ybp) and that their early diversifications appear to be linked with known interglacial periods in the region. These springtails may have survived the last glacial cycle in local refugia, from which they dispersed subsequently to ice-free ground re-exposed during the current interglacial period. The populations of the different species diversified at different times, although all of them are within the Pleistocene epoch. We propose that the earliest diversification of haplotypes in all three springtails in this archipelago occurred from local refugia in Livingston I. , with subsequent spread of some haplotypes throughout the South Shetland Islands.
Combining ecological niche modeling and phylogeographic analyses to address climatic stability and persistence in four Tarentola species across the West Sahara

Past climatic changes influenced the patterns of biodiversity distribution. Research is lacking for remote parts of the world, such as West Africa, where current biodiversity patterns are likely to have been influenced by oscillations between wet and dry climatic periods. In the region, the Sahara desert acts as a barrier to species not adapted to arid conditions, but in the past many corridors are thought to have existed during wet periods. Some may even have persisted through time, as the Atlantic Sahara. This study used four species of the genus Tarentola (T. annularis, T. chazaliae, T. hoggarensis and T. parvicarinata), and a combination of ecological niche-based models and phylogeographic analyses to infer the climatic stability of the region. A total of 140 samples were sequenced for a 12S fragment of 388bp. ENMs were constructed using Maxent. The genetic results show concordance with the morphological species identification, and a high level of geographic substructuration in T. hoggarensis and T. parvicarinata. Tarentola annularis shows no signs of differentiation throughout most of its range, while T. chazaliae has genetic diversity but it is not geographically structured. ENMs reveal stable areas for all species in more coastal regions with the exception of T. parvicarinata, which had stable areas in the Mauritanian mountains. For T. chazaliae the stable area identified is a small coastal patch in the border between Morocco and Western Sahara. Despite not being completely concordant, genetic and ecological results complement each other and provide a more complete visualization of evolutionary processes in the Sahara-Sahel.