Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Regulation of metamorphosis and the evolution of life cycles: insights from the common moon jelly Aurelia aurita

Life histories of ancient marine invertebrates offer insight into the evolution of life cycles. The archetypal metagenetic life cycle of cnidarians alternates between sessile asexual polyps and pelagic medusa. Transition from one life form to another is triggered by environmental signals, but the molecular cascades involved in these drastic morphological and physiological changes remain unknown. Here I show in the moon jelly Aurelia aurita that the molecular machinery controlling transition of the sessile polyp into a free-swimming jellyfish consists of two counterparts. One is conserved and relies on the retinoic acid signalling which is responsible for the initiation of metamorphosis. The second, novel part, is based on secreted proteins which are strongly up-regulated prior to metamorphosis in response to seasonal temperature changes. One of these secreted proteins is a temperature sensitive "timer" and a precursor of the metamorphosis hormone. Polyp to jellyfish transition is accompanied by the dramatic changes in morphology. In my thesis, I have identified genes which are responsible for this transformation. Stage specific genes were selected and their expression patterns were examined. I also functionally analyzed several conserved signalling pathways by chemical interference. The data indicate that two taxonomically restricted genes and retinoic acid, hedgehog, Wnt and TGFβ signalling pathways in cooperation with ETS transcription factor play the central role in Aurelia segmentation and the following ephyra morphogenesis. These findings uncover the molecular framework controlling the life cycle regulation of a basal metazoan and imply that the Urmetazoan ancestors of currently living cnidarians possessed a medusoid stage, which has been secondarily lost in corals and sea anemones.
Influence of Integrated Nutrient Management on Gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.) cv. American Beauty

Gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.) is one of the most popular ornamental bulbous plants grown in many parts of the world for its bewitching flowers. Internationally it is known for its dazzling florets colour, sturdy spike, size, attractive appearance and keeping quality which occupies fifth position in the international trade. It is native to South Africa and ranks second among the bulbous cut flowers in the Netherlands market. Popularity of this crop as a cut flower, it is grown throughout the world which is potential money spinner for floriculture industry with the production about 120 million spikes per year. To ensure maximization of productivity in any crop nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are the three major nutrients that play very vital role in influencing vegetative growth, flower yield and quality attributes. However, considering the recent concept for eco-friendly technology, increased cost and timely non-availability of inorganic fertilizers, discriminate usage of chemicals leading towards poor soil fertility and soil health. In recent years, use of cost effective and ecofriendly bio-fertilizers and different organic sources in combination with inorganic fertilizers have resulted in increased International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 6 Number 8 (2017) pp. 379-386 Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com
Above‐ground biomass is driven by mass‐ratio effects and stand structural attributes in a temperate deciduous forest

Forest ecosystems are critical for the global regulation of carbon (C), a substantial portion of which is stored in above‐ground biomass (AGB). While it is well understood that taxonomic and functional composition, stand structure and environmental gradients influence spatial variation in AGB, the relative strengths of these drivers at landscape scales have not been investigated in temperate forests. Furthermore, when biodiversity enhances C storage, it is unclear whether it is through mass‐ratio effects (i.e. the dominant trait in communities regulates AGB) or through niche complementarity (i.e. increased AGB due to interspecific resource partitioning). To address these mechanisms, we analysed data from a census of 28,262 adult trees sampled across 900 ha of temperate deciduous forest in southwestern Pennsylvania. We used data on four key plant functional traits to determine if (1) there is a positive relationship between species diversity and AGB and (2) whether this is due to mass‐ratio effects or niche complementarity. We also sought to (3) identify the physical stand structural attributes and topographic variables that influence AGB across this landscape. We found AGB was positively related to species richness and negatively related to species evenness, albeit weakly, while functional diversity indices had neutral effects. Above‐ground biomass was enhanced in communities dominated by traits related to greater maximum tree height, deeper minimum rooting depths and larger seeds. Most importantly, areas with high AGB were dominated by Acer saccharum and Liriodendron tulipifera. Overall, these results support mass‐ratio effects, with little evidence for niche complementarity. Synthesis. Stand structure, topography, and species and functional composition, but not taxonomic or functional diversity, were found to be key drivers of above‐ground biomass at landscape scales (<900 ha) in this temperate deciduous forest. Our findings suggest that simultaneously managing for both high diversity and for above‐ground carbon storage may prove challenging in some forest systems. Our results further indicate that the impact of tree biodiversity loss on above‐ground carbon stocks will depend greatly on the identity of the species that are lost.
The growth, yield and quality parameters of banana cultivar grand naine (AAA) as influenced by different organic amendments.

An investigation was carried out at Horticultural College and Research Institute, Anantharajupet to standardize organic management protocol with organic manures like FYM and vermicompost supplemented with inorganic fertilizers in combination with biofertilizers. The results showed that application of 80% RDF + 20% RDN through vermicompost + biofertilizers viz., 50 g Azospirillum, 50 g Phosphate solubilising bacteria (PSB) and 25 g potassium mobilising bacteria (KMB) (Frateuria aurantia) plant-1 has resulted in the highest plant height at 3 MAP (129.67 cm) and 5 MAP (184.29 cm) and maximum pseudostem girth at 3 MAP (35.61 cm) and 5 MAP (49.74 cm) as well as highest fruit length (24.33 cm). Application of 80% RDF + 20% RDN through farmyard manure + biofertilizers viz., 50 g Azospirillum, 50 g PSB and 25 g KMB plant-1 has registered maximum retention of functional leaves at 3 MAP (10.58) and at shooting (15.75) and maximum leaf area (3.87 m2) at 3 MAP along with maximum number of hands bunch-1 (10.75), fruits bunch-1 (156.50), fruit girth (14.37 cm), bunch weight (24.53 kg) and fruit yield (68.02 t ha-1).
The genotypic characterization of MP and FP variants of Galleria mellonella nuclear polyhedrosis virus

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Evaluating relationships between hunting and biodiversity knowledge among children

We investigated how hunting participation and associated demographic variables relate to biodiversity knowledge among children. Past participation in hunting among elementary age children in North Carolina, USA, surveyed during 2014 was high (29%) and a positive predictor of student's ability to name native wildlife species after controlling for gender, ethnicity, and grade level. Minorities and girls had lower biodiversity knowledge scores and were less supportive of hunting. Our findings suggest children may view hunting differently than adults and that youth hunting programs, particularly those targeting very young children, may be fruitful ways to promote biodiversity knowledge. Such efforts, however, may be most valuable among minorities because Hispanic children had the lowest participation in hunting and Black children had both low participation rates and lowest biodiversity knowledge scores. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.
Pesquisa de coliformes totais e coliformes fecais analisados em ovos comerciais no Laboratório de Patologia Avícola de Descalvado

With the objective of verifying the sanitary and higienic conditions of commercial eggs from several suppliers of the Descalvado region, state of Sao Paulo, 48 samples, with 30 eggs each, were evaluated in the period from 1/17/98 to12/28/98. The Escherichia, Enterobacter, Citrobacter and Klebsiella genuses, form the group coliform that split in 2 groups: total and fecal. The eggs were analysed at the Avian Pathology Laboratory of Descalvado and were aseptically manipulated and processed according to the specific bacteriological techniques for isolation and identification of these microorganisms. A 33.3% total coliform and 8.33% fecal coliform growth was obtained. These results indicate that it is necessary an improvement in manipulation and storage of these eggs, considering the standards for comparison in fresh eggs for these microorganisms according to the Sanitary Bureau of the Brazilian Ministery of Health.
Soil attributes structure plant assemblages across an Atlantic forest mosaic

Community assembly persists as a key topic in ecology due to the complex variation in the relative importance of assembly forces and mechanisms across spatio-temporal scales and ecosystems. Here we address a forest–savanna vegetation mosaic in the Brazilian Atlantic forest to examine the role played by soil attributes as determinants of community assembly and organization at a landscape spatial scale. We examined soil and plant assemblage attributes across 23 plots of forest and savanna in a 1600 km² landscape exposed to the same climatic conditions in the Atlantic forest region of northeast Brazil. Assemblage attributes included species richness, taxonomic and functional composition (community weighted mean, CWM) and functional diversity (quadratic diversity; Rao’s quadratic entropy index) relative to plant leaf area, specific leaf area, leaf dry matter content, thickness and succulence. Our results suggest that forest and savanna patches exposed to the same climatic conditions clearly differ in terms of soil attributes, plant assemblage structure, taxonomic and functional composition. By selecting particular plant strategies relative to resource economy, soil potentially affects community structure, with forest assemblages bearing more acquisitive resource-use strategies, while conservative plant strategies are more frequent in savannas. Accordingly, savanna–forest mosaics in the Atlantic forest region represent spatially organized plant assemblages in terms of taxonomic and functional features, with a signal of trait convergence in both vegetation types. Soil-mediated filtering thus emerges as a potential deterministic assembly force affecting the spatial organization of savanna–forest boundaries and mosaics.
Antioxidant and Anti Cholinesterase Potential of Red Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. rubra)

Aim: This study aims at in-vitro evaluation of Red cabbage extracts for their antioxidant and anticholinesterase activity. Methodology: Red cabbage collected from the local market was dried and extracted with different solvents. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening of these extracts was done. Then the Resulting extracts were evaluated for antioxidant activity using DPPH and H2O2 scavenging at various concentrations. Anticholinesterase activity was assessed qualitatively using TLC autobiography. Conclusions: Maximum antioxidant activity was found with methanolic extract and Maximum anticholinesterase activity is found with Hexane extract. Original Research Article Archana et al.; EJMP, 22(1): 1-7, 2018; Article no.EJMP. 38169 2
Cortical Mechanisms of Adaptation in Auditory Processing

Adaptation is computational strategy that underlies sensory nervous systems’ ability to accurately encode stimuli in various and dynamic contexts and shapes how animals perceive their environment. Many questions remain concerning how adaptation adjusts to particular stimulus features and its underlying mechanisms. In Chapter 2, we tested how neurons in the primary auditory cortex adapt to changes in stimulus temporal correlation. We used chronically implanted tetrodes to record neuronal spiking in rat primary auditory cortex during exposure to custom made dynamic random chord stimuli exhibiting different levels of temporal correlation. We estimated linear non-linear model for each neuron at each temporal correlation level, finding that neurons compensate for temporal correlation changes through gain-control adaptation. This experiment extends our understanding of how complex stimulus statistics are encoded in the auditory nervous system. In Chapter 3 and 4, we tested how interneurons are involved in adaptation by optogenetically suppressing parvalbumin-positive (PV) and somatostatin-positive (SOM) interneurons during tone train stimuli and using silicon probes to record neuronal spiking in mouse primary auditory cortex. In Chapter 3, we found that inhibition from both PVs and SOMs contributes to stimulus-specific adaptation (SSA) through different mechanisms. SOM inhibition was stimulus-specific, suppressing responses to standard tones more strongly than responses to deviant tones, and increasing with standard tone repetition. PVs amplified SSA because inhibition was similar for standard and deviant tones and PV mediated inhibition was insensitive to tone repetition. PVs and SOMs themselves exhibit SSA, and a Wilson-Cowan dynamic model identified that PVs and SOMs can directly contribute to SSA in pyramidal neurons. In Chapter 4, we tested how SOMs and PVs inhibition is modulated with the dynamics of adaptation and across frequency tuning, during exposure to single frequency tone trains across the neuron’s tuning curve. We found that the magnitude of SOM inhibition correlated with the magnitude of adaptive suppression, while PVs inhibition was largely insensitive to stimulus conditions. Together Chapters 3 and 4 implicate SOM inhibition in actively suppressing responses in a stimulus-specific manner while PV inhibition may passively enhance stimulus-specific suppression. These experiments inform the underlying principles and mechanisms of cortical sensory adaptation. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Graduate Group Neuroscience First Advisor Maria N. Geffen
Challenging the mystique Connection. Deciphering cell-matrix interactions role in atherosclerosis and restenosis.

Atherosclerosis is the underlying cause for myocardal infarction, stroke and peripheral arterial disease, collectively referred to as cardiovascular diseases. These represent the major cause of death globally. Phenotypic modulationof vascular smooth muscle cells form a contractile to a synthetic state and subsequent migration into the intima, isone of the prime events that marks the genesis of atherosclerosis. To effectuate, cells are required to weaken the connection with their own basment membrane, a network of extracellular matrix molecules. This thesis exploresthe importance of Cell-ECM connections in atherosclerotic and restenostic settings using mice as a model. In detail, this thesis discusses the role of dystrophin and beta-sarcoglycan, two important components of theDystrophin-glycoprotein complex — one important way cells use to communicate with basement membranes.In paper I & II, we investigated whether beta-sarcoglycan has a role in the development of atherosclerotic plaquesand vascular injury induced neointima formation. Much to our surprise, we found that the absence of betasarcoglycanreduced advanced atherosclerotic plaque development, and in contrast, stimulated neo-intimalhyperplasia under conditions involving the presence or absence of an ApoE-deficient background, respectively.Under an atherosclerotic setting, the relative area of differentiated smooth muscle cells in the plaques wasincreased in beta-sarcoglycan deficient mice. Further, deficiency of beta-sarcoglycan decreased the weight ofvisceral adipose tissue and reduced the size of both brown and white adipocytes.In paper III, we utilized mdx mice to determine if there is also a role for dystrophin in the process of atheroscleroticplaque development. We obtained similar results as in the study with sarcoglycan deficient mice; the mdx miceexhibited a significant attenuation of advanced atherosclerotic plaque growth with an increase in the relative areaof differentiated smooth muscle cells in their plaques. A reduction in T-cell content in these plaques and an overallreduction in systemic inflammation was also observed.In paper IV, we observed that actin dynamics influence genes important for regulation of VSMC phenotypes andfound dystrophin to be significantly increased and decreased by actin polymerization and depolymerization,respectively. A significant downregulation of dystrophin was observed under the influence of vascular injury.To summarize, this thesis uncovers the important influence of a functional CELL-ECM linkage mediated bydystrophin and beta-sarcoglycan on vascular lesion development.
Comparative anatomical, histological and histochemical study of the pancreas in two species of birds

The purpose of this study was to determine the anatomical characteristics and histological structure as well assome histochemical aspects of the pancreas of two species of birds, which differ in theirclassification, habitat, nutrition and activity by using a light microscope. The birds were omnivorous Guineafowl Numida meleagris and carnivorous Common gull Laruscanus. The results showed that the pancreas of the two species of birds was a bilobed organ, it differed in size, color and appearance. The pancreas tissue of the two birds was consisted of exocrine and endocrine part. The exocrine part in the both birds arecomposed of acini, ducts and it occupied a larger area of the pancreas. The aciniare varied in shapes in the both birds. These aciniconsisted of a single layer of variable number of different shapes cells that are differing in their thickness between the two species. The ductal system of the exocrine part of the pancreas in both birds included the intercalated ducts, intralobular ductsand interlobular ducts thatdiffered in their number, size and distribution between the two species. The endocrine part of the both birds areconsisted of various shapes and sizes of the islets thatwere scattered in the exocrine part, these islets are composed from alpha (A) and beta (B) cells. The mixed islets that consist of A and B cells, alpha islets and beta isletsare observed inGuineafowlwhereas,in the Common gull, themixed isletswere the only type observed and the islets in this bird are smallerand are less densely populatedthan the islets inGuineafowl. In conclusion the anatomicalfeaturesand histological structure of Guineafowl and Common gullpancreas was found to besimilar to that of other avian species with the exception of some secondary characteristics.
Determination of phenolic compounds and assessment of the genotoxic and proliferative potential of Psidium cattleianum Sabine (Myrtaceae) fruits

Abstract The purpose of this paper was to investigate the proliferative and genotoxic activity of juices from fruits of Psidium cattleianum, also known as strawberry guava, using the Allium cepa test. Fruits were collected and frozen for subsequent juice preparation at a concentration of 125 g l−1. The treatments consisted of T1: distilled water (negative control), T2: juice of yellow strawberry guava collected in Arroio Grande, T3: juice of yellow strawberry guava collected in Palma, T4: juice of red strawberry guava collected at UFSM, and T5: 1% glyphosate solution (positive control). Eight thousand cells per treatment were analysed and the mitotic indices (MI) were calculated. The juice samples were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Statistical analyses were performed using the chi-square and Tukey tests (p < 0.05). The results show irregularities in the cell division, mainly during metaphase, and an antimitotic effect in addition to an increase in the MI in treatments containing strawberry guava juice. Using HPLC, epicatechin was predominant in T2 and T4, and isoquercitrin in T3. Overall, strawberry guava has proliferative and genotoxic effects on the cell division of A. cepa, as well as an antimitotic action preventing the mitotic spindle from forming.
The Role of Flagellar Proteins in Adhesion of Vibrio Parahaemolyticus, and Isolation of the Corresponding Gene(s).

ix INTRODUCTION. 1 References. 6 CHAPTER I. Production of Monoclonal Antibodies to Flagellar Core Protein of Vibrio parahaemolyticus. 9 Introduction. 10 Materials and Methods. 13 Results. 18 Discussion. 28 References. 31 CHAPTER II Preliminary Studies on Adhesion of Vibrio parahaemolyticus to Rabbit Intestine. 34 Introduction. 35
DNA barcoding of South Africa’s ornamental freshwater fish – are the names reliable?

Trade in freshwater ornamental fish in South Africa is currently regulated by a ‘blacklist’ to prevent potentially invasive taxa from establishing in the country. Because its effective implementation requires accurate identification, the aim of the present study was to test whether DNA barcoding is a useful tool to identify freshwater fishes in the South African pet trade. A total of 351 aquarium fish specimens, representing 185 traded taxa, were sequenced for the mitochondrial COI barcoding marker in 2011 and 2012. Lake Malawi cichlids were treated as a single group due to a lack of resolution in their COI marker, resulting in a data set of 137 successfully sequenced taxa. The Barcode Of Life Database (BOLD) and GenBank were used for taxonomic assignment comparisons. The genetic identification matched the scientific name inferred from the trade name for 60 taxa (43.8%) using BOLD, and for 67 taxa (48.9%) using GenBank. A genetic ID could not be assigned in 47 (34.3%) cases using BOLD and in 37 cases (27%) using GenBank. Whereas DNA barcoding can be a useful tool to help identify imported freshwater fishes, it requires further development of publicly available databases to become a reliable means of identification.
An Upgraded Core Set of 11 SSR Markers for Grapevine Cultivar Identification: The Case of Berry-Color Mutants

This research focused on the development of a molecular assay, based on the amplification of 11 simple sequence repeats, that is useful to combine varietal identification with skin color discrimination of less-colored/colorless mutants from a black wild-type cultivar (like Pinots). The proposed molecular toolkit was reliable using both purified and unpurified DNA obtained from leaves, thereby speeding up the time required for laboratory analyses and lowering the costs of the molecular outcome.