Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Combination effect of edible mushroom – sliver nanoparticles and antibiotics against selected multidrug biofilm pathogens

Objective This project was designed to determine the effect of edible mushroom-Ag-Nps in combination with conventional antibioticsagainst selected multidrug biofilm-forming pathogens.Methods Biofilm-producing bacteria were isolated and identified using routine cultural and biochemical tests from clinical specimen.In addition to that, standard bacterial strains were used. Silver nanoparticles were prepared using edible mushroom as bio-reductant. The biosynthesis of Ag–Nps was characterized by changing mushroom extract color from clear yellow to brown and UV/Visual spectrophotometer and electronic microscope. Then, the Ag–Nps were tested against bacterial strains and biofilm-producing bacteria using diffusion method as antibacterial agents in combination with antibiotics.Results Biosynthesized Ag–Nps characterized by visual spectroscopy, scanning electronic microscope (SEM) were ranged (5–50 nm) insize, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) in peak 430 cm-1 refers to protein formation. Different volumes and concentrationof Ag-Nps (20, 30, and 50 μl) tested against selected multi drug biofilm-producing pathogens showed Ag–NPs at concentration 50 μl. Theywere more efficient in the inhibition of bacterial growth. On the other hand, assessment of the consolidated impact was examined utilizingcircle dissemination strategy against methicillin-resistants, such as Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosaand Proteus mirabilis. Results recorded a synergetic effect of Ag–Nps in association with resistant antibiotics.Conclusions Compounds with greater potential as antimicrobial against pathogenic micro-organisms in combination with nanoparticles inhibited effectively to form biofilm than antibiotics alone. From this, we can conclude that Ag–NPs may be used in the remediation of infectious diseases. So Ag–NPs with antibiotics show maximum antibacterial activity. This may lead to develop new drugs for therapeutic needs.
Erect macroalgae influence epilithic bacterial assemblages and reduce coral recruitment

Macroalgal competition can indirectly influence the health of corals and their response to changing environmental conditions by altering their associated bacterial community. However, the effect of macroalgae on the composition of epilithic microbial biofilms, an important determinant of coral recruitment, is poorly known. In the back-reefs of Moorea (French Polynesia), we evaluated how the experimental removal of either the canopy of the seaweed Turbinaria ornata or that of the entire macroalgal assemblage influenced the composition of the bacterial biofilm and coral recruitment on macroalga-free substrata. The number of bacterial colonies on culture plates inoculated with dilutions of 9 d old biofilm from canopy removal sites was smaller compared with control sites. After 3.5 mo, the diversity of bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) was lower at both canopy and total macroalgal removal sites. Total macroalgal removal sites had a lower relative abundance of several bacterial families, including Rhodobacteraceae, Erythrobacteraceae, Cyanobacteria Family IV and Family VIII, Flavobacteriaceae and Verrucomicrobiaceae. After 8 mo, coral recruitment was generally low, but greater at total macroalgal removal sites. The relative abundance of Cyanobacteria, Sphingo bacteria and Verrucomicrobia was negatively correlated with coral recruitment and explained ~70% of variation in coral recruit density. Our study shows that the removal of T. ornata and understory macroalgae influences the composition of epilithic bacterial assemblages and coral recruitment. Thus, eradication campaigns are unlikely to sustain long-term reductions in the abundance of T. ornata and, hence, increase coral recruitment, when plant holdfasts and understory macroalgae are left in place.
Functional characterization of caffeic acid O -methyltransferase in internode lignification of switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum )

Caffeic acid O -methyltransferase (COMT) is a crucial enzyme that mainly methylates phenylpropanoid meta -hydroxyl of C 5 in the biosynthesis of syringyl lignin in angiosperms. A putative COMT , named as PvCOMT1 , was isolated from switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum ), a C 4 warm-season dual-purpose forage and bioenergy crop. Our results showed that recombinant PvCOMT1 enzyme protein catalyzed the methylation of 5-OH coniferyl alcohol, 5-OH coniferaldehyde (CAld5H) and 5-OH ferulic acid. Further in vitro studies indicate that CAld5H can dominate COMT-mediated reactions by inhibiting the methylation of the other substrates. Transgenic switchgrass plants generated by an RNAi approach were further employed to study the function of COMT in internode ligni ﬁ cation. A dramatic decrease in syringyl lignin units coupled with an obvious incorporation in 5-OH guaiacyl lignin units were observed in the COMT-RNAi transgenic plants. However, the constitutive suppression of COMT in switchgrass plants altered neither the pattern of lignin deposition along the stem nor the anatomical structure of internodes. Consistent with the biochemical characterization of PvCOMT1, a signi ﬁ cant decrease in sinapaldehyde was found in the COMT-RNAi transgenic switchgrass plants, suggesting that CAld5H could be the optimal intermediate in the biosynthesis syringyl lignin.
Male reproductive system

The overall reproductive process consists of both the human sex organs which include the male and female reproductive system. The ability to produce off springs that have similar characteristic as their parents is the goal of reproduction. The sexual type of reproduction takes place in human and both male and female reproductive system is required. Male reproductive system is mainly concerned with production of semen (whitish viscous fluid emitted from the male reproductive tract that contains sperm and fluids) and transferring it into the female reproductive tract. In this review, we will discuss the latest findings in the research pertaining the male reproductive system and its contribution towards the research in advancement of reproductive physiology.
Diversity and biofilm inhibition activities of algicolous fungi collected from two remote islands of the Philippine archipelago

Algicolous fungi are valued for their pharmaceutically and agrochemically useful secondary metabolites. However, very few studies on algicolous fungi have been carried out in the Asia Pacific region, particularly in the Philippines, in spite of the country’s rich macroalgal flora. In this study, a total of 212 algicolous fungi belonging to 29 morphospecies were recorded from seaweeds (macroalgae) collected from Potipot Island and Lubang Island, northern Philippines. These fungi were identified as species of Aspergillus, Alternaria, Chaetomium, Cladosporium, Colletotrichum, Nigrospora, Pestalotia, Penicillium, and Trichoderma. Diversity assessment among collection sites and among algal groups was determined. Lubang Island registered higher species richness than Potipot Island, while brown algae had the highest compared to red and green algae. Species diversity measured by Shannon Index and Simpson Index showed no significant difference between the two study sites, while brown algae had the highest species diversity among the algal groups. Comparison of communities shows that the morphospecies clustered more based on the site they were collected, and not based on their algal host. Communities have more similarities between those isolated from the smaller island of Potipot than in Lubang, which may show that proximity and anthropogenic activity might affect the distribution of fungal communities. Extracts of the AF isolates were used against biofilm-forming S. aureus to determine whether AF can inhibit biofilm formation. The results of the assay showed that algicolous fungi extracts can successfully reduce biofilm formation as much as 99%.
Macrofauna del suelo en ecosistemas ganaderos de montaña en Guisa, Granma, Cuba

El objetivo de este trabajo fue identificar la macrofauna del suelo presente en ecosistemas ganaderos de montana, en Guisa, provincia Granma. Los muestreos se efectuaron en el mes de octubre del ano 2012, en 7 fincas ganaderas. La macrofauna edafica fue recolectada segun la metodologia propuesta por el TSBF ( Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility ) . Se excavaron tres calicatas de 25 x 25 x 20 cm en cada area de estudio. Manualmente se seleccionaron los individuos integrantes de la macrofauna edafica, las lombrices se conservaron en formaldehido al 4 % y los invertebrados restantes en alcohol al 70 %, para su posterior identificacion; la cual se realizo mediante la consulta de diferentes documentos taxonomicos, entre otros. La macrofauna edafica se agrupo en dos phyla, cuatro clases, seis ordenes, seis familias y 11 especies, de las que seis pertenecen a las hormigas. Se concluye que en los ecosistemas ganaderos de montana de Guisa, Granma, la mayor cantidad de especies pertenecian a la familia Formicidae. Las lombrices fueron los organismos que predominaron, ya que se recolectaron en el 100 % de las areas muestreadas y la mayoria de los individuos se hallo en la finca donde prevalecia el pasto estrella. Se recomienda evaluar otras unidades de produccion ganadera en la montana utilizando variables que caractericen mejor el comportamiento de la macrofauna del suelo (por ejemplo: densidad y biomasa).
Fatty Acid Profiling in Rapeseed Mustard (Brassica species)

1 School of Biotechnology, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu 180009 (J&K), India 2 ACHR, Udheywala, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu 180009 (J&K), India 3 Division of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu 180009 (J&K), India 4 G.L. Bajaj Institute of Technology and Management, Greater Noida, GB Nagar, UP 201306, India *Corresponding author
Morphological and anatomical observation during the formation of bulbils in Lilium lancifolium

Abstract Aerial bulbil, other than axillary branch and tendril, is a special propagative organ in Lilium lancifolium, but the development events occurring during bulbil formation of L. lancifolium have not been reported. In this study, we observed the changes of morphology and anatomical structure during the process of bulbil formation in L. lancifolium. The results indicated that bulbils of L. lancifolium formed in the joint region of leaf and stem and were derived from the division and differentiation of axillary meristem cells. Bulbils first generated on a certain leaf axil in the upper portion of stem, and then formed upward along the upper stem. The present study provides histological information for further studying the mechanism of bulbil formation.
The effect of various dry period lengths on serum glucose concentration and Altered Serum glucose percentage in high yielding Murrah Buffaloes

Dry period (DP) length affects energy metabolism in transition period as well as milk production in the subsequent lactation. The aim of the study was to investigate the serum glucose (SG) and altered glucose percentage (AGP) levels in forty eight dairy buffaloes allotted to three dry period lengths (> 60 d; 46 to 60 d; and 30 to 45 d). The serum glucose (SG) and altered glucose percentage (AGP) levels were influenced by both length of dry period, and pre and postpartum periods of the entire experimental study. SG levels in prepartum period were higher (P
EVALUATION OF PHOSPHORUS AND ZINC INTERACTION EFFECTS ON WHEAT GROWN IN SALINE-SODIC SOIL

The essentiality of phosphorus (P) as a macronutrient and that of zinc (Zn) as micronutrient for plants has been established long ago but their interactive effects on economic yield of crops are still controversial particularly in calcareous saline-sodic soils. Therefore, a pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the P-Zn interaction effects on wheat in saline-sodic soil. The treatments comprised of four levels of P (0, 25, 50 and 75 mg kg(-1) soil) and three levels of Zn (0, 5 and 10 mg kg(-1) soil) arranged in completely randomized design each with three replications. The results showed that total number of tillers, plant height, straw dry weight and 1000-grain weight was significantly (P <= 0.05) higher in saline-sodic control closely followed by applied P at 75 mg kg(-1) soil + Zn at 5 mg kg(-1) soil (P75Zn5). While maximum Zn concentration in wheat straw and grains was observed in P75Zn5. The maximum ammonium-bicarbonate-diethylene-triamine-penta-acetic acid (AB-DTPA) extractable P and Zn in post-experiment soil was recorded with P at 75 mg kg(-1) soil + Zn at 10 mg kg(-1) soil (P75Zn10). Thus, application of P at 75 mg kg(-1) soil along with Zn 5 mg kg(-1) soil was the appropriate combination of P and Zn for substantial increase in growth and yield of wheat in saline-sodic soil.
Metabolic effects of intermittent fasting

Intermittent fasting describes dietary strategies in which the pattern of energy restriction (intermittent energy restriction, IER) or timing of food intake (time-restricted feeding, TRF) are altered such that individuals undergo repeated periods of “fasting”. The overarching aim of this PhD project was to investigate the metabolic health impacts of these intermittent fasting variants. Intermittent energy restriction: Study one assessed the acute metabolic effects of substantial energy restriction (ER) in healthy, overweight/obese participants using a cross-over design. Six-hour postprandial responses were assessed the morning following one day of total 100% ER, partial 75% ER and isoenergetic intake (0% ER) via serial blood sampling and indirect calorimetry. Postprandial substrate oxidation was shifted towards fat oxidation (p=0.080) and ketogenesis (p<0.001) in an apparent dose response manner following 75-100% ER, translating to a reduction in postprandial lipaemia (p<0.001). Conversely, glucose tolerance was impaired (p=0.002). Study two utilised similar methods to investigate the chronic effect of IER (75% ER for two days/week) on postprandial metabolism following 5% weight-loss. This was compared to matched weight-loss achieved via a “standard treatment” control of continuous ER (2510kJ/day deficit). Rates of weight-loss were similar between groups (p=0.446), despite greater reported reductions in energy intake during IER (p=0.012), which might be explained in part by an adaptive decline in resting energy expenditure (p=0.067). Both interventions comparatively (p=0.903) improved postprandial insulinaemia, whereas the relative reduction in postprandial lipaemia was greater following IER (p=0.042). Time-restricted feeding: Study three examined the effects of a 10-week, three-hour daily shortening of the eating window on fasting metabolism and adiposity utilising a parallel-armed controlled design. In a small group of lean and overweight/obese participants, TRF led to modest reductions in adiposity (p=0.047) and fasting glycaemia (p=0.073), possibly explained by the spontaneous reduction in energy intake observed. Combined, these data provide novel insights into the metabolic effects of intermittent fasting. Replication and mechanistic evaluation in diverse population groups, including those with established metabolic disorders, is warranted.
Struktur komunitas ikan karang di perairan Pulau Batee Kecamatan Peukan Bada Kabupaten Aceh Besar

Abstrak : Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui struktur komunitas ikan karang yang meliputi kelimpahan, indeks keanekaragaman, keseragaman, dominansi dan biomassa ikan karang pada perairan Pulau Batee Kecamatan Peukan Bada Kabupaten Aceh Besar. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah Visual Census Technique (VCT) - belt transect . Berdasarkan hasil penelitian ditemukan 21 famili yang termasuk dalam 44 genus dan 106 spesies ikan karang dengan jumlah total sebanyak 8337 individu. Menurut peranannya ditemukan jenis ikan target sebanyak 33 spesies yang mewakili 9 famili, jenis ikan indikator ditemukan sebanyak 14 spesies yang berasal dari famili Chaetodontidae dimana spesies Chaetodon trifasciatus dan Chaetodon collare merupakan yang paling dominan sedangkan jenis ikan mayor ditemukan sebanyak 59 spesies yang mewakili 12 famili, spesies yang paling dominan adalah Dascyllus carneus. Nilai kelimpahan ikan karang rata-rata yang ditemukan pada bagian timur adalah 944 ind/ha - 1209 ind/ha, sedangkan pada bagian barat berkisar antara 769 ind/ha - 904 ind/ha. Nilai indeks keanekaragaman (H’) rata-rata berkisar antara 3,13 - 3,46 Biomassa ikan karang yang ditemukan pada bagian timur adalah 60 kg/ha - 116 kg/ha dan bagian barat berkisar 61 kg/ha - 104 kg/ha Kata kunci : Pulau Batee, Struktur Komunitas, Ikan Karang, Indeks Ekologi dan Biomassa.
Nutritional Status of Cowpea Plants Inoculated with Bradyrhizobium and Azospirillum brasilense in Associated with Phosphate Fertilization in Soil Amazonian

Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) plays an important role in cowpea cultivation. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the effects of inoculation and co-inoculation of rhizobacteria associated with phosphate fertilization on biometric parameters and absorption and use of nutrients by different cowpea genotypes. The experimental design was randomized blocks in a 4x3x2 factorial scheme, Original Research Article Araújo et al.; JEAI, 23(5): 1-13, 2018; Article no.JEAI. 42145 2 corresponding to four rates of phosphorus (0, 80, 120 and 160 kg ha of P2O5), absence, inoculation and co-inoculation with rhizobacteria; two cowpea genotypes (White and Butter), with four replicates. The results revealed variability between the cowpea genotypes with respect to efficiency and response to phosphorus application. Cowpea plants inoculated with Bradyrhizobium sp. showed increments of approximately 22.66%, 23.58%, 55.31%, 47.95%, 65.66% and 20%, respectively, in N contents in the roots, leaves, shoots and in the plant, N absorption efficiency and N use efficiency. Inoculation of Bradyrhizobium sp. associated with 120 and 160 kg ha -1 of P2O5 increases plant height and P and S contents in the shoots of cowpea plants. Increased P rates lead to increment in dry matter production and N, P and K contents in cowpea plants. Coinoculation of Bradyrhizobium sp. and Azospirillum brasilense did not positively influence any of the variables studied over the effects of Bradyrhizobium sp. alone. Cowpea has potential to be used as green fertilizer after a short period of cultivation, due to the accumulation of nutrients in its leaves and shoots.
Spontaneous Pre-encoding Activation of Neural Patterns Predicts Memory

It is well-established that what determines whether information will be remembered depends not only on encoding and retrieval, but also on the neural processes that follow encoding. Extending the consideration of peri-encoding processes further in time, recent studies have indicated that memory for an experience may also be affected by processes occurring prior to that experience. We hypothesized that, in humans, spontaneous pre-encoding patterns are reinstated during succesful encoding. Individuals studied and retrieved lists of words while undergoing fMRI-scanning. Multivoxel hippocampal patterns during resting periods prior to encoding resembled hippocampal patterns at encoding most strongly for items that were subsequently remembered. Furthermore, across subjects, the magnitude of similarity correlated with a behavioural measure of episodic recall. The results indicate that the neural scaffold of a memory trace is spontaneously laid even before ever perceiving the to-be-encoded information.
Appraising the causal relevance of DNA methylation for risk of lung cancer

DNA methylation changes in peripheral blood have been identified in relation to lung cancer risk. However, the causal nature of these associations remains to be fully elucidated. Meta-analysis of four epigenome-wide association studies (918 cases, 918 controls) revealed differential methylation at 16 CpG sites (FDR < 0.05) in relation to lung cancer risk. A two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis, using genetic instruments for methylation at 14 of the 16 CpG sites, and 29,863 cases and 55,586 controls from the TRICL-ILCCO lung cancer consortium, was performed to appraise the causal role of methylation at these sites on lung cancer. This approach provided little evidence that DNA methylation in peripheral blood at the 14 CpG sites play a causal role in lung cancer development, including for cg05575921 AHRR, where methylation is strongly associated with lung cancer risk. Further studies are needed to investigate the causal role played by DNA methylation in lung tissue.
Individual development, biology and evolution of the woolly mammoth

Today the woolly mammothis one of thebest-studied species of extinct mammals. During recent years, a great volume of data accumulated by researchers, complex studies and new methods that had previously been applied to modern mammals only, have laid the ground for several new directions of research into the problems of the biology of the mammoth. Discoveries of natural traps and sites where large groups of mammothsdied in North America (the Hot Springs site) and Russia (the Sevsk locality) have made it possible to study some peculiarities of mammoth ethology and ecology. Material of mammoth calves collected in Russia maderesearch intothe ontogenesis of the mammothpossible.
Habitat Features Rather Than Competition Explain the Distribution and Co-occurrence of Ardeidae in a Highly Urbanized Landscape

Abstract. Habitat selection by herons, egrets and bitterns (Ardeidae) is influenced by the extent and quality of surrounding wetlands in natural landscapes. However, these relationships may be different in highly modified urban environments where inter- and intra-specific competition could be increased. To assess the relative effects of habitat and competition on habitat selection by ardeids in an urban landscape, all known colonies in the densely populated coastal region around Macao Special Administrative Region, China, were surveyed. The relationship among ardeid communities and patch-level habitat variables were investigated using multivariate and co-occurrence analyses. Ardeid species (n = 12) were recorded during 2006–2009. Habitat patches were categorized into three types based on 10 habitat factors using redundancy analysis. The area of adjacent open land (r13= 0.772, P = 0.002) and patch area (r13= 0.670, P = 0.012) were the major indicators of species richness and abundance, respectively. However, the factor that influenced habitat selection the most was perimeter-area ratio (marginal effect: λ1 = 0.33). The lack of evidence for competition in the co-occurrence analysis suggested that the spatial pattern of the ardeid community in Macao Special Administrative Region, China, was primarily driven by variation in habitat features that satisfy species-specific requirements.