Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antifungal Action of the Dillapiole-rich Oil of Piper aduncum against Dermatomycoses Caused by Filamentous Fungi

Aims and Study Design : Piper aduncum L. is a Brazilian plant with many biological properties attributed to its dillapiole-rich essential oil. Despite the development of antibiotics, bacterial and fungal infections are still a public health issue in the medical field. This study measured the antimicrobial activity of the dillapiole-rich essential oil of P. aduncum against pathogenic skin microorganisms. Place of Study: Faculty of Pharmacy and Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Science, Federal Original Research Article Ferreira et al.; BJMMR, 15(12): 1-10, 2016; Article no.BJMMR. 26340 2 University of Pará, Brazil. This work was performed in 2014. Methodology: Gas Chromatography (GC) and Gas Cromatography-Mass spectrometry (GC-MS) have analyzed the oil and its dillapiole-rich fraction. The determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) values was carried out by microdilution method and counting of formed colonies. Results: For the strains of Trichophyton mentagrophytes (ATCC 9533 and clinical isolate), the oil and its dillapiole-rich fraction exhibited MIC values of 500 μg/ml while the MFC values were 1,500 μg/ml for the oil and 1,000 μg/ml for the fraction rich in dillapiole. For clinical isolates of T. rubrum and Epidermophyton floccosum, MIC values of 500 μg/ml and MFC 1,500 μg/ml were equal for the oil and the dillapiole-rich fraction, respectively. For clinical isolates of Microsporum canis and M. gypseum, the MIC and MFC values were 250 μg/ml and 500 μg/ml, respectively. For strains of Aspergillus fumigatus (ATCC 40152 and clinical isolate), the oil and its dillapiole-rich fraction have shown the same MIC value of 3.9 μg/ml while the MFC values were 7.8 μg/ml for the strain ATCC 40152, and 15.6 μg/ml for the clinical isolate. The oil and dillapiole-rich fraction did not show antibacterial activity against the strain of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 and its clinical isolate Conclusion: The dillapiole-rich essential oil of P. aduncum and its dillapiole-rich fraction demonstrates significant antifungal activity against dermatophytes, filamentous fungi and potent antifungal activity against non-dermatophyte filamentous fungi.
Food Webs at the Landscape Level

Ecological theory generally and food web theory in particular has traditionally focused its attention on "closed systems? This creates an obvious catch-twcnty-two: while this simplified approach has been a useful opening gambit in trying to unravel the incredible complexity inherent in ecological systems, it is almost never the case in real life. Therefore, it has often been difficult to apply basic ecological theory to real-world situations, or even to know how to start.
Human telomeres are attached to the nuclear matrix.

This report shows that human telomeres are tightly associated with the nuclear matrix. Telomere attachment is observed in several cell types and in all stages of interphase. Mapping experiments show that telomeres are anchored via their TTAGGG repeats; a subtelomeric repeat located immediately proximal to the telomeric TTAGGG repeats is quantitatively released from the nuclear matrix by restriction endonuclease cleavage. TTAGGG repeats introduced at chromosome‐internal sites by DNA transfection do not behave as matrix attached loci, suggesting that the telomeric position of the repeats is required for their interaction with the nuclear matrix. These findings are consistent with the idea that telomeres function as a nucleoprotein complex.
Impact of Nitrogen Source and Trinexapac-ethyl Application on Creeping Bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) Physiology under Neutral Shade, Deciduous Tree Shade, and Full Sunlit Conditions

Decreased light quantity or quality affects the growth of turfgrass plants. Shade causes thinning of turfgrass stands and loss in surface quality. Plant changes includeincreasedchlorophylllevels,lowersoluble sugars, and loss of canopycover. The objective of this research was to investigate if applications of foliar nitrogen and trinexapac-ethyl (4-(cyclopropyl-a-hydroxy-methylene)-3,5-dioxo-cyclohexane car- boxylicacid ethyl ester)(TE)wouldresultin beneficial biochemicalchangesin creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L. cv. Penncross) grown in different shaded environ- ments. Foliar applications of three nitrogen treatments, (NH2)2CO, Ca(NO3)2 ,o r (NH4)2SO4,weremadeweeklyat0.43 gN/m 2 . Growthregulatortreatmentsconsistedof an untreated control or TE applied biweekly at an a.i. rate of 0.057 kgha -1 . P lots were established in full sun (FS), neutral shade (NS), and deciduous shade (DS). Chlorophyll content, soluble carbohydrates, flavonoids, clipping yield, and color were measured. Nitrogen treatments caused some variation in levels of soluble carbohydrates in shaded conditions. Chlorophyll (Chl) levels varied between TE treatments, with increased levels of chlorophyll b (Chl b) found in TE-treated plots under FS. Application of TE resultedin higherflavonoid concentrationsin leaf tissue in shaded conditions. Repeated applications of (NH2)2CO significantly improved color (P = 0.05). Turfgrass managers maintaining creeping bentgrass in shade may benefit from applications of TE and (NH2)2CO.
Rocking Earth's Biodiversity Cradle: Challenges, Advances, and Prospects for Conservation Paleontology in the Tropics

ABSTRACT Increased human activity and environmental disturbances are currently eroding the high biodiversity of the tropics. Insights from the fossil record have the potential to inform conservation decisions in these regions. Conservation paleontology has played a transformative role in defining appropriate conservation goals in temperate systems, and recent applications in the tropics showcase the broad applicability of this field. Here, we highlight paleontology's role in the conservation of the tropics. We show that community-level and species-level responses commonly detected by paleontologists, such as range shifts, inform present-day population trajectories and functional diversity changes. Furthermore, advances in techniques such as ancient DNA recovery make querying ancient tropical diversity more tractable. These analyses have direct applications to policies ranging from reserve design to species reintroductions. Despite these breakthroughs, much work still remains for conservation paleontology to reach its full potential in the tropics. Increased regional coverage is necessary for areas such as Southeast Asia and the Amazon, two biogeographically important regions with highly threatened faunas. Taxonomic sampling biases must be eliminated, and we call for additional data representing amphibians and birds, which are underrepresented in paleontological data sets of terrestrial vertebrates. We also recommend further analyses of existing reptile collections, which are abundant but underutilized because of a dearth of comparative collections. We highlight recent contributions to conservation paleontology in these taxonomic groups and regions whenever possible, and showcase successful collaborations between paleontologists, neontologists, and conservationists outside of academia to illustrate the influence paleontologists can exert in conservation efforts.
Genetic analysis, combining ability and yield stability of maize genotypes under maize streak virus prone environments.

The objective of this study was to determine and rank farmers ‘preferred traits of maize and their perceived constraints which limit maize production in the northern areas of Tanzania. The study was conducted in 2012, at 12 villages selected from Babati, Arumeru and Hai Districts. Participatory rural appraisal (PRA) and survey methods were used to collect data from 500 farmers sampled across the study areas. Of these, 180 farmers were interviewed and 320 participated in the focused group discussions (FGD). Data collected were summarized and analyzed using various analytical tools such as matrix and pair-wise ranking and SPSS program. The most preferred traits according to farmers’ criteria, ranks and matrix mean scores were high yield (71.9%), disease resistance (70.0%), drought tolerance (69.9%), good grain milling quality (65.3%), grain palatability (60.7%), dense grain (59.0%) and early maturity (55.8%). Other important traits were large grain size (50.3%), intercropping suitability (49.7%), large cob size (48.5%) storage pests’ resistance (48.1%) and multiple ears (39.4%). Major biotic constraints limiting maize production in the study area were maize streak virus (MSV) and cob rot diseases while the important abiotic constraints were drought and poor soil fertility. High costs of production inputs and low price of maize were also among the challenges to maize production in the study area. Knowledge of the farmers’ preferences and production constraints is required by breeders to enhance the productivity of maize in the northern areas of Tanzania.
Quaternary vertebrates from the Bird's Head Peninsula, Irian Jaya, Indonesia, including descriptions of two previously unknown marsupial species

- A systematic treatment of late Quaternary vertebrate remains from two archaeological cave sites in the Ayamaru Lakes region, central Bird's Head Peninsula, Irian Jaya, documents the occurrence of 41 mammal species, three bird species and an as-yet-undetermined variety of lizards, snakes and frogs. At least nine mammal species are recorded from the Bird's Head for the first time; two of these are described as new and three others are almost certainly extinct on the Bird's Head. The new species are a diminutive striped possum, genus Dacty/opsi/a, and an unusual ringtail possum with no close relatives among extant New Guinean pseudocheirids; the latter species is allocated with considerable reservation to the genus Petallroides, which otherwise includes only the Australian Greater Glider, P. vo/ans. An apparently new species of Pogonomelomys is left unnamed pending wider revision of this group.
Characterization and location of a semipermeable layer in seed coats of leek and onion (Liliaceae), tomato and pepper (Solanaceae)

Semipermeability may be defined as the ability of seed coverings to allow water uptake and gas exchange while solute diffusion is restricted or prevented. The presence and location of a semipermeable layer was studied in seed coats of cabbage, leek, onion, tomato and pepper. Seed coat thickness varied by species, although all species readily imbibed water. Cabbage seeds had permeable seed coats and non-germinable seeds readily leaked amino acids and non-aged seeds showed positive staining with tetrazolium chloride (TTC) without pre-treatment. Tomato and pepper seeds had relatively impermeable seeds coats, while leek and onion were intermediate with respect to amino acid leakage and TTC uptake. Seeds were soaked in an aqueous solution of lanthanum nitrate, and then cross-sections of seeds were examined with a microprobe or STEM using energy dispersive X-ray analysis and back-scattered imaging. The penetration of lanthanum crystals was limited by a thin semipermeable layer of the seed coat adjacent to the endosperm in leek, onion, tomato and pepper. Morphological studies did not reveal a semipermeable layer in cabbage.
Molecular verification and diversity analysis of Indonesian BB, AAB and ABB banana cultivars.

Genetic diversity of bananas in Indonesia is considered to be high. Phenotypic identification of banana accessions is sometimes incorrect due to instability of morphological characters. The aims of this study were to verify Indonesian bananas accessions containing the B genome previously identified based on morphological characters, to construct a molecular determination key for the genomic groups, and to reveal genetic relationships among the accessions based on microsatellite markers. The DNA of 92 banana accessions classified as containing the B genome was analyzed using 8 pairs of microsatellite primers. The results showed that 9 accessions were incorrectly classified as containing the B genome. Of the remaining 83 accessions, 76 were accurately classified as AAB, ABB, or BB; and 7 accessions needed to be reassigned to a different subset of the B-genome containing accessions. Alleles MaCIR108 size longer than 270 bp were considered as the diagnostic characters for the B genome, while one allele Ma-3-90 size of 152 bp could be used to distinguish AAB from ABB genomic groups. The molecular determination key constructed classified the 83 accessions into 3 genomic groups, consisted of 8 accessions of BB, 33 accessions of AAB, and 42 accessions of ABB. Genetic relationship analyses of the 83 accessions based on the 8 primers detected only 67 genotypes due to the presence of 8 identical genotypes consisting of 24 accessions. The accessions clustered according to their genomic groups. ABB formed fewer clusters than the AAB genomic groups indicating less diversity in the ABB group. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Overwintering of Erysiphe necator and Inoculum Monitoring for Decision Aids

approved: ______________________________________________________ Walter F. Mahaffee Grape powdery mildew (Erysiphe necator) causes economic damages to grape worldwide due to the cost of management and injury to berries. Each region where European grapevine (Vitis vinifera) is grown experiences a unique epidemic, and disease prediction models that are based on empirical correlations of weather data to disease fail to predict disease accurately in regions with differing environmental conditions. Near real-time monitoring of grape powdery mildew epidemics using spore sampling and molecular detection techniques allowed grape growers to reduce fungicides applications by ~2.5 applications compared to their standard practice. Although spore sampling allowed growers to reduce fungicide applications, it is only a short-term solution to the lack of understanding of the factors surrounding initial inoculum availability. Additional factors affecting cleistothecia development and ascospore release conditions were also examined in order to improve current modeling efforts. This involved using controlled-environment studies to monitor cleistothecia initiation and development, and quantitative PCR was used to monitor ascospore release. Several established ascospore release models were tested for prediction accuracy, and an improved ascospore release prediction model was developed. The results of this work show that a portion of cleistothecia are capable of releasing ascospores before leaf drop and continue to mature and release ascospores throughout grape dormancy and into the following growing season. The results also show that an improved understanding of inoculum availability may allow grapevine growers to reduce management costs while improving disease control. ©Copyright by Lindsey D. Thiessen May 20, 2016 All Rights Reserved Overwintering of Erysiphe necator and Inoculum Monitoring for Decision Aids by Lindsey D. Thiessen
Effect of pH, various divalent metal ion and different substrates on glucoamylase activity obtained from Aspergillus niger using amylopectin from tiger nut starch as carbon source

Glucoamylases were obtained from Aspergillus niger using amylopectin from tiger nut starch as carbon source on the 5th (GluAgTN5) and 12th day (GluAgTN12) of fermentation. The optimal pH for GluAgTN5 at 55°C were 6.5, 7.0, 6.0 while that for GluAgTN12 were 8.5, 6.0, 7.5 at 50°C using cassava, guinea corn and tiger nut starch as substrates, respectively. The enzyme activity in GluAgTN5 was enhanced by Ca 2+ and Fe 2+ while Zn 2+ and Co 2+ had inhibitory effects on the enzyme activity. Mn 2+ and Pb 2+ , however completely inactivated the enzyme. Enzyme activity in GluAgTN12 was enhanced by Ca 2+ while Co 2+ and Zn 2+ had inhibitory effects, Fe 2+ , Mn 2+ and Pb 2+ completely inactivated the enzyme. The Michealis-Menten constant, Km and maximum velocity, Vmax obtained from Line-Weaver-Burk plot of initial velocity data at different substrate concentrations were 222 mg/ml and 500 μmol/min, 291 mg/ml and 1000 μmol/min, 137.5 mg/ml and 500 μmol/min using cassava, guinea corn and tiger nut starch as substrate, respectively for GluAgTN5. While that for GluAgTN12 were 176.6 mg/ml and 100 μmol/min, 491 mg/ml and 1000 μmol/min, 131.5 mg/ml and 500 μmol/min using cassava, guinea corn and tiger nut starch as substrate, respectively. Key words : Glucoamylase, pH, metal ions, Aspergillus niger, tiger nut starch, amylopectin.
Components of transpiration efficiency in poplars : genetic diversity, stability with age and scaling from leaf to whole plant level

Up scaling approach was developed to check whether genotype differences in Δ13C represent the differences in transpiration efficiency at leaf and whole plant scale. We also verified the stability genotype difference in Δ13C with age. We found that genotype differences in Δ13C were as such translated as the difference in transpiration efficiency at both leaf and whole plant scale. Magnitude of variability of whole plant transpiration efficiency was higher as compared to at leaf level highlighting the role of carbon lost during photo and dark respiration (Φc) and water lost during night transpiration (Φw). Genotype productivity increased with increase in transpiration efficiency in Populus deltoides × nigra genotypes but remained unchanged in Populus nigra genotypes. Values of whole plant transpiration efficiency were found higher as compared to other species.18O enrichment in both leaf bulk (Δ18Olb) and leaf water (Δ18Olw) reflected variation in stomatal conductance (gs) either at individual level or at genotypic level. In Populus deltoides × nigra genotypes, no increase or decreasing trend was found in Δ13C between the age of 5-15 years and genotypic ranking was conserved over the tested period. However, significantly lower Δ13C values were evidenced between the age of 4-7, which increased with age. We conclude that in poplar, Δ13C is a reliable estimator of whole plant transpiration efficiency and the ranking made in young plant for Δ13C remain stable with age.
Influence of Chromium Propionate Supplementation on Feed Intake, Growth Rate, Haematological and Antioxidant Enzymes Profile in Sahiwal Calves During Summer Season

Twelve Sahiwal calves were divided into 2 group of 6 animals each All the animals in both the groups were fed as per NRC requirements, however, the animals in control group were given no chromium while in treatment 1 group, the animals were supplemented with 0.5 ppm chromium in form of chromium propionate in order to study feed intake and blood parameters during summer season. Body weight gain, DM intake and haematological parameters were found to be similar in both the groups. The activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase were also similar in both the groups, however, catalase activity was lower (P<0.05) in treatment group compared to control.
Aspects Of The Biology And Culture Trials Of Cichlids From Lagos Lagoon

The occurrence, length-frequency distribution, length-weight relationship and condition factors of 449 specimens of cichlids, Sarotherodon melanotheron, Tilapia zilli, Tilapia guineensis and Hemichromis fasciatus from Lagos Lagoon were investigated from September 2009 - February 2010. The relative abundance of the species collected from the lagoon was: S. melanotheron (45.43%), T. zilli (26.73%), T. guineensis (26.06%) and H. fasciatus (1.78%). All the cichlids were found throughout the sampling peri od except H. fasciatus which was collected only in February. The standard length of S. melanotheron ranged from 8.0 – 14.5cm (weight: 22.00 – 90.00g), T. zilli (SL: 8.0 – 14.5cm; weight: 32.80 – 108.00g), T. guineensis (SL: 9.0 – 17.0cm; weight: 42.00 – 85.00g) and H. fasciatus (SL: 11.0 – 14.0cm; weight: 65.00 –84.00g). The frequency polygon reflected one age group in S. melanotheron, one age group in T. zilli, three age groups in T. guineensis and two age groups in H. fasciatus. The cichlid species exhibited negative allometric growth with regression coefficient (b) values between 0.729 – 2.0918. The K-value for S. melanotheron was 4.65 (mean, 2.07 ± 0.33); T. zilli, 3.93 (mean, 1.77 ± 0.54; T. guineensis, 3.64 (mean, 1.74 ± 0.66, and H. fasciatus, 3.63 (mean, 1.94 ± 0.28). Culture potential of S. melanotheron (53 males and 47 females) in freshwater concrete pond was also examined from August 2010 – February 2011. Average fecundity per adult female ranged between 21 and 128eggs for fish with we ight ranging from 30.00g to 78.00g. The culture trial of S. melanotheron revealed its ability to tolerate and thrive in both brackish and freshwater conditions and this makes it an excellent candidate for aquaculture purposes. Proper management strategies needed to be employed in commercial production and the conservation of this rich resource in the wild. Keywords: Cichlid species, concrete pond, length, weight, growth, culture
Antibacterial Effect of Seed Extracts of Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) against Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus mirabilis

In this study, twenty isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and twenty others of Proteus mirabilis were collected from Hawler Teaching hospital during the period 10 th January/2008 to 10 th March/2008 in Erbil city-Iraq. The isolates were identified according to cultural, morphological, and biochemical properties. The susceptibility of isolates to antibiotics (Cefixime, Cefotax, Ciprophloxacin and Doxycillin) was tested, the resistance results for them, were (Cefixime, Cefotax and Doxycillin), and (Ciprophloxacin and Doxycillin) for S. aureus and Proteus mirabilis respectively. The antibacterial effects of seed extracts of cardamom (Eltttaria cardamomum) on more resistant isolates of both species were examined by well diffusion technique, all extracts have antibacterial property but methanolic extract was better than ethanolic and aqueous extracts; MIC and SMIC were determined, and used as curing agents to eliminate the antibiotic resistance genes and removing the swarming phenomenon in case of (Proteus mirabilis). It cleared from this study that methanolic extract was better than ethanolic and aqueous extracts where the curing percentage was (3.33%-70%) while the curing percentage of ethanolic extract was (3.33%-66.6%) which it was better than aqueous extract (0.00%-3.33%) in Staphylococcus aureus, while in Proteus mirabilis the results of plasmid curing was very weak where methanolic extract cured only 3.33%.
Glycosidases in the rat uterus during the oestrus cycle.

: Seven acid glycosidases activities have been measured in normal rat uterus during the oestrus cycle. It has been observed that alpha-fucosidase, alpha-mannosidase, beta-galactosidase, alpha-galactosidase, aryl sulfatase, acid phosphatase and hexosaminidase activities changed cyclically during the oestrus cycle. From onward oestrus to metaoestrus the enzyme activities are in their highest level, but then decline slightly towards the resting one, as the cycle progresses. It is possible that changes in glycosidases content bear a lysosomal relationship, since it is known the increase in the lysosome content of the uterus during the oestrus and metaoestrus. The increased enzyme content could be related to uterus glycoproteins secretion and degradation during the normal oestrus cycle.