Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Y‐chromosome Variability and its Comparison with mtDNA Variability Reveals Different Demographic Histories Between Islands in the Azores Archipelago (Portugal)

We determined the Y‐chromosomal composition of the population of the Azores Islands (Portugal), by analyzing 20 binary polymorphisms located in the non‐recombining portion of the Y‐chromosome (NRY), in 185 unrelated individuals from the three groups of islands forming the Archipelago (Eastern, Central and Western). Similar to that described for other Portuguese samples, the most frequent haplogroups were R1(xR1b3f) (55.1%), E(xE3a) (13%) and J (8.6%). Principal components analysis revealed a Western European profile for the Azorean population. No significant differences between Azores and mainland Portugal were observed. However, the haplogroup distribution across the three groups of islands was not similar (P<0.003). The Western group presented differences in the frequencies of haplogroups R1, E(xE3a) and I1b2 (27.3%, 22.7% and 13.6%, respectively) when compared to the other two groups. An assessment of the NRY variability, and its comparison with mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variability, was further evidence of the differential composition of males during the settlement of the three groups of islands, contrary to what has been previously deduced for the female settlers using mtDNA data.
Addressing the reliability fallacy: Similar group effects may arise from unreliable individual effects

To cast valid predictions of future behavior or diagnose disorders, the reliable measurement of a “biomarker” such as the brain activation to prospective reward is a prerequisite. Surprisingly, only a small fraction of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies report or cite the reliability of brain activation maps involved in group analyses. Here, using simulations and exemplary longitudinal data of 126 healthy adolescents performing an intertemporal choice task, we demonstrate that reproducing a group activation map over time is not a sufficient indication of reliable measurements at the individual level. Instead, selecting regions based on significant main effects at the group level may yield estimates that fail to reliably capture individual variance in the subjective evaluation of an offer. Collectively, our results call for more attention on the reliability of supposed biomarkers at the level of the individual. Thus, caution is warranted in employing brain activation patterns prematurely for clinical applications such as diagnosis or tailored interventions before their reliability has been conclusively established by large-scale studies. To facilitate assessing and reporting of the reliability of fMRI contrasts in future studies, we provide a toolbox that incorporates common measures of global and local reliability.
Relationships among quarter milk leukocyte proportions and cow and quarter-level variables under different intramammary infection statuses

Abstract The use of milk leukocyte differential (MLD) test has been proposed as a complement to somatic cell count (SCC) to assess the presence and the severity of intramammary infection. However, detailed information regarding the behavior of MLD under different physiological or pathological stages of the cow is nonexistent. The objective was to analyze the association between milk leukocyte proportions provided by a commercial automated MLD test and multiple cow and quarter-level variables. The study population consisted of 104 Holstein cows (32 primiparous and 72 multiparous) in one farm. Cows were categorized by days in milk as early (<50 DIM; n=29), middle (50–250 DIM; n=25), and late lactation (>250 DIM; n = 50). Milk from 416 quarters was collected and analyzed for lymphocytes (LYM), neutrophils (NEU), and macrophages (MAC) counts using an automated milk fluorescence microscopy system. Concurrently, a sterile composite milk sample was collected from each cow for pathogen identification through microbiological culture. Culture results were classified as no growth (NOG), gram-negative (GN), gram-positive (GP), or other (OTH). Milk leukocyte proportions varied depending on the level of total leukocyte counts (TLC; P < 0.001). Similarly, leukocyte ratios (NEU:LYM, NEU:MAC, and phagocyte:LYM) were different for multiple TLC categories (P < 0.05). There was no association between parity number and MLD; however, cows in early lactation had the greatest proportions of NEU and LYM. Leukocyte ratios varied depending on parity number and stage of lactation. Cows in the medium milk-yield category had the smallest proportions of NEU and LYM, and there was significant variation in leukocyte ratios, depending on the level of milk yield. In healthy quarters, MLD were not associated with quarter position; however, the NEU:MAC ratio was greater in rear quarters than in front quarters. In quarters with TLC >100,000, NEU% was greater in rear quarters than in front quarters (P = 0.03). For quarters with pathogen growth, TLC was greatest for GN followed by OTH and GP (P < 0.001). Milk LD depended on the isolated pathogen group, although the magnitudes of the differences were small. Although the changes in the proportions of leukocytes in milk were associated with categories of TLC, levels of milk yield, and mastitis-causing pathogen groups, the deviations were small in magnitude. Additional research is necessary to determine the potential applications for this methodology.
Effectiveness of plant oils for increasing the efficacy of insecticides and acaricides against chilli mite

The present experiment was conducted to assess the effectiveness of plant oils for increasing the efficacy of insecticides and acaricides under both laboratory and field condition at Main Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur during 2014-15. Among the plant oils used, castor oil emerged as the best material for increasing the efficacy of pesticides against sucking pests of chilli. The mite population at lab condition was influenced at different plant oils indicated that the treatment castor oil + dicofol proved to be superior among all the treatments with least mite population. The mortality levels recorded at different intervals were 56.67 per cent, 70 per cent, 83 per cent and 93.33 per cent at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours, after treatment respectively. Under field condition also, the treatment castor oil + dicofol recorded lowest population counts.
Studies on pollen morphology of selected species of Annonaceae from Thailand

Abstract The pollen morphology of 49 species and one variety, representing 18 genera of the family Annonaceae from Thailand, is described and illustrated based on observations using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The pollen grains of Anaxagorea show double-spheres as a result of the intine extrusion. The palynological evidence confirms the close relationship of Dasymaschalon, Desmos and Asian Friesodielsia. Decussate tetrads in Goniothalamus and coexisting tetragonal, rhomboidal, T-shaped, tetrahedral and decussate tetrads in Mitrephora are reported. Pollen morphology is consistent within Huberantha, Marsypopetalum and Monoon, but is more diverse in Polyalthia sensu stricto Pollen unit, shape, size, ornamentation and aperture number reaffirm the great diversity among and within genera in Annonaceae.
Relative toxicity of imidacloprid to Aphis gossypii Glover and Amrasca biguttula biguttula Ishida infesting okra

Investigations were carried out to evaluate the sensitivity of neonicotinoids to Aphis gossypii and Amrasca biguttula biguttula under laboratory condition at PGI, MPKV, Rahuri during the year 2012-13. Evaluated insecticides differed in their persistence and index of persistence against both insects. The persistence of insecticides was assessed by exposing known number of aphids and jassids to pretreated leaves of okra. It was revealed that recommended dose of imidacloprid (25 g a.i/ha) persisted for 21 days against both aphids and jassids. However dimethoate, a conventional insecticide persisted for 11 days.
Molecular identification of stone loaches of Choman River system, Tigris Basin, based on the Cytochrome b gene with an overview of the Cobitoidea Superfamily

Molecular data and phylogenetic relationships of four Choman loaches species (Oxynoemacheilus chomanicus, O. zagrosensis, O. kurdistanicus and Turcinoemacheilus kosswigi) recently morphologically described from western Iran were evaluated with 64 species from the Cobitoidea superfamily based on their cytochrome b sequences to exhibit the placement of the Choman loaches species within the Cobitoidea superfamily. A comparative analysis of Kimura-2-parameter (K2P) distances was accomplished using sequence divergences of Cobitoidea to calculate intra and interspecific in superfamily, family and genus taxa. The average intraspecific K2P genetic distances of Choman loaches species was 0.005 whereas this value was 0.016 for the Cobitoidea superfamily. Molecular phylogenetic relationships were assessed using Maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods. Dendrograms obtained by these methods revealed all four Choman loaches species as distinct species among other reported Nemacheilidae Spp. These species were clustered with Oxynoemacheilus and Turcinoemacheilus genera within other species in the Nemacheilidae family. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that Cobitoidea superfamily consists of nine families ((Gyrinocheilidae + Botiidae) + ((Catostomidae + Vaillentellidae) + ((Nemacheilidae + Cobitidae) + ((Ellopostomidae + Gastromyzontidae) + Balitoridae)))) and indicated Nemacheilidae is a valid and distinct family from Balitoridae.
Regulatory DNA in A. thaliana can tolerate high levels of sequence divergence

Variation in regulatory DNA is thought to drive evolution. Cross-species comparisons of regulatory DNA have provided evidence for both weak purifying selection and substantial turnover in regulatory regions. However, disruption of transcription factor binding sites can affect the expression of neighboring genes. Thus, the base-pair level functional annotation of regulatory DNA has proven challenging. Here, we explore regulatory DNA variation and its functional consequences in genetically diverse strains of the plant Arabidopsis thaliana, which largely maintain the positional homology of regulatory DNA. Using chromatin accessibility to delineate regulatory DNA genome-wide, we find that 15% of approximately 50,000 regulatory sites varied in accessibility among strains. Some of these accessibility differences are associated with extensive underlying sequence variation, encompassing many deletions and dramatically hypervariable sequence. For the majority of such regulatory sites, nearby gene expression was similar, despite this large genetic variation. However, among all regulatory sites, those with both high levels of sequence variation and differential chromatin accessibility are the most likely to reside near genes with differential expression among strains. Unexpectedly, the vast majority of regulatory sites that differed in chromatin accessibility among strains show little variation in the underlying DNA sequence, implicating variation in upstream regulators.
Late winter feeding stimulates rapid spring development of carniolan honey bee colonies (Apis mellifera carnica)

Unfavourable weather conditions after the queen starts with intensive oviposition during early spring may cause an imbalance in the division of tasks among worker bees in the bee colony. This can lead to slow spring development and poor exploitation of the main spring nectar flows. In order to accelerate the spring development, it is necessary, as a technological measure, to feed supplemental candy to bee colonies. In this research, the necessity of supplemental feeding, as well as the composition of candy (pollen and protein substitute) were analysed. Three groups of ten bee colonies each were formed the control, unfed group, pollen candy fed and protein substitute candy fed. In the period from 22/02/2016 and 04/04/2016 three control measurements were performed during which the number of bees, the number of brood cells and weight of the bee colonies were determined. The research has shown that supplemental feeding of the bee colony in late winter in order to encourage the rapid spring development is justified. Namely, at the final measurements in April, the results showed differences between groups. The treated colonies had higher net hive weight, a greater number of bees and statistically significantly more brood cells. The results of this study confirm that the technological measure of supplemental feeding in late winter should be performed on all commercial apiaries for the production of honey, pollen, royal jelly, queen bees and bee venom.
Hypoglycemic, Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Methanol Extract of Sida Rhombifolia L. Leaves on Experimental Mice

Corresponding Author: Sharif Mohammad Shaheen, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Sobahanbag Daffodil Tower (DT)-054/2, Mirpur Road Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh. Tel. +8848111639, E-mail: sharif.ph@diu.edu. bd, smshaheen2001@yahoo.com Citation: Sharif Mohammad Shaheen et al. (2017), Hypoglycemic, Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Methanol Extract of Sida Rhombifolia L. Leaves on Experimental Mice. Int J Pharm Sci & Scient Res. 3:7, 83-88. DOI: 10.25141/2471-6782-2017-7.0082 Copyright: ©2017 Sharif Mohammad Shaheen et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited
Genetic studies on alternaria leaf spot disease resistance and yield component traits in sunflower (helianthus annuus l.)

The present study was conducted to study the inheritance of resistance to Alternaria blight and to improve the agronomic traits of the known source of resistance TX-16R, through induced mutagenesis and hybridization followed by selection at MARS, Dharwad during 2010-12. Inheritance study of resistance to Alternaria helianthi from four crosses, with common donor parent, TX-16R indicated inhibitory gene interaction with 3 resistant: 13 susceptible ratio. Induced mutagenesis of TX-16R with gamma rays at two doses (200 Gy and 250 Gy) and with EMS (0.015 mols/dm 3 and 0.020 mols/dm 3 ) was attempted to improve TX-16R for resistance to Alternaria leaf blight and agronomical traits coupled with hybridization programme, of TX-16R was crossed with three male sterile, two maintainer and two restorer lines. Genetic variability among the 159 genotypes derived M3-4/F3-4 lines revealed that GCV and PCV were high for seed yield per plant, 100 seed weight and Alternaria disease reaction. Character association revealed that head diameter and 100 seed weight were significantly and positively associated with seed yield. From the present study recombinant lines 90, (72g), 92 (27.67g) and 133 (32.58g) derived from (CMS 4546A × DSF-2A) × TX-16R cross, 44 (29.67g) from EMS (0.015 mols/dm 3 ) and 222 (26.5 g) from EMS (0.020 mols/dm 3 ) treatment were identified in M3/F3 and M4/F4 generation for seed yield, of which, recombinant line 133 had high oil content (40.10%) compared to control TX-16R (37.74%). The present study indicated that EMS treatment at 0.015 mol/dm 3 and 0.020 mol/dm 3 was found to be effective in creating more variability and resulted in isolation of desired mutants compared to 200 Gy gamma radiation. From the hybridization programme, derived lines of the cross (CMS 4546 × DSF-2) × TX-16R performed better for agronomic traits with high Alternaria disease resistance that can be utilized in future hybrid development programme for Alternaria disease resistance.
Preliminary Phytochemical Screening and Toxic Effect of Melanthera scandens Leaf Extracts Using Brine Shrimp (Artemia salina) Test

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the toxicity of the crude extracts of Melanthera scandens leaves extracts using Brine Shrimp (Artemia salina) test in order to substantiate the ethnopharmacological uses of this plant in the treatment of different illnesses. Methodology: Extractions of the dried powdered leaves of Melanthera scandens by maceration was carried out using ethanol and distilled water. All the extracts were subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening using standard methods while the toxicity of the extracts was evaluated using Brine Shrimp lethality assay. The percentage lethality (mortality) of the brine shrimp were evaluated in six different concentrations; 1000, 500, 250, 125, 62.5 and 31.25 μg/ml and the lethal concentration LC50 for 50% mortality of brine shrimp after 24 h of exposure to the extracts was determined. Results: The preliminary phytochemical analysis showed the presence of saponins and cardiac glycosides in both extracts. However, tannins and flavonoids were present in the aqueous extracts while phlobatanins and terpenes/steroids were detected in the ethanol extract. The Brine Shrimp Original Research Article Daniel and Ekam; JOCAMR, 1(3): 1-7, 2016; Article no.JOCAMR. 29842 2 lethality assay revealed that ethanol and aqueous extracts were effective against brine shrimp nauplii with LC50 of 173.78 μg/ml and 331.13 μg/ml respectively. It was also observed that maximum mortalities took place at a concentration of 1000 μg/ml whereas least mortalities were at 31.25 μg/ml concentration. Conclusion: Results of the phytochemical screening indicated that bioactive phytoconstituents were present in this plant and that the ethanol extract showed better toxicity against brine shrimp with LC50 value 173.78 μg/ml when compared to aqueous extract with LC50 value of 331.13 μg/ml. As a result of this, ethanol extract may be considered significantly active and have the potential for further investigation.
Effects of Natural Atlantic Forest Regeneration on Soil Fauna, Brazil

The stage of natural forest regeneration may influence soil fauna. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that there are differences in the structure and composition of the soil fauna communities between areas undergoing less advanced (LAS) and more advanced (MAS) stages of natural regeneration of Seasonal Semideciduous Forest at Pinheiral, RJ. Soil fauna was sampled using pitfall traps, during dry and rainy seasons. Total abundance, abundance of the saprophagous/predator group, mainly Formicidae, and the relative participation of Orthoptera were higher in MAS, while the relative participation of Acari, Araneae, Coleoptera, Diptera and the herbivorous group were higher in LAS, during both climatic seasons. Some taxonomic groups were restricted to one of the areas. Richness, evenness and diversity tended to present higher values in LAS (dry season). The higher complexity of the soil fauna community was correlated to the higher leaf litter standing stock in LAS.
Effects of regionally applied heating on the respiration of wild type and transgenic soybean ( Glycine max ) plants grown under ambient and elevated CO 2 environments

Nocturnal dark respiration (Rn) in wild type and transgenic soybean plants grown at SoyFACE research facility, Illinois, USA under ambient and elevated CO2 conditions was examined in this study. Transgenic plants were transformed to overexpress a key Calvin cycle enzyme sedoheptulose-1,7- bisphosphatase (SBP) which is thought to improve yield in the field by at least 11%. Heating was applied using infrared heaters mounted 1.2 m above the plants in the field during the growing season of 2015 summer and Rn measurements taken for wild type and SBP overexpressors at ambient and elevated CO 2 plots from V4 to R6 developmental stages. The objective was to study the effects of elevated CO 2 of approximately 585 μmol mol -1 and +3.5 increase in temperature on wildtype and transgenic SBP plants. Measurements were recorded at growth and constant temperature for both varieties. Experimental plants were transferred to a controlled growth chamber at V4 and R6 developmental stages and the temperature responses examined from 15 to 40°C. Specific leaf area (SLA) and its relations to Rn were also determined. Results indicate that SLA decreased significantly relative to control in the wild type and transgenic soybean plants by R6. Differential responses of Rn to ambient and elevated CO 2 treatments were observed in both plants. In addition, results indicate that Rn declined generally in both varieties under elevated temperature. Lower Rn was attributed to temperature acclimation. Key words : Dark respiration, soybean, ambient CO 2 , elevated CO 2 , transgenic plant, sedoheptulose-1,7- bisphosphatase (SBP), heating, acclimation.
Efficient Androgenic Embryo Induction and Plant Regeneration in Different Genotypes of Sweet Pepper via Anther Culture

Creation of pure lines is one of the basic requirements in plant breeding. Doubled haploid (DH) lines are completely homozygous lines and anther culture is an efficient method for DH line production. Induction of androgenic embryos in anther culture is the main restricting factor. In this study we investigated androgenic embryo induction in different F1 hybrid peppers including Cadia, Magno, Plato, King Arthur and Maratus. Excised anthers were cultured in C medium containing 2 mg L-1 2-4D and 2 mg L-1 Kinetin and incubated at 35°C for eight days and followed by four days at 25°C in darkness, then anthers sub cultured to R medium containing 0.1 mg L-1 Kinetin and incubated at 25°C and 16h photoperiod. The effect of genotype, cold pretreatment (4°C, 24 h) and heat shock on the efficiency of anther culture in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) was evaluated. Cold pretreatment applied to excised buds improved microspore embryogenesis efficiency as compared to control. Among genotypes tested, Cadia, Magno, and Maratus were shown to be more responsive than King Arthur and Plato. Plants produced in responsive genotypes were approximately three-fold higher (2.5, 2.33 and 2.33 regenerated plant per petri dish, respectively) than King Arthur and Plato (0.83 and 0.66, respectively). Results showed that heat shock (35°C) applied to cultured anthers was effective on microspore embryogenesis, as heat shock (35°C) treatment for eight days had the best results in Cadia with 0.16 plant per petri dish.
Genetic Diversity in Four Species of Coldwater Fishes (Family Cyprinidae) Using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Markers and Implication for their Conservation

Information on the genetic profile of cultivable fish species is essential for studying molecular systematic and optimizing fisheries management and fish farming. In the Kumaun and Garhwal regions of Uttarakhand Himalayas, coldwater fish species (Cyprinidae) is widespread and endemic in the natural water bodies. The usefulness of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was examined as a potential tool to test the genetic relationship among four predominant fish species, viz., Tor putitora, Schizothorax richardsonii, Garra gotyla and Barilius bendelisis (Cyprinidae: Pisces). The samples were collected from two different geographical region of Kumaun and Garhwal of Uttarakhand. Species specific markers were observed using 10 mer random primers through RAPD-PCR assay. The statistical analysis of RAPD was performed with the software POPGENE version 1.31. The phylogenetic trees based on RAPD-PCR, by using 15 random primers, showed a consistent result of forming two separate monophyletic groups consisting of T. putitora with S. richardsonii and Garra gotyla with B. bendelisis. The present investigation concluded that these methods could be a valuable tool for studying molecular systematic and establishing the taxonomic position among cyprinids coldwater fish species of India.