Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Alteration of fruit characteristics in transgenic tomatoes with modified expression of a xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase gene

Some cell wall enzymes of the xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase (XTH) family catalyze molecular grafting between xyloglucan molecules. In tomato, 25 genes for XTH proteins have been identified. We studied the tomato gene SlXTH1, which has highest homology to the cDNA of the XTH first purified from hypocotyls of Vigna angularis. SlXTH1 mRNA was found to accumulate transiently at an early stage of fruit development, and the peak day of accumulation was about 12 days after pollination. The expression profile of SlXTH1 mRNA was roughly associated with that of the reported enzyme activity, suggesting that the SlXTH1 protein may be one of the main determinants of the enzyme activity. We then examined how alteration of expression of the SlXTH1 gene could influence the characteristics of fruits. Several lines of transgenic tomatoes with different levels of SlXTH1 transcript were produced by introducing a SlXTH1 transgene in either the sense or antisense orientation downstream of a constitutive promoter. In these transgenic tomatoes, fruit size was positively correlated with the level of SlXTH1 transcript, which was monitored at its peak stage. This is the first in vivo demonstration that SlXTH1 can control the morphological character of plants through changes in its level of expression.
Analysis of the APO B R3500Q Mutation and APOE Polymorphism in Taif Saudi Population using Polymerase Chain Reaction- Reveres Hybridization Technique

This study describes the use of Cardio Vascular Disease (CVD) Strip Assay which based on Polymerase Chain Reaction Reverse Hybridization Technique to study the prevalence of Apo B R3500Q mutation and Apo E genotypes in Taif city Saudi Arabian population. Among 200 unrelated healthy subjects residing in Taif city 5,600 feet above sea level complete absence of Apo B R3500Q mutation was observed. Among six different Apo E genotypes, five genotypes were detected (E3/E3, E4/E4, E2/E3, E2/E4 and E3/E4) with prevalence% (63, 2.5, 8.5,1 and 25) respectively. The allelic frequencies of Apo E alleles were 0.79 for E3, 0.15 for E4 and 0.048 for E2.Obtained data concluded that, this is the first report about Apo B R3500Q mutation in Saudi Arabia and the absence of it confirmed that this mutation has not reached Saudi Arabia from central Europe which is the common origin of this mutation. Among Apo E genotypes, only E2/E2 genotype was absent while another E2/E3 and E2/E4 genotypes were detected in Taif Saudi population.
Detrimental and neutral effects of wild barley–Neotyphodium fungal endophyte associations on insect survival

Neotyphodium (Clavicipitaceae: Balansieae) fungal endophyte infection does not always confer temperate grass resistance to insect herbivores, although reports indicate that over 40 species are adversely affected by its infection. Laboratory and glasshouse experiments were conducted to improve our knowledge of the anti‐insect properties of Neotyphodium‐infected (E+) non‐commercial grasses, and E+ wild barley (Hordeum) specifically. Neotyphodium infection of four plant inventory (PI) lines of wild barley conferred resistance to Mayetiola destructor (Say) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), whereas none of the E+ wild barley accessions reduced the survival of Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) (Homoptera: Aphididae). Metopolophium dirhodum (Walker) (Homoptera: Aphididae) densities were significantly lower on the E+ clones of Hordeum brevisubulatum ssp. violaceum (Boissier and Hohenacker) (PI 440420), compared with densities on endophyte‐free (E–) plants of this species in population growth experiments. Neotyphodium infection of three Hordeum bogdanii (Wilensky) PI lines did not confer resistance to M. dirhodum; however, one of these E+ lines (PI 314696) was resistant to this aphid in a second population growth experiment. Our results provide additional evidence that the outcome of a grass–endophyte–insect interaction is influenced by the host grass species or genotype, Neotyphodium species or genotype, and the insect species involved. They also reinforce this phenomenon for non‐commercial grass–endophyte–insect interactions and underscore the potential role of endophytes in mediating wild barley–insect interactions and their potential to act as defensive mutualists.
Antihyperglycemic and subchronic toxicity study of Moringa stenopetala leaves in mice

Objective: To evaluate the antihyperglycemic activity and subchronic toxicity of an extract of Moringa stenopetala (M. stenopetala) leaves in mice. Methods: Antihyperglycemic activities of various solvent subfractions and chromatographic fractions were investigated in alloxan induced diabetic mice. All fractions were administered intragastrically using oral gavage at a dose of 500 mg/kg. For the subchronic toxicity investigation of the 70% ethanol extract of M. stenopetala leaves, a daily dose of 300 or 600 mg/kg body weight was administered to mice over 96 d. Some hematological and plasma biochemical parameters were measured as indices of organ specific toxicity. Preliminary phytochemical screening and antioxidant activity investigation was done using thin layer chromatography method. Results: Among the solvent subfractions of the 70% ethanol extract tested only butanol subfraction exhibited significant reduction of blood glucose level (P<0.05) at 2 h (53.44%) and 4.5 h (46.34%) in diabetic mice and it was further fractionated chromatographically. This resulted in isolation of three chromatographic fractions (fraction 1, 2, and 3) which exhibited maximal blood glucose reduction (P<0.01) at 6 h (77.2%), at 4.5 h (69.1%) and at 4.5 h (71.96%) after administration. Furthermore, these fractions exhibited comparable antioxidant activity, and preliminary phytochemical screening indicated the presence of phenolic compounds which may be phenolic glycoside in all fractions. The subchronic toxicity study of the 70% ethanol extract of M. stenopetala leaves revealed that there were no significant differences in body weight, between controls and treated mice. Hematological analysis showed no differences in most parameters examined. Furthermore, it did not significantly affect plasma creatinine, urea, cholesterol, triglycerides and CA125 levels. It also did not significantly affect the plasma T3, T4 and THS level. It, however, caused a significant dose-dependent increases in aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase. The plasma alanine aminotransferase increased in a dose dependent manner, though not significant. Conclusions: The present study revealed that the crude ethanol extract and solvent-solvent fractions as well as chromatographic fractions have antihyperglycemic effect. Furthermore, the crude ethanol extract have some effect on liver of the mice on subchronic administration. Therefore, further study should be done to identify the active principal compound responsible for antihyperglycemic effect and to rule out the safety in other animal model.
Taxonomy of Gambierdiscus including four new species, Gambierdiscus caribaeus, Gambierdiscus carolinianus, Gambierdiscus carpenteri and Gambierdiscus ruetzleri (Gonyaulacales, Dinophyceae)

Litaker R.W. , Vandersea M.W. , Faust M.A., Kibler S.R. , Chinain M. , Holmes M.J., Holland W.C. and Tester P.A. 2009. Taxonomy of Gambierdiscus including four new species, Gambierdiscus caribaeus, Gambierdiscus carolinianus, Gambierdiscus carpenteri and Gambierdiscus ruetzleri (Gonyaulacales, Dinophyceae). Phycologia 48: 344–390. DOI: 10.2216/07-15.1 Gambierdiscus species produce toxins that cause ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP), the most common nonbacterial illness associated with fish consumption worldwide. Understanding the role that individual Gambierdiscus species play in causing CFP is hampered because the morphologically similar species in the genus are difficult to distinguish. Ambiguities in the description of the type species Gambierdiscus toxicus also exist. This paper presents detailed line drawings along with additional scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light micrographs to more fully characterize the six known Gambierdiscus species in addition to describing four new species, Gambierdiscus caribaeus sp. nov., Gambierdiscus carolinianus sp. nov., Gambierdiscus carpenteri sp. nov., and Gambierdiscus ruetzleri sp. nov. All four of the new species are photosynthetic and epibenthic and have a Kofoidian plate formula of Po, 3′, 7″, 6C, 6 or 7S, 5′″, 1p, and 2″″. Establishment of these species is supported by both morphological differences and three independent phylogenetic analyses utilizing small-subunit, as well as D1–D3 and D8–D10 large-subunit rDNA gene sequences. During the course of this study it became apparent that the description of the type species, G. toxicus, included more than one species. Since no type material exists we propose that Fig. 1 in Adachi and Fukuyo (1979) be designated as the lectotype for this species and that the epithecal view of isolate GTT-91 shown in Fig. 1 from Chinain et al. (1999) be designated as the epitype. The GTT-91 isolate has been well characterized genetically and the original SEM stub of this isolate archived at the Smithsonian Institution has been re-examined to provide a more detailed morphological analysis of the epitype.
Potential impacts of climate change on Northeast Pacific marine foodwebs and fisheries

Although there has been considerable research on the impacts of individual changes in water temperature, carbonate chemistry, and other variables on species, cumulative impacts of these effects have rarely been studied. Here, we simulate changes in (i) primary productivity, (ii) species range shifts, (iii) zooplankton community size structure, (iv) ocean acidification, and (v) ocean deoxygenation both individually and together using five Ecopath with Ecosim models of the northeast Pacific Ocean. We used a standardized method to represent climate effects that relied on time-series forcing functions: annual multipliers of species productivity. We focused on changes in fisheries landings, biomass, and ecosystem characteristics (diversity and trophic indices). Fisheries landings generally declined in response to cumulative effects and often to a greater degree than would have been predicted based on individual climate effects, indicating possible synergies. Total biomass of fished and unfished functional groups displayed a decline, though unfished groups were affected less negatively. Some functional groups (e.g. pelagic and demersal invertebrates) were predicted to respond favourably under cumulative effects in some regions. The challenge of predicting climate change impacts must be met if we are to adapt and manage rapidly changing marine ecosystems in the 21st century.
Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in small ruminants in and around Jabalpur, India

Out of 902 faecal samples of goats (627) and sheep (275) included in the study, 875 were found positive for gastrointestinal parasites with an overall prevalence rate of 97%. Maximum infection recorded was of strongyles (79.08%) followed by coccidia (45.38%). Considerable infection of Trichuris (18.19%) and amphistome (17.53%) was also recorded. Strongyloides infection was recorded in 3.91% animals, whereas 3.57% Fasciola infection was observed. A meager infection of Moniezia (2.63%) and a negligible infection of Toxocara (0.39%) were also recorded.
The Role of Finger Sucking and Animal Domestication in the Prevalence of Agents of Diarrhoea in Orphanages in Benue State

This study determined the prevalence of Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum as agents of diarrhoea in children living in the orphanages in Benue State and the role of finger sucking and animal domestication in the preva- lence of the parasites. Stools were collected from children (n=128) living in the four orphanages. The stools were screened with the Giardia and Cryptosporidium 2nd Generation ELISA test kits (Diagnostic Automation, Inc.). Cryptosporidium parvum and Gardia lamblia were highly prevalent (43.8%) with 28.9% been Gardia lamblia infection, 9.4% been Cryptosporidium parvum; and co-infection was 5.5%. Mkar orphan- age (22/42) and Otukpo orphanage (11/21) had the highest prevalence (52.4%) but with the highest positive cases in Mkar, while the least prevalence (30.0%) of enteric protozoan infection was recorded in Mama Abayol, Makurdi. Finger sucking and practice of animal husbandry had significant (P<0.05) effect on the prevalence. Routine diagnosis of diarrhoeic stool specimens brought to the labouratories should include Giardia and Cryptosporidium. Finger sucking among the children should be disabused using simplified habit reversal method, while proper system of animal husbandry should be practiced for healthier living condition. Good personal hygiene should be encouraged in the orphan- ages so as to reduce the burden of pathogenic diseases.
Biological Control of Damping- off and Wilt of Albizia lebbek Seedlings Using Plant Extracts

Biological control of damping-off and wilt disease of Albizia lebbek seedlings caused by Fusarium pallidoroseum has been worked out using some plant extracts. Leaf extract of Vitex negundo and plant extract of Cuscuta reflexa were found effective in inhibiting the conidial germination and mycelial growth of the pathogen and also in controlling the disease in field
Spatially explicit modeling of lesser prairie‐chicken lek density in Texas

As with many other grassland birds, lesser prairie-chickens (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) have experienced population declines in the Southern Great Plains. Currently they are proposed for federal protection under the Endangered Species Act. In addition to a history of land-uses that have resulted in habitat loss, lesser prairie-chickens now face a new potential disturbance from energy development. We estimated lekdensityintheoccupied lesser prairie-chicken range ofTexas, USA, andmodeled anthropogenic and vegetative landscape features associated with lek density. We used an aerial line-transect survey method to count lesser prairie-chicken leks in spring 2010 and 2011 and surveyed 208 randomly selected 51.84-km 2 blocks. We divided each survey block into 12.96-km 2 quadrats and summarized landscape variables within each quadrat. We then used hierarchical distance-sampling models to examine the relationship between lek density and anthropogenic and vegetative landscape features and predict how lek density may change in response to changes on the landscape, such as an increase in energy development. Our best models indicated lek density was related to percent grassland, region (i.e., the northeast or southwest region of the Texas Panhandle), total percentage of grassland and shrubland, paved road density, and active oil and gas well density. Predicted lek density peaked at 0.39leks/12.96km 2 (SE ¼0.09) and 2.05leks/12.96km 2 (SE ¼0.56) in the northeast and southwest region of the Texas Panhandle, respectively, which corresponds to approximately 88% and 44% grassland in the northeast and southwest region. Lek density increased with an increase in total percentage of grassland and shrubland and was greatest in areas with lower densities of paved roads and lower densities of active oil and gas wells. We used the 2 most competitive models to predict lek abundance and estimated 236 leks (CV ¼0.138, 95% CI ¼177-306leks) for our sampling area. Our results suggest that managing landscapes to maintain a greater percentage of grassland and shrubland on the landscape with a greater ratio of grasses to shrubs in the northeast Panhandle should promote greater lek density. Furthermore, increases in paved road and active oil and gas well densities may reduce lek density. This information will be useful for future conservation planning efforts for land protection, policy decisions, and decision analyses. 2013 The Wildlife Society.
Structural basis for the interaction of 6-(methylsulfinyl) hexyl isothiocyanate with inducible nitric oxide synthase

Structural analysis of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) model and a docking simulation between 6(methylsulfinyl)hexyl isothiocyanate (6MITC) and the iNOS model were performed with a software package the Molecular Operating Environment (MOE). A human iNOS (PDB code: 3E7G) was selected for the 3-D structure modeling of the iNOS model. The Site Finder module of the MOE identified 18 possible ligand-binding sites in the modeled iNOS. The docking simulation revealed that 6MITC possibly inhibits functions of iNOS interferring with Gln263, Pro350 and Glu377. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of an iNOS model with 6MITC, and our data verify that the 6MITC-iNOS model can be utilized for application to target iNOS for the development of anticancer drugs.
ALTERED MICROBIOTA IN THE INTESTINAL MUCOSA AND FAECES OF PI-IBS PATIENTS

using the Human Intestinal Tract Chip (HITChip), a phylogenetic microarray. Results:Results showed a significant difference in microbiota composition between PI-IBS and healthy controls (p<0.002), and in addition between IBS patients and healthy controls (p<0.05). PI-IBS patients were characterized by a higher number ofSubdoligranulum variable ,Eubacterium limosum andLachnospira pectinoschiza compared to normal IBS patients and healthy controls. IBS patients, in turn, showed a higher proportion ofBacteroides . Healthy controls were characterized by a higher occurrence ofRuminococcus Lactaris ,Akkermansia , and several members of theC. cluster XIV compared to PI-IBS and IBS patients. Conclusion:There was a clear difference in the microbiota composition of PI-IBS patients compared to general IBS patients and healthy controls. Our findings support new treatment options that restore a healthy, balanced microbiota in PI-IBS and IBS patients.
Survival and Nest Success of Female Wild Turkeys in a Louisiana Bottomland Hardwood Forest

Survival of female wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) influences turkey productivity. Although patterns of survival and productivity have been extensively re- searched in most forested landscapes, little information is available for female turkeys in bottomland hardwood systems, although importance of these systems is widely rec- ognized. Therefore, we captured and radiomarked 39 female wild turkeys in a bottom- land hardwood forest in south-central Louisiana during 2001-2004. Mean annual sur- vival was 0.67. Survival was greatest during preincubation (1.00) potentially because of increased habitat sampling and movement during this period. Fall-winter survival was high (0.93), likely attributable to stable foraging resources and a lack of illegal and legal harvest during this period. Lowest survival occurred during incubation (0.75) and brood-rearing (0.83), primarily as a result of increased risks of predation associ- ated with nesting and brood rearing. Nest initiation rates (33%) were among the lowest reported, likely attributable to high nest loss from predation and flooding prior to com - pletion of laying. Nest success of females reaching onset of incubation was 38%. Our findings suggest that the wild turkey population on our study site balances exception - ally low productivity with relatively high adult female survival. To ensure sustainable populations of wild turkeys, managers should monitor relationships between survival and productivity. Specific to our study site, improvements in nesting habitat may be needed to increase nest success and recruitment.
Generations of the polyphenic butterfly Araschnia levana differ in body design

The European Map Butterfly, Araschnia levana (Nymphalidae), represents a classical example of seasonal polymorphism, in which summer and spring generations differ strikingly in wing colour pattern. Although the physiological background to the formation of the two forms is well known, few studies have explored its possible ecological significance. Based on previous findings that both population number and body size tend to be larger in summer, we examined the hypothesis that the summer generation is more capable of long-distance dispersal. We re-analysed mark-recapture data on the butterfly using the multi-strata modelling design in the program MARK, compared biomechanical design traits of the spring- and summer-generation butterflies using canonical variate analysis, and tested for inter-generation differences in allometry relations of design traits to body size. The summer butterflies had shorter residence times and a higher probability of movements among capture sites than the spring butterflies, indicating greater mobility. Regarding the design traits, adults of summer-generation butterflies had a heavier thorax, lower abdomen to body mass ratio, larger wing area, less pointed wings and lower wing loading. The differences in design traits remained significant even after filtering out the effect of sex. Multiple regressions of the biomechanical traits against dry body mass confirmed the above differences between generations and showed that the differences were not only due to different body size. The results support the notion of greater mobility of summer-generation A. levana and suggest the possibility that differential dispersal is much more widespread in butterflies with multiple generations. This is well known in insect groups that demonstrate obvious wing size polymorphism, and might manifest itself in butterflies through more subtle shifts in body design proportions.
EFFECT OF SALINITY ON GROWTH, PROLINE ACCUMULATION AND MALATE CONTENT OF PINEAPPLE (ANANAS COMOSUS (L.) MERILL.) UNDER TISSUE CULTURE CONDITION

An experiment was conducted with the aim at evaluating the effect of salinity on growth, proline accumulation and malate content of pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merrill. )’s tissue culture. 10-12 mm pineapple shoot-tip used as the explants were cultured on MS medium treated with either 0 (control), 65, 135, 200 or 250 mM NaCl. At every two weeks in the first two months of culturing, the fresh weight (FW), dry weight (DW) and number of leaves were determined. Proline accumulation and malate content were determined once at four weeks of treatment. The result shows that the growth of pineapple under tissue culture condition was not inhibited by salt concentration below than 135 mM NaCl. Salt concentrations at 200 - 250 mM reduced plantlets growth significantly, but do not completely inhibits. Proline accumulation was 1,149 μg/g DW in the control plantlet and gradually increased to 1,609 μg/ g DW in culture treated with 200 mM NaCl. However, malate contents which initially reduced from 57.41 μg/ g DW in the control to 22.0 μg/ g DW in 135 mM NaCl, but later increases to 46.91 μg/ g DW in the plantlets treated with 250 mM NaCl.
KAYROTYPE OF SOL (CHANNA MARULIUS) FROM INDUS RIVER, PAKISTAN

Sol (Channa marulius, family: Channidae, order: Perciformes) is an important fish species indigenous to Indo -Pakistan sub-continent, and has a commercial value, adapted to survive in low dissolved oxygen. Three populations (Indus, Ind ian and Thailand) appear isolated and significant difference between Indus and Indian population has appeared in m ansural characters. Karyological studies on Channa marulius suggest a diploid number of 44 for the species but the Indian population and Thailand population are different in number of metacentric and telocentric chromosomes. Sol samples (n =7, 15-20 cm) were collected from Head Tounsa (river Indus) and their gill tissues were removed, torn apart and left in hypotonic solution, fixed and spread over a glass slide, stained with aceto -orcein and studied under microscope (100 X). Study of 45 well spread metaphase suggested a diploid number of 44, 8 metacentric having arm ratio of around 2 and 36 telocentric. Present population shares 2n number of 44 with the stocks of the species present in India and Thailand, yet is different from two other stocks in respect of chromosome morphology (Indian: 40 metacentric + 4 telocentric; Thailand: 4 metacentric + 4 submetacentric + 36 telocentric), suggesting intraspecific differences probably caused by isolation.