Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Isolation, Electron Microscopy And Physicochemical Characterization Of A Brucellaphage Against Brucella Abortus Vaccine Strain S19

Brucellosis is an economically important but neglected emerging endemic zoonotic communicable disease in India. The prevalence of brucellosis has increased from 34.15% of the samples in 2006-07 to 67.28 % in the year 2010-11. Brucella abortus is an intracellular pathogen capable of infecting animals and humans. The use of phages in the treatment of bacterial infections is an attractive alternative to existing antibiotic therapy. Phages target a particular host and it is unlikely to elicit resistance in untargeted bacterial strains. A brucellaphage was isolated against actively growing stage of Brucella abortus strain S 19 from sewage sample of a dairy farm in Ludhiana. The plaque morphology revealed discrete, clear, circular plaques of diameter 0.1 to 3 mm after 48 h of incubation at 37C aerobically. The field isolates (n=9) of B. abortus were sensitive to phage. The host range of brucellaphage is against vaccine strains, viz. S19, S99 and Rev1 of B. abortus, B. melitensis and B. suis. The isolated brucellaphage failed to lyse any culture of heterologous species tested viz. Pasteurella multocida, E.coli, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Salmonella Dublin, Micrococcus and Pseudomonas spp. Electron microscopic studies of the brucellaphage revealed it to be an elementary body measuring approximately 65 nm at 50,000 X magnification with rounded head and a very short tail.The size and shape resembles another Brucella phage Tbilisi phage and the other phages isolated elsewhere. The isolated brucellaphage was able to survive at a temperature of -20C, 4C, 37C and 50C when exposed for duration of 20 min. But, a temperature of 70C and beyond was lethal for the brucellaphage. Unlike normal light, the effect of sunlight on the survivability of phage indicates deleterious effects on the phage. UV light completely destroyed the phage within 15 min. Non-ionic detergents like SDS (10%) completely destroyed the phage in 15 min. There was no effect of RNAse and trypsin on the survivability of phage while proteinase K and lysozyme reduced the survivability of the isolated phage. The isolated phage was tolerant to pH 7 and 9 while there was a reduction in phage activity at pH 3 and 5. According to the literature reviewed, this is the first report of isolation of a genus specific brucellaphage against B. abortus from Punjab which will pave a way for its use in various cost effective diagnostics and in therapy of brucellosis.
Brazil's Success in Reducing Deforestation

Over the past several years, the rate of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon has dropped by more than two-thirds. This reduction has been achieved despite high beef and soy prices, which in previous years had pushed deforestation upward, and during the same time that Brazil made important social progress in reducing poverty, hunger and inequality. The reduction in global warming pollution that this represents is the largest contribution so far by any country, rich or poor. Several factors are responsible for this accomplishment. They include: government policies and enforcement actions by prosecutors, on both the federal and state levels; the incentive created by Norway's pledge of up to $1 billion in results-based compensation through the Amazon Fund; the strong and concerted pressure exerted by Brazilian civil society on the government and the soy and beef industries; and the positive response by those industries, resulting in the 2006 soy and 2009 beef moratoria. Political leaders, such as President Luis Inácio Lula da Silva and especially Minister of the Environment/2010 Green Party presidential candidate Marina Silva, can also claim an important share of the credit. While success is by no means assured, what has been achieved so far is already quite impressive, and makes it possible to envision the reduction of Amazon deforestation and forest degradation to zero within the next decade.
Flooring preference and behavior in sound and lame sows

ABSTRACT The objectives of this study were to assess sow flooring preference and behavior during sound, induced lame and lameness recovery states. Thirty-four multiparous, non-pregnant sows were compared prior to and following lameness induction (day 0). Behavior was recorded on six days (days −1, +1, +2, +3, +4 and +10). Three flooring locations (Alley, Concrete and Mat) and four behaviors (lying lateral, lying sternal, sitting and standing) were recorded. Sows increased Mat frequency and decreased Alley frequency on day +1 (most lame) relative to day −1. Lying lateral frequency increased, whereas lying sternal and standing frequencies decreased between day −1 and day +1. Sows appear to prefer the Mat within 24 h following lameness induction. Lying lateral is likely a more comfortable position than standing or lying sternal in these lame sows. In conclusion, these behaviors may be reliable indicators to further ascertain if a sow is lame.
FRUIT SIZE INHERITANCE AS DEPENDENT ON ACHENE NUMBER AND FLESH MASS PER ACHENE

In conditions of central Russia, a series of studies were undertaken over 1998-2010 to explore peculiarities of strawberry fruit size inheritance, using progenies raised from crosses of several cultivars with two wild clones as testers and with each other. Notable amounts of seedlings from crosses of cultivars with a very small-fruited clone of F. ovalis (0.5 g) produced larger fruit compared with progenies of F. virginiana subsp. platypetala (1.3 g). In two subsequent studies where only large-fruited cultivars/lines were used in crosses, achene number per fruit and per cm2 and flesh mass per achene were measured in both parent cultivars and their progenies. The features have been determined by independent genes. In some progenies, genes contributing to flesh mass per achene acted as dominant, while in others (from crosses with ‘Feierverk’, ‘Festivalnaya’) they were suppressed by other genes. This trait is a result of complex interactions of genes, including modifiers, the contributions of which differ. Values of mean achene number per berry were, in most progenies, intermediate between those of parent cultivars, while low flesh mass per achene, typical of some genotypes, predominated in their progeny. High values of flesh mass per achene were frequently related to softer fruit and earlier fruit ripening. Genotypes that produced very large fruit, combining abundant achenes and high flesh mass per achene, needed longer periods of time for plant development and fruit growth. A few of them were able to produce very high yields, but only in one of two cropping seasons.
Distribution and ecology of the flightless bush-cricket Poecilimon schmidtii at its northern range margin

Abstract The distributional patterns and ecology of the ponto-mediterranean species Poecilimon schmidtii were only insufficiently known until now, despite assumed to be one of the northernmost distributed species of the genus. Based on the review of all available published and own field data, we improved the distribution map of the species and recorded it for the first time from Poland. The distribution survey was carried at 1,208 sites in Slovakia, 39 sites in SE Poland and 26 sites in W Ukraine between 1994 and 2015. P. schmidtii was found at 59 sites and the habitat requirements were analysed. The results show a clear preference of the species for broadleaved forest ecotones with hazel and Rubus spp. shrubs being the main host plants. The species was present in grid cells with a lower mean altitude, a higher annual mean temperature and a lower annual precipitation compared to those available within the northern species’ range. Its altitudinal distribution was between 105 and 950 m a.s. l. Altogether, 70 Orthoptera and one mantid species were recorded and assemblages of Orthoptera and Mantodea were described for 49 sites with P. schmidtii in Slovakia and Poland. On average 18.9 ± 7.5 (SD) species were found per site, ranging from 7 to 37. Using detrended correspondence analysis it was not possible to distinguish between the orthopteran assemblages with and without (n = 94) P. schmidtii. In the assemblages, P. schmidtii was more often present with mountainous species.
Serum Transaminases: Quo Vadis

Serum transaminases (also called aminotransferases) are basically enzymes in the human body which help in catalyzing reactions involving transfer of the α-amino groups. Alanine transaminase (ALT) helps in conversion of alanine into pyruvate and Aspartate transaminase (AST) helps in formation of α-ketoglutarate from aspartate . Both AST and ALT are sensitive markers of acute hepatocellular injury and are routinely used to identify liver disease since 1955. Both are readily available, inexpensive, and routinely assayed in clinical practice. AST which was formerly known as serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), is found in both cytosol and mitochondria in several organs such as the liver, cardiac muscle, skeletal muscle, kidney, brain, pancreas, lung, leukocytes, and erythrocytes but the concentration is highest in the hepatic parenchyma. On the contrary, ALT (formerly serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase or SGPT) is a cytosolic enzyme which is present predominantly in the liver. Hence ALT is a more specific indicator of liver injury than AST. Serum levels of these enzymes reflect injury of the concerned organs especially the liver. However, the degree of elevation of the serum transaminases may not correlate with the extent of liver injury.
The impact of atmospheric ammonia and temperature on growth and nitrogen metabolism of winter wheat

The effect of atmospheric ammonia in combination with low and moderate growth temperature on growth and nitrogen metabolism of winter wheat plants (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Urban) was investigated. Plants were exposed to 0, 1000 and 2000 nl l(-1) NH3 for 1 week at moderate day/night temperatures (18.5/15 degrees C) and subsequently for I week at low temperatures (4/3 degrees C). At moderate temperatures, NH3 exposure at 1000 nl l(-1) lead to an increase in protein content, but free ammonium, amino acid and total nitrogen content were not affected. Exposure to 2000 nl l(-1) NH3 resulted in a significantly higher amino acid, protein content and total nitrogen content, while free ammonium content was not increased. Net nitrate uptake rate by the roots was decreased by 21% and 34% upon exposure to 1000 and 2000 nl l(-1) NH3 respectively. Atmospheric ammonia did not affect biomass, carbohydrates or nitrate content significantly. Lowering the temperature to 4/3 degrees C resulted in an inhibition of growth. Ammonium, amino acids, and total nitrogen accumulated in plants exposed to 1000 and 2000 nl l(-1) NH3, while protein content was not increased at this temperature. At moderate temperatures winter wheat metabolized the atmospheric ammonia and counteracted the extra N input via the leaves by a reduction of the nitrate uptake by the roots. At low temperatures, the complete incorporation of ammonia was reduced, resulting in an increased ammonium and amino acid content. However, this disturbance of the nitrogen metabolism did not lead to any direct toxic effects. It was concluded that winter wheat is tolerant to high atmospheric ammonia concentrations, even under unfavourable growth conditions.
Emission of carbon dioxide from soil

Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) is an important greenhouse gas accounting for 60% of the total greenhouse effect. Soil is a major source for atmospheric CO 2 . In the event of growing threats of global warming due to greenhouse gas emissions, reducing CO 2 emission by sequestering C in the soil is of prime importance. Soil management practices like increasing soil organic carbon content, reduced tillage, manuring, residue incorporation, improving soil biodiversity, micro-aggregation and mulching can play an important role in sequestering C in soil.
PREVALENCE OF COXIELLA BURNETII INFECTION IN CATTLE, BLACK BENGAL GOATS AND TICKS IN BANGLADESH

The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of Coxiella burnetii infection in domestic ruminants and to detect Coxiella burnetii DNA from ticks and serum samples. A total of 24 ticks, 91 goats and 81 cattle serum samples with the history of abortion and reproductive disorders were collected from the different areas in Bangladesh. The serum samples were tested by CHEKIT Q-Fever Antibody ELISA Test Kit and Coxiella burnetii DNA was detected by multiplex quantitative real- time PCR. The overall prevalence was 7.6% and 6.1% in goats and cattle, respectively. However, none of seropositive samples and tick samples was positive in quantitative real-time PCR.
Phytochemical screening and biological studies on the crude methanol extract of Cinnamomum mercadoi, Vidal

Cinnamomum mercadoi Vidal (syn. C. celebicum Koord.) of the Lauraceae family is an endemic species in the Philippines. Phytochemical screening of the crude methanol extract of C. mercadoi Indicated the presence of saponins, condensed tannins, an unsaturated lactone ring and leucoanthocyanins. The mean lethal dose (LD 5 0 ) of the extract administered orally in male strong A mice is 5.2723 ′ 0.2218 g/kg. Toxidrome ranged from decreased motor activity and respiratory rate, ptosis, hyperemia, diarrhea and death. Using the Plantar test method for evaluation of analgesic activity, the methanol extract of C. mercadoi produced 84.0% protection at 500 mg/kg while the positive control (aspirin) exhibited 72.07% protection at 300 mglkg.
Temperature and defense in the common garter snake : warm snakes are more aggressive than cold snakes

We recorded the antipredator responses of 24 common garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) in the laboratory at 10, 20, and 30 C. The approach and contact of a human finger were used as the "predatory" stimuli. Several measures of antipredator behavior showed effects indicating increased passiveness and/or decreased aggressiveness with decreasing temperature. These shifts may represent an adaptive response to situations in which the snakes' movements are slowed to such an extent that aggressive striking is not an effective defense. Snakes also showed decreased aggressive defense after being touched, suggesting that initial aggressive displays were a bluff.
Phylogeny of agarics: partial systematics solutions for core omphalinoid genera in the agaricales (Euagarics).

The taxonomy of species previously assigned to Omphalina sensu lato or Clitocybe is reevaluated in light of recent molecularly-based phylogenetic hypotheses. Nomenclatural complications involving generic and specific names, lectotypifications and changes to the Code are analysed. Lichenomphalia gen. nov. (type Hygrophorus hudsonianus, syn. Omphalina hudsoniana) is proposed for lichenized former omphalinas. Ampulloclitocybe gen. nov. (type Agaricus clavipes, syn. Clitocybe clavipes) is erected for its type species. Arrhenia is emended to include greyish species formerly included in Omphalina, but excluding reddish brown species related to Omphalina pyxidata, the conserved lectotype for Omphalina. The genera Cantharellula, Chrysomphalina, Gerrunema, Glabrocyphella, Gliophorus, Haasiella, Hygrophorus, Hygrocybe, Pseudoarmillariella, and Rickenella, and the generic names Botrydina, Coriscium, Leptoglossum, Phaeotellus, Phytoconis, and Semiomphalina are discussed.
Antagonistic fungi producing hydrolytic enzymes, active in degrading the cell wall of some foot rot pathogens (Fusarium spp.) of wheat

The antagonistic fungi Gliocladium roseum 11, Penicillium frequentans, Trichoderma atroviride 312, T harzianum 144 and T. longibrachiatum 9 were grown with cell wall constituents of the foot rot pathogens Fusarium avenaceum, F. culmorum, F. graminearum and F nivale as sole sources of carbon. Production ofthe hydrolytic, cell wall-degrading enzymes N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase, chitin 1,4-β-chitobiosidase, glucan 1,3-β-glucosidase and protease was assayed in culture filtrates. All antagonists produced the chitin and glucan-degrading enzymes when grown in presence of all the pathogens. The highest level of N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (19.52 ± 0.057 U and 19.10 ± 0.258 U) were recorded for G. roseum 11 in combination with cell walls of F. graminearum and F. nivale, while the highest level of chitin 1,4-β-chitobiosidase activity (9.38 ± 1.714 U) was determined for G. roseum 1 1 in combination with F culmorum. Compared to G. roseum 11, Trichoderma spp. and P. frequentans produced relatively low levels of these enzymatic activities. Regarding the glucan 1,3-β-glucosidase activity, T. atroviride 312 generally showed the highest level of activity, mostly pronounced with cell walls of F. graminearum (51.98 ± 2.37 U). P. frequentans showed a consistent production of protease, while only a few of the other combinations of antagonists and pathogens produced any detectable level of this enzymatic activity. It is concluded that the above reported enzymatic activities may contribute to explain the parasitism of the antagonists against Fusarium species involved in foot rot disease of wheat, although other modes of action of the antagonists such as antibiosis, competition or induced resistance cannot be excluded.
A Dendritic Cell-Targeted Vaccine Loaded with Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Peptides Proposed for Individuals at High Risk of Listeriosis

Objective: Individuals at risk of Listeria infection lacked vaccines to prevent the development of severe listeriosis symptoms. Here, we identify the best epitopes from Listeria proteins GAPDH and LLO for an optimal DC vaccine candidate to protect against individuals high susceptible to listeriosis. Methods: We vaccinated high susceptible Balb/c and low susceptible C57BL/6 mice with a single dose of DC-LLO91-99, DC-LLO189-200, DC-LLO190-201, DC-LLO189-201, DC-LLO296-304, DC-GAPDH1-15 or DC-GAPDH1-22 vaccines. CFU in spleens, predictions of DC- peptide binding to MHC-I and MHC-II and analysis of Th1 immune responses were used to assess vaccine efficiency. Results: DC-GAPDH1-22 and DC-GAPDH1-15 vaccines with intermediate binding epitopes to MHC-I and weak binders to MHC-II, provided maximal protection in Listeria susceptible and resistant mice. DC-LLO91-99 vaccine with a strong binding epitope to MHC-I follows protection in both mice strains. DC-LLO296-304 vaccine conferred protection only in resistant mice and DC-LLO190-201, DC-LLO189-200 and DC-LLO189-201 vaccines with binding epitopes to MHC-II, lacked protection properties. Maximal protection in listeriosis correlated with increased splenic CD8α+ DC, enhanced IL-12 production and high frequencies of CD8+ and CD4+ producing IFN- T cells in both mice strains. Discussion: Maximal protection against listeriosis in susceptible and resistant mice is only achieved with DC-GAPDH1-22 and DC-GAPDH1-15 vaccines, able to activate simultaneously CD4+ and CD8+ T cells as they include binding epitopes to both, MHC-I and MHC-II. CD8+ T cell activation seemed predominant as DC-LLO91-99 and DC-LLO296-304 vaccines that exclusively activate CD8+ T cells in both mice strains conferred significant listeriosis protection. In this regard, DC-LLO189-201, DC-LLO189-200 or DC-LLO190-201 vaccines that activated CD4+ T cells caused no protection at all. We observed that a combination of several MHC-I and at least one MHC-II binding epitopes in a single peptide provided the highest listeriosis protection. Conclusion: DC-GAPDH1-22 and DC-GAPDH1-15 vaccines might protect against human listeriosis in high susceptible immune-compromise patients.
Application of Optical Clearing Methods on the Songbird Brain

Abstract Songbirds provide an opportunity to explore the neural mechanism underlying the learning and production of complex sound sequences. Imaging the neural structure at single-cell resolution in large volume tissue helps to disclose the functions of neural circuits involved in the song system. Recent advancements in optical clearing techniques may contribute to successful imaging of large-volume samples of songbird brains. These new clearing methods were originally optimized for rodent nervous tissues and previously have not been tested on avian brains. Here we examined whether SeeDB and ClearT, two of the latest optical clearing methods, are suitable for songbird brains, in addition to rodent brains. These two methods were chosen because of the shortness of time required to complete them and because of their compatibility with common lipophilic dye labeling. We applied these methods to brain sections of Bengalese Finches Lonchura striata var. domestica and laboratory rats Rattus norvegicus, then quantified sample transparency as well as expansion rates. The analyses, using both methods, revealed that finch samples were less transparent than rat brain sections. In samples of both species, ClearT was found to enable higher transparency, but caused more expansion, than SeeDB. It is expected that these clearing methods will be of advantage when investigating the anatomical aspects of the neural basis of birdsong.
PHYTOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND ANTICANCER ACTIVITY OF SEAWEEDS ULVA LACTUCA AND EUCHEUMA COTTONII AGAINST BREAST MCF-7 AND COLON HCT-116 CELLS

Objective: this study is aimed to develop marine resources which is focused on the determination of phytochemical composition and exploration of seaweeds Ulva Lactuca and Eucheuma cotonii , as a potential anti-breast cancer and anti-colorectal cancer agents. Methods: Seaweeds Ulva Lactuca collected from Parangtritis beach, Yogyakarta, Central Java, Indonesia. Whereas Eucheuma cottonii collected from Salemo island, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Seaweeds U. lactuca and E. cottonii were macerated in organic solvents, n -hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and ethanol, respectively. After maceration for three days, the mixture was filtered, the filtrate was concentrated by rotary evaporator. The concentrated extract of n-hexane, ethyl acetate, ethanol and chloroform were then analyzed by thin layer chromatography. Phytochemical test of the concentrated extract were conducted to identify the metabolites containing in the seaweeds. Furthermore, the cytotoxic activity of the n-hexane, ethyl acetate, ethanol and chloroform extract of Ulva Lactuca and Eucheuma cotonii were evaluated as a growth inhibitor of breast MCF-7 and colorectal HCT-116 cancer cells by MTT cell proliferation assay. Results: Phytochemical test for the concentrated extracts of Ulva Lactuca showed the positive result for metabolites of steroids, glycosides, flavonoid,and tannin. While the concentrated extracts of E. cottonii showed positive result for metabolites of steroids, glycosides, and flavonoid. Both concentrated extracts of Ulva lactuca and Eucheuma cotonii exhibited anticancer activity against breast MCF-7 and colorectal HCT-116 cells with IC 50 ranging of 21 µg/mL to 99 µg/mL . Conclusion: Our results clearly demonstrate seaweeds Ulva Lactuca and Eucheuma cotonii as a promising candidates for the new anti-breast and anti-colorectal cancer agents. Keywords: Phytochemistry, Ulva Lactuca , Eucheuma cotonii , anticancer, breast MCF-7, colorectal HCT-116