Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic structure and essential oil diversity of the aromatic shrub Lippia origanoides Kunth (Verbenaceae) in two populations from northern Colombia

In the present study, the diversity in essential oil composition and genetic structure of two populations of Lippia origanoides from Colombia, one from the department of Magdalena on the Atlantic coast in the north, and the other from the canyon of the Chicamocha river in the northeast, were compared. Individuals were sampled in each of the two populations and ISSR (inter-simple sequence repeat) molecular markers were applied to document the distribution of the genetic diversity within and among the populations. Essential oils were extracted by steam distillation from individuals collected in the two populations and analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results suggest that genetic diversity levels of L. origanoides in Magdalena and Chicamocha are relatively high (Hs ranged from 0.35 to 0.37) and comparable to allogamous plant species and other related species of the same genus. A rather low genetic differentiation (qII varied from 0.07 to 0.17) was found between the two populations, in spite of the relatively large geographical distance between them. The essential oils of L. origanoides can be classified as monoterpenic in type, and according to the relative amount of the major compounds, six chemotypes are proposed. Five of them (B, C, D, F and G) are present in the canyon of the Chicamocha river, while two of them (C and E) are present in Magdalena. Chemotypes B and C are similar to chemotypes previously reported. In summary, the essential oils from individuals collected in Chicamocha are rich in thymol (chemotypes C and D); carvacrol (chemotype B); Ρcymene, eucalyptol (+ Β-phellandrene trace) and thymol methyl ether (chemotype F); and thymol methyl ether, pcymene, thymol and Υ-terpinene (chemotype G); while those from Magdalena are rich in thymol (chemotype C), and eucalyptol and α-phellandrene (chemotype E). These results suggest a significant presence of genetic and essential oil diversity in this species, which should be studied further in order to make more efficient use of this promising plant resource
Comparative assessment of mineral content and antioxidant properties of some cabage varieties available on Romanian market

Cabbage is leafy vegetable that is currently used in human nutrition. In addition, it contains active compounds with antifungal, antibacterial, and anticancer activity. The present paper investigates the levels to which selected trace elements accumulate in various cabbage varieties available on Romanian market as well as the antioxidant properties of these vegetables. Our results revealed that purple cabbage varieties tend to accumulate higher amounts of Fe, Pb, Zn, Cu, and Ni and display a stronger antioxidant capacity than the green cabbage varieties.
Genetic Variability and Character Association for Grain Iron and Zinc Contents in Sorghum Germplasm Accessions and Commercial Cultivars

Sorghum a widely consumed cereal stapled in sub-tropical and semi-arid regions of Africa and Asia. Sorghum is the second cheapest source of energy and micronutrients (after pearl millet). Micronutrient malnutrition, primarily the result of diets poor in bio-available vitamins and minerals, causes blindness and anemia (even death) in more than half of the world’s population, especially among women and children. Biofortification wherever possible, is a cost effective and sustainable solution for tackling the micronutrient deficiencies as the intake of micronutrients is on a continuing basis with no additional costs to the consumer. ICRISAT is working on sorghum biofortification for enhancing Fe and Zn contents of the grain. Large variability for grain Fe and Zn contents was found from assessment of core germplasm collections (>2200), and from these, promising donors were identified for further improvement. Significant positive association observed between grain Fe and Zn contents indicated that it is feasible to develop high Fe and Zn containing cultivars with high yielding and different maturity backgrounds. The commercial sorghum cultivars (66) currently being cultivated by the farmers in India, were evaluated to identify high Fe and Zn cultivars in adapted backgrounds. Identification of commercial cultivars with high grain Fe and Zn content would help in wider dissemination of the cultivars to complement the on-going efforts for combating the micronutrient malnutrition.
Maintenance of genetic diversity in a small, isolated population of ancient tree Erythrophleum fordii

Ancient trees remaining in natural areas from once widespread forest due to overexploitation and habitat modification would naturally regenerate to form small isolated populations after the halting of disturbance. The genetic processes and consequence of this regeneration are generally unknown, which prevents the effective conservation and management of these populations. One such population, an Erythrophleum fordii population, is located in Dinghushan National Nature Reserve (China). Owing to the remarkably huge trunk of the sole ancient tree (KG) relative to the other individuals in the population, the local people and local tourism administration presume that this population has developed solely from KG. We found, using genetic diversity analyses, that contrary to this presumption, the population might have regenerated from several founders with diverse genetic backgrounds. Severe degradation of genetic diversity within the population did not take place, rather, it possessed the potential ability to maintain and recover gradually with population development. According to the results of simulations, we found that the longevity of tree species with iteroparity offers the potential to maintain genetic diversity in small isolated populations. The results from this study will benefit the restoration and conservation of the endangered species E. fordii, and of other congener species and tree species with similar life history traits.
Molecular diagnosis and genotyping of Clostridium difficile

Clostridium difficile was first discovered in 1935, but it was not until 1977 that this bacterium was found to be associated with pseudomembranous colitis. The disease was considered to be caused by the production of two C. difficile toxins, toxins A and B (TcdA and TcdB). TcdA was shown to exhibit enterotoxic effects on the intestine, whereas TcdB was shown to be more cytotoxic. Strains of C. difficile that do not produce these toxins are known to be non-toxinogenic and therefore non-pathogenic. However, outbreaks and more severe infections due to strains producing only TcdB have been described. To diagnose C. difficile -associated disease, a method with a high sensitivity and specificity is necessary. This thesis describes the application of methods based on the molecular detection of the pathogen in comparison with conventional microbiological methods. After isolation of the pathogen, the epidemiology of C. difficile -associated disease can be studied using molecular typing methods on the isolates. These typing methods need to be highly discriminatory, depending on the epidemiological data to be studied, and methods need to be stable en reproducible, with the possibility to exchange data between different laboratories all over the world.
Breeding Quality Protein Maize QPM: Protocols for Developing QPM Cultivars

This manual is intended for maize breeders who would like to start developing quality protein maize (QPM) cultivars. It is a compilation and consolidation of several breeding protocols successfully used at CIMMYT over two decades of QPM development and breeding. A brief background and the basic theory of QPM genetics are explained, leading up to detailed methods and procedures of QPM development.
On-farm characterization of Vrindavani cattle in India

Vrindavani cattle are recently developed synthetic crossbred cattle strain of India. It has the exotic inheritance of Holstein-Friesian, Brown Swiss, Jersey and indigenous inheritance of Hariana cattle. The present study was undertaken to characterize the Vrindavani cattle maintained at cattle and buffalo farm, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, India. The physical, morphological characteristics and production performances of Vrindavani cattle were studied. The coat colour of Vrindavani was predominantly brown though some animals had black, white and beige coat colour. Head was clean cut well proportionate with prominent poll and concave forehead. The ears were medium sized, laterally orientated with round edge. Hip bone was broad and prominent with wide, smooth and level pin bone. Udder was generally trough type. These animals were docile to moderate in temperament. Morphometric measurements of males were higher than females. The mean birth weight of Vrindavani calves were 22.13±0.12 kg. The mean lactation milk yield, 305 day milk yield and peak yield was 3219.75±41.09, 3047.42±33.8 and 16.58±0.16 kg, respectively. The average age at first successful service, age at first calving, service period and dry period was 746.28±8.94, 1 012.14±9.32, and 149.54±4.55 and 99.65±5.75 days respectively.
Adult survival rates of Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis), Common Guillemot (Uria aalge), Razorbill (Alca torda), Puffin (Fratercula arctica) and Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) on the Isle of May 1986-96

On the Isle of May between 1986 and 1996, the average adult survival of Shags Phalacrocorax aristotelis was 82.1%, Common Guillemots Uria aalge 95.2%, Razorbills Alca torda 90.5%, Puffins Fratercula arctica 91.6% and Kittiwakes Rissa tridactyla 88.2%. Shags, Razorbills and Puffins all had a single year of exceptionally low survival but these years did not coincide. In contrast, Kittiwake survival declined significantly over the period and there was evidence that substantial non-breeding occurred in several years. Breeding success of Kittiwakes also declined, which gives rise to concern for its future status. Given a high enough level of resighting, return rates (the proportion of birds known to be alive one year that were seen the next year) on a year-by-year basis provide a reasonable indication of relative changes in adult survival.
Improved harvest and desapping practices affect mango fruit quality along the supply chains.

This study was aimed at evaluating the impact of improved harvest and handling practices including careful fruit harvesting along with 4-6 inches long pedicels, de-stemming and de-sapping in 0.5% lime solution, 2-3 min dip and washing in tap water, on the fruit quality of mango along domestic supply chains in Pakistan compared with traditional harvest and handling system prevailing in local mango industry. Six domestic supply chains in two mango cultivars Sindhri and Samar Bahisht Chaunsa were monitored in this regard. The impact assessments were made on the basis of performance against sap burn, skin browning, lenticels spots, rots and physical damage. The effect on fruit skin color and firmness was also studied. Significant interaction of skin browning, sapburn injury, rots and physical damage was found with the practices adopted at farm level. These problems were found to start from farm (origin) and significantly increase along the supply chains depending upon the procedures adopted for produce harvest and handling. The fruits passed through improved practice had significantly better quality at retail with less skin browning (39.17% in improved vs 58.33% in traditional), low sap burn damage (15.83% vs 73.34%), smaller extent of rots (22.50% vs 68.33%) and physical damages (14.17% vs 34.17%). Non significant differences were found among the analyzed practices regarding fruit skin color, firmness and lenticel spots. Overall, the improved harvest and lime desapping technology showed potential as a best practice for the better management of mango fruit quality along the domestic supply chains. © 2011 Friends Science Publishers
Microbiological Quality of Domiati Cheese and the Influence of Probiotics on the Behavior of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Domiati Cheese

The objectives of this study were to assess the microbiological quality of domiati cheese and to evaluate the capacity of Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5 and Bifidobacterium longum ATCC15707 to inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli O157:H7 during manufacture and storage of domiati cheese. The results of the microbial investigation indicated poor microbiological quality of cheese samples, the microbiological parameters recorded higher values than admissible levels. Domiati cheese produced from milk artificially contaminated with S. aureus and E. coli O157:H7 was used as a model for studying the antibacterial activity of L. acidophilus La-5 and B. longum ATCC15707 against these pathogens. The results obtained in this study indicated the remarkable effect of L. acidophilus La-5 and B. longum ATCC15707 in preventing survival of S. aureus and E. coli O157:H7 during cheese storage. The inactivation rate was more pronounced with S. aureus than E. coli O157:H7 and it was dependent on probiotic strain. L. acidophilus inactivation was significantly higher (P value < 0.05) than that attained with B. longum. Survival of probiotic bacteria in domiati cheese was satisfactory. Practical Applications The microbial contamination of domiati cheese represents not only spoilage of the product but also constitutes a high risk to human health. The probiotic bacteria have the ability to improve the microbiological quality and safety of domiati cheese. Survival of both Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5 and Bifidobacterium longum ATCC15707 in domiati cheese was satisfactory, which indicate that the domiati cheese would be a suitable vehicle for the delivery of probiotic bacteria.
Entrepreneurial behaviour and constraints encountered by farm women in dairy enterprise

The study analyzed various dimensions of entrepreneurial behaviour of dairy women farmers and identified their constraints encountered by them in dairy farming in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh State of India. Performance of majority of respondents on 10 dimensions of entrepreneurial behaviour was moderate to high except in case of innovativeness and knowledge about enterprise. The overall entrepreneurial behaviour of respondents was of medium level. Except age and family size, all other personal attributes of dairy farm women were observed to be positively and significantly correlated with overall entrepreneurial behaviour. A large majority of respondents (83%) encountered medium to high extent of constraints in dairy farming. The major constraints encountered by women included lack of technical knowhow about improved technology; lack of financial institutions; difficulty in getting loan; high cost of improved milch breed, feed, concentrate and medicines; non-availability of improved seed of fodder crops; lack of proper marketing facility, lack of entrepreneurship development oriented training; low price of milk and repeat breeding in cows.
Reproductive Efficiency of Introduced Gaddi Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) in Kalikot, Nepal

Gaddi buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), indigenous to far-western hills with morphologically larger body and docile temperament is compared to Murrah, distinguished by white patch on forehead and switch. A study was carried out at Raskot Municipality of Kalikot district, Nepal to evaluate the effect of non-genetic factors on reproductive traits of introduced Gaddi on September, 2017 to May 2018. A total of 103 Gaddi buffaloes were purposively selected and survey was conducted using semi-structured questionnaire and farmer’s record by a transect walk. The collected data were analyzed using the statistical tool “R”. Least square mean comparison was made by using DMRT. The least square means for age at first service, age at first calving, post-partum estrus and calving interval were 1454.80±75.67, 1811.42±65.56, 382.94±26.49 and 680.52±32.65 days respectively. Spot variation seen on introduced Gaddi was non-significant to all the reproductive traits. Buffalo calving in summer season had longer post-partum estrus with lengthy calving interval, whereas buffalo calving in winter had shorter post-partum estrus with short calving interval. There was no variation in reproductive traits for parity. Besides well management of transhumance system of rearing and availability of pure breeding buffaloes, season of calving can also be taken into consideration for efficient reproductive performance of introduced Gaddi buffalo in mid-western high hills of Nepal which will further assist in conservation and improvement of Gaddi buffalo. Keywords : Gaddi, Kalikot, post-partum estrus, season of calving, spot variation Cite this Article Sandip Kumar Adhikari, Surya Prasad Sharma. Reproductive Efficiency of Introduced Gaddi Buffalo ( Bubalus bubalis ) in Kalikot, Nepal. Research & Reviews: Journal of Veterinary Science and Technology. 2018; 7(3): 3–10p
Fenugreek: The Genus Trigonella

Fenugreek presents an in-depth review on the Genus Trigonella and particularly the species T. foenum-graecum L. (fenugreek). It is written by experts and includes chapters describing the genus' botany, physiology, cultivation, breeding, nutrition, pest-disease and weed control. The chemical constituents of the species of Trigonella, their pharmacological properties and the marketing of fenugreek seed are also discussed as are its medicinal applications. A detailed presentation of the usefulness of fenugreek seed as food (whole, flour, roasted), spice (in curry powder), perfume, dye and source of galactomannan and steroidal diosgenin, widely used in industry, is also included. The book will be of interest to all those concerned with the study, cultivation and use of medicinal and aromatic plants and particularly of fenugreek.
ROLE OF ELLAGIC ACID AGAINST CADMIUM-INDUCED GENOTOXCITY IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER -

Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic and carcinogenic environmental pollutant. Ellagic acid (EA), a plant phenol presents in various human foods, has been reported to have both anti-mutagenic and anti-carcinogenic potential. The present study was conducted to investigate whether EA could play any protective role against genotoxicity induced by Cd in Drosophila melanogaster. Five doses of Cd: 0 (control), 1/2, 1, 2 and 4 folds of the allowable concentration in drinking water, were applied to measure some fitness parameters such as viability, developmental time and body size (thorax and wing lengths). Moreover, protein banding patterns and esterase isozymes activities were studied as biochemical effects of Cd pollutant at first, third and sixth generations of treatments. The Cd effects were studied either alone or combined with 0.07 mg/ml of EA for all Cd doses. At all Cd concentrations, viability and body size significantly decreased except for body size only at the lowest concentration (1/2 fold) compared to control experiment. Meanwhile, developmental time did not affect at any Cd concentrations, as compared with control. Biochemical studies revealed that total protein bands decreased, while esterase isozymes activities increased as the Cd concentrations increased. When EA was used in combination with Cd, viability and body size were modulated at the lowest and the recommended doses, while developmental time significantly decreased at the recommended and the highest doses, as compared with control. Moreover, biochemical studies revealed several changes in the number of protein bands and esterase activities than those in Cd alone. These results assume that EA has a good role in minimizing the toxic effects of Cd.
DNA repair in bladder cancer predisposition and radiotherapy treatment response

The genetic contribution to bladder cancer risk remains undetermined, while the role of radiotherapy versus surgery in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) treatment is hotly debated with the need for predictive biomarkers of treatment response. DNA repair pathways are involved in repairing DNA damage from carcinogens thus preventing carcinogenesis, but also form one of the 5 R’s of radiobiology for determining cancer response to radiotherapy. The aims of this project were: 1) To study the contribution of germline DNA repair gene variants, specifically rare variants (RV) and 3’-untranslated region (3’UTR) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP), on bladder cancer risk. 2) To investigate the predictive value of germline DNA repair gene variants and tumour DNA repair protein expression on radiotherapy outcomes in MIBC. RVs can only be identified by sequencing so a developmental multiplexed next-generation sequencing (NGS) project was undertaken, identifying two approaches, with the choice of method based on balancing costs and labour versus accuracy and data needed. Using these methods, candidate RVs were identified in the DNA repair genes, MUTYH and XPC, with XPC RVs being associated with an increased bladder cancer risk (P=0.008) independent of previously identified GWAS SNPs. Putatively functional DNA repair gene 3’UTR SNPs, PARP1 rs8679 and RAD51 rs7180135, were found to increase bladder cancer risk (P=0.05) and predict improved survival following radiotherapy (P=0.01) respectively. Multiplexed NGS of MRE11A identified rs1805363 to be predictive of survival following radiotherapy (P=0.001) but not surgery (P=0.89), and to affect MRE11A isoform expression. Tumour DNA repair protein expression of CtIP, MUTYH and XPC were not found to predict survival following radiotherapy. This study demonstrated the contribution of DNA repair gene variants in bladder cancer risk and predicting radiotherapy response. These findings could contribute to the goal of personalised medicine for targeted primary prevention, early diagnosis and treatment individualisation.