Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of different seed priming treatments and priming duration on biochemical parameters and agronomic characters of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)

Maintaining optimum plant population is an important factor in maximizing crop production and productivity. Establishment of okra in the field could be improved by applying suitable priming treatment to seeds. The present investigation was undertaken to find out the effect of seed priming treatments and soaking durations on biochemical parameters and agronomic characters of okra seeds. Okra seeds primed with three priming treatments T1, T2 and T3 (hydropriming, osmopriming with 5% PEG and 10% PEG solution) with soaking durations from 24 to 48 h at 6 h interval, that is, 24, 30, 36, 42 and 48 h were used. Dry okra seeds were considered control treatment. Priming treatments and soaking durations significantly increased biochemical components such as crude protein, total minerals, dry matter, iodine, phosphorus and mucilage content compared to control. Priming with T2 treatment for 24 h soaking duration gave the best results, followed by T1 and T3. Agronomic characters such as number of days taken to 50% flowering, maximum number of nodes and fruiting nodes on main stem, fruit length, fruit width, plant height at first picking, plant height at final harvest, marketable yield per plant, total yield per plant and average fruit weight were improved with priming while control seeds proved to be the poorest. Primed seeds showed better performance of okra than control treatment in aspects of studied criteria. Key words: Okra, priming duration, biochemical parameters, yield.
Redescription of Caraboacarus krczali Eidelberg, 1994 (Acari: Prostigmata: Caraboacaridae) with its host specificity and distribution notes

ABSTRACT The original description, particularly the leg chaetotaxy, was imperfect so we redescribe Caraboacarus krczali Eidelberg, 1994 (Acari: Heterostigmata: Caraboacaridae) associated with Calosoma auropunctatum Gebler, 1833 (Coleoptera: Carabidae). This is the first record of the species from Iran and Senegal. The host specificity and distribution of this species are discussed.
Modelling chorotypes of invasive vertebrates in mainland Spain

We investigated the existence of chorotypes – assemblages of species with similar geographical ranges – of invasive species in a host territory, and their potential use to advocate similar control or management strategies for species in the same chorotype. We analysed the distribution of 13 exotic terrestrial vertebrate species (six birds, six mammals, and one reptile) with well‐known distributions in mainland Spain. We used the presence/absence data on a grid of 10 km × 10 km UTM cells from the Atlases of terrestrial vertebrates of Spain. These data were aggregated to a grid of 50 km × 50 km UTM cells, because it entailed no loss of meaningful information and allowed dealing with a much lower number of cells. Using cluster analysis and a probabilistic assessment of the classification, we identified seven significant chorotypes: four multispecific and three monospecific. The compound chorotypes grouped together species that tended to share certain characteristics about their introduction, release cause, establishment, and spread. We modelled the chorotypes using a favourability function based on a generalized linear model and 31 variables related to spatial situation, topography, lithology, climatic stability, energy availability, water availability, disturbances, productivity, and human activity. Climatic factors affected the favourability for every chorotype, whereas human variables had a high influence in the distribution of three chorotypes involving eight species. On the basis of these variables, we identified favourable areas for all the chorotypes in mainland Spain. The favourability for a chorotype in an area may be a useful criterion for evaluating the local conservation concern due to the whole set of species. Favourable but unoccupied areas can be used to infer possible colonization areas for each chorotype. We recommend using chorotypes to optimize broad‐scale surveillance of invasive species.
High growth rate and regeneration capacity of hypocotyl protoplasts in some Brassicaceae

Protoplasts isolated from 4-day-old hypocotyls of various species of Brassica (Brassica napus, B. campestris and B. oleracea) produced callus with high efficiency in media containing casein hydrolysate and high concentrations of the auxin 2,4-D (4.5 μM). Cell division began after 24 h and 60% of the cells had divided after 48 h. In contrast, protoplasts isolated from stem and mesophyll of plants grown in vitro or in the greenhouse began to divide after a delay of 3–5 days. In these cases 40–50% of the cells had divided after 5 days as compared to 70% for hypocotyl protoplasts. To obtain a high frequency of regeneration, rapidly growing calli were transferred to media having a high cytokinin:auxin ratio as early as possible, usually 3 weeks after protoplast isolation. The average regeneration frequency for calli obtained from mesophyll protoplasts was 50%, while as many as 70% of the calli derived from hypocotyl protoplasts of B. napus regenerated plantlets on a medium containing zeatin (9.1 μM) and IAA (0.6 μM). On the same medium regeneration of Brassica oleracea was obtained. A low percentage of calli (1%) from Brassica campestris formed shoots when cultured on a combination of zeatin (4.6 μM), BA (4.4 μM) and IAA (0.6 μM).
Novel anthracycline prodrugs

This paper highlights recent patents in the field of anthracycline prodrugs, which are employed in tumour-selective chemotherapy. The prodrugs can be a part of a two-step directed enzyme prodrug therapy (DEPT), which involves the localisation of the prodrug trigger at the tumour site, followed by the administration of the prodrug and subsequent tumour-selective anthracycline release. In most cases this trigger is an enzyme, which is indirectly localised by an antibody (ADEPT) or a gene encoding for an enzyme (GDEPT). Furthermore, anthracyclines can be targeted to the tumour site via prodrug monotherapy. Anthracycline prodrugs exploiting differences in physiological conditions, such as a lower pH and a lower oxygen tension in tumour tissue compared to healthy tissue, tumour-specific enzymes, such as plasmin, cathepsin B and β-glucuronidase are discussed. Finally, prodrugs are reviewed that home to tumour-selective receptors. Promising advances in this field concern receptors that are required for angiogenesis.
Predicting the spread of Aedes albopictus in Australia under current and future climates: Multiple approaches and datasets to incorporate potential evolutionary divergence

When predicting the potential and future invasive range of a species, there is a growing appreciation that insights about factors limiting distributions can be provided by using multiple modelling approaches and by incorporating information from different parts of a species range. Here we apply this strategy to build on previous CLIMEX models to predict the invasion potential of Aedes albopictus, the Asian tiger mosquito, in mainland Australia. A combination of CLIMEX and MAXENT modelling indicated that the mosquito was expected to become widespread along the eastern seaboard and extend into northern Tasmania, but to remain restricted to the coastal fringe, a pattern which is not expected to shift much under climate change. However, a recent expansion of A. albopictus in North America points to evolutionary changes affecting the distribution of this species; when the North American range is included in models, A. albopictus is predicted to become much more widespread and extend inland and into Western Australia. These patterns highlight the potential impact of evolution on species distributions arising from multiple introductions or in situ evolution. By considering future climate scenarios, we demonstrate that there is likely to be a persistent public health threat associated with invasion by this species.
Preparation and Regeneration of Mycelial Protoplasts of Alternaria eichhomiae

Preparation and regeneration of mycelial protoplasts from Alternaria eichhorniae were examined. A commercially available muralytic enzyme, Novozym 234, was used for isolation of protoplasts. The mycelial age and the pH of the stabilized buffer affected the formation of protoplasts. The maximum production of protoplasts (3.9 x 10 8 /g fresh weight mycelia) was obtained from 24-h-old mycelia digested with Novozym 234 (20 mg/ml) in a stabilized buffer of pH 6.4 and incubated in the dark at 30°C on a rotary shaker (90 r.p.m.) for 6 h. Morphological characteristics of the protoplasts varied and depended on the age of the mycelia used in protoplast production. Moreover, mycelial age had a highly significant influence (P = 0.0001) on the frequency of protoplast regeneration.
Improving embryo quality in assisted reproduction

The goal of this thesis was to improve embryo quality in assisted reproductive technologies by gaining more insight into human preimplantation embryo development and by improving in vitro culture conditions. To do so, we investigated an intriguing feature of the human preimplantation embryo, i.e. its mosaic nature, and the occurrence of mitotic aneuploidies. To improve in vitro culture conditions, we aimed to elucidate the effect of culture media on human preimplantation embryo development, and on the success rates of IVF/ICSI treatment.
Effect of application of rice straw and compost on the community structure of bacteria associated with microcrustaceans in the floodwater of a paddy field microcosm

Abstract A microcosm experiment was conducted to study the effect of the application of rice straw and compost to a soil on the bacterial communities associated with five species of microcrustaceans in the floodwater of paddy fields based on RFLP analysis. PCR products for bacterial 16S rDNA were digested with four restriction endonucleases (Hinf I, Sau3A I, Hae III, EcoR I). The results showed that the RFLP patterns of the bacterial communities were distinctly different among the microcrustaceans, although DNA fragments common to Tanycypris sp. , Cypretta sp. , and Heterocypris sp. were recognized. Bacterial communities associated with Tanycypris sp. showed the smallest number of fragments among the microcrustaceans studied. Rice straw and compost application exerted a negligible effect on the band patterns from Cypretta sp. and Moina sp. , respectively. Cluster analysis and principal component analysis enabled to separate the band patterns into 2 groups with a total of 4 subgroups: I-1. Moina sp. , I-2. Mesocyclops sp. , II-1. Tanycypris sp. and Cypretta sp. , and II-2. Heterocypris sp. The results indicated that the bacterial association with the microcrustaceans was primarily determined by the genus and species of hosts. Effects of rice straw and compost application on the bacterial communities associated with Moina sp. and Cypretta sp. and the duration of flooding on the bacterial communities associated with all the micro crustaceans were also observed, although the effects were not appreciable compared to those of the kind of host microcrustaceans.
Involvement of catalase in bacterial Blight disease development of rice caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae

We investigated the role of catalase in determining the virulence of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae isolates and the reaction of different rice cultivars to virulent isolates. Catalase, being an antioxidant enzyme, plays a major role in combating the toxic effect of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in plant cells. Among the 11 isolates studied, a variable level of catalase activity and differential expression of isoforms in different isolates was recorded. The maximum level of catalase activity was found in isolate XOO2 followed by XOO4, and the minimum level of activity was recorded in isolate XOO3. A virulence assay conducted on the susceptible rice cultivar Jaya revealed that the bacterial isolate with the highest level of catalase activity caused the maximum lesion length and vice versa. Among 31 cultivars screened, cv. CTH-1 showed the lowest incidence of disease, and lesion length was almost nil. The cultivars Thanu, Rasi and CTH-3 were found to be highly susceptible to X. oryzae pv. oryzae infection. We discuss the possible use of catalase enzyme as a biochemical marker in studying the virulence of X. oryzae pv. oryzae isolates.
Effect of high pressure on green pea seeds germination and plantlets development

The aim of this work was to study the impact of high pressure (50 MPa, 10 min) on germination of pea seeds with different imbibition times (0, 12 and 36 h). The parameters analysed were the percentage of germinated seeds, length of roots and stems, number of leaves developed and the weight of young plantlets. Peroxidase (POD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), pectin methylesterase (PME) and total proteolytic activity were analysed in seeds after the pressure treatment and in leaves after the germination period. Results showed that 50 MPa applied during 10 min retarded the germination onset and inhibited seeds to germinate. The pressure treatment increased and decreased the length of roots and stems, respectively. The number of leaves per germinated seed decreased with the pressure treatment. Enzymatic activities of seeds showed that only total proteolytic activity was significantly reduced by pressure and only for 0 h of imbibition. POD and PPO activities determined in leaves of the plantlets increased with the pressure treatment, while PME activity also increased but only for 12 h of imbibition and total proteolytic activity decreased.
Mechanisms driving the specificity of a myrmecophyte–ant association

In the understory of pristine Guianese forests, the myrmecophyte Hirtella physophora almost exclusively shelters colonies of the plant-ant Allomerus decemarticulatus in its leaf pouches. We experimentally tested three non-mutually exclusive hypotheses concerning phenomena that can determine the species specificity of this association throughout the foundation stage of the colonies: (1) interspecific competition results in the overwhelming presence of A. decemarticulatus queens or incipient colonies; (2) exclusion filters prevent other ant species from entering the leaf pouches; and (3) host-recognition influences the choice of founding queens, especially A. decemarticulatus. Neither interspecific competition, nor the purported exclusion filters that we examined play a major role in maintaining the specificity of this association. Unexpectedly, the plant trichomes lining the domatia appear to serve as construction material during claustral foundation rather than as a filter. Finally, A. decemarticulatus queens are able to identify their host plant from a distance through chemical and/or visual cues, which is rarely demonstrated in studies on obligatory ant–plant associations. We discuss the possibility that this specific host-recognition ability could participate in shaping a compartmentalized plant-ant community where direct competition between ant symbionts is limited. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 97, 90–97.
Morphological adaptations to drought in seedlings of deciduous angiosperms

We conducted comparative studies of putative adaptive morphological attributes in seedlings of two drought tolerant forest tree species: post oak (Quercusstellata Wangenh.) and white oak (Quercusalba L.) and two drought-sensitive species: sugar maple (Acersaccharum Marsh.) and black walnut (Juglansnigra L.). In general, root experiments indicated that seedlings of Quercus species and J. nigra tended to have well-developed taproots and to more rapidly explore deep soil layers than did A. saccharum seedlings. Quercusstellata exhibited a greater capacity than other species for deep root growth. Further, while J. nigra possesses the capacity for vigorous root growth, it also exhibited relatively less root length per unit of leaf area when the soil was moist. When established plants were forced to grow in dry soil, downward root growth was substantially retarded in most species. After several weeks in dry soil, root growth nearly ceased, as seed reserves were depleted and photosynthesis was inhibited by water .
Interleukin-1, interleukin-1 receptor, and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist

Interleukin (1L)-1 is a pleitrophic cytokine that induces the acute response to injury; it is an endogenous pyrogen and promotes the synthesis of other pro-inflammatory cytokines. The IL-1 family, IL-1, the IL-1 cell-membrane receptor and endogenous IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-lra), are the focus of the present report. and
Genetic analysis of test day milk yields of brown swiss cattle raised at Konuklar State Farm in Turkey, using MTDFREML

A total of 3696 Test Day Milk Yield (TDMY) records of Brown Swiss cows raised at Konuklar State Farm in the Konya Province of Turkey were used for estimating phenotypic and genetic parameters for TDMY. The phenotypic and genetic parameters were estimated by an MTDFREML programme using a Single Trait Animal Model (STAM). The model included additive direct effects, maternal permanent environment and errors as random effects, parity, year and season of calving as fixed effects, and days in milk (DIM) as a covariate. Genetic parameters and breeding values for TDMY in kg were estimated. The TDMY least square mean was estimated as 15.64 ± 5.82 kg, and the direct heritability (h2a), maternal heritability (h2m) and the repeatability (r) of TDMY were calculated as being 0.28 ± 0.09, 0.04 ± 0.54 and 0.31 ± 0.01, respectively. The effects of parity and year-season of calving on TDMY were significant.
Photosynthesis-irradiance relationships in microalgae associated with Antarctic pack ice: evidence for in situ activity

Microalgae associated w ~ t h a broad range of pack ice microhabitats were examined for photosynthesis-irradiance characteristics in relation to light availabhty. Pack ice, the dominant form of sea ice in the southern ocean, was sampled from the Weddell-Scotia Sea and west of the Antarctic Peninsula during the austral autumn and winter as part of the Antarctic Marine Ecosystem Research at the Ice Edge Zone (AMERIEZ) project. Microalgae from pack ice exhibited lower photosynthetic capacity (P : ) and Ik values at (1) greater depths within profiles of annual ice and (2) lower predicted irradiance levels. Proportional relationships between photosynthetic characteristics and irradiance are interpreted to represent photoadaptation by microalgae follow~ng their incorporation into a vertically growing Ice sheet; this interpretat~on provides the first evidence of in situ phys~ological activity of microalgae wthin pack ice. Relative to the fast ice microalgae previously studied, pack ice microalgae had higher P:, and Ik values, and Inhabited microenvironments exposed to higher irrad~ances. Thus, we conclude that rates of primary production by pack ice rnicroalgae could be much higher than previously estimated from studies in fast ice regions and that sea ice microalgae have the potential to make a significant contribution to the primary production of the southern ocean, particularly during the winter and early spring when maximal ice cover significantly reduces the productivity of phytoplankton.
Nutritional evaluation of processed mango (Mangifera indica - Kent) seed kernel meal as replacement for maize in the diet of growing crossbred rabbits.

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of different inclusion levels of sun-dried and parboiled mango seed kernel meal in diets of growing rabbits. Thirty crossbred male rabbits of between 6-8 weeks old with average initial weight of between 630.70g-646.36g were used. Five diets were formulated to contain 0 (control) 10 and 20% sun-dried mango seed kernel meal (SMSKM) and 10 and 20% parboiled mango seed kernel meal (PMSKM) substituted for maize of the control diet. The rabbits were randomly divided in to five groups of six rabbits each with each rabbit serving as replicate in a complete randomized block design experiment. Feed and water were offered ad libitum. The response criteria shows that the average daily feed intake ranged from 63.51 to 71.57g for all the five diets. Effects of dietary treatments on weight gain and feed conversion ratio were not significant (P>0.05). The relative weights of the organs examined (liver, spleen, heart, testis, lung, kidney) were not significantly (P>0.05) different across dietary treatments. The feed cost/ kg reduced significantly (P<0.05) as the levels of inclusion of MSKM increased. It was concluded that SMSKM and PMSKM can be included up to 20% level in growing rabbit rations without adverse effect on growth performance and carcass characteristics of growing rabbits. Mango seed kernel used in this study is of no direct value for man hence its utilization as a feed ingredient will lower feed cost and encourage increased production of meat and by implication availability of more animal protein to the populace.
Early development of body-weight regulation systems in the nonhuman primate in utero effects of high-fat diet

The prevalence and severity of obesity is on the rise in adults and also devastatingly in children. Despite the similarities to adult obesity, a critical difference with childhood obesity is that the resulting metabolic disturbance may permanently disrupt normal development and increase susceptibility to these diseases independently of genetic factors and nutrition in adulthood. Critical periods exist in child development during which nutrition and health status may predispose the individual to body-weight regulation difficulties. Among these suggested periods is the in utero. Most of what we know about the development of metabolic systems and the impact of early maternal/nutritional manipulations has been obtained in rodent models which have a different ontogeny of these systems. The nonhuman primate, on the other hand, is an ideal model for such studies due to the remarkable similarities in development to the human. Specifically, we do not know the degree of impact of maternal consumption of high fat/calorie diets and maternal obesity on the development of fetal appetitive mechanisms in the brain. The goal of this dissertation was two-fold. First, I determined the normal ontogeny of the feeding-related neurocircuitry using a nonhuman primate model. Then, using a nonhuman primate model of diet-induced obesity, I determined the impact of maternal obesity on the fetal hypothalamic and midbrain neurocircuitry with a specific focus on body-weight regulation. Chapter 1 provides a review of the seminal literature that guided the direction of this work. The regulation of body-weight homeostasis is discussed with particular
BODY COMPOSITION STUDIES ON THE SUCKLING PIG: II. THE IN-VIVO DETERMINATION OF TOTAL BODY WATER

The method of Keston et al. (J. Biol. Chem. 122, 227) for the in-vivo determination of total body water when applied to the growing piglet has been evaluated and found to produce values in good agreement with those obtained by desiccation of the same animals.The densitometric method for the determination of deuterium oxide provides results of sufficient precision when considered in relation to the other unavoidable errors involved in work with live animals. The relative simplicity of the techniques and equipment in the present investigation recommend them for more extensive use in sequential studies of the body composition of growing animals.