Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of Substrate Type and Forest Age on Bryophyte Species Distribution in Tasmanian Mixed Forest

Abstract The role of substrate diversity in forest ecosystems in maintaining bryophyte diversity is frequently acknowledged in the bryological literature, but there are few large-scale studies that attempt to disentangle the effect of substrate type and temporal features. We investigated the interaction between substrate type and forest age, which is a contentious issue in landscapes managed for wood production. We studied three age classes, 1–18 years, 33–67 years, and ‘old growth’ forest aged more than 110 years. We investigated the species distribution of bryophytes growing on 15 vascular species, logs, fallen branches, soil, rocks, upturned root bases, stumps, roots, and dead trees. A total of 49 substrate type-age class groups were sampled. Many bryophyte species were found only to occur on one substrate type, but these substrate types were found in more than one forest age class. A number of bryophyte species were restricted to a group of like substrate types, for example Neckera pennata, Calyptopogon mnioides, and Daltonia splachnoides were found only on ‘vertical’ substrate types–Acacia dealbata, Pomaderris apetala, and fallen branches in 33–67 year old forest. There was evidence for a number of bryophyte species preferring logs in forest aged 33–67 years with most of these species also preferring old growth logs. Eucalyptus obliqua trees of 33–67 year old forest and old growth forest supported many of the same preferential bryophyte species, unlike E. regnans trees. A number of these same eucalypt-dwelling bryophyte species were positively associated with fallen branches, logs, and soil in both forest aged 33–67 years and old growth forest. Under current forest management, there is no specific prescription for retention of any substrate type. Coupled with the current 80–100 year harvest rotation time, the bryophyte species may be at risk of exclusion from wood production areas.
Synthesis and Hybridization Properties of Oligonucleotide Analogues Containing Ornithine Backbone Modified with Nucleoalanines

The oligonucleotide analogues in which the entire phosphodiester backbone is replaced by a polyamide or peptide chain attract increasing attention as potential tools in molecular biology and as gene-targeted drugs. Among such analogues containing peptide chain, namely, oligonucleopeptides (ONPs), oligomers constructed on an b-amino alanine and d-ornithine backbones demonstrated a good specific affinity to complementary nucleic acids. As a part of our studies on design and preparation of nucleopeptides we report the synthesis and hybridization properties
A Comparison Between the Minimal Model and the Glucose Clamp in the Assessment of Insulin Sensitivity Across the Spectrum of Glucose Tolerance

An insulin-modified frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIGTT) with minimal model analysis was compared with the glucose clamp in 11 subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), 20 with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and 24 with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). The insulin sensitivity index (SI) was calculated from FSIGTT using 22- and 12-sample protocols (SI(22) and SI(12), respectively). Insulin sensitivity from the clamp was expressed as SI(clamp) and SIP(clamp). Minimal model parameters were similar when calculated with SI(22) and SI(12). SI could not be distinguished from 0 in ∼ 50% of diabetic patients with either protocol. SI(22) correlated significantly with SI(clamp) in the whole group (r = 0.62), and in the NGT (r = 0.53), IGT (r = 0.48), and NIDDM (r = 0.41) groups (P < 0.05 for each). SI(12) correlated significantly with SI(clamp) in the whole group (r = 0.55, P < 0.001) and in the NGT (r = 0.53, P = 0.046) and IGT (r = 0.58, P = 0.008) but not NIDDM (r = 0.30, P = 0.085) groups. When SI(22), SI(clamp), and SIP(clamp) were expressed in the same units, SI(22) was 66 ± 5% (mean ± SE) and 50 ± 8% lower than SI(clamp) and SIP(clamp), respectively. Thus, minimal model analysis of the insulin-modified FSIGTT provides estimates of insulin sensitivity that correlate significantly with those from the glucose clamp. The correlation was weaker, however, in NIDDM. The insulin-modified FSIGTT can be used as a simple test for assessment of insulin sensitivity in population studies involving nondiabetic subjects. Additional studies are needed before using this test routinely in patients with NIDDM.
In vitro evaluation of fermentation characteristics of two types of insects as potential novel protein feeds for pigs

Novel protein sources such as insects are suggested for pig nutrition. Protein availability might be impacted by the nature of the insect and by the thermal treatment applied to sanitize this ingredient. Their influence on protein availability and colonic fermentation is unknown. Plant proteins (beans, lentils, peas, and soybean, raw and vapor cooked) were compared to adult house crickets (Acheta domesticus) and mealworm larvae (Tenebrio molitor) that had been autoclaved, oven cooked (150 and 200°C), or used raw. Ingredients were run in an in vitro model of the pig gastrointestinal tract combining enzymes to simulate digestion in the stomach and the small intestine and subsequent fermentation by fecal microbes to simulate hindgut fermentation. In vitro crude protein disappearance (IVCPD) of insects decreased with oven cooking at 150°C or autoclaving (P < 0.05) while that of plants was unaffected (P > 0.05), except for soybean. IVCPD of raw mealworms (0.726) equaled that of the best plants (0.725 to 0.763) while crickets were less digestible (P < 0.01). Consequences on fermentation metabolites were lower propionate (P < 0.01) and branched-chain fatty acids (BCFA; P < 0.05) molar ratio in raw insects against oven-cooked or autoclaved insects. Both insect sources displayed greater BCFA (P < 0.01) and lower propionate (P < 0.01) than plants. Crickets produced 50% as much BCFA as mealworms (P < 0.01). In conclusion, feeding insect-sourced protein requires a careful choice of the species as well as the thermal treatment to avoid possible detrimental consequences on digestibility and intestinal health in pigs.
Morphological variation of the pikeperch Sander lucioperca (L.) in the southern Caspian Sea, using a truss system

Summary A morphometric truss network system and meristic counts were used to investigate the hypothesis of population fragmentation of pikeperch Sander lucioperca among four major fishing areas in the Caspian Sea drainage. Univariate analysis of variance showed significant differences between the means of the four groups for 20 out of 32 standardized morphometric measurements (27 truss, five traditional characters) and six out of nine meristic counts. The first two canonical discriminant functions accounted for 93 and 92.3% of the total variability in morphometric and meristic characteristics, respectively. A dendogram derived from cluster analysis of Mahalanobis distances and a discriminant analysis among the groups confirmed three distinct populations in these regions, while there was a relatively high degree of overlap between all locations when using meristic characters. The most relevant morphometric characteristics were the measured distances on body heights and the caudal peduncle area. This study indicated that the morphometric truss network system was more adequate than meristic characters for separation among the populations.
Terrestrial net primary productivity A brief history and a new worldwide database

Consistent data on terrestrial net primary productivity (NPP) are urgently needed to constrain model estimates of carbon fluxes and hence to refine our understanding of ecosystem responses to climate change. The NPP data have been collected in a coordinated manner for the past 30 years, but comprehensive summaries are rare. We report on the development and availability of a global NPP database that is suitable for modeling of the terrestrial carbon cycle at global and regional scales, for validation of remote sensing data, and for other applications. These data were obtained from the literature on ecophysiological field work and from detailed consultation with the scientific community. Data on NPP, biomass, and associated environmental variables are now publicly available for 53 detailed study sites, of which more than half have data for belowground biomass or biomass dynamics. Aboveground NPP ranges from 35 to 2320 g m2a1 (dry matter) and total NPP from 182 to 3538 g m2a1. Well-known but previously u.
The Importance of Molecular Genetic Confirmation Tests of the HLA System in Unrelated Donors of Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a standard currative therapy for some acquired haematological diseases and inherited metabolical and immunological disorders. HLA compatibility in five loci (HLA class I -A, -B and -C and HLA class II -DRB1 and -DQB1) of the donor/recipient pair is a prerequisite for the success of haematopoetic stem cell transplantation, which represents a process of adoption donor's immunity. HLA is the most polymorphic system in the human genome, and this polymorphism can only be detected precisely by molecular genetics methods on DNA level. In the period from 2001 to 2004 we performed confirmatory testing of 366 unrelated haematopoetic stem cells donors from Czech and foreign registers for 256 patients. Only 16 % of the donors completely matched the patients in all HLA loci. We detected HLA mismatches in the samples of 81% patient/donor pairs, but these results were consonant with previous results from registers. 3 % of confirmatory samples revealed discrepancies with previ- ous registry data. Despite of increasing number of available unrelated haematopoetic stem cell donors and the quali- ty of registry HLA typing, the possibility of finding a completely matched donor is still limited.
Intracellular Protein Catabolism and its Control During Nutrient Deprivation and Supply

The continuous turnover of intracellular protein and other macromolecules is a basic cellular process that serves, among other functions, to regulate cytoplasmic content and provide amino acids for ongoing oxidative and biosynthetic reactions during nutrient deprivation. The intensity of breakdown and pattern of regulation, though, vary widely among cells. Rat hepatocytes, for example, exhibit high absolute rates of proteolysis and regulatory effects that diminish during starvation, while corresponding responses in skeletal and cardiac muscle move in the opposite direction. It is also becoming apparent that effects of insulin and other acute regulatory agents on muscle breakdown are limited to nonmyofibrillar components. The latter may be sequestered and degraded within autophagic vacuoles, whereas myofibrillar proteins require an initial attack by calcium-dependent proteases in the cytosol. By contrast, most if not all of the breakdown of resident (long-lived) proteins as well as RNA in the hepatocyte can be explained by lysosomal mechanisms. The uptake of cytoplasmic components by lysosomes can be divided into two major categories, macroautophagy and micro- or basal autophagy. The first is induced by amino acid or insulin/serum deprivation. In the hepatocyte, amino acids alone can regulate this process almost instantaneously over two thirds of the full range of proteolysis, 4.5% to 1.5% per hour. Glucagon, cyclic AMP, and beta-agonists also stimulate macroautophagy in hepatocytes but have opposite effects in skeletal and cardiac myocytes. Basal autophagy differs from the macro type in that the cytoplasmic "bite" is smaller and sequestration is not acutely regulated. It is, however, adaptively decreased during starvation in parallel with absolute rates of basal turnover. Since endoplasmic reticulum comprises an appreciable fraction of the vacuolar content, volume sequestration would be compatible with the known heterogeneity of individual protein turnover if some proteins (or altered proteins) selectively bind to membranes. The amino acid control of macroautophagy in the hepatocyte is accomplished by a small group of direct inhibitors (Leu, Tyr/Phe, Gln, Pro, Met, Trp, and His) and the permissive effect of alanine whereas only leucine is involved in myocytes and adipocytes. Of unusual interest is the fact that the inhibitory amino acid group alone evokes responses in perfused livers that are identical to those of a complete plasma mixture at 0.5 and 4 times normal plasma levels but loses effectiveness almost completely at normal concentrations. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The relative nutritive value of irradiated spray-dried blood powder and heat-sterilized blood meal as measured in combination wi

A method of processing blood meal in which the nutritive value of the protein is preserved is described, since appreciable losses occur in the nutritive value of the protein when prepared by heat sterilization with drying at atmospheric pressure in steam jacketed vessels. Blood was spray dried and irradiated at an intensity of 10 kGy. Collectively the heat of spray drying and irradiation was effective in killing both the virus plaque-forming units and the bacteria, thus producing a commercially acceptable sterile product of higher nutritive value. The relative nutritive values (RNV) of 50:50 protein mixtures were 0,56 for whey protein concentrate plus heat-sterilized blood meal and 0,90 for whey protein concentrate plus irradiated spray-dried blood powder. Whey protein concentrate used as a control has a RNV of 1,0.
Cloning and Expression of Three Extradiol Dioxygenases genes Type I from the Unique Dioxin Degrader Sphingomonas Wittichii RW1

Sphingomonas wittichii RW1 is the unique dioxin degrader bacterium, where dioxin compounds is the most problematic environmental pollutants which cause cancer and a number of serious effects on the immune system. Extradiol dioxygenases (Edos) play a pivotal role in the metabolism of dioxin degradation. Three Edos type I genes termed edo9, edo10 and edo11 were identified and characterized in Sphingomonas wittichii RW1. The three genes were amplified and cloned into pTz57R/T Vector, all the three clones harbor edo9, edo10, and edo11 capable to meta-cleave 2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl turned into yellow coloration compound 2-hydroxyl-6-oxo-6-phenylhexa-2,4- dienoate. Expression of the three genes edo9, edo10, or edo11 was observed by SDS PAGE at 40KDa, 35KDa and 36KDa, respectively. These genes may act as functional genes in the metabolic pathway of the Dioxin. These findings may benefit in the bioremediation of dioxin by selecting the vital Edos for the mineralization of dioxin compounds.
Modeling by homology

The structures of proteins can be modeled reasonably accurately on the basis of their relationships with homologous proteins, the structures of which have been experimentally determined. Recent advances in techniques for detecting distant homologs have increased the potential of this approach considerably. Combined with the availability of increasing numbers of genome sequences and experimentally defined protein structures, new methods for modeling by homology now provide great opportunities in areas raging from research into molecular and cellular processes to structure-based drug design. Keywords: protein structure prediction; database; sequence analysis; comparative modeling; fold recognition
Landscape genetics and climatic associations of flea beetle lineages and implications for biological control of tansy ragwort

Summary While Longitarsus jacobaeae Waterhouse (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) has shown the best results for biocontrol of tansy ragwort, Senecio jacobaea L. (Asteraceae), the precise effects of this flea beetle on tansy ragwort distribution and abundance are confused by the introduction in North America of two distinct strains, of Italian and Swiss origin. Beetles of the two biotypes differ in their phenology, while hybrids of the two strains show life-cycle characteristics different from either parental strain. However, it is not known which biotype(s) currently provides control of tansy ragwort infestations or whether both biotypes or hybrids of the two have been established in the USA. Moreover, mixed populations may exhibit lower efficiency in controlling the target weed relative to pure strains, and specificity for the invasive host may be compromised. In this study, molecular markers were em ployed to distinguish between biotypes of L. jacobaeae. Analysis of mitochondrial sequence of specimens from Switzerland, Oregon and California revealed higher than expected sequence variation, within and between strains. Despite the high levels of polymorphism, cladistic analysis did not show distinct separation of strains into well-defined clades. These results indicate that Swiss L. jacobaeae beetles may have established in North America in contrast with the general assumptions. As the revealed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) polymorphisms themselves will not identify populations, we are now employing nuclear markers to characterize North American populations, their ancestry and their association with certain climatic regions. The goal is to match the most effective genotypes of L. jacobaeae with new tansy ragwort infestations east of the Cascade mountain range.
Plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) as pregnancy and lactation feed for ewes joined at 8 months of age

Ewe nutrition during pregnancy and lactation is a key determinant of ewe and lamb performance. A paddock-scale field experiment in western Victoria, Australia, tested the hypothesis that grazing maiden ewes on plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) from mid-pregnancy until lamb weaning (July 2010–January 2011) would increase ewe liveweight and condition score during this period, reduce worm egg counts, and increase lamb liveweights at birth, marking and weaning, relative to tetraploid perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), but that further increases would be achieved by offering a spatially arranged sward of plantain and perennial ryegrass. The experiment tested three treatments: plantain (PL), perennial ryegrass (PR), and a 50 : 50 (by area) spatially separated mixture of perennial ryegrass and plantain (PR + PL). Plots were ~1 ha in size arranged in a randomised complete block design with four replications. The ewes were Coopworth composites joined at 8 months of age. Feed-on-offer levels (kg DM/ha) did not differ (P > 0.05) between treatments, with 2.3–3.0 t DM/ha being available pre-grazing. Twin-bearing ewes had higher (P 0.05) at lamb marking. At weaning, single-born lambs were heavier (P 0.05). This experiment has found that feeding plantain to ewes during pregnancy and lactation, or offering ewes spatially separated mixes of plantain and perennial ryegrass, offers no clear liveweight or worm egg count improvement for ewes and lambs relative to a tetraploid perennial ryegrass under Western Victorian conditions.
IN VITRO CYTOTOXICITY OF MORINGA OLEIFERA AGAINST DIFFERENT HUMAN CANCER CELL LINES

Cancer is a public health problem all over the world. Medicinal herbs have been on the forefront whenever we talk about anticancer remedies, Herbal medicines have a vital role in the prevention and treatment of cancer. Large number of plants and their isolated constituents have been shown to potential anticancer activity. Methanol extracts of Moringa oleifera seeds showed in vitro cytotoxicity against different human cancer cell lines such as lung, neuroblastima, and colon. There was no growth of inhibition recorded against liver cancer cell line. Sulforhodamine B dye (SRB) assay was done for in vitro cytotoxicity test assay. The in vitro cytotoxicity was performed against five human cancer cell lines namely of lung (A549), liver (Hep-2) colon (502713 HT-29) and neuroblastima (IMR-32). The activity was done using 100µg/ml of the extract. Against lung (A-549) cell line plant extract showed 80% growth of inhibition. In case of liver (Hep-2) showed no activity reported, where as in case of colon 502713 cell line plant extract showed maximum activity. In case of HT-29 liver human cancer line and IMR-32 neuroblastima cell line plant extract showed 95% and 93% activity respectively.
Genetic diversity of Plum pox virus isolates in Muntenia, Romania.

Plum pox virus (PPV) is considered the most devastating viral pathogen of stone fruits causing serious yield losses. Although PPV is endemic in Romania, limited data about the occurrence of its strains in some plum regions like Muntenia are available. Considering this fact, fifty PPV isolates collected from five different commercial plum orchards from Muntenia were investigated. PPV detection was made by DAS-ELISA and by IC-RT-PCR. PPV strains were serologically determined by TAS-ELISA using PPV-D and PPV-M specific monoclonal antibodies. Molecular strain typing was done by IC/RT- PCR targeting three genomic regions corresponding to (Cter)CP, (Cter)NIb/(Nter)CP and CI. RFLP analysis at the C-ter of CP cistron was used to distinguish the two major strains, D and M based on a RsaI polymorphism located in this genomic section. All PCR products targeting (Cter)CP and two PCR product spanning the (Cter)NIb/(Nter)CP were sequenced. All PPV isolates typed as PPV-M by serological analysis and by molecular differentiation in the genomic region corresponding to (C-ter)CP proved to be PPV recombinant (PPV-Rec) when the molecular analysis were performed in the region corresponding to NIb/CP. Sequencing results confirmed a high similarity with different sequences of PPV-Rec previously reported. Overall results provided that in Muntenia the prevalent strain is PPV-D. PPV-Rec is also present with a much lower frequency both in singular and mixed infections (PPV-D+PPV-Rec).
Evaluating dough density changes during fermentation by different techniques

Producing an aerated bread dough starts at the mixing stage where air bubble nuclei are incorporated into the dough. During fermentation, the production of CO2, due to yeast’s metabolic activities, causes the bubbles to increase in size thereby increasing the volume and reducing the density. Therefore, the way in which the density of the dough is reduced and the dough’s ability to retain gas plays an important part in the production of good loaf volume. A number of studies have used different approaches to examine the effects of fermentation conditions on the rheology of dough. The internal pressure of fermenting dough has been measured by placing the dough in a glass cylinder (Matsumoto et al 1971). The expansion of the dough resulting from fermentation was studied by Miller at al (1954), who measured the expansion by displacement of a weak salt solution. In another study (Marek and Bushuk 1966), the buoyancy of fermenting dough was measured by placing it on a balance in a constant temperature bath of mineral oil. However, despite the importance of dough density changes as an indicator of gas holding capacity of the dough, a direct comparison of how the density changes as the dough ferments using a variety of measurement techniques has not been reported. The objective of this note was to investigate the effect of measurement techniques on evaluation of dough density by measuring the decrease in density of fermenting dough under different geometrical constraints and comparing the results. To achieve this, the volume of the expanding dough was measured over time using three methods: 1) dough height increase within a graduated cylinder, 2) water displacement following free expansion of subsamples of the dough, and 3) radial expansion of dough constrained between two thick acrylic plates (measured using digital imaging).