Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dung beetles in a Caatinga Natural Reserve: a threatened Brazilian dry-forest with high biological value

The Caatinga is an endemic and threatened dry-forest Biome distributed across northern Brazil. We evaluated the conservation value of a Caatinga Natural Reserve (NR) - Floresta Nacional (FLONA) Contendas do Sincora - using Scarabaeinae dung beetles as a biodiversity indicator. Specifically, we contrasted two zones impacted by distinct intensity of selective logging that happened inside the NR till 1997. Dung beetles were collected 14 years after logging, using baited pitfall traps within three main habitats (riparian forest, regenerating Caatinga or arboreal Caatinga) found in two zones (Preservation and Management Zones). A total of 1214 individuals from 21 species were sampled. The two zones presented distinct species composition, although the habitats did not exhibit such differences. Our results indicated that the secondary areas are in a conservation status similar to arboreal Caatinga and riparian forest, 14 yo after logging. Furthermore, we identified seven habitat-indicator species, two of them typical to Caatinga Biome, highlighting the importance of updates in NR management plan considering the Scarabaeinae regional diversity management.
Nutritive value of corn silage from intensive dairy farms in Brazil

ABSTRACT The objective of this research was to characterize the nutritive value of corn silage made on intensive dairy farms and demonstrate the nutritional variations between silages located at the top and at the center of a bunker silo. Thirty-two dairy farms were visited in four Brazilian states. One corn bunker silo of each farm was chosen and samples were collected from the top and center parts. The nutritive value, fermentation end-products, and microbial counts were assessed. The predicted milk [. ]
COFFEA CANEPHORA CLONES WITH MULTIPLE RESISTANCE TO MELOIDOGYNE INCOGNITA AND M. PARANAENSIS

SUMMARY Root-knot nematodes represent a serious threat to world coffee production, especially Meloidogyne incognita and M. paranaensis. Most cultivars of Coffea arabica are highly susceptible to these parasites and cultivation in infested areas has only been possible with the use of resistant C. canephora rootstocks. In this research, three elite clones of C. canephora, selected in areas infested by M. incognita and M. paranaensis, were evaluated in controlled conditions to assess levels of resistance against two populations of M. paranaensis, four populations of M. incognita and a mixed population of both species. The three clones were resistant to both species, but CcK1 and CcR2 were considered most promising because their vegetative growth was not impaired by nematodes.
Phenolic composition, antioxidant and pancreatic lipase inhibitory activities of Chinese sumac (Rhus chinensis Mill.) fruits extracted by different solvents and interaction between myricetin‐3‐O‐rhamnoside and quercetin‐3‐O‐rhamnoside

Summary This work was designed to investigate the phenolic composition, antioxidant and pancreatic lipase inhibitory activities of Rhus chinensis Mill. fruits extracted by different solvents, and to illustrate which major phenolic compounds were responsible for lipase inhibition and to evaluate their interactions. Results showed that R. chinensis Mill. fruits were rich in phenolics, which included 13 types identified and quantified by UHPLC-ESI-HRMS/MS. Among the identified phenolics, myricetin-3-O-rhamnoside and quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside were the most dominant detected in all extracts. Extracts with 80% methanol, 80% ethanol and 80% acetone exhibited strong antioxidant and pancreatic lipase inhibitory activities in vitro, and these activities were positively correlated with phenolic contents. Myricetin-3-O-rhamnoside and quercetin-3-O- rhamnoside demonstrated good lipase inhibitory activities in a dose-dependent manner and synergistically inhibited lipase. This work may provide insights into the potential uses of R. chinensis Mill. fruits in food and nutraceutical industries.
Study the effects of Spearmint Mentha Spicata Extracts on Mammary Gland in Female Rats

This study was carried out to investigate the effect that result from taking of the 5.25 ml of aqueous extract of spearmint Mentha spicata leaves in the growth and development of mammary glands during virgin , pregnancy and lactating stages for 14 days. Forty five (45) rats were used in this experiment divided into nine groups, three groups at maturity stages, three groups at pregnancy stages and three groups at lactating stages (5 rats\groups). The following studies were decided: histological, biochemical and morphometrical studies for each group. Microscopic examination of mammary gland in the virgin rats that treated with spearmint showed more growth in the size of lobules and alveoli. In pregnant, the treated groups showed more branching of alveoli with more flattened epithelium. In lactating treated group showed the lobules were expanded and contained more branching alveoli with discontinuous flattened epithelium. The biochemical studies showed a significant increase (p<0.05) in the serum reduced glutathione concentration with decrease in the malondialdehyde concentration in the three physiological statges that treated with spearmint compared with control. The morphometrical study indicated a noticeable increase in the alveolar diameters and numbers in all groups of animals for the three physiological stages (virgin, pregnant and lactating).
Effects of selected culture media on mycellial growth of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus)

The effect of selected culture media on mycelial growth of Pleurotus ostreatus was studied on six different culture media: three synthetic [malt extact agar (MEA), potato dextrose agar (PDA) and Saubroud dextrose agar (SDA)] and three formulated from locally available agricultural wastes [corncob (CCEA), palm waste (PWEA) and cassava peels (CPEA)]. The tissue culture of the mushroom was done on MEA which was used as the stock culture. The mycelia were subcultured severally to get a pure culture. Pure culture of the mycelia was subcultured on the different media types and incubated at room temperature for five days. The experiment was set up in three replicates. The mycelial growth, density and growth rate were obtained. The values obtained were subjected to statistical analysis. The results for maximum mycelia growth, mycelial density and growth rate were as follows: MEA (9.0 cm, 5+ and 1.8 cm/day), PDA (6.4 cm, 3+ and 1.3 cm/day), SDA (7.8 cm, 5+ and 1.6 cm/day), CPEA (9.0 cm, 4+ and 1.8 cm/day), PWEA (9.0 cm, 3+ and 1.8 cm/day) and CCEA (2.4 cm, 2+ and 0.5 cm/day). Generally, all the media types used supported the growth of the mycelia. The result indicates that MEA, SDA and CPEA gave abundant growth of P. ostreatus mycelia while CCEA recorded scanty mycelial growth. Key words: Pleurotus ostreatus, malt extact agar, potato dextrose agar, Saubroud dextrose agar, mushroom, mycelia growth.
Development and characterization of 28 polymorphic EST-SSR markers for Cunninghamia lanceolata (Taxodiaceae) based on transcriptome sequences

Abstract The Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) is a very important plantation species that is mainly distributed in Southern China. However, genomic analyses of C. lanceolata have lagged significantly behind those of other conifer species due to a lack of suitable markers. To address this issue, we examined 27,666,670 reads from C. lanceolata transcriptome sequences recorded in the SRA database. Assembly produced 35,633 contigs, 1,822 (5.11%) of which contained one or more SSRs. In total, 2,156 SSRs were identified, giving an average SSR density of 68.4 SSRs/Mb. The most common SSR types were tri-SSRs (41.7%), followed by hexa-(29.8%), penta- (12.7%), di-(11.1%) and tetra-(4.7%) SSRs. EST-SSR markers based on the 1,822 SSR-containing contigs were developed using the CMiB pipeline and primer pairs were designed to target 35 loci. Polymorphism was observed in 28 of these loci, for which the number of alleles per locus ranged from 3 to 12 over 16 plus-tree individuals. The observed heterozygosity (Ho), expected heterozygosity (He) and fixation index (FIS) values for the targeted loci ranged from 0.125 to 0.938, 0.225 to 0.891 and -0.368 to 0.456, respectively. The corres - ponding PIC values ranged from 0.210 to 0.881, with an average of 0.573. Some of these markers have since been used in our ongoing genetic diversity analyses of C. lanceolata. To our knowledge, this is the first analysis of SSRs and EST-SSR markers in C. lanceolata, and the identified EST-SSR markers will be useful in future genetic analyses of C. lanceolata and related species.
Low-temperature tolerances of tropical fish with potential transgenic applications in relation to winter water temperatures in Canada

Application of fluorescent protein transgenes in tropical freshwater fish is used in research (e.g. in zebrafish), and for the commercial ornamental aquarium trade. To assess the overwinter potential of such fish in Canada, we examined the minimum temperature tolerance of three wild-type species (zebrafish Danio rerio Hamilton, 1822; black tetra Gymnocorymbus ternetzi Boulenger, 1895; tiger barb Puntius tetrazona Bleeker, 1855) used as fluorescent models in the aquarium trade, and four lines of green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic and wild-type zebrafish used in research. Both tetra and barb had lower temperature tolerance limits that were higher than surveyed winter temperatures in Canada, and the lower tolerance limits of zebrafish lines was only within the range of a few surveyed lakes in some years. One line of GFP zebrafish had a lower temperature tolerance limit that was significantly higher than those of other lines, suggesting some fluorescent transgene constructs may al.
Parasite-driven replacement of a sexual by a closely related asexual taxon in nature

Asexual species are thought to suffer more from coevolving parasites than related sexuals. Yet, this prediction may be modulated by the fact that closely related sexuals and asexuals often differ in respects other than reproductive mode. Here, we follow the frequency dynamics of sexual and asexual Daphnia pulex in a natural pond that was initially dominated by sexuals. However, coinciding with an epidemic of a microsporidian parasite infecting both sexuals and asexuals, the pond was rapidly taken over by the initially rare asexuals. We experimentally confirm that asexuals are less susceptible and also suffer less from the parasite once infected. These results show the ecological replacement of a sexual taxon by a closely related asexual taxon, as driven by parasites. We suggest that this replacement is, however, not directly connected with the reproductive mode, but rather due to the recent introduction and invasive nature of the asexuals studied.
Fauna of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in Goytacazes National Forest and surrounding area, State of Espírito Santo, Southeastern Brazil

Mosquitoes comprehend a group with a major impact on public health, because some species transmit parasites vertebrate hosts. Comparative studies between preserved environment and disturbed areas provide important epidemiological information, due to the major knowledge on species populational dynamics and the possibility of a contact between vector species and human population. This work aims to characterize and compare the fauna of mosquitoes in the Goytacazes National Forest (GNF) and surrounding area, in the State of Espírito Santo, in Brazil. Collections occurred simultaneously in a preserved environment and in a peridomicile, from 15:00 to 18:00, between July 2008 and May 2009. In each environment, it was used a modified trap of Shannon type. As a result, 1,490 specimens from 14 genera and 19 identified species were collected. The species diversity (H = 1.95), species richness (S = 17), equitability index (J = 0.68) and the number of collected specimens (n = 1,100) were higher in the forest environment. The plentiful species were respectively Aedes (Ochlerotatus) scapularis (Rondani, 1848), Culex (Culex) nigripalpus Theobald, 1901 and Aedes (Ochlerotatus) fulvus (Wiedemann, 1828). Our results demonstrate that the occurrence of vector species in this region increases the potential risk of diverse arboviruses occurrence, especially wild-type yellow fever.
Transcriptomic basis of neutrophil ratio variation induced by poly I:C stimulation in porcine peripheral blood

Neutrophils are vital components of defense mechanisms against invading pathogens and are closely linked with the individual antiviral capacity of pigs and other mammals. Neutrophilia is a well-known clinical characteristic of viral and bacterial infections. Using Affymetrix porcine genome microarrays, we investigated the gene expression pro ﬁ les associated with neutrophil variation in porcine peripheral blood before and after polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid stimulation. Tran-scriptomic analysis showed 796 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in extreme response (ER) pigs and 192 DEGs in moderate response (MR) pigs. Most DEGs were related to immune responses, included MXD1 , CXCR4 , CREG1 , MyD88 , CD14 , TLR2 , TLR4 , IRF3 and IRF7 . Gene ontology analysis indicated that the DEGs of both ER and MR pigs were involved in common biological processes, such as cell proliferation, growth regulation, immune response, in ﬂ ammatory response and cell activation. The ER and MR groups also showed differences in DEGs involved in biological processes. DEGs involved in cell division and cell cycle were speci ﬁ cally found in the ER pigs, whereas DEGs involved in cell migration were speci ﬁ cally found in the MR pigs. The study provides a basic understanding of the molecular basis for the antiviral capacity of pigs and other mammals.
Characterization of Progenies from Intergeneric Hybridization Between Oryza sativa L. and Porteresia coarctata (Roxb.) Tateoka

Porteresia coarctata (Roxb.) Tateoka is an endemic halophyte growing all over the coastal belt of Bangladesh, propagating through rhizomes and setting a few ricelike grains. So exploiting the genetic potential of this wild rice as salt tolerant donor in possible wide crosses with rice (2n = 24) could be useful. We attempted intergeneric hybridization between Oryza sativa L. and P. coarctata. The survival rate of hybrid progenies in embryo culture was low but among them 2 hybrid plants were successfully matured from the intergeneric cross between the cultivated induced tetraploid of rice, Latisail (2n = 4x = 48) and P. coarctata (2n = 48). The hybrid plants could be successfully established in soil and were not like either of the parents in morphology although some of their features were similar to their maternal parent, Latisail (4x). Both of the hybrids were investigated through physiological analysis under salinity stress and molecular analyses with rice specific SSR markers. Molecular analysis of the F1 DNA with only 3 SSR markers, RM581, RM20224 and RM25271, out of 36 others tested, showed bands specific to both of the parents, while all had common bands with the maternal parent. Dendrogram analysis of the hybrids with the 36 SSR markers, show that P. coarctata forms a different clade and is clearly separated from Latisail and the hybrids. The putative hybrids however made a subgroup with Latisail. These observations could be possibly explained if chromosome loss of the paternal parent had occurred or may be it was a pleotropic effect of intergeneric hybridization. Physiological screening of the hybrid progenies at the F2 generation in seedling stage showed better result in leaf damage score (LDS) and salinity tolerance than their maternal parent Latisail (4x) at 150 mM salt stress for 10 days. F2 plants from one of the hybrid plants (H‐2) showed better performance but there was a large variation in response from each of the individual progenies. So, it is likely that some of the salt tolerant characteristics of the pollen parent might have been transferred to the recipient Latisail (4x). For introgression of better salt tolerant loci from P. coarctata, more wide hybrids will need to be produced and repeatedly crossed with P. coarctata.Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 27(1): 63-76, 2017 (June)
Systematic reinstatement of Schilbe depressirostris (Peters, 1852), based on differences in DNA barcoding and morphology, from Schilbe intermedius Rüppell, 1832 (Siluriformes, Schilbeidae)

Climate change poses an unprecedented threat to biodiversity worldwide. Consequently, unrecognised taxa may not receive adequate conservation attention to survive. We used molecular and morphological data to address the challenge of species delimitation within the genus Schilbe. The presence or absence of an adipose fin and distribution based on east-flowing, conceivably faster-flowing, or west-flowing, probably more slow-flowing, river systems were considered. Distinctive geographic patterns in genetic variation within southern, eastern, and western African populations were revealed. Particularly, the South African population is distinct from those of Namibia, Botswana and Nigeria. No individuals with rudimentary adipose fins were found at any locality, but specimens from three localities either had or did not have adipose fins. These mixed occurrences are suspected to be a result of human interventions, and that the presence of rudimentary adipose fins in the east African species could be an adaptive feature that serves to stabilise these fish in faster currents. In addition, the genetic divergence observed among African silver catfish from geographically isolated river systems is conceivably the result of micro-evolutionary adaptive responses to different environmental conditions. Collectively, these results distinguish S. depressirostris from S. intermedius.
On the impact of quantum biology and relativistic time dilation in autism

This Editorial elaborates on innovative concepts presented at the 2 nd European Conference of Biomedical Research and Treatments for autism held in Bari, Italy, in November 2017. We discuss the recent publication of a paper describing how relativistic time dilation at the DNA level can lead to novel approaches in disease prevention and cure, and we elaborate on the role of the human microbiota in restoring quantum entanglement at the DNA level. According to this hypothesis, microbial degradation of a glycosaminoglycan, chondroitin sulfate, leads to restauration of gene expression, induces general and sequence-specific relativistic time dilation, restores DNA quantum entanglement, and improves the ability of DNA to retain, process and transmit information both at the biochemical and the quantum levels. It can be argued that these processes played a role in the evolution of the human brain and consciousness. Fermented aliments that today would be defined as “probiotics” were the first processed foods eaten by early humans, and it is conceivable that the effects of the microbes in those aliments on the chondroitin sulfate, coming from cartilage of animals hunted or scavenged, may have led to the biochemical, relativistic and quantum effects responsible for human evolution. Finally, we discuss the implications in the field of autism where the theory of consciousness based on quantum biology presents exciting and innovative perspectives for prevention and cure.
Development and evaluation of muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) hybrid(s) for fusarium wilt resistance

The present investigation entitled „Development and evaluation of muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) hybrid(s) for fusarium wilt resistance‟ was undertaken in the Department of Vegetable Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana (India). The experimental materials comprised of 50 melon accessions and were subjected to artificial screening and validation of Fom genes. Nine accessions showed high and three moderate level of resistance to local Fusarium isolate. The resistant differentials; Hemed and F-65 were found susceptible against local Fom isolate which was confirmed from mycelium growth under Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The gene specific markers confirmed presence of Fom-1 and Fom-2 gene in 23 and 9 accessions respectively. The resistant lines were involved in development of 45 F1‟s through diallel fashion and evaluated for yield, quality and disease resistance during spring summer season of 2015 and 2016. Pooled ANOVA for experimental design revealed significant mean squares due to environments except for β-carotene and TSS of juice and, treatment × environment except for fruit shape index and TSS of juice. The mean squares due to GCA and SCA effects were significant for all the characters and the nonadditive gene effects predominated over the additive for traits fruit yield, number of fruits per vine, average fruit weight, days to first pistillate flower opening, days to first fruit ripening, flesh thickness, firmness, titrable acidity, ascorbic acid content and dry matter content. The GCA estimates showed that parents Punjab Sunehri, SM2012-12 and KP4HM-15 were good combiners for most of the traits. The crosses KP4HM-15 × Kajri Sel 1 and KP4HM-15 × MM-202 have either of the parents with high GCA for fusarium wilt incidence and TSS and thus pursued further for the development of resistant inbred lines with high TSS content. The checks showed severe infection with 3.75 disease incidence under field condition. Hybrids KP4HM-15 × Kajri Sel. 1, Kajri Sel. 1 × MM-202 and MM-314 × KP4HM-15 were identified as promising on the basis of phenotypic performance, SCA effects and resistance to fusarium wilt disease. These hybrids can be evaluated further at multilocations to assess their suitability for commercial release.
Study on the combined action of the entomopathogenic bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki and the entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora

Στην παρούσα eργασία μeλeτήθηκe η συνδυασμένη δράση του eντομοπαθογόνου βακτηρίου Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki (B.t.k.) και του eντομοπαθογόνου νηματώδη Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Nematoda: Rhabditida) eπί προνυμφών του λeπιδοπτέρου Ephestia kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) σe σπόρους σίτου. Στις δοκιμές χρησιμοποιήθηκαν ομάδeς 10 προνυμφών 4ης προνυμφικής ηλικίας, τοποθeτημένeς σe τρυβλία Petri που πeριeίχαν 10g αποστeιρωμένων σπόρων σίτου, τα οποία eίχαν προηγουμένως ψeκαστeί μe υδατικό διάλυμα βακίλου στις συγκeντρώσeις 500ppm, 1000ppm και 3000ppm. Eν συνeχeία, οι προνύμφeς λούζονταν μe 1ml υδατικού διαλύματος νηματωδών (1000IJs/ml), τα τρυβλία κλeίνονταν καλά μe υδατοστeγή ταινία και τοποθeτούνταν σe θάλαμο eλeγχόμeνων συνθηκών (25οC, 80% Σ.Υ.). Η αλληλeπίδραση των eντομοπαθογόνων παραγόντων υπολογίστηκe μe την βοήθeια του διωνύμου Robertson και Preisler και η αποτeλeσματικότητα κάθe παθογόνου παράγοντα μe τον τύπο του Abbott μeτά το πέρας του πeιράματος. Από τα αποτeλέσματα διαπιστώθηκe ότι η χρήση και των δύο παθογόνων παραγόντων προκάλeσe υψηλή θνησιμότητα στις προνύμφeς του eντόμου E. kuehniella . Οι θνησιμότητeς που προέκυψαν μeτά από 28 ημέρeς ήταν για τον B.t. k. 500ppm: 20%, για τον B.t. k 1500ppm: 25%, για τον B.t. k 3000ppm: 40%, για τον νηματώδη 1000IJs/ml: 27% και για τους συνδυαστικούς χeιρισμούς B.t. k 500ppm + νηματώδη 1000IJs/ml: 85%, για το B.t. k 1500ppm + νηματώδη 1000IJs/ml: 40%, για το B.t. k 3000ppm + νηματώδη 1000IJs/ml: 50%, eνώ για τους μάρτυρeς (χeιρισμός μe H20): 7%. Αξιοσημeίωτη eίναι τόσο η υψηλή δραστικότητα του συνδυασμού.