Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Capsicum spp in vitro liquid cell suspensions: A useful system for the production of capsaicinoids and polyphenols

Abstract Capsicum are among the most extensively cultivated and consumed plant species in the world, because of their unique pungency, aroma and colour. The typical burning sensation caused by chili peppers is due to the occurrence of a group of alkaloids named capsaicinoids. In the present study, the production of solid callus and cell suspensions from hypocotyl explants of three different chili pepper cultivars (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Mazzolino, Capsicum chinense Jacq. cv. Naga Morich and Pimenta de Neyde), was optimised. In addition, C. chinense cv. Naga Morich cell suspensions were supplemented with biotic elicitors (methyl-jasmonate and chitosan) and with precursors and intermediates of capsaicin biosynthesis (vanillin, phenylalanine and valine), and both cells and media were analysed for capsaicinoid, polyphenol, flavonoid contents and for antioxidant activity. This is the first report regarding capsaicinoid elicitation with pure chitosan and with a combination of precursors of both phenylpropanoid and valine pathways. Overall, the highest capsaicinoid levels were detected in cell extracts from cultures treated with 10 μM methyl-jasmonate and with a combination of phenylalanine and valine amino acids (100 μM each). The present results confirm the possibility of using hypocotyl chili pepper cell suspensions to produce high amounts of health beneficial metabolites.
Spawning frequency and batch fecundity of Brazilian menhaden, Brevoortia aurea, in the Río de la Plata estuary off Argentina and Uruguay

Fil: Macchi, Gustavo Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Subsede Instituto Nacional de Investigacion y Desarrollo Pesquero; Argentina
Decision events in the germinal centre: the role of ACKR4

Murine atypical chemokine receptor 4, ACKR4, which binds to chemokines CCL19, CCL21 and CCL25, is expressed specifically in germinal centre (GC) B cells and in a layer of stromal cells surrounding the splenic marginal zone. Although ACKR4 is unable to signal as classical GPCRs, it creates gradients of its ligands. It is shown here that ACKR4 deficiency in the stroma causes infiltration of naive B cells into the GC area. ACKR4 deficiency in the B cells causes dysregulation of the intragerminal centre distribution, with enlarged light zones and reduced dark zones when compared to ACKR4-competent mice. This skewed GC distribution is caused by the inability of ACKR4-deficient B cells to downregulate c-Myc, as they receive increased signalling though the CCR7- p-Akt - c-Myc signalling pathway. Moreover, ACKR4-deficient mice contain elevated numbers of memory B cells (MBC) in the distant lymphoid organs. MBCs are retained in the draining lymph node (drLN) by the presence of a CCL19/21 gradient towards the subcapsular sinus (SCS). When this gradient is absent, as occurs in ACKR4-deficient mice, MBCs escape the drLN easier through the SCS and appear in other sites in elevated numbers. Together, this shows a new role for ACKR4 in the GC response and in the migration of GC-derived MBCs out of the follicle and the drLN.
Association between the COMT Gene and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: A Case-Control Study

Javeria1, Masroor Ellahi Babar1,2,*, Akhtar Ali2, Asif Nadeem1, Abdul Wajid1, Sajjad Ali Shah3, Sadaf Rashid4, Muhammad Wasim1 and Muhammad Abdullah1 1University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 2Virtual University of Pakistan, Lahore 3Bacha Khan University, Charsadha, KPK 4Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore Article Information Received 09 August 2016 Revised 14 October 2016 Accepted 01 December 2016 Available online 25 August 2017
Effects of season and altitude on biological active certain phenolic compounds levels and partial standardization of propolis

Propolis kimyasal icerigine bagli olarak antibakteriyel, antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflamatuar, antitumoral, antioksidan, immunmodulator, doku yenileyici, antiulser, analjezik, lokal anastezik ve antiseptik etkilere sahiptir. Bu calismanin amaci, Bursa ilinden toplanan propolislerde biyolojik olarak etkisi bulunan fenolik bilesiklerin nitel ve nicel olarak saptanmasi, kalitesinin belirlenmesi ve bunda yukseklik ve mevsimin etkisinin degerlendirilmesidir. Propolis numuneleri, 2012 yilinda ilkbahar, yaz, sonbahar mevsimlerinde, Bursa ilinde degisen rakimlarda bulunan (50-1000 m arasi), 15 sabit araliktan, propolis tuzaklari kullanilarak toplandi. Propolislerde, 14 flavanoid ve fenolik asit sivi kromatografi kutle/kutle spektrometresi (LC-MS/MS) ile analiz edildi. Galangin, naringenin, pinosembrin, kafeik asit ve kafeik asit feniletil ester tum numunelerde (45 numune), tum mevsim ve rakimlarda tespit edildi. Bazi fenolik bilesiklerin miktarlarinda rakim ve mevsime bagli olarak anlamli degisiklikler tespit edilmis olup, bu bulgularin propolisin kismi standardizasyonun yapilmasina yardimci olabilecek nitelikte oldugu sonucuna varildi
Microbial diversity and health-promoting properties of the traditional Bulgarian yogurt

ABSTRACT Bulgarian yogurt is usually associated with good health and longevity. This study aimed to analyse the current microbial content of homemade Bulgarian yogurt. Identification by 16S rDNA sequencing revealed that out of 76 isolated strains, 53% belonged to Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, 14% to other lactobacilli, and 32% to lactic acid cocci (Streptococcus thermophilus, Pediococcus acidilactici, Enterococcus faecium and Leuconostoc). All isolates inhibited the growth of pathogenic bacteria (10% of them by the putative action of bacteriocins); 18 isolates were able to produce extracellular exopolysaccharides (EPS), whereas 24% of them demonstrated extremely high proteolytic activity. Remarkably, 10 Lb. bulgaricus strains produced prebiotic galactooligosaccharides (GOS). High-resolution accurate mass spectrometry (HRAMS) analysis revealed production of tri- and tetrasaccharides containing atypical β(1→4) glycosidic bonds, reported for the first time for Lb. bulgaricus. Based on the beneficial features, along with good technological behaviour, we recommend several isolates as highly promising for Bulgarian yogurt starters.
Construction of Novel Phytochelatins by Overlap Oligonucleotides

Synthetic phytochelatins are protein analogs of phytochelatin with similar heavy metal binding affinities that can be easily produced from a synthetic DNA template. We design synthetic phytochelatin [(Glu-Cys)n Gly] linked to hexahistidine by viral linker peptide and then followed by gene synthesis and cloning of it. Then peptide coding gene (synthetic phytochelatin with linker and hexahistidine) was designed exactly and constructed with step by step methods by overlapping oligonucleotides using T4 DNA Ligase. Finally, synthesized gene amplified by PCR, cloned in pTZ57R/T and transformed to Escherichia coli (DH5α). The results of sequencing show that some types of synthetic phytochelatin (EC4, EC12, and EC20) with linker and hexahistidine were constructed and cloned in vector.
Integrated nutrient management growth, yield, protein content and economics of grain amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus)

A field experiment was conducted during the pre kharif season 2012 and 2013 at instructional farm of Uttarbanga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, West Bengal, to Evaluation of organic sources for nitrogen management in grain amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus) in integrated nutrient management with 14 treatments. The field experiment was laid out in Randomized Block design with three replications. The treatment receiving organic sources of nitrogen significantly influenced the height of plant, leaf area index, dry matter accumulation, crop growth rate, T14 was found to be superior to other treatments and the yield components of grain amaranth were significantly differs with the combine sources organics than the sole application of organics over control treatment. The highest pooled seed yield of 16.9 q.ha was recorded under T14 treatment followed by 14.6 q.ha at T12 and T8 respectively. The maximum higher net return accrued to T8 and followed by accrued to T10 during both the year respectively. The higher benefit cost ratio at T2, T10 and T8 showed a high paying potential of Grain amaranth. So, we conclude that farmers of North Bengal can adopt grain amaranth in high or medium high land situation with the application of poultry manure instead of chemical fertilizer.
A generalized theory of somatic evolution

The modern Multi-Stage Model of Carcinogenesis (MMC) was developed in the 1950s through the ‘70s and postulated carcinogenesis as a process of rounds of Darwinian selection favoring progressively more malignant cell phenotypes. Through this period, almost nothing was known about driver mutations in cancers. Also, stem cells and cellular tissue organization were poorly characterized. The general multi-stage process was later confirmed by experimental studies, and cancer risk and incidence has been explained as primarily a function of mutation occurrence. However, the MMC has never been formally tested for its ability to account for current knowledge about cancer evolution. In particular, different numbers of cancer drivers required for different cancers and vast discrepancies in the organization of stem cell compartments for different tissues appear inconsistent with the very similar age distribution of the vast majority of cancers. In this regard, the initial theoretical idea underlying MMC is often over-interpreted with little connection to modern evidence, and a general theory of somatic evolution still does not exist. In this study, we applied Monte Carlo modeling and demonstrated the effect of various parameters, such as mutation rate, mutation effects and cell division, on the MMC performance. Our modeling demonstrates that the MMC requires considerable modification in order to describe cancer incidence. We elucidate the required conditions for how somatic cell selection should operate within the MMC in order to explain modern data on stem cell clonality and cancer, and propose a generalized theory of somatic evolution based on these results.
Two-photon imaging induces brain heating and calcium microdomain hyperactivity in cortical astrocytes

Unraveling how neural networks process and represent sensory information and how this cellular dynamics instructs behavioral output is a main goal in current neuroscience. Two-photon activation of optogenetic actuators and fluorescence calcium (Ca2+) imaging with genetically encoded Ca2+ indicators allow, respectively, the all-optical stimulation and readout of activity from genetically identified cell populations. However, these techniques expose the brain to high near-infrared light doses raising the concern of light-induced adverse effects on the biological phenomena being studied. Combing Ca2+ imaging of GCaMP6f-expressing cortical astrocytes as a sensitive readout for photodamage and an unbiased machine-based event detection, we demonstrate the subtle build-up of aberrant microdomain Ca2+ signals in fine astroglial processes. Illumination conditions routinely being used in biological two-photon microscopy (920-nm excitation, 100-fs regime, ten mW average power) increased the frequency of microdomain Ca2+ events, but left their amplitude, area and duration rather unchanged. This increase in local Ca2+ activity was followed by Ca2+ transients in the otherwise silent soma. Ca2+ hyperactivity occurred without overt morphological damage. Surprisingly, at the same average power, continuous-wave 920-nm illumination was as damaging as fs pulses, indicating a linear, heating-mediated (rather than a highly non-linear) damage mechanism. In an astrocyte-specific IP3-receptor knock-out mouse (IP3R2-KO), Near-infrared light-induced Ca2+ microdomains signals persisted in the small processes, underpinning their resemblance to physiological IP3R2-independent Ca2+ signals, while somatic activity was abolished. Contrary to what has generally been believed in the field, shorter pulses and lower average power are advantageous to alleviate photodamage and allow for longer useful recording windows. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Imaging the fine structure and function of the brain has become possible with two-photon microscopy that uses ultrashort-pulsed infrared laser light for better tissue penetration. The high peak energy of these light pulses has raised concerns about photodamage resulting from multi-photon processes. Here, we show that the time-averaged rather than the peak laser power matters. At wavelengths and with laser powers now commonly used in neuroscience brain damage occurs as a consequence of direct infrared light absorption, i.e., heating. To counteract brain heating we explore a strategy that uses even shorter, more energetic pulses but a lower time-averaged laser power to produce the same image quality while making two-photon microscopy less invasive.
Multi‐scale and antagonist selection on life‐history traits in parasitoids: A community ecology perspective

Life‐history traits within ecological communities can be influenced by regional environmental conditions (external filters) and community‐wide density‐dependent processes (internal filters). While traits in a regional context may converge to a narrow range of values because of environmental filtering, species belonging to a guild may present contrasting traits as a means of niche differentiation, allowing coexistence whilst exploiting the same resources. To disentangle the role of external and internal filters on phenotypic diversity within ecological communities, we examined the patterns of life‐history trait variation within a guild of insect parasitoids during two successive years across three contrasted regions in relation to several ecological factors. By combining a mean‐field approach and an analysis of phenotypic variance across organizational levels (from individual to guild), we showed that the patterns of life‐history trait variation across regions are consistent with local adaptation or adaptive phenotypic plasticity while the patterns of phenotypic variation within regions suggested how coexistence modulates life‐history traits expression through niche differentiation. Within a given region, phenotypic pattern of parasitoid life‐history traits may also arise from bottom‐up effects of trophic webs: insect host species could also control parasitoid life‐history traits in nature. Our results also showed that parasitoid life‐history traits presented contrasting variation patterns according to the sampling year, suggesting temporal variations in evolutionary and ecological dynamics of parasitoid species. The application of such trait‐based studies to insect parasitoids has the potential to provide further insight on how agricultural environments contribute to differential diversification among natural enemies guilds, highlighting the main role of agricultural landscape management for organisms'responses.
Fern Azolla filiculoides at New Sites in Oder River (Poland) — Invader or Ephemeral?

ABSTRACT Azolla filiculoides Lam. is the second most widely distributed alien aquatic plant in Europe. A native of America, it has become — on account of human mediation — a cosmopolitan species. In Poland, it has been known so far from a few stands in ponds and old river beds. In 2016, it was recorded at six new sites in-between the groynes at the main Oder river bed between Maszewko near Krosno Odrzańskie (52°3′10.69″N, 14°57′13.56″E) and Owczary (52°28′53.59″N, 14°37′30.43″E). The assemblages containing the fern were identified as representing the association Ceratophyllo-Azolletum filiculoidis Nedelcu 1967. Azolla has also entered the phytocoenoses of other floating plant communities. Mean values of several chemical parameters of the water like conductivity, salinity, total dissolved solids and nitrate content at the fern stations were significantly higher than the mean values found in the Azolla-devoid sites while the values for hardness (Ca), pH and visibility (Secchi Disc depth) were lower at Azolla sites. In 2017, this alien fern was found to had successfully overwintered in the main bed of Oder river, and its further spread down the river was observed. The appearance of Azolla filiculoides in the Oder may be associated with an exceptionally warm winter; its emergence may also accelerate the species' invasion in Poland.
Genetic Diversity of Tropical Bats and Its Relationship With Ecological Role in a Tropical Semievergreen Rain Forest in El Ocote Biosphere Reserve, Chiapas, Mexico

Species that are functionally equivalent but with little taxonomical relationship may display similar genetic patterns if the ecological function evolves genetically in the same way. This study investigated the levels of genetic diversity in the D-Loop gene of random samples collected from 21 bat species inhabiting El Ocote Biosphere Reserve (REBISO, for its acronym in Spanish), and whether the genetic diversity pattern could be associated with the ecological role. Genetic differences between functional groups, localities, and species were evaluated through generalized linear models using the Gaussian distribution error family for nucleotide diversity (π) and the Poisson family for haplotype diversity (h) and segregating sites (s). To study the clustering pattern of species based on nucleotide variation, genetic distances (Kimura’s two-parameter model) between functional groups were calculated, and a Principal Components Analysis on genetic diversity parameters was run. Most of the species analyzed (20) maintained genetic diversity levels ranging from medium to high in all genetic diversity estimators. According to genetic distances, the species with the same ecological function shared a greater number of nucleotide substitutions, with some exceptions. The Principal Components Analysis did not detect any genetic structure in relation to the ecological function. Our study found no association between the diversity of the D-Loop gene and ecological function; nonetheless, it confirms the importance of REBISO as a reservoir of bat species richness and genetic diversity in Mexico.
Studies on buffalo calf mortality in Jabalpur district of Madhya Pradesh

The Jabalpur region of Madhya Pradesh comprises of six tehsils namely Patan, Kundam, Majholi, Sihora, Panagar and Shahpura which cover densely buffalo populated area. Patan, Kundam and Majholi Tehsils are one of them. The data on mortality of buffalo calves was collected by random survey methods from 60 farmers (10 farmers of each villages) of 06 villages of 03 Tehsils of Jabalpur District MP. The data was based on the interview schedule. The morality data were categorized based on the sex and age group during the last one year. The result of the present study indicated that overall buffalo calf mortality in and around Jabalpur district was 42.11%. Mortality was higher in male calf than the female calves due to the negligence towards male calf. Highest mortality was recorded in the age group of calves below three months. It was also found that significantly (P>0.05) higher mortality was observed in male calf compared to female calves (60.47% vs. 23.53%).
A reassessment of the vocalization and distribution of Scinax exiguus (Duellman, 1986) (Anura: Hylidae) in the Amazonian savanna of Roraima, northern Brazil, with the description of its aggressive call

Scinax exiguus was described from the Gran Sabana, southeastern Venezuela, and its distribution is associated with the one Amazonian savanna region in northern South America. Herein, we describe the aggressive call and redescribe the advertisement call of S. exiguus, including recordings from the type locality. Also, we report on intraspecific variation between Venezuelan and Brazilian populations and we make remarks on its distribution in Brazil. Advertisement calls from the type locality (Bolívar, Venezuela) mainly differ in temporal traits from those of the two Brazilian populations, especially in duration and pulse organization. In contrast, calls from both Brazilian populations had remarkable differences from each other in the dominant frequency. Body size also varied between the type series (Venezuela) and a Brazilian population. We suggest that the acoustic variation in S. exiguus might be explained partly by differences in temperature and varying degrees of motivational state of calling males. One of our study sites (Cantá, Roraima) now represents the southernmost record for the species in comparison to the previous record (Boa Vista). Additional research and conservation measures are required in the Guyanan savanna in northern South America for the protection of its endemics.
An experimental study of foraging aggression in two southeastern minnows

Competitive aggression is a trait often assumed important in the establishment of invasive species. I examined the effects of competitive aggression on the group foraging dynamics of two southeastern minnows, the native rosyside dace (Clinostomus funduloides), and the introduced yellowfin shiner (Notropis lutipinnis). Specifically, my research addressed three primary objectives: (1) to examine the functional value of aggression to non-territorial, socially foraging stream fishes; (2) to identify mechanisms related to competitive aggression that may have promoted the establishment yellowfin shiner in Coweeta Creek, N.C. ; and, (3) to determine if interspecific competition between rosyside dace and yellowfin shiner is mediated by flow. Both yellowfin shiner and rosyside dace readily developed social hierarchies in the presence of food where behaviorally dominant (i.e., aggressive) individuals gained a significant feeding advantage by defending positions upstream of conspecifics. Increasing food abundance within the range of natural variation did not affect this relationship. Increasing food abundance did result in an increase in per capita aggression rates for yellowfin shiner, but not rosyside dace, partially supporting the predictions of resource defense theory. Overall, the yellowfin shiner was both more aggressive and more likely to exhibit aggression than the rosyside dace. A patch-choice experiment also revealed yellowfin shiner were more capable than rosyside dace of meeting a key prediction of the Ideal Free Distribution (input-matching) when food was abundant. In concert, these findings suggest the invasive yellowfin shiner may be better at detecting high quality patches, and more able to acquire the best positions in those patches, when competing with the native rosyside dace. However, the rosyside dace is a more efficient forager in high velocity patches. In a test of foraging success in mixed-species groups, the heightened aggression of the invasive species did allow it to monopolize the forward positions at two velocities (10 and 20 cm s ) and two group sizes (four -1 and eight fish). However, the greater foraging efficiency of the rosyside dace allowed it to feed at a higher rate than the invasive at high velocities despite occupying subordinate positions in the hierarchy. This ability was reduced at the larger group size. INDEX WORDS: Aggression, Clinostomus, Condition-specific competition, Dominance, Food abundance, Foraging, Ideal free distribution, Interspecific competition, Intraspecific competition, Invasive species, Notropis, Resource defense, Social hierarchy, Stream fish. AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF FORAGING AGGRESSION IN TWO SOUTHEASTERN MINNOWS: IMPLICATIONS FOR AN ONGOING INVASION