Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rekayasa Bakteri untuk Ternak dan Manusia: Pembuatan Mutan Escherichia coli Penghasil Protein Rekombinan

Protein rekombinan seperti vaksin, antibodi, hormon, dan obat-obatan, semakin dibutuhkan oleh ternak dan manusia. Hambatan utama untuk menghasilkan protein rekombinan pada Escherichia coli sebagai inang yang digunakan paling luas adalah degradasi oleh enzim proteolitik. Hal ini disebabkan karena E. coli memiliki sejumlah enzim proteolitik yang tersebar di dalam sitoplasmanya. Untuk itu, lebih dari 90% degradasi protein terjadi di dalam sitoplasmanya. Pada penelitian ini, peneliti telah menghasilkan mutant E. coli BW25113 yang tidak memiliki gen penyandi enzim protease dengan menggunakan kombinasi metode pengerusakan kromosom dan metode transduksi phage P1. Pembuatan mutan tersebut dimulai dengan pengerusakan gen penyandi enzim protease pada kromosom bakteri dengan produk PCR yang memiliki bagian yang homolog dengan gen target. Mutan-mutan yang dihasilkan kemudian digunakan untuk menghasilkan mutan ganda dengan metode Transduksi phage P1. Analisis fenotif dan genotif menunjukkan bahwa kombinasi kedua metode tersebut sangat efektif untuk membuat lebih dari satu mutasi pada E. coli. Untuk itu, mutan E. coli yang telah diperoleh akan sangat bermanfaat untuk menghasilkan aneka protein rekombinan untuk ternak dan manusia.
Clinical observations on the efficacy of total glucosides of paeony combined with ebastine in the treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of total glucosides of paeony combined with ebastine for the treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria.Methods A randomized,open-labeled,positive drugcontrolled,parallel-group study was carried out.Sixty patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria were randomly divided into two groups using a random digit table:combined group treated with total glucosides of paeony 600 mg thrice daily combined with ebastine 10 mg per day,control group treated with ebastine 10 mg per day only.The treatment lasted 12 weeks followed by a four-week follow-up.Adverse reactions were recorded and treatment efficacy was evaluated by using urticaria activity score over seven days (UAS7). Results The UAS7 was 9.28 ±4.59,5.83 ± 4.44 and 7.52 ± 5.57 in the combined group on week 8,12 after the initiation of treatment and week 4 after the withdrawal of treatment,respectively,significantly lower than that in the control group at the three time points (13.29 ± 4.72,P ＜ 0.05; 9.86 ± 5.46,P ＜ 0.01; 16.21 ± 5.34,P ＜ 0.01). Significant differences were observed in the response rate between the combined group and control group at the end of the 12-week treatment (75.9％ vs.42.9％,x2 =4.56,P ＜ 0.05). There was a decreased recurrence rate in the combined group combined with the control group at the end of the follow-up (13.6％ vs.50.0％,x2 =3.90,P ＜0.05). No obvious adverse reactions were noted in either of the two groups.Conclusion Total glucosides of paeony could markedly enhance the efficacy of ebastine for the treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria with a reduction in recurrence rate.
Capacidade absortiva: adaptação e validação de uma escala em empresas sul-brasileiras

One of the main elements of the process of creation of knowledge and innovation refers to the firms’ capacity to absorb external knowledge, conceptualized as Absorptive Capacity (ACAP). Given Brazil’s increasing economic development and Brazilian firms’ need to achieve competitive advantage, the validation of a scale for this concept in the Brazilian territory becomes relevant. This article aims to adapt and validate the scale of Flatten et al. (2011) in the Brazilian context. The scale was translated, adapted, evaluated by experts and subsequently tested in a sample of 495 companies in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, of different sizes, industry sectors and technological intensities. The method used was that of confirmatory factor analysis. Much of the sample presented the four dimensions of Absorptive Capacity developed, but some dimensions are more relevant to the development of technologies than others. The most developed variables are related to the importance of adopting new technologies and encouraging managers in the relationship between the departments. The scale was validated, indicating its consistency and adequacy to the South-Brazilian context. It also became clear that ACAP has four really different dimensions. Keywords: Absorptive Capacity, knowledge internalization, measurement, scale.
Occurrence of entomopathogenic fungi on insect pests of stored wheat and maize in Central and South Anatolia in Turkey

Naturally occurring fungal pathogens of stored-grain insect pests were identified and quantified using different insect sampling techniques in wheat and maize storage facilities in Central and South Anatolia in Turkey. Storage facilities were sampled by probing, trapping and visual inspection in five cities (Şanliurfa, Kahramanmaras, Adana, Mersin and Konya) from June to November 2013. Entomopathogenic fungi recovered from dead insects were identified to species level by sequencing the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region of the genomic DNA. Of the three species isolated, the majority were Beauveria bassiana (97 isolates), followed by Purpureocillium lilacinum (20 isolates). The third species, Beauveria varroae (9 isolates), is the first record on stored-product pest insects. Thirty-five isolates were from Tribolium spp. , 29 from Sitophilus spp. , 24 from Cryptolestes ferrugineus, 22 from Rhyzopertha dominica, 8 from Oryzaephilus surinamensis, 4 from Trogoderma granarium, 3 from Latheticus oryzae and 1 from a species of Cryptophagidae. The fungal infection of stored-grain pests did not vary significantly according to the time of sampling. A higher frequency of occurrence was recorded for Adana than the other cities and for Tribolium species than the other hosts. Grain samples taken by probing resulted in a higher frequency of fungal infection, but commodity type did not have a significant effect. The results demonstrated that (1) entomopathogenic fungi occurred at a low frequency, and (2) location, together with sampling technique, can affect their recovery. Further exploration of this ecosystem could yield important information for improving their use for management of stored-grain pests.
Use of Noninvasive Genetics to Assess Nest and Space Use by White-tailed Eagles

Abstract Movement and space use are important components of animal interactions with the environment. However, for hard-to-monitor raptor species, there are substantial gaps in our understanding of these key determinants. We used noninvasive genetic tools to evaluate the details of space use over a 3-yr period by White-tailed Eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) at the Naurzum Zapovednik in northern Kazakhstan. We genotyped, at 10 microsatellite markers and one mitochondrial marker, 859 eagle feathers and assigned naturally shed feathers to individuals. We identified 124 White-tailed Eagles, including both members of 5–10 pairs per year, and were able to monitor birds across years. Distances between eagle nests and hunting perches were always greater than nearest neighbor distances, eagles never used the closest available hunting perch, and hunting perches were always shared with other eagles. When eagles switched nests between years, the nests they chose were almost always well outside the space that theory predicted they defended the prior year. Our data are inconsistent with classical territorial and colonial models of resource use; they more closely resemble semi-colonial behavior. It is unlikely that standard methods of animal tracking (e.g., marking and telemetry), would have provided a similarly cost-effective mechanism to gain these insights into spatial and temporal aspects of eagle behavior. When combined with existing information on space use of other local species, these data suggest that partitioning of spatial resources among White-tailed Eagles and other eagles at the Zapovednik may be facilitated by the alternative strategies of space use they employ.
Pacific Salmon Prespawn Mortality: Patterns, Methods, and Study Design Considerations

Adult Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. may reach spawning grounds but perish before reproducing, a phenomenon known as “prespawn mortality” (PSM). This review synthesizes information on PSM rates and estimation methods to evaluate patterns and facilitate study design development. Questionnaire responses from 60 fisheries professionals indicated that female PSM was routinely monitored in numerous Pacific salmon populations, but variations in data collection and reporting could lead to systematic biases in estimates. Reported PSM rates varied among years and locations, ranging from 0% to over 90%. An evaluation of methodological variations within a single data set illustrated that PSM estimates were sensitive to estimation method, the timing and spatial extent of sampling, and inclusion of male data. To improve accuracy of PSM estimates based on carcass data, we recommend frequent surveys during holding and spawning periods, use of spatially and temporally balanced study designs with adequate sample sizes, .
Improving iron bioavailability and nutritional value of maize (Zea mays L.) in sulfur-treated calcareous soil

ABSTRACT Soil factors such as pH, calcium, carbonate, and bicarbonate precipitation products in calcareous soils reduce iron (Fe) availability to crops and limit grain Fe concentrations. In the present greenhouse study, we evaluated the potential of Fe fertilizer amendments combined with organic amendments, like biochar (BC) and poultry manure, in sulfur (S)-treated low pH calcareous soils (pHS1) to assess Fe biofortification of maize. Elemental sulfur (S) was used both for lowering soil pH and Fe solubilization. Soil pH was successfully lowered down from 7.8 to 6.5 by S application at the rate of 2.5 g kg−1 soil. Pot experiment results revealed that Fe fertilizer combined with BC and S (pHS1) significantly increased root and shoot dry weight, grain weight, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance by 69%, 86%, 28%, 74%, 57%, and 33%, respectively, relative to the control. Similarly, combined application of Fe + BC in S-amended (pHS1) soil increased starch (34%), protein (64%), and fat (1 fold) while antinutrient phytate and polyphenols were decreased up to 29% and 40%, respectively, over control. Regarding the maize nutrients profiles, application of Fe with BC gave the maximum increase of Fe and ferritin was increased 1.7 fold at pHS1. The results of this study showed that Fe fertilization with BC at pHS1 soil is beneficial for crop growth and Fe bioavailability.
Assessing the Role of Potential Biomarkers in Antimony Susceptible and Resistant Clinical Isolates of L. donovani from India

Failure of antimonial drugs, the mainstay therapy for leishmaniasis has become an escalating problem in the treatment of Indian leishmaniasis. Using 14 clinical isolates from both visceral (VL) and post-kala-azar dermal leismaniasis (PKDL) patients, we have examined the role of ATP-binding cassette transporter (ABC transporter) gene, multidrug resistant protein A (MRPA) and two building blocks of the major thiol, trypanothione namely, ornithine decarboxylase gene (ODC) (a rate limiting enzyme in the polyamine biosynthesis) and γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-GCS) (a rate limiting enzyme in glutathione biosynthesis) in antimony resistance. Amplification of these three genes was observed in some but not all clinical isolates. Increased expression of the three RNAs as determined by real-time PCR was observed in all SAG-R clinical isolates. Significant increase in cysteine and glutathione levels was observed in the resistant isolates. Our studies report the underlying mechanism of antimony resistance in the clinical isolates.
Bat species diversity and distribution in a disturbed regime at the Lake Bogoria National Reserve, Kenya

Human population growth drives intrusion and progressive conversion of natural habitats for agriculture. We evaluated human impacts on bat species diversity and distribution among four vegetation types in and around Lake Bogoria National Reserve between November 2012 and July 2013. Plants were surveyed using the Braun–Blanquet cover/ abundance method, whereas bats were sampled using standard mist nets erected on poles at ground level. Floristic similarity analysis revealed three broad vegetation assemblages, namely riverine vegetation, farmland and Acacia woodland/Acacia–Commiphora woodland. Two hundred and 33bats representing eleven species in elevengeneraand seven families were recorded. These were Epomophorus minimus, Rhinolophus landeri, Hipposideros caffer, Cardioderma cor, Lavia frons, Nycteris hispida, Chaerephon pumilus, Mops condylurus, Neoromicia capensis, Scotoecus hirundo and Scotophilus dinganii. Species richness estimators indicated that sampling for bats at ground levelwas exhaustive.Bat species richness anddiversity were highest in the more structurally complex Acacia woodland compared to more homogenous farmlands where we recorded only common and generalist species that often occur in open habitats. The higher bat species richness and diversity in the Acacia woodland as compared to farmland underscore the importance of remnant natural savannah woodlands in the conservation of bats and other elements of biodiversity.
Identification and characterization of miRNA expression during zebrafish retinal regeneration

by Rachel Harding Unlike most other vertebrates, zebrafish are able to regenerate many tissues including retina. Light-induced photoreceptor cell death causes inner nuclear layer Müller glia to dedifferentiate, reenter the cell cycle and produce proliferating progenitor cells. These progenitor cells continue to proliferate and migrate to the appropriate retinal layer and differentiate into functional photoreceptors. While a number of genes essential to retinal regeneration have been identified, the mechanisms regulating these genes have been little studied. Many post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms exist in the cell including miRNAs, short RNA sequences encoded in the genome. To determine if miRNAs play a role in retinal regeneration, I reduced global miRNA expression by Dicer knockdown, an enzyme essential to miRNA maturation. Dicer knockdown prior to light damage lead to decreased proliferation in regenerating retinas without affecting the number of Müller glia during retinal regeneration or cell death. These studies demonstrate an essential role
Boeremia leaf and fruit spot of okra caused by Boeremia exigua in China

Abstract Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is an economically important plant in China which is widely used in food, medicine and manufacturing. In September 2014, diseased samples of okra were collected in Yanqing District, Beijing City, China. Symptoms were brown to brownish black, sunken cavities on the leaves and fruits. The disease occurred on okra plants with an incidence of 35–55% in different fields. According to morphological and cultural characteristics, and sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and actin (ACT) regions, the pathogen was identified as Boeremia exigua (Desm.) Aveskamp, Gruyter & Verkley. Pathogenicity of the isolated fungus was conducted on okra fruits and on potted plants. Symptoms similar to those occurring in the field were reproduced. This is the first report of Boeremia spot of okra caused by Boeremia exigua in China.
Dietary Chlorella vulgaris microalgae improves feed utilization, milk production and concentrations of conjugated linoleic acids in the milk of Damascus goats

SUMMARY Fifteen lactating Damascus goats (44 ± 0·8 kg body weight) were used in a completely randomized design to evaluate the supplementation of Chlorella vulgaris microalgae at 0 (Control), 5 (Alg05) and 10 g/goat/day (Alg10) for 12 weeks. Chlorella vulgaris treatments increased feed intake and apparent diet digestibility compared with a control diet. No differences were noted in the ruminal pH and ammonia-N concentrations, but increased concentration of total volatile fatty acids and propionic acid were observed in goats fed with Alg05 and Alg10. Diets of Alg05 and Alg10 increased serum glucose concentration but decreased glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate-pyruvate transaminase and cholesterol concentrations. Additionally, C. vulgaris supplementation moderately increased milk yield, energy corrected milk, total solids, solids not fat and lactose. Feeding Alg05 and Alg10 diets increased milk unsaturated fatty acids with concomitant increases in total conjugated linoleic acid concentrations. It is concluded that the daily inclusion of 5 or 10 g of C. vulgaris in the diets of Damascus goats increased milk yield and positively modified milk fatty acid profile.
Effects of Oral Administration of a Decoction on Serum Levels of Leutinizing Hormone, Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Progesterone and Estradiol in Female Dutch-White Rabbits

This study investigated the effects of oral administration of a decoction of twenty medicinal plants used by South-Western local healers with a view to establish the effects of various doses on serum levels of leutinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, progesterone and estradiol using animal models. Three different concentrations of the extract were prepared according to the body weights of rabbits: 20 mg kgG1 mLG1 (low dose), 40 mg kgG1 mLG1 (medium dose) and 80 mg kgG1 mLG1 (high dose). Twenty female Dutch-white rabbits were divided into four groups of five rabbits each on the basis of uniform average weight. Groups 1, 2 and 3 were dispensed with low dose, medium dose and high dose of the extract respectively while group 4 was served none being the untreated control. After twenty one days of administration of extract, the animals were fasted overnight, anaesthetized with diethyl ether and blood sample collected for hormonal assay. The level of progesterone was reduced in low dose and medium dose groups but significantly increased in high dose group relative to control. The level of estradiol was significantly reduced in all the three groups relative to control. There was a decrease in luteinizing hormone level in medium dose and high dose groups but no effect on low dose group relative to control. Follicle stimulating hormone level was reduced in all the three groups relative to the control. The result showed the effect of the decoction to be dose-dependent and it has the potential to cause hormonal imbalance.
Character displacement in Burkholderia biofilm communities and the effect of adaptive history on the evolution of niche breadth

Ecologists agree that biodiversity is essential for maintaining highly productive and stable ecosystems, yet the mechanisms that generate and preserve diversity are unknown in many habitats. Competition for shared resources may cause selection to favor niche specialization, which reduces competition and reinforces diversity. If the environment is significantly altered, the ecological history of the remaining colonizer may influence fitness and capacity for diversification in new environments. In many cases, specialists have limited adaptive potential due to trade-offs generated by niche-specific adaptation; however, generalists may be adaptable in many habitats, which would make them good pioneer species for colonization. We investigated the role of character displacement and facilitation in maintaining diversity in a synergistic, biofilm-adapted population of Burkholderia cenocepacia, an opportunistic pathogen of cystic fibrosis patients that infects by producing diverse biofilms. Additionally, we examined effects of adaptive history on the ability of biofilm generalists and specialists to adapt to altered environmental conditions. Our model biofilm population consisted of phenotypically and genetically distinct ecotypes each fulfilling a separate ecological role. We found that diversification in the biofilm was associated with altered resource, as each ecotype occupied distinct spatial niches. We then evolved each ecotype in isolation in planktonic conditions to study whether adaptive history determined the potential to revert to a planktonic lifestyle. Following adaptation, each ecotype evolved into morphologically uniform populations phenotypically resembling the biofilm generalist type, yet fitness of these populations was constrained by prior niche specialization. Lastly, we modeled habitat colonization by evolving each ecotype in isolation in the biofilm environment and tested whether specialization limited the capacity for niche expansion in the absence of competitors. Each biofilm specialist evolved considerable functional diversity, yet the generalists expanded their niche without diversification, which suggested that their adaptive potential exceeded that of the specialists. In summary, diversification within biofilm communities generates competition that favors character displacement and facilitation. Furthermore, when environmental conditions are altered, generalists evolve more productive populations than specialists with less diversification and pleiotropic cost.
Data from new taxa infer Isoechiniscoides gen. nov. and increase the phylogenetic and evolutionary understanding of echiniscoidid tardigrades (Echiniscoidea: Tardigrada)

The marine heterotardigrades belonging to Echiniscoididae inhabit a wide range of substrates and represent the dominant tardigrade group in intertidal zones worldwide. Notably, the evolution of this family is interesting as it holds key evidence as to how heterotardigrades colonized terrestrial and freshwater environments. We inferred the phylogeny of Echiniscoididae using 28S and COI sequences from GenBank and from new specimens collected at Roscoff, France. Morphological characterizations of several major clades, inferred from the molecular data, are currently lacking. However, one of the clades is erected as a new taxon, Isoechiniscoides gen. nov., for the former Echiniscoides higginsi-group, which comprises species with isonych claws, pillars in the epicuticle and exceptionally long sensory appendages. The type species for the new genus is described here as Isoechiniscoides sifae nov. gen., sp. nov. Isoechiniscoides comprises six clawed interstitial species, whereas Echiniscoides taxa possess a higher claw number and primarily inhabit algae, barnacles and lichens in tidal zones. The new genus, Isoechiniscoides, together with morphologically undetermined specimens from British Columbia (Canada), is sister-group to all other Echiniscoididae taxa. Consequently, we propose to establish Isoechiniscoidinae subfam. nov. to accommodate the new genus. Isoechiniscoidinae provides an evolutionary link between Echiniscoidea and Arthrotardigrada. The latter comprises exclusively marine and mostly interstitial species.
ALLOZYME VARIATION AND MORPHOLOGICAL EVOLUTION AMONG MEXICAN SALAMANDERS OF THE GENUS CHIROPTEROTRITON (CAUDATA: PLETHODONTIDAE)

Allozyme data reveal a high degree of genetic differentiation among the populations of Chiropterotriton examined, suggesting long periods of separation. Two species groupings are defined. The Northern Assemblage contains at least seven species. The Southern Group is a clade composed of at least 13 species. If C. mosaueri and C. chondrostega chondrostega (both unstudied) are recognized as species, the probable number of species in the genus is increased from nine to 22. The existence of these two groupings correlates well with physiographic and floristic provinces in Mexico and with previous biochemical analyses of interspecific relationship. Discordance between rates of morphological and genetic evolution is reflected in the differing levels of morphological variation in the two groupings. The Northern Assemblage contains a wide range of forms resulting from high levels of morphological change, while the Southern Group is characterized by morpho- logical stasis and cryptic species.