Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Specific Passive Immunity Stimulated by Vaccination of Beef Cows Grazing Native Range with E. coli 0157:H7-SRP®

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a contaminant of beef products and has been associated with food-borne illnesses in humans. Recently an E. coli SRP® vaccine received conditional licensure in the United States for the control of E. coli 0157 in cattle. E. coli is also a common disease agent responsible for causing postnatal calf diarrhea. Colostrum management is recognized as an important factor for calf health and survival. Calves that fail to consume an adequate amount of colostrum within the first 12-24 hours after birth are at a higher risk for disease, death, and decreased performance. The objective of this study was to determine if E. coli O157:H7 SRP®-specific antibodies could be detected in the serum of calves that consumed colostrum from dams that were vaccinated prior to calving with E. coli O157:H7 SRP®-vaccine.
Mycorrhizal root colonisation and the subsequent host plant response of soil less grown tomato plants in the presence and absence of the mycorrhizal stimulant, Mycotech

A hydroponic trial was carried out to assess the effect of inoculating tomato plants with AM fungi, in the presence and absence of a mycorrrhizal stimulant (Mycotech). Four treatments were applied: (1) AM inoculant, (2) mycorrhizal stimulant, (3) AM + Stimulant and (4) Stimulant alone. Arbuscular mycorrhizal treated plants were 14% root colonized, whilst AM + Stimulant treated plants, were 25% colonized. No colonization was observed in non-AM and non-AM + Stimulant treated plants. However, AM + Stimulant treated plants did not show any significant improvement over AM treated plants, in either the plant nutrient concentrations, except Cu, or the growth of the plants, despite a root colonization advantage. In general, there was also no improvement in colonized plants over non-colonized plants, possibly due to the abundant supply of nutrients. However, Stimulant treated plants performed better than the other plants in terms of their P, K, Ca, Mg and Mn nutrition. The causes of this increase remain unknown. This study has shown that the combined use of mycorrhizal stimulant and AM have a definite advantage for improving root colonization levels, but more research with regard to nutrient supply in the system, is required to ensure further benefits to the plants.
Perturbation of enzymatic activity of the HeLa neoplastic cells by cytostatic active electromagnetic treatments

The study of interactions of low frequency and intensity electromagnetic fields (100 Hz and 5.5 mT of LFI- EMF) with some membrane bound and intracellular enzymatic biomolecules of HeLa cells has revealed an enhancement of membranary Na+-K+-ATP-ase, intracell LDH, SOD and ALP activities, as well as a repression of cellular ATP-ase, CAT, ACP activities in the case of cEMF treatment. Moreover, dcEMF has intensified the enzymatic activity of cellular ATP-ase, Px, CAT, has accentuated MDA levels and has also reduced the functioning degree of membranary Na+-K+- ATP-ase and of intracellular LDH, SOD and ALP. In the case of Px, GSH-Px and lipid peroxidation interference with both EMF variants, we assist to the induction of a stimulator effect upon their activities. The different sense and amplitude of reactivity of neoplastic cells enzymatic systems to the electromagnetic field irradiation were dependent on the EMF application mode (continuous or discontinuous). These variations of the enzymatic activities could be due to a direct or indirect interaction of exogenous cEMF or dcEMF with cellular (plasmalemma) or subcellular (organelles) structures and intracellular biomolecules (enzymes, DNA, RNA etc.), as well as a summation of the exogen and endogen electromagnetic fields effects. Thus, EMF induces a significant cytostatic effect either by alteration of the HeLa cells membranary or metabolic processes, or by intracellular increased generation of free radicals.
The biosynthesis of 2,7-dihydroxycadalene in infected cotton cotyledons: the folding pattern of the farnesol precursor and possible implications for gossypol biosynthesis

Incorporation of [1,2-13C2]acetate into the cotton phytoalexin 2,7-dihydroxycadalene by bacteria-inoculated cotton seedling has established a folding pattern for its carbon skeleton which differs from that deduced for the other cotton phytoalexin gossypol by earlier 14C studies.
THE UTILITY OF THE INTERNAL TRANSCRIBED SPACER REGION 2 (ITS2) IN CONFIRMING SPECIES BOUNDARIES IN THE GENUS GONATOCERUS: COMPARISON TO THE CYTOCHROME OXIDASE SUBUNIT I (COI) GENE AND TAXONOMIC DATA: MOLECULAR KEY BASED ON ITS2 SIZES Project Leaders:

We sequenced the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region 2 (ITS2) from several glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS) [Homalodisca vitripennis Germar (=H. coagulata Say)] egg parasitoid species (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) belonging to the genus Gonatocerus Nees to test the utility of this fragment to confirm species boundaries and to define phylogenetic relationships. A total of 35 specimens belonging to 10 named species, one unnamed species, and two specimens from another mymarid genus (Anagrus erythroneurae) (outgroup) were analyzed. A phylogenetic tree generated using the neighbor-joining algorithmic method showed that each named Gonatocerus species formed its own unique taxonomic unit or clade with very strong bootstrap support (100%), confirming species boundaries. The ITS2 fragment confirmed species boundaries as well as cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) sequence data. Furthermore, the phylogenetic relationships among species generated by the ITS2 fragment were in excellent agreement with those delineated by taxonomic data. The current results clearly confirm the utility of the ITS2 fragment in confirming species boundaries of egg parasitoids beloning to the genus Gonatocerus. The results showed that the ITS2 fragment appears to be phylogenetically more informative or valuable than that inferred by COI sequence data. Since several important Gonatocerus species were analyzed, a molecular key based on ITS2 sizes was developed. In the event two species (e. g., G. ashmeadi and G. metanotalis and G. walkerjonesi and G. annulicornis) were found with similarly sized ITS2 fragments, inter-simple sequence repeat-polymerase chain reaction (ISSR-PCR) DNA fingerprinting was performed to distinguish them. ISSR-PCR very clearly distinguished the aforementioned species, demonstrating that it is an excellent molecular diagnostic tool. The current results are important to the biological control program in California.
Impaired flight ability—a cost of reproduction in female blue tits

When prey are attacked by predators, escape ability has an obvious influence on the probability of survival. Laboratory studies have suggested that flight performance of female birds might be affected by egg production. This is the first study of changes in take-off ability, and thus potentially in predation risk, during reproduction in wild birds. We trapped individual male and female blue tits repeatedly during the breeding season. Females were 14% heavier and flew 20% slower (probably as a consequence of a lower ratio of flight muscle to body mass) during the egg-laying period than after the eggs had hatched. However, flight muscle size did not change to compensate for changes in body mass over this period. In contrast, males showed no changes in either body mass, muscle size, or flight ability over the same period. Furthermore, the impairment of flight in females increased with the proportion of the clutch that had been laid, an effect that was independent of body mass and muscle size. This indicates that egg production causes additional physiological changes in the female body that produce impaired locomotor performance. We suggest that courtship feeding of female blue tits by their mates might reduce predation risk during the period when female take-off ability is impaired by reducing the time females have to spend foraging and thus reducing the time they are exposed to increased predation. Copyright 2002.
Abundance and spatial distribution of Greater Rhea Rhea americana in two sites on the pampas grasslands with different land use

Summary In Argentina the original landscape structure of the pampas grasslands has changed rapidly due to intensified and specialized agricultural practices. The conversion of grasslands into croplands has been suggested as a threat to Greater Rhea Rhea americana populations. The main goals of this study were to estimate the abundance of Greater Rheas and to analyse the species’ spatial distribution at two sites of the pampas region with different land use: agro-ecosystem and grassland. The former was mainly devoted to crop production whereas the latter was mostly used for livestock grazing. Data were collected through 14 aerial surveys from 1998 to 2001, and in 2004. Each survey consisted of six strip-transects per site, spaced at regular intervals. The total area surveyed represented 4% of each study site (113 km 2 in the grassland and 95 km 2 in the agro-ecosystem). Greater Rhea density (iSE) was significantly higher in the grassland (from 0.22 i0.11 to 0.86 i 0.24 ind. km 22 ) than in the agro-ecosystem (from 0.05 i 0.05 to 0.12 i 0.08 ind. km 22 ). Greater Rheas occupied 51% of the study area in the grassland but less than 5% in the agro-ecosystem. They showed a wide and uniform spatial distribution in the former area, whereas in the latter individuals occurred in small and isolated clusters. These results raise concern about the future of the species because, over recent years, land has been increasingly used for crop production. Hence, if the current rate of change in land use continues, the conservation status of this species will be seriously affected.
Zinc isotope fractionation during high‐affinity and low‐affinity zinc transport by the marine diatom Thalassiosira oceanica

We have measured the isotopic fractionation of zinc (Zn) during uptake by the marine diatom Thalassiosira oceanica cultured at a range of free Zn2+ concentrations representative of the natural range from coastal and oligotrophic regions of the ocean. Harvested cells were rinsed with either plain seawater or a wash designed to remove adsorbed extracellular metals. Unwashed cells had much higher levels of Zn and were isotopically heavier than the media, indicating a positive isotope effect for extracellular Zn adsorption. Internalized Zn, measured in washed cells, was isotopically lighter than the media. The magnitude of Zn isotope fractionation changed with free Zn2+ concentration, corresponding to a switch on the part of T. oceanica between the predominance of high‐ and low‐affinity Zn transport pathways. The total isotope effect for uptake (δ66Zn) was ‐0.2% for high‐affinity uptake at low Zn concentrations and ‐0.8% at the highest Zn concentrations, where low‐affinity uptake is dominant. To our knowledge, this is the first study to describe a physiological basis for biological metal isotope fractionation during transport across the cell membrane. Similar high‐ and low‐affinity Zn transport pathways are common among marine phytoplankton, suggesting that the processes described here are an important factor in natural marine Zn isotope variations.
Comparative sensitivity of Caridina nilotica, Haplochromis nubilus, Bulinus africanus and Bulinus forskalii from Lake Victoria, Tanzania to mercury chloride

Abstract Lake Victoria has been under increasing threat of mercury pollution derived from artisanal gold mining, where mercury is amalgamated with gold. Despite the fact that mercury and its derivatives can adversely affect the aquatic biota in Lake Victoria, comparative studies to determine the susceptibility of native biota to mercury have seldom been done. This study was done to compare the susceptibility of shrimps (Caridina nilotica), fish Astatotilapia nubia (Boulenger, 1906) or Haplochromis nubilus, and two species of fresh water snails (Bulinus africanus and Bulinus forskalii) to mercury chloride (HgCl2) in water. The results indicated that C. nilotica is the most susceptible to mercury-induced toxicity among the tested organisms with 96 h LC50 of 8 μg/l. The second most susceptible species was B. forskalii which exhibited LC50 of 98 and 68 μg/l after 72 h and 96 h of exposure respectively. Hypochromis nubilus was the least sensitive species to mercury toxicity of the four tested organisms with 96.
Abnormalities in stratum corneum structure, lipid composition, and desmosome degradation in soap-induced winter xerosis

in the lower stratum comeurn but underwent degradation towards the upper surface of the stratum corneum. These observations contrasted with xerotic skin, which had disorganized lipid bilayers in the upper stratum corneum, although apparently normal lipid bilayers in the deeper tissue regions. Also, desmosomes remained undegraded in the upper layers of the xerotic stratum corneum, a finding corroborated by western blotting showing increased levels of desmoglein 1. Chromatographic analysis of stratum comeurn lipids showed decreased ceramide and increased fatty acid levels in subjects with xerosis compared with normal individuals, particularly in the outer stratum corneum layers. Although ceramides were lost from the stratum comeurn, the increased levels of fatty acids may be due in part to the deposition of soap fatty acids. Our results support previous studies demonstrating the importance of desmosomal degradation in desquamation. Furthermore, we have been able to show changes in the normal membrane structure of intracellular lipids in the desquamating layers of the stratum comeurn. These studies also provide new insights into soap-induced winter xerosis, revealing abnormalities in stratum comeurn lipid composition and organization together with reduced desmosomal degradation.
COMPARATIVE STUDY OF NATIVE AND RESISTANT STARCHES

Resistant starches (RS) can be used in the food industry aiming to enhance the dietary fibre content and reduce the glycaemic response of food. The aim of the present study was to investigate the physical and chemical properties of different resistant starches (origin, type of resistance) and their comparison with native starches in pure form and in stoichiometric mixtures. Measurements were carried out to determine enzymatic digestibility, water absorption, thermogravimetric parameters (DSC), and viscometric characteristics (RVA) of resistant and native starches and their mixtures. Enzymatic digestibility and water absorption were reduced linearly by adding resistant starches into the mixtures. RVA parameters have shown non-proportional character in the stoichiometric mixtures. The results of DSC measurements proved that the gelatinisation of resistant starches is quite different and only chemically modified resistant starch was heat-sensitive. Results indicated that circumspect evaluation is needed in the selection of resistant starch products for the development and innovation of food products with reduced glycaemic response.
Glyphosate-Resistant Italian Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) in California: Distribution, Response to Glyphosate, and Molecular Evidence for an Altered Target Enzyme

Abstract Selection by herbicides has resulted in widespread evolution of herbicide resistance in agricultural weeds. In California, resistance to glyphosate was first confirmed in rigid ryegrass in 1998. Objectives of this study were to determine the current distribution and level of glyphosate resistance in Italian ryegrass, and to assess whether resistance could be due to an altered target site. Seeds were sampled from 118 populations and seedlings were treated with glyphosate at 866 g ae ha−1. Percentage of survivors ranged from 5 to 95% in 54 populations. All plants from 64 populations died. One susceptible (S) population, four putatively resistant (R) populations, and one S accession from Oregon were used for pot dose–response experiments, shikimic acid analyses, and DNA sequencing. Seedlings were treated with glyphosate at eight rates, ranging from 108 to 13,856 g ae ha−1. Shoot biomass was evaluated 3 wk after treatment and fit to a log-logistic regression equation. On the basis of GR50 (herbicide rate required to reduce growth by 50%) values, seedlings from putatively R populations were roughly two to 15 times more resistant to glyphosate than S plants. Shikimic acid accumulation was similar in all plants before glyphosate treatment, but at 4 and 7 DAT, S plants from California and Oregon accumulated approximately two and three times more shikimic acid, respectively, than R plants. Sequencing of a cDNA fragment of the EPSPS coding region revealed two different codons, both of which encode proline at amino acid position 106 in S individuals. In contrast, all R plants sequenced exhibited missense mutations at site 106. Plants from one population revealed a mutation resulting in a proline to serine substitution. Plants from three R populations exhibited a mutation corresponding to replacement of proline with alanine. Our results indicate that glyphosate resistance is widespread in Italian ryegrass populations of California, and that resistance is likely due to an altered target enzyme. Nomenclature: Glyphosate; Italian ryegrass, Lolium multiflorum Lam. LOLMU; rigid ryegrass, Lolium rigidum Gaud. LOLRI.
Identification of Residues at the α and ε Subunit Interfaces Mediating Species Selectivity of Waglerin-1 for Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors*

Waglerin-1 (Wtx-1) is a 22-amino acid peptide that is a competitive antagonist of the muscle nicotinic receptor (nAChR). We find that Wtx-1 binds 2100-fold more tightly to the α-ε than to the α-δ binding site interface of the mouse nAChR. Moreover, Wtx-1 binds 100-fold more tightly to the α-ε interface from mouse nAChR than that from rat or human sources. Site-directed mutagenesis of residues differing in the extracellular domains of rat and mouse ε subunits indicates that residues 59 and 115 mediate the species difference in Wtx-1 affinity. Mutation of residues 59 (Asp in mouse, Glu in rat ε) and 115 (Tyr in mouse, Ser in rat ε) converts Wtx-1 affinity for the α-ε interface of one species to that of the other species. Studies of different mutations at position 59 indicate both steric and electrostatic contributions to Wtx-1 affinity, whereas at position 115, both aromatic and polar groups contribute to affinity. The human nAChR also has lower affinity for Wtx-1 than mouse nAChR, but unlike rat nAChR, residues in both α and ε subunits mediate the affinity difference. In human nAChR, polar residues (Ser-187 and Thr-189) confer low affinity, whereas in mouse nAChR aromatic residues (Trp-187 and Phe-189) confer high affinity. The overall results show that non-conserved residues at the nAChR binding site, although not crucial for activation by ACh, govern the potency of neuromuscular toxins.
The Spread of the Excitatory Process in the Vertebrate Heart. Parts I-V

If non-polarisable electrodes are placed upon the body of the toad, the one contact lying on the muscle near the root of the neck in front and on the right side, while the other contact rests on the muscle in the centre of the abdominal wall, and these contacts are united to the string galvanometer in such a way that relative negativity of the cephalic contact yields in our photograph an upward excursion ; then the form of the curve which is written at each cycle of the heart may be exemplified by the upper curve of fig. 1 (next page). This curve is representative, and is a record of events which are almost uniform when the heart is beating normally and its rate is about 25 beats to the minute. It consists of an upward, rounded, and sometimes subdivided deflection, P ; this deflection is followed by a period of rest, during which the string lies on the zero line or near it. Ventricular activity is first signalled by the summit R , and this elevation invariably begins in a gradual fashion, its steepness increasing as it proceeds. The string, after a variable interval of from 0∙0400 to 0∙0900 second, falls back towards the base line. It may or may not attain that line, but it usually does, and, travelling somewhat beyond, produces a diminutive deflection S ; this ends the first part of the ventricular complex. Then follows a second period of rest, which is finally disturbed by a slow and upward movement of the string in the inscription of the deflection T . In many cases a notch, B , is found in the interval between S and T . (The little deflection B has usually a downward direction, and is the result of activity in the truncus arteriosus .)
EFFECT OF COMMON COCKLEBUR DENSITY ON BIOLOGICAL YIELD OF MAIZE AT VARYING POPULATIONS

Experiments were conducted in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Peshawar, Pakistan during 2006 and 2007 to evaluate the impact of common cocklebur densities on leaf area, leaf area index, plant height and biological yield of maize using an open pollinated variety “Azam”. Seven cocklebur densities (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 plants m -2 ) in maize planted at four densities (5, 7.5, 10, and 12.5 plants m -2 ) were evaluated in a split plot experiment. Statistical analysis for both years indicated significant main effects and interactions for leaf area, LAI, plant height and biological yield of maize. The leaf area of maize was decreased with increase in maize density because of the intra-specific competition within the maize plants. Maize leaf area plant -1 at all the maize densities was decreased by the density of cocklebur; however, the magnitude of reduction in leaf area was dependent on maize density; the lower the maize density the higher was the magnitude of reduction in maize leaf area. Similarly, the maize LAI at alternating maize densities was linearly affected by steadily increasing the cocklebur density. Increasing cocklebur density and/or maize density increased maize plant height but at very high densities of either species the average maize plant height was decreased as a result of increased intra as well as interspecific competition period. The statistical analysis also showed that maize biomass declined linearly as weed density increased from 0 to 12 plants m -2 , with an increasing rate of decline for high maize densities and low maize densities. Results decide that the effect of common cocklebur interference on maize biomass and other parameters was associated with a change in distribution of resources, resulting in increased crop height at the expense of a reduction in LAI by the crop as weed density increased.
Characterisation of B cell Subsets and Receptors in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Limited immunological changes have been previously reported in B cell phenotype in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) patients, so there is no clear established role of B cells in the pathophysiology of CFS patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate B cells subsets including naive, memory naive, memory switched, memory non-switched, double negative, transitional, plasmablasts, HLA-DR + , plasma and regulatory B cells (Breg) in CFS patients compared with non-fatigued controls. B cell activation markers (CD81, CD21) and surface receptors (CD79a/b, IgM, IgD, IgA, IgE) were also examined in CFS patients compared with non-fatigued controls. 46 CFS patients (age=50.00 ± 2.00 years) and 34 non-fatigued controls (age=49.00 ± 2.16 years) participated in the study. The percentage of BCR IgM + B cells was significantly increased in the CFS group compared with non-fatigued controls (p=0.037). Similarly, there was a significant decrease in the CD1d + B cells in the CFS group compared with nonfatigued controls (p=0.046). No additional differences in B cell phenotypes, activation markers and surface receptors were found in the CFS patients compared with the non-fatigued control group. The differences observed in the B cell phenotype of CFS patients compared with non-fatigued controls may explain some of the disturbances in the immune homeostasis, however whether this is causal or the consequence of immunological imbalances previously reported in CFS patients requires further investigation.