Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Purification, Characterization and Inhibition by Fluoride of Enolase from Streptococcus mutans DSM320523

Enolase from Streptococcus mutans has been purified to homogeneity by a three-step procedure. As shown by analytical ultracentrifugation and poly-acrylamide gel electrophoresis under denaturing conditions, the purified enzyme is an octamer with molecular weight Mr = 360 kDa, composed of eight identical subunits with Mr = 45 kDa. The kinetic parameters of S. mutans enolase in the presence of 1 mM Mg2+ are Aspec = 130IU × mg-1 and KM = 0.44 mM as determined by steady-state experiments in the D-glycerate 2-phosphate to enolpyruvate phosphate reaction. Enzymatic activity is inhibited noncompetitively by fluoride in the range between 0 and 10 mM NaF yielding Ki = Ki = 1.39 mM, but inhibition characteristics become competitive when tested above 10 mM. In the presence of only small amounts of phosphate (0.5 mM) the inhibitory effect of fluoride is enhanced dramatically yielding Ki = 0.26 mM. Inhibition by NaPO3F is competitive with Ki = 0.9 mM, indicating that free fluoride ions in combination with phosphate are more effective in inhibiting S. mutans enolase. It can be concluded that inhibition of enolase by fluoride in combination with phosphate can influence glycolysis in S. mutans and so reduce acid production or even growth rate, thereby leading to potential anticariogenic effects.
MALLARD HARVEST DISTRIBUTIONS IN THE ATLANTIC AND MISSISSIPPI FLYWAYS DURING PERIODS OF RESTRICTIVE AND LIBERAL HUNTING REGULATIONS

Abstract Associations between spatial distribution of harvest and harvest regulations are an important consideration in the management of midcontinent and eastern populations of mallards (Anas platyrynchos), especially if regional harvest allocation is an explicit harvest management objective. I used categorical data analysis and bootstrap techniques to compare the distribution of harvest between a 10-year period of restrictive hunting regulations (1985–1994) and a subsequent 5-year period of liberal regulations (1995–1999). I focused my analyses on breeding populations of importance to the Mississippi (MF) and Atlantic Flyways (AF). I found that liberal hunting regulations were associated with increases in proportion of harvest of midcontinent mallard populations in both northern and southern regions of the MF relative to harvest proportions in Canada and the northern Central Flyway (CF). Relative proportion of the harvest of eastern Canada populations increased with liberal regulations in the northern AF. I detected no change in harvest distribution of birds breeding in the Great Lakes region. Redistribution of harvest between study periods coincides with a general decrease in hunting effort and harvest in Canadian provinces. Despite a decrease in the proportion of hunting effort in the northern versus southern region of the AF during 1995–1999, the relative proportion of harvest increased in the northern region. These results and methodology could be used to help inform components of the Adaptive Harvest Management (AHM) process that require knowledge and prediction of regional harvest distribution.
Preserving the Information Content of Species: Genetic Diversity, Phylogeny, and Conservation Worth

▪ Abstract A variety of phylogenetic measures have been proposed to quantify distinctiveness, often held to mark species of high conservation worth. However, distinctiveness of species and their numbers have different implications for conservation policy, depending on whether moral, esthetic, or utilitarian reasons are accepted as justifying conservation. The utilitarian position values species according to increasing numbers, and as they are more, as opposed to less, distinctive. The view is taken that conservation should seek to maximize the preserved information of the planet's biota, best expressed in terms of genetic information held in genes and not in portions of the genome of uncertain or no function. Gene number is thus an important component of assessing conservation value. Phylogenetic measures are better indicators of conservation worth than species richness, and measures using branch-lengths are better than procedures relying solely on topology. Distance measures estimating the differences be.
Enhancement of Seed Germination in Trema orientalis (L.) Blume—Potential Plant Species in Revegetation of Mine Wastelands

Natural forest succession takes a long time to accumulate sufficient nutrients to support plant growth and enhance soil microbial activity. Human intervention in selecting native pioneer plant species is therefore required to accelerate sustainable restoration. Trema orientalis (L.) Blume, a fast growing pioneer plant species, has the ability to grow in nutrient deficient soils and proves to have reclamation potential in mine wastelands. However, its use has been limited due to low germination percentages and nonsynchronous seed germination. In the present study we tested the effect of sulphuric acid (H2SO4), hydrochloric acid (HCl), gibberellic acid (GA3), and potassium nitrate (KNO3) in varying concentrations and time durations on germination percentages and seed germination synchrony. We found that all treatments had a significant effect in predicting seed germination probabilities. Logistic regression analysis revealed that treatment solution and concentration had a significant effect on seed germination. Treatment with concentrated H2SO4 for 15 min increased germination up to 92% within 20 days with the least imbibition time (8 days) and highest Seedling Vigor Index (491). The scanning electron microscope images of seeds treated with H2SO4 showed complete dissolution of the honeycomb-like network of deposits on the seed coat surface removing the physical barrier and enhancing germination.
Oogenesis and spermatogenesis in Nephelopsis obscura and Erpobdella punctata (Hirudinoidea: Erpobdellidae) with comments on their life cycles

Oogenesis and spermatogenesis in Nephelopsis obscura and Erpobdella punctata from Stephenson's Pond, Alberta, were examined during the reproductive season (May to October). In N. obscura, two cycles of oogenesis and spermatogenesis were recorded, the first in June and the second in October; however, it could not be unequivocally demonstrated that N. obscura is iteroparous, although the potential for this exists. In E. punctata, protandry occurred with one complete annual cycle of oogenesis and spermatogenesis. No evidence for iteroparity was found. The development of a clitellum was found to be an unreliable indicator of sexual maturity in both species.
Crossability of naturalized and cultivated Lythrum taxa

Lythrum cultivars Morden Pink, Morden Gleam, and Dropmore Purple, and a wild population of Lythrum salicaria from Lockport, Manitoba were artificially self- and cross-pollinated. Success of pollination and fertilization was measured in terms of the percentage of resulting capsules and the average numbers of viable seeds per capsule. Germination tests were used to measure the viability of seeds produced as a result of successful crosses. Cultivars rarely produced seeds as a result of selfing but many crosses with wild plants or with other cultivars were fertile. As expected, legitimate (i.e., different style morphs) wild crosses were highly fertile, but other crosses gave high fertility, especially those in which 'Morden Gleam' was the provider of pollen or ovules. Although some sterility was indicated in 'Dropmore Purple' and perhaps 'Morden Pink', neither are sufficiently sterile to be considered safe for ornamental flower gardens. Most illegitimate crosses yielded greatly reduced seed outputs in compari.
Comparative Light and Electron Microscopy of Paraffin-Embedded Tissue: An Assessment of Three Methods

AbstractThis study was understaken to compare two known methods with a third method that our lab has developed. Tissue from a vasovasostomy was fixed in 10% neutral buffered fonnalin (NBF) and embedded in paraffin. In Method 1, the coverslip was removed from a 5 μm stained histologic section and it was processed for transverse electron microscopy (TEM). In Method 2, a 2-3 mm thick slice of tissue from the paraffin block was deparaffinized, rehydrated, and processed for TEM. Method 3 is similar to Method 2 except that a 10 pm section was taken from the paraffin block and placed between two 8 pm pore size filters. The resultant “sandwich” was held with clips on a glass slide where deparaffinization, rehydration, and TEM processing was carried out. Embedding was done with the inverted beam capsule technique. All preparations were sectioned, stained, and reviewed under the Zeiss 109 electron microscope. Striking differences were noted between Method 1 and Methods 2 and 3. Method 1 yielded poor ultrastructure .
Genetic and morphological variation of Rhizophora mangle (red mangrove) along the northern Pacific coast of Nicaragua

Red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) dominates in tidally active areas of neotropical mangrove forests. Despite the ecological and economic importance of this species, we still know little about the genetic structure and diversity of its natural populations. In particular, Nicaraguan populations have not yet been investigated although they could be important for a better understanding of the evolutionary history of R. mangle in Mesoamerica. The aim of this study was to estimate the genetic and morphological variability of 4 populations sampled along the northwestern coast of Nicaragua. Microsatellite analysis showed higher levels of allelic diversity (30 alleles and a mean number of allele per locus per population = 6.42) than reported for the same species in other sites of tropical America. This variability could be attributed to the existence of a glacial refugium in the studied area and/or to repeated introgression among closely related species. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that there was little but significant variation among the sampled sites suggesting that the studied populations cannot be considered as a single panmictic group, although they are closely related. This result was confirmed by the Bayesian analysis and UPGMA dendrogram showing three genetically distinct clusters. Bayesian analysis of migration rates showed that propagule dispersion associated with marine currents is an important factor shaping the observed genetic structure. The scatterplot from discriminant analysis indicated significant phenotypic differences between two groups, mainly related to specific leaf area variation. The morphological similarity between PR and PO was consistent with the results of molecular analysis, supporting the common origin of these two populations. Nevertheless, we did not find a significant statistical correlation between microsatellite and morphological data. In conclusion, the results reported here contribute to a better understanding of R. mangle genetic structure and would provide baseline information to guide land managers in implementing conservation initiatives in Nicaragua.
cDNA of an arylphorin‐type storage protein from Pieris rapae with parasitism inducible expression by the endoparasitoid wasp Pteromalus puparum

Abstract This report presents the cDNA cloning of a storage protein, PraAry, from Pieris rapae and investigates its expression regulated by parasitism of an endoparasitoid wasp Pteromalus puparum. The full‐length cDNA of PraAry is 2 270 nucleotides and contains a 2 121 nucleotide open reading frame encoding 707 amino acids with calculated molecular weights of approximately 83 kDa. Analysis of the primary protein sequence revealed that it possesses a signal peptide of 16 amino acids at the N‐terminus and contains two highly conserved storage protein signature motifs. According to both phylogenetic analysis and the criteria for amino acid composition, PraAry belongs to the subfamily of arylphorin‐type storage protein (1.42% methionine and 18.82% aromatic amino acids). Reverse transcription – polymerase chain reaction analysis indicated that the transcriptional level of PraAry mRNA in P. rapae pupae fat body is inducible in response to parasitism by P. puparum.
THE ECOLOGICAL REQUIREMENTS OF WATER-DEPENDENT HABITATS AND SPECIES DESIGNATED UNDER THE HABITATS DIRECTIVE

Abstract:Article 6 of the Water Framework Directive requires member states to compile a Register of Protected Areas for water-dependent habitats and species lying within each river basin district. A further requirement is the definition of the ecological requirements of these habitats and species to meet conservation objectives and provide linkage to the parameters being used in the classification of water status. Under the NS SHARE (North South Shared Aquatic Resources) project, data for a range of morphological and physico-chemical parameters were collated from existing literature and from consultation with experts for 23 selected habitats and species. Individual data sheets were prepared under a range of headings, and the conservation requirements of each were summarised. The sheets indicate not only the sources of data available but also the major gaps and shortcomings that could be addressed through further research.
Molecular mechanisms of TGF‐β antagonism by interferon γ and cyclosporine A in lung fibroblasts

Lung fibrosis is a fatal condition of excess extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition associated with increased transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β) activity. Although much is known about its pathological features, our understanding of the signal transduction pathways resulting in increased ECM and collagen deposition in response to TGF‐β is still incompletely defined. We have previously reported that a JunD homodimer of the transcription factor AP‐1 is specifically activated by TGF‐β in lung fibroblasts. Here we demonstrate that JunD is also specifically required for TGF‐β‐induced effects. Antisense against JunD, but not c‐fos or c‐jun, significantly inhibited collagen deposition in response to TGF‐β in primary human lung fibroblasts. We then investigated the ability of pharmacological agents to inhibit TGF‐β‐induced signaling and collagen deposition. Cs‐A and IFN‐γ, but not glucocorticoids, cyclophosphamide, or azathioprine, inhibited TGF‐β‐induced signaling, as assessed by luciferase reporter gene assays, and collagen deposition. TGF‐β antagonism by Cs‐A was associated with direct inhibition of JunD activation, as demonstrated by electrophoretic mobility shift analyses. In contrast, the effects of IFN‐γ required signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)‐1. We thus identify the JunD isoform of AP‐1 as an essential mediator of TGF‐β‐induced effects in lung fibroblasts. TGF‐β‐induced signaling and collagen deposition are efficiently antagonized by Cs‐A and IFN‐γ treatment, both of which exhibit distinct molecular mechanisms of action. These observations therefore offer novel targets for future therapy of fibrotic lung disease. —Eickelberg, O. , Pan‐sky, A. , Koehler, E. , Bihl, M. , Tamm, M. , Hildebrand, P., Perruchoud, A. P., Kashgarian, M. , Roth, M. Molecular mechanisms of TGF‐β antagonism by interferon γ and cyclosporine A in lung fibroblasts. FASEB J. 15, 797‐806 (2001)
Starch acetate-maleate mixed ester synthesis and characterization

ABSTRACT A new starch acetate-maleate mixed ester with different degrees of substitution (DS) for each ester group was prepared. High-amylose (70%) corn starch was first reacted at 123°C with ≈4.5 equivalents of acetic anhydride for different times, and then the intermediate products were further reacted at 80°C with 0.27–1.1 equivalents of maleic anhydride for a fixed time. 1H NMR and alkaline saponification were used to determine DS values of acetyl and maleate groups. Increasing the reaction time from 60 to 120 min for starch and acetic anhydride increased DS of the acetyl group, while DS of the maleate group increased with increasing amounts of maleic anhydride. There was a good agreement between the two methods for DS determination. The reaction efficiency of acetylation increased from ≈30 to 50% with reaction time, and maleation decreased from ≈30 to 20% with increasing amounts of maleic anhydride. The mixed esters were characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, FTIR, DSC, and TGA. Characteristic peaks in 1H.
Cell type-specific expression and coregulation of murine resistin and resistin-like molecule-α in adipose tissue

Adipocytes are the exclusive or predominant source of several secreted proteins that exert profound effects on systemic carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Resistin, a 10-kDa adipose tissue specific secretory protein, has recently been implicated in exerting a negative effect on systemic insulin sensitivity. It is, however, not known how resistin mediates this insulin-desensitizing effect or what regulatory mechanisms control resistin expression. Resistin-like molecule-α (RELMα), a homolog of resistin originally identified by its upregulation in asthmatic lung, is another secreted protein expressed in adipose tissue. The regulation of RELMα in adipose tissue and its relationship to resistin expression has not been addressed so far. Here, we demonstrate that the expression of resistin and RELMα are similarly regulated in adipose tissue despite the fact that RELMα is exclusively expressed in the stromal vascular fraction of adipose tissue and not in adipocytes. Interestingly, this coregulation is limited to .
ETIOLOGY, EPIDEMIOLOGY, CLINICAL FEATURES AND LABORATORY DIAGNOSTICS OF WEST NILE FEVER - A REVIEW

Summary Chakarova, S. R. , K. M. Dimitrov & I. I. Chenchev, 2011. Etiology, epidemiology, clinical features and laboratory diagnostics of West Nile fever – a review. Bulg. J. Vet. Med. , 14, No 2, 71–79. West Nile fever is a non-contagious viral disease affecting birds, horses and humans. The disease is transmitted by blood-feeding insects (mosquitoes), mainly of Culex genus, but representatives of genera Aedes , Anopheles , Coquillettidia , Culiseta , Deinocerites , Mansonia , Orthopodomyia , Psorophora and Uranotaenia may also have an important role in the spreading of the disease. Wild birds and particularly members of Corvidae, Passeridae and Charadriidae families are reservoir hosts of the infection. Mammals, including humans and equidae, are considered as “dead-end” or incidental hosts. The disease is characterized with fever, encephalitis, encephalomyelitis, paresis, paralysis, general weakness, prolonged recumbency, depression. West Nile fever is endemic in many regions in Africa, the Mediterranean basin and the Middle East from where the infection could be introduced into new areas by migratory birds. Due to the expanding geographical distribution of the disease, accurate and fast diagnosis becomes essential, especially in areas settled with highly susceptible human and animal populations where the virus is introduced for the first time.
Mating Frequencies and Production of Hybrids by Rhagoletis pomonella and Rhagoletis zephyria (Diptera: Tephritidae) in the Laboratory

Abstract Evidence indicates low levels of hybridization in nature between the apple maggot (AM), Rhagoletis pomonella (Walsh), and snowberry maggot (SB), Rhagoletis zephyria Snow, sibling species in the R. pomonella complex. We determined the effects of AM and SB pairings on mating frequencies and production of hybrid offspring in the laboratory. Mating frequency was lowest in SB female × AM male pairings, higher in AM female × SB male and AM female × AM male pairings, and highest in SB female × SB male pairings. A greater percentage of AM female × AM male pairs produced offspring (puparia) than did AM female × SB male and SB female × AM male pairs, and a greater percentage of AM female × SB male pairs produced puparia than did SB female × AM male pairs. Male or female F1 hybrids backcrossed with AM males and with other F1 hybrids were fertile. Results suggest most R. pomonella × R. zephyria hybrids found in nature are the result of R. zephyria males mating with R. pomonella females, with few from reciprocal matings. If true, this asymmetry could lower the incidence of hybridization in nature.
Isolation and characterization of efficient poly - -hydroxybutyrate (PHB) synthesizing bacteria from agricultural and industrial land

A B S T R A C T Halophiles are extremophile organisms that thrive in environments with very high concentrations of salt. In the present study, halotolerant and halophilic bacterial strains were isolated from industrial and agricultural land. These strains were grown in media with 2 molar NaCl concentrations. The growth of these strains was observed on three different growth media (nutrient agar, trypticase agar and luria agar), best growth was observed on luria agar media. Growth on selective media (DSC­97) was also observed. After optimization of different culture conditions, isolated strain was characterized biochemically.Bacterial isolates were also characterized on the basis of Gram s staining, sudan black and Simple staining etc using microscope. The most producer isolate was identified to the molecular level using 16S rRNA as Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas sp.
MOLECULAR BEACON PROBE BASED PROMOTER MOTIFS VALIDATION IN ANOXIA RESPONSIVE DIFFERENTIALLY EXPRESSED GENES AND THEIR IN SILICO INTERACTION STUDIES WITH AP2/EREBP TF IN RICE (ORYZA SATIVA L.)

Objective: Progressive evolution in molecular biology revealed the differential expression of genes and their regulatory mechanism in rice under anoxia. In addition to that the consensus promoter motifs (GCC and TCC box) were identified in differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from microarray analysis through in silico study. These promoter motifs need to be validated and their interaction study with the transcription factors (TFs) are essential. Methods: To unravel the regulatory mechanism in rice during anoxia, we identified and validated the promoter motifs through Molecular Beacon Probes (MBP) based Real Time PCR. In silico protein-DNA interaction was studied between highly up-regulated APETALA2/Ethylene-responsive element binding proteins (AP2/ERBP) TF under anoxia and validated promoter motifs through the HADDOCK and SiteMap module. Results: It was identified that consensus promoter motif GCC and TCC box were present in highly up-regulated methyl-transferase domain containing protein gene ( MT ) and down-regulated RhoGAP domain containing protein gene ( RG ), respectively. Conclusion: These promoter motifs were validated through MBP and further their interaction with AP2/ERBP shows the significant binding affinity towards GCC and TCC box present on MT and RG , respectively.
The effect of selection in a haploid genetic population

In this paper, we consider the effect of selection in a finite population of haploid individuals in which mutation is occurring in both directions. Unlike Wright's models (2) where the members of each generation all die at the same time to be replaced by a new generation, we suppose that at each change in the state of the system only one individual dies and is replaced by a new individual. In a previous paper (1) we have represented the process by a Markov chain, but it is here more convenient to begin by considering a Markov process with a continuous time parameter. This enables us to introduce selection in a plausible manner.