Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evolution of the Amphibian Head and Neck: Fate and Patterning of Cranial Mesoderm in the Axolotl (Ambystoma Mexicanum)

The vertebrate head is a complex structure derived from all three embryonic germ layers. Cranial mesoderm forms most of the neurocranium, cardiovascular tissues and voluntary muscles required for intake of food and oxygenated fluid. Despite its essential role in shaping cranial and neck anatomy, long-term fate maps of cranial mesoderm are known only from the mouse and chicken, as effective labeling techniques for use in other species have been developed only recently. Data from additional species are needed to determine the embryonic origin of features absent in amniotes but present in other vertebrates and to evaluate the extent of conservation in the development of homologous structures. This dissertation examines the role of cranial mesoderm as well as its interactions with neural crest in shaping the tetrapod craniofacial and neck region, focusing on the skull and head muscles in the axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum. I demonstrate a dual embryonic origin of the pharyngeal skeleton, including derivation of basibranchial 2 from mesoderm closely associated with the second heart field. Additionally, heterotopic transplantation experiments reveal lineage restriction of mesodermal cells that contribute to pharyngeal cartilage. The entire parietal bone is derived from mesoderm. Several structures arise from both mesoderm and cranial neural crest, including the squamosal, parasphenoid and stapes. The mesodermal contribution to the dorsal portion of the squamosal bone supports the homology of the corresponding dorsal ossification center, which fuses to the ventral center early in development, to the supratemporal, a bone lost repeatedly in tetrapods. I locate the posterior limit of myogenic
XIST and CoT-1 Repeat RNAs are Integral Components of a Complex Nuclear Scaffold Required to Maintain SAF-A and Modify Chromosome Architecture: A Dissertation

XIST RNA established the precedent for a noncoding RNA that stably associates with and regulates chromatin, however it remains poorly understood how such RNAs structurally associate with the interphase chromosome territory. I demonstrate that transgenic XIST RNA localizes in cis to an autosome as it does to the inactive X chromosome, hence the RNA recognizes a structure common to all chromosomes. I reassess the prevalent thinking in the field that a single protein, Scaffold Attachment Factor-A (SAF-A/hnRNP U), provides a single molecule bridge required to directly tether the RNA to DNA. In an extensive series of experiments in multiple cell types, I examine the effects of SAF-A depletion or different SAF-A mutations on XIST RNA localization, and I force XIST RNA retention at mitosis to examine the effect on SAF-A. I find that SAF-A is not required to localize XIST RNA but is one of multiple proteins involved, some of which frequently become lost or compromised in cancer. I additionally examine SAF-A’s potential role localizing repeat-rich CoT-1 RNA, a class of abundant RNAs that we show tightly and stably localize to euchromatic interphase chromosome territories, but release upon disruption of the nuclear scaffold. Overall, findings suggest that instead of “tethering” chromosomal RNAs to the scaffold, SAF-A is one component of a multi-component matrix/scaffold supporting interphase nuclear architecture. Results indicate that Cot-1 and XIST RNAs form integral components of this scaffold and are required to maintain the chromosomal association of SAF-A, substantially advancing understanding of how chromatin-associated RNAs contribute to nuclear structure.
The complete mitochondrial genome of nematophagous fungus Esteya vermicola

Abstract The complete mitochondrial genome of the Nematophagous fungus Esteya vermicola CBS 115803 was determined using the PacBio RS II sequencing technology. The circular molecule is 47,282bp in length with a GC content of 24.85%. Annotated genes including 14 conserved protein-coding genes, the large and the small rRNA subunit (rnl and rns) and 27 tRNAs. The phylogenetic analysis showed that E. vermicola had close genetic relationship with the genus Sporothrix.
Extraction and optimisation of red pigment production as secondary metabolites from Talaromyces verruculosus and its potential use in textile industries

ABSTRACT Textile dyes and effluents are considered as one of the worst polluters of our priceless water sources and soils. New sources of natural pigments are getting particular research interests due to the toxicity produced by synthetic colouring agents. Plant sources are being explored extensively for natural pigments but inadequate yield of those sources hampered the progression. Apart from the enormous antibacterial applications, fungi may provide a readily available alternative source of natural pigments. Here, we isolated a fungal strain from spoiled mango which is capable of producing pigments suitable for textile dyeing. The spoiled mangoes were selected as a source of different fungi. Among them one particular fungal isolate was selected for its visible production of secondary metabolites. Molecular identification using internal transcribed spacer sequencing revealed the fungi as Talaromyces verruculosus strain. The growth and pigment production of the fungi was optimised to obtain highest yield. Extracted pigment was applied to cotton fabric following a standard dyeing procedure for natural pigment. Adequate colour yield and negative cytotoxicity result suggested that the fungi source of pigment could be a potential replacement for hazardous synthetic dyes.
Biocatalytic Janus membranes for CO 2 removal utilizing carbonic anhydrase

A novel hydrophilic–superhydrophobic biocatalytic membrane was developed for CO2 capture with a gas–liquid membrane contactor. This “Janus” membrane contains a layer of hydrophilic carbon nanotubes (CNTs) coated on a fluorosilane treated superhydrophobic membrane support. Carbonic anhydrase (CA) was then immobilized on the hydrophilic CNT side, which was located at the CO2–solvent interface within a gas–liquid membrane contactor, whilst the superhydrophobic porous side of the membrane was oriented towards the gas phase. This “Janus” configuration ensured that the immobilized CA remained hydrated, and minimized the CO2 diffusion length in the solvent. The CNT coating layer showed good integrity and adhesion to the membrane, and the effect of superhydrophobic treatment on the porous structure of the membrane was negligible. The p-NPA assay results revealed that up to 30% CA activity was retained after immobilization. Further, the CO2 hydration test confirmed that the immobilized CA possessed significantly improved catalytic efficiency when compared with the equal amount of free CA. Effective regeneration of the enzyme coating was demonstrated over five cycles. The novel “Janus” membrane developed in this study exhibits great potential to be used as an immobilization support for a wide variety of enzymes not only CA for CO2 capture but also other types of enzymes in different applications.
Scientific Opinion on Tropane alkaloids in food and feed

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) was asked by the European Commission to deliver a scientific opinion on ergot alkaloids (EAs) in food and feed. EAs are produced by several members within the fungal orders of Hypocreales and Eurotiales. In Europe, Claviceps purpurea is the most widespread Claviceps species within the Hypocreales. A total of 20 558 analytical results for EAs in 1 716 food, 496 feed and 67 unprocessed grain samples were considered in this opinion. Based on the EAs identified in sclerotia of C. purpurea, and recent literature data, the EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM Panel) based its risk assessment on the main C. purpurea EAs, namely ergometrine, ergotamine, ergosine, ergocristine, ergocryptine (which is a mixture of a- and s- isomers), ergocornine, and the corresponding –inine epimers. The CONTAM Panel performed estimates of both chronic and acute exposure for various age groups across European countries. A BMDL10 of 0.33 mg/kg b.w. per day was calculated for the incidence of tail muscular atrophy in a 13-week rat feeding study of ergotamine. This effect was considered representative of the vasoconstrictive effects of EAs and provided a suitable reference point for establishment of a group acute reference dose of 1 µg/kg body weight (b.w.) and a group tolerable daily intake of 0.6 µg/kg b.w. per day. The Panel concluded that whilst the available data do not indicate a concern for any population subgroup, the dietary exposure estimates relate to a limited number of food groups and a possible unknown contribution from other foods cannot be discounted. Estimates of exposure for livestock based on example diets and levels of EAs in cereal grains reported suggest that under normal conditions the risk of toxicosis is low.
Relationship between daily rumination time, physical activity, estrus and metabolic changes in dairy cows

The present study attempted to ascertain whether there is any connection between reduced daily rumination time and increased physical activity of the animals, on the one hand, and the presence of estrus or metabolic disorders in dairy cows, on the other hand. It has been observed that of the total of 168 cows, 55 (32.73%) showed decreased daily rumination time, 57 cows (33.92%) had specific manifestations for estrous period, while 25 cows (14.88%) showed both decreased daily rumination time and the presence of estrus. Statistical assessment of the data demonstrated a highly significant correlation between these two factors, with a p-value <0.05 (p = 0.0369). Regarding the correlation between increased physical activity, found in 40 cows (23.80%) and the presence of estrus, observed in 57 cows (33.92%) this one is extremely statistically significant with a p-value <0.001 (p = 0.0005), the combination of increased physical activity and estrus being detected in a total of 23 cows (13.69%). Thus, of 168 dairy cows taken into the study, 37 (22.02%) showed an association between decreased daily rumination time and increased physical activity, resulting in a extremely statistically significant correlation between the combination of the two events and the presence of estrus in cows, with a p-value <0.001 (p = 0.0003). Metabolic disorders were found in a total of 12 dairy cows (7.14 %), the association between decreased daily rumination time and increased physical activity being not statistically correlated with the development of metabolic disorders, p = 0.4676 . It remains to be observed if a correlation between the association of decreased daily rumination time and increased physical activity with the presence of metabolic disorders exists.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS AND APPLICATIONS OF POLARIZATION-MAINTAINING FIBER LOOP MIRRORS

In the polarization-maintaining fiber loop mirrors (PM-FLM), the birefringence of the polarization-maintaining fiber (PMF, one of the typical PMFs is the high-birefringence fiber) introduces phase difference and results in time-delay interference between the two counterpropagating waves. Hence, the transmission (or the reflection) spectrum is characterized by comb filtering, which is easily tuned and is independent of input wave polarization. Based on the properties, the PM-FLM is widely used in the field of optical fiber sensing and communication. This article analyzes the comb filtering theory of the PM-FLM and discusses the recent typical applications of the PM-FLM in the field of multiwavelength fiber laser (MFL), all-optical signal processing (AOSP), optimized performance of the erbium doped fiber amplifier (EDFA), and demodulation of fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors in detail.
Physicochemical characterisation, digestibility and anticonstipation activity of some high‐resistant untraditional starches from zingiberaceae plants

To find new starch sources with particular characteristics, five untraditional starches from zingiberaceae plants were studied about their physicochemical properties, digestibility and anticonstipation activity and compared with starches from traditional sources (potato and corn). All the five starches presented the shape of triangular, with visible thin sheet, which were significantly different from conventional sources. The crystal type of these five starches was B-type pattern. Swelling power at 75 °C was negatively correlated with crystallinity. There was no significant difference in amylose content between starches from rhizome and tuber of Curcuma phaeocaulis Val. , while they displayed significant variability in RS content. Starches from rhizome of Curcuma kwangsiensis, Curcuma wenyujin, Curcuma phaeocaulis Val. and Curcuma longa L. possessed much higher resistant starch content (range from 87.06% to 95.40%) and could better prevent constipation than potato and corn starches, which made them potential for managing diabetes and improving defecation conditions.
Histone H3K4 and H3K36 methylation promotes recruitment, but not activity, of the NuA3 histone acetyltransferase complex in S. cerevisiae

Histone post-translational modifications (PTMs) alter chromatin structure by promoting the interaction of chromatin-modifying complexes with nucleosomes. The majority of chromatin-modifying complexes contain multiple domains that preferentially interact with modified histones, leading to speculation that these domains function in concert to target nucleosomes with distinct combinations of histone PTMs. In S. cerevisiae, the NuA3 histone acetyltransferase complex contains three domains, the PHD finger in Yng1, the PWWP domain in Pdp3, and the YEATS domain in Taf14, which in vitro bind to H3K4 methylation, H3K36 methylation, and acetylated and crotonylated H3K9 respectively. However the relative in vivo contributions of these histone PTMs in targeting NuA3 is unknown. Here we show that in vivo H4K4 and H3K36 methylation, but not acetylated or crotonylated H3K9, recruit NuA3 to transcribed genes. Through genome-wide colocalization and by mutational interrogation, we demonstrate that the PHD finger of Yng1, and the PWWP domain of Pdp3 independently target NuA3 to H3K4 and H3K36 methylated chromatin respectively. In contrast, we find no evidence to support the YEATS domain of Taf14 functioning in NuA3 recruitment. Collectively our results suggest that the presence of multiple histone-PTM binding domains within NuA3, rather than restricting it to nucleosomes containing distinct combinations of histone PTMs, can serve to increase the range of nucleosomes bound by the complex. Interestingly however, the simple presence of NuA3 is insufficient to ensure acetylation of the associated nucleosomes, suggesting a secondary level of acetylation regulation that does not involve control of HAT-nucleosome interactions
UTILIZACIÓN DE CEPAS EFICIENTES DE HONGOS MICORRÍZICOS ARBUSCULARES EN EL DESARROLLO DE PORTAINJERTOS DE AGUACATE EN UN SUSTRATO SUELO-CACHAZA Efficient use of strains arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi rootstocks in the development of avocado in a soil-rum substrate

The objective of the present work was to evaluate the effect of two efficient stumps of mushrooms mycorrhizal arbuscular on indicators of growth and development in avocado rootstok. One prepares flowing leg composed by 1 kg of the biofertilizer EcoMic® that was compound for the stumps of evaluated HMA and 600 mL of water. With this leg, the seeds of the treatments 1 and 2 were recovered being conformed the outline in the following way T1: seeds inoculated with the stump Glomus hoi-like, T2: seeds inoculated with the stump Glomus mosseae and T3: not inoculated seeds. You uses a germinator with peanut shell like germination channel; to the 30 days after the germination the plants were taken to bags, which contained a substrate formed by agricultural floor + phlegm with a relationship (75 % : 25 % v.v). The variables of growth and evaluated development were: height of the rootstock, diameter of the shaft, number of leaves, longitude and wide of the leaves, area to foliate and rate of relative growth; inside the parameters micorrizicos you determines the percentage of radical colonization, the visual density and the index of efficiency mycorrhizal. The opposing results demonstrated that the use of efficient stumps of mushrooms mycorrhizal arbuscular; it stimulates the development of the avocado rootstock under nursery conditions that which rebounds in the obtaining of plants of more quality and in turn they constitute a nutritional alternative for this cultivation in those during this phase.
Some Aspects of the Morphology of Four Species of the Neogastropod Family Marginellidae with a Discussion on the Evolution of the Toxoglossan Poison Gland

Summary The living animal, alimentary canal and reproductive system of Mesoginella (Sinuginella) pygmaea (Sowerby), Volvarina (Haloginella) mustelina (Angas), Volvarinella cairoma (Brookes) from New Zealand and Diluculum sp. from the New Hebrides are described. V. cairoma has the duct of the gland of Leiblein opening into the buccal cavity and has no buccal mass or radula, whereas the other species have a well developed buccal mass and the gland of Leiblein discharges into the oesophagus behind the nerve ring. An unusual feature of the oesophagus of M. pygmaea, V. mustelina and Diluculum sp. is a tube, derived largely from the ventral channel of the anterior oesophagus, which by-passes the valve of Leiblein and then opens into the mid-oesophagus just behind the valve. The male genital system has a large prostate gland which is closed except for a small posterior opening, and the female system has no gonopericardial canal and has vesicular seminal receptacles that do not ingest soerm. The albumen and capsu.
Weak Form Market Efficiency of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange: Pre, During and Post the 2008 Global Financial Crisis

The importance of the efficiency of the stock market cannot be underestimated, given the critical role the stock market plays through brings together those who demand and supply development finance. It is against this background that this study focused on analysing the weak form efficiency of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange for the period 2005 to 2016 utilising several methodologies which include unit root tests, autocorrelation test and variance ratio. The empirical results from unit root tests indicated that the null hypothesis of a random walk could not be rejected. The same also applied to the autocorrelation test and variance ratio test except for a few instances. Thus irrespective of the few instances which represent the inefficiency of the market, to a greater extent there is evidence of the market being weak form efficient. Thus even though the work done towards ensuring that the market is efficient is commendable, there is need to ensure that further steps are taken to enhance the efficiency of the market. This is, to some extent suggest that investors are able to make abnormal profits from the market.
Physiological aspects of castor bean cv. BRS Energia in response to foliar application of gibberellic and salicylic acid

Gibberellic and salicylic acid may be used in crop management to influence physiology and biochemistry of plant, to improve photosynthetic capacity, and to increase crop profitability. Current analysis aims at evaluating the physiological aspects of castor bean cv. 'BRS Energia' in response to the foliar application of gibberellic and salicylic acid. Treatments consisted of the factorial distribution of five doses of gibberellic acid (0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.08, and 0.16 mg L-1) and five doses of salicylic acid (0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.08, and 0.16 mg L-1) with four replications. There were 100 experimental units and one plant per plot. High doses of gibberellic acid with or without salicylic acid reduced net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and transpiration, showing linear effects at 80 days after emergence. The concentrations of the photosynthetic pigments, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoid content were reduced until the application of 0.09 mg L-1 of gibberellic acid, associated with a dose of 0.16 mg L-1 of salicylic acid. Dose of 0.12 mg L-1 gibberellic acid and 0.16 mg L-1 salicylic acid produced the lowest relative water content in castor bean leaves.
Conventional Endosomes and Is Influenced in Melanoma Cells Requires the Function of MHC Class II Presentation of gp100 Epitopes

Many human solid tumors express MHC class II (MHC-II) molecules, and proteins normally localized to melanosomes give rise to MHC-II-restricted epitopes in melanoma. However, the pathways by which this response occurs have not been deﬁned. We analyzed the processing of one such epitope, gp100 44–59 , derived from gp100/Pmel17. In melanomas that have down-regulated components of the melanosomal pathway, but constitutively express HLA-DR*0401, the majority of gp100 is sorted to LAMP-1 high /MHC-II (cid:1) late endosomes. Using mutant gp100 molecules with altered intracellular trafﬁcking, we demonstrate that endosomal localization is necessary for gp100 44–59 presentation. By depletion of the AP-2 adaptor protein using small interfering RNA, we demonstrate that gp100 protein internalized from the plasma membrane to such endosomes is a major source for gp100 44–59 epitope production. The gp100 trapped in early endosomes gives rise to epitopes that are indistinguishable from those produced in late endosomes but their production is less sensitive to inhibition of lysosomal proteases. In melanomas containing melanosomes, gp100 is underrepresented in late endosomes, and accumulates in stage II melanosomes devoid of MHC-II molecules. The gp100 44–59 presentation is dramatically reduced, and processing occurs entirely in early endosomes or stage I melanosomes. This occurrence suggests that melanosomes are inefﬁcient Ag-processing compartments. Thus, melanoma de-differentiation may be accompanied by increased presentation of MHC-II restricted epitopes from gp100 and other melanosome-localized proteins,
Characterization of Lactic Acid Bacteria from Camel Milk and their Technological Properties to Use as a Starter Culture

Abstract: Proper selection and balance for starter culture is critical for the manufacture of fermented products of desirable texture and flavor. The objective of this study was to characterize lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from camel milk and elucidate their properties to use as a starter culture. Twenty-one lactic acid bacteria species were isolated from 30 samples of camel milk collected from Babile Woreda, eastern Ethiopia. Isolates were characterized phenotypically and their technological properties such as acidification, exopolysaccharide production (EPS), proteolytic and antimicrobial activities were studied following standard procedures. The results revealed that the isolated LAB strains belonged to Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Streptococcus and Enterococcus genera. All lactic acid bacteria strains showed proteolytic activity with different degrees of clear zones. The lactic acid bacteria strains exhibited either high to low acidification activities. About 85% of the lactic acid bacterial strains had significant exopolysaccharide production (EPS). Three LAB strains showed maximum antagonistic properties against indicator organisms ( Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ). It could be concluded that Lactobacillus plantarum HUM19, Lactobacillus acidophilus HUM20, and Streptococcus cremoris HUM8 had high acidifying, antimicrobial and proteolytic activities, and EPS production among all other lactic acid bacteria isolates. Keywords : Acidifying activity; Antimicrobial activity; Exopolysaccharide production; Fermentation; Proteolytic activity; Technological properties