Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The role of ornamental goldfish Carassius auratus in transfer of some viruses and ectoparasites to cultured fish in Egypt: comparative ultra-pathological studies

Goldfish, common carp and Nile tilapia were sampled between September 2002 and May 2003 to investigate lesions induced by viral diseases and ectoparasites. Goldfish exhibited neoplasms, Dermocystidium sp. , Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Ich), Trichodina reticulata, Lernaea cyprinacea and systemic infections. Neoplastic and systemic infections in goldfish were associated with viral infection. Oreochromis niloticus and Cyprinus carpio were mainly infested with several species of Trichodina and monogeneans. The presence of Dermocystidium sp. in carp, and viral particles in the liver and spleen of O. niloticus and C. carpio, was uncommon. Microscopically, intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies in the hepatic cells and lymphocytic infiltration in other internal organs of the three fish species were seen. Ultrastructural study showed enveloped viral particles in some cells in all fish species. The recorded parasitic infections were associated with degenerative, necrotic, inflammatory and proliferative changes in the skin and underlying muscles. Imported ornamental goldfish may be a source of infection to carp and native tilapia. Histopathology and transmission electron microscopy demonstrated the etiology and pathogenesis of infection and the preliminary diagnosis of viral infection, which is not common in Egypt. It is recommended that goldfish be excluded from edible-fish aquaculture ponds. Strict regulations regarding the transfer and quarantine of imported fish should be implemented.
Diplotaxis erucoides‐induced cytoplasmic male sterility in Brassica juncea is rescued by the Moricandia arvensis restorer: genetic and molecular analyses

An alloplasmic cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) line of Brassica juncea was developed by repeated backcrossing of the sexual hybrid (Diplotaxis erucoides [multiplication] Brassica rapa) with B. juncea cv. 'Pusa Bold'. The CMS line is comparable to the B. juncea nuclear donor line for all morphological traits except male fertility. Southern and cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) analyses showed that the CMS line carries organellar genomes from the wild species that differ from the organellar genomes of B. juncea. Northern analysis with three mitochondrial gene probes revealed altered atp[alpha] transcription pattern associated with male sterility. The restorer of CMS (Moricandia arvensis) B. juncea was found to restore male fertility to the new CMS system. The mode of fertility restoration was found to be monogenic and gametophytic. The study identified CAPS markers for the psbB gene that could be useful in quick identification of the erucoides CMS line. Broad similarities and important differences observed at the molecular level between M. arvensis and D. erucoides CMS systems of B. juncea are discussed.
Contact between Myrmarachne (Araneae: Salticidae) and Ants

Myrmarachne (Araneae: Salticidae) is an ant-mimicking genus of jumping spiders. Myrmarachne species live close to their model ant species, yet they avoid making contact with the ants. However, contact can be unavoidable at times, so the question is what really happens when the ant and the spider make contact. This study found that the consequence of the contact very much depends on which body parts of both animals are involved. The most common form of contact was between the ant's antennae and the spider's first pair of legs. This resulted most frequently in the Myrmarachne running away. In contrast, when the spider's chelicerae were involved the ant would usually run away. The study concludes that even when there is contact between the two, Myrmarachne manages to avoid being attacked by the ant, thus remaining safe.
Identification of Bacteria in Mushroom Compost Using Ribosomal RNA Sequence

Microorganisms in mushroom substrate play important roles in commercial mushroom production. We have initiated the characterization of microorganisms in Phase II compost using sequences of genes encoding small subunit ribosomal RNA (rDNA). A specific area of rDNA was amplified from individually cultured organisms as well as from total DNA extracted from the compost sample by polymerase chain reaction. Thirteen rDNA fragments sequenced in this study corresponded to 12 different strains representing three divisions of bacteria. All of these strains, except Bacillus licheniformis, have not previously been identified through rDNA sequencing, suggesting that mushroom compost contains many novel organisms.
Physicochemical Properties and Antioxidant Activity of Chitin and Chitosan Prepared from Pacific White Shrimp Waste

Chitin and chitosan, valuable marine biopolymers, recovered from shrimp waste, are an abundant by-product of the shrimp processing industry in Vietnam, at an estimated 200000 metric tons per year. The obtained chitin and chitosan are characterized by their purity and functional properties. The polymers show good quality with low residual ash and protein content (<1%). The antioxidant potency of chitosan is evaluated by several different in vitro systems, including 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging, total reducing power, and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. The DPPH free radical scavenging, total reducing power, and lipid peroxidation inhibition activities of chitosan at varying concentration (0.125 to 1.0 mg/mL) range from 3.7 to 16.8%, 0.05 to 0.15, and 1.7 to 15.1%, respectively. This study demonstrates that chitin and chitosan, of good quality and having characteristics compatible with a broad range of applications, can be prepared from white shrimp waste.
Bambu como matéria prima para papel: estudo de processos de cozimento em material de Bambusa tuldoides Munro

A comparison was made of three cooking processes - soda, soda-sulfur, and neutral sodium sulfite - using four different amounts of alkalis to extract the pulp from Bambusa tuldoides Munro. Yields superior to 50% were obtained in the majority of cookings; but they decreased when 20% or more of NaOH, in relation to the dry weight of chips, were employed. The highest rate of pulp to raw material was obtained with the neutral sodium-sulfite process. The paper produced was highly porous, very good in the tearing and reasonable in folding, tensile-and bursting strength.
Migration of the clouded Apollo butterfly Parnassius mnemosyne in a network of suitable habitats – effects of patch characteristics

The clouded Apollo Parnassius mnemosyne is a food plant specialist with short but frequent movements between habitat patches. The short average dispersal distances suggest that the probability of colonisation of vacant patches decreases rapidly as the distance between the source and target patches increases, which means that a dense habitat network is needed for the conservation of the species. Both emigration rate and the number of immigrants varied among patches and were not affected only by isolation but also by several other patch characteristics. The model that explained most of the variation in emigration rates among patches included patch area and the number of conspecifics. The area and the population density of the target patch had significant effects on the number of arriving immigrants. Thus, the colonisation of vacant patches is dependent on these patch characteristics. Generally, emigration rates were lower and residence times longer in large patches with many conspecifics. Butterfly density was the most important single factor explaining the variation in the number of immigrants among patches, although the positive effect of the area of the target patch was also significant. As a consequence of the marked positive density dependence caused by conspecific attraction, small patches with higher than average butterfly density, receive more immigrants than could be expected based on the patch area only. Due to conspecific attraction, per capita immigration rates are higher in small than large patches. Thus, immigration may have a more significant effect on the local dynamics of small than large populations.
Global analysis of host tissue gene expression in the invasive front of colorectal liver metastases

Host cell reactions are a crucial determinant for tumor invasion. We analyzed on a genomewide scale gene expression differences between microdissected tissues taken from unaffected liver tissue of a human colorectal tumor (LS174) growing in the livers of nude mice and tissue from the host part of the invasive front. Due to the low degree of interspecies cross‐hybridization of 15% as determined on Affymetrix microarrays, our xenograft model allowed for the distinction of genes of murine versus human origin even if the respective tissues could not be isolated separately. Using the gene ontology (GO) classification, we were able to determine patterns of up‐ and downregulated genes in the liver part of the invasive front. We observed a pronounced overrepresentation, e.g., of the GO terms “extracellular matrix,” “cell communication,” “response to biotic stimulus,” “structural molecule activity” and “cell growth,” indicating a very pronounced host cell response to tumor invasion. On the single gene level, hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation markers were overrepresented in the liver part of the invasion front. Immunohistochemistry and qPCR confirmed an activation of HSC as well as an increased number of HSC in the invasive front as compared to the noninvaded liver tissue. In summary, our data demonstrate the feasibility of an interspecies differential gene expression approach on a genomewide scale. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Direct‐PCR Detection and Epidemiology of Ramularia collo‐cygni Associated with Barley Necrotic Leaf Spots

Ramularia collo-cygni (Sutton & Waller) is involved in a disease complex of barley characterized by the formation of necrotic spots on leaves. Isolation of this fungus is difficult, which complicates the study of its epidemiology and the aetiology of the disease complex. A new assay based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed to detect the presence of R. collo-cygni (Rcc) without previous isolation of the fungus nor prior purification of DNA. Primers RC3 and RC5 were designed to amplify a 348 bp fragment of the internal transcribed spacer region of this pathogen. These primers were highly specific to Rcc, as no cross-reactions were observed with other barley pathogens or saprobes commonly found on this crop. Amplification was possible from crude extracts (direct-PCR), circumventing the need for a DNA purification. Detection of 1 fg of target DNA was achieved with a single PCR. This specific and sensitive assay was used to study the epidemiology of Rcc on winter and spring barley at two locations in Switzerland. Rcc was present on winter barley from snow melting until harvest and colonized gradually all leaf layers. It was also found on volunteers, which could, together with weeds, offer a survival possibility to the pathogen between two barley crops. The fungus was detected on spring barley only after it sporulated on winter barley, indicating that Rcc probably spreads from winter to spring barley. The hypothesis of Rcc being a seed-borne pathogen can be tested more easily with this fast and reliable molecular tool, which may also find applications in barley breeding programmes and fungicide trials.
Use of Starch Gel Electrophoresis in the Taxonomy of the Genus Heterorhabditis (Nematoda: Heterorhabditidae)

Heterorhabditis isolated from Asia, Australasia, Cuba, Europe and the U.S.A. were examined using starch gel electrophoresis and enzyme specific stains. The data were analyzed by constructing a dissimilarity matrix and cluster analysis. Several isolates previously identified as H. heliothidis occurred in groups different from that of the type strain of this species. Analysis of the data suggests that the 22 strains examined represent 3-8 species of Heterorhabditis and that the type strains of H. bacteriophora and H. heliothidis may be conspecific.
351 POLARIZED LIGHT MICROSCOPY: DETECTION OF MICROTUBULES AND ITS EFFECTS ON THE VIABILITY OF IN VITRO-MATURED PORCINE OOCYTES

The meiotic spindle in the oocyte is composed of microtubules and plays an important role during chromosome alignment and separation at meiosis. Polarized light microscopy (PLM) is used as a tool in human and, recently, in farm animals assisted reproductive technologies. PLM could be useful for a non-invasive evaluation of the meiotic spindle. The objectives of the present study were to assess the efficiency of PLM to detect microtubule-polymerized protein within in vitro-matured porcine oocytes and to examine the effects of PLM on the oocyte developmental competence. Cumulus-oocyte complexes from slaughterhouse ovaries were matured in vitro for 42 h as described by Gil et al. (2004 Theriogenology 62, 544-552). In the first experiment, a total of 97 oocytes from 6 replicates were placed individually in 10-μL drops of TCM-199-Hepes-FCS in a glass Petri dish. PLM was used to detect the presence of polymerized protein which could be forming a meiotic spindle. The presence of polymerized protein and a meiotic spindle was confirmed in individual oocytes by inmunostaining and chromatin detection as described by Morato et al. (2008 Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75, 191-201). In the second experiment, a total of 160 oocytes from 4 replicates were exposed or not (controls) to PLM for 10 minutes. Thereafter, the oocytes were parthenogenetically activated and cultured in vitro. Cleavage rate, total blastocyst rate, expanded blastocyst rate on Day 7 and total cell numbers in expanded blastocysts were assessed. Data were analyzed by GLM procedure of SAS. There was a positive correlation (r = 1; P < 0.0001) between the signal obtained by PLM and the presence of microtubule-polymerized protein as confirmed by inmunostaining. A positive PLM signal was detected in 98.9% of the oocytes. A barrel-shape spindle was observed in 94.8% of the individual samples by inmunostaining and all of these oocytes were positive to PLM. Moreover, oocytes exposed to PLM did not differ significantly from controls on cleavage rate (83.7 ± 1.5 v. 84.4 ± 1.5), total blastocyst rate (36.9 ± 3.6 v. 41.2 ± 3.6) and expanded blastocyst rate on Day 7 (21.9 ± 1.7 v. 26.2 ± 1.7), respectively. There were also no differences in total cell numbers counted in expanded blastocysts (32.8 ± 2.6 v. 35.6 ± 2.5). These results indicate that polarized light microscopy did not exert detrimental effects on porcine oocyte developmental competence and it seems an efficient system to detect polymerized protein in in vitro-matured porcine oocytes. Grant support: INIA: RZ2007-00013-00-00. I. Molina, M. Munoz, B. Trigal and D. Martin are sponsored by INIA, RYC08-03454, Cajastur and PTA2007-0268-I, respectively.
Die angeborenen Formen möglicher Erfahrung.

Zusammenfassung Die vorliegende Abhandlung entspringt dem Aufgabenkreis einer jungen Arbeitsgemeinschaft zwischen Geisteswissenschaft und vergleichender Psychologie, die das wichtigste Programm des neugegrundeten Philosophischen Institutes der Albertus-Universitat in Konigsberg darstellt. Sie ist aus der einen Abteilung dieser Anstalt, dem Institut fur vergleichende Psychologie hervorgegangen. Obwohl sie eine ganze Reihe unveroffentlichter neuer Beobachtungen und Versuche enthalt, stehen diese nicht genug im Mittelpunkte der Untersuchung, um eine Zusammenfassung von Ergebnissen in jener Form moglich zu machen, wie sie sonst in der induktiven Naturforschung ublich ist. Immerhin aber herrscht die induktive Denkweise in der vorliegenden Arbeit so stark vor, das eine kurze Zusammenfassung angebracht erscbeint, wenn sie auch notgedrungen die Form einer kurzen Inhaltsangabe annehmea mus.
Methods of selecting common bean lines having high yield, early cycle and erect growth

Selection for grain yield, combined with phenological and morphological characteristics of agricultural interest, represents technological advances in the common bean. The objectives of this work were to estimate genetic parameters and the efficiency of both the Pedigree and Single-Seed Descent (SSD) methods for progression segregating populations in order to obtain common bean lines superior in grain yield, precocity and plant architecture. To do this, 136 inbred lines obtained using the Pedigree method, and 136 inbred lines obtained by SSD method were evaluated in a 17 x 17 simple lattice design, integrating the 272 inbred lines in the F 7 generation and 17 cultivars as control. Estimates of moderate narrow sense heritability were obtained for grain yield, lodging and insertion of the first pod. The cycle and general adaptation note showed low heritability for the F 7 generation. The Pedigree method allows obtaining a greater number of lines of high grain yield, early cycle and a lower general adaptation note (best adaptability). Selection using the Single-Seed Descent method allows the identification of a larger number of lines with lower notes for lodging and higher insertion of the first pod.
Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 involvement in the α-tocopherol-induced reduction of atherosclerotic lesions in apolipoprotein E knockout mice

We studied the effects of α-tocopheryl acetate supplementation on the development of fatty streaks and its ability to modulate the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 in aortic lesions of apoliprotein E knockout mice. For this purpose, 16-week-old apolipoprotein E knockout mice received α-tocopherol supplemention ((800 mg)/kg diet) for 6 weeks. After this time, total and lipoprotein cholesterol in the serum, hepatic tocopherol, aortic lesion area and MCP-1 (protein and mRNA) expression were analysed. Our present results showed that the dietary supplementation with α-tocopherol did not reduce serum cholesterol nor change lipoprotein profile, but it reduced the area of the aortic lesion by 55%. The reduction in the lesion size was correlated with the reduced expression of MCP-1 mRNA and protein, as detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry respectively. In conclusion, the results obtained here are relevant to the study of atherosclerosis, as they correlate the effectiveness of vitamin E supplementation in inhibiting the plaque formation with diminished expression of MCP-1 at the aortic lesion.
Haptic Teleoperation for Robotic-Assisted Surgery

Dans ce travail de these, nous examinons les principaux facteurs affectant la transparence d'un schema de teleoperation dans le contexte de la robotique medicale.Afin de determiner ces facteurs, une analyse approfondie de l'etat de l'art a ete realisee ce qui a permis de proposer une nouvelle classification de schemas de teleoperation avec retour haptique.Le role de ces principaux facteurs a ete analyse.Ces facteurs sont lies a l'architecture de commande appliquee, aux perturbations provoquees par les mouvements physiologiques des tissus manipules ainsi qu'a la precision du modele d'interaction robot-tissue.Les performances du schema de teleoperation a architecture 3-canaux ont ete analysees en simulation pour choisir une architecture de commande dediee aux applications medicales.Ensuite, l'influence des mouvements physiologiques de l'environnement manipule sur la transparence du systeme a ete analysee et un nouveau modele d'interaction avec des tissus mous a ete propose.Un schema de commande de teleoperation base modele d'interaction a ete propose en se basant sur une analyse de passivite du port d'interaction robot-environnement.Enfin, l'importance de la precision du modele d'interaction (robot-tissue) sur la transparence du schema de teleoperation avec retour d'effort base-modele a ete analysee.Cette analyse a ete validee en theorie et experimentalement en implementant le modele Hunt-Crossly dans une commande utilisant un AOB pour realiser une teleoperation avec retour haptique.En conclusion de ce travail, les resultats de cette these ont ete discutes et les perspectives futures ont egalement ete proposees.
Effects of Different Diets of a Host, Agria affinis (Fall.) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), on the Development of a Parasitoid, Aphaereta pallipes (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Agria [= Pseudosarcophaga] affinis (Fall.) and Aphaereta pallipes (Say) make an excellent host-parasitoid couple for a determination of effects of host diet on a parasitoid. The anatomy, life history, and behaviour of these insects have been described (Salkeld, 1959; Coppel et al., 1959). Moreover, A. affinis can be reared axenically on chemically defined diets and it is readily attacked in the laboratory by A. pallipes, a parasitoid of the onion maggot, Hylemya antiqua (Meig.). This parasitoid deposits eggs into the body cavity of its host and these increase in size: the duration of the egg stage depends on the age of the host larva when parasitized (Salkeld, 1959).
Alleviation of Nickel Toxicity in Plants by a Rhizobacterium Strain is not Dependent on its Siderophore Production

Abstract To examine the role of rhizobacteria for plants in a heavy‐metal nickel (Ni)‐contaminated soil, a rhizobacterium, Pseudomonas putida strain ARB86, was isolated from the rhizosphere of a soil with Arabidopsis growing. The strain ARB86 was resistant to Ni at 1 mM, which showed toxicity to Arabidopsis plants. A suspension of the bacterial strain was inoculated into the Arabidopsis rhizosphere before treatment to the soil with 1 mM Ni. Plant fresh and dry weights, chlorophyll content, anthocyanin accumulation, and Ni concentration in the plant shoots were monitored. Seven days after Ni treatment, both growth and chlorophyll content of plants treated with the bacterium were higher than that of the controls, and the anthocyanin accumulation in the bacterial treatment was lower than that of control. To examine the role of siderophore in an alleviative mechanism by the bacterium, two derivatives (siderophore‐deficient and siderophore‐overproducing mutants) of strain ARB86 were obtained by transposon mutagenesis. However, both mutants, as well as the wild type, alleviated Ni toxicity in plants to the same degree. Nickel influx into plants was decreased by bacterial absorption in the rhizosphere. It is suggested that alleviation of the Ni toxicity in plant by the strain ARB86 is not dependent on its siderophore production.
Development and mapping of a public reference set of SSR markers in Lolium perenne L.

We report on the characterization and mapping of 76 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers for Lolium perenne. These markers are publicly available or obtained either from genomic libraries enriched for SSR motifs or L. perenne expressed sequence tag (EST) clones. Four L. perenne mapping populations were used to map the SSR markers. A consensus linkage map of the four mapping populations containing 65 of the SSR markers is presented, together with primer information and a quality score indicating the usefulness of the SSR marker in different populations. The SSR markers identified all seven L. perenne linkage groups