Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A REVIEW ON CARISSA CARANDAS PHYTOCHEMISTRY, ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY, AND MICROPROPAGATION AS CONSERVATION STRATEGY

Carissa carandas is a useful food and medicinal plant of India, found to be widely distributed throughout subtropical and topical regions. The plant has been used as a traditional medicinal plant over thousands of years in the Ayurvedic, Unani, and Homoeopathic system of medicine. Traditionally, whole plant and its parts were used in the treatment of various ailments. The major bioactive constituents, which impart medicinal value to the herb, are alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and large amounts of cardiac glycosides, triterpenoids, phenolic compounds and tannins. Roots were reported to contain volatile principles including 2-acetyl phenol, lignan, carinol, sesquiterpenes (carissone, carindone), lupeol, β-sitosterol, 16β-hydroxybetulinic acid, α-amyrin, β-sitosterol glycoside, and des-Nmethylnoracronycine, whereas leaves were reported to contain triterpenoid constitutes as well as tannins. While, fruits have been reported to contain carisol, epimer of α-amyrin, linalool, β-caryophyllene, carissone, carissic acid, carindone, ursolic acid, carinol, ascorbic acid, lupeol, and β-sitosterol. Ethnopharmacological significance of the plant has been ascribed due to anti-cancer, anti-convulsant, anti-oxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatoryAQ1, anti-ulcer, anthelmintic activity, cardiovascular, anti-nociceptive, anti-diabetic, antipyretic, hepatoprotective, neuropharmacological, and diuretic activities, antimicrobial activities and cytotoxic potentials, in-vitro anti-oxidant, and DNA damage inhibition, and constipation and diarrheal activities. The review also dealt with describing micropropagation strategies for effective conservation of this important food and medicinal plant. The review has been written with the aim to provide a direction for further clinical research to promote safe and effective herbal treatments to cure a number of diseases.
Sulfate reduction in methanogenic bioreactors

In the anaerobic treatment of sulfate-containing wastewater, sulfate reduction interferes with methanogenesis. Both mutualistic and competitive interactions between sulfate-reducing bacteria and methanogenic bacteria have been observed. Sulfate reducers will compete with methanogens for the common substrates hydrogen, formate and acetate. In general, sulfate reducers have better growth kinetic properties than methanogens, but additional factors which may be of importance in the competition are adherence properties, mixed substrate utilization, affinity for sulfate of sulfate reducers, relative numbers of bacteria, and reactor conditions such as pH, temperature and sulfide concentration. Sulfate reducers also compete with syntrophic methanogenic consortia involved in the degradation of substrates like propionate and butyrate. In the absence of sulfate these methanogenic consortia are very important, but in the presence of sulfate they are thought to be easily outcompeted by sulfate reducers. However, at relatively low sulfate concentrations, syntrophic degradation of propionate and butyrate coupled to HZ removal via sulfate reduction rather than via methanogenesis may become important. A remarkable feature of some sulfate reducers is their ability to grow fermentatively or to grow in syntrophic association with methanogens in the absence of sulfate.
Upregulation of TNF‐α‐induced ICAM‐1 surface expression by adenylate cyclase‐dependent pathway in human endothelial cells

The level of adhesion molecules expressed at the endothelial cell surface is critical in the control of inflammation. Adenylate cyclase (AC) activity allowing cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production can modulate the inflammatory process. We investigated the AC‐dependent modulation of ICAM‐1 surface expression in human umbilical venous endothelial cells (HUVEC). Pretreatment of HUVEC with forskolin significantly upregulated tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α)‐ and interleukin‐1 alpha (IL1‐α)‐induced ICAM‐1 surface expression exclusively after a prolonged time of incubation with forskolin (at least 7–8 h). A poorly metabolizable analog of cAMP, dibutyryl‐cAMP, mimicked forskolin effect on ICAM‐1 surface expression. Protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor H89 prevented forskolin effect on ICAM‐1 surface expression. Upregulation of ICAM‐1 surface level occurred through the increase in its mRNA levels and also to a subsequent activation of ICAM‐1 intracellular trafficking towards cell surface. Stimulation by agonists of β‐adrenergic receptors did not alter the TNF‐α‐induced ICAM‐1 surface expression. Pretreatment of HUVEC with pertussis toxin, which is known to activate AC through Giα inhibition, upregulated mRNA levels and surface expression of ICAM‐1 induced by TNF‐α. This effect was serum‐dependent, since ICAM‐1 expression was no more upregulated by pertussis toxin in cells cultured in 1% instead of 20% serum‐enriched medium. However, forskolin treatment of HUVEC did not modify their overall adhesive properties. In conclusion, a persistent cAMP level elevation activating PKA is able to enhance ICAM‐1 expression at the cell surface of endothelial cells placed under pro‐inflammatory conditions. Combination of activation of gene transcription and membrane targeting may account for this augmentation. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
DISTRIBUTION AND SYSTEMATICS OF THE FRESHWATER GENUS TUOMEYA (RHODOPHYTA, BATRACHOSPERMACEAE) 1

Twenty‐seven populations of Tuomeya, including the types of Tuomeya fluviatilis Harvey and Baileya americana Kützing, were analyzed from the entire known range of the genus: northern Newfoundland to northern Florida and east of the Mississippi River. Key morphological features were examined in detail since it has been recently proposed that Tuomeya should be reduced to a section of the genus Batrachospermum. Our observations confirmed the presence of several characteristics unique to Tuomeya: gametophyte development from a basal mass of undifferentiated cells rather than a chantransia stage, pseudoparenchymatous growth, and carpogonia with obliquely to perpendicularly attached trichogynes. Based on these findings, we conclude that the genus Tuomeya should be retained. Using multivariate morphometrics, two groupings were found that differed significantly in plant length (X = 14.1 and 24.1 mm, respectively). However, since there was no other morphometric, environmental, or geographic basis for separation of the groupings, only one species is recognized, T. americana (Kützing) Papenfuss. Populations tend to occur in large streams (>2.8 m wide) with low ion content (≤ 100 μS · cm−1).
How Common are Sibling Species in Cave-Inhabiting Invertebrates?

I wish to thank Mrs. Sherry L. King for carrying out the first 25 generations of divergent selection on the geotactic strains of D. melanogaster, and I wish to express may appreciation to Dr. Kathleen Church and Dr. Charles M. Woolf for stimulating my interest in this project. I am also grateful to Dr. David I. Rasmussen for critically reviewing this paper. This work was supported by the NIH grant GM01433 and the NIH grant GM19583.
Early Life History of the Northern Pikeminnow in the Lower Columbia River Basin

Abstract The northern pikeminnow Ptychocheilus oregonensis is a large, native cyprinid in the Columbia River basin that has persisted in spite of substantial habitat alterations. During the months of June to September 1993–1996, we investigated the temporal and spatial patterns of northern pikeminnow spawning, along with describing larval drift and characterizing larval and early juvenile rearing habitats in the lower Columbia River (the John Day and Dalles reservoirs and the free-flowing section downstream of Bonneville Dam) as well as in the lower sections of two major tributaries (the John Day and Deschutes rivers). The density of newly emerged drifting larvae was higher in dam tailraces (a mean of 7.7 larvae/100 m3 in surface tows) than in the lower reservoirs (0.3 larvae/100 m3), indicating that tailraces were areas of more intense spawning. Density was particularly high in the Bonneville Dam tailrace (15.1 larvae/100 m3), perhaps because adult northern pikeminnow are abundant below Bonneville Dam an.
Enzymatic oxalate decarboxylation in isolates of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum isolates B24 (virulent) and SS41 (hypovirulent) possess oxalate decarboxylase. Production was regulated by composition and pH of culture medium and required the presence of oxalate or its precursor, succinic acid, as inducers. Mycelia of both isolates contain equivalent amounts of enzyme.
Simultaneous Detection of Multiple Point Mutations Using Allele‐Specific Oligonucleotides

This unit can be used to screen one gene for many allelic mutations or to screen each of several loci for several allelic mutations. In the , pools of radiolabeled allele‐specific oligonucleotide (ASO) probes are hybridized to dot blots containing polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐amplified DNA products generated from one or more loci. The pooled probes will give a positive hybridization signal from any PCR‐amplified DNA sample containing a sequence complementary to any of the ASOs in the pool of oligonucleotide sequences. If many PCR‐amplified samples are spotted onto a single filter, multiple individuals can then be screened simultaneously for many mutant sequences. The describes the removal of radiolabeled probe DNA from the filter in order to reuse the filter for further screening.
Characterization of Sporulation of Alternaria alternata f. sp. sphenocleae

Studies were conducted on agar media to characterize the factors for the optimization of sporulation of Alternaria alternata f. sp. sphenocleae , a fungal pathogen being evaluated as a biological control agent for Sphenoclea zeylanica (gooseweed). A. alternata f. sp. sphenocleae conidiation was affected by nutrition, temperature, light conditions, and moisture. On all agar media tested, except for half-strength potato dextrose agar (½ PDA) and V-8 juice agar (VJA), exposure to different light conditions did not have any significant effect on conidia production. However, when comparing ½ PDA and VJA, sporulation under constant near-ultraviolet (NUV) light at 28 o C increased markedly on VJA, but decreased substantially on ½ PDA. This trend, however, was opposite under dark conditions since ½ PDA produced the greatest number of conidia whereas a 75% reduction in conidia production occurred on VJA in the dark. On all the standard agar media evaluated, the most virulent conidia were obtained on ½ PDA at 28 o C under constant NUV incubated for 4 weeks. Sporulation of A. alternata f. sp. sphenocleae using the sporulation medium (S-medium) technique was rapid. Conidia were produced within 24 h and continuous sporulation was still observed until 120 h. The best primary agar media for conidia production were PDA, ½ PDA and VJA, while water agar was the poorest. Conidia production was optimized with the addition of 20 g l -1 of calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) and the addition of 2 ml of sterile distilled water on the medium. The most virulent conidia were produced when the primary agar was ½ PDA, the CaCO 3 concentration was 20 g l -1 , and the cultures were incubated at 18 o C in the dark. Conidiophore induction occurred on nutrient rich media and was stimulated by NUV, while formation of conidia proceeded in darkness after nutrients were depleted under warm dry or cool moist conditions. Culture media, growth conditions, and CaCO 3 affected the inoculum potential of A. alternata f. sp. sphenocleae conidia.
β‐1,3‐Glucanase isoenzymes and genes in resistant and susceptible pepper (Capsicum annuum) cultivars infected with Phytophthora capsici

Infection of pepper (Capsicum annuum) plants with Phytophthora capsici led to the accumulation of β-1,3-glucanases in the stem tissues soon after inoculation. After the appearance of the symptoms on the pepper stems, β-1,3-glucanase accumulation became much more pronounced in the resistant (Smith-5 [S-5]) than in the susceptible (Yolo Wonder [YW]) cultivar. β-1,3-Glucanase activity was also detected in the control stems (uninoculated) but only in the resistant cultivar. The direct detection of β-1,3-glucanase on polyacrylamide gels revealed a basic isoenzyme (Rf 0.18) in the intracellular fraction (INTRA-F), which may be associated with the expression of resistance to P. capsici since its activity was detected only in the resistant cultivar. The fact that other basic isoenzymes (Rf 0.70 and 0.61 from the INTRA-F and Rf 0.57 from the intercellular fraction) and one acidic isoenzyme (Rf 0.70 from the intercellular fraction) were detected in both cultivars suggests that these play a less important role in the development of resistance although they appeared earlier and at greater intensity in the resistant cultivar than in the susceptible one. Using degenerate primers and reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), β-1,3-glucanase product of approximately 500 bp was obtained and cloned from cv. S-5 total RNA. This was used as a probe on northern blots of RNA extracted from both cultivars at specific times after infection. One transcript, size 2.0 kb, was detected in both cultivars, and accumulated very close to the inoculation site between 1 and 3 days after inoculation, but to a greater extent in the resistant cultivar (S-5) than in the susceptible cultivar (YW). These data suggest that an early and rapid accumulation of β-1,3-glucanase transcript is associated with the defence reaction that develops in pepper stems infected with P. capsici.
In vitro fermentation characteristics of corn and sorghum silages

Abstract Aim of the study was to compare corn and sorghum forages, before and after ensiling, in terms of chemical-nutritional characteristics and fermentation kinetics, to substitute corn silage with sorghum silage. The trial was performed using sorghum (Sorghum vulgare) and corn (Zea mais) incubated in vitro at 39°C for 120 h with buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) rumen fluid. The in vitro gas production technique was used to describe the fermentation kinetics and to estimate the enery value of forages. From chemical composition and in vitro fermentation emerged that for corn the ensiling caused more modification compared to sorghum in terms of loss of soluble fractions.
Studies on the Chemical Synthesis of Potential Antimetabolites. 36. Synthesis and Some Biochemical Properties of (±)1-Deazaaristeromycin

Abstract Chemical synthesis of a carbocyclic nucleoside, (±)1-deaza-aristeromycin (1), is described. Compound 1 was found to possess only a weak inhibitory effect on calf intestine adenosine deaminase. For rabbit liver S-adenosylhomocysteinase 1 showed weak affinity but acted as a potent irreversible inactivator.
The effect of Muhlenbergia macroura dietary level on intake, digestibility and weight changes in volcano rabbit (Romerolagus diazi)

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of different levels of Muhlenbergia macroura on feed intake, nutrient digestibility and daily weight changes in volcano rabbits. Thirty-nine-month-old mixed sex rabbits (n=32) were randomly allocated to four dietary levels of M. macroura, i.e. 0, 10, 20 and 30%. Following 14 days of adaptation, daily feed intake (DFI) and daily weight gain (DWG) were recorded and faeces collected during a one-day digestibility trial. Digestibility was estimated with lignin as an internal marker from the feed/faeces ratio. There was no effect (P>0.05) of treatment on DFI. As a daily average, rabbits consumed 26.2 g (SEM 0.20). There were linear (P<0.05) and quadratic (P<0.008) effects between grass levels and DWG. Weights were negatively affected as grass dietary levels increased. Mean DWG values were +1.5,−1.0,−2.1,−0.5 g/day for 0, 10, 20 and 30%, respectively (SEM 0.14). There was a quadratic response on digestibility of dry matter (DM) (P<0.04) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) (P<0.02). Digestibility of DM for grass levels was 59.9, 67.6, 64.5, 62.3% (SEM 1.14) whereas digestibility mean values for NDF were 26.2, 39.3, 33.6 and 24.6%, respectively (SEM 2.26). Digestibility for organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, acid detergent fibre, ash and digestible energy was not affected (P>0.05) by grass levels. Daily requirement of digestible energy for maintenance in volcano rabbits was estimated at 178.1 kcal/kg WB0.75. Increasing dietary levels of M. macroura impairs DWG, even when DM and NDF digestibility showed a quadratic increase response.
An integrative taxonomic revision of the Tarentola geckos (Squamata, Phyllodactylidae) of the Cape Verde Islands

Research was supported by grants from Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (FCT): SFRH/BD/25012/2005 (to R.V.), SFRH/BPD/26546/2006 (to A.P.), PTDC/BIA-BDE/74288/2006 (to D.J.H.) and PTDC/BIA-BEC/105327/2008 (to A.P.); from the Ministerio de Educacion y Ciencia, Spain: CGL2009-11663/BOS, Grup de Recerca Emergent of the Generalitat de Catalunya: 2009SGR1462; and an Intramural Grant from the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, Spain: 2008301031 (to S.C.).
The American mink: The triumph and tragedy of adaptation out of context

Abstract The American mink has spread widely beyond its native North America due to the activities of fur traders. The mink is an extremely adaptable, generalist predator. Over two continents, the American mink is associated with problems in the conservation of local species because of their impact on both prey and competitors. Here, we review the impact of American mink on native species, stemming from over a decade of research, and concentrate on two examples: the impact of American mink on the water vole in Britain and on the European mink in Eastern Europe. While the near extinction of the water vole in Britain and that of the European mink in Eastern Europe are largely due to predation and interspecific aggression, respectively, both may have been affected by a multitude of factors acting synergistically. Terns, and other seabirds, are impacted by mink predation; the effect on riparian bird species is less clear but may potentially be high. Emerging principles, supported by preliminary evidence, suggest that the return of the larger otter in the United Kingdom may be detrimental to mink populations. The impact of, or on, the current recovery of the polecat in the United Kingdom is unknown but evidence from Eastern Europe suggests that American mink negatively affect at least female polecats. We conclude by briefly presenting two case studies of small‐scale mink removal and discuss considerations for future control projects. To mitigate mink impact on a larger scale we suggest a holistic approach, involving mink removal, habitat restoration, and recovery of native competitors.
The microhabitat of Culicoides impunctatus (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) larvae in Scotland

Soil samples were taken from two transects (total 63 sampling points; 25 cm quadrats) representing the Betula pubescens (Betulaceae) woodland, rush-pasture and peat-based mire vegetation of the west coast and Highlands of Scotland, in an attempt to relate soil and vegetation features to the occurrence of Culicoides impunctatus Goetghebuer larvae. The covers of vegetation groups were recorded at each sample site and soil wetness was assessed on an arbitrary scale. Culicoides spp. larvae were extracted from half of each sample and stored for subsequent identification of C. impunctatus larvae, while the remaining half was used for analysis of soil pH and organic content (loss on ignition, LOI). Correspondence analysis (using DECORANA) separated the sample sites and vegetation groups and the ordination axes were significantly correlated with the density of C. impunctatus larvae, soil organic content and soil wetness index. Simple regression analyses revealed that the density of Juncus acutiflorus/J. articulatus (Juncaceae) and soil wetness index were positively related to the overall variation in C. impunctatus larval density. The wetness index had the strongest relationship and this remained the case in step-wise multiple regression. There was no relationship between larval density and soil pH. This information on the specific microhabitat preferences of the larvae could aid colonization attempts of this dominantly important species of biting midge in the UK.
GmNiR-1, a soybean nitrite reductase gene that is regulated by nitrate and light

A genomic DNA clone encoding nitrite reductase (NiR; EC 1.7.7.1), GmNiR-1, was isolated from soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ]. It is composed of four exons and three introns carrying an open reading frame coding for a protein of 596 amino acids. The putative MW of GmNiR-1 is 67 kDa with theoretical pI of 6.95, but the measured MW is ca 64 kDa. The difference between putative and measured MW of GmNiR-1 lies in the presence of a transit peptide. Genomic DNA blot analysis suggested that soybean NiR gene family consisted of at least three genes. In 2-week-old plants grown in the nitrate-supplemented soil, GmNiR-1 was expressed in roots and leaves, but not in hypocotyls. Transcript level of GmNiR-1 in roots was not increased by light, but was increased by nitrate even in the dark. However, light and nitrate had a synergistic effect on the increased expression of GmNiR-1. A polyclonal antibody generated against the C-terminal of GmNiR-1 hybridized to a single (62 kDa), double (62 and 64 kDa), and three bands (62, 64 and 66 kDa) in roots, hypocotyls and leaves, respectively. In etiolated seedlings, NiR proteins in roots and hypocotyls were induced by simultaneous treatment with light and nitrate, but those in cotyledons were already present substantially without induction, implying the presence of at least two kinds of NiR genes (a constitutive one and an inducible one regulated by light and nitrate) in soybean seedlings.
The effects of dietary neutral detergent fiber ratio on the rumen degradability and growth performance of Philippine native goats (Capra hircus Linn.)

This research’s objective was to determine the dietary rumen degradability and growth performances of goats fed dietary treatments. Eighteen (18) female goats were grouped into 6 weight classes for the feeding trial experiment, the average BW of the animals that were used was about 7.96 ± 2.21 kg (CV - 27.76%) and were approximately 1 year of age. For the in situ digestibility, three (3) male mature goats surgically fitted with cannulated rumen were used. Three (3) dietary treatments were used for all studies as follows: T1 - 72 : 28 NDF Forage-Concentrate Ratio; T2 - 64 : 36; T3 - 57 : 43. A RCBD was applied for Feeding Trial and a 3 x 3 LSD was used for In Situ Study. Treatments 1, 2 and 3 did not affect the rate of rumen degradability of DM, NDF and CP at 0 hours, potentially degradable fraction (b) and the rate of degradation of b. The treatments affected the intake rate of forage and concentrates on the DM, CP and NDF. However, the total intake of DM, CP and NDF were not affected by the treatments. Growth performance of goats used in this experiment was not affected by the treatments as indicated by the similar production and efficiency. This means that diets given to native goats with ratio of NDF forage of 72.07% can be applied since the value of the output and efficiency of feed utilization had the same value compared to diets ratio of NDF forage of 57.21%. Key Words: NDF Forage, Ration, Goat