Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New Pyrimidinone-Fused 1,4-Naphthoquinone Derivatives Inhibit the Growth of Drug Resistant Oral Bacteria

Background: Dental caries is considered to be a preventable disease, and various antimicrobial agents have been developed for the prevention of dental disease. However, many bacteria show resistance to existing agents. Methods/Principal Findings: In this study, four known 1,4-naphthoquinones and newly synthesized 10 pyrimidinone-fused 1,4-naphthoquinones, i.e. KHQ 701, 702, 711, 712, 713, 714, 715, 716, 717 and 718, were evaluated for antimicrobial activity against Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Actinomyces viscosus and Fusobacterium nucleatum. Pyrimidinone-fused 1,4-naphthoquinones were synthesized in good yields through a series of chemical reactions from a commercially available 1,4-dihydroxynaphthoic acid. MIC values of KHQ 711, 712, 713, 714, 715, 716, 717 and 718 were 6.25–50 μg/mL against E. faecalis (CCARM 5511), 6.25–25 μg/mL against E. faecium (KACC11954) and S. aureus (CCARM 3506), 1.56–25 μg/mL against S. epidermidis (KACC 13234), 3.125–100 μg/mL against S. mutans (KACC16833), 1.56–100 μg/mL against S. sobrinus (KCTC5809) and P. gingivalis (KCTC 5352), 3.125–50 μg/mL against A. viscosus (KCTC 9146) and 3.125–12.5 μg/mL against F. nucleatum (KCTC 2640) with a broth microdilution assay. A disk diffusion assay with KHQ derivatives also exhibited strong susceptibility with inhibition zones of 0.96 to 1.2 cm in size against P. gingivalis. Among the 10 compounds evaluated, KHQ 711, 712, 713, 715, 716 and 717 demonstrated strong antimicrobial activities against the 9 types of pathogenic oral bacteria. A pyrimidin-4-one moiety comprising a phenyl group at the C2 position and a benzyl group at the N3 position appears to be essential for physiological activity. Conclusion/Significance: Pyrimidinone-fused 1,4-naphthoquinones synthesized from simple starting compounds and four known 1,4-naphthoquinones were synthesized and showed strong antibacterial activity to the 9 common oral bacteria. These results suggest that these derivatives should be prospective for the treatment of dental diseases caused by oral bacteria, including drug-resistant strains.
Personal BioBlitz: A New Way to Encourage Biodiversity Discovery and Knowledge in K–99 Education and Outreach

Broad and detailed knowledge about common species in everyday life has decreased among the public. Even biology researchers may be largely unaware of our everyday biodiversity. To counter such “species blindness” and create long-term excitement and learning about the biodiversity we see every day, we arranged 76-day BioBlitzes at Rutgers University (New Jersey, United States) in 2014 and 2015, in which participants identified and listed all species they discovered. The result was 7270/11748 observations from 30/78 participants and 7/13 countries, including 3458/3057 unique taxa, 91%/99.9% identified to the species level, and 80%/54% listed only by one person (2014/2015). Observations of organismal groups did not strongly correspond to the number of estimated species worldwide but appeared to be related to perceived charisma, body size, and organism mobility. Participants reported an increased ability to “see” species and to identify new groups, their learning of new tools of species identification, and a strong increase in their biodiversity knowledge and eagerness to learn more. microbiomes.
Cholesterol reduction by Lactococcus lactis KF147

Lactococcus lactis from yoghurt sample was confirmed based on alignment of 16S rRNA gene sequence in gene bank. The degree of acid and bile tolerance of strain L. lactis subsp. lactis KF147 was evaluated. The L. lactis KF147 was able to maintain viability for 2 h at pH 2 and growth in a medium with 0.4% (w/v) of bile acids. The maximum cholesterol reduction was 66.8% from the mMRS culture medium supplemented with 100 mg/L cholesterol. The tested strain was capable of binding cholesterol and removing 13% cholesterol from the medium. The growth of bacteria was affected by the presence of cholesterol in the medium. The growing bacterial cells had cholesterol reducing activity more than resting and dead cells. Transmission electron microscopy and IR analysis detected the cholesterol binding activity between L. lactis KF147 cells and the cholesterol. The fatty acid composition of the cells of L. lactis KF147 was altered by reducing cholesterol from the MRS medium that indicated incorporation of the cholesterol particles into cell membrane. According to these results, L. lactis KF147 revealed the probiotic potential in hypocholesterolemic effect on rats.
A New Genus of Caenoscelini (Cryptophagidae: Cryptophaginae) from California, with Two New Species

Abstract We describe the new genus, Renodesta for two new species, R. stephani and R. ramsdalei. This genus belongs to the Caenoscelini and is distinguished from other genera in the tribe by extreme eye reduction to a single ommatidium, fusion of the apical two antennomeres, and a lack of prosternal foveae. The new species are found in leaf litter, especially associated with rotting wood, and are known only from a few localities in California's central Coast Ranges. Renodesta appears to be sister to a lineage comprising the Southeast Asian genera Dernostea Sasaji and Himascelis Sen Gupta, with the widespread genus Sternodea Reitter potentially sister to all of these.
The statistical analysis of fluctuating asymmetry: REML estimation of a mixed regression model

The unbiased estimation of fluctuating asymmetry (FA) requires independent repeated measurements on both sides. The statistical analysis of such data is currently performed by a two‐way mixed ANOVA analysis. Although this approach produces unbiased estimates of FA, many studies do not utilize this method. This may be attributed in part to the fact that the complete analysis of FA is very cumbersome and cannot be performed automatically with standard statistical software. Therefore, further elaboration of the statistical tools to analyse FA should focus on the usefulness of the method, in order for the correct statistical approaches to be applied more regularly.
Protoplasts in plant signaling analysis: moving forward in the omics era

Genomic and functional analysis of plant signaling systems has reached a new level and an integrated understanding of the signaling system becomes unprecedentedly critical. Versatile cell-based assays and functional genomic screening will significantly facilitate the comprehensive understanding of the complexity of signaling process. Many applications of protoplasts have been explored and described. There were some arguments or concerns in using protoplasts in gene function studies. However, many advantages of the system have been realized and proven in recent years in various physiological, biochemical, genetic, molecular biological, genomic, proteomic, and metabolomic studies.
Sequences of low-copy nuclear gene support the monophyly of Ostrya and paraphyly of Carpinus （Betulaceae）

Coryloideae consists of four genera: Corylus, Ostryopsis, Carpinus, and Ostrya. While both molecular and non-molecular data support the close relationship of Carpinus and Ostrya, the monophyly of the two genera has remained controversial. In this study, sequences of the nuclear nitrate reductase (Nia) were used to test the naturalness of the two genera. Ostrya species form a robust clade, supporting the monophyly of the genus. The clade, however, is located between Carpinus cordata and the remaining species of Carpinus, indicating that Carpinus is paraphyletic, and Ostrya has evolved from within Carpinus. Within Carpinus, section Distegocarpus is polyphyletic, whereas section Carpinus is a clade where subsections Polyneurae and Carpinus are more closely related to each other than either is to subsection Monbeigianae.
Sensory Organs in the Antennae of Phyllophaga obsoleta (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae)

Abstract The antennal flagellum of the melolontid beetle Phyllophaga obsoleta Blanchard consists of three terminal plates of lamellae: proximal, middle, and distal. Six types of sensilla were identified on the internal and external surfaces of lamellae from both sexes: placodea (PLAS), basiconica (BAS), coeloconica (COS), auricilica (AUS), chaetica (CHS), and trichodea (TRS). The first four types have been considered as chemoreceptor sensilla and the last two as mechanoreceptor sensilla. The sensilla from the internal and external surfaces of each of three lamellae present in the antennal club from both sexes were mapped by scanning electron microscopy. PLAS were abundant and followed a uniform pattern of distribution on both internal and external surfaces of lamellae from both sexes. Males antennae present a higher number of PLAS in comparison with females antennae. BAS are more abundant in males than in females and follow a more aggregated distribution than PLAS. AUS were included within the BAS group. COS are scarce and only observed on the internal surfaces of all lamellae. TRS and CHS are only present on the periphery of the lamellae. Most sensillar types identified were more abundant in males than in females. The higher number of PLAS observed in males lamellae compared with females lamellae suggests that these sensilla may be involved in sex pheromone reception.
BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS SKEW HOST OFFSPRING SEX RATIOS

Predators (or parasites) can have both direct and indirect effects on prey (or host) demography. Recent theory suggests that the impact of either effect may be greater if predators and parasites skew the sex ratio of survivors. Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater) are obligate brood parasites. Many studies have shown that adult cowbirds directly cause host offspring mortalities. Cowbird young may indirectly cause additional mortalities by increasing competition in the nest. The sex ratio of surviving host offspring will be skewed if one sex is a poorer competitor and thus more likely to die. We studied whether and how cowbird parasitism affects host offspring sex ratios in Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) nests. The proportion of female sparrows in parasitized nests (0.28 ± 0.01) was half that in unparasitized nests (0.57 ± 0.05) at six days post-hatch and at fledging (0.27 ± 0.06 vs. 0.52 ± 0.11). Consistent with their being at a competitive disadvantage, female sparrows were smaller and lighter than male sparrows in parasitized mixed-sex (both sexes present) nests. This indirect effect of cowbirds on the sex ratio of surviving host offspring may dramatically affect host demography. We suggest that predator- or parasite-mediated sex ratio biases could be important to the demography of many prey or host species.
Isolation and characterization of bacteria with spoilage potential from some refrigerated foods of West Bengal, India

A food is considered spoiled when the food is not acceptable for human consumption. Acceptance for consumption and organoleptic qualities of foods (colour, texture, flavor, shape etc.) being subjective varies with culture and socioeconomic condition, so the parameters to judge spoilage also change. However, during spoilage, food nutrients principally carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and other non-protein nitrogenous substances are degraded by the catalytic actions of different enzymes produced either by the food ingredients itself or microorganisms infesting the foods. Food spoilage is an area of global concern as it not only causes economic loss and diminishes nutritional value, but also reduces the amount of foods safe for human consumption. To reduce spoilage, a number of preservation techniques have been formulated primarily based on manipulation of the factors affecting microbial metabolism. One of such factors is low temperature or its combination with other factors. Low temperature storage of food includes chilling and freezing. As the storage temperature is lowered, the rate of chemical reaction causing spoilage is ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 3 Number 9 (2014) pp. 630-639 http://www.ijcmas. com
INVESTIGATION ON THE COUNTERACTING EFFECT OF SPIRULINA AGAINST POTENTATED SULFONAMIDE’S (COTRIM DS®) SIDE EFFECTS IN RAT

An experiment was conducted to investigate the counteracting effects of spirulina in Long Evans rats exposed to oral potentiated sulfonamide administration. 20 rats were randomly assigned into four equal groups (A, B, C and D) and were fed with standard broiler pellet (25g/rat/day) throughout the experimental period of 60 days. Rats of Group A were fed only with pellet without any experimental diet and were defined as control. Rats of Group B were treated with potentiated sulfonamide @ 96 mg/rat/day orally whereas Group C was treated with potentiated sulfonamide @ 96 mg/rat/day plus spirulina ( Spirulina maxima ) @ 50 mg/rat/day orally (low dose spirulina). In Group D, potentiated sulfonamide and spirulina ( Spirulina maxima ) were given through feed @ 96 mg/rat/day and @ 100 mg/rat/day (high dose spirulina) respectively. Hematological parameters (TEC, Hb and absolute count of lymphocyte, neutrophil and eosinophil) and hispathological profile of liver and kidney were recorded. The investigation revealed that the oral administration of sulfonamide significantly (p<0.01) decreased the TEC (5.93±0.24) value, number of lymphocyte (581.76±3.70) and neutrophil (581.76±3.70) compared to other treated groups and control group. On the other hand significant (p<0.01) increase (422.86±2.34) in eosinophil population has been found in rats fed on sulfonamide irrespective of spirulina supplementation on the final day of experiment compared to other treated group and control group. From this experiment it is evidenced that spirulina has a potential counteracting effect against sulfonamide. Histopathology of kidney and liver was done at the end of experiment (60 days) and no significant change was found except in the kidney of Group B and C. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/bjvm.v10i1-2.15650
Molecular systematics of the Pardosa groenlandica species complex (Araneae: Lycosidae): large sample sizes fail to find monophyletic species

Abstract Relationships within the Pardosa groenlandica species complex (sensu Slowik and Sikes 2013) were analysed to test two competing hypotheses – the species complex consists of either four or seven species. We conducted a partitioned Bayesian analyses of the mitochondrial gene COI and the nuclear genes ITS1, 5.8S, and ITS2. These genes provided a dataset composed of 1874 nucleotides each from 144 specimens. Additional analyses included application of the DNA barcoding protocol and a phylogeographic study of a subset of specimens. Analyses found no support for either hypothesis and only one species was found monophyletic in a subset of analyses. Mitochondrial DNA yielded clades discordant with geography. Species in the P. groenlandica species complex show various amounts of genetic support, with a general lack of agreement between genetics and morphology for species boundaries.
Research on the meat quality produced by Polyodon Spathula sturgeons species related to human nutritional requirements

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the main physico-chemical and histological traits of the paddlefish meat (Polyodon spathula) from an aquaculture pond located in the North-East of Romania. A total of 40 fish samples from 40 individuals with different ages (each ten individuals from 1 st to 4 th summer), were randomly harvested. The samples were examined by macro and microscopic and some physico-chemical analysis such as meat pH determination, water, protein, lipid and mineral contents. The results revealed that Polyodon spathula sturgeons belong to the protean fish group with low fat content. Paddlefish meat is also rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic, linolenic, arachidonic, eicosapentaenoic, docosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids), as well as low cholesterol level. Therefore, this sturgeon could be considered as a source of “healthy fats”. The ratio between connective and muscular tissues was favorable for the muscular one.
Perfil de ácidos graxos de microalgas cultivadas com dióxido de carbono

As microalgas sao consideradas fontes potenciais de diversos compostos quimicos. Os acidos graxos obtidos da biomassa podem apresentar efeitos terapeuticos em humanos e podem ser usados para producao de biodiesel. Objetivou-se, neste trabalho verificar o conteudo lipidico e o perfil dos acidos graxos das microalgas Spirulina sp. , Scenedesmus obliquus, Chlorella kessleri e Chlorella vulgaris cultivadas em diferentes concentracoes de dioxido de carbono e bicarbonato de sodio. A microalga Chlorella kessleri cultivada com 12% de CO2 apresentou a maior concentracao de lipidios na biomassa seca (9,7% p/p). A maxima concentracao de acidos graxos insaturados foi 72,0% (p/p) para C. vulgaris cultivada com 12% de CO2. Para os acidos graxos saturados o maior valor encontrado foi 81,6% (p/p), quando a microalga Spirulina sp. foi cultivada com 18% de CO2 e 16,8 g.L-1 de bicarbonato de sodio.
Carbonic Anhydrase-II Phenotypes in Peptic Ulcer and Ulcerated Cancers

Abstract With 12 different isozymes, Carbonic anhydrase plays a key role in acid-base balance, CO2 and ion transport…etc. Any change in the enzymatic activity may cause disturbances in these processes leading to different disorders. The study focuses on the association of electromorphs of Carbonic anhydrase-II (CAII) with peptic ulcers and ulcerated cancers, which result due to an imbalance between the aggressive and defensive factors necessary for maintaining the pH of the gastric lumen. Endoscopically confirmed 210 duodenal ulcer, 50 gastric ulcer and 50 gastric cancer cases were considered along with 110 healthy individuals for comparative study. Since H.pylori infection is considered as primary risk factor, Rapid Urease Test (RUT) was performed to identify the infection status in both disease and control groups. Phenotyping of CAII was carried out in both control and disease by subjecting the haemolysate to PAGE and detecting the bands based on esterase activity of CAII using α or β-napthol acetate. Frequency distribution of different phenotypes with respect to various factors was compiled and relative risk estimates were obtained using Woolf’s δ-method.The allelic frequencies of CAII calculated, were tested for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Frequency distribution of CAII phenotypes showed increased number of heterozygotes (2-1) in controls, against higher number of homozygotes (2-2) in diseased group. Similarly, blood group O was predominant in disease group as against group B in controls. Most of the controls were negative for H.pylori infection and almost 100% individuals in disease group were positive. In conclusion, the allele CAII2 was found to be associated with peptic ulcers and ulcerated cancers along with blood group O and positive H.pylori infectivity status, predisposing an individual to the disease condition.
Original Contribution EXPRESSION OF HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE ALTERS THE SHOOT MORPHOLOGY IN TRANSGENIC POTATO PLANT

Plants could be used as bioreactors today, although many aspects of this process are known there are also many physiological changes in plants which remain unknown. In this research Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Kardal used as expression host via Agrobacterium mediated transformation to produce human growth hormone as a model protein. Although expression level was not high but potato plants represented some morphological changes. These plants were thicker and shorter than wild type and transgenic plants expressing different genes or transformed with an empty construct. It seems that human growth hormone could change plant morphology.
Chromosomal Heterogeneity among Various Strains of Spiroplasma citri

The genomes of various Spiroplasma citri strains were digested with several restriction enzymes, and the fragments were analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Polymorphism of the restriction patterns was observed. The genome sizes of the strains obtained when we added the restriction fragment sizes ranged from 1,650 to 1,910 kbp. Physical and genetic maps of 12 strains were constructed by using several DNA probes as genetic markers. The relative positions of mapped loci were conserved in most of the strains; the main differences were differences in the order and number of restriction sites and differences in the sizes of certain fragments. The distribution of viral sequences, which occur at multiple sites in the 5. citri genome and are homologous to the sequences of S. citri virus SpV1 strains R8A2B and S102, was also studied.
GENETIC VARIABILITY OF REINTRODUCED CALIFORNIA BIGHORN SHEEP IN OREGON

Abstract Of the approximately 2,500 California bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis californiana) in Oregon, USA, the majority descend from a single transplant of 20 animals from British Columbia, Canada, in 1954. Recently, several populations have experienced poor recruitment, raising concerns that populations may be experiencing inbreeding depression resulting from a genetic bottleneck. We sampled 117 animals from 5 populations in Oregon and 1 population in Nevada to determine genetic variability within and among populations. We found that Oregon populations had fewer mean alleles per locus (2.2–2.4), lower heterozygosity (0.28–0.36), and higher inbreeding potential than animals from Nevada (3.8 alleles/locus, H = 0.53). These results now provide the baseline for rigorous ongoing evaluation of changes to allelic variability, inbreeding potential, variation among populations, and their effects on population demographics for Oregon's California bighorn sheep program. We suggest that evaluation of genetic variability in other source and recipient populations should be used to further understand how and when genetic management can be used for bighorn sheep conservation and management.
Review Coral bleaching--how and why?

Bleaching refers to the loss of colour in symbioses between dinoflagellate algae of the genus Symbiodinium and marine benthic animals,e.g. corals. Bleaching generally results in depressed growth and increased mortality,and it can be considered as a deleterious physiological response or ailment. An explanatory framework for the causes of bleaching comprises three elements: the external factors or triggers of bleaching,e.g. elevated temperature; the symptoms,including elimination of algal cells and loss of algal pigment; and the mechanisms,which define the response of the symbiosis to the triggers,resulting in the observed symptoms. The extent to which bleaching in different symbioses and in response to different triggers involves common mechanisms is currently unknown,but a contribution of interactions between the algal and animal partners to bleaching is predicted. Symbioses vary in their susceptibility to bleaching as a result of genetic variation in Symbiodinium and acclimatory responses of the animal. The evolutionary explanation for bleaching is obscure. Perhaps,bleaching was of selective advantage to the animal hosts under different (more benign? ) environmental conditions than the present,or bleaching may be a negative by-product of an otherwise advantageous symbiotic trait,such as the elimination of damaged algal cells. � 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Typical Entanglement in Multi-Qbuit Systems

characterisation of entanglement, quantum information Quantum entanglement and its paradoxical properties hold the key to an information processing revolution. Much attention has focused recently on the challenging problem of characterizing entanglement. Entanglement for a two qubit system is reasonably well understood, however, the nature and properties of multiple qubit systems are largely unexplored. We have found that typical pure states of N qubits are highly entangled but have decreasing amounts of pairwise entanglement as N increases. Above 6 qubits very few states have any pairwise entanglement, and generally, m-way entanglement disappears from a typical pure state of N qubits for N > 2m + 3. ~