Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A NON-NATIVE FOREST INVADER ALTERS FOREST STRUCTURE AND THE ASSOCIATED ARTHROPOD COMMUNITY

OF THESIS A NON-NATIVE FOREST INVADER ALTERS FOREST STRUCTURE AND THE ASSOCIATED ARTHROPOD COMMUNITY The emerald ash borer (EAB, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) is a non-native wood boring beetle that is causing extensive ash (Fraxinus spp.) mortality in eastern North America, affecting both urban and wildland forests and drastically altering forest structure and composition. As EAB-induced ash mortality progresses, native arthropod associates of ash forests are impacted by the effects of rapid and broad scale tree mortality. These include loss of food source, increased canopy gap formation, alterations in litter inputs causing shifting temperature and moisture regimes on the forest floor, and significant accumulation of coarse woody debris. I assessed the sub-canopy arthropod community in five forests, all in different stages of the invasion process, from introduction through impact. Additionally, I assessed the ground level arthropod community in a post EAB-invaded forest with 100% mature ash mortality. Arthropod communities were assessed at the ordinal level, and with a focus on coleopterans, they were further classified to families and trophic guilds to analyze abundance, richness, and diversity. Due to their overwhelming abundance, I identified scolytines collected in the post EAB-invaded forest to species to see if the EAB-invasion was part of a greater invasional meltdown. My results indicate that the EAB-invasion in North America is affecting the native coleopteran communities associated with these forests.
SAMHD1 Impairs HIV-1 Gene Expression and Reactivation of Viral Latency in CD4+ T-cells

Sterile alpha motif and HD domain-containing protein 1 (SAMHD1) restricts human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication in non-dividing cells by degrading intracellular deoxynucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs). SAMHD1 is highly expressed in resting CD4+ T-cells that are important for the HIV-1 reservoir and viral latency; however, whether SAMHD1 affects HIV-1 latency is unknown. Recombinant SAMHD1 binds HIV-1 DNA or RNA fragments in vitro, but the function of this binding remains unclear. Here we investigate the effect of SAMHD1 on HIV-1 gene expression and reactivation of viral latency. We found that endogenous SAMHD1 impaired HIV-1 LTR activity in monocytic THP-1 cells and HIV-1 reactivation in latently infected primary CD4+ T-cells. Overexpression of wild-type (WT) SAMHD1 suppressed HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR)-driven gene expression at the level of transcription. SAMHD1 overexpression also suppressed LTR activity from human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), but not from murine leukemia virus (MLV), suggesting specific suppression of retroviral LTR-driven gene expression. WT SAMHD1 bound to proviral DNA and impaired reactivation of HIV-1 gene expression in latently infected J-Lat cells. In contrast, a nonphosphorylated mutant (T592A) and a dNTP triphosphohydrolase (dNTPase) inactive mutant (H206D/R207N, or HD/RN) of SAMHD1 failed to efficiently suppress HIV-1 LTR-driven gene expression and reactivation of latent virus. Purified recombinant WT SAMHD1, but not T592A and HD/RN mutants, bound to fragments of the HIV-1 LTR in vitro. These findings suggest that SAMHD1-mediated suppression of HIV-1 LTR-driven gene expression contributes to regulation of viral latency in CD4+ T-cells. IMPORTANCE A critical barrier to developing a cure for HIV-1 infection is the long-lived viral reservoir that exists in resting CD4+ T-cells, the main targets of HIV-1. The viral reservoir is maintained through a variety of mechanisms, including regulation of the HIV-1 LTR promoter. The host protein SAMHD1 restricts HIV-1 replication in non-dividing cells, but its role in HIV-1 latency remains unknown. Here we report a new function of SAMHD1 in regulating HIV-1 latency. We found that SAMHD1 suppressed HIV-1 LTR promoter-driven gene expression and reactivation of viral latency in cell lines and primary CD4+ T-cells. Furthermore, SAMHD1 bound to the HIV-1 LTR in vitro and in a latently infected CD4+ T-cell line, suggesting that the binding may negatively modulate reactivation of HIV-1 latency. Our findings indicate a novel role for SAMHD1 in regulating HIV-1 latency, which enhances our understanding of the mechanisms regulating proviral gene expression in CD4+ T-cells.
Aspergillus species and Aflatoxin Contamination of Pre and Post- Harvest Maize Grain in West Gojam, Ethiopia

Contamination of maize by aflatoxins is of major concern because of the health hazards associated with it. Therefore, the present study was designed to assess the level of Aspergillus species and Aflatoxin contamination in pre and post-harvest maize grain. Results indicated that from fifteen pre and fifteen post-harvest maize samples 77.7% of pre-harvest with level range from 3.13 to 63.66 μg/kg and 80% of post-harvest sample with level range from 9.02 to 139.8 μg/kg were contaminated by total aflatoxin. The mean total aflatoxin contamination was 18.38 μg/kg for pre-harvest and 43.36 μg/kg for post-harvest. Aflatoxin B1 was detected in 66.7% of pre-harvest maize with the mean level of 5.00 μg/kg and in 87.7% in post-harvest maize with the mean level of 9.86 μg/kg. To be precise, paired t-test statistical analysis for total and aflatoxin B1 in maize samples were showed that both total and aflatoxin B1 increased significantly from pre-harvest to post-harvest maize (p<0.05). About 66.7% of pre-harvest and 86.7% of post-harvest maize samples were exceed the acceptance limit of total aflatoxin and aflatoxin B1 recommended by European Union maximum limit. Aspergillus species contaminations in pre-harvest maize 53.3% of samples were contaminated by A. flavus = 26.7%, A. parasiticus = 13.3% and A. niger group = 13.3% and in post-harvest maize 79.9% of samples were contaminated by A. flavus = 46.6%, A. parasiticus = 20.0% and A. niger group = 13.3%. In conclusion, the results of the present study revealed that although it was expected that pre-harvest maize to have minimal Aspergillus and aflatoxin contamination, the contamination was high in pre harvest and significantly increase from pre-harvest to post harvest.
Podarcis vaucheri (Sauria: Lacertidae) far away from home: a new invasive species in Greece

In this study we aimed to clarify the identity of a wall lizard population that deviates phenotypically from the other Podarcis lizards that occur in the broader area (Athens, Greece). To this end we used molecular techniques. Most surprisingly, we identified the focal population as Podarcis vaucheri , a species far away from its natural range. Molecular results suggest an Iberian origin of this population. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of P. vaucheri outside its original range. The new population should be attributed to human-mediated introduction. The future interaction of this introduced species with native lizards, many of which are endemic to Greece, is of critical importance.
The effect of dietary ginseng polysaccharide supplementation on the immune responses involved in porcine milk-derived esRNAs

Ginseng and its polysaccharides (GPS) have been well known as an immune modulator. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplemental GPS on the immune responses involved in sow’s milk-derived exosomal shuttle RNAs (esRNAs) using RNA-Seq and miRNA-Seq. Of the 213 identified miRNA types, a total of 26 conserved miRNAs were differently expressed in response to GPS supplementation, including 10 up-regulated and 16 down-regulated miRNAs in GPS feeding group. In addition, exosomal transcriptome analysis identified 14,696 protein-coding genes in sow’s milk exosomes, and 283 genes with 204 and 79 candidates showing up and down-regulation were significantly responded to GPS supplementation. Integrated analysis of each differently expressed miRNA with significantly expressed genes further revealed the presence of 51 highly conserved miRNA-gene interactions that were annotated to be related to immunoregulatory functions. This work provided an important advance in the functional identification of dietary GPS supplementation and more fundamental information about how GPS promoted the immune response and healthy growth of the infant from mothers at molecular levels.
Isolation and Characterization of Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria from Agriculture Soil of Jaipur, Rajasthan

Microorganisms present in soil play an important role in maintaining the ecological balance by active participation in Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Carbon cycle in nature. Phosphorous plays an important role in plant nutrition and have important biochemical role in respiration, cell division, photosynthesis, cell enlargement and several other processes in the living plant. It is one of the most important vital macronutrient requisite for the growth and development of plants. The present study was undertaken to investigate the occurrence of phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) from tomato rhizosphere soil samples collected across Jaipur, Rajasthan. Twenty soil samples were collected randomly to isolate phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) by using plate assay method on Pikovskayaâ€™s agar medium (PVK). The microbial colonies showing clear halo zone formation around them were considered as phosphate solubilizing. The isolated PSB were characterized by biochemical different biochemical tests like IMVIC test, Catalase test, Carbohydrate test, Starch hydrolysis test, Oxidase test, Casein Hydrolysis Test, Citrate utilization test, Indole Production test, H2S Production test and Nitrate reduction test. The PSB isolates were subjected to 16S rRNA gene analysis and were identified as Bacillus sp. , Streptomyces sp. , and Cronobacter sp. The study concludes that by using potential phosphate solubilizing bacteria as biofertilizers will not only enhance soil fertility, crop productivity but will also maintain and protect soil health leading to sustainable agriculture.
Effects of wetland hydroperiod length on the functional structure of assemblages of Odonata

The role of hydroperiod as an environmental filter in structuring wetland assemblages is usually associated with trait selection in invertebrates. However, the effects of changes in the hydroperiod of non‐permanent wetlands on invertebrate assemblages are still unclear, and few studies have assessed the functional structure of insect assemblages along the hydroperiod gradient. In this study, we investigated the effects of different hydroperiod lengths on the functional structure of Odonata assemblages in non‐permanent wetlands (posteriorly classified as ‘short‐’, ‘medium‐’ and ‘long‐hydroperiod’) in southern Brazil in 2013 and 2014. Biological traits related to life‐history strategies in temporary waters were assessed according to seasonal patterns of occurrence of nymphal and adult stages of odonates. Following the rationale of an environmental filter produced by hydroperiod, we expected to find (1) higher functional diversity in longer hydroperiods and (2) trait‐convergence patterns in odonate assemblages in shorter hydroperiods. Patterns of functional diversity were detected along the hydroperiod gradient. More specifically, higher functional dispersion was found in long‐hydroperiod wetlands and trait‐convergence patterns occurred in wetlands with shorter hydroperiods, supporting our general hypothesis. Odonate taxa with life‐history traits associated with shorter life cycles predominated in medium‐ and short‐hydroperiod wetlands. Our results thus suggest that more pronounced reductions in wetland hydroperiod length should produce odonate assemblages functionally more similar, and these results gain special importance as climate change scenarios indicate that the hydrology of wetlands will be affected by variation in rainfall regimes.
The complete mitochondrial genome of the flea Ceratophyllus wui (Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae)

Abstract The complete mitogenome sequence of the flea, Ceratophyllus wui (Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae), was sequenced. The 18,081 bp long genome has the standard metazoan complement of 37 genes. These genes contain 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and one control region. The nucleotide composition of the C. wui mitogenome was A: 37.72%, T: 38.99%, G: 9.51% and C: 13.78%. The A + T content is 76.71%, showing strong AT skew. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that Siphonapteran has sister relationship with Dipteran.
Estimates of genetic variability parameters and interrelationships of morpho-physiological traits in yellow sarson (Brassica rapa L. var. yellow sarson)

The objective of investigation was to assess the heterosis, heritability in broad sense, inbreeding depression and interrelationships among the quantitative traits in six intra-specific crosses developed in yellow sarson. The experimental material comprised six parental genotypes, 12 F1 and F2 populations, grown in complete randomized block design with three replications. Data on ten morpho-physiological traits were recorded. Results revealed significant differences for all yield and quality characters indicated the presence of sufficient genetic variability for effective selection. In all cross combinations, hybrids performed better than their respective parents and significant positive standard and better parent heterosis was observed for the trait seed yield per plant. Based on high mean performance and heterotic values, hybrids and their corresponding parental lines under this study can be exploited further for commercial hybrid production. Positive Inbreeding depression in F1-2 families ranged from 0.01 to 31.38 percent for length of fruiting zone in Ragni x NDYS-425 and primary branches per plant in Jagrati x YST-151 cross, respectively. High heritability (95.73 cm) coupled with high genetic advance were noticed for length of fruiting zone (Ragni x YST-151) and for seed yield per plant in Jagrati x YST151, NDYS-427 x YST-151, Pusa Gold x Jagrati and Ragni x NDYS-425 crosses. Seed yield per plant showed highly significant and positive association with primary branches per plant and siliqua length.
MiRNAs in Cervical Cancer Radio- and Chemotherapy Response

Cervical cancer (CC) is a very frequent women disease with high mortality and morbid- ity incidence worldwide, being the developing countries the most affected. Persistent infection with an oncogenic high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) type is the primary cause of cervical cancer, but other etiologies are needed for complete malignancy such as patient immune response, genetic, and cellular factors, and/or environment. Radiotherapy in combination with cisplatinum is the standard treatment for invasive cervical cancer. Nevertheless, this conventional treatment is restricted due to eventual development of drug resistance and systemic toxicity. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate the expression of protein-coding genes involved in various cellular pro- cesses including cancer where they play a very important role in the development and progression of malignancy. As part of this complex disease, miRNAs have been impli - cated in the process of drug and radiation resistance and sensitivity. Recent studies have been directed to understand how miRNAs under or over-expressed are determinants of clinical response, and other studies have focused to clarify how the process of radio and/or chemotherapy affects miRNA expression. These works could lead to the design of safer and more effective therapy approaches based on miRNA expression and their target regulation.
Comparison of two African rice species through a new pan-genomic approach on massive data

Pangenome theory implies that individuals from a given group/species share only a given part of their genome (core-genome), the remaining part being the dispensable one. Domestication process implies a small number of founder individuals, and thus a large core-genome compared to dispensable at the first steps of domestication. We sequenced at high depth 120 cultivated African rice Oryza glaberrima and of 74 wild relatives O. barthii, and mapped them on the external reference from Asian rice O. sativa. We then use a novel DepthOfCoverage approach to identif missing genes. After comparing the two species, we shown that the cultivated species has a smaller core-genome than the wild one, as well as an expected smaller dispensable one. This unexpected output however replaces in perspective the inadequacy of cultivated crops to wilderness.
Changes in nuclear and mitochondrial DNA levels and metabolism during ageing and encystment in Acanthamoeba castellanii

3. When a map, drawing or chart, etc., is part of the material being photo­ graphed the photographer has followed a definite method in “sectioning” the material. It is customary to begin filming at the upper left hand comer o f a large sheet and to continue from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. If necessary, sectioning is continued again—beginning below the first row and continuing on until complete.
Hyaluronic Acid Nanoporous Microparticles with Long In Vivo Joint Residence Time and Sustained Release

A simple approach is reported to engineer biodegradable and biocompatible nanoporous hyaluronic acid particles (NPHAs) with a characteristic sponge‐like morphology and uniform size. These NPHAs can be synthesized using the concomitant cross‐linking of hyaluronic acid and the cross‐linking agent precipitation. The nanoporous architecture of NPHAs prevents the rapid enzymatic degradation of hyaluronic acid and controls the erosion of microparticles in physiological conditions. Once injected into an intra‐articular body cavity of healthy mice, these NPHAs reside at the point‐of‐delivery for an extended time period, exhibiting a sustained release of hyaluronic acid. In addition, in vivo studies indicate the persistence of NPHAs in the knee joints with neither accumulation into major organs, nor any local or systemic side‐effect. The use of NPHAs is emphasized as reservoirs of hyaluronic acid, effectively providing an innovative and safe platform for prolonging the favorable effects displayed by hyaluronic acid on joints affected by osteoarthritis.
KERAGAMAN INFRASPESIFIK GAHARU GYRINOPS VERSTEEGII (GILG.) DOMKE DI PULAU LOMBOK BAGIAN BARAT

Penelitian ini bertujuan mencari keragaman infraspesifik spesies Gyrinops versteegii (Gilg.) Domke di pulau Lombok bagian barat. Analisis dilakukan atas variasi morfologi, anatomi kayu dan fitokimia kayu serta gubal gaharu dari lima populasi lokal pohon Ketimunan ( G. versteegii (Gilg.) Domke. ) yang diambil dari hutan Lombok bagian barat, Provinsi Nusa Tenggara Barat. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa ada lima grup pohon Ketimunan yang ditemukan di lokasi penelitian yaitu: G. versteegii Beringin group, G. versteegii Buaya group, G. versteegii Madu group, G. versteegii Pantai group dan G. versteegii Soyun group.
Identification of Cupressaceae species from airborne pollen grains using chloroplastic markers: implications for reproductive interference evaluation in a remnant natural population of Chamaecyparis pisifera (Sieb. et Zucc.) Endl

ABSTRACT Many wild populations of Chamaecyparis pisifera (Cupressaceae) are recently fragmented and surrounded by coniferous plantations. To distinguish the species composition of pollens that are dispersed to female flowers of C. pisifera, genetic markers (Chaps-trnL01 and Chaps-trnL02) were developed based on the differences in trnL (UAA) intron region of chloroplast DNA. This region in C. pisifera contains the site of the Cla I restriction enzyme and allows the distinction of C. pisifera from other Cupressaceae species after digestion of the products with the enzyme resulting in the development of cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) markers. The availability of markers was determined by single-pollen genotyping. Amplification success rates of 75.0, 58.3, and 100% were obtained for the pollens of C. pisifera, Chamaecyparis obtusa, and Cryptomeria japonica, respectively. Then, the markers and genotyping methods were applied to airborne pollen grains sampled from a remnant natural stand of C. pisifera. Over 90% of the pollen grains were identified as belonging to C. obtusa. Thus, we concluded that abundant heterospecific pollen dispersal was present during the flowering periods of C. pisifera. These results suggest that the remnant C. pisifera population might suffer reproductive interference due to the lower chances to be pollinated with conspecific pollens.
Culture and expansion of Adipose derived Mesenchymal stem cells in Ovine

Culture and expansion of Adipose derived Mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) in Ovine was carried out in this study. Ovine adipose tissue samples were collected from Chennai Corporation slaughter house under sterile condition in normal saline with five per cent povidone iodine, antibiotic and antimycotic solutions. Collected tissue samples were weighed and digested using collagenase enzyme to isolate adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs). Cell yield and viability of the cells were calculated by using trypan blue exclusion test. The cells were seeded at the density of one million cells in one T25 culture flask in Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium-high glucose (DMEM-HG). On the day of seeding, the cells showed spherical morphology. Plastic adherence was noticed 24 hrs after seeding. Cell expansion was observed after 3 days. At P0 level, 70% confluency was attained on day 14 and the time taken to reach 70% confluency was reduced to 3-4 days in subsequent passages.
Reappraisal of the giant caviomorph rodent Phoberomys burmeisteri (Ameghino, 1886) from the late Miocene of northeastern Argentina, and the phylogeny and diversity of Neoepiblemidae

Abstract Phoberomys is a giant caviomorph rodent included in the extinct Neoepiblemidae. It is recorded in the late Miocene-Pliocene of South America (Argentina, Venezuela, Brazil and Peru), and is one of the largest rodents that have ever lived. In this contribution we study specimens of Phoberomys from the ‘Mesopotamiense’, late Miocene of Entre Ríos Province (Argentina), including several unpublished specimens and the holotypes of the five nominal species (Ph. burmeisteri, Ph. praecursor, Ph. insolita, Ph. lozanoi and Ph. minima) previously recognised for this unit. Our study indicates that all Mesopotamian specimens belong to Phoberomys burmeisteri, and that the differences among them reveal individual and ontogenetic variation. Our phylogenetic analysis indicates that Neoepiblemidae is monophyletic and includes Phoberomys, Neoepiblema, and Perimys. Phoberomys species are recovered as a clade, which is more closely related to Neoepiblema than to the Patagonian Perimys. In addition, our study shows that Eusigmomys is not a Neoepiblemidae, but a Dinomyidae.