Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterisation of transcriptional mediator subunit, MED17 and its regulation by cyclins.

Mediator is a transcription co-factor complex that co-operates with transcriptonal activators to enhance gene specifc transcription and is conserved between yeast Drosophila and man. The MED17 subunit of Mediator (formerly known as TRAP80/CRSP6/DRIP80) has been characterised as a transcriptional activator interacting with a number of transcription factors, such as heat shock factor and p53. Expression of MED17 in yeast and Drosophila is essential to cell viability possibly due to its function as a global transcriptional regulator. In a yeast-2-hybrid screen with a viral cyclin as bait, MED17 was identified as an interacting clone. Due to the oncogenic potential of viral cydins, effects of human MED17 on p53 regulated transcription were investigated. Functional characterisation of MED17 effects on p53 showed that it repressed p53 mediated transcription in lucrferase reporter assays. Further, a MED17 constitutively expressing line generated in non-transformed mouse cells inhibited apoptosis and demonstrated other features of p53 functional loss. Human MED17 still activates heat shock regulated transcription, as previously described for the Drosophila homologue. Analysis of other transcription factors regulated by MED17 was investigated by gene expression microarray analysis of the MED17 cell line, revealing a putative co-activator function in B-eatenin regulated transcription. Also studied was the interaction of MED17 with cellular homologues of viral cyclin. Cyclin/cdks phosphorylate MED17, with cyclin A/cdk2 specifically phosphorylating MED17 to enhance its expression. This investigation reveals a novel repressor function for MED17 on p53 mediated transcription and links cell cycle regulators to the transcriptional activities of MED17/Mediator and p53.
Functional Characterization of Actinomycetes Isolated from the AM fungal (Glomus mosseae) Spores

Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AMF) fungi are well known for their effect on plant growth, nutrient mobilization and for their antagonistic effect on plant pathogens. The beneficial attributes of AMF are augmented through their associated bacteria. Among the associated bacteria, Actinobacteria are the most important due to their capacity to produce plant growth hormone, antimicrobial compounds and nutrient solublization by extracellular enzymes and organic acids (Thumar and singh, 2007: Dietera et al., 2003: Salami, 2004: Padmadhas and Ragunathan, 2010 and ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 4 Number 9 (2015) pp. 598-612 http://www.ijcmas. com
SIRT6LinksHistoneH3Lysine9Deacetylation to NF-kB-Dependent Gene Expression and Organismal Life Span

SUMMARY Members of the sirtuin (SIRT) family of NAD-dependent deacetylases promote longevity in multiple organisms. Deficiency of mammalian SIRT6 leads to shortened life span and an aging-like phenotype in mice, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are unclear. Here we show that SIRT6 functions at chromatin to attenuate NF-kB signaling. SIRT6 interacts with the NF-kB RELA subunit and deacetylates histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) at NF-kB target gene promoters. In SIRT6-deficient cells, hyperacetylation of H3K9 at these target promoters is associated with increased RELA promoter occupancy and enhanced NF-kB-dependent modulation of gene expression, apoptosis, and cellular senescence. Computational genomics analyses revealed increased activity of NF-kB-driven gene expression programs in multiple Sirt6-deficienttissuesinvivo.Moreover,haploinsufficiency of RelA rescues the early lethality and degenerativesyndromeofSirt6-deficientmice.Wepropose that SIRT6 attenuates NF-kB signaling via H3K9 deacetylation at chromatin, and hyperactive NF-kB signaling may contribute to premature and normal aging.
Isolation, Identification and Molecular Characterization of Highly Pathogenic Newcastle Disease Virus From Field Outbreaks

Newcastle disease (ND) is a major infectious disease of the poultry caused by a virulent strain of Avian Paramyxovirus - 1, that is a single strand non-segmented negative sense RNA virus. ND virus is major threat to the poultry industry in many countries of the world. The study was aimed to isolate and identify Newcastle disease virus (NDV) by using a haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay. A total 100 samples of infected and dead birds were collected from different poultry farms. The weight of the birds was ranged 1000-1200g. The birds were divided into 3 groups. Haemagglutination assay (HA) was performed to detect the presence of NDV in suspension of infected homogenized tissues and it was found that HA is not the best method to detect the virus when it is in trace amounts. RT-PCR using NDV specific primers analyzed different clinical and postmortem samples. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and specific primers was used for determining the presence of viruses. It was found that the virus was present in most of the infected samples except the serum of infected birds. During multiple sequence alignment (MSA) it was found that, our isolates have high homology (98%) with other reported NDV isolates. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that our isolate was closely related with viscerotropic velogenic types of NDV, which are highly pathogenic Newcastle disease virus.
Effect of water stress on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in local bread wheat hexaploids.

Current research was conducted with the objective to observe the changes in activities of antioxidant enzymes and malondialdehyde (MDA) content which may play a part in distinguishing tolerant and susceptible genotypes under different irrigation levels. The experimental material comprised of germplasm of eight local bread wheat hexaploids. Stress was imposed by withholding irrigation at three different growth stages of plant, i.e. vegetative, anthesis and vegetative + anthesis. Experiment was carried out in randomized complete block design in a split-plot arrangement. Water regimes (irrigated and non-irrigated) were allocated to the main plots and genotypes to the sub-plots. Second leaves were collected at respective stages of stresses (non-irrigated) along with control samples (irrigated). A variable response of genotypes was observed at different water regimes. Elevated MDA levels at vegetative stage indicated more sensitivity at young plants to oxidative stress than at mature plants. The response of peroxidase and superoxide dismutase to stress imposed at vegetative stage was towards promotion. As the water stress moved towards anthesis, an inhibition was noted. Enhancement was again observed at vegetative + anthesis stress in the activity of peroxidase whereas superoxide dismutase declined at anthesis and vegetative + anthesis stress. When stress was imposed at three levels of irrigation, minimum lipid peroxidation with high peroxidase activity has been found in Rawal-87, Chakwal-86 and Pak-81. At vegetative stress genotype Pak-81 showed lower MDA content with elevated levels of superoxide dismutase. Under anthesis and vegetative + anthesis stress, Rawal-87 and Chakwal-86 showed lower levels of MDA, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase. Kohistan-97, Inqilab-91, Watan and Uqaab-2000 showed pronounced lipid peroxidation with low activity of peroxidase and superoxide dismutase at different irrigation levels. These levels reflect the susceptibility of the genotypes towards water stress. This variable response of genotypes can be related to differences in antioxidant enzyme levels and could be used for selecting genotypes that are stress tolerant.
How human cytomaegalovirus glycoproteins mediate entry

x CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1 A. HCMV infection and pathogenesis 1 B. Overview of the HCMV replication cycle 7 C. Roles of HCMV and herpesvirus glycoproteins in virus assembly and egress 16 D. HSV and EBV glycoprotein function during virus entry 19 E. Roles of HCMV membrane glycoproteins in virus entry 21 F. Summary 31 CHAPTER 2: AN HCMV gO-NULL MUTANT FAILS TO INCORPORATE gH/gL INTO THE VIRION ENVELOPE AND IS UNABLE TO ENTER FIBROBLASTS, EPITHELIAL, AND ENDOTHELIAL CELLS 33 A. Statement of Author Contributions and Copyright 33 B. Abstract 33 C. Introduction 34 D. Materials and Methods 39 E. Results 44
Nutritive value of oak leaves in sheep.

Oak (Quercus sp.) leaves and branches is an important source of forage in the north-west of Iran, during winter season, when the pasture herbages are not available, but the nutritive value of this forage is not well known. In this study nutritive value of three species of oak tree leaves: Quercus persica, Q. infectoria and Q. libani were assessed by chemical analysis and in situ method. The chemical composition (g/kg DM basis) of the above species, respectively were as follow; 951, 927, 946, Organic Matter (OM); 115, 92, 123, Crude Protein (CP); 532, 540, 512, Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF); 317, 300, 331, Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF); 98, 103, 95, lignin (ADL); 78, 115, 104, total phenols; 73, 109, 100, Total Tannins (TT); 14, 15, 12, Condensed Tannin (CT) and 46, 87, 62, Hydrolysable Tannin (HT). Protein Precipitable Phenolics (PPP) were respectively 160, 190 and 230 (g/kg total phenols). Rumen liquor taken from three male Ghezel sheep was used to measure the in situ degradability characteristics of oak leaf. The soluble component (a), insoluble but fermentable fraction (b), the potential degradability (a+b) and the Effective Degradability (ED) were higher in Q. persica (p Q. libani > Q. infectoria.
Gleaning a Human DNA Profile from Trace Swabs Collected from Animal Hairs

Abstract Animal hairs are an apt surface for retention of forensic trace epithelial samples. The aim of this study was threefold: to evaluate different methods of sample collection (moistened and dry swabs) and DNA extraction (Chelex® 100 method, Qiagen EZ1® DNA Investigator Kit), as well as to examine the morphological differences of hair fibres between two species (dog, sheep) and their ultimate impact on sample collection and processing. Our preliminary findings suggest that the use of EZ1® DNA Investigator Kit yields donor DNA profiles of higher quality. The results of different sample collection methods have shown intraspecific variations that require further investigation. The ability of retention and subsequent extraction of trace DNA appears to be similar between the two species, despite significant morphological differences between their coat hairs.
Does white tail patch size indicate quality in male Cerulean Warblers (Setophaga cerulea)?

ABSTRACT Within species of birds, variation in plumage may allow potential mates or competitive rivals to quickly assess the quality of an individual. Little is known about the role of white tail feather patches (“tail white”) in male Cerulean Warblers (Setophaga cerulea) and whether variation in patch size could serve as a signal. We hypothesized that the size of tail white patches in males acts as an honest signal of quality, with larger white patches indicating high quality males. We measured and compared the area of tail white to four estimates of quality (age, structural size, body mass, and blood parasite load) in 71 male Cerulean Warblers at the Queen’s University Biological Station in eastern Ontario. We found that males 2 years old or older had significantly larger tail white patches than 1 year old males, and that structurally larger males (estimated by wing length) had significantly larger tail white patches than smaller males. Our best-performing statistical model suggested that heavier individuals had larger areas of tail white, but this relationship depended on wing length: white positively covaried with body mass in smaller individuals (shorter wings), but not in larger individuals. Our findings suggest that size of tail white patches may provide information on some, but not all, aspects of quality of male Cerulean Warblers; however, we do not know if this information is perceived and used by other Cerulean Warblers in nature.
Nodular Somatic Embryosenesis and Frond Regeneration in Duck- weed, Lemna 8ibha G3

Duckweed (Lemna 8ibba) is a useful model system for elucidath~ plant development, but the techniques needed for regenerating fronds from calli are not yet well established. This study examined the effects of auxin, sucrose, and gelling agents on callus and frond formation in L. ~bba G3. After three weeks of culturing on a solid medium, two types of calli were observed: watery, pale-green, and undifferentiated; or white, compact calli that were orsanized into nodules and which resembled somatic embryogenic calli. Homogeneous callus lines were produced through selective subculture. To induce nodular calli, auxin (2,4-D) was absolutely required, with an effective concentration of 5 to 20 pM; induction was found to be possible with up to a maximum concentration of 4.4%. The cam were then main. rained on a medium with a reduced 2,4-D concentration (1 pM), and were transferred every three weeks. Optimal callus induction and growth were obtained by usin 8 3% sucrose with a combinaUon of 0.15% Gelrite and 0.4% agar. Fronds, however, could be regenerated only on distilled water solidified with a combination of 0.4% asar and 0.15% Gelrite. On this medium, 87% of the callus explants regenerated into fronds after four weeks of culture. These new fronds were morphologically normal but small, approximately 15 to 20% of the size of stock fronds. Continued culture of these fronds in an SH medium produced normal duckweeds, and histological examination of the cultures revealed several distinct types of callus nodules. Nonetheless, because zygotic embryogenesis in L. 8ibba does not produce distinct bipolar structures, the developmental pathway of frond regeneration from these nodular cultures remains unknown.
S100 Expression in Astrocytes of the Developing Cerebella of the Offspring Rats of Hyperthyroidism Mothers (Biochemical, Histological and Immunohistochemical Studies)

Background: Thyroid dysfunctions are the second most common endocrinological disorders in pregnancy after diabetes mellitus. Uncontrolled and inadequately treated maternal hyperthyroidism may result in fetal and neonatal hyperthyroidism that may affect the cerebellar development. Astrocytes are target cells for thyroid hormones. Aim: To verify the effect of maternal thyrotoxicosis on the biochemical and histological architecture of the offspring’s developing cerebellum. Material and Methods: Thirty pregnant rats were divided into two equal groups control and hyperthyroidism. The cerebella of all offspring of both the groups were examined in 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th postnatal days. One hemisphere was used for histological and immunohistochemical study and the other for biochemical investigation. Also, estimation of Thyroid Hormone levels and Glutathione Peroxidase in the serum was done. Results: The offspring of the treated rats showed a significant increase in the levels of T3, and T4 in all studied ages (p˂0.001). In addition, the homogenized fluid of the cerebella from all offspring of treated rats showed decreased levels of Glutathione Peroxidase levels and increased Malondialdehyde levels (p˂0.001 for both) indicating high oxidative stress and low in antioxidant defense. Light microscopic investigation of the cerebellar cortex of the offspring of the treated rats showed marked growth retardation in the cerebella in the form of shallow fissures and delayed newly formed ones. Some degenerative changes were observed in the four layers of the cerebellar cortex; some cells have vacuolated cytoplasm with the presence of interstitial hemorrhage during all studied ages. The dendritic arborization of Purkinje cells of experimental animals showed degeneration in the form of less branching dendrites or fuse with adjacent ones. Application of S100 immunostaining revealed that the most affected and expressed cells were the astrocytes which appear markedly immunoexpressed and altered morphologically showing enlarged irregular cells with multiple thick disrupted processes. Conclusion: Hyperthyroidism in rats during gestation and lactation periods badly affected the development of cerebellum of the offspring at all examined period. Significantly, astrocytes altered morphologically. The disturbed cerebellar cytoarchitecture might be due to increase oxidative stress and impaired antioxidant defense system.
Growth and Fruiting of ‘Heritage’ Primocane Fruiting Red Raspberry in Response to Paclobutrazol

Paclobutrazol (PP333) was applied to dormant ‘Heritage’ primocane fruiting red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) plants at dosages of 0, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 96 mg a.i.·0.37 m−2 ·hill−1. After 29 days of fruit production, the average cumulative fruit yield of primocanes treated with 24, 48, or 96 mg of paclobutrazol was 92% greater than for control primocanes. The cumulative fruit yield of primocanes receiving the 24-mg dosage remained significantly greater through 50 days of production compared to that of control primocanes. Cumulative fruit yield was not adversely affected at any time during the production season by any of the dosages applied. The 24-mg dosage suppressed final primocane height by 19% but did not significantly decrease primocane diameter or the number of nodes formed. The vegetative responses to 48- and 96-mg dosages were similar, with an average reduction in primocane height, diameter, and total number of nodes formed of 36%, 25%, and 14%, respectively. Early onset of anthesis was positively correlated (r = 0.72) with suppression of vegetative growth. Production midpoint occurred 60 ± 3.7 days after initial anthesis and varied (r = 0.85) with the date of first anthesis. Chemical name used: β-[(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]-α-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-ethanol (paclobutrazol).
On the drift of the zooplankton from glacial lakes in the Rila Mountain (SW Bulgaria)

The qualitative and quantitative parameters and the survival of the drifting zooplankton were investigated. Streams outflowing from the seven glacial lakes in the Rila Mountain (SW Bulgaria) were the objects of the present study. The quantities of the zooplankton decreased in the direction from the upper to the lower situated lake. This depends on the composition and the quantitative parameters of zooplankton in the lakes at the same time. The highest general quantities - (ind/m 3 ) were found in the autumn on the outflow of the lakes when the maximum development of zooplankton was registered in the lakes. The highest quantities of the drifting per second quantities of zooplankton were registered in July from the Salzata Lake - 202 ind. /per sec. During that time the outflowing streams had the highest volume and velocity, because of the melting snow. The small strongly armoured zooplanktonic animals survived better in the streams. They were the prevailing part of the zooplankton components found at the stations near to the inflow of the lower lakes. Crustaceans were poorly presented in the streams, even in the outflows of the lakes. It is possible also that the big crustaceans resist better to the streams in the regions of the outflows.
DNA barcoding of PaciWc Canada's Wshes

DNA barcoding—sequencing a standard region of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 gene (COI)— promises a rapid, accurate means of identifying animals to a species level. This study establishes that sequence vari- ability in the barcode region permits discrimination of 98% of 201 Wsh species from the Canadian PaciWc. The average sequence variation within species was 0.25%, while the average distance separating species within genera was 3.75%. The latter value was considerably lower than values reported in other studies, reXecting the dominance of the Canadian fauna by members of the young and highly diverse genus Sebastes. Although most sebastids possessed distinctive COI sequences, four species did not. As a partial oVset to these cases, the barcode records indicated the pres- ence of a new, broadly distributed species of Paraliparis and the possibility that Paraliparis pectoralis is actually a species pair. The present study shows that most Wsh species in PaciWc Canadian waters correspond to a single, tightly cohesive array of barcode sequences that are distinct from those of any other species, but also highlights some taxo- nomic issues that need further investigation.
A Taxonomic Revision of the Palaearctic Members of the Ant Subgenus Lasius S. Str. (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

A revision of the Palaearctic members of the ant subgenus Lasius s.str. is presented the fundamentals of which are application of Numeric Morphology-Based Alpha-Taxonomy (NUMOBAT), investigation of type specimens of 58 taxa, critical evaluation of original descriptions of further 22 taxa, and decision-making based on the GAGE species concept. Excluding nomina nuda and unavailable names, 80 taxa are considered which divide into 56 recognized good species (with 16 of these described here as new), 12 junior synonyms, 11 incertae sedis, and one name representing a F1 hybrid. Eighteen phenotypic characters – seven shape, eight seta and two pubescence characters as well as absolute size – were recorded numerically in 4900 worker individuals originating from 1722 nest or spot samples. The subdivision of the subgenera Lasius s.str. Ruzsky 1913, Cautolasius Wilson 1955, Dendrolasius Ruzsky 1913, Chthonolasius Ruzsky 1913 and Austrolasius Faber 1967 is clearly confirmed by morphological data with each of the 99 recognized Palaearctic species being unambiguously assignable to either subgenus. A key to the 56 Palaearctic species of Lasius s.str. , subdivided into five geographic regions, is presented. All species are depicted as z-stack photos in two standard positions. The new species Lasius precursor sp. nov. is proposed as a model for transition from a largely monogynousmonodomous social type (exemplified by the sister species Lasius turcicus Santschi 1921) to a supercolonial type (exemplified by the closely related species Lasius neglectus Van Loon et al. 1990).
Effects of temperature on germination of stratified seeds of three ash species

Mature seeds of three ash species, stratified in different ways, were germinated under three temperature regimes. One lot of Fraxinus excelsior was pretreated with 10 weeks' warm statification followed by 12 weeks' cold stratification; a second lot with 18 weeks' warm stratification; half of the seeds subsequently underwent cold stratification for 8 weeks and half for 15 weeks. For Fraxinus angustifolia seeds, cold stratification only was applied for 4, 8 and 20 weeks respectively. For all three species germination tests were conducted in darkness at 30:20 o C and constant 20 o C