Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pollen morphology and its taxonomic utility in the Southern Hemisphere bracteate-prostrate forget-me-nots (Myosotis, Boraginaceae)

ABSTRACT The pollen of the informal bracteate-prostrate group of Southern Hemisphere Myosotis sect. Exarrhena (Boraginaceae: Cynogossoideae: Myosotideae) was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to obtain taxonomically useful characters for delimiting species and species groups. Pollen grains of one to four individuals of each of 30 different taxonomic entities were imaged using SEM, scored for 16 different morphological characters, described and analysed. Pollen grains are small, heterocolpate, with 8–12 apertures, oblate spheroidal to prolate in equatorial view, with linear pseudocolpi which alternate with the colpori and can be partially to fully fused (‘anastomosing’) to form an apocopial field (‘polar cap’). Colpori ektoapertures are wider and often shorter than pseudocolpi, rhombic or narrowly rhombic with often circular or elliptical endoapertures. The exine is usually verrucate on the endoaperture membranes but densely and evenly granulate elsewhere. Statistical analyses of the pollen morphological dataset recovered three significant clusters, two of which contained the majority of individuals and coincided with the previously categorised Myosotis australis type pollen, while individuals in the third cluster had M. uniflora type pollen. Myosotis brevis (M. discolor type) and M. glabrescens (M. angustata type) represented two additional pollen types and thus had the most distinctive pollen of the whole dataset, whereas M. albiflora and M. tenericaulis showed high intraspecific variability. Important pollen characters separating the clusters included aperture number, polar cap presence, and P:E ratio (shape). Although most species could not be identified based solely on pollen morphology, species with similar habits clustered together, and pollen characters will be useful for delimiting species groups or species when combined with additional morphological, genetic or other datasets. Additional pollen studies of the remaining Myosotis species is warranted, including those from sect. Exarrhena with M. discolor type pollen and the ebracteate-erect species, as well as Northern Hemisphere sect. Myosotis.
Molecular evidence for occurrence of tuberose mild mottle virus infecting tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa) in India

Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa) in the grower's field of Kangra valley, Himachal Pradesh, India showed presence of mosaic symptoms on leaves and flower peduncles. Tuberose plantations were heavily infected, indicating its widespread nature. Causal agent could only be transmitted mechanically to tuberose, indicating a narrow host range. Further, the virus could be transmitted by aphid vector in non-persistent manner. Positive results with ELISA employing potyvirus group-specific antibody, RT-PCR using group-specific primer for its detection and non-persistent insect transmission confirmed the presence of potyvirus. An ∼ 750 bp RT-PCR amplified fragment was then cloned and sequenced. Sequence analysis confirmed identity of the virus infecting tuberose in India as Tuberose mild mottle virus (TuMMoV). The 453 bp partial coat protein gene was found to be 100% homologous with TuMMoV isolate from China and 68-88% homologous with other established potyviruses. Phylogenetic analysis also confirmed the results of sequence alignment. The sequence of TuMMoV was found to be unique and when analysed by recombination detection programme, did not show any recombination with the studied potyvirus sequences. The present communication reports occurrence of TuMMoV infecting tuberose from India. Given their specificity, sensitivity and reliability, ELISA and RT-PCR based diagnostics should be of benefit to phytosanitary/quarantine services related to the tuberose industry and also as a decision management tool for the growers.
HEAVY RAINFALL DURING MONSOON SEASON : POINT AND SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION

The daily rainfall records of about 5000 stations in India, during the monsoon periods of several decades, have been examined for occurrence of heavy rainfall. The point values of (i) the highest annual rainfalls, (ii) the highest rainfalls of one, two, and three day durations, and (iii) the highest hourly values, are presented in the form of tables and charts. The highest depth-area-duration values for twelve storm-centres are also given.
Whole Blood, Serum, and Tissue Fluids in an Enzyme Immunoassay for Swine Trichinellosis.

Two enzyme immunoassays (EIA) for trichinellosis in swine (a research version and a commercial kit obtained from LMD Agro-Vet) were used to test pig whole blood, serum, and tissue fluids as sample sources. Five pigs inoculated with 2,500 Trichinella spiralis were bled weekly and then sacrificed after 42 days. Blood and serum samples from each sampling time and tissue fluids collected at slaughter were tested in both EIA formats. Whether samples were undiluted or diluted, blood could be used as effectively as serum for detecting pigs infected with T. spiralis . Further, it was as effective to use tissue fluids as either blood or serum. With both tests, the research and commercial versions, it is possible to detect infected pigs by 28 days following infection. The results of this study suggest that a rapid EIA test such as the LMD Agro-Vet Trichinella Serology Microwell ELISA can be used as an effective tool for testing pigs for trichinellosis on the farm. Additionally, because it can enable the detection of antibodies in tissue fluids, this test could be used effectively to determine trichinellosis in meat samples following slaughter.
Assessment of Nycodenz Gradient on Enrichment and Culture of Perinatal Porcine Spermatogonial Stem Cells

MILLER, STEPHANIE RENEE. Assessment of nycodenz gradient on enrichment and culture of perinatal porcine spermatogonial stem cells. (Under the direction of Robert M. Petters). The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a Nycodenz gradient enrichment method to enrich a dissociated single cell suspension of porcine testicular cells for spermatogonia, and to observe the separated fractions from the gradient over a 14-day culture period for cell viability and number of spermatogonia in culture. Two germ cell specific genes, VASA and DAZL, were utilized for detection of spermatogonia using immunohistochemistry. The control group included cultures generated from the enzymatic digestion of porcine testes prior to the enrichment protocol for each replicate. The NycoDenz gradient consistently separated the isolated cell suspension into three distinct layers and a pellet, all of which were assessed for spermatogonial enrichment. Testis cells were isolated and seeded in culture on day 0. Cell viability and percent of spermatogonia was assessed on day 0, 7, and 14 of culture. Viability was determined using trypan blue exclusion assay and quantified using a hemocytometer. Spermatogonia were morphologically identified as round, plump cells with a large amount of cytoplasm. Visualization of spermatogonia was facilitated by immunostaining with DAZL and VASA polyclonal antibodies and cells exhibiting morphological characteristics in addition to bright, concentrated fluorescence were counted as spermatogonia. ASSESSMENT OF NYCODENZ GRADIENT ON ENRICHMENT AND CULTURE OF PERINATAL PORCINE SPERMATOGONIAL STEM CELLS
Ecotypic adaptations in Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) for altitudinal stress tolerance

Abstract Three ecotypes [foot hill (700 m), mid hill (1571 m) and top hill (2804 m)] of a Bermuda grass Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. from Pir Chinasi Hill in Western Himalaya were evaluated for their degree of tolerance to altitudinal stress. Differential response of all ecotypes in terms of adequate structural modifications to different elevation levels was an evident to confirm the hypothesis that plants inhabiting different altitudes show variation in structure (internal modifications) and strategic (response) due to heterogeneity in environmental gradients. Soil at top hill site was more acidic and displayed significant increase in ionic content and total nitrogen. High elevation had severe impact on morphoanatomical and physiological attributes. A significant decline in shoot fresh weight and total leaf area was observed in top hill ecotype. With exception of Ca2+ and carotenoid, other ionic and chlorophyll content were significantly declined at high elevations. Anatomical alterations such as, increased leaf thickness, intensive sclerification around the vascular bundle and pith area, reduced metaxylem vessel area, high number of silica bodies, high pubescence (increased microhair and trichome density) were some of the promising anatomical adaptations in top hill ecotype which played an important role in high degree of tolerance of this grass to cope with altitudinal stresses. Increased leaf thickness might be a response to lower temperature that protects mesophyll cells and high density of trichomes may be involved in blocking transpiration water and internal heat. The pattern of constant variation suggests that differential response of these ecotypes is highly related to air temperature, pattern of rainfall, availability of nutrients.
Comparing the melanin-concentrating hormone-1 receptor expression in the brains of mice and rats

COMPARING THE MELANIN-CONCENTRATING HORMONE -1 RECEPTOR EXPRESSION IN THE BRAINS OF MICE AND RATS Publication No. ______ Sidney Clayborn Williams III, M.S. The University of Texas at Arlington, 2007 Supervising Professor: Dr. Howard Arnott The melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) family of neuropeptides is believed to be important in controlling certain feeding behaviors. This family consists of one ligand, melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), and two receptors, melaninconcentrating-1 receptor (MCH-1R) and melanin-concentrating-2 receptor (MCH-2R), of which only MCH-1R is expressed in rodents. Recently, the distribution of MCH-1R in rat brains was published revealing that it is expressed throughout the rat brain in a complex and widespread manner. Moreover, mice lacking MCH and MCH-1R have been generated and have been found to be leaner and more active than their wild-type littermates. Consequently, MCH-1R has become a possible site for pharmacological interaction to control obesity. Many of these experiments are being performed utilizing iv mice however, the areas expressing MCH-1R in the mouse brain still remain unknown. Therefore, in situ hybridization was performed in both mouse and rat brain samples to elucidate the MCH-1R mRNA expression in the mouse and to compare these results with the expression in the rat. This comparison study revealed that most of the positive nuclei evaluated were represented in both rodent models and that these areas displayed similar expression intensities. However, a subset of nuclei was found to display a different MCH-1R expression between these two rodent species. These expression differences reside in brain areas important in reward, motivation, movement, visualization, vigilance, and learning, and could possibly explain differences in feeding and foraging behaviors between mice and rats.
Red hot maples: Acer rubrum first-year phenology and growth responses to soil warming

Microhabitat environmental conditions are an important filter for seedling establishment, controlling the availability of optimal recruitment sites. Understanding how tree seedlings respond to warming soil temperature is critical for predicting population recruitment in the future hardwood forests of northeastern North America, particularly as environmental conditions and thus optimal microhabitat availabilities change. We examined the effect of soil warming of 5 °C during the first growing season on germination, survival, phenology, growth, and stem and root biomass allocation in Acer rubrum L. (red maple) seedlings. While there was no effect of soil warming on germination or survival, seedlings growing in warmer soils demonstrated significantly accelerated leaf expansion, delayed autumn leaf senescence, and an extended leaf production period. Further, seedlings growing in warmer soils showed larger leaf area and stem and root structures at the end of the first growing season, with no evidence of biomass.
Genetic Analysis Of Growth Traits In Mecheri Sheep

Data on 1763 Mecheri sheep, maintained at the Mecheri Sheep Research Station, Pottaneri, Salem, south India, and recorded between 1991 and 2006, were analysed to study the growth related traits and their genetic control. The average weights at birth and at 12 months of age were 2.25 ± 0.01 and 17.48 ± 0.14 kg, respectively. The pre- and post-weaning (3-6, 3-9 and 3-12) average daily weight gains were 63.40 ± 0.58, 39.57 ± 0.57, 37.48 ± 0.44 and 34.31 ± 0.42 g respectively. The heritabilities of body weights and weight gains were in general moderate to high. The phenotypic and genetic correlations among body weights were positive and moderate to high. The phenotypic and genetic correlations among average daily gains were positive and low to high. The estimates of genetic correlation among average daily gains and body weights were positive and high with few exceptions.
Study on Germination Condition of Oxytropis Ochrocephala Bunge

So far little information was available on breaking the oxytropis ochrocephala Bunge seed dormancy.The experiment included four treatments,pre-cooling,friction with sand and sandpaper,dip in hot water and erode with 98% H2SO4.The results showed that the four treatments all make significantly improment on germination rate,especially treatment with sandpaper friction, which increased the seed germination percentage from 10.7% to 58.6%.
Sources of extracellular glutamate in developing white matter

Neurotransmitters mediate synaptic communication between neurons and are therefore fundamental to such essential human characteristics as learning, memory, cognition and persona. Recent work indicates that neurotransmitters and their receptors are also used for communication between non-synaptic elements of the nervous system and may be involved in glial-glial, gliaaxon and glial-neuronal information transfer and processing. We have recently found evidence that glial cells in developing white matter, which contains no synapses or neuronal somata, express a wide variety of neurotransmitter receptors, including the NMDA-type glutamate receptor that had long thought to be exclusively neuronal. At the point when white matter is laying down myelin and glial cells are forming their long-term morphological arrangement with axons, NMDA receptors mediate post-synaptic-potential input onto glia and may be crucially involved in stabilizing glial-axonal cytoarchitecture. There is also strong evidence that glutamate receptors on glial cell membranes greatly heighten the cells susceptibility to injury, a phenomenon that may explain the selective damage of developing white matter found in common human birth disorders such as cerebral palsy. There are many potential sources of extracellular glutamate in ischemic white matter including axons, oligodendrocytes, reverse glutamate transport, loss of astrocyte processes and astrocyte swelling. These potential pathways for glutamate release are described here.
RNAi and functional characterization of genes involved in plant-insect tritrophic-interactions

The study of plant defence mechanisms can lead to the discovery of new strategies for crop protection against insects. To this aim, the first step is the characterization of the genes that are involved in plant defence mechanisms. Aphids are among the most damaging pests in temperate climates. These insects evolved the ability to establish a prolonged feeding site on plant tissues, most likely because of their predicted ability to deceive plant defence mechanisms. A recent transcriptomic study indicated that tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) has a dynamic transcriptional response following Macrosiphum euphorbiae attack. In that study, a probe annotated as NIMIN 2C, was among the genes with the higher level of expression. In Arabidopsis NIMIN genes are able to negatively regulate distinct functions of NPR1, a crucial player in the pathway cross talk between jasmonic (JA) and salicylic acid (SA). Therefore, the functional characterization of tomato NIMIN 2C genes aims to identify essential modulators of plant resistance, ultimately paving the way for the development of new breeding targets and control strategies. To achieve this goal, expression levels of NIMIM genes in Arabidopsis and tomato plants were studied in different conditions using wet and dry-lab experiments. To check the interaction in tomatoes among NIMIN 2C and NPR1 genes, Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation (BiFC) analysis were performed. Transgenic plants were also produced for the interference RNA-mediated suppression of these genes. Interference (RNAi) is an epigenetic mechanism that has been shown to reduce gene expression of a vast range of living organisms. It is a powerful tool for functional analysis of genes involved in plant defence against biotic stress. This goal is usually achieved by either the ectopic production or the introduction of double stranded RNA molecules (dsRNA), in order to phenocopy the loss of function of specific target genes. RNAi can be also used to suppress genes essential for pest development, survival, or parasitism by producing in planta appropriate dsRNA. Recently, a gene involved in insect immune response (named 102) has been isolated and characterized in a phytopaghous lepidoptera. Preliminary available data indicate that RNAi-mediated silencing of the 102 gene generate a lethal phenotype during embryonic development and, at larval stages, immunosuppression and an increase in susceptibility to stress. Toxoneuron nigriceps is a parasitoid of larvae of different species. During oviposition, the parasitoid injects a polydnavirus into the host together with eggs. This polydnavirus is responsible for the suppression of the host immune system. A non-coding RNA (rc5’ntTnBV) coded by the polydnavirus was isolated from parasitized larvae. This RNA has a region complementary to the untranslated 5 ' region of 102 gene. For this reason the 102 represents a suitable target gene to be suppressed producing dsRNAs to indirectly increase plant resistance to specific lepidoptera.
Haematological response of Heterobranchus longifilis fed varying dietary protein levels

Hematological effects of feeding varying dietary crude proteins levels to one hundred and fifty (150) H.longifilis fingerlings was examined on biweekly basis. The fingerlings of mean weights 1.26g plus or minus 0.24g were stocked in eight hapa nets (1mx1m) at 15 fingerlings per hapa. Four experimental diets with crude protein; 35%, 40%, 45% and 50% coded diet 1-4 respectively were fed to the fish for 8 weeks. The blood sample was taken and examined for packed cell volume (PCV) total protein (TP) Hemoglobin (Hb), Serum album, Erythrocyte count (RBC), while blood cell (WBC) mean corpuscle volume (MCV) and mean corpuscle hemoglobin, concentration (MCHC). There was an increase in the values of the hematological indices studied with increase in protein inclusion levels. A higher positive correlation with no significant difference (P greater than or equal to 0.05) exists between the treatments RBC, WBC, Hb and TP. The best RBC (2.10x10 super(6) count/l). WBC (7.65x10 super(4) count/l), PCV (35.4%) and Hb (5.79mg/l) were presented in fingerlings fed 40% crude protein followed by 45% crude protein. The dietary crude protein of 40% is recommended for H. longifilis for sound and healthy condition
PINOCYTOSIS OF PROTEINS BY OYSTER LEUCOCYTES

In vivo and in vitro studies indicated that bovine hemoglobin, diphtheria antiserum, rhodamine-labelled human gamma globulin, human albumin fraction V and Limulus serum proteins were pinocytosed by oyster leucocytes. The presence of the various proteins within the leucocytes was detected by visual inspection of the washed sedimented leucocytes, serological techniques and fluorescence microscopy. When the proteins were injected into the living oyster via the ventricular route, they were readily removed by migration of protein-laden leucocytes through epithelial surfaces to the exterior. The rate of in vitro uptake of rhodamine-labelled human gamma globulin by the leucocytes was a function of the ambient temperature and the concentration of the protein solution in which they were bathed.
Complete mitochondrial genome of the gelechioid Stathmopoda auriferella (Lepidoptera: Stathmopodidae)

Abstract Although Gelechioidea is the second most species-rich group of Lepidoptera, comprising ∼18,000 species, mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) have been sequenced from only eight species. In this study, we determined the complete mitogenomic sequence of the gelechioid Stathmopoda auriferella (Lepidoptera: Stathmopodidae) for a future phylogenetic study of Lepidoptera. The 15,456-bp-long S. auriferella genome was the largest among sequenced gelechioids. The cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene had a CGA start codon as most other lepidopteran species do, including the eight gelechioid species for which datasets are available. An A + T-rich region (375 bp in length) harbored blocks of conserved sequences, which are typically found in lepidopteran insects. Bayesian inference (BI) phylogeny using 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs) indicated that S. auriferella belongs to the Stathmopodidae family and is grouped together with the within-familial species Hieromantis kurokoi with a strong nodal support (Bayesian posterior probabilities =0.95).
Phylogenetic relationships of enigmatic Sphingiphila (Bignoniaceae) based on molecular and wood anatomical data

Sphingiphila is a monospecific genus, endemic to the Bolivian and Paraguayan Chaco, a semi-arid lowland region. The circumscription of Sphingiphila has been controversial since the genus was first described. Sphingiphila tetramera is perhaps the most enigmatic taxon of Bignoniaceae due to the presence of very unusual morphological features, such as simple leaves, thorn-tipped branches, and tetramerous, actinomorphic flowers, making its tribal placement within the family uncertain. Here we combined molecular and wood anatomical data to determine the placement of Sphingiphila within the family. The analyses of a large ndhF dataset, which included members of all Bignoniaceae tribes, placed Sphingiphila within Bignonieae. A second, smaller ndhF and pepC dataset, which included only members of tribe Bignonieae, placed the genus within Tanaecium. Unlike most macro-morphological traits, Sphingiphila is not unusual within Bignoniaceae from a wood anatomical point of view. Sphingiphila shares the presence of narrow vessels and vasicentric to aliform confluent parenchyma with the rest of the family. In addition, Sphingiphila has several specific wood anatomical traits, such as vessels in a diagonal to tangential arrangement, small intervessel pits, and non-storied heterocellular rays with occasional perforated ray cells. These features suggest that the genus is best placed either in Tecomeae s.str. or Bignonieae, with a better placement in Bignonieae due to its abundant parenchyma, despite lacking the cambial variant synapomorphic for this group. Sphingiphila and Tanaecium form a clade that is strongly supported by molecular characters, including two indels that are molecular synapomorphies of this clade. In addition, careful morphological inspections show that S. tetramera shares with Tanaecium the subulate, bromeliad-like prophylls, the most evident synapomorphy of this genus apart from long, tubular, villose corollas, and a lepidote ovary. Given the molecular phylogenetic placement of S. tetramera and its macro-morphological and wood anatomical similarities with Tanaecium, we propose the new combination Tanaecium tetramerum.