Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Nuclear Endoreduplication Cycle in Metaxylem Cells of Primary Roots of Zea mays L.

The nuclear DNA content of metaxylem cells in roots of Zea mays cv. Golden Bantam reaches 16C or 32C by successive rounds of DNA endoreduplication. Each phase of endoreduplication (endo-S) is separated by a non-DNA synthetic phase (endo-G). These phases seem to occur in zones at fixed distances from the root tip. The duration of the phases in two of the endoreduplication cycles (4C–8C, 8C–16C) has been estimated in two ways. The first makes use of the rate of movement of cells through the positions along the root where the different phases of the cycle are occurring, the second uses labelling with methyl-[3H]thymidine and autoradiography. Both methods indicate that the endo-S phases which cause the nuclear DNA content to rise from 4C to 8C and from 8C to 16C last 8–10 h, and that the intervening endo-G phase lasts 8–12 h. DNA endoreduplication keeps pace with the increase of nuclear volume; cell volume increases at a more rapid rate, however. Comparison of the endoreduplication cycle in the metaxylem with the mitotic cycle in the adjoining files of parenchyma cells shows that the mitotic cells complete their cycle more slowly.
Low molecular-mass nitrogen components in ripening cheese

Peptides formed during cheese ripening may indicate components related to flavor and cheese processing in general. The prerequisite for the analysis of peptides is their complete extraction from the cheese matrix. Several extraction procedures have been compared. Acidic cheese extraction using trifluoroacetic acid proved to be effective in analysis of the low molecular-mass nitrogen components of the ripe Appenzeller cheese. Reversed-phase HPLC of cheese protein fragments exhibited superior chromatographic profiles to those detected by high-voltage bidimensional electrochromatography and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis
Physico-chemical studies in relation to cracking properties in rice using isogenic lines.

Physical and chemical properties (cracking, shelling breakage, length, breadth and their ratio, husk thickness) and culinary properties (cooking time, bulk vol. and consistency of cooked rice) of one crack resistant var. (Halubbulu) and 3 pairs of isogenic lines from cv. Vani and Pushpa differing in degree of crack resistance were studied. The equilibrium moisture content on soaking of grains decreased slightly with increase in crack resistance (CR). Gelatinization temp. was 66-74 degree C in CR lines and 61-65 degree C in crack susceptible (CS) lines. The milled rices of CR lines took 16.6-18.2 min and CS lines 13.1-15.7 min to cook. Peak viscosity values of CR lines were higher than the corresponding CS lines. Higher CR was associated with lower alkali score [see FSTA (1973) 5 2M151]. There was no difference in the amylose content of CR and CS lines, nor in culinary properties like vol. expansion and pastiness. Pentosan content is closely related to CR; it varied from 3.8 to 4.5 in CR and 1.9 to 2.3% in CS lines.
Biochemical Composition of a Korean Domestic Microalga Chlorella vulgaris KNUA027

Ji Won Hong1, Oh Hong Kim2, Seung-Woo Jo3, Hyeon Kim2, Mi Rang Jeong4, Kyung Mok Park5, Kyoung In Lee6, and Ho-Sung Yoon2,3,4,7* 1Marine Plants Team, National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea, Seocheon 33662, Republic of Korea 2Advanced Bio-resource Research Center, 3Department of Energy Science, 4School of Life Sciences, BK21 Plus KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea 5Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, 6Biotechnology Industrialization Center, Dongshin University, Naju 58245, Republic of Korea 7Research Institute for Dok-do and Ulleung-do Island, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
Microsatellites resolve the taxonomy of the polyploid Cardamine digitata aggregate (Brassicaceae)

Polyploidy, probably the single most important mode of sympatric speciation in plants, tends to result in complicated evolutionary patterns. The Cardamine digitata aggregate is a species complex where polyploidy has resulted in taxonomic and nomenclatural controversies. Two basic chromosome numbers are found (x = 7 and x = 8), and all plants studied so far are tetra- to dodecaploids. We used six microsatellite loci originally developed for the Arabidopsis genome to identify evolutionary and taxonomic units within the C. digitata aggregate, obtaining 102 polymorphic markers. Using different analysis methods (PCO, CVA, STRUCTURE, parsimony), we recognised four approximately equidistant units corresponding in morphology with the four described species: C. blaisdellii, C. digitata, C. microphylla, and C. purpurea. All taxa include at least two ploidal levels; thus recurrent taxonomic autopolyploidy is indicated.
Effect of storage on cooking quality characteristics of grain legumes

Dhal samples of one genotype each of pigeonpea, chickpea, mung bean, urd bean and soybean were stored for a period of 12 months at 5°C, 25°C and 37°C. The samples were analysed for phytic acid, pectin, calcium, magnesium and cooking time. The most notable change during storage was the loss of phytic acid. The decrease in phytic acid content after 12 months of storage was highest in chickpea and lowest in soybean. All species exhibited a greater loss in phytic acid, when stored at 25°C and 37°C than at 5°C. The required cooking time was prolonged for samples stored at 25°C and 37°C, but only slightly affected at 5°C. PCMP number relating the contents of pectin, calcium, magnesium and phytin increased during storage, suggesting that the 'hard-to-cook' characteristic involves interactions between phytate, minerals and pectin.
FORMATION OF EXTERNAL HYPHAE IN SOIL BY

SUMMARY The ability of several species of vesicular-arbuscular (VA) mycorrhizal fungi to form hyphae in soil was compared in two glasshouse experiments. We measured the length of hyphae in soil and related this to the length of infected root. Species of VA mycorrhizal fungi differed in the length of external hyphae produced per cm of infected root. Glomusfasciculatum (Thaxter sensu Gerd.) Gerd. and Trappe produced less external hyphae per cm infected root than did Gigaspora calospora (Nicol. and Gerd.) Gerd. at all harvest times and when inoculum was either placed in a band below the seed or mixed throughout the soil. Glomus tenue (Greenall) Hall and Acaulospora laevis Gerd. and Trappe both produced similar lengths of external hyphae per cm infected root to that formed by G. calospora. Differences among isolates of VA mycorrhizal fungi in the distribution of hyphae in soil may be as important as differences in the length of external hyphae when selecting fungi that are effective at increasing nutrient uptake.
Dehydration response of different grapevine genotypes and organs

Drought has one of the greatest impacts on crop production. Wine grapes in particular are very sensitive to climate changes. Field studies on grapes can take years for vineyard establishment therefore; therefore, a simple and reliable way of phenotyping for plant response to water loss was developed. Fully developed mature leaves were detached and placed in a closed plastic container with a solution of NaCl to control the water potential of the atmosphere within the container. Application of the plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) prior to leaf detachment caused a decrease in the amount of water loss indicating that the assay was able to detect differences based on a stomatal response to dehydration. Five different Vitis genotypes (V. riparia, V. champinii, V. vinifera cv. Shiraz, V. vinifera cv. Grenache and V. vinifera cv. Cabernet Sauvignon) with known differences in drought tolerance were screened for their dehydration response and the data collected corresponded to previous reports of stomatal responses in the vineyard. Using the newly developed rapid dehydration assay on Cabernet Sauvignon leaves and shoot tips, we tested the hypothesis that the dehydration response of a “source” and “sink” organ is different over time. Using whole-genome microarrays, statistical analysis revealed nearly 19,000 genes changing significantly due to treatment and over 7,000 transcripts changing with respect to the treatment x time x organ interaction, indicating notable changes in gene expression. Significant expression level changes of genes involved in the production, degradation, storage, transport, and downstream signaling of ABA indicate differences in the regulation of key genes in this “central hub” of drought signaling. Proteomic investigation of leaf samples also indicated changes in the protein abundance of a bZIP transcription factor, an ABA-responsive
Root hairs and the acquisition of plant nutrients from soil

The literature on the role of root hairs when plants acquire mineral nutrients from soil is reviewed. After a short outline of the root properties affecting the acquisition of nutrients, the roles of root hairs are discussed in four sections, entitled: morphological properties of root hairs, mode of action of root hairs, factors affecting the formation of root hairs, and relationship between root hair formation and plant nutrient uptake. The formation of root hairs depends on both genetic and environmental factors, particularly the supply of phosphate and nitrate. It is concluded that root hairs may substantially contribute to the acquisition of nutrients, mainly those of low mobility in soil and high demand in plants. The percentage of a nutrient acquired by root hairs varies widely, from almost zero to approximately 80 % of the total uptake of the nutrient. The contribution of root hairs depends on plant species and the genetic variability of root hair formation on the one hand, and the kind of nutrient and its availability in soil on the other. According to the published reports, essentially only phosphorus and potassium were considered.
Apricot breeding programme for late and very late ripening period in Romania.

The Research Station for Fruit Growing Constanta started a large apricot improvement programme in 1971, with the following objectives: extension of the harvesting season in order to obtain cultivars with late ripening as well as cultivars with early or very early ripening period. Many crosses were performed using genitors such as: Kets Pshor, Tudor, Marc.18/2, Olimp, Marc.9/5 and many other apricot hybrids, some of them for late blooming and ripening period, and others for their fruit qualities. In this paper we describe three new late maturing apricot cultivars named HISTRIA, EUXIN and AUGUSTIN ripening in the first half of August and some hybrids ripening between the end of August or the first ten days of September, namely: V.T. 94.01. 03 (20 th August); V.T. 94.01. 21 (25 th August); V.T. 94.01. 13 (11 th September). The new cultivars are: HISTRIA (Worley's peach x Sulmona hybrid), late blooming, self-fertile with late ripening (8-15 August); EUXIN (R30P662 (Marc.18/2 x Olimp) x R41P62 (Marc.16/7 × Marc.73/9)), medium blooming period, self-fertile, with late ripening (6-14 August); AUGUSTIN (Marc.9/5 x Sulmona), medium blooming period, self-fertile with late maturity (10-15 August) and highly productive.
Synergistic Effect of Nickel and Mercury on Fatty Acid Composition in the Muscle of Fish Lates calcarifer

In this study, the effect of nickel (Ni), mercury (Hg) and nickel plus mercury (Ni+ Hg) on fatty acid composition in the muscle tissues of fish Lates calcarifer has been investigated. It was determined from the results of 96 h metal exposure period of fish, depending on Ni, Hg and Ni plus Hg concentration, the amount of saturated fatty, mono unsaturated fatty acid and poly unsaturated fatty acids in fish were decreased when compared with control group (p<0.05). It was also found that Ni, Hg and Ni plus Hg had reduced effects on palmitoleic, linoleic, arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic, decosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic belong to unsaturated fatty acid in muscle tissue. The data demonstrated the necessity for regular monitoring of the hazard quotient for food fish in wild conditions.
Editorial and Retrospective 2007

This has been another banner year for Molecular Ecology . Among the 112 journals listed in ISI’s Ecology category in 2005, Molecular Ecology is second in number of articles published (356), eighth in total citations (11 339), and tenth in impact factor (4.30). The journal is increasingly widely read, with articles downloaded 484 500 times during 2005, a rise of 14% over 2004. Also, despite increased competition from other journals, the number and quality of manuscripts submitted to Molecular Ecology continues to grow. Indeed, when this editorial was written, we were on track to receive approximately 1200 submissions, which represents almost a 10% increase over last year (see Figure 1). The number of pages published in the journal expanded by a similar percentage, from 4 488 pages in 2005 to 4653 in 2006. To accommodate the additional pages, yet keep individual issues to a manageable size, we plan to increase the number of issues published in 2007 from 14 to 24. The continued increase in submissions represents a challenge to our subject editors, journal secretaries, production editors, and referees. Thus, we are grateful for their efficiency and careful diligence, which have kept our publication times among the lowest in ecology and evolution. The mean time from manuscript receipt to an editorial decision is just 53 days. Our production staff moves accepted manuscripts to On-line Early publication in 42 days (on average), with the print version appearing approximately 24 days later. Journal Secretaries, Siân Lynch, Elinor Smith, and Simmoné Fellowes, and Production Editor, Ann Cowie, are most responsible for keeping our rapid publication times at Molecular Ecology . We thank them for their contributions, particularly Siân Lynch, who after eight years with the journal has completed her Open University BSc in Maths and is now in full-time teaching. She will be missed by all of us. Simmoné Fellowes replaced Siân in late summer, and we are pleased to welcome her.
The presence or absence alone of miRNA isoforms (isomiRs) successfully discriminate amongst the 32 TCGA cancer types

Previously, we demonstrated that miRNA isoforms (isomiRs) are constitutive and their expression profiles depend on tissue, tissue state, and disease subtype. We have now extended our isomiR studies to The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) repository. Specifically, we studied whether isomiR profiles can distinguish amongst the 32 cancers. We analyzed 10,271 datasets from 32 cancers and found 7,466 isomiRs from 807 miRNA hairpin-arms to be expressed above threshold. Using the top 20% most abundant isomiRs, we built a classifier that relied on “binary” isomiR profiles: isomiRs were simply represented as ‘present’ or ‘absent’ and, unlike previous methods, all knowledge about their expression levels was ignored. The classifier could label tumor samples with an average sensitivity of 93% and a False Discovery Rate of 3%. Notably, its ability to classify well persisted even when we reduced the set of used features (=isomiRs) by a factor of 10. A counterintuitive finding of our analysis is that the isomiRs and miRNA loci with the highest ability to classify tumors are not the ones that have been attracting the most research attention in the miRNA field. Our results provide a framework in which to study cancer-type-specific isomiRs and explore their potential uses as cancer biomarkers
Characterization of protein-lipid interactions in biochemical and biosynthetic processes

Abstract Lipids correlate with membrane characteristics and functions as molecular components in all cellular processes. Several aspects of lipid modulation of protein activity and structure are not completely understood and, thus ardent holistic systematic investigation activities will be required. Protein-lipid interactions are the effects of membrane proteins on lipid physical states or vice versa. Robust research is associated with strategies to elucidate whether proteins contain binding sites which are lipid specific, and that the protein-lipid complexes are ostensibly long-lived, on the time order necessary for the turnover of a normal enzyme. Biological membranes have since been determined as essential ingredients in an expansive array of cellular processes, such as photosynthesis, cell defence, signaling transduction, communication and motility. Therefore, they constitute multiple targets in both basic and applied research. Protein-lipid interactions are becoming increasingly relevant to the morphological characterization of membrane proteins as related to their functionalities. Excepting for simplified models, certain protein-lipid interactions specifically constitute remarkable challenges which require optimum experimental paradigm and design. Key words: protein, lipid, membrane, interactions, bonding
Effect of steeping time and temperature on malting process

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hydration time and temperature on the malting process in terms of β-glucan degradation and α- and β-amylase enzymes development. During the hydration and germination processes, the germination energy of the rates of degradation and formation of β-glucans and the content of α- and β-amylases were analyzed. Malt was subjected to quantification of protein, sugar, water absorption and solubility rates, antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds, according to the AOAC method. Levels of β-glucan decreased with increasing temperature and hydration time. Levels of α- and β-amylases increased from approximately 1.50 to 5.37 and 1.44 to 3.52 Units/hr, respectively. There were significant differences for water absorption rate and protein content between cultivars. The solubility rate increased along the hydration time and temperature. Grains subjected to hydration conditions of 10 °C for 24 hr and 20 °C for 12 hr contained higher total sugar than the other samples. The main component analysis revealed that these samples were the most correlated with the attributes of sugars, β- glucan and α- and β-amylases. Therefore, these conditions are the best treatments to produce malt. Practical applications This paper has practical Application to study degradation of β-glucan and the development and activation of the enzymes α- and β-amylase during the malting process. Optimize the operational variables for obtaining the malt and verity the influence of time and hydration temperature at the enzymes development and the final characteristic of the malt.
Illegal long-line fishing and albatross extinction risk

Abstract Birds are commonly entangled in long-line fisheries, and increases in long-line fishing activity have consistently caused declines in seabird populations. Environmental criminology would posit that the risk of such declines is greater in the case of illegal long-line fisheries, which are less likely to implement bycatch mitigation measures. To investigate this possibility we examined the overlap between data on illegal fishing and albatross at-sea occurrence ranges. Moderate correlations were found between mean exposure to illegal fishing and the Red List status of albatross species, but none were found between Red List status and total fishing pressure. A second analysis overlaid albatross at-sea occurrence ranges with long-lining data for the member countries of the Convention on Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna to compare the effect of exposure to legal and illegal hooks on Red List status. Lacking a better measure, Country A's hooks were used as a proxy for illegal hooks. Critically Endangered and Endangered species were 12 and 3.4 times more exposed to illegal hooks, respectively, than Near Threatened species, whereas there was no relationship between Red List status and exposure to legal hooks. Country-level analyses confirmed these findings, which provide evidence that illegal long-line fishing poses a particular threat to the survival of albatrosses. The findings suggest that the bird conservation lobby should work closely with fisheries authorities to tackle illegal fishing, and that research should identify the highest risk areas of overlap between illegal fishing and albatross at-sea ranges.
Prevalence And Antimicrobial Susceptibility Of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (Esbl) Producing Gram-Negative Uropathogens In Sokoto, Nigeria

Background: Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamases (ESBLs) producing Gram-negative uropathogens is now a major source of concern worldwide. Objectives: The study was conducted to determine the prevalence and susceptibility to antimicrobial of ESBL-producing Gram-negative uropathogens in Sokoto, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A total number of Three Hundred and Sixty Five (365) urine samples were analyzed between November, 2014 and February, 2015. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was determined using the modified Kirby Bauer method. Confirmation of ESBL phenotype was performed by Double-Disc Synergy Test (DDST) method. Results: Gram-negative uropathogens constitute 60.9% out of the 105 positive cultures. Male patients were 54.7%, while females were 45.3%. Age group 19-40 constitutes 54.7%, while age group 41-60 was 32.8%, and 61 years and above accounted for 12.5%. The isolates were highly resistant to Cotrimoxazole (71.9%), but highly susceptible to Nitrofurantoin (70.3). Out of the 64 Gram-negative uropathogens E.coli constitute 29.7%, followed by Salmonella arizonae (23.4%), Klebsiella oxytoca (10.9%) , Enterobacter gergoviae (9.3%), Serratia marscense (6.3%), and Citrobacter freundii (6.3%). Klebsiella pneumoniae (4.7%). Others account for 1.6% each ( Enterobacter aerogenes, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Edwardsiella tarda, Burkholderia pseudomallei and Acinetobacter iwoffii ). Fifteen (15) (83.3%) were phenotypically confirmed using the Double-Disc Synergy Test (DDST) as ESBL producers of which E.coli account for 26.7%, Enterobacter gergoviae (20%), Enterobacter aerogenes (6.7%) Klebsiella oxytoca (6.7%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (6.7%), Citrobacter freundii (13.3%), while Serratia marscense, Edwardsiella tarda, Acinetobacter iwoffii accounted for (6.7%) each. Conclusions: Our findings document the presence of ESBL-producing Gram-negative uropathogens in Sokoto. E.coli and Enterobacter gergoviae were the predominant ESBL producers. Nitrofurantoin remains active in the majority of the isolates.
Influence of vermicompost humic acid on chlorophyll content and acclimatization in banana clone, Enano Guantanamero

Vermicompost humic acids (VHA) promote plants’ growth because they have similar effects with auxins. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of VHA in some physiological indicators in the micropropagation and acclimatization phase of banana clone Enano Guantanamero. Six concentrations were used (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 mg L-1) to evaluate in vitro the number of leaves, total chlorophyll content and chlorophyll a-b; also in the acclimatization phase, the plant height, stem diameter and number of leaves at three different times (transplant, 25 days and at the end of this phase-50 days) were determined. Root length and roots dry weight were evaluated at the end of the acclimatization. VHA applied improved total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a-b at concentrations of 20 and 50 mg L-1, but not the number of leaves. In the acclimatization stage, plants height at the end of this period (50 days) were higher with 10 mg L-1 (T1) VHA, the number of leaves increased at 40 mg L-1 (T4) and the stem diameter was higher at both concentrations. In the evaluation of roots length, there were no significant differences, but the number of leaves was higher at 10 and 40 mg L-1 (T1 and T4) and it decreased at 50 mg L-1 (T5); roots dry weight increased at 40 mg L-1 (T4). VHA promoted chlorophyll content under in vitro conditions, it reduced the period of acclimatization of banana clone Enano Guantanamero, led to a better growth of plants, and it saved time and resources. Key words: Acclimatization, humic acid, in vitro crop, Musa sp.