Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Potential applicaton of β-galactosidase in food science and nutrition

β-galactosidase is an enzyme with hydrolytic and transgalactosylation activity. The origin of the enzyme dictates the balance between both activities. Industrially used β-galactosidases are obtained with recombinant production from filamentus funghi Aspergillus sp. and yeasts Kluyveromyces sp. Recently thermostabile β-galactosidases have been subject of many research. The enzyme can be industrially used in free or immobilized form. Immobilization often provides better stability, reusability and lower expenses. Application of β-galactosidase is most common in food processing and nutrition, it is also used in medicine and ecology. Hydrolytic activity of the enzyme has long been used for reducing lactose content in milk, while transgalactosylitic activity is used for synthesis of products such as galactooligosaccharides, lactosucrose and others. The latter have a great potential in food industry for obtaining products with reduced lactose content and increasing of nutritional value by adding dietetic fibers such as galactooligosaccharides. Despite the potential it is vital that reaction mechanisms become better understood and optimization is in place in order to reach the usability of this enzyme at industrial level.
MORPHOMETRY VARIATION OF MALE AND FEMALE Ascaris suum AT PEGIRIAN SLAUGHTERHOUSE SURABAYA

Ascaris suum is a parasite nematode that causes infection in swines with high prevalence rates in host populations and usually associated with liver damages called “milk spots” caused by larvae migration, resulting in organ condemnation. The study of morphology has had an important emphasis by developing statistical shape analysis. This study aimed to determine the variation of female and male Ascaris suum morphometry in Pegirian Slaughterhouse Surabaya. This study used three region which is the main supplier of swine at Pegirian Slaughterhouse Surabaya. This study used 12 swine in each region and took all of Ascaris suum that had been found in small intestine. The observations of Ascaris suum morphometry were done after measured each of worm in ; Wet Weight (WW), diameter (D), and Total Length (TL). Based on the data analysis, morphometry measurement between male and female Ascaris suum in each region have significant different. The variation of morphometry affected by sex, not region. It can be seen from the size of WW, D, and TL that had significant difference (p < 0.05) for each sex. Region does not given an affected on morphometry variation of male and female Ascaris suum.
A preliminary checklist of Ascomycetous microfungi from Southern Uzbekistan

This study is an update of the available data concerning species of ascomycetous microfungi from Southern Uzbekistan. This revision is based on literature and herbaria records and recent field trips in the region. Currently, there are 333 species and 107 genera of ascomycetous microfungi known from region. Among these taxa Anthostoma melanotes, Camarosporium mori, Cucurbitaria negundinis, C. rhamni, Gloeosporium populi-albae are newly reported for ascomycetous mycota of Uzbekistan, while 26 microfungal species are new to the Southern region. The most frequently collected species of the genera are Alternaria, Ascochyta, Cucurbitaria, Cytospora, Leptosphaeria, Mycosphaerella, Pleospora, Phyllosticta, Ramularia and Septoria which are widely known for their cosmopolitan nature. The checklist includes details of the location and substrate on which they were encountered. This data will be useful in the compilation of ascomycetous microfungal biodiversity of Uzbekistan. This region, characterised by arid and semi-arid and dry forest and xerophytic plants provides an excellent opportunity to unravel the species diversity with the possibility of discovering many new species.
Is it a commensalism that non-plant pathogenic Fusarium spp. were frequently isolated from the canker on pumpkin (Cucurbitae moschata)?

Dry rot of pumpkins caused by F. solani f. sp. cucurbitae race 2 is a well known post harvest disease. In Malaysia, crust-like lesions are often observed on the surface of pumpkins in local markets. These symptoms look like the scab caused by Cladosporium cucumerinum or the Fusarium rot caused by Fusarium spp. Most of the symptomatic crusts did not soften or develop further in our observations. As these crusts are merely considered as the mechanical injuries in the local markets, they do not reduce their marketability of pumpkin. However, F. solani was frequently isolated from these symptoms in our preliminary study. Thus these crust symptoms were distinguished from the scab, the Fusarium rot, the preharvest dry, hard rot (type 1) and the dry rot caused by other Fusarium spp. as reported previously. Histological observation of naturally occurring raised pimples or crust symptoms showed periderm formation that apparently healed the loss of palisade layer. Therefore, hereafter, the term ‘canker’ is used to explain the crust symptoms and ‘scab’ for the raised pimples. A majority of the fungal isolates from the canker was identified as F. solani (41.6%). The pathogenicity test with 12 isolates of F. solani on mature pumpkins did not efficiently reproduce canker. The wound on immature fruit, 1 to 5 weeks-old, successfully produced canker regardless of the inoculum, while the unwounded part did not show any symptom with inoculation. Canker symptom of pumpkin is considered like the fruit defense mechanisms after mechanical injury.
Determination of age and construction of population age structure of wild Asian elephants based on dung bolus circumference

Estimating the age of wildlife is an important technique for the construction of a population age structure that could be useful for the prediction of population change. The age of wild elephants can be reliably estimated from the size of dung bolus circumference which correlates with elephant growth. This research aimed to determine a cut-off bolus circumference for the mature age class of wild Asian elephants at Salakphra Wildlife Sanctuary as inferred from the social behavior of male elephants. Males living within their natal groups were considered immature males, whereas solitary males were considered mature males. The largest bolus circumference of the immature males was used as a cut-off criterion for age class determination. Noninvasive molecular sexing was applied to determine the sex of elephant samples. From a total of 225 dung samples, 96% were successfully sex determined; 90 and 126 samples were identified as male and female, respectively. Among the male samples, 49 samples were from males living within their natal groups and 41 samples were from solitary males. The cut-off bolus circumference was determined to be 42.5 cm. The dung samples with bolus circumferences larger than the cut-off size were classified as belonging to mature elephants. The same criterion was applied to females as well. A population age structure of Salakphra elephants was created based on the bolus circumferences regardless of individual identification. The construction of population age structure based on dung sampling could be useful for a rapid population survey.
Early Detection and Serotyping of Dengue Viruses Clinical Isolates Using Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) 2 Primers

Recently several methods for confirming Dengue Virus have been developed involve virus isolation, detection of virus antigen, and nucleic acid using PCR. It has been reported that rapid detection method for confirming DHF by Multiplex RT-PCR had been successfully developed. It was more effective than the other methods with a high sensitivity and specivicity were 100% at the early phase (day 1-3). This study was designed to develop rapid detection and serotyping methods for Dengue Virus using RT-PCR 2 primers (Dcon and preM) with annealing temperature was 57 o C. The whole blood samples were collected from suspected dengue fever patients that had been confirmed with NS1 kit from R.S. Persahabatan DKI Jakarta and R.S. Prof. Dr. Sardjito DI Yogyakarta during Februari-August 2009. The PCR products showed that in 12 samples, 100 % were postitive with different pattern among the serotypes especially for DEN1 and DEN2, but not for DEN3 and Den4. This method was also able to confirm the double infection DEN2-DEN3, but not for the other ones because of the unspecific pattern. From the results, it indicated that the 2 primers can be a promising early detection and serotyping method of Dengue Virus which infected the DHF patients. Key words: Dengue Virus, DHF, early detection, serotyping, RT-PCR 2 primers.
Molecular approach to the regulation of mitochondrial function in oxidative muscle cells

In saponin-skinned m uscle fibers from adult rat heart and m. soleus the apparent affinity o f the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation system for ADP (Km = 200-400 цМ) is much lower than in isolated mitochondria (Km = 10-20 цМ). This suggests a limited permeability o f the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM) to adenine nucleotides in slow-twitch muscle cells. We have studied the postnatal changes in the affinity o f mitochondrial respiration for ADP, in relation to morphological alterations and expression o f mitochondrial creatine kinase (mi-CK) in rat heart in vivo. Analysis o f respiration o f skinned fibers revealed a gradual decrease in the apparent affinity o f mitochondria to ADP throughout 6 weeks post partum that indicates the development o f mechanism which increasingly limits the access o f ADP to mitochondria. The expression of mi-CK started between the 1st and 2nd weeks and reached the adult levels after 6 weeks. This process was associated with increases in creatineactivated respiration and affinity o f oxidative phosphorylation to ADP thus reflecting the progressive coupling o f mi-CK to adenine nucleotide translocase. Laser confocal microscopy revealed significant changes in rearrangement o f mitochondria in cardiac cells; while the mitochondria o f variable shape and size appeared to be random-clustered in the cardiomyocytes o f 1 day old rat, they formed a fine network between the myofibrils by the age o f 3 weeks. These results allow to conclude that in early period of development, i.e. within 2—3 weeks, the diffusion o f ADP to mitochondria becomes progressively restricted, that appears to be related to significant structural rearrangements such as formation o f the mitochondrial network. Later (after 3 weeks) the control shifts to mi-CK, which by coupling to adenine nucleotide translocase, allows to maximally activate the processes o f oxidative phosphorylation despite limited access o f ADP through the OMM. (Mol Cell Biochem 208 ; 119—128,2000)
First record of predation of the paper nautilus Argonauta nouryi (Cephalopoda: Argonautidae) by the Common Black Hawk Buteogallus anthracinus (Accipitriformes: Accipitridae)

La depredacion de cefalopodos por parte de aves no marinas es rara, sobre todo en aves del orden Accipitriformes. Las observaciones se llevaron a cabo in situ y la identificacion de Argonauta nouryi fue completamente basada en la forma de la concha. Se registra por primera vez la depredacion del nautilo de papel, A. nouryi , por el Gavilan Cangrejo, Buteogallus anthracinus , en el Sector Murcielago del Parque Nacional Santa Rosa, Guanacaste, Costa Rica, lo cual representa la primera ave conocida depredadora de esta especie en el pais.
Silver Pompano : A potential species for mariculture in India - Breeding and seed production of Silver Pompano (Trachinotus blochii)

At Mandapam Regional Centre of CMFRI, successful broodstock development, induction of spawning and fingerling production of silver pompano was achieved for the first time in India. Realising the aquaculture potential of pompano in India, broodstock development was initiated in the year 2008 at the Mandapam Regional Centre of CMFRI
A maladaptive combination of traits contributes to the maintenance of a stable hybrid zone between two divergent species of Drosophila

Geographical areas where two species come into contact and hybridize serve as natural laboratories for assessing mechanisms that limit gene flow between species. The ranges of about half of all closely related Drosophila species overlap, and the genomes of several pairs reveal signatures of past introgression. However, only two contemporary hybrid zones have been characterized in the genus, and both are recently diverged sister species (D. simulans-D. sechellia, Ks = 0.05; D. yakuba-D. santomea, Ks = 0.048). Here we present evidence of a new hybrid zone, and the ecological mechanisms that maintain it, between two highly divergent Drosophila species (Ks = 0.11). On the island of Bioko in west Africa, D. teissieri occupies mostly forests, D. yakuba occupies mostly open agricultural areas, and recently, we discovered that hybrids between these species occur near the interface of these habitats. Genome sequencing revealed that all field-sampled hybrids are F1 progeny of D. yakuba females and D. teissieri males. We found no evidence for either advanced-generation hybrids or F1 hybrids produced by D. teissieri females and D.yakuba males. The lack of advanced-generation hybrids on Bioko is consistent with mark-recapture and laboratory experiments that we conducted, which indicate hybrids have a maladaptive combination of traits. Like D. yakuba, hybrids behaviorally prefer open habitat that is relatively warm and dry, but like D. teissieri, hybrids have low desiccation tolerance, which we predict leaves them physiologically ill-equipped to cope with their preferred habitat. These observations are consistent with recent findings of limited introgression in the D. yakuba clade and identify an ecological mechanism for limiting gene flow between D. yakuba and D. teissieri; namely, selection against hybrids that we have documented, in combination with hybrid male sterility, contributes to the maintenance of this narrow (~30m), stable hybrid zone centered on the forest-open habitat ecotone. Our results show how a deleterious combination of parental traits can result in unfit or maladapted hybrids.
Innate immune response to tissue-specific infection : notochord infection in the zebrafish embryo

In bacterial infections, according to the infected tissue and the nature of pathogens, the body responds by mobilizing various actors. I decided to use zebrafish or Danio rerio model to study the innate immune response to bacterial infection in the situations that professional phagocytes cannot come in direct contact with the bacteria. For this, I developed a model of infection in the notochord of zebrafish embryo. Upon injection of bacteria in this compartment, the microbes find themselves protected by the thick collagensheath where the phagocytes cannot penetrate. While mycobacteria are not detected by phagocytes; E. coli bacteria are sensed and a significant local inflammation around the notochord is mounted. The E. coli, although inaccessible to phagocytosis are eliminated within the first 24 hours after injection, the inflammation lasts several days.I studied the mechanisms that lead to this persistent inflammation and its long term consequences on the development of the fish. I showed the central role of the cytokine IL1B in this process, and I developed a transgenic line that allows studying in vivo the induction of this cytokine in fish.I then studied the roles of the two main populations of phagocytes in the elimination of E. coli. I revealed that macrophages are not involved in the removal of bacteria but neutrophils, although unable to penetrate inside the collagen casing, are necessary for the bacterial elimination. I also confirmed that myeloperoxidase and nitrogen monoxide are not involved in the removal of bacteria, rather the reactive oxygen species produced by neutrophils are needed to eradicate the infection.
A new species of Mimosa (Leguminosae) endemic to the Brazilian Cerrado

Mimosa is a very large genus with more than 540 species, which are distributed mainly in the Neotropics and are especially diverse in the Cerrado, where the genus shows high rates of endemism. The Serra do Cabral mountain range, which is part of the Espinhaco mountain range, contains representative remnants of the Cerrado and is a very important area for the genus, where at least 20 taxa of Mimosa are reported. Unfortunately, it is a threatened and over-exploited region. Here we describe a new narrow endemic species from the Serra do Cabral, Mimosa osmarii , that shows affinities with M. paucifolia var. scoparia , a sympatric taxon. The conservation status of M. osmarii was assessed as vulnerable.
Progress in The Conservation Biology of Chinese Sturgeon

The ecological effects of Chinese sturgeon blocked below the Gezhouba Dam and effectiveness of protective measures for the fish were summarized in the paper.After the construction of the Gezhouba Dam,the reproductive stock structure of the sturgeon has been relatively stable.Certain river sections below the dam could meet the spawning demands,and the newly-formed spawning ground has been considered to play a vital role in maintenance of the species existence.Since the sturgeon commercial fishing was prohibited restrictly along the Yangtze River and the new spawning ground was protected in 1983,the resource of juvenile sturgeon at the estuary and the proportion of fully mature fish in stocks have increased remarkably,Although the Gezhouba Dam does not threaten the existence of the Chinese sturgeon,the direct or indirect impacts of the Three Gorges Dam on the sturgeon should be given high attention.
Patterns of fungal–algal symbiont association in Usnea aurantiaco-atra reveal the succession of lichen–moss communities in Fildes Peninsula, Antarctica

ABSTRACT Usnea aurantiaco-atra is the most widespread flora in Fildes Peninsula. There are two growth types of U. aurantiaco-atra: the erect form on rocks and the prostrate form associated with mosses. Phylogenetic analysis showed that individuals of the two growth forms share genotypes. Moreover, haploid disequilibrium testing indicated no significant genetic difference for the two growth forms when fungal and algal internal transcribed spacer rDNA were treated as two alleles of one lichen individual. The two growth forms of U. aurantiaco-atra appear to reflect different stages of lichen–moss community succession. A mode is proposed for demonstrating the occurrence of this succession.
Lone Star Tick, Amblyomma Americanum

ABOUT THIS MAP: This map shows the extent of established Amblyomma americanum tick populations, commonly known as lone star ticks. However, tick abundance within this area varies locally. The map does not represent the risk of contracting any specific tickborne illness. Please consult your local health department or USDA Cooperative Extension office to learn about the risks of tickborne disease in your local area. Rev. 07/2011.
Reassessment of central Peruvian Telmatobiinae (genera Batrachophrynus and Telmatobius): osteology, palmar morphology and skin histology

Three character complexes (osteological features, nuptial pad morphology and integument structure) were studied in seven Central Peruvian Telmatobiinae, Batrachophrynus brachydactylus, B. macrostomus, Telmatobius carrillae, T. hockingi, T. jelskii, T. mayoloi and T. rimac, and in Alsodes montanus which originates from Chile and was used for outgroup comparisons. Skull features often varied stronger between conspecific specimens than between species, and the extension of humeral crests differed between the sexes. There were no clear-cut osteological differences among the genera, and not only Batrachophrynus but also T. carrillae lacked maxillary and vomerine teeth. Palmar morphology, specifically the type and numbers of spicules on the nuptial excrescences, provided species-specific characters and distinguished Batrachophrynus (spicules absent or unkeratinized) from Telmatobius and Alsodes (spicules keratinized). Skin texture and cutaneous gland histochemistry showed also taxonspecific features that allowed to identify B. macrostomus, T. hockingi and A. montanus at the level of specimens. All Central Peruvian taxa possessed serous glands with small granules (type I), but B. brachydactylus, B. macrostomus and T. carrillae lacked serous glands with large granules (type II) which were present in the other four Telmatobius. The absence of type I serous glands in Alsodes montanus and the small size of type II glands, deviating from those found in Telmatobius, corroborate its position as outgroup. Phylogenetic analysis of the three character complexes clearly supports monophyly of Batrachophrynus and places T. carrillae closer to Batrachophrynus than to any Telmatobius. Outgroup comparison suggests that several distinctive characters of Batrachophrynus (dentition, unkeratinized nuptial pad, absence of type II glands) are most probably derived states (secondary reductions) rather than ancestral ones. If so, and considering that T. mayoloi (type II glands rare and not present in all individuals) and even more T. carrillae (edentate, type II glands absent) show similar reductive tendencies, Batrachophrynus seems to be recently derived from the Telmatobius stock. In this case, graded reductions would connect the primitive Central Peruvian Telmatobiinae (T. hockingi, T. jelskii, T. rimac) over T. mayoloi and T. carrillae to B. brachydactylus and to the most derived B. macrostomus. Although there is no doubt about the sister species relationship between the last two species, their degree of differentiation from Telmatobius may be too low to require an own generic status. Information on more species and on additional character complexes (e.g. karyological features, DNA sequences) and thus, a better understanding of the evolutionary processes within this peculiar group would surely help to settle the controversy on the validity of Batrachophrynus.
Short Communication: The nest characteristics of Wreathed Hornbill (Rhyticeros undulatus) in Mount Ungaran, Central Java, Indonesia

Rahayuningsih M, Kartijono NE, Retnoningsih A. 2017. Short Communication: The nest characteristics of Wreathed Hornbill (Rhyticeros undulatus) in Mount Ungaran, Central Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 18: 1130-1134. Java has three species of hornbills, one of them is the Wreathed Hornbill (Rhyticeros undulates Shaw, 1811) that can be found mainly throughout on Mount Ungaran, Central Java, Indonesia. The main threats to Wreathed Hornbill population are habitat fragmentation and forest clearing. The large trees used for nesting by the Wreathed Hornbill are usually located in areas of illegal logging. Therefore, it is necessary to study the characteristics of Wreathed Hornbill nests, especially in Mount Ungaran. Eight nests were discovered, six of which were active. The nests were found at 900-1200 m above sea level. Trees that were used as nest sites were between 24-35 m high, and had a diameter of 0.83-1.75 m. Nests were located at heights of 1-27 m, and had a hole diameter of 33-38 cm, hole length of 170-211 cm, entrance width of 4-11 cm, entrance length of 14-39 cm, nest thickness 6-18 cm, and a temperature of 20-21Â°C. The nest shapes were oval, ellipse, and irregular oval. Commonly, the Wreathed Hornbills used Syzygium glabratum, Syzygium antisepticum, and Cratoxylum formosum for nesting.