Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Screening Phage Display Library for Isolation of Human Colon Cancer Cell-binding Peptide Ligands

Recently, phage display libraries have received enormous attention for identification and isolation of pharmaceutical molecules with diagnostic and therapeutic properties. Peptide libraries are known as one of the most important and widely used types of phage display libraries. In the current study, we aimed to screen the Ph.D. TM -7 phage display peptide library through biopanning for the identification of human colon adenocarcinoma-binding peptide ligands. Methods: Three rounds of biopanning were performed on SW480 as the target cell and fibroblast (HF-SF-PI3), AGS, KYSE-30 and Huh-7 as control cells. The displayed peptide-encoding regions in the genome of SW480-binding phages obtained from the final round of panning were amplified by plaque-PCR and subsequently sequenced. Bioinformatic tools were used to determine the sequence of target cell-binding peptides and further characterization of these peptides. Results: Biopanning of the phage library led to the enrichment of several peptides among which the peptide with sequence "HAMRAQP" was the most dominant. Bioinformatic analysis of the isolated peptides indicated that they are not target unrelated peptides (TUP). Conclusion: The peptides, in particular those with the highest frequency, due to having the capability of specific binding to SW480 cells represent the potential for use in targeting of therapeutic genes and drugs to colon cancer cells.
Alkalinity regulation in calcium carbonate‐buffered lakes

Biogenic calcite precipitation is the removal of calcite (CaCO3) from the epilimnion to the sediments of hard‐water lakes during summer stratification, caused by increased pH during algal blooms and by nucleation of calcite crystals on surfaces of micro‐algae. Although this phenomenon has been studied for decades, details of the underlying mechanisms are still debated. Using results of approximately 70,000 alkalinity measurements from 13 hard‐water Swiss lakes (each with approximately 30 yr to 50 yr of monitoring), we demonstrate that (i) calcium carbonate‐buffered lakes act as alkalinity sinks during summer stratification but act as CO2 sources during and immediately after spring overturn; (ii) as the alkalinity concentration ([Alkmix]) and the total phosphorus concentration ([TPmix]) at spring overturn increase, increasingly more alkalinity is lost from the epilimnion during summer stratification; (iii) [Alkmix] is determined by the lake's discharge‐weighted average inflow concentration ([Alkin]), flushing rate, mean depth and [TPmix]; and (iv) [Alkin] depends on the mineralogy and the land use affecting in‐soil nitrification of ammonia and subsequent calcite dissolution in the catchment.
The Asplenium trichomanes complex in East Central Sweden

An investigation of the Asplenium trichomanes complex in some Swedish provinces is presented. The study comprises ssp. trichomanes 2n = 72, ssp. inexpectans 2n = 72, ssp. quadrivalens 2n = 144 and a triploid hybrid 2n = 108. The ssp. inexpectans is reported from Sweden for the first time. It is previously only known from Central and Southern Europe. It was found to be about as common as the other two subspecies occurring in Sweden.
Effects of inbreeding on number of piglets born total, born alive and weaned in Austrian Large White and Landrace pigs

In this study records of 58 925 litters of Austrian Large White and 17 846 litters of Austrian Landrace pigs were analysed. Regression models were used to determine the effects of litter, dam and sire inbreeding on total number of born, born alive and weaned piglets in Large White and Landrace. In both populations, litter and dam inbreeding showed a negative effect on all traits. Sire inbreeding had no effect in Large White, whereas a significant positive effect was observed in Landrace. On average, inbred sires with an inbreeding coefficient of 10 % had 0.45 more piglets born total and 0.43 more piglets born alive in comparison to non-inbred sires. In a further analysis the total inbreeding coefficients of the animals were divided into two parts: »new« and »old« inbreeding. »New« inbreeding was defined as the period of the first five generations. It was shown that the observed inbreeding effects were not only caused by recent inbreeding. Reproductive performance was also affected by »old« inbreeding. Finally partial inbreeding coefficients of four important ancestors in each population were calculated to investigate if inbreeding effects are similar among these ancestors. The results revealed a varation of inbreeding effects among the four ancestors. Alleles contibuting to inbreeding depression were descendent from specific ancestors.
Cell Cycle Regulation through Ubiquitin/Proteasome- Mediated Proteolysis in Plants

Understanding the mechanism of cell cycle control in plants is important for agricultural technology enabling enhancement of growth rate and then crop yield. Progression of the cell cycle requires the cell cycle-dependent appearance of cell cycle regulatory proteins such as cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and cyclins. These regulatory proteins are controlled at several levels, including expression, phosphorylation, and interaction with other regulatory proteins. Recently, it has become clear that the controlled and timed destruction of the proteins plays an essential role in cell cycle regulation and the 26S proteasome is involved in the destruction. For example, Cyc (cyclin) A, CycB, CycD, and B-type CDK are degraded by 26S proteasome in a cell cycle-dependent manner. In this review, recent advances in our understanding of cell cycle regulation through ubiquitin/proteasome-mediated proteolysis in plants are described.
Specificity and integration of responses: Ca2+ as a signal in polarity and osmotic regulation.

Plants can respond to changes in their external environment by making physiological adaptations and by altering their growth patterns. These adaptations are made against an overall developmental pattern which remains essentially unchanged during morphogenesis. It is becoming clear that several stimulus-response coupling pathways share the same or similar components to those involved in initiating and maintaining developmental patterns. This review discusses some specific examples which provide insights into how Ca2+ can be used as a second messenger to bring about different physiological and developmental responses in the same cells.
Extended side chain analogues of 8-aminoquinolines: Synthesis and evaluation of antiprotozoal, antimicrobial, β-hematin inhibition, and cytotoxic activities

We report the synthesis of double, triple and quadruple extended side chain analogues of the antimalarial drug primaquine and some other 8-aminoquinolines. The synthesized analogues have exhibited potent antimalarial activities in vitro against both the drug-sensitive D6 strain (IC50 = 0.19–0.92 μg mL−1) and the drug-resistant W2 strain (IC50 = 0.12–0.82 μg mL−1) of P. falciparum and in vivo against drug-sensitive P. berghei infected mice (100% curative at 25 mg kg−1 day−1, and resulted in either 4/6 or 5/6 cures at 10 mg kg−1 day−1) for the most promising structures. These analogues were also found to be free of cytotoxic effects at the highest test concentration of 23.8 μg mL−1 in a panel consisting of six cell lines. The promising 8-aminoquinolines inhibited β-hematin (IC50 = 9.6–20.8 μM) in vitro underlining the disruption of the heme catabolism pathway in the malaria parasite as their potential biochemical pathway for antimalarial action. The analogues also displayed potent antileishmanial activities in vitro against L. donovani promastigotes (IC50 = 1.6–32 μg mL−1; IC90 = 4–40 μg mL−1) and moderate in vitro antimicrobial activities against a panel of bacteria and fungi.
Effects of Various Fat Sources, α-Tocopheryl Acetate, and Ascorbic Acid Supplements on Fatty Acid Composition and α-Tocopherol Content in Raw and Vacuum-Packed, Cooked Dark Chicken Meat

Abstract A factorial design was used to study the effects of dietary fat sources (beef tallow, fresh and oxidized sunflower oils, and linseed oil), α-tocopheryl acetate (0 and 225 mg/kg), and ascorbic acid (0 and 110 mg/kg) supplementation on fatty acid composition, as well as on fat and α-tocopherol content in vacuum-packed raw and cooked meat stored at −20°C. Raw meat fatty acid composition was affected by dietary fat sources and tocopheryl acetate supplementation. After cooking, meat composition was only affected by dietary fat sources. Birds fed linseed oil yielded meat rich in n-3 fatty acids, especially linolenic acid, which provides about 20% of the adequate intake for this fatty acid. Birds fed sunflower or oxidized sunflower oil produced meat rich in n-6 fatty acids, whereas those fed beef tallow resulted in meat rich in saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. Raw and cooked dark chicken meat α-tocopherol content was only affected by tocopherol supplementation. Supplementation with α-tocopheryl acetate led to α-tocopherol–enriched meat, which provides about 25% of the recommended dietary allowance. Moreover, this content in vacuum-packed samples was not modified even after 7 mo of storage at − 20°C.
Genetic Population Structure of the Hawaiian Alien Invasive Seaweed Acanthophora spicifera (Rhodophyta) as Revealed by DNA Sequencing and ISSR Analyses1

ABSTRACT Acanthophora spicifera (Vahl) Børgesen is the most widespread and invasive alien macroalga on coral reefs throughout the main Hawaiian Islands. This alga disperses from harbors and ports to coral reefs throughout the state, producing high quantities of biomass that affect a wide range of reef flora and fauna. Population samples of A. spicifera from across the main Hawaiian Islands were collected and compared through two kinds of analyses: DNA sequencing (based on a variable region of the nuclear large subunit ribosomal RNA gene, and the mitochondrial cox 2-3 spacer region) and fragment techniques (Inter-Simple Sequence Repeats [ISSRs]). DNA sequencing revealed no variation for the two markers, even when collections from other areas of the Pacific and Australia were included. In contrast, ISSR analyses revealed highly structured Hawaiian populations of A. spicifera with a substantial range of both within- and among-population variation, with individual plants forming discrete clusters corresponding to geographic locality.
Cover crops reduce weed seedbanks in maize–cassava systems in southwestern Nigeria

Abstract Weeds are a major constraint to crop production in smallholder farms in tropical Africa. The weed seedbank and annual recruitment are the main sources of weed infestation in crops. This study was carried out in Ibadan, Nigeria, to evaluate the effect on the seedbank of two types of planted fallow (alley cropping with leucaena and live mulch with tropical kudzu) and a natural bush fallow under four land-use intensities. Type of fallow was the main plot. Land-use intensities, consisting of continuous cropping of maize intercropped with cassava, 1 cropping yr of maize–cassava followed by 1, 2, and 3 yr of fallow, were the subplots. Averaged over a 3-yr period, the seedbank was 55% lower in the tropical kudzu plots and 43% lower in the leucaena plots compared with natural bush. The difference in seedbanks between plots cultivated after leucaena and natural fallow was 23%. Seed density of annual broadleaf weeds was high and dominated the seedbank of both planted and natural fallow. Overall, seeds of grasses occurred at low densities in all plots cultivated after 2 to 3 yr of fallow, whereas seeds of sedges occurred more in continuously cultivated plots and plots cultivated after 1 yr of fallow in all the fallow types. Seed density of perennial broadleaf weeds increased as land-use intensity decreased. Live mulch with tropical kudzu, especially when combined with 2 to 3 yr of fallow, lowered the seedbank more than the leucaena and traditional bush fallow systems. Nomenclature: Leucaena, Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit LUAGL; tropical kudzu, Pueraria phaseoloides (Roxb.) Benth. PUEPH; cassava, Manihot esculenta Crantz; maize = corn, Zea mays L.
Characteristics of Nest Mounds used by Snowy Owls in Barrow, Alaska, with Conservation and Management Implications

Snowy Owl Bubo scandiacus nest mounds from Barrow, Alaska, were characterized measuring several variables from 114 nests and 2280 random mounds. Mound height appeared to be the most important trait, as nest mounds averaged about 1 m tall, and were significantly different from random mounds in all years. Generally circular nest bowls (n = 91) were dug by females and averaged 47.5 × 44.0 × 9.6 cm (length × width × depth). Mound vegetation did not conceal Incubating or brooding Snowy Owls. Tall nest mounds were advantageous in that they were drier (thinner snow cover which melted earlier allowing females to dig nest bowls), windier (relief from mosquitoes and cooler in summer) and allowed nesting owls greater vigilance against predators.
Effects of a Gardening Program on the Academic Progress of Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grade Math and Science Students

●ADDITIONAL INDEX WORDS. school gardens, science achievement, TEKS SUMMARY. Science and math achievement scores of third, fourth, and fifth grade elementary students were studied using a sample of 196 students from McAuliffe Elementary School, located in McAllen, Texas. The experimental group of students participated in a school garden program in addition to traditional classroom-based math and science methods, while students within the control group were taught math and science using only traditional classroom-based methods. No statistically signifi cant differences were found in comparisons of science students’ achievement scores, indicating that those students using the school garden program as an additional method to learn science benefi ted similarly to those who learned using only traditional science classroom-based instruction. However, results indicated statistically signifi cant differences in comparisons of students’ math achievement scores, showing that those students who received traditional math instruction had more improved math achievement scores compared to those taught using the school garden program. Results also found no statistically signifi cant differences between gender and ethnic background comparisons. However, statistically signifi cant differences in comparisons of grade levels showed that fourth graders benefi ted more, academically, from participation in the school garden program in comparison to other grade levels.
Conservation genetics of the endangered Isle Royale gray wolf

The small group of wolves on Isle Royale has been studiedfor over three decades as a model of the relationship between large carnivores and their prey. During the last ten years the population declined from 50 individuals to asfew as 12 individuals. The causes of this decline may be food shortages, disease, or reduced genetic variability. We address the issues of genetic variability and relationships of Isle Royale wolves using allozyme electrophoresis, mtDNA restriction-site analysis, and multilocus hypervariable minisatellite DNA analysis (genetic fingerprinting). Our results indicate that approximately 50% of the allozyme heterozygosity has been lost in the island population; a decline similar to that expected if no immigration had occurred from the mainland. The genetic fingerprinting data indicate that the seven sampled Isle Royale wolves are as similar as captive populations of siblings. Surprisingly, the Isle Royale Correspondence s/ould be a44ressed to this autbor Paper submitted May 7, 1990; revised manuscript accepted October 10, 1990. See table of contents for order of author's names for citation purposes. Resumen: El pequeno grupo de lobos de la Isla Royale ha sido estudiado por mas de tres decadas como un modelo de las relaciones entre grandes carni'voros y su presa Durante los ultimos diez anios la poblacion disminuyo de 50 individuos a tan solo 12 individuos. La causa de esta disminucion puede ser debida a la escasez de comida a las enfermedades o a la reducida variabilidad genetica Nosotros tratamos el aspecto de la variabilidad genetica y las relaciones con los lobos de la Isla Royale utilizando la electroforesis con aloenzimas, el ana'lisis restringido a mtDNA y el analisis de hipervariable multilocus minisatelite DNA (huellas geneticas). Nuestros resultados indican que aproximadamente el 50% de la heterozigosis de la aloenzima ha sidoperdida en lapoblacion de la isla esta es una disminucion similar a la que se esperari'a si no hubiese habido inmigracion de la tierrafirme. Los datos de las huellas geneticas indican que los siete lobos muestreados en la Isla Royale son tan parecidos entresi como las poblaciones de bermanos en cautiverio. Sorprendentemente los lobos de la Isla Royale tienen un genotipo mtDNA que es muy raro en tierrafirme habiendo sido encontrado en solamente uno de
The Effects of Some Alternative Feed Additives for Antibiotic Growth Promoters on the Performance and Gut Microflora of Broiler Chicks

In this research, the effects of some alternative feed additives for antibiotic growth promoters on performance and gut microflora were examined using 500, one-day-old Ross 508 broiler chicks. Commercial corn-soy-based broiler starter and finisher diets were formulated as basal diets for control treatment. Basal diets were supplemented with an antibiotic growth promoter, a probiotic, a prebiotic (mannan oligosaccharide) and a humic-acid-based mixture, respectively. It total, five dietary treatments were employed in the experiment. Live weight, weight gain and feed consumption values were not affected significantly by dietary treatments throughout the experiment (P > 0,05). However, chicks which received diets supplemented with growth promoter, prebiotic, probiotic and humic-acid-based mixture had better feed conversion than the control group in both the 4-6 and 0-6 week periods (P 0.05). Gut microorganism growth was determined in the 2nd and 6th weeks of age by counting the number of aerobic bacteria, total yeast, coliform, E. coli and Entereccoccus. For both periods, no significant differences among the groups were obtained for those microorganisms. Salmonella and Campylobacter were not isolated in any of the samples. In conclusion, prebiotic (mannan oligosccaride), humic-acid-based mixture and probiotic have the potential to be an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in broiler diets.
The succession of mosquito species (Diptera, Culicidae) in rice fields in the Kisumu area of Kenya, and their possible control

Thirty-five species of mosquitoes (10 782 adults) were caught in modified CDC ilight-traps during the 27-week rice cultivation cycle at Ahero, Kenya, in the period September 1972 to March 1973. Only 0.8% were blood-fed and 5-l % gravid, indicating that the traps were sampling newly emerged adults. During weeks 1-7, before rice seedlings were transplanted, catches were small, but increased markedly from then until harvest (week 20). Two groups of mosquito species were recognised : the fist, including Mansonia uniformis (Theo.), M. africana (Theo.) and Mimum yia splendens Theo. , bred throughout the rice cycle; the second, including Anopheles gambiae s-l. , A. pharoensis Theo. , A. ziemanni Griinb. , Culex poicilipes (Theo.) and C. antennatus (Becker), were affected by water depth and height of the rice crop. The slurry of shallow muddy pools which follows transplanting stimulated intense breeding of A. gambiae and A. pharoensis. Once the young plants were established, reflooding of the fields and subsequent growth of water plants and algae favoured the breeding of A. ziemanni and C. poicilipes. Towards the end of the rice cycle large numbers of C. antennatus were caught. It is concluded that mosquito control by means of insecticides or by irrigation management would be possible. Large scale irrigations, particularly rice fields, can increase the incidence of mosquito-borne disease in associated human populations (Surtees, W’Oa). The importance in Cahfornian rice fields of Culex tarsalis Coq. , a vector of western equine and St. Louis encephalitis (Reeves 8z Hammon, 1962), and C. tritaeniorhynchus Giles, a vector of Japanese encephalitis in the Far East (Smith, 1970). illustrates the need for an understanding of the intimate relationship between irrigation and mosquito breeding. Relatively little information exists on rice fields as a habitat for mosquitoes in East Africa Grainger (1947) found larvae of Anopheles gambiae Giles and A. pharoensis Theo. common in rice fields in the Kisumu area of Kenya; he attempted to control them by intermittent irrigation. In Tanzania, Webbe (1961) found that water impoundment favoured mosquito breeding, particularly of Anophelines, and that the periodic drying out of the fields, due to poor water husbandry, resulted in prolific breeding of A. gambiue, A. pharoensis and C. tigripes Grp. & Charm. In 1968 the Kenya Government completed a Pilot Rice Scheme at Ahero near Kisumu, and the following year a preliminary study was made of the area, as part of the Medical Research Council’s programme on Viral Epidemiology Overseas (&u-tees,
The Tsetse Flies Intestinal Microflora: A Review

The Tsetse Flies’ Intestinal Microflora: A Review Human African Trypanosomiasis is caused by trypanosomes transmitted to humans by the tsetse fly, in which they accomplish their development into their infective metacyclic form. The crucial step in trypanosome survival occurs when it invades the fly midgut where the parasite may be confronted with other bacterial gut inhabitants. The resulting interactions between the bacterial communities and the trypanosome, ingested by the fly taking a blood meal on a trypanosomeinfected host, may determine the evolvement either toward parasite establishment and the initiation of the biological cycle or its elimination. This alternative future of the trypanosome may at least partly depend on the gut microflora composition. The available data are presented in this mini-review.
EFFECT OF SEASONAL FACTORS ON THE EJACULATE PROPERTIES OF CROSSBRED DUROC X PIETRAIN AND PIETRAIN X DUROC BOARS AS WELL AS PUREBRED DUROC AND PIETRAIN BOARS

The experimental material consisted of 12,285 ejaculates obtained from 93 boars, including 18 Duroc boars, 30 Pietrain boars, 24 ♀Duroc x ♂Pietrain crossbreds and 21 ♀Pietrain x ♂Duroc crossbreds. The boars were utilised for at least 6 months and qualified for insemination from January 1, 1992 to December 31, 2007. Each ejaculate was assessed using standard methods for the following physical traits: volume, sperm concentration, spermatozoon motility, total number of spermatozoa, and number of insemination doses per ejaculate. The data obtained were classified into 12 sub-groups consisting of ejaculates collected in successive months. Ejaculates collected in the summer months had less spermatozoa than in the autumn and winter period. Ejaculates collected in the summer (mainly in July) yielded the least amount of insemination doses. Ejaculates of both types of crossbreds were characterised by greater spermatozoon motility compared with purebred boars, irrespective of the month of ejaculate collection.