Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An improved method for artificial infection of the European eel, Anguilla anguilla with Anguillicola crassus (Nematoda, Dracunculoidea).

Summary A standardized method was developed for artificially infecting the European eel with Anguillicola crassus, a parasitical swim bladder nematode. For this purpose, an intermediate host, Paracyclos fimbriatus, and a paratenic host, Cyprinus carpio, were used. Parasite prevalence in the artificially infected eels was very high, although there was a large variation in the number of worms per eel. Compared to other methods of artificial infection described in the literature, this method apears to be more efficient and reliable; there were also more infectious larvae that were recovered and tRe mortality rate of eels under treatment was lower. Resume Une methode amelioree pour l'infection artificielle de l'anguille europeenne Anguilla anguilla par Anguillicola crassus (Nematoda, Dracunculoidea) Une methode standardisee a ete developpee dans le but d'infecter artificiellement l'anguille europeenne par Anguillicola crassus, un nematode parasitique qui se trouve dans le vessie natatoire de l'hote. Dans ce but, un hote intermediaire Paracyclops fimbriatus et un hote paratenique Cyprinus carpio ont ete utilises. La prevalence du parasite dans les anguilles infectees artificiellement etait haute, bien que le nombre de vers retrouves ingviduellement etait tres varie. Compare sa d'autres methodes d'infection artificielle decrites dans la litterature, cette methode demontre ere plus efficace: le nombre de larves contaminantes rassemblees etait plus eleve, la mortalite parmi les anguilles traitees etait moins importante et la methode etait plus fiable. Zusammenfassung Eine verbesserte Methode der kunstlicben Infektion des Europaiscben Aales, Anguilla anguilla, rnit Anguilhcola crassus (Nematoda, Dracunculoidea) Es wurde eine standardisierte Methode zur Infektion des europaischen Aals rnit dem Schwimmblasenwurm Anguillicola crassus entwickelt. Zu diesem Zweck wurden ein Zwischenwirt, Paracyclops fimbriatus und ein Wirt, Cyprinus carpio, eingesetzt. Die Haufigkeit des Parasiten in den kunstlich infizierten Aalen war sehr hocg, jedoch konnte eine hohe Variabiliat individuellen Wurmbefdls festgestellt werden. Im Vergleich zu anderen Infektionsmethoden, die in der Literatur beschrieben sind, erscheint die mir erprobte Methode effizienter: die Wiederauffindungsrate infektiver Larven war hoher und die Mortalitatsrate der behandelten Aale geringer. Die Methode wird auch als zuverlassiger angesehen.
Aktivitas Antimikroba dan Analisis KLT-Densitometri Metabolit Fraksi –Fraksi Ekstrak Endofit dari Aglaia odorata

Endophytes are microorganisms that live inside the host plant tissues which have metabolites exhibiting a variety of biological activities against different diseases. AgOt 1A is an endophytic fungus isolated from Aglaia odorata Lour, which in the preliminary study showed antimicrobial activity. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the fractions for its antimicrobial activity and screening the metabolites using TLC – Densitometry and spot test. AgOt 1A were cultivated under malt extract liquid fermentation, extracted using ethyl acetate, and fractionated. Antimicrobial activity test were conducted to the ethyl acetate extract fractions against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, Escherichia coli ATCC 8739 and Candida albicans ATCC 10231 by the disc diffusion method. The result showed that fraction number seven of 12 fractions of ethyl acetat extract Agot 1A had antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli ATCC 8739, whilst fraction number one and three until sixth positive against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538. All fractions negative against Candida albicans ATCC 10231. The other results were all fractions spots are UV active compounds, several spots of fractions are shown characteristic reaction as phenols or phenolic compounds, amines, steroids, terpenoids and terpen. AgOt1A contains many constituents and are valuable sources of new and biologically active molecules possesing antimicrobial property.
Iron compounds in the heart-body of the terebellid polychaete Neoamphitrite figulus

The heart-body contains haematins derived from by-products of haem synthesis. It also contains a non-haem iron protein and a flavin. Study of the relative amounts of these substances in worms of different ages and at different seasons suggests that the flavin plays some part in the metabolic activity of the organ and that the haematins accumulate throughout life. No evidence was found for the heart-body participating in any excretory activity or in haemoglobin breakdown.
Flow Cytometric Analysis of Autophagic Activity with Cyto-ID Staining in Primary Cells

[Abstract] Flow cytometry allows very sensitive and reliable high-throughput analysis of autophagic flux. This methodology permits to screen cells in flow and capture multi-component images. Using this technology autophagic flux may be analysed accurately in both suspension as well as adherent cells upon trypsinization independent of how heterogeneous the autophagosomal content might be. The method is based on Cyto-ID staining of autophagic compartments (pre-autophagosomes, autophagosomes, and autophagolysosomes) in live cells using Cyto-ID
Notes on flora and vegetation of the sand dunes of western Greece

Abstract Spanou, S. , Verroios, G. , Dimitrellos, G. , Tiniakou, A. , & Georgiadis, T. : Notes on flora and vegetation of the sand dunes of western Greece. — Willdenowia 36 (Special Issue): 235–246. — ISSN 0511-9618; © 2006 BGBM Berlin-Dahlem. doi:10.3372/wi.36. 36119 (available via http://dx.doi.org/) For twenty coastal dune sites in Epirus, Sterea Ellada, Peloponnesos and the Ionian islands Paxi, Antipaxi, Kerkyra, Zakynthos and Lefkada, a flora list of 182 taxa, including two Greek endemics is presented. Characteristics and conservational aspects of the vegetation are discussed.
Different modes of food restriction and compensatory growth in double-muscled Belgian Blue bulls: plasma metabolites and hormones

The effects of different sequences of food restriction and fattening have been studied on plasma metabolites and hormones in double-muscled Belgian Blue bulls. Twenty animals were divided into five groups. The first group (control, CG) was given, ad libitum , a fattening diet based on sugar-beet pulp. In G2 and G3, fattening was interrupted after 103 and 187 days, respectively, by a period of food restriction lasting about 2 months during which the animals received a maintenance ration. They were finished with the same diet as CG. The last two groups, G4 and G5, received a limited amount of the restriction diet to support 0·5 and 0 kg gain per day, respectively, for 4 months, before being fattened as CG. Plasma glucose, alpha-amino nitrogen, non-esterified fatty acids, urea, creatinine, thyroxine (T4), 3, 3', 5'-tri-iodothyroxine (T3), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) were measured in blood samples taken every 2 weeks. Plasma GH and insulin profiles were measured in serial blood samples obtained at three different times during growth. Animals that showed compensatory growth had lower plasma urea, associated with high levels of T3, T4 and IGF‐1. Animals from G2 and G3 failed to show compensatory growth. In Belgian Blue bulls, compensatory growth is markedly affected when food restriction is severe or fattening interrupted.
Bifurcation and chaos observed in coupled BVP neurons with external impulsive forces

We investigate bifurcation and chaos observed in coupled Bonhoffer van der Pol (BVP) neurons with external impulsive forces. Although the single neuron without the external force has only one equilibrium point, combining these n (n/spl ges/3) neurons unidirectionally in a ring, n-phase periodic solutions are generated. Applying the impulsive forces, successive period-doubling bifurcations of the n-phase solution occur and chaotic states, namely n-phase chaos, appear. When n=2 and 3, we find the parameter regions in which the switching phenomena of burst firing are observed. Moreover, the mechanisms of the switching phenomena are clarified by numerical bifurcation analysis.
Chimeric Cytokine Receptor Can Transduce Expansion Signals in Interleukin 6 Receptor α (IL-6Rα)-, IL-11Rα-, and gp130-low to -negative Primitive Hematopoietic Progenitors

We generated transgenic mice expressing chimeric receptors, which comprise extracellular domains of the human granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (hGM-CSF) receptor and transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains of the mouse leukemia inhibitory factor receptor. In suspension cultures of lineage-negative (Lin−), 5-fluorouracil-resistant bone marrow cells of the transgenic mice, a combination of hGM-CSF and stem cell factor (SCF) induced exponential expansions of mixed colony-forming unit. The combination of hGM-CSF and SCF was effective on enriched, Lin−Sca-1+c-kit+ progenitors and increased either mixed colony-forming unit or cobblestone area–forming cells. In case of stimulation with hGM-CSF and SCF, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and SCF, or IL-11 and SCF, the most efficient expansion was achieved with hGM-CSF and SCF. When Lin−Sca-1+c-kit+CD34− further enriched progenitors were clone sorted and individually incubated in the presence of SCF, hGM-CSF stimulated a larger number of cells than did IL-6, IL-6 and soluble IL-6 receptor (IL-6R), or IL-11. These data suggest the presence of IL-6Rα-, IL-11Rα-, and gp130-low to -negative primitive hematopoietic progenitors. Such primitive progenitors are equipped with signal transduction molecules and can expand when these chimeric receptors are genetically introduced into the cells and stimulated with hGM-CSF in the presence of SCF.
EPIDEMIOLOGICAL FEATURES OF INFECTION THROUGH LEPTOSPIRA SPP. IN DOMESTIC CATS (FELIS CATUS) APPARENTLY HEALTHY WITHIN THE METROPOLITAN AREA OF GOIANIA, BRAZIL

Leptospirosis is rare in felines. This research has as main objective to analyze occurrence of antibodies anti-Leptospira spp serum samples taken from domestic cats in the area of Goiania and Aparecida de Goiania, Goias, Brazil. Blood serums from 330 domestic felines apparently healthy were analyzed. The research was conducted through the microscopic serum-glutinosity test using 24 live antigens: Australis, Bratislava, Butembo, Castellonis, Bataviae, Canicola, Witcombi, Cynopteri, Grippothyphosa, Djasiman, Hebdomadis, Copenhageni, Cterohamorrhagiae, Javanica, Panama, Pomona, Pyrogens, Hadjo, Woilffi, Shermani, Tarassovi, Andamana, Patoc, Sentot. It was detected presence of glutinous antibodies in 23 animals (6,96%), rating from 1:100 to 1:800, predominating serovares Cynopteri and Djasiman.
Evaluación de la actividad antimicrobiana de extractos de hojas y semillas de Morinda citrifolia L. (noni)

Normal 0 7.8 pto 0 2 false false false EN-US ZH-CN X-NONE Introduccion: reportes cientificos han demostrado que la Morinda citrifolia L (noni) presenta actividad antimicrobiana frente a un gran numero de bacterias y hongos patogenos, sin embargo estos estudios reportan estas propiedades para el fruto, existiendo poca informacion sobre las hojas, raices y semillas de esta planta. Objetivos: evaluar la actividad antimicrobiana in vitro de diferentes extractos de hojas secas y semillas de M. citrifolia L (noni), asi como identificar mediante cromatografia de capa fina los principales metabolitos secundarios responsables de la actividad antimicrobiana. Metodos: se evaluo la actividad antimicrobiana in vitro de los extractos alcoholicos, hexanicos, cloroformicos y de acetato de etilo de las hojas y semillas de la M. citrifolia L. (noni) frente a cepas de E. coli, S. aureus y Candida sp por el metodo de Bauer-Kirby. Se identificaron mediante cromatografia de capa fina los metabolitos responsables de la actividad antimicrobiana en placas semi-preparativas de silica gel, y se observaron los perfiles cromatograficos bajo la luz ultravioleta (l=365 nm). Resultados: todos los extractos evaluados de las hojas y semillas de M. citrifolia L (noni) tuvieron actividad antimicrobiana frente a las cepas estudiadas. Los principales metabolitos secundarios detectados fueron, en los extractos de hojas, quinonas, coumarinas y flavonoides; en las semillas, coumarinas y flavonoides respectivamente. Conclusiones: se demostro la actividad antimicrobiana de hojas y semillas del arbol de M. citrifolia L (noni), siendo los metabolitos secundarios quinonas y coumarinas los responsables de esta.
A critical comparison of the pressure‐probe and pressure‐chamber techniques for estimating leaf‐ceil turgor pressure in Kalanchoë daigremontiana

The aim of the present study was to test the accuracy of the pressure-chamber technique as a method for estimating leaf-cell turgor pressures. To this end, pressure-probe measurements of cell turgor pressure (Pcell) were made on mesophyll cells of intact, attached leaves of Kalanchoe daigremontiana. Immediately following these measurements, leaves were excised and placed in a pressure chamber for the determination of balance pressure (Pbal). Cell-sap osmotic pressure (? cell) and xylem-sap osmotic pressure (? xyl) were also measured, and an average cell turgor pressure calculated as Pcell=? cell–? xyl–Pbal. The apparent value of Pbal was positively correlated with the rate of increase of chamber pressure, and there was also a time-dependent increase associated with water loss. On expressing sap from the xylem, ? xyl fell to a plateau value that was positively correlated with ? cell. Correcting for these effects yielded estimates of Pbal and ? xyl at the time of leaf excision. On average, the values of Pcell obtained with the two techniques agreed to within ±002 MPa (errors are approximate 95% confidence limits). If ? xyl were ignored, however, the calculated turgor pressures would exceed the measured values by an average of 0.074 ± 0.012MPa, or 48% at the mean measured pressure of 0.155 MPa. We conclude that the pressure-chamber technique allows a good estimate to be made of turgor pressure in mesophyll cells of K. daigremontiana, provided that ? xyl is included in the determination. The 1:1 relationship between the measured and calculated turgor pressures also implies that the weighted-average reflection coefficient for the mesophyll cell membranes is close to unity.
In silico Survey of Genes involved in Curcuminoid Synthesis for Expression Studies in Curcuma caesia Roxb.

Curcuma caesia Roxb. (Black turmeric) is an endangered medicinal plant of the state. The rhizome of this plant has been traditionally used for centuries as a folklore remedy. The main bioactive substances in the rhizomes are curcuminoids, despite the tremendous importance of this compound, molecular and functional analyses of its medicinal value were hampered by lack of tools such as ESTs and ordered genomic contigs. But with the development of turmeric EST database by David Gang's group (ArREST), it has provided a platform for elucidating the curcuminoid biosynthetic pathway in Curcuma longa. All the gene sequences involved in curcuminoid synthesis were retrieved from NCBI. EST and CDS based primers were designed by using online Batch Primer3 software. Designed primers would be further validated in wet lab, by amplifying these primers with cDNA of Curcuma caesia for putative expression analysis.
Pathogenic and genetic profile of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae isolates from Andhra Pradesh

Bacterial blight (BB) of rice caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) is one of the major production constraints especially in irrigated and rainfed lowland ecosystems. Fifty two isolates of Xoo collected from different rice growing areas of Andhra Pradesh were characterized for their virulence and genetic profile. Virulence analysis carried out on a set of rice differentials revealed that different NILs with single genes were susceptible to about 53–84% of the isolates except IRBB 13 which showed susceptible phenotype to about 23% of the isolates used in the study. Among the two genes combination, combination of Xa4 and xa 5 showed susceptibility to many pathotypes. Based on the virulence pattern, the isolates were categorized into 10 pathotypes. Among these, pathotypes 21 and 22 were highly virulent and were individually virulent on differentials having xa13 and Xa21 genes. Pathotype 7 was most common and was present in all the locations surveyed. Molecular analysis of variability among the isolates was carried out through PCR analysis using multi-locus primer Jell and Jel2 (based on the repeat element ISll12 in the Xoo genome). A high level of genetic polymorphism was detected among the isolates. Using the genotypic data of selected isolates from different pathotype groups, we clustered them based on genetic similarity. Afairly good correlation was obtained where most of the isolates virulent on BB resistance genes xa13 or Xa21 or both grouped together. The results ofthe study revealed that gene combinations like xa5 + xa13, xa13 + Xa21, Xa4 + xa13 + Xa21, xa5 + xa13 + Xa21 can give broad spectrum durable resistance to this important disease of rice.
Mitotic regulators and their effects on Drosophila : chromosome structure during development

Variants of the canonical cell cycle are frequently used in nature to accomplish specific developmental goals. In one such variant, the endocycle, synthesis phase alternates with a gap phase without an intervening mitosis, producing cells that have multiple copies of the genome. These cells show diversity in their chromosome structure; at one extreme, the sister chromatids are separate (polyploid) and at the other extreme, the sisters are held together (polytene). The endocycle itself can be modified and these variations are speculated to correlate with the observed differences in chromosome structure. In this thesis, we have analyzed the contribution of mitotic regulators to the endocycle and polytene chromosome structure in Drosophila. We show that morula, a gene required for the transition from polytene to polyploid chromosome structure in Drosophila nurse cells, is a subunit of the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome. Increasing levels of cyclin B, a known mitotic target of the APC/C, does not alter the timing of the transition, indicating that CYCLIN B is not the only APC/C target at the polyteny-polyploidy transition. In mitosis, activity of APC/C and POLO lead to the loss of sister-chromatid cohesion and we find that mutants in polo are unable to progress through the polyteny-polyploidy transition. Finally, we find that the cohesin complex, a complex required for the physical attachment of sister chromatids in mitosis, is required for proper polytene chromosome structure in the salivary gland. These results describe a requirement for the cohesin complex in a variant of the cell cycle lacking mitosis and indicate that sister-chromatid cohesion differentiates polytene and polyploid chromosome structures. Thesis Supervisor: Terry L. Orr-Weaver Title: Professor of Biology
SITE FIDELITY, TERRITORY FIDELITY, AND NATAL PHILOPATRY IN WILLOW FLYCATCHERS (EMPIDONAX TRAILLII)

Abstract I investigated the causes and consequences of adult breeding-site fidelity, territory fidelity, and natal philopatry in Willow Flycatchers (Empidonax traillii) in southeastern Oregon over a 10-year period, testing the general hypothesis that fidelity and dispersal distances are influenced by previous breeding performance. Willow Flycatchers adhered to the generally observed tendencies of passerine birds for low natal philopatry and high breedingsite fidelity. Site fidelity (return to the study area) of adult males (52.0%) and females (51.3%), and median dispersal distances between seasons (16 m vs. 19 m) were similar. Previous breeding performance and residency (age-experience), but not study-site quality, explained site fidelity in females. Site fidelity of females rearing 4–5 young (64.4%) exceeded that of unsuccessful females (40.0%), breeding dispersal was less (successful: 15 m; unsuccessful: 33 m), and novice residents were more site-faithful than former residents. Probability of site fidelity was higher for previously successful females (odds ratio = 4.76), those with greater seasonal fecundity (odds ratio = 1.58), novice residents (odds ratio = 1.41), and unparasitized females (odds ratio = 2.76). Male site fidelity was not related to residency, site quality, or previous breeding performance. Territory fidelity (return to the previous territory) in females was best explained by previous breeding performance, but not by site quality or residency. Previously successful females were more likely to return to their territory of the previous season than either unsuccessful (odds ratio = 14.35) or parasitized birds (odds ratio = 6.38). Male territory fidelity was not related to residency, site quality, or previous breeding performance. Natal philopatry was low (7.8%) and similar for males and females. Site quality appeared to influence philopatry, given that no birds reared at a low-quality study site returned there to breed, and birds reared there dispersed farther than birds reared at two other study sites. My results partially support the hypothesis that site fidelity is an adaptive response: (1) previously successful females that switched territories underperformed those that did not switch (P = 0.01); and (2) previously unsuccessful females that switched territories outperformed those that did not switch, but not significantly (P = 0.22).
PRODUCTIVITY OF NORTH KORDOFAN CATTLE

The present study focused on the sedentary cattle husbandry production system in North Kordofan (western Sudan). Seven farms (designated as A, B, C, D, E, F, and G) around El-Obeid city were randomly selected. Recently calved cows in each farm were closely monitored through a period of 365 days. The recently calved cows were monitored for post-partum ovarian activity using milk progesterone radioimmunoassay. Days to conception were taken as non-return to oestrus. The results revealed that there was a wide variation in both days to first ovulation and days to conception. The majority of cows showed delayed post-partum activity and days to conception with longest days to resumption of ovarian activity showed by farm G (167.00±59.68days) and lowest days in farm C (61.78±14.99 days). The interval to conception was longest in farm B (226.06±52.63 days) and lowest in farm C (102.67±48.93 days). Cows in all farms showed gradual increase in BW from calving up to 90 days. BCS was found to decrease from calving to 60 days. Dry season showed an adverse effect on fertility compared with the rainy season. Wet season showed significant negative correlation with BWT at calving, milk yield at 30, 60 and 90 days with days to ovulation. It could be concluded that, poor reproductive performance in cows kept under extensive traditional system was due to poor management practices, which ignored high-energy supplementation during late pregnancy and early lactation, especially during the dry season when rangeland pastures deteriorate drastically. Suckling further exacerbated the effect of poor nutrition resulting in extended post-partum anoestrus and low conception rates. Controlled mating and suckling together with good feeding strategies may greatly enhance reproductive performance of cows kept under extensive systems of management.