Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diversity, Bioactivity and Drug Development of Cultivable Actinobacteria in Six Species of Bird Feces

In order to provide new lead compounds of drugs and other useful products, the diversity and some bioactivities of cultivable actinobacteria in bird feces were studied．Six species of bird fecal samples were collected from Yunnan Wild Animal Park and bank of Dian Lake. The pure cultures of actinobacteria were isolated from these samples by using 6 different media. The partial 16S rRNA gene sequences of 207 selected strains were determined, the phylogenetic analysis was carried out, and antimicrobial activities were determined by using agar diffusion method. The key biosynthase genes (CYP, AHBA and SAL) of antibiotics were also detected. Total 28 genera of actinobacteria from all the samples were identified. 18 genera were identified from Pavo cristatus feces, and the actinomycete community was the most complex. These actinobacteria had wide inhibition against 10 test microbes. In 30, 25, and 36 strains of actinobacteria isolated from Pavo cristatus, Grus japonensis and Larus ridibundus feces respectively, average 22.2%, 8.9% and 40.8% strains had the key biosynthase genes encoding CYP, AHBA and SAL. More than 30 bioactive secondary metabolites from several actinomycete strains of bird feces were isolated and characterized. The study shows that birds fecal actinobacteria are a new potential source for discovering new drugs and other industry products.
The Millenium Seed Bank Project delivering Target 8 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation.

The focus of the seed collecting and conservation programmes in partner countries depends on national and institutional priorities. In many cases the emphasis is on the collection of rare and threatened species towards achieving Target 8 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC): ‘60 per cent of threatened plant species in accessible ex situ collections, preferably in the country of origin, and 10 per cent of them included in recovery and restoration programmes. ’
CHROMOSOME SUBSTITUTION IN HEXAPLOID WHEAT

The procedures involved in the various phases of chromosome substitution in common wheat are briefly outlined and explained. Complications encountered with reciprocal translocations are clarified. The following subjects are discussed: development of chromosome-deficient series in other varieties, transfer of single chromosomes from donor varieties to chromosome-deficient lines to develop substitution lines, alien substitutions, and combination of two chromosome substitutions into a single line. There is a brief discussion of the value of the chromosome substitution method especially in the study of gene dosage and interaction as affecting certain characters.
Reanalysis of Ohno's hypothesis on conservation of the size of the X chromosome in mammals

Abstract In 1964, Susumu Ohno, an evolutionary biologist, hypothesized that the size of X chromosome was conserved in mammalian evolution, and that this was based on chromosomal length. Today, unlike Ohno's method which was based on estimated lengths, we know the exact lengths of some mammalian sequences. The aim of this study was to reanalyze Ohno's hypothesis. In mammalian species, variation in the length of the X chromosome is greater than in the autosomes; however, this variation is not statistically significant. This means that differences in chromosomal length occur equally in the X chromosome and in the autosomes. Interspersed nuclear elements and genetic rearrangements were analyzed to maintain the same variance between the length of the X chromosome and the autosomes. The X chromosome contained fewer short interspersed elements (SINEs) (0.90 on average); however, it did contain more long interspersed elements (LINEs) than did autosomes (1.56 on average). An overall correlation of LINEs and SINEs with genetic rearrangements was observed; however, synteny breaks were more closely associated with LINEs in the autosomes, and with SINEs in the X chromosome. These results suggest that the chromosome-specific activities of LINEs and SINEs result in the same variance between the lengths of the X chromosome and the autosomes. This is based on the function of interspersed nuclear elements, such as LINEs, which can inactivate the X chromosome and the reliance of non-autonomous SINEs on LINEs for transposition.
On Inflation and de Sitter in Non‐Geometric String Backgrounds

We study the problem of obtaining de Sitter and inflationary vacua from dimensional reduction of double field theory (DFT) on nongeometric string backgrounds. In this context, we consider a new class of effective potentials that admit Minkowski and de Sitter minima. We then construct a simple model of chaotic inflation arising from T‐fold backgrounds and we discuss the possibility of trans‐Planckian field range from nongeometric monodromies as well as the conditions required to get slow roll.
Male aggression, limited female choice and the ontogeny of mating behaviour in the flesh fly Sarcophaga crassipalpis

Previous work has shown that male flesh flies (Sarcophaga crassipalpis Macquart) exhibit an ontogeny of behaviour from eclosion through sexual maturity that includes extensive changes in the expression of aggressive, non‐aggressive interactive and non‐interactive behaviours. To determine how the presence of a female flesh fly influences the manifestation of these behaviours, male flesh flies of different ages post‐eclosion are paired with same‐age females and their behaviours are monitored in a simple arena during a 50‐min observation period. All flies are socially isolated until pairing. Although the levels of expression of aggressive and non‐aggressive interactive behaviours are depressed relative to previous findings in male‐opponent pairs, the ontogeny of aggression still occurs as indicated by a significant increase, with age, in the agonistic behaviour ‘hold’. Similar to male‐opponent pairs and individual males, the performance by males of the non‐interactive behaviours ‘walking’ and ‘standing’ diminishes, whereas ‘upside‐down’ increases with age. By contrast, ‘grooming’ shows a significant age‐related decline. No courtship behaviours are observed in the males, although the aggressive behaviour ‘hold’ is a significant transition to mating. Females show no obvious courtship or rejection behaviours, although the significant increase in ‘upside‐down’ with age could possibly be a behavioural gateway to mating. The results of this study indicate that extensive age‐related changes encompassing the entire behavioural repertoire are intrinsic to male flesh flies and persist under a variety of different social contexts.
Contenido de ácido linoleico conjugado (CLA) en leche de ganado lechero Holstein estabulado en el noroeste de México

Estudios en animales experimentales senalan que el acido linoleico conjugado (CLA por sus siglas en ingles), posee propiedades beneficas para la salud. Los productos derivados de rumiantes como carne y leche son la mayor fuente natural de CLA, y su contenido en leche puede ser influenciado por varios factores como la alimentacion y el sistema de produccion. Este trabajo evaluo el contenido de CLA en leche de vacas Holstein estabuladas en el municipio de Hermosillo, Sonora durante el verano, donde se registran temperaturas superiores a los 40 °C. Se obtuvieron muestras de leche de 120 vacas. El perfil de acidos grasos y CLA en leche fueron determinados por cromatografia de gases. La produccion promedio de leche fue 15.8 ± 0.5 kg/dia, con 1.91 ± 0.06 % de grasa, 4.30 ± 0.2 % de lactosa, 3.34 ± 0.03 % de proteina, y de 10.4 ± 0.09 % de solidos totales. El contenido de acidos grasos insaturados fue mayor (P<0.05) en agosto, respecto a los meses de junio y julio. La concentracion promedio del isomero cis-9, trans-11 CLA encontrada fue de 9.36 mg/g de grasa (junio 10.78 ± 0.41, julio 8.50 ± 0.37 y agosto 10.16 ± 0.39), considerada alta y equiparable a lo reportado en otros paises con clima templado. La cantidad de CLA en leche puede ser atribuida a la dieta por la presencia del 58.8 % de alfalfa, rica en acidos grasos precursores del CLA (linoleico y linolenico) durante el verano.
Coinoculación de Canavalia ensiformis (L.) D.C. con Rhizobium y Hongos micorrÍzicos arbusculares en dos tipos de suelos de Cuba

To evaluate the response of jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis (L.) D.C.) to the coinoculation with strains of Rhizobium and arbuscular mycorrhizical fungus (AMF), it was carried out an experiment under microplots conditions that contained Nitisol soil coming from the Department of Agricultural Services of the INCA, in San Jose de las Lajas, Mayabeque, and another soil from the Station of Grasses and Forages of Cascajal, Villa Clara (Ferruginous Nodular Gley). Four strains of Rhizobium were studied (Can 2, Can 3, Can 4 and Can 5) and two strains of AMF (Glomus cubense (INCAM 4) and Rhizophagus intraradices) (INCAM 11) for the Nitisol soil and Glomus cubense and Funneliformis mosseae (INCAM 2) for the Nodular Gley soil more the corresponding controls without inoculation, for a total of 15 treatments for each soil type, which were distributed in a totally randomized design with factorial arrangement (5 x 3) and three repetitions. The mycorrrhizic symbiosis indicators and the yield of dry mass were evaluated. The results showed that the jack bean responded to the coinoculation Rhizobium-AMF in both types of soil. The best behavior in the strains of Rhizobium was obtained with can 3 for the Nitisol soil and Can 3, Can 4 and Can 5 for Nodular Gley soil, and the best strain of AMF were, in that order, G. cubense and F. mosseae for one and another soil, respectively.
Epitope-specific regulation. I. Carrier-specific induction of suppression for IgG anti-hapten antibody responses

The epitope-specific regulatory system selectively controls IgG antibody production to the individual (haptenic) determinants on a complex antigen. This system can be specifically induced to suppress primary and secondary IgG antibody responses to dinitrophenyl hapten (DNP) without interfering with antibody responses to epitopes on the carrier molecule on which the DNP is presented. Furthermore, once induced, it will specifically suppress responses to DNP presented on unrelated carrier molecules. Results summarized here obtained using widely different immunization conditions, and a variety of haptens and carrier molecules indicate that this regulatory system controls antibody production in most T-dependent antibody responses. Carrier-specific suppressor T cells (CTs) that arise shortly after priming with a carrier molecule such as keyhole limpet hemocyaninin (KLH) induce the epitope-specific system to suppress in situ and adoptive antibody responses to epitopes (e.g., DNP) presented subsequently on the priming carrier. These well-known regulatory T cells are commonly believed to regulate antibody production by interfering with carrier-specific help; however, by repeating the original CTs transfer experiments with additional controls that define the specificity of the mechanism mediating suppression in CTs recipients, we show that KLH-specific CTs regulate responses by inducing typical isotope- specific suppression for anti-DNP responses when the recipients are immunized with DNP-KLH. Thus, whether KLH-primed animals are immunized directly with DNP-KLH (KLH/DNP-KLH immunization sequence) or whether T cells from these animals are challenged with DNP-KLH in (nonirradiated)recipients, anti-DNP responses are persistently suppressed while anti-carrier responses proceed normally. The aqueous KLH-priming protocols usually used to generate CTs are marginally more effective in priming for in situ suppression-induction than the alum KLH-priming protocols commonly used to generate KLH-specific helper T cells and used here in KLH/DNP-KLH immunizations. Thus, studies presented show that priming with an antigenic (carrier) molecule simultaneously prepares the animal for the production of typical secondary (anamnestic) antibody responses to epitopes on the priming antigen and for the induction of epitope-specific suppression for antibody production to determinants presented subsequently on the same antigenic molecule. We discuss the mechanism(s) responsible for this duality and its significance for antibody responses in an accompanying publication that describes the bistable regulatory capabilities of the epitope-specific system.
Female zebra finches choose extra-pair copulations with genetically attractive males

One way that sexual selection for genetic benefits could operate in monogamous species is through female choice during extra-pair copulations (EPCS). EPCS are common in monogamous species, and field studies are consistent with the hypothesis of females choosing genetically attractive males for EPCS. Here I show that female zebra finches actively solicit and perform EPCS with males that are more attractive than their mates. Attractive males have higher song rates, have sons with higher song rates, and fledge heavier offspring. This provides a mechanism for sexual selection in monogamous species, and is consistent with 'good genes’ models of sexual selection.
Calving and Preweaning Growth Performance Traits of Calves Sired by Charolais, Simmental and Eastern Anatolian Red Bulls

Charolais (C)-, Simmental (S)-, and Eastern Anatolian Red (EAR)-sired calves born in 2 locations in Eastern Anatolia were compared in terms of calving traits and preweaning growth characteristics. Breed of sire effects were significant (P < 0.01) for birth weight, 205-day weaning weight, average daily weight gain from birth to weaning, and some body measurements at birth. S- and C-sired calves were heavier at birth and larger for most body measurements at birth than EAR-sired calves. The C- and S-sired calves also had higher 205-day weight than the EAR-sired calves. Although the level of calving difficulty was higher in the S and C crosses, the differences were not statistically significant. Male calves had significantly (P < 0.01) heavier birth and 205-day weights, higher preweaning average daily gain and greater body measurements (e.g., height at withers, heart girth and cannon bone girth) than females. Location differences were also significant (P < 0.01) for survival rate from birth to weaning, preweaning growth rate and 205-day weight. In conclusion, although C- and S-sired calves performed similarly for most traits, all parameters of the preweaning growth were higher in calves sired by S and C bulls than in calves sired by EAR bulls. Therefore, both C and S could be considered as sire breeds for crossbreeding programs to be implemented in Eastern Anatolia, since these breeds did not cause an adverse influence on the calving and growth traits of the crossbred calves.
Reply to Keller and Springborn: No doubt about invasion debt

We recently showed (1) that, for a wide range of taxa, the current numbers of established alien species in 28 European countries were generally more closely related to socioeconomic indicators from the year 1900 than 2000. Thus, the establishment of alien species seemed to lag considerably behind one of the main drivers of alien species introductions (2). We concluded that current high socioeconomic activity could result in considerable additional accumulation of alien species in the future, a phenomenon that we have called invasion debt.
Uji Banding Efektivitas Ekstrak Buah Pare Belut(Trichosantes Anguina Linn) Dengan Zinc Pyrithione 1% Terhadap Pertumbuhan Pityrosporum ovale Pada Penderita Berketombe

ABSTRACT Background. Dandruff is a thin skuama hiperproliferation in scalp within itchy sensation with or without inflammation. Snake gourd is one of natural ingredient that have antifungal activity. Zinc pythitione very effective for inhibiting growth of Pityrosporum ovale that cause dandruff. Objective. To compare effectiveness of snake gourd extract (Trichosanthes Anguina Linn.)100% with zinc pyrithione 1% in inhibiting the growth of Pityrosporum ovale in patients with dandruff in vitro. Method. This was an experimental laboratories study with Post test only control group design. Subject was 30 patients with dandruff. Examination materials was scraping scalp of patient that suffers dandruff. Examined microscopically in 10% KOH plus parker blue black ink. Positive culture results were diluted in sterile 0.9% NaCl solution and made the same turbidity with a solution of 0.5 McFarlan 0.1 cc is then taken and implanted in the SDA media containing olive oil and snake gourd extract 100% and zinc pyrithione 1%. Data were analyzed using chi square test or Fischer-exact test with significance p value <0.05. Result. From 30 SDA media containing olive oil extract of snake groud 100%, 25 (41.7%) had P.ovale negative (-) and 5 (8.3%) tubes have a positive P.ovale (+). From 30 media SDA olive oil containing zinc pyrithione 1%, 1 (1.7%%) had Pityrosporum ovale positive (+) and 29 (48.3%) had P. ovale negative (-). Terms of chi-square test is not fulfilled, because there were two cells that have less expectation of 5 (1 and 5), so the test method used by the Fischer-exact p = 0.195, which means there is no significant difference between the effects of pare belut fruit extract with zinc pythirione 1%. Conclusion. Effectiveness of Snake groud ( T.Anguina Linn.) extract 100% equal with zinc pyrithione 1% to inhibited the growth of P. ovale. Key word . Dandruff, P. ovale, pare belut extract 100%, zinc pythirione 1%.
Effects of seed treatments and inoculum density of Fusarium avenaceum and Rhizoctonia solani on seedling blight and root rot of faba bean

Chang, K. F. , Conner, R. L. , Hwang, S. F. , Ahmed, H. U. , McLaren, D. L. , Gossen, B. D. and Turnbull, G. D. 2014. Effects of seed treatments and inoculum density of Fusarium avenaceum and Rhizoctonia solani on seedling blight and root rot of faba bean. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 693–700. Production of faba bean cultivars with tannin-free seed on the Canadian prairies has potential for use in human food and as a feedstock for livestock and aquaculture. However, root rot is a major constraint to production. The effects of fungicide seed treatments on root rot caused by Fusarium avenaceum and Rhizoctonia solani, and the effect of inoculum density on seedling emergence, nodulation, root rot severity and yield of faba bean were examined across 12 station years from 2009 to 2011 at sites in Manitoba and Alberta. Fusarium avenaceum reduced seedling emergence more than R.solani, but both pathogens had a similar impact on seed yield. The effects of inoculum density and seed treatment were generally significant for seed.
Mycobacterium: General Characteristics, Laboratory Detection, and Staining Procedures*

This chapter deals with Mycobacterium the only genus in the family Mycobacteriaceae and related to other mycolic acid-containing genera. The genus Mycobacterium includes obligate pathogens, opportunistic pathogens, and saprophytes. Ben Salah et al. found clinical M. avium complex (MAC) isolates that appear to represent three other new species: M. marseillense, M. timonense, and M. bouchedurhonense. Many different types of clinical specimens may be collected for mycobacteriological analyses. A majority of clinical specimens originate from the respiratory tract (sputum, tracheal and bronchial aspirates, and bronchoalveolar lavage specimens), but urine, gastric aspirates, tissues, biopsy specimens, and normally sterile body fluids such as cerebrospinal fluid and pleural and pericardial aspirates are other commonly submitted specimens. A majority of disseminated mycobacterial infections are due to MAC. Appropriate pretreatment and processing procedures (homogenization, decontamination, concentration, culture media, and conditions of incubation) must be selected to facilitate optimum recovery of mycobacteria. With the advent of molecular techniques designed for molecular epidemiology, cross-contamination either linked to laboratory procedures or, more rarely, to contaminated bronchoscopes can easily be proven. Laboratory aspects of cross-contamination are addressed in the chapter. Quality control (QC) is vital for monitoring a laboratory’s effectiveness in detecting and isolating mycobacteria. Accurate identification of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) will prevent rarely encountered pathogens from being mistaken for nonpathogenic species.
Superoxide Dismutase: a therapeutic candidate for oxidative stress

The Superoxide Dismutase activity is present in every cell with aerobic metabolism, and is just absent in obligate anaerobes, due to the important role that it plays in antioxidant protection of many cellular components from oxygen reactive species (ROS). Its deficit is related with different pathologies, such as inflammation, diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, among others. In the present review, some pathologies produced by the enzymatic deficit will be tackled, and also the main methods of protein engineering, applied to optimization and modification of the enzyme as a therapeutic product. RESUMEN: La actividad Superoxido Dismutasa esta presente en toda celula de metabolismo aerobio y solo ausente en microorganismos anaerobios obligados, pues cumple un importante rol en la proteccion antioxidante de numerosos componentes celulares, frente a las especies reactivas del oxigeno (ERO). Su afectacion se relaciona con diversas patologias, entre las cuales se encuentran, la inflamacion, la diabetes, el cancer, las enfermedades neurodegenerativas y otras. En la presente revision seran abordadas algunas de las patologias producidas por deficit de la enzima, asi como las principales tecnicas de ingenieria de proteinas aplicadas a la modificacion y optimizacion de la misma como producto terapeutico.
Archetypal ‘elkhorn’ coral discovered in the Pacific Ocean

The discovery of a population of elkhorn corals in the Central Pacific Ocean has important taxonomic implications, as this distinctive colony morphology was previously known only from the endemic and critically endangered Atlantic species Acropora palmata. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed that the Pacific elkhorn coral is genetically distant from A. palmata, and most likely represents a species previously synonymized with Acropora abrotanoides. The Pacific elkhorn coral is rare, and is of particular scientific interest because it represents one morphological extreme in the dominant genus of reef-building corals. The discovery of the Pacific elkhorn coral raises a number of important general issues in relation to biodiversity conservation, as this coral would not qualify for threatened species listing under current IUCN categories and criteria despite being demonstrably rare.
The Continuum of Plant Responses to Herbivory: The Influence of Plant Association, Nutrient Availability, and Timing

In a single population of Ipomopsis arizonica (Polemoniaceae), we show a continuum of compensatory responses to vertebrate herbivory. We demonstrate experimentally that the degree of herbivore impact depends on plant association, nutrient availability, and timing of grazing. From 1985 to 1987, the most common response to vertebrate herbivory was equal compensation, whereby grazed plants set numbers of fruits and seeds equal to controls within the same growing season. However, we also observed cases of significant overcompensation and undercompensation. In 1985 and 1987, overcompensation occurred in vertebrate-grazed plants that were supplemented with nutrients and growing free of competition. These plants produced 33% to 120% more fruit than control, ungrazed plants. Cases of undercompensation occurred in groups where I. arizonica grew in association with grasses or where nutrients were not supplemented. Grazed and clipped plants in these groups produced from 28% to 82% as many fruits as did ungrazed controls. Our studies indicate that the compensatory response of plants to grazing is probabilistic when three external factors are considered. The probability of compensation for herbivory decreases as competition with other plants increases, as nutrient levels decrease, and as the timing of herbivory comes later in the growing season.