Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic uniformity of sungkai (Peronema canescens Jack) regenerated from tissue culture

Sungkai or jati sebrang (Peronema canescens Jack) is one of the industrial timber estate species native to Indonesia, which is commonly chosen for reforestation and as raw materials for the furniture and handicraft industry. In order to provide this planting material in large and sustainable quantities, a technique for in vitro propagation of sungkai through adventitious shoot proliferation is needed and has been successfully developed at the Research Centre for Biotechnology, LIPI. Since tissue culture method is prone to genetic variations, it is important to assess the genetic uniformity of sungkai planting materials derived from this in vitro method at an early stage. In this research, early detection of genetic uniformity was done by morphological observation of the regenerant plants and RAPD analysis using 4 primers namely OPB 5, OPB 9, OPH 11 and OPH 19. Morphological test showed differences in leaf shape, stem diameter and plant height among plantlets originating from Kalbar, Kaltim, Jambi and Cibinong. However, RAPD analysis with PCR showed that all planting materials were genetically uniform among those originating from the same or different places. Â© 2007 Jurusan Biologi FMIPA UNS SurakartaKey words: sungkai (Peronema canescens Jack), perbanyakan in vitro, morfologi, RAPD
Seasonal Activity and Movements of Necturus in Louisiana

The seasonal activity and movements of Necturus maculosus louisianensis and N. b. beyeri were studied in Louisiana from 1959 to 1962 and again in December 1965 and January 1966. Cover preferences were similar in both forms, the animals usually being found in and around obstructions in streams; both species are active throughout the year. There was a negative correlation between fish activity and foraging away from cover by both species. There was no indication of summer dormancy. Fifteen N. beyeri were recaptured within 215 ft of their original capture and release point after up to 724 days. Twenty-three N. maculosus were captured within 840 ft of their original capture point after up to 2089 days. Of 33 N. maculosus displaced downstream, four were recaptured near the release area; one animal returned to its previous capture point. Most of the displaced animals headed upstream instead of seeking shelter as do animals released near original capture sites.
Ecological studies on the littoral attaching micro-algae. XI. Allelopathic effect of mucilage released from a brown alga Sargassum horneri on marine diatoms.

Antialgal (allelopathic) activity of the mucilage excreted by a brown alga Sargassum horneri to various diatom species was examined. The growth of all diatoms examined was completely in-hibited by the crude mucilage at the concentrations, 3->30%, depending on the species. The lag phases of growth of these diatoms were influenced at the lower concentrations, however, their maximum growth rates were not affected at these concentration levels. The sensitivity of each diatom to the mucilage was related ot its ecological status (eiphyte or plankter), that is, epiphytic diatoms were generally more resistant than planktonic ones. But taxonomical difference (Pennales or Centrales) was not related to the sensitivity. The antialgal substances contained in the mucilage were non-dialyzable (>M. W. 25000) and heat-stable. The epiphytic diatom flora on S. horneri seems to be influenced by the allelochemicals pyoduced by their host.
Selegiline in the treatment of Parkinson's disease

Abstract– Selegiline is a selective, irreversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase type B (MAO‐B). It also inhibits the reuptake of catecholamines into the presynaptic nerve and enhances the synthesis of dopamine by blocking the presynaptic dopamine autoreceptors. Thanks to these properties it potentiates and prolongs the duration of action of levodopa. Several clinical trials have shown its efficacy as an adjuvant to levodopa therapy. Improvement in parkinsonian disability and reduction of fluctuations in disability can be achieved by adding selegiline to the prevailing levodopa therapy. End‐of‐dose type fluctuations, in particular, react favourably to selegiline. Side‐effects of the therapy can be managed by reducing the dose of levodopa. According to preliminary studies selegiline may also have some benefit as monotherapy in de novo parkinsonian patients. High doses of selegiline have been found to have some antidepressant efficacy, especially in patients with nonendogenous depression. It may also have an effect on bradyphrenia and some symptoms of cognitive dysfunction and dementia. In animal models selegiline has been shown to prevent parkinsonism caused by MPTP and also to increase the life span of rats. Whether selegiline slows down the progression of Parkinson's disease needs further examination.
Some models for spatial variability of animal species.

Recent studies have suggested that conventional population dynamic models based on demographic processes and environmental heterogeneity cannot simulate spatial data that conform realistically to Taylor's power law for values of 6 (the estimated slope) greater than 2, and that b values from replicate simulations may vary widely even when identical parameters are used. Two such models are presented which demonstrate that this is not necessarily so; these produce simulated spatial variancemean plots which are linear over a wide range of population densities. These models incorporate behaviourally-induced emigration, and are consistent with species-specific responses. A new stepping-stone model is presented involving local movement between contiguous hexagons, which also simulates data conforming realistically to the power law. These results underpin Southwood's suggestion that a variety of mechanisms probably contribute to observed patterns.
Mitochondrial DNA and allozyme analysis of North American pronghorn populations

To help preserve and manage pronghorn (Antilocapra americana), it is important to characterize genetic variation of pronghorn populations. We assessed allozyme variation in 330 pronghorn from 29 populations. Twenty of 33 presumptive genetic loci were polymorphic. Clustering values obtained from Rogers' distance, using unweighted pair-group method analysis, indicated close affinities between Oregon (A. a. oregona) and American pronghorn (A. a. americana) subspecies. Populations from southwestern Texas and southern New Mexico clustered in several groups outside the Oregon-American pronghorn cluster. This pattern was consistent with recognition of Mexican pronghorn (A. a. mexicana) as a distinct subspecies
Elemental versus polymeric enteral nutrition in paediatric Crohn's disease: a multicentre randomized controlled trial

Aim: To compare the efficacy and safety of an elemental and a polymeric diet as the primary therapy for active Crohn's disease in children. Methods: In a randomized, non‐blind, multicentre, controlled trial in Sweden, 16 children with Crohn's disease received Elemental 028 Extra (E028E) and 17 Nutrison Standard (NuS). Remission rates (Paediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index (PCDAI) < 10 or a PCDAI decrease of 40% or 15 points of initial level) were compared at 6 wk. Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups in remission rate at 6 wk (intent‐to‐treat analysis): E028E 11/16 (69%) and NuS 14/17 (82%) (p= 0.438). There was no difference in the decrease in PCDAI and CDAI between patients treated with E028E and those treated with NuS from 0 to 6 wk. Patients treated with NuS gained significantly more weight than patients treated with E028E (+2.5 kg; 95% CI 0.9, 4.1; p= 0.004), this difference remained when adjusting for maximum caloric intake per kilogram bodyweight (+2.9 kg; 95% CI 1.4, 4.5; p= 0.001). Concomitant disease, complications and side effects were seen in 5/33 patients (pyelonephritis, pneumonia, intraabdominal abscess, perianal abscess and borborygmi).
Top-down vs bottom-up control influenced by productivity in a North Derbyshire, UK, dale

Fretwell and Oksanen's theory of trophic dynamics was tested in two plant communities located in a North Derbyshire dale, including: (1) low productivity calcareous grassland; and, (2) a highly productive Urtica dioica (nettle) patch. Two methods (herbivore removal through pesticide application, and transplanting established, intact turves (0.5 m 2 ) between the two community types) were employed, and analysed in a two-way ANOVA, to test the hypothesis that highly productive communities are controlled by 'top-down' forces and low productivity communities are controlled by 'bottom-up' forces. The Fretwell-Oksanen theory proposes that herbivores limit growth in low productivity communities, not highly productive communities. Therefore, removal of herbivores will result in an increase in plant biomass only in the low productivity community. The results presented in this paper support the Fretwell-Oksanen hypothesis. Furthermore, when-small turves were transplanted from the highly productive community to the low productivity community the removal of herbivores through pesticide application greatly increased the above-ground plant biomass. This result suggests, firstly, that the vegetation grown in a highly productive environment is generally very palatable, and secondly, it strengthens the evidence that herbivores are limiting plant growth in low productivity communities but not highly productive communities. Individual plant species response to herbivore removal was related to known relative growth rate values using linear regression and was found to be significant in one case: nettle turves transplanted into the grassland. In this case, relative growth rate accounted for 68.3'% of the variation in the response of the plants to herbivore removal. This suggests that fast-growing plants from a highly productive environment are most likely to respond to the release of a limiting factor, in this case herbivory, within a community.
Improving the prediction of methane production and representation of rumen fermentation for finishing beef cattle within a mechanistic model

Ellis, J. L. , Dijkstra, J., Bannink, A. , Kebreab, E. , Archibeque, S. , Benchaar, C. , Beauchemin, K. A. , Nkrumah, J. D. and France, J. 2014. Improving the prediction of methane production and representation of rumen fermentation for finishing beef cattle within a mechanistic model. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 94: 509-524. The purpose of this study was to evaluate prediction of methane emissions from finishing beef cattle using an extant mechanistic model with pH-independent or pH-dependent volatile fatty acid (VFA) stoichiometries, a recent stoichiometry adjustment for the use of monensin, and adaptation of the underlying model structure, to see if prediction improvements could be made for beef cattle. The database used for independent evaluation of methane predictions consisted of 74 animal means from six studies. For the “Bannink” stoichiometries, pH-dependence of stoichiometry improved the root mean square prediction error (RMSPE) statistic (38.8 to 36.6%) but the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) statistic was reduced (0.509 to 0.469). Inclusion of monensin in the stoichiometry improved both pH-independent and pH-dependent predictions. For the “Murphy” stoichiometries, pH-dependence worsened the RMSPE (31.2 to 33.7%) as well as the CCC (0.611 to 0.465) statistic. Inclusion of monensin in the stoichiometry improved predictions with the pH-independent but not with the pH-dependent stoichiometry. Results indicate that although improvements have been made to the mechanistic model, further improvement in the representation of VFA stoichiometry, and likely the representation and prediction of pH and neutral detergent fiber digestibility, are required for more accurate prediction of methane emissions for finishing beef cattle. However, inclusion of an adjustment for monensin feeding generally lead to improved methane predictions.
Effects of Replacing Sugar with Xylitol and Sorbitol on the Textural Properties and Sonsory Characteristics of injeolmi

Abstract The study examined the physico-chemical properties and sensory characteristics of injeolmi when sugar was substituted to sugar alcohol such as sorbitol and xylitol. The moisture content, crude protein content, crude fat content, crude ash content, energy value, redness, water activity, hardness, cohesiveness, gumminess, and chewiness were not significantly different between the control with sugar and treatments with the sugar alcohol group (p>0.05). The lowest sugar content of injeolmi was observed in the treatment with sorbitol (T1). The adhesiveness of control was higher than that in treatment with sugar alcohol (p<0.05), but control had the lowest springiness (p<0.05). Although the sensory characteristics on color, flavor, tenderness did not show any statistical significance, the sweetness and the overall acceptability were the best in control and T5 group, which replaced sugar to 100% xylitol (p<0.05). The results of this study show that substitution by xylitol improved quality characteristics in injeolmi.Key words: sugar, sorbitol, xylitol, injeolmi, sugar alcohol.
Local threats and potential infectious hazards to maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) in the southeastern Argentine Chaco

Abstract A near-threatened species, the maned wolf’s (Chrysocyon brachyurus) range extends from central Brazil, northern and eastern Bolivia, and southeastern Peru to the southeast of the Gran Chaco ecoregion and adjacent scrubland in Argentina. Rural domestic dogs under ownership may pose threats to maned wolves as reservoir hosts of multiple pathogens. A serologic survey of rural domestic dogs and maned wolves was conducted to document exposure to canine pathogens in southeastern Santiago del Estero, Argentina, with a parallel questionnaire of knowledge, attitudes, and perception of local villagers in relation to maned wolves. The three maned wolves examined had evidence of exposure to canine adenovirus, canine distemper virus, canine parvovirus, Leptospira interrogans spp. , and Dirofilaria immitis. Dogs had very high seroprevalence for Neospora caninum and canine coronavirus (67%), canine adenovirus (59%), D. immitis (58%), canine distemper virus (57%), Toxoplasma gondii (33%), and L. interrogans spp. (20%). Antibodies for canine parvovirus, Brucella canis and Trypanosoma cruzi were rare or absent. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that dog seroprevalence was not significantly associated with age, sex, and function for any of the pathogens investigated. The frequency distribution of seroreactivity to specific pathogens per dog was highly aggregated. Villagers considered that illegal trade, hunting, vehicular collisions, and interactions with dogs were the most serious local threats for maned wolves. The multiple threats faced by the maned wolf populations in southeastern Santiago del Estero suggest that their populations are unlikely to remain viable unless specific protection measures are taken.
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We read with interest the research article by Perez-Liz and colleagues, who using laser-capture microdissection show that at least one JC virus (JCV) DNA fragment can be found in astrocytes and oligodendrocytes in at least one brain area in five of seven patients who died of nonneurological diseases. Despite that intact viral genome capable of completing its replication cycle was found in only a single specimen from one of seven patients, the authors conclude that “a small subset of brain cells that carry the intact JCV genome may serve as a site of latency for JCV. ” In our opinion, most importantly the authors are questioning the meaning of positive JCV polymerase chain reaction for the diagnosis of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). In fact, the current gold standard for PML diagnosis is “histology-confirmed PML,” which, apart from cytomorphology, is most commonly supported by JCV polymerase chain reaction on brain biopsy; in contrast, the authors support viral protein immunohistochemistry to confirm the causal role of JCV once leukoencephalopathy is diagnosed, based on positivity of a single PML case and negativity in the seven control cases. The authors’ results are also in line with the uncited ones that Mori and coauthors published in 1991, showing that JCV DNA, as well as late proteins, could be detected in the brain glial cells of 3 of 10 elderly patients (68–96 years old) without known neurological disease but not in those of 4 younger individuals (32–57 years old). Interestingly, conventional histology showed small demyelinated foci suggestive of subclinical PML in the three elderly patients. The authors also hypothesize immune surveillance against latent JCVMad replication in the brain but could not see any lymphocyte infiltrating brain samples from healthy control subjects. Actually, not only the brain contains cells such as astrocytes, microglia, endothelial cells, and pericytes, which are capable of antigen presentation, but Hickey and coworkers showed that activated CD4 T lymphocytes also enter the central nervous system in an apparently random manner. Accordingly, Wuthrich and colleagues have shown that CD8 T cells are primarily associated with JCV-infected glial cells in most PML cases, and that an active ongoing recruitment of CD8 T cells and possibly viral antigen-specific retention could occur. Furthermore, Anthony and coauthors have shown that CD23 activated B lymphocytes enter all parts of the normal human brain in low numbers. Therefore, the immunosurveillance hypothesis should merit further attention.
Occurrence of Globoid Crystals in Cotyledonary Protein Bodies of Pisum sativum as Influenced by Experimentally Induced Changes in Mg, Ca and K Contents of Seeds

In many species globoid crystals in protein bodies of seeds are very common while in other species they are rarely observed. A review of literature suggested that the balance between divalent (Mg2+ and Ca2+) and monovalent (K+) cations may be important in determining whether or not globoid crystals will form. To test this hypothesis, experiments were carried out to add Mg and Ca, or Ca alone, to pods developing on K-deficient pea plants. While it was possible to cause a reduction in K concentration and increases in Mg and Ca concentrations, any changes to the normal mineral storage pattern in pea cotyledons were remarkably small. In some treatments, statistically significant increases in the ratio (Mg + Ca)/K were obtained and the sample with the greatest increase was examined in detail by electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. In this sample globoid crystals were common, in contrast to their normally rare occurrence in pea cotyledonary tissue.
Whole-genome sequencing and analysis of an endophytic actinomycete Streptomyces sp. PRh5 from Dongxiang wild rice

[Objective] Streptomyces sp. PRh5 is an endophytic actinomycete from Dongxiang wild rice, and shows strong antimicrobial activity in vitro. In order to further study Streptomyces sp. PRh5 antimicrobial mechanism and secondary metabolites biosynthetic gene clusters, it is necessary to decipher the strain genome. [Methods] The genome was sequenced using high-throughput sequencing, and then analyzed using relevant software for genome assembly, gene prediction and functional annotation, cluster of orthologous group(COG) cluster analysis, synteny analysis and total secondary metabolite biosynthesis gene clusters prediction. [Results] The whole genome was assembled into 290 contigs, and the genome size is about 11.1 Mb with GC content of 71.1%. This Whole Genome Shotgun project has been deposited at Gen Bank under the accession JABQ00000000. According to genome sequences analysis, 50 secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters were predicted. [Conclusion] The results will provide genome sequences for future functional genomics, biosynthetic pathways and heterologous expression of secondary metabolites on Streptomyces sp. PRh5.
Molecular epidemiology of viruses causing acute gastroenteritis in Japanese children

報告番号: 甲27134 ; 学位授与年月日: 2011-03-24 ; 学位の種別: 課程博士 ; 学位の種類: 博士(保健学) ; 学位記番号: 博医第3744号 ; 研究科・専攻: 医学系研究科国際保健学専攻
Breeding for Saline-resistant Varieties of Rice : IV. Inheritance of delayed-type panicle sterility induced by salinity

The mode of inheritance of delayed-type panicle (D-type) sterility induced by salinity (4, 000ppm) was investigated with the F2 and the backcross populations derived from Magnolia:XJhona 349 by using water-culture techniques. Resistance to the D-type sterility was found to be a dominant character and controlled by a small number of genes. It is presumed that at least three pairs of genes are involved in developing the sterility.
LATITUDINAL VARIATIONS IN ORGANIC DIVERSITY

A NIMAL life is, on the whole, far more abundant and varied within -^-the tropics than in any other part of the globe, and a great num ber of peculiar groups are found there which never extend into temperate regions. Endless eccentricities of form and extreme richness of color are its most prominent features, and these are manifested in the highest de gree in those equatorial lands where the vegetation acquires its greatest beauty and its fullest development. " Thus wrote A. R. Wallace (1878). His remarks apply equally to the vegetable and animal kingdoms, to the terrestrial realm, and to at least the surficial parts of the oceans. Surely this correlation of floral and faunal diversity with latitude is one of the most imposing biogeographic features on earth. On the one hand, its existence poses large-scale problems in evolution. On the other, it offers a potential tool to the geologist-paleontologist who attempts to wring patterns of earth history out of the fossil record. The following pages serve to review some previously known latitudinal gradients in organic diversity, to describe quantitatively gradients in molluscan diversity along North American shores, and to inquire into the origin of these patterns.
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To the Editor: We read with great interest the article by FowlerBrown et al on the mediating effect of leptin on the relationship between body weight and knee osteoarthritis (OA) in older adults (1). The authors reported that almost half of the association between elevated body mass index (BMI) and knee OA could be explained by the inflammatory adipokine leptin. We thank the authors for their valuable research; however, we have some comments. Leptin has key roles in the regulation of energy balance, metabolism, body weight, and endocrine function (2). Previous studies have revealed that some diseases, such as chronic liver diseases, major depression, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, Helicobacter pylori infection, and several inflammatory diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus) could affect serum leptin levels (3,4). The authors did not mention the above diseases, and this omission could have influenced the findings of the study. In addition to confounding diseases, it has been suggested that some types of antidepressants, antipsychotics, glucocorticoids, antihypertensive drugs, and statins affect serum leptin levels (5,6). Also, dietary supplements, such as linoleic acid, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, and -3 fatty acid, could affect plasma leptin levels (7,8). Bailey et al found that 49% of the US population reported supplement use (9). With this in mind, the authors should define whether the participants used these kinds of drugs and dietary supplements. It is known that serum leptin levels are higher in women than men (10). Fowler-Brown and colleagues indicated a statistically significant difference between groups, which were based on BMI, in terms of sex. This difference could affect leptin levels directly. Therefore, sex, as a confounding factor for measurement of leptin, should be taken into account while classifying the study groups in order to obtain a robust study group. In conclusion, although this study contributes valuable information, an explanation of these concerns will certainly provide a clearer picture when interpreting leptin levels among participants.