Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chromosome Studies on the Diptera. III. Additional Types of Chromosome Groups in the Drosophilidae

T1\ connection with other work on the Drosophilas I have for some time been engaged in a comparative study of their chromosomes, with especial reference to possible phylogenetic relationships between different species. A short preliminary report of this study was published two years ago (Metz, '14) after five types of chromosome groups had been found among eleven species. More recently I have studied fifteen additional species of Drosophila, one of Cladochceta and two of Scaptomytza (related genera), and have found several more types of chromosome groups. Altogether twelve main types and several sub-types have been identified a series more extensive, I believe, than any heretofore recorded among allied species. Of these twelve types all but one are represented in the genus Drosophila. The study has not yet advanced far enough to fulfil the purpose for which it was originally undertaken, but in view of the widespread interest recently attracted to the Drosophilas as objects of genetic research it seems desirable briefly to describe the chromosomes of the species thus far examined without awaiting the completion of the original investigation. In doing this I shall endeavor merely to give an accurate presentation of the chromosomal data, without dwelling on the theoretical considerations they may suggest, considerations which can receive adequate treatment only after many more species have been examined. Since in almost every case larval or pupal stages are 587
Cytopathology, Mode of Aphid Transmission and Search for the Casual Agent of Cotton Bunchy Top Disease

The cytopathological effects of cotton bunchy top (CBT) disease and its mode of transmission by Aphis gossypii Glover (cotton aphid), were studied. CBT infection affected the leaf epidermal layer producing a loose, ruptured and rough surface morphology with many stomata closed and misshapen. Roots of CBT-infected plants showed reduced growth, small knots and a dark brown appearance. A single aphid per plant was capable of transmitting CBT at 5%, whereas three aphids per plant transmitted CBT to 50% of the cotton seedlings and 20 aphids per plant transmitted the disease agent to 80% of the cotton seedlings. Aphis gossypii acquired CBT after a minimum acquisition access period of 5 min and transmitted the agent after a minimum inoculation access period of 1 h. Both alate and apterous aphids and nymph instars 2, 3 and 4 of A. gossypii transmitted CBT. This preliminary data suggest that A. gossypii transmits CBT in a semi-persistent manner. Myzus persicae Sulz (green peach aphid) was unable to transmit CBT. A comprehensive attempt to isolate the CBT agent, using a range of virological techniques including double-stranded RNA extraction, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis for viroid, circular DNA test, nanovirus polymerase chain reaction (PCR), luteovirus PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, phytoplasma test, nucleoprotein purification and electron microscopy, was unsuccessful, raising the possibility that CBT may be caused by a unique new pathogen.
Microbiological safety of gari, lafun and ogiri in Akure metropolis, Nigeria

The microbiological safety of three locally fermented foods (gari, lafun and ogiri) was investigated in this work. Ten different samples each of the fermented foods were collected at the central market (Oja Oba). The mean total bacterial count in the samples of gari, lafun and ogiri were 14.3 x 104, 13.2 x 105 and10.2 x106 cfu/g, respectively. Also the mean total viable count of mould was 1.6 x 104, 3.7 x 105 and 8.2 x 106 cfs/g, respectively. Bacteria isolated from gari include Corynebacterium species, Lactobacillus species, Bacteriodes species, Pseudomonas species and Actinomyces species while the isolated moulds from gari include Scolecotrichum graminis, Tallospora aspera, Passalora bacilligera, Varicosporium sp. , Culicidospora gravida and Diplococcium spicatum. Bacteria isolated from lafun include; Streptococcus sp. , Lactobacillus species and Listeria species while the isolated the isolated moulds were Articulospora inflate, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus rapens, Aspergillus flavus and Lemonniera aquatica. Also, the bacteria isolated from ogiri were Bacillus sp. , Pediococcus sp. , Streptococcus sp. and Lactobacillus sp. while the mould isolated from ogiri were Rhizopus stolonifer, Aspergillus fumigatus and Triscelophorus monosporus. Even though some potential pathogenic bacteria like Listeria and Bacillus were isolated from the fermented foods, the low count recorded for them is not enough to establish any health risk.
Observations of a Diatom Chytrid Parasite in the Lower Columbia River

Abstract Often overlooked, zoosporic fungal parasites of phytoplankton (‘chytrids’) are present in aquatic systems worldwide. Although extensive studies in lakes give insight into potential impacts of chytrid epidemics on phytoplankton blooms and organic matter cycling, the ecological significance of chytrid infections of phytoplankton is still poorly understood in lotic systems. Here, we report the first observations of chytrid parasites attached to multiple diatom species in the lower Columbia River. We isolated a chytrid parasite of the dominant spring bloom diatom, Asterionella formosa, and sequenced DNA from several regions within the ribosomal RNA gene. We also investigated the specificity of the A. formosa chytrid to host and non-host diatoms with isolated cultures and found no cross infection at the species level. In the Columbia River, alterations in the hydrograph following the installation of hydroelectric dams may have opened a niche for chytrid parasites. Greater retention times may allow diatoms to bloom and provide a prolonged interaction period whereby chytrid parasites are able to infect hosts. Future research is needed to assess the seasonality and severity of chytrid infections on diatoms in the lower Columbia River and to evaluate the potential role of zoosporic fungi in influencing the food web structure and biogeochemical cycling in river systems.
Kinetics of fungal metabolites formation after inoculation of wheat spikes with F. culmorum

One of the most urgent tasks faced by researchers investigating toxigenic fungi is to describe the kinetics of fungal metabolite formation after infestation with these fungi. For this purpose the formation of Fusarium toxins and fungal biomass markers (ERG, ATP) were analyzed after infection of three wheat cultivars (Sumai 3, Torka, Griwa) with two isolates of F. culmorum forming DON, and NIV and DON, respectively.Concentrations of the above mentioned metabolites were determined in grain and chaff in the period of 6 weeks from spike inoculation until complete maturity of grain. Results indicate considerable diversification in terms of all analyzed traits, i.e. cultivars, isolates and kinetic curves of metabolite formation, which suggests conclusions concerning resistance of wheat to ear blight. Recorded data undoubtedly are a significant contribution to the understanding of fungal metabolite formation in infected plants.
HPLC assisted Raman spectroscopic studies on bladder cancer

We applied confocal Raman spectroscopy to investigate 12 normal bladder tissues and 30 tumor tissues, and then depicted the spectral differences between the normal and the tumor tissues and the potential canceration mechanism with the aid of the high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) technique. Normal tissues were demonstrated to contain higher tryptophan, cholesterol and lipid content, while bladder tumor tissues were rich in nucleic acids, collagen and carotenoids. In particular, β-carotene, one of the major types of carotenoids, was found through HPLC analysis of the extract of bladder tissues. The statistical software SPSS was applied to classify the spectra of the two types of tissues according to their differences. The sensitivity and specificity of 96.7 and 66.7% were obtained, respectively. In addition, different layers of the bladder wall including mucosa (lumps), muscle and adipose bladder tissue were analyzed by Raman mapping technique in response to previous Raman studies of bladder tissues. All of these will play an important role as a directive tool for the future diagnosis of bladder cancer in vivo.
HIF-1α binding to VHL is regulated by stimulus-sensitive proline hydroxylation

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)1 is a global transcriptional regulator of the hypoxic response. Under normoxic conditions, HIF-1α is recognized by the von Hippel-Lindau tumor-suppressor protein (VHL), a component of an E3 ubiquitin ligase complex. This interaction thereby promotes the rapid degradation of HIF-1α. Under hypoxic conditions, HIF-1α is stabilized. We have previously shown that VHL binds in a hypoxia-sensitive manner to a 27-aa segment of HIF-1α, and that this regulation depends on a posttranslational modification of HIF-1α. Through a combination of in vivo coimmunoprecipitation assays using VHL and a panel of point mutants of HIF-1α in this region, as well as MS and in vitro binding assays, we now provide evidence that this modification, which occurs under normoxic conditions, is hydroxylation of Pro-564 of HIF-1α. The data furthermore show that this proline hydroxylation is the primary regulator of VHL binding.
Spatial density dependence: effects of scale, host spatial pattern and parasitoid reproductive strategy.

The parasitoid assemblage of the goldenrod gall moth, Gnorimoschema gallaesolidaginis was studied to determine the efects of scale and host spatial pattern on patterns of parasitism. In the absence of discrete host patches, the relationship between densities of hosts and parasitized hosts was examined on scales of 0.25, 1, 4, and 9-m 2 within and between twenty contiguously sampled 144-m 2 sites. For scales of 1, 4 and 9-m 2 , sample size was held constant by random subsampling of quadrats with replacement. Positive density dependence was detected for total host mortality, host mortality caused by larval and total parasitoid assemblages, and host mortality caused by a solitary parasitoid Eurytoma bolteri, and a polyembryonic parasitoid Copidosoma gelechiae
Freeze‐drying of itraconazole‐loaded nanosphere suspensions: a feasibility study

The present study concerns the stabilization of the association of the new hydrophobic triazole derivative itraconazole within poly‐ϵ‐caprolactone‐nanospheres by means of freeze‐drying. We have investigated the freeze‐drying of nanospheres, and especially the cryopreservation conditions, with the help of differential scanning calorimetry and zeta potential measurements. Five commonly used cryoprotective agents were evaluated (glucose, sucrose, trehalose, dextran, mannitol at 0, 5, 10, 20, and 30% [w/v]) after freeze‐thawing and freeze‐drying. The addition of carbohydrates led to a partial protection of the colloidal suspension, with leakage of 30% of itraconazole under the best cryopreservation conditions (10% of glucose or sucrose). Zeta potential measurements revealed that the main destabilization mechanism during freeze‐drying was surface modifications of the nanospheres, and particularly drug desorption. Therefore, the hydrophilic surfactant adsorbed at the surface of the nanospheres played an important role in the cryopreservation. Replacing the commonly used non ionic surfactant PLURONIC®PE F68 by the anionic surfactant sodium deoxycholate resulted in a complete stabilization of itraconazole‐loaded nanospheres after freeze‐drying, with no drug desorption, in the presence of 10% sucrose, but not in the presence of glucose. As shown by thermal analysis, PLURONIC®PE F68 may crystallize during freezing, which could lead to surface modifications and drug desorption, whereas sodium deoxycholate may not. Moreover, the Tg′ of glucose‐containing suspensions is 10°C lower than Tg′ of sucrose‐containing suspensions, which may explain the shrinkage of the cake observed in the case of glucose and the homogeneous appearance of the dried product in the case of sucrose. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
THE EFFECTS OF DOMINANCE ON SOCIAL FORAGING TACTIC USE IN HOUSE SPARROWS

We investigated whether social foraging tactic use (producing and scrounging) in birds is affected by the dominance rank of individuals as predicted by a phenotype limited producer-scrounger game. In a captive flock of house sparrows, we observed the behaviour of the birds when they were foraging on a grid containing clumps of seeds. We measured the fighting success of the birds, determined the method by which they found food clumps (finding or joining), and measured their feeding rate. Joining were frequently observed and usually involved aggressive interactions. Most birds used both finding and joining to obtain food. We found that foraging method was related to dominance: the frequency of joining gradually increased with increasing dominance rank, as predicted by the phenotype limited model for flocks where there are moderate competitive asymmetries among the birds. Food intake rate of individuals was not related to either their dominance rank or foraging method. Similar weak relationships were predicted by the model among these variables for flocks with moderate competitive asymmetries. Behavioural variability among sparrows in locomotion frequency and vigilance was not related to their foraging method, but the rate of investigating potential food caches strongly decreased with increasing frequency of joining. We conclude that the phenotype limited model successfully predicts the relationship between dominance and joining frequency in house sparrows feeding on concentrated food sources, and we suggest that the distribution of food used in tests of the model may crucially affect their results.
The Effects of Functionally Oriented Music Therapy on Body Function and Quality of Life in Chronic Stroke Survivors and on Patients with Parkinson’s Disease

The objective of this pilot study was to estimate the effects of a 20 week Functional oriented Music Therapy (FMT) program on several body functions in patients with chronic stroke and in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). 15 different body-functions were valued during session number 1, 20 and 21 with a 10-week follow-up. In addition, the quality of life was assessed based on self-rated questionnaires conducted before and after FMT. Both patient groups showed improvements in stability, trunk rotation, hand functions and whole body coordination but also in collaboration skills, logical thinking and in perception. Improvements were partly maintained at follow-up. In addition, both groups reported a better social life, increased concentration and improved self-esteem after FMT. These preliminary results indicate the feasibility of using FMT as a rehabilitation method for patients with a chronic stroke and in patients with PD.
Self- and allo-grooming behavior in some ground squirrels (Sciuridae), a descriptive study

The different grooming behavior patterns, postures, and body cleaning motions, analyzed by cinephoto techniques, are first described in three species of ground squirrels, studied in captivity and in the field. Most patterns recorded appear to be widespread among mammals. Some of them, however, appear to be more specialized, reflecting apparently the propensity of some rodents, particularly sciurids, to assume a bipedal, sitting-up posture, and to use the forepaws in "manipulating" tasks. Some "cleaning" motions, particularly face washing and rubbing of some body parts with the limbs, might also represent scent-related behavior. Areas that are known to bear secretory apocrine glands, around the mouth corners for instance, are consistently rubbed. Other body areas, particularly the head region (cheeks, supra- and infra-orbital, occipital, and ear areas), one ventrolateral and anterodorsal area and possibly the root of the tail, dorsally, show darker zones, of oily appearance, that might also be involved in .
Combining Ability of Tropical Maize Accessions with U.S. Germplasm

To supplement minimal information regarding the utility of tropical maize (Zea mays L.) germplasm to temperate maize breeding programs, agronomic evaluations of typical accessions of the Latin American races were made. Based on data from previous evaluation stages, 40 accessions exhibiting superior agronomic performance in tropical environments were chosen for photoperiod conversion and combining-ability evaluations with U.S. germplasm in temperate environments. Accessions were converted to photoperiod insensitive semiexotic populations by crossing each to Mo44, a temperate-adapted inbred unrelated to either of two major U.S. heterotic groups. Four families from each semiexotic population were crossed to two U.S. testers. Testcrosses were evaluated in three North Carolina locations for 2 yr. Based on these results, 29 agronomically superior semiexotic testcrosses were tested a third year. The variation for combining ability for yield was estimated to be two times greater among vs. within accessions, suggesting that sampling among accessions be given priority compared with sampling within to maximize genetic diversity for combining ability. Family yields were highly correlated across testers (r=0.78), suggesting that a single temperate tester would be sufficient for evaluating large samples of Latin American accessions. Grain yields, resistance to gray leaf spot disease (incited by Cercospora zeae-maydis Tehon & E.Y. Daniels), and other agronomic traits of superior semiexotic testcrosses were competitive with the public U.S. hybrid Mo17 × B73. The best accessions should be a promising source of useful genes for commercial U.S. maize breeding programs
Review : The Synthesis, Axonal Transport, and Phosphorylation of Neurofilaments Determine Axonal Caliber in Myelinated Nerve Fibers

Axonal diameter is the principal determinant of conduction velocity in myelinated nerve fibers, but, until recently, the factors that determine axonal diameter have not been understood. Recent studies indicate that neurofilaments (NFs), the principal intermediate (10-nm) filaments in neurons, are major intrinsic determinants of axonal caliber and have begun to elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in NF deployment. The radial growth of myelinated axons during postnatal development reflects an increase in axonal NF content. The NF proteins are synthesized in the neuron cell body (soma) and transported somatofugally along axons in the slow component of axonal transport. The level of NF expression de termines the amount of NF protein transported in the slow component. In neurons with large axons, NF expression rises dramatically during neonatal development and is maintained at high steady-state levels as the NF content of axons increases during postnatal development. This increase in NF content, after NF expression has reached steady-state levels, appears to result from a progressive decline in the ve locity of NF transport, with increasing distance along nerve fibers (i.e., NFs enter a region of the axon faster than they leave). Phosphorylation of the NF proteins may regulate the spacing of axonal NFs and the velocity of NF transport. The Neuroscientist 1:76-83, 1995
Fault bars and fluctuating asymmetry in birds: are the two measures correlated?

As bio-indicators, bilateral asymmetry and fault bar formation have been found to be correlated with environmental quality, body condition, and individual fitness. Although commonly used as indices of the same parameters, it is not clear whether asymmetry and fault bars are equivalent measures of developmental history. We tested the possible relationship between these two metrics by measuring the degree of asymmetry and the number of fault bars in the wing and tail feathers of migrating White-throated Sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis) at Long Point Bird Observatory on Lake Erie, Ontario, during October 2004. Within individuals, we found no relationship between the occurrence of fault bars and degree of bilateral asymmetry. In addition, individuals with higher fat scores had more symmetrical wings than individuals with lower scores, but did not have fewer fault bars. Together, these results suggest that fluctuating asymmetry and fault bar occurrence should not be used interchangeably as bio-indicators. SINOPSIS Como bioindicadores, se ha encontrado que la asimetria bilateral y fallas en la formacion de barras estan correlacionadas con la calidad del medioambiente, condicion corporal y el grado de aptitud del individuo. Aunque comunmente los mencionados han sido utilizados como indices, no esta claro si la asimetria y los desperfectos en las barras son medidas equivalentes como parte de la historia del desarrollo. Tratamos de probar la posible relacion entre los dos parametros midiendo el grado de asimetria y el numero de fallas en las barras de las plumas del ala y el rabo de individuos migratorios de Zonotrichia albicollis. El estudio se llevo a cabo en el Obsevatorio Long Point del Lago Erie, Ontario, durante octubre de 2004. En los individuos estudiados, no encontramos relacion entre la presencia de faltas en las barras y la asimetria bilateral. En individuos con altos contenidos de grasa almacenada, hubo mayor simetria en las alas que en individuos con marcas baja de grasa, pero estos no tenian menos fallas en las barras. Estos resultados sugieren que las fluctuaciones asimetricas y la presencia de fallas en las barras no se deben intercambiar como bioindicadores.
Mycoflora and aflatoxigenic species in derivatives of milled rice

Thirty samples of rough rice stored for 6, 12 and 24 months in government authorized warehouses of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, were simultaneously collected. After milling of the product, 90 samples (30 of polished rice, 30 of rice bran and 30 of rice hull) were evaluated for their mycoflora, aflatoxigenic species and aflatoxin contamination. The following fungi, listed in decreasing order of frequency, were isolated on Potato-Dextrose Agar: Aspergillus spp. , Nigrospora spp. , Penicillium spp. ; Fusarium spp. ; Mucor spp. ; Cladosporium spp. ; Trichosporon spp. and non-sporulated fungi. The degree of fungal contamination (colony forming units per gram of product) was lowest in polished rice, increasing progressively in samples of rice bran and rice hull. Among the Aspergillus species, A. flavus and A. candidus were isolated most frequently. Of the A. flavus isolates, 52.6% strains were found to be toxigenic and produced only Group B aflatoxins. Analysis of the 90 samples did not reveal the presence of aflatoxins in the rice derivatives.