Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Mg2+ and Ethylenediaminetetraacetate on the In Vitro Activity of Coumermycin A1 and Novobiocin Against Gram-Negative Bacteria

The effect of Mg2+ and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) on the in vitro activity of coumermycin A1 and novobiocin was determined against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus mirabilis grown in Trypticase Soy Broth or defined synthetic medium. In the presence of EDTA, the activity of coumermycin A1 was significantly enhanced (8- to 40-fold) against all four organisms in the synthetic medium lacking Mg2+; novobiocin activity was increased to a lesser extent (4- to 16-fold) against three strains and remained unchanged against P. mirabilis. Addition of 200 μg of Mg2+ per ml to the synthetic medium containing EDTA completely reversed the enhancement of activity of both antibiotics by EDTA only against P. aeruginosa. The addition of Mg2+ to the synthetic medium appreciably inhibited the activity of novobiocin (sixfold) but not coumermycin A1 against E. coli, and had little or no effect on the activity of either antibiotic against the remaining organisms. K. pneumoniae showed the greatest susceptibility to both antibiotics, and addition of EDTA enhanced this activity from 4-fold to 20-fold in all of the media tested. Subinhibitory concentrations of both antibiotics induced filament formation by all four organisms in all media. In addition, lysis of K. pneumoniae cells was observed.
Weed communities of winter wheat as influenced by input level and rotation

Summary The influence of cropping systems constituted by the combination of three input levels (low, intermediate and high) and four 2-year rotations between a spring summer crop and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) on the density and composition of the winter wheat weed flora was evaluated from 1989 to 1992. Spring summer crops were maize (Zea mays L.). soyabean (Glycine max (L.) Merr. ). sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) and sunflower (Helianthus and L.) Total weed density at the end of the wheat tillering stage ranged from 2.5 to 128.7 plants m-2 and generally decreased with cropping intensity, although to a differing extent, depending upon rotation. Differences among weed communities of the 12 cropping systems were mostly dependent upon input level. The effect of the preceding crop on the weed flora composition of winter wheat was evident only with reduced herbicide use (low-input systems). Weed species could be ascribed to four categories: (a) species sporadically associated with cropping systems (most of the weeds); (b) species associated with a specific input level (e.g. Papaver rhoeas L. to low and intermediate input levels and Veronica persica Poiret to the high input ievel): (c) species associated with a specific rotation (e.g. Anm majus L. to sugar beet winter wheat): and (d) species associated with specitie plots that become important every other year (e.g. Convolvulus arvensis L. and Stellaria media (L.) Vill. ).
Estimation of bacterial diversity in soil and vermi compost using sole source carbon utilization (SSCU) profile

In this research study, three samples were collected from the T.S. Murthi Udhyan, Obedullahganj out of which two samples were from agriculture field soil and the third sample was from compost. Pure cultures of bacteria were isolated by using serial dilution and spread plate methods. The isolated bacterial cultures were separated according to the morphotypes and then bio-chemically tested. They were further identified with the help of bacteria identification program (PIBWin 2007). The identified bacterial cultures are Achromobacter group F, Acinetobacter calcoacet, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, P. malli, P. putida, P. cepacia, P. shutzeri, P. pseudomalli, P. malli and P. pickettii. The value of Simpson’s index (D) is 0.09, which represented high diversity. Isolated bacteria were inoculated in micro titer plates and Niche overlap index (NOI) was calculated after two days of inoculation. The results of study indicate that direct incubation of samples in micro titer plates produces patterns of metabolic response useful in the classification and characterization of microbial communities. Principal component analysis of colour responses quantified from digitized images of plates revealed distinctive patterns among microbial habitats and spatial gradients within soil and compost sites. Correlation of the original carbon source variables to the principal components gives a functional basis to distinctions among communities. Intensive spatial and temporal analysis of microbial communities with this technique can produce ecologically relevant classifications of heterotrophic microbial communities. Key words: Microdiversity, compost, sole source carbon utilization, testing.
Fungal melanins : a review

The relationship of polyketide melanogenesis molecular biology to that of nonmelanin-producing pathways in a wide range of fungi and other organisms is discussed. Analytical methods and fundamental properties of melanins are discussed and fungal melanin properties are compared with those of animal and bacterial melanins. The enzymatic degradation of melanins by lignin peroxidases is described.Key words: fungal melanin, polyketide melanin, DHN melanin, melanin degradation, melanin properties, melanin analysis.
Transformation of wild Solanum species resistant to late blight by using reporter gene gfp and msh2 genes

Green fluorescent protein (gfp) reporter gene and nptII marker gene were used to optimize Agrobacterium tumefaciens (agro) mediated transformation of wild Solanum genotypes resistant to late blight. Different genotypes of Solanum bulbocastanum, S. chacoense, S. microdontum and S. verrucosum were assessed for their regeneration ability on MS based media and for agro-medi- ated transformation. As the first step reporter genes were used to optimize transformation protocol for each species and then the transfer of genes involved in mismatch repair of DNA were attempted in Solanum chacoense. For transformation, either leaf or stem fragments were used. It was shown that gfp is a valuable and elegant tool for monitoring the efficiency of transformation or the occur- rence of chimera in all genotypes. Transformation efficiency was dependent on a plant genotype. A number of genotypes have been successfully transformed and they expressed constitutively the bright green fluorescence of gfp without any side effects. The most recalcitrant species proved to be S. microdontum, which did not regenerate plants although different media and phytohormones had been used. The best protocol for S. chacoense transformation was also found to work in the transfer of msh2 genes. Msh2 isolated from Arabidopsis was used and transferred either as mutated (Apa) or antisense (As) gene. The integration of msh2-mutated gene into S. chacoense genome was dem- onstrated by PCR amplification and confirmed by RT-PCR for some of the putative transgenic clones. The implications of mismatch repair in homologous recombination and its importance for potato improvement are discussed.
ANTIPROLIFERATIVE AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF GYNANDROPSIS PENTAPHYLLA LINN ON MCF-7 CELL LINE

Objective: To investigate the in vitro Antiproliferative and Antioxidant Activity of Gynandropsis pentaphylla Linn. Leaves on MCF-7 Cell line. Methods: Phytochemicals were analysed by using standard methods. In Vitro antioxidant studies were carried out for the methanol extracts of the Gynandropsis pentaphylla using various free radical models such a DPPH, Reducing power assay and Hydrogen peroxide. In vitro cytotoxic assay such as trypan blue dye exclusion and MTT assays were carried out in methanolic extract against MCF-7 cell line. Results: The results of the present study demonstrated that the qualitative phytochemical analysis of the methanol, aqueous and chloroform extract of Gynandropsis pentaphylla showed the presence of carbohydrates, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, phenols, saponins, protein and terpenoids. The antioxidant activity of methanolic extract of leaves G.pentaphylla was confirmed by free radical scavenging activity and reducing (FRAP) and it was found to be significant. Inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) for the methanolic extract of Gynandropsis pentaphylla on MCF-7 cell was found to be 96.67 determined by MTT assay. Conclusion: It revealed that the crude methanolic extract of G. pentaphylla has antiproliferative activity against MCF-7 cell lines. From our study it is concluded that, the phytochemicals present in the Gynandropsis pentaphylla possess antioxidant and anticancer activity. Keywords: Gynandropsis pentaphylla Linn, Antiproliferative, Antioxidant, Anticancer
5‐HT3‐receptor subunits A and B are co‐expressed in neurons of the dorsal root ganglion

The type 3 serotonin (5‐HT3) receptor is the only ligand‐gated ion channel receptor for serotonin (5‐HT). Many pharmacological, behavioral, and electrophysiological studies indicate heterogeneous properties for this receptor. Although the basis for this heterogeneity is unknown, one possible explanation for these findings resides in the subunit composition of the receptor. Two 5‐HT3‐receptor subunits have been cloned: the 5‐HT3‐receptor subunit A (5‐HT3A) and the 5‐HT3‐receptor subunit B (5‐HT3B). Recombinant co‐expression of 5‐HT3A and 5‐HT3B subunits produces a functional heteromeric 5‐HT3A/3B receptor with pharmacological and electrophysiological properties different from those displayed by the 5‐HT3A homomeric receptor. In the present report, we used in situ hybridization histochemistry to demonstrate that the 5‐HT3B subunit is expressed in rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. We determined with cellular resolution that 5‐HT3B subunit mRNA was expressed in 43.2 ± 2.8% of the total population of DRG neurons. By comparison, the 5‐HT3A subunit was more widely expressed, with 70.0 ± 2.8% of the total population of DRG neurons expressing this subunit. Further analyses showed that most of the neurons containing mRNA for the 5‐HT3B subunit (91.5 ± 3.4%) also expressed the 5‐HT3A subunit. In contrast, nearly half the population of neurons expressing 5‐HT3A subunit lacked (52.8 ± 5.9%) transcripts for the 5‐HT3B subunit. These results provide the first evidence indicating that the 5‐HT3B subunit of the 5‐HT3 receptor is expressed in DRG and suggest that sensory neurons have the capacity to synthesize at least two structurally different 5‐HT3 receptors: a heteromeric 5‐HT3A/3B receptor and a homomeric 5‐HT3A receptor. Consequently, 5‐HT3 receptors with different properties might be present in peripheral and central axons of the DRG. These findings open the possibility that distinct types of 5‐HT3 receptors may be involved in perception and/or processing of sensory information. J. Comp. Neurol. 438:163–172, 2001. Published 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Development of Elephant Apple Fruit Quality as Affected by Postharvest Ethanol Application and Temperature

Experiments were conducted to study the effects of temperature and ethanol application on the development and quality of the elephant apple fruit. Various treatments were carried out, viz., at room temperature (RT, 28Â°C), in exposed sunlight (ES,35Â°C), in 70 ethanol (ET, 28Â°C), under plastic covering (PC, 28Â°C), under plastic covering plus 70 ethanol (PCET, 28Â°C), at low temperatures (LT, 12Â°C) and at freezing temperature (FT, -1Â°C). The longest preservation time was observed in fruits preserved in FT (-1Â°C) and shortest in fruits preserved in ES (35Â°C) whilst the maturity index was highest in ES (35Â°C) treatments and lowest in FT (-1 Â°C) compared to the other treatments at the end of the experiments. However, fruits kept at FT (-1 Â°)exhibited chilling injury symptoms. Total Soluble Solids (TSS) was highest in ES (35Â°C) and PCET (28Â°) from the 1st to the 7th harvest compared to other treatments. A similar increasing trend in TSS was observed in all the treatments. On the contrary, Titratable Acidity (TA) was highest in FT (-1Â°C) and LT (12Â°C) from the 1st till the 7th harvest Similarly a declining trend of TA was found in all the other treatments. TSS was found to be higher in pulp than in peel in the ethanol treatment at 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h. However, TA was higher in peel than pulp. The results showed that low temperatures (LT and FT) and plastic covering with 70 ethanol (PCET) delayed ripening in elephant apple fruits and were the best preservation techniques. Â© 2009 Asian Network for Scientific Information.
Analysis of TNF- and IL-10 gene polymorphisms in Zimbabwean children exposed to malaria

Single nucleotide polymorphisms within the cytokine genes, TNF- (-308 G/A), and IL-10 (-1082 A /G and -819 T/C) associated with protection and susceptibility to parasitic infections were examined in samples from school aged children in the Eastern district of Zimbabwe. Whole blood specimens were obtained from 491 children between the ages of 5 – 16 years, of which 26.9% were infected with Plasmodium falciparum and 73.1% were not infected. Genotyping was carried out using the amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR). The prevalence of TNF- genotypes GG, GA and AA associated with low, intermediate and high cytokine production was 80, 19 and 2%, respectively. Wild type alleles TNF-α -308G* predominated in both infected and uninfected individuals in the study. For IL-10 (position -819) the distribution of wild-type alleles CC*, heterozygotes and mutant carriers TT* was 64, 27 and 9%, respectively, and a similar analysis of the polymorphisms on position 1082 for IL-10 revealed that most of the samples were heterozygotes (95%). There was no statistically significant difference in the frequencies of polymorphisms on TNF- (-308G/A) (X 2 = 1.820; p = 0.403), IL-10 (-1082 A/G) (X 2 = 0.242; p = 0.623) and IL-10 (-819C/T) among children infected with P. falciparum and those without infection. Finally, the high prevalence of heterozygotes would suggest moderate to high IL-10 responses in the population analyzed and that an anti-inflammatory environment dominates when faced with acute P. falciparum infection in the samples analyzed.
Habitat preference, escape behavior, and cues used by feather mites to avoid molting wing feathers

We analyzed the pattern of distribution and the effect of molting on the escape behavior of feather mites on the wing feathers during the nonmolting and molting season of the barn swallow Hirundo rustica. Feather mites showed consistent preference for the second outermost primary, with a steady decrease in proximal distance and avoidance of the outermost primary. Several explanations are suggested to explain this unusual distribution. Further, analyzing the escape behavior of feather mites on molting primaries, we show that mites avoid the feathers destined to be dropped next on molting barn swallows, and in the case of the outermost primary, mites use the "last moment" strategy, namely, leaving feathers shortly before it is dropped. Next, we performed an experiment in which we simulated shedding feathers or feathers about to be shed on nonmolting barn swallows, in order to test cues used by feather mites in avoiding molting primaries. Both the vibration of the incised feather and the gap of the pulled feather induced mites to leave primaries situated distally, at two-feathers distance from the manipulated primary, related to the control group. Our results show that feather mites have the ability to perceive the signal produced by the feather that will drop next and by the gap of the missing feather. It remains to be demonstrated, whether feather mites have the ability to perceive the vibration of the feather per se or they perceive the altered airflow caused by the vibrating feathers. Copyright 2006.
Fragments are not islands: patch vs landscape perspectives on songbird presence and abundance in a harvested boreal forest

The boreal mixed-wood forest of northern Alberta. Canada is characterized by a mosaic of deciduous and coniferous forest patches. Recently, the deciduous portion of the forest was allocated for industrial logging. Widespread habitat loss and fragmentation may negatively affect birds and other wildlife. Most research on the effects of habitat loss on bird abundance has focussed on the forest as a patch or island in a matrix of non-habitat, but some species of songbird may use both the forest patch and the matrix. We hypothesized that some species of songbird might be able to compensate for a loss of deciduous forest by moving into other habitat types (termed “habitat compensation”). We report on a replicated field investigation in which we assessed the response of songbirds to commercial timber harvest by first examining their abundance within deciduous forest only, and then adding the clearcuts and coniferous forest in the surrounding areas to the analysis for a broader, landscape view of the system. Bird communities in deciduous and coniferous habitats had significant overlap in species composition: there was less overlap between forest and clearcuts. The shift from patch-centred to landscape sampling altered our interpretation of over half of the most common species' responses to logging in at least one year, suggesting that habitat compensation may have been occurring. However, significant variation in responses of species was observed between the two study areas. Our past reliance on island biogeographic and other single habitat approaches may be inappropriate for this system, and we stress that a broad, landscape view is required to properly assess and interpret species' responses to habitat loss and fragmentation.
Mouse Double Minute 2 Homolog-Mediated Ubiquitination Facilitates Forkhead Box P3 Stability and Positively Modulates Human Regulatory T Cell Function

Regulatory T cells (Treg cells) are essential for maintaining immune tolerance, and the dysfunction of Treg cells may cause autoimmune diseases and tumors. Forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) is the key transcription factor controlling Treg cell development and suppressive function. Mouse double minute 2 homolog (MDM2), an E3 ubiquitin ligase, has been identified as an oncoprotein that mediates the ubiquitination and degradation of tumor suppressor p53; however, whether it has functions in Treg cells remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that MDM2 positively regulates human Treg cell suppressive function via its mediated ubiquitination and stabilization of FOXP3. Knockdown of MDM2 with shRNA in human primary Treg cells leads to the impaired ability of FOXP3 to regulate the expression levels of downstream genes and the attenuated suppressive capacity of Treg cells, due to FOXP3 instability. Consistently, MDM2 overexpression in human Treg cells enhances FOXP3 stability and Treg cell suppressive capacity. Mechanistically, MDM2 interacts with FOXP3, and mainly mediates monoubiquitination and polyubiquitination of FOXP3, thus stabilizing the protein level of FOXP3. We have also found lysine residues in FOXP3 required for MDM2-mediated ubiquitination. In addition, TCR/CD28 signaling upregulates the expression level of MDM2 and its mediated FOXP3 ubiquitination in human Treg cells. Therefore, our findings reveal that MDM2 in Treg cells could be a potential therapeutic target for treating autoimmune diseases and tumors.
Nucleolar organizer regions in Mesocricetus brandti (Nehring, 1898) (Mammalia: Rodentia) from the Yozgat and Tokat provinces of Turkey

Mesocricetus brandti possesses a diploid chromosome number of 2n = 42, a fundamental number of NF = 82, and a fundamental number of autosomal arms of NFa = 78. The chromosome set consists of 17 meta-submetacentric pairs, 2 subtelocentric pairs, and 1 acrocentric pair. The X chromosome is large and metacentric while the Y is medium-sized and metacentric. The nucleolar organizer regions were located at the telomeric region of 7 biarmed autosomes and at the centromeric region of 1 acrocentric autosome.
Interregional variation in the floristic recovery of post‐agricultural forests

1. Worldwide, the floristic composition of temperate forests bears the imprint of past land use for decades to centuries as forests regrow on agricultural land. Many species, however, display significant interregional variation in their ability to (re)colonize post‐agricultural forests. This variation in colonization across regions and the underlying factors remain largely unexplored.
Heritability and Genetic Advance Estimates from Maize Genotypes in Shishi Lusht a Valley of Krakurm

Broad-sense heritabilty, coefficients of variability and genetic advance values were computed for days taken to tasseling, number of days taken to silking, plant height, ear length, number of kernel rows ear -1 , number of kernels row -1 , 100-grain weight and grain yield plant -1 . Low, medium and high estimates of broad sense heritability were found in different plant characters under study. Highest heritability estimates were found in grain yield plant -1 (0.993) and by plant height (0.990). Values of genetic advance ranged between 43.80 for grain yield plant -1 to 1.33 for number of kernel rows ear -1 . Greater magnitude of broad sense heritability coupled with higher genetic advance in characters under study provided the evidence that these plant parameters were under the control of additive genetic effects. Indicating that selection should lead to a fast genetic improvement of the material
Lipid content in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fry and parr reared in spawning tributaries of Lake Taupo, New Zealand

Abstract The total lipid content of fry (25–30 mm) and parr (55–110 mm) of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Richardson 1836) was measured in spring 1996 and 1997 and in autumn 1997 in six trout‐rearing tributaries of Lake Taupo, New Zealand. The fat content of fry was variable between streams and some streams had a higher inter‐annual variation than others. The fat content of parr was also variable among streams but no difference could be found between seasons. The streams that produced fry with high fat content did not always produce parr with high fat content.
BODY TEMPERATURE AND RESTING BEHAVIOR OF GREATER SNOW GOOSE GOSLINGS IN THE HIGH ARCTIC

Abstract We examined the control of body temperature during active and resting behaviors in chicks of a large precocial bird, the Greater Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens atlantica), growing in a cold Arctic environment. Imprinted goslings from 4 to 31 days old maintained their mean (± SD) body core temperature within a narrow range around 40.6 ± 0.2°C (range: 38.7–42.2°C), independently of changes in their thermal environment. Average body temperature increased <0.4°C between 4 and 31 days of age. Hypothermia, potentially an energy-saving mechanism, was not used by active goslings. The potential for heat loss to the environment influenced the length of resting bouts in wild goslings. As environmental temperature increased, wild goslings remained sitting alone for longer periods, whereas when it decreased, brooding behavior was prolonged. The time spent huddling increased with the number of goslings involved. Body temperature during huddling bouts measured in imprinted chicks was significantly lower than during periods of activity, showing a rapid decrease averaging 0.8°C at the onset of huddling, followed by a slow recovery before activity was resumed. Thus, huddling behavior was not used as a rewarming mechanism. Greater Snow Goose goslings appear to prioritize metabolic activity by maintaining a high body temperature, despite the high energy costs that may be involved. Social thermoregulation is used to reduce the energy costs entailed by the strict maintenance of homeothermy.