Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development of new primer systems for the detection of the polyphosphate kinase gene in activated sludge

An enzyme which regulates the metabolism of phosphate is the polyphosphate kinase (ppk). Therefore, it is an important criterion for the identification of polyphosphate accumulating bacteria (PAO) in activated sludge. With the published primer systems it is currently impossible to detect the ppk gene simultaneously from different microorganisms. The aim of this study was the development of new primer systems for the acquisition of a wide range of ppk sequences. The specific amplification was tested by cloning and sequencing. As an outcome a large diversity of ppk sequences was detected. In addition differences in the composition of the ppk sequences in samples of the activated sludge of the investigated plants were shown by using the terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (T-RFLP).
Allocation of dry weight increment in crowns of Picea abies as affected by stand nutrition

Foliage and branch increments were estimated for individual branches from each major whorl within crowns of four unfertilised and four annually-fertilised trees. Maximum increments of new foliage and estimated branch wood plus bark growth occurred in the upper mid-crowns of both fertilised and unfertilised trees. The effects of position in crown were more pronounced in the fertilised trees which had fewer whorls of live branches. Individual needle weight measured on the first year's extension of each branch up to 10-yr-old branches suggested a 4% yr-~ increase in weight of individual needles aged two to five years followed by declines in weight in subsequent years. The ratio of estimated wood plus bark increment of branches to increment of current foliage was a minimum in the upper mid-crown. Allowing for possible increases in the weight of older needles reduced the within-crown variation. Total production of crown material per unit of foliage decreased dramatically down the crown with the influence of crown position being more pronounced in the fertilised trees.
Factores que afectan la actividad de las proteasas dependientes del calcio y su relación con el proceso de ablandamiento de la carne

The endogenous calpain system plays a major role in regulating proteolysis of muscle proteins under postmortem conditions. The substrates of calpains like desmin, synemin, talin and vinculin form the citoskeletal framework of the muscle cell. The calpain system is composed of several isoforms of calcium- dependent cysteine proteases and their specific competitive inhibitor, calpastatin. The two best-characterized isoforms of calpains are -calpain and m-calpain, which both degrade the same specific set of myofibrillar and cytoskeletal proteins as muscle is converted into meat. Alterations in pH and/or ionic strengths may cause conformational changes that allow an increase in the hydrophobicity and aggregation of the enzyme. Likewise, pH/ ionic strengths may alter the conformation of the substrate and make them less susceptible to cleavage by -calpain. The pH optimal of the calpainas is 7.0, nevertheless, at lower pH, the enzymes show catalytic activity. Investigations about this topic are abundant but results are very controversial. Temperatures of refrigeration also play a key rol in the autolysis of the calpains and calpastatin. Recently, experimental evidence shows that proteolysis of key cytoskeletal proteins such as the intermediate filament protein, desmin may be related also to drip loss or water holding capacity.
Fitness consequences and heritability aspects of emergence date in Phlox drummondii

1 The fitness consequences of emergence date in Phlox drummondii were determined for three populations in central Texas (USA). We experimentally manipulated the emergence time of seedlings to extend the distribution of emergents across time. 2 In all years (1989-92) significant differences in fitness were found between populations and between emergence dates. Fitness decreased with later seedling emergence in five of six population-by-year combinations tested. 3 The frequency of juvenile mortality also differed with emergence date in five cases. 4 Later emerging plants flowered sooner than would be expected based on the range of emergence dates, but this was not sufficient to overcome the penalty of late emergence on flower and fruit production. Total flowers per flowering plant always decreased with later emergence, and total fruits and seed-set were negatively correlated with emergence date for two of the three populations.5 Fitness functions were used to describe the fitness relationship between emergence dates. In all cases individual fitness declined non-linearly at later emergence dates, and in many cases the earliest emergents had the highest expected fitness. The variance in fitness differed among years and sites, and ranged from 0.043 to 0.766 seeds individual-2. 6 The degree to which days to seedling emergence was heritable in two further native populations of P. drummondii was measured by conducting divergent artificial selection for two generations. The estimates of realized heritability (0.081 and 0.15) could not be distinguished from zero. 7 Phlox drummondii therefore appears to have little genetic capacity to respond to natural or artificial selection on the timing of emergence.
A survey of the standing levels of herbivory in seedlings from a Mexican rain forest.

The standing levels of herbivory on the foliage of seedlings were measured for 52 species from Los Tuxtlas forest in southeastern Mexico. The level of damage averaged 10 percent or less; only a minimum of the sample showed extensive damage. Several types of damage to foliage were distinguished; some species displayed a predominance of one type, whereas other species sustained a variety of types. Besides pathogenic and physical damage, insects were the herbivores responsible for all of the damage. The interspecific variation in levels of herbivory could not be explained on the basis of plant life history or growth form. We suggest that plants with different life histories employ equally successful (or unsuccessful) antiherbivore mechanisms.
Storage of Himalayan maple (Acer caesium) seed: A threatened tree species of the Central Himalayas

Acer caesium seed exhibited a well-defined pattern of increase in longevity with decrease in storage temperature and seed moisture content. The relationship between viability, storage temperature and seed moisture content was estimated in terms of time taken for viability to decline to 50% of the original i.e., p 50 . The highest p 50 for A. caesium seed was 1256 days at 5.91% moisture content and -5°C. Seed stored with original moisture content of 22.66% at 25°C in airtight sealed container recorded least value of p 50 of 199 days. The study concluded that A. caesium seeds are short lived when stored in open containers at ambient room conditions with original moisture content. However, viability in storage for comparatively longer period was recorded at ambient room temperature if properly dried to approximate 6.0% moisture content and stored in airtight containers. The overall response of storage behaviour leads to conclusion that seeds of A. caesium possess orthodox storage physiology like some of the species of maples. Data recorded for the relationship between storage temperature, seed moisture content and p 50 fitted well to the basic viability equation, which proved highly predictable as shown by the expected p 50 .
Comparison ofEpstein-Barr Virus Strains ofDifferent Origin byAnalysis oftheViral DNAs

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)originating fromBurkitt's lymphoma (P3HR-1 and CC34-5), nasopharyngeal carcinoma (M-ABA), transfusion mononucleosis (B958),andapatient withacutemyeloblastic leukemia (QIMR-WIL) wasisolated fromvirus-carrying lymphoid cell lines after induction withthetumorpromoter 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. Viral DNA wasanalyzed bypartial denaturation mapping andbyuseoftherestriction endonucleases EcoRI, HindIll, andSallandseparation offragments in0.4%agarose. Byusing therestriction enzymedataofB95-8(EBV)andW91(EBV)obtained byGivenandKieff (D. GivenandE.Kieff, J.Virol. 28:524-542, 1978), mapswereestablished forthe other virus strains. Comigrating fragments wereassumed tobeidentical orclosely related amongthedifferent strains. Fragments ofdifferent strains migrating differently wereisolated, purified, radioactively labeled, andmappedbyhybridization against blots ofseparated viral fragments. Theresults wereasfollows. (i) Allstrains studied wereclosely related. (ii) Thenumberofinternal repeats was variable amongandwithin viral strains. (iii) B95-8(EBV)wastheonlystrain withalarge deletion ofabout12,000 basepairs attheright-hand sideofthe molecule. Atthesamesite, small deletions ofabout 400to500basepairs were observed inP3HR-1(EBV)andM-ABA(EBV)DNA. (iv) P3HR-1(EBV), the onlynontransforming EBV strain, hadadeletion ofabout3,000 to4,000 base pairs inthelong unique region adjacent totheinternal repeats carrying aHindIII site. (v)Small inserted sequences of150to400basepairs wereobserved inMABA (EBV)andB95-8(EBV)atidentical sites inthemiddle ofthelong unique region. (vi) Nearthis site, aninsertion ofabout1,000 basepairs wasfoundin P3HR-1(EBV)DNA. (vii) Thecleavage patterns ofP3HR-1virus DNA andthe results ofblot hybridizations withP3HR-1virus fragments arenotconclusive and point tothepossibility that inaddition tothenormal cleavage pattern someviral sequences maybearranged differently. Eventhough itispossible thatsmall differences inthegenomeorganization mayhavesignificant biological effects, the great similarity amongdifferent EBVstrains doesnotfavor thehypothesis that disease-specific subtypes exist. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)causes widespread inapparent infections inall humanpopulations (9). Inaddition, thevirus isknowntobethe
Precipitation regulates plant gas exchange and its long-term response to climate change in a temperate grassland

Aims Climate change largely impacts ecosystem carbon and water cycles by changing plant gas exchange, which may further cause positive or negative feedback to global climate change. However, long-term global change manipulative experiments are seldom conducted to reveal plant ecophysiological responses to climatic warming and altered precipitation regimes. Methods An 8-year field experiment with both warming and increased precipitation was conducted in a temperate grassland in northern China. We measured leaf gas exchange rates (including plant photosynthesis, transpiration and instantaneous water use efficiency [WUE]) of two dominant plant species (Stipa sareptana var. krylovii and Agropyron cristatum) from 2005 to 2012 (except 2006 and 2010) and those of other six species from 2011 to 2012. Important Findings Increased precipitation significantly stimulated plant photosynthetic rates (A) by 29.5% and 19.9% and transpiration rates (E) by 42.2% and 51.2% for both dominant species S. sareptana var. krylovii and A. cristatum, respectively, across the 8 years. Similarly, A and E of the six plant functional types were all stimulated by increased precipitation in 2011 and 2012. As the balance of A and E, the instantaneous WUEs of different plant species had species-specific responses to increased precipitation. In contrast, neither warming nor its interaction with increased precipitation significantly affected plant leaf gas exchange rates. Furthermore, A and E of the two dominant species and their response magnitudes to water treatments positively correlated with rainfall amount in July across years. We did not find any significant difference between the short-term versus long-term responses of plant photosynthesis, suggesting the flexibility of leaf gas exchange under climate change. The results suggest that changing precipitation rather than global warming plays a prominent role in determining production of this grassland in the context of climate change.
Effect of grazing disturbance on species diversity of alpine grassland plant community in Eastern Qilian Mountains

Grazing disturbance is one of main factors affecting species diversity of grassland plant communities. The species diversity was studied along grazing disturbance gradient of alpine grassland in the Eastern Qilian Mountains. The results showed that the grazing disturbed pastureland environment due to gnawing and treading of livestock,which changed plant species composition,population dominance and variety of community types,and then caused the changes of species diversity. As a consequence, the species richness of different communities were gradually lowered with the aggravating of grazing intensity. The species evenness and diversity indices reached the highest in heavy degradation or moderate degradation stages,and slightly increased again in over degradation stages and were related to the species evenness increases of the different communities. Life form also manifested some obvious changes along grazing disturbance gradient. Grazing disturbance was a common phenomenon,and also was the external driving function for the grassland ecosystem as it pushed forward the evolution and development of grassland ecosystem. Grazing disturbance had positive or negative effects on vegetation and was sometimes helpful for spe cies diversity maintenance and ronservation.
Understanding the Role of Iron and Zinc in Animals and Crop Plants from Genomics Perspective

The micronutrients iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) play an important role in the metabolism of both animals and plants. The deficiency of these micronutrients, therefore, has a direct effect on their growth and metabolism. In order to enhance the level of micronutrients in crop plants, it is necessary to understand the genetic makeup and regulation of their transporter genes. The genetic improvement of crop plants is an option to attain nutritional security along with food security. In this review, we have described the impact of Fe and Zn on animal and crop plants, the need to improve the mineral contents (Fe and Zn) in crops with a special focus on common bean as a model for understanding the mineral uptake and the approaches towards deciphering the micronutrient contributing genes.
Ecophysiological characteristics of three cyathea species in northeastern Taiwan.

Tree ferns are conspicuous in subtropical and tropical rainforests. Some closely related species of tree ferns often coexist in the forest; however, the mechanisms are poorly understood. The ecophysiological characteristics of 3 tree ferns, ＂Cyathea lepifera＂, ＂C. spinulosa＂, and ＂C. podophylla＂, growing in forests of northeastern Taiwan were investigated. Results showed that ＂C. lepifera＂ preferred an open habitat (mean canopy openness (MCO) of 29.2%), while ＂C. spinulosa＂ and ＂C. podophylla＂ preferred a shaded habitat (MCOs of 7.0 and 5.0%, respectively). The light-saturated photosynthetic rate of ＂C. lepifera＂ was significantly higher than that of ＂C. podophylla＂, and ＂C. spinulosa＂ had a medium one (11.46, 8.27, and 6.34 μmol CO_2 m^(-2) s^(-1) for ＂C. lepifera＂, ＂C. spinulosa＂, and ＂C. podophylla＂, respectively). The light saturation point of ＂C. podophylla＂ was significantly lower than those of the other 2 species (1220, 1100, and 808 μmol photon m^(-2) s^(-1) for ＂C. lepifera＂, ＂C. spinulosa＂, and ＂C. podophylla＂, respectively). The light compensation point (LCP) and dark respiration rate (Rd) of ＂C. lepifera＂ were significantly higher than those of ＂C. spinulosa＂ and ＂C. podophylla＂. ＂Cyathea lepifera＂ had the shortest frond life spans (6.6 mo for fertile fronds and 7.2 mo for sterile fronds) among the 3 species, which was followed by those of ＂C. spinulosa＂ (7.2 mo for fertile fronds and 7.3 mo for sterile fronds), and the longest frond life spans were in ＂C. podophylla＂ (13.0 mo for fertile fronds and 12.0 months for sterile fronds). ＂Cyathea lepifera＂, ＂C. spinulosa＂, and ＂C. podophylla＂ respectively belonged to shade-intolerant species, mid-shade-tolerant species, and shade-tolerant species as inferred from their habitat preference and ecophysiological characteristics. Roads, trails, frequent typhoons, and occasional tree falls create habitats with different canopy openness levels which increase the opportunity of these 3 ＂Cyathea＂ species to coexist in this forest.
Ten-years surveillance of antimicrobial resistance pattern of Streptococcus pneumoniae in Nepal

Resistance to first-line antimicrobial agents in Streptococcus pneumoniae is increasing worldwide. The study was carried out in 11 major hospital laboratories representing all geographical region of the country. The aim of this study is to carry out cross-sectional study of Antimicrobial resistance pattern of the S. pneumoniae isolates from 1999 to 2008. Identification of the S. pneumoniae isolates was done following standard microbiological techniques in all participating laboratories and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done in Reference laboratory only. A total of 934 S. pneumoniae from different specimens were isolated during 10 years of period from all age group patients (age ranging from 2 to 72 years). A total of 57.4% of isolates were cotriomoxazole resistant with highest (78%) resistance in 2002 followed by 74% in 2008. An increasing trend of resistance to penicillin with highest (10%) in 2007 followed by Ampicillin, Erythromycin, ciprofloxacin and Ceftriaxone was observed. Multidrug resistant pattern was observed from 2007 only.
Effect of Radiation on Malaria. An Experimental Study in the Chick and Duck.∗

Summary P. lophuræ are injured by roentgen irradiation in vivo and in vitro as indicated by the development of the parasitemia in the chick. The amount of irradiation necessary to produce a significant effect in vivo is near the lethal dose of radiation for the chick. Radium bromide as used in these experiments has no effect on P. lophuræ. Severe degenerative changes occur in the birds given radium bromide.
Rearing of mutton snapper Lutjanus analis subjected to different diets

A number of studies have noted the lutjanidae as one of the main families of marine fish to be exploited commercially. This study aims to evaluate the breeding 1 Secretaria de Agricultura e Abastecimento do Estado de Sao Paulo, Agencia Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegocios, Instituto de Pesca, Nucleo de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento do Litoral Norte. R. Joaquim Lauro Monte Claro Neto, 2275, Itagua, 11680-000, Ubatuba, SP, Brasil. E-mail: .
Variations of serum bone alkaline phosphatase activities and osteocalcin concentrations in dogs with experimental osteotomy fixed by two different osteosynthesis techniques

Au cours de cette etude, 12 chiens ont subi une osteotomie transperiostale des diaphyses du tibia et du perone droits suivie d'une osteosynthese intramedullaire (groupe IMO, n = 6) ou d'une osteosynthese par plaque (groupe PLO, n = 6). Des radiographies crânio-caudales ont ete realisees immediatement apres la chirurgie puis 2 semaines apres et tous les mois pendant 6 mois afin d'evaluer les processus de formation et de consolidation osseuses. En parallele, les activites seriques de la phosphatase alcaline (PAL) osseuse et les concentrations seriques en osteocalcine (OC) ont ete mesurees avant l'operation et aux memes echeances. La formation osseuse a ete maximale des le 1" mois et s'est achevee le 4 eme mois dans le groupe IMO alors qu'elle est apparue plus lentement dans le group PLO : les valeurs maximales ont ete observees a partir du 2 eme mois et ce processus s'est termine le 5 eme mois. Les scores de consolidation osseuse ont ete significativement eleves a la fin du 1 er mois (groupe IMO : p<0.001, groupe PLO: p<0.05) puis ont augmente (p<0.001) jusqu'a la fin de l'experience dans les 2 groupes. Les activites seriques de la PAL osseuse sont apparues diminuees par rapport aux valeurs pre chirurgicales (mais de facon non significative) surtout dans le groupe PLO pendant le 1" mois. En revanche, les concentrations en OC ont fortement augmente lors du 1 er mois apres l'osteosynthese intramedullaire alors qu'elles n'ont ete que faiblement modifiees apres l'osteosynthese par plaque. En consequence, une reaction osseuse plus intense caracterisee radiologiquement et par une augmentation de la concentration serique en OC a ete induite par l'osteosynthese intramedullaire.
Effects of Controlled Feeding of Turkeys during the Pre-Breeder Period on Subsequent Performance

Abstract From feeding Large White female turkeys a 16% protein pelleted diet from 22 to 38 weeks of age (1) ad libitum, (2) three days per week, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. only, and (3) 80% full-fed, body weight gains were 2.72, 1.51 and 1.16 kg, and feed consumptions were 23.19, 20.80, and 18.01 kg, respectively. From feeding male turkeys from 26 to 38 weeks of age according to treatments (1) and (2), body weight gains were 3.73 and . 94 kg, and feed consumptions were 34.56 and 25.98 kg, respectively. All turkeys were full-fed mash diets between 38 and 62 weeks of age. During this period, the body weight gains of the three previously treated groups of females were −. 51, . 48 and . 92 kg, feed consumptions were 39.82, 42.25 and 43.01 kg, and percent egg productions were 42.9, 41.1 and 38.2, respectively. Body weight gains of male turkeys from 38 to 42 weeks of age under the previous treatments were −. 03 and 2.43 kg, and feed consumptions were 88.84 and 81.01 kg, respectively. Fertility of eggs was significantly better from hens inseminated with semen from males previously full-fed than those previously restricted in feed intake. Restricting feed intake of female and male turkeys during the pre-breeder period provides no specific advantage except for a saving in feed intake especially among males.
EfeUOB (YcdNOB) is a tripartite, acid‐induced and CpxAR‐regulated, low‐pH Fe2+ transporter that is cryptic in Escherichia coli K‐12 but functional in E. coli O157:H7

No growth reduction was observed with entC single mutants under iron restriction. entC encodes the enzyme isochorismate synthase, which is needed for the synthesis of isochorismate, an intermediate in the biosynthesis of enterobactin (the ferric-iron chelating siderophore produced by E. coli ) (Earhart, 1996). However, another isochorismate synthase (MenF) is encoded in E. coli by menF, required for menaquinone (vitamin K2) biosynthesis (Meganathan, 1996). Thus, lack of an iron-restriction phenotype is presumed to be due to the compensating activity of MenF. Our unpublished results show a clear iron-restriction phenotype for entB (isochorismatase gene) mutants, presumably because there is no corresponding isoenzyme available. Note, this lack of phenotype for the entC mutant does not impact upon the central conclusions of the original publication.
Predialysis education

(Suggestions are based on Level III and IV evidence) • Patients and their families or carers should receive sufficient information and education regarding the nature of end stage kidney disease (ESKD), and the options for the treatment to allow them to make an informed decision about the management of their ESKD (Level III evidence). The use of multidisciplinary clinics with input from medical, nursing and allied health personnel using standardized protocols for the preparation of patients for dialysis is one way of achieving this outcome. Predialysis education programmes providing information about kidney disease, options for the management of chronic kidney disease (CKD) prior to dialysis (including pharamacological and dietary management) and the options for renal replacement therapy may also be beneficial. These clinics or education programmes should incorporate a mechanism for the timely referral of patients for the creation of an access for dialysis. Existing data suggest that these clinics and education progammes may facilitate the improved medical care of patients (for example, better control of anaemia and hypertension), greater patient involvement in the selection of the mode of dialysis, a reduction in the need for ‘urgent start’ dialysis, and improved short-term survival and quality of life after the initiation of dialysis.