bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transcriptome analysis of the induction of somatic embryogenesis in Coffea canephora and the participation of ARF and Aux/IAA genes
Authors: Quintana-Escobar Ana O. , Nic-Can Geovanny I. , Galaz Avalos Rosa María , Loyola-Vargas Víctor M. , Gongora-Castillo Elsa 
Published: October 2019

Background
Somatic embryogenesis (SE) is a useful biotechnological tool to study the morpho-physiological, biochemical and molecular processes during the development of Coffea canephora. Plant growth regulators (PGR) play a key role during cell differentiation in SE. The Auxin-response-factor (ARF) and Auxin/Indole-3-acetic acid (Aux/IAA) are fundamental components involved in the signaling of the IAA. The IAA signaling pathway activates or represses the expression of genes responsive to auxins during the embryogenic transition of the somatic cells. The growing development of new generation sequencing technologies (NGS), as well as bioinformatics tools, has allowed us to broaden the landscape of SE study of various plant species and identify the genes directly involved.

Methods
Analysis of transcriptome expression profiles of the C. canephora genome and the identification of a particular set of differentially expressed genes (DEG) during SE are described in this study.

Results
A total of eight ARF and seven Aux/IAA differentially expressed genes were identified during the different stages of the SE induction process. The quantitative expression analysis showed that ARF18 and ARF5 genes are highly expressed after 21 days of the SE induction, while Aux/IAA7 and Aux/IAA12 genes are repressed.

Discussion
The results of this study allow a better understanding of the genes involved in the auxin signaling pathway as well as their expression profiles during the SE process.
Comparative Study of Airborne Pollen from the Northern to the Southern of Tunisia
Authors: Hamda S. Hadj , Ben Dhiab A. , Msallem M. , Larbi A. 
Published: October 2019

Aerobiology is a multidisciplinary science dealing with biological particles in the atmosphere generated by natural activities during flowering season. Airborne pollen is now the main studied biological structure which is used as a reliable tool to study plant phenology, plant distribution changes and prediction of crop production. The main aims of this work is to determine the distribution of the different spring flowering species from the North to the South of Tunisia and to establish the pollen spectrum of three regions Mornag (North), Menzel M’hiri (Centre) and Chaal (South) in 2017.
Airborne pollen data were collected using three volumetric Hirst-type spore traps placed in Mornag (36°39N; 10°16E), Menzel M’hiri (35°38N; 10°41E) and Chaal (34°34N; 10°19E) during olive flowering season. The highest pollen index was recorded in the north (Mornag, 6487.1) corresponding mainly to 18 different pollen types emitted by anemophilous species with an important presence of Cupressus pollen type having the highest contribution. Lower pollen amounts were recorded in Menzel M’hiri (5983.8) and Chaal (925.3). Olea eurpoeae was the most presented pollen type in these regions. However comparing the different study sites we can note a large distribution of some taxa from north to the south. The main common taxa were Olea europaea, Cupressaceae, Poaceae and Amaranhaceae. Their atmospheric concentrations varied also between the regions. Individual pollen index showed a sharp heterogeneity between the taxa in the same region in one hand and between the study sites in the other hand, thus a statistical analysis was performed to define the main group of taxa according to their individual pollen index. Flowering phenology of the main common taxa was also established.
Dynamical Behavior of a Tensegrity Structure Coupled to a Spatial Steel Grid
Authors: González Martínez Ángel Otoniel , Horta Rangel Jaime Moisés , Lara y Hernandez Miguel Angel Perez , Contreras Moises Arroyo , Hernandez Zaragoza Juan Bosco , Perez Rea Luz , Lopez Lara Teresa , Gonzalez Eduardo Rojas 
Published: October 2019

Aim: In this study it is presented a methodology to determine the structural response of a tensegrity system working under the effects of wind, temperature variations and when coupled to a steel spatial grid applied as pedestrian bridge. This methodology is based in applying nonlinear static and dynamic analyzes and the base motion method.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in the Graduate Engineering Department, Universidad Autonoma de Queretaro, Queretaro, Mexico. September 2017 to July 2019.
Methodology: At first instance, it was analyzed the equilibrium configuration of a tensegrity system by only considering self-weight through non-linear static analyzes. In the second stage, it was studied the structural response and internal forces of the proposed tensegrity system under environmental loads as temperature variations and wind forces, which were represented as dynamic effects in a non-linear finite element model. Later, a spatial steel grid was analyzed for such environmental loads but using linear static analyzes. Finally, by applying the principle of superposition to the spatial steel grid, and the base motion method to the tensegrity system, it was represented the coupling of both systems as a single assembly.
Results: The structural response of a tensegrity system when working under different load conditions is obtained. Also, the effects produced by the coupling of both systems are determined.
Conclusion: The study concluded that the tensegrity system shows a stable response for the different load combinations established. There are also denoted the increases in internal forces and displacements for specific loads cases, which may affect locally some components and the overall behavior of the assembly.
Assessment of Mineral Accumulation by Lysinibacillus sphaericus from Restaurant Liquid Waste
Authors: Musbaudeen Sulaimon Adebisi , Jadesola Aderiye Babatunde , Toba Odeyemi Adebowale 
Published: October 2019

Presence of microorganisms and relatively high mineral contents mainly heavy metals in waste generated from restaurants and released into the environment may indicate a negative outcome of a microbial metabolic process with serious economic and health implications. Therefore it is justifiable to examine the minerals contents and microbial resistance/accumulation of restaurant liquid wastes with the view to controlling environmental hazard through the removal of pollutants in the waste products, hence this study. Restaurant wastewater are collected from washing dishes and waste collection tank, then mixed and analyzed for the presence and quantity of minerals contents. The physicochemical parameters such as metals, heavy metals and active ingredients of the waste were evaluated. The ability of Lysinibacillus sphaericus to accumulate the minerals was also examined. The results showed that the sample was composed of magnesium (54.4 ± 0.10 mg/L), potassium (23.2 ± 0.01 mg/L), sodium (39.2 ± 0.02 mg/L), zinc (0.61± 0.01 mg/L), copper (0.08 ± 0.01 mg/L) and iron (31.6± 0.03 mg/L). The presence of high amount of some minerals in wastewater is an indication that the environment may be polluted if the wastewaters are released in an uncontrolled manner. Also, the ability of Lysinibacillus sphaericus to assimilate these suggests that the wastes offers favourable condition for microbial growth and are therefore very susceptible to bioaccumulation.
Prevalence of Hepatitis B among Food Vendors in Wurukum Market, Makurdi Benue State
Authors: Obisike V. U. , Uke C. M. , Amuta E. U. 
Published: October 2019

Hepatitis B is a life threatening infectious liver disease caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HBV among food vendors in Wurukum, a highly commercial section of metropolitan Makurdi in Benue State. The test was carried out with the use of an immunochromatographic micropoint HBsAg test strips and a HBsAg buffer screen for the virus. Out of the 250 non-vaccinated food vendors sampled, 27(10.8%) had HBV infection, with more in males (21.7%) than in females (6.6%). No significant difference (p>0.05) was found among age groups in spite of the observed highest prevalence of 14.3% among the 20-29 year olds. Therefore, the need for routine screening cannot be overemphasized in spite of known risk factors among food vendors.
Degradation of Theobromine in Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) by-products by Fermentation with Aspergillus niger
Authors: Aromolaran Olukemi , Ogunsakin Foluhan Motilola 
Published: October 2019

Aim: This study was carried out to determine the ability of Aspergillus niger to break down theobromine in cocoa by-products, for its possible use in animal feeds.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biological Sciences, Wesley University, Ondo, Ondo State, Nigeria between January 2013 and June 2013.
Methodology: Cocoa by-products (combination of cocoa bean shell (CBS) and cocoa bean meal (CBM)) was milled into fine particle size, sterilized and fermented with Aspergillus niger for 5 days. The theobromine content was monitored at 24 h interval during fermentation and proximate analyses were carried out before and after the fermentation process.
Results: Significant reduction of theobromine content of 78.13% was observed after 5 days of fermentation. The crude protein and crude ash content increased by 2.7% and 51.9%, while the moisture content and crude fibre reduced by 21.3% and 23.8%, respectively.
Conclusion: The study showed that Aspergillus niger has the potential to reduce the theobromine content and enhance the nutritive value of cocoa by-products, for possible use in animal feed.
Comparative Studies on Effectiveness of Branded and Unbranded Disinfectants on E. coli and Staphylococcus Species
Authors: Akani N. P. , Williams J. O. , Nnamdi A. U. 
Published: October 2019

Aims: To compare the antimicrobial potential of branded and unbranded disinfectants on clinical bacterial isolates.
Study Design: The agar-well diffusion and micro broth dilution were adopted for the study. Ten disinfectants of which five were branded (industrial prepared) and five unbranded (indigenous prepared) were used against E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology, Rivers State University. the study was for a period of two months (June-July, 2018).
Methodology: Faecal samples were collected from the University Medical centre and were analyzed in the Microbiology Laboratory for the isolation of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus using standard microbiological method. The antimicrobial potential of both branded and unbranded disinfectants on the clinical isolates were evaluated using the micro dilution technique and the well in agar technique.
Results: The result in this study showed that both branded and unbranded disinfectants were effective on the E. coli and Staphylococcus isolates. However, the unbranded were only effective at high concentrations. E. coli had zone of inhibition ranging from 0 to 22 mm when tested with the unbranded disinfectant, while 0 to 17 mm was recorded for Staphylococcus aureus. The zones of inhibition of the branded disinfectant on E. coli ranged from 0 to 27 mm, while zone diameter of Staphylococcus aureus ranged from 0 to 25 mm. Among the unbranded disinfectants, Lysol produced the highest zone of inhibition While among the branded disinfectants, Savlon produced the highest zone of inhibition. The positive control was effective against all tested organisms with zones of inhibition ranging from 9-28 mm. On the other hand, as expected, the negative control (sterile distilled water) did not show any zone of inhibition.
Conclusion: The study showed that branded disinfectants were more effective on the clinical isolates than the unbranded disinfectants.
Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern of Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Clinical Samples in Specialist Hospital, Sokoto
Authors: Bunza N. M. , Isah A. A. , Hafsat M. D. , Asiya U. I. 
Published: October 2019

Aim: The study was to determine the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of Staphylococcus aureus isolates against some conventional antibiotics.
Study Design: Hospital based cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Specialist Hospital, Sokoto Metropolis, Sokoto State Nigeria, between June 2018 and September 2018.
Methodology: One hundred (100) Staphylococcus aureus isolates were used in this study. Gram’s staining, catalase, coagulase and mannitol fermentation tests were used to identify and confirm the isolates. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was carried out by disc agar diffusion test.
Results: In the present study 63.0% of the Staphylococcus aureus isolates were from male subjects, while 37.0% were from female subjects. The age group with the highest number of isolates was 11-20 years (37%) and the least (9%) was seen in 41-50 years. Subjects with urine samples had the highest frequency of Staphylococcus aureus isolates with 32.0% and those with high vaginal swab had the lowest 6.0%. The antibiotics susceptibility testing showed that 40% of Staphylococcus aureus isolates were susceptible to Clindamycin, 64% to Ciprofloxacin, 57% to Erythromycin, 71% to Gentamicin, 34% to Cefoxitin, 46% to Quinupristin/Dalfopristin, 58% to Tetracycline and Sulphamethaxazole –Trimethoprim respectively. Screening for MRSA was carried out by antibiotic sensitivity testing using cefoxitin and a prevalence of 66% was obtained. This study showed that Gentamicin and Ciprofloxacin were the most active antibiotics against Staphylococcus aureus.
Conclusion: There is the need for consistent on-going antimicrobial resistance surveillance for important and commonly isolated clinically significant pathogens of staphylococcal species to form the basis for developing and implementing measures that can reduce the burden of antimicrobial resistance and prevent a probable impending public health problem.
Anti-aging Activity of Xylaria striata in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Yuan Shi-Jun , Li Wei-Yi , Jian Tian-Tian , Huang Yi 
Published: October 2019

Aims: To evaluate the application potential of Xylaria striata Pat. in anti-aging field.
Methodology: Extracting the fruit body of X. striata by ultrasonic-assisted extraction method. In this study, Drosophila melanogaster was used as an anti-aging organism material. After feeding with different concentrations of extract, the natural survival time, survival time under oxidative stress and survival time under UV irradiation of D. melanogaster were all measured. In addition, the in vivo activity of SOD、CAT and MAD, protein concentration and body weight were determined to evaluate the anti-aging effect of ethanol extract from X. striata.
Results: The results showed that the ethanol extract of X. striata could extend the lifespan of D. melanogaster under both irradiation and oxidative stress condition. And the ethanol extract could enhance the activity of CAT in D. melanogaster, especially at concentration of 50 μM, and the content of MAD in D. melanogaster were decreased significantly.
Conclusion: This study clarified the anti-aging activity of X. striata in D. melanogaster and it would provide some theoretical basis for its further development and utilization in anti-aging drugs and health food.
In-vitro Screening of Antimicrobial Activities of Ocimum gratissimum on Clinical Isolates
Authors: Oshim Ifeanyi Onyema , Urama Evelyn Ukamaka , Odeyemi Oluwayemisi , Olise Augustina Nkechi , Odeyemi Sunday 
Published: October 2019

This study was undertaken to evaluate the antimicrobial activities of crude ethanol and methanol extracts of the leaves of Ocimum gratissimum L. (scent leaf) on Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus auerus and Candida albicans.The antimicrobial activities were carried out using agar well diffusion method. The Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentration (MBC/MFC) of the plant extracts on the test isolates were determined by the agar dilution method. Ciprofloxacin and fluconazole (positive controls) were used in comparison with crude extract of O. gratissimum leaves and also, Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was used as the negative control. The ethanolic extract of O. gratissimum showed antibacterial activity with the mean inhibitory zone diameter of 3 -7mm against S. auerus, 2 mm against E. coli, 2 – 12 mm against K. pneumoniae, 2 mm against P.aeruginosa. Ethanol and methanol crude extracts of O. gratissimum leaves showed no effect on C.albicans. O. gratissimum extracts showed the lower antimicrobial activity than the commercially available antibiotics (ciprofloxacin and fluconazole). The minimum Inhibitory Concentration and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration of the extracts on the test organisms also increased in the following order; methanol < ethanol. Hence, this extract could only serve as antibacterial agent in the management of bacterial infection because it has no antifungal activities on Candida isolates used in this study.
Hydrocarbon Degradation Potential of Heterotrophic Bacteria Isolated from Oil Polluted Sites in Sakpenwa Community in Rivers State
Authors: Akwukwaegbu R. N. , Okerentugba P. O. , Okpokwasili G. C. , Stanley H. O. , Ugboma C. J. 
Published: October 2019

In this study, hydrocarbon degradation potentials of heterotrophic bacteria isolated from oil-polluted soil were examined. Samples were collected from Sakpenwa, an oil producing community in Tai LGA of Rivers State, Nigeria and analyzed for physicochemical and microbiological properties using standard techniques. Hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria (HUB) were isolated by vapour phase transfer method using mineral salt medium. The biodegradation study was carried out on a standard laboratory shaker for 30 days in Bushnell -Haas agar supplemented with 5% of crude oil. Fifteen (15) bacterial isolates were screened for hydrocarbon degradation potentials of which five isolates exhibited high hydrocarbon degradability. The following parameters were monitored using each of the five isolates and a consortium during the biodegradation study: Colour change, Optical density (OD), pH, Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH), Total Hydrocarbon Contents (THC) and Total Cuturable Heterotrophic Bacterial Counts (TCHBC). The mean TCHBC ranged from 1.65×107 to 2.27×108cfu/ml while the mean Total Culturable Hydrocarbon Utilizing Bacterial Counts ranged from 1.09×104 to 3.9×105. The optical density varied from 0.09±0.02 - 2.57±0.00 and pH ranged from 2.98±0.09 - 6.98±0.09. The optical density varied to .09±0.02 - 2.57±0.00 and pH ranged from 2.98±0.09 -0.98±0.09. The gravimetric analysis showed that Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp. Alcaligenes sp. and Acinetobacter sp. were able to degrade 96.90%, 99.60%, 99.20% and 99.70% of the hydrocarbons respectively. This study demonstrated that indigenous bacterial species were highly efficient in the biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons.
Incidence of Microorganisms on Environmental Surfaces in Some Secondary Schools in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Nigeria
Authors: Joseph A. Famubo, , Bunmi B. Oladunjoye, , Yetunde O. Sofoluwe, 
Published: October 2019

Due to the ubiquitous nature of bacteria and fungi, the microbiological analysis of environmental surfaces (chairs, tables, floors, hand rails, toilet door knobs and class door knobs) of five (5) secondary schools in Birnin Kebbi metropolis was carried out. Surface swabbing method was used for the collection of a representative sample on the surfaces. Media such as Nutrient agar, Eosin methylene blue, Sabouraud dextrose agar, and Mannitol salt agar were used for the isolation of the organisms. The total bacterial count ranged from 1.1×102 to 9.9×103 CFU/ml, while the total fungi count ranged from 0.0 to 3.6 ×103 CFU/ml. The bacteria isolated include: Corynebacterium kutsceri, Lactobacillus casei, Bacillus sphaerious, Staphlococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Aeromonas spp, staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas spp, Micococcus varians, while the fungi isolated include Rhizopus stolonifer, Saccharyomyces cerevisae, Alternaria alternate, Aspergillus niger, Mucor spp., Fusarium spp.
The isolation of these organisms followed series of procedures, starting with samples collected with swab sticks emulsified with peptone water, followed by the sterile dilution of each sample to a factor of 10-1 for chairs, tables, hand rail and door knobs while floor was diluted to a factor of 10-2. One millilitre (1ml) aliquots of which was used as a representative sample used for isolation of pure colonies was followed by series of biochemical test to confirm the identification of each isolate. Despite the routine cleaning practiced in secondary school setting, isolation of microorganisms from secondary school setting is inevitable.
Phenotypic Detection of Extended Spectrum Beta-lactamase Resistance of Escherichia coli from Patients Attending Selected Healthcare Facilities in Nasarawa State, Nigeria
Authors: Abimiku R. H. , Ngwai Y. B, , Nkene I. H. , Bassey B. E. , Tsaku P. A. , Ibrahim T. , Tama S. C. , Ishaleku D. , Pennap G. R. I. 
Published: October 2019

Aims: This study investigated the phenotypic detection of extended spectrum beta-lactamase resistance of diarrheagenic E. coli isolated from diarrheic patients attending some major health facilities in Nasarawa State, Nigeria.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology, Nasarawa State University, P.M.B 1022, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria; between December, 2017 to March, 2019.
Methodology: A total of 207 confirmed E. coli isolates from loose stool samples of patients with suspected cases of diarrhea (69 from Federal Medical Centre Keffi [MCK] 69 from General Hospital Akwanga [GHA] and 69 from Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital Lafia [DASHL]) were included in this study.
Results: E. coli was isolated and identified using standard microbiological methods. The antibiotic susceptibility testing for the isolates was carried out and interpreted in accordance with Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute protocol. Phenotypic detection of ESBL production in isolates resistant to ciprofloxacin, cefotaxime and ceftazidime) was carried out using double disc synergy test. The occurrence of E. coli was 100% in all the hospitals. Age groups 0-5 and 6-10 years have the highest occurrence than age group 35 – >45 years. Isolates from DASHL were more resistant to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (86.9%), Streptomycin (75.0%) and sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim (68.1%), isolates from FMCK were more resistant to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (84.1%), sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim (69.6%), isolates from GHA were more resistant to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (85.5%) and sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim (73.0%). Multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) was observed with the order of occurrence: FMCK (98.6%) > DASHL (92.8%) > GHA (89.9%). The most common MAR index of 0.2 in DASHL was 0.4 (20.3%); FMCK was 0.4 (15.9%) and GHA was 0.3 (17.4%). The order of occurrence of classes of antibiotic resistance in E. coli isolates in DASHL was MDR (84.0%) ˃ XDR(7.2%) > PDR and NMDR (4.3%); in FMCK was MDR (91.3%) ˃ XDR(4.3%) ˃ NMDR (2.9%) and PDR(1.4%); and in GHA was MDR (88.8%) ˃ NMDR(5.8%) > XDR and PDR(2.9%). Detection rate of ESBL was 53.6% (30/207), distributed in relation to the location as DASHL (60.0%), FMCK (50.0%) and GHA (52.6%).
Conclusion: Most of the isolates from the study locations were antibiotic resistance. Further studies on molecular detection of ESBL, diversity and characterization of the E. coli into pathotypes are ongoing.