Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Photoinhibition of seed germination: occurrence, ecology and phylogeny

Abstract Light conditions provide important information about the best time and place for seedling establishment. Photoinhibition of seed germination (PISG), defined as the partial or complete suppression of germination under white light, has been interpreted as a physiological adaptation to avoid germination at or near the soil surface. This review is the first report of an all-inclusive, fully quantitative analysis of PISG in seed plants. Pertinent data available from the published literature for 301 taxa from 59 families and 27 orders were assessed. The association of PISG with several plant and seed traits allowed us to consider the adaptive significance of PISG in relation to plant life histories and the natural environments. As no gymnosperm has been found to be truly photoinhibited, it seems that PISG is apomorphic to flowering plants (especially monocots). Seeds of most taxa with PISG have a dark colour and intermediate mass, mostly in the range 1 to 27 mg. PISG is absent from humid tropical regions and from cold climates, but it is strongly associated with open, disturbed and dry habitats. An intriguing implication of PISG is the formation of a soil-surface seed bank. Taken together, these results clearly indicate that PISG is a physiological adaptation to avoid germination on the soil surface, where conditions are not suitable for seedling establishment. PISG is probably much more frequent in seed plants than previously thought. Thus, laboratory experiments should be conducted under well-characterized light and dark conditions.
Structural and functional properties of Maillard reaction products of protein isolate (mung bean, Vigna radiate (L.)) with dextran

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to determine the functional and structural properties of Maillard reaction products of mung bean [Vigna radiate (L.)] protein isolate with dextran obtained under the temperature of 80°C or 90°C with different times (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 h). The mung bean protein isolate–dextran conjugate had better solubility, emulsifying activity, and emulsifying stability than mung bean protein isolate; however, the protein aggregation decreased the solubility, surface hydrophobicity, emulsifying activity, and emulsifying stability of mung bean protein isolate–dextran conjugate. In general, these functional properties of mung bean protein isolate–dextran conjugate obtained at 80°C with lower degree of glycosylation and browning degree were better than mung bean protein isolate–dextran conjugate obtained at 90°C. Both vicilin (8S) and legumin type (11S) globulins both participated in the graft reaction, the subunit with a molecular weight of 21 kDa that contributed to 11S globulin might be the most vulnerable to dextran followed by the 60, 32, and 26 kDa subunits. Maillard reaction between mung bean protein isolate and dextran led to a decreased ﬂuorescence intensity and a bathochromic shift. The ﬂuorescence intensity of mung bean protein isolate–dextran conjugate generally decreased, and λmax of mung bean protein isolate–dextran conjugate first increased and then decreased. The grafted mung bean protein isolates had lower α-helix content but higher β-sheet content. As the Maillard reaction between mung bean protein isolate and dextran proceeded, the α-helix contents of the mung bean protein isolate–dextran conjugates were signiﬁcantly increased and then decreased, and the β-sheet content generally decreased and then increased. Excessive grafted dextran and more protein aggregation was observed in mung bean protein isolate–dextran conjugate obtained at 90°C, which induced structural changes that might have impaired the functions. Our findings suggest that conjugation of mung bean protein isolate with dextran through the Maillard reaction is an effective way of improving the functional properties of mung bean protein isolate for its application in the food industry.
Small Mammals in an Urban Area: Habitat Preferences and Urban-Rural Gradient in Nitra City, Slovakia

ABSTRACT The small mammal species were investigated in the urbanized environment of Nitra city (Slovakia) in a multiscale-approach: at habitat level and at landscape level (urban-rural gradient). Continuous comprehensive rodent samplings from 2012 to 2015 were conducted in ten study sites, classified into three urban zones (landscape level). The total effort comprised 1,250 specimens of 13 species (Microtus arvalis, Apodemus sylvaticus, A. flavicollis, A. uralensis, Clethrionomys (Myodes) glareolus, M. subterraneus, Micromys minutes, Mus spicilegus, M. musculus, Crocidura suaveolens, C. leucodon, Sorex araneus, S. minutus) gathered in 14950 trapxnights. Environmental variables (habitat level) at each site were processed in the Geographical Information System as a proportion of landscape units around the trapping line and by a phytosociological survey. At the habitat level, we found a relationship between the landscape habitat structure and each species of small mammals. Diversity, species richness and relative abundance of small mammals decreased with the density of the built-up area. At landscape level, urban zones had a significant influence on species diversity, richness and relative abundance of small mammal populations. On the other hand, the presence of small mammal species precisely determined the urban zones, where we identified seven indicative species.
Climate and productivity shape fish and invertebrate community structure in subarctic lakes

Summary Climate change and land-use intensification are increasing productivity in subarctic lakes. Simultaneously, fish and invertebrate species adapted to temperate conditions are expanding their range northwards into subarctic habitats. Community level studies are required to predict long-term effects of these dual stressors on subarctic freshwater ecosystems. We conducted a space-for-time study examining the fish, benthic invertebrate and pelagic zooplankton communities in littoral, profundal and pelagic habitats in 19 subarctic lakes situated on a temperature, land-use and productivity gradient in northern Europe. Fish density (ranging between 0.5 and 150.5 fish per net series h−1) and biomass (range between 92 and 5,147 g per net series h−1) increased significantly with increasing lake temperature and productivity. This was associated with significantly decreasing body size (26 to 12 cm total length; 174 to 19 g body mass) and a shift in fish community structure from salmonid (Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus, whitefish Coregonus lavaretus), to percid (ruffe Gymnocephalus cernua, perch Perca fluviatilis) and ultimately cyprinid (roach Rutilus rutilus, bleak Alburnus alburnus) dominance. Changes in fish community composition were most apparent in littoral and pelagic zones. Benthic macroinvertebrate density peaked in mesotrophic lakes, zooplankton density was highest at either end of the gradient, indicating habitat specific differences in predation pressure and top-down control. Body size of zooplankton and benthic macroinvertebrates was negatively related to temperature and productivity. These results suggest that climate change and intensification of land-use practices are gradually turning subarctic lakes into warmer, less transparent and more productive systems harbouring abundant, small-sized and warmer adapted communities.
Experimental aortic intimal thickening

Repair to injury of the rabbit aorta was studied with special attention to the source of new intimal cells. Two types of injury, suture placement and electrocautery, were used to ascertain whether the type of injury significantly modifies the reparative response of the artery. Cell morphology and DNA synthesis, as determined by auto. radiographic localization of tritiated thymidine uptake, were studied sequentially during the course of the repair reaction. Suture injury was the more reliable model for these studies because the magnitude of injury was quite comparable between animals, while with cauterization there was considerable variation in the magnitude of injury. The overall reparative response with the two types of injury was, however, similar. Cell division was first seen in the media adjacent to the injured focus and was followed by migration of medial cells into the intima. In the intima, medial cells continued to divide for a few days and then gradually matured from undifferentiated ovoid cells resembling monocytes to morphologically differentiated smooth muscle cells. Medial cells exhibiting DNA synthesis were both differentiated and undifferentiated smooth muscle cells, supporting previous reports that mature as well as undifferentiated smooth muscle cells are capable of mitosis. However, wih injury and repair, the migrating cells appeared to be mainly undifferentiated since there was a predominance of these cells early in the repair reaction in the intima (Am J Pathol 76:245-264, 1974).
Experimental immunology Non-specific immunity in rabbits experimentally infected with Czech strains of the rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus

The purpose of this study was to evaluate some parameters of non-specific immunity [myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in PMN cells and lysozyme (LZM) concentration and activity in serum] in rabbits experimentally infected with 4 Czech strains of the rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) virus: CAMPV351 (reference strain), CAMP-561, CAMPV-562, CAMPV-558. Furthermore, mortality was recorded among the animals infected with four Czech strains of the RHDV. Statistical analysis revealed that the most numerous changes were caused by reference strain CAMPV-351, followed by strains CAMPV562 and CAMPV-558, and strain CAMPV-561. The highest mortality (100%) was observed in animals infected with this last strain.
Antiproliferative effects of isoprenoids from Sarcophyton glaucum on breast cancer MCF-7 cells

Purpose : To evaluate the anticancer activity of isoprenoids of Sarcophyton glaucum on MCF-7 cells and to investigate the potential synergistic effect of doxorubicin. Methods : Isolation and purification of isoprenoids were performed by applying different planar chromatographic methods (CC and PTLC). Further analyses of the isoprenoids by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS) carried out to identify the compounds. Sulforhodamine- B (SRB) assay was used to determine the cytotoxic activity of the compounds against the MCF-7 human cell line. Flow cytometric analysis was used to assess their impact on cell cycle of MCF-7. Combination index (CI), when the compounds were combined with doxorubicin, was calculated to determine possible synergism. The isoprenoid compounds were also incubated at ¼ or ½ of their respective half-maximal concentration (IC 50 ) with equimolar concentrations of doxorubicin. Results : Four known isoprenoid derivatives (1-4) were identified as 10(14)-aromadendrene (1), sarcophinediol (2), ent-deoxysarcophine (3) and sarcotrocheliol acetate (4). It was observed that cells accumulated in pre-G phase as well. CI of compound 3 with doxorubicin was 0.67 and 0.79, respectively, at ¼ and ½ of IC 50 , indicating overt synergism. This was confirmed by re-assessing the cell cycle stages of MCF-7 cells. Conclusion : The results indicate that compound 3 exhibits promising cytotoxicity as well as synergism with doxorubicin in MCF-7 cells. This is attributed, at least partly, to its ability to generate intercellular apoptosis induction. Keywords : Sarcophyton glaucum, Combination index, Antiproliferation, Isoprenoidal derivatives, 10(14)-Aromadendrene,Sarcophinediol, Deoxysarcophine, Sarcotrocheliol acetate, Doxorubicin
Patterns of fish diversity, community structure and ecological integrity of River Yamuna, India

The Yamuna River, one of the most important and sacred rivers of the northern plains of India, is highly polluted. The river originates at the Yamunotri glacier, traverses 120 km to emerge onto the Indo-Gangetic plains at Dakpathar in Uttarakhand, and finally joins the Ganges River at Allahabad after traversing 1376 km. During 2007–2010 this study assessed the fish diversity, community structure, and ecological status in a 1200 km stretch of the river from Dakpathar to Allahabad. The waters were alkaline (pH 7.6–8.0). Dissolved oxygen was high at most sites (7.3–9.8 mg l−1), except at Wazirabad and Agra (3.4–3.7 mg l−1). A total of 143 fish species were recorded in the river. Cyprinidae was the most abundant family followed by Schilbeidae, Bagridae, and Sisoridae, respectively. The abundance was dominated by 48 species with = > 250 individuals caught. The highest intersite species similarities were recorded between Yamunanagar and Panipat, followed by Wazirabad and Hamirpur, and Yamunanagar and Allahabad. The middle stretch of the river was dominated by small-bodied erytopic, indigenous, and exotic fish species with periodic and opportunistic life history strategies, and had reduced abundances of the large–bodied, prized Indian Major Carps. A trophic shift towards dominance of carnivore catfish species was evident. Multivariate analysis indicated 83.50% of the total variability in species composition in the river could be attributed to gradients of the environmental variables: dissolved oxygen, turbidity, conductivity, total dissolved solids, stream velocity, and water temperature. Insufficient flows in the middle stretch of the river have altered fish habitat availability, resulting in changes in fish composition and assemblage patterns. The study will aid efforts to conserve the aquatic communities and their habitats in the river.
Pomegranate Extracts Potently Suppress Proliferation, Xenograft Growth, and Invasion of Human Prostate Cancer Cells

We completed a multicenter study of the effects of pomegranate cold-pressed (Oil) or supercritical CO2-extracted (S) seed oil, fermented juice polyphenols (W), and pericarp polyphenols (P) on human prostate cancer cell xenograft growth in vivo, and/or proliferation, cell cycle distribution, apoptosis, gene expression, and invasion across Matrigel, in vitro. Oil, W, and P each acutely inhibited in vitro proliferation of LNCaP, PC-3, and DU 145 human cancer cell lines. The dose of P required to inhibit cell proliferation of the prostate cancer cell line LNCaP by 50% (ED50) was 70 mg/mL, whereas normal prostate epithelial cells (hPrEC) were significantly less affected (ED50 5 250 mg/mL). These effects were mediated by changes in both cell cycle distribution and induction of apoptosis. For example, the androgen-independent cell line DU 145 showed a significant increase from 11% to 22% in G2/M cells (P , .05) by treatment with Oil (35 µg/mL) with a modest induction of apoptosis. In other cell lines/treatments,.
Stoichiometric Homeostasis: A Test to Predict Tundra Vascular Plant Species and Community-level Responses to Climate Change

Climate change is having profound influences on Arctic tundra plant composition, community dynamics, and ecosystem processes. Stoichiometric homeostasis (H), the degree to which a plant maintains its internal nutrient concentrations independent of nutrient variations in its environment, may be a useful approach to predict the impacts of these influences. In this case study, we used fertilization manipulation data to calculate homeostasis indices based on nitrogen (HN), phosphorus (HP), and nitrogen to phosphorus ratios (HN:P) of aboveground tissues for seven common tundra vascular species belonging to three growth forms. We then analyzed species H relationships with dominance, spatial stability, and responsiveness to various experimental manipulations. Each of the H indices was correlated amongst tissue types within each species and was generally highest in ericoid mycorrhizal host species and lowest in the ectomycorrhizal birch. Species HP and HN:P were consistently positively correlated with aboveground.
Riqueza e aspectos ecológicos das comunidades de briófitas (Bryophyta e Marchantiophyta) de um fragmento de Floresta de Terra Firme no Parque Ecológico de Gunma, Pará, Brasil

O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar a riqueza, a composicao floristica e os aspectos ecologicos das briofitas do Parque Ecologico de Gunma As briofitas foram coletadas seguindo as tecnicas usuais para este grupo, sendo a amostragem realizada em duas parcelas de um hectare, cada. Riqueza, composicao floristica, suficiencia de amostragem, frequencia, guildas de tolerância e distribuicao geografica foram analisadas. Registrou-se 1057 ocorrencias de briofitas (486 musgos e 571 hepaticas) para o parque, totalizando 103 especies, distribuidas em 44 generos e 18 familias. As hepaticas apresentaram maior riqueza especifica (59) em relacao aos musgos (44), sendo que a familia mais representativa foi Lejeuneaceae (42). Em termos de abundância predominaram as especies raras com 62 (61%) e em relacao as guildas de tolerância, as especies generalistas destacaram-se com 47 (46%). A distribuicao das especies e predominantemente Neotropical (57%) e cinco especies sao novos registros para o estado do Para.
Physicochemical properties and in vitro Anti-Inflammatory effects of Indian Chia (Salvia Hispanica L.) Seed Oil

Salvia hispanica L. also known as chia or salba has been used as a fodder/food in Central America and was one of the chief dietary components of the ancient culture. Owing to the fatty acid profile and nutrition value chia is being reintroduced as a food crop across different countries. Many health beneficial effects of chia seed oil have been reported in vitro and in vivo owing to higher content of polyunsaturated fatty acid particularly alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). High ALA content makes chia a perfect candidate for ‘super food’ as it is associated with lower incidence of cardiovascular diseases and neuropathies. These metabolic syndromes are mediated by inflammatory pathways. Hence, we assessed the anti-inflammatory property of chia seed oil per se and in combination with other vegetable oils so as to replicate the daily use methods. Here we report the physicochemical and in vitro anti-inflammatory effects of Indian chia seed oil and compared with the previously reported physicochemical parameters of chia from other countries.
Environmental influences on the nesting phenology and productivity of Mississippi Kites (Ictinia mississippiensis)

ABSTRACT Identifying sources of annual variation in the reproductive success of a species may provide valuable insights into how the species may be affected by future environmental or climatic conditions. We examined annual variation in the nesting phenology, productivity, and apparent nest success of Mississippi Kites (Ictinia mississippiensis), a species common in urban areas in the southern Great Plains, from May through August. We monitored 498 Mississippi Kite nesting attempts in Lubbock, Texas, USA, between 2004 and 2015, from which we modeled daily survival rate as a function of local weather conditions, drought severity, and the state of the El Niño Southern Oscillation. We observed significant annual variation in median incubation initiation date (range = May 20 to June 5), the probability of nest success (range = 0.31–0.90), and productivity (range = 0.25–1.00 fledglings per nest). Our models of daily survival rate suggested that higher daily temperatures, severe storm events, extreme drought conditions, and La Niña events negatively influenced nest survival. These results suggest that increasing storm frequency and higher temperatures associated with climate change are likely to decrease the nesting success of Mississippi Kites in the southern Great Plains.
A data envelopment analysis of agricultural technical efficiency of Northwest Arid Areas in China

Severe resource shortage and waste of resource in agricultural production make it necessary to assess efficiency to increase productivity with high efficiency and ensure sustainable agricultural development. This paper adopted an input-oriented data envelopment analysis (DEA) method with the assumption of variable returns to scale to evaluate agricultural production efficiency of 100 major irrigation districts in Northwest China in 2010. Major findings of this paper were as follows: firstly, the average value of total technical efficiency, pure technical efficiency and scale efficiency of those irrigation districts in Northwest China were 0.770, 0.825 and 0.931, respectively; secondly, 30% of irrigation districts were technically efficient, while 42% and 32% of them showed pure technical and scale efficiency respectively. Among inefficient decision-making units, total technical efficiency score varied from 0.313 to 0.966, showing significant geographical differences, but geographical differences of pure technical efficiency was more consistent with that of total technical efficiency; thirdly, input redundancy was evident. Inputs of agricultural population, irrigation area, green water, blue water, consumption of fertilizer and agricultural machinery could be reduced by 34.88%, 40.19%, 43.85%, 47.10%, 41.53% and 42.21% respectively without reducing agricultural outputs. Furthermore, irrigation area, green water and blue water had relatively high slack movement though Northwest China which is short of water resources. Based on these results, this paper drew the following conclusions: First, there is huge potential for Northwest China to improve its agricultural production efficiency, and agro-technology not input scale had greater influence on improvement. Second, farmers needed proper guidance in order to reduce agricultural inputs and it is time to centralize agricultural management for overall agricultural inputs regulation and control.
Thermal biology of Osmia cornifrons (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) eggs and larvae

Temperature plays an important role in the growth and development of insects, and the temperature at which an insect develops can affect both behavior and reproduction in adult insects. This study was conducted to determine the effects of temperature on development and survival in the egg and larval stages of Osmia cornifrons Radozskowski (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) over a broad range of temperatures. O. cornifrons individuals were placed in environmental chambers at 5, 13, 21, 29, 37, and 45 °C and their development was tracked daily. Developmental data was modelled using the Briére function and simulated by incorporating the developed model and Weibull function. Models were validated with developmental data from randomly selected bees at sites in Morgantown (n = 28) and Kearneysville (n = 78), West Virginia, USA. Osmia cornifrons eggs survived at 13, 21, and 29 °C, but were unable to survive at other temperatures. Larvae survived at 21 and 29 °C, with 88.5 and 45.5% survival, respectively. The thermal window for the development of egg and 1st instar was 17.99 °C, and for 2nd instar to prepupa was 12.58 °C. Nearly all validation data fell within the 95% prediction interval, indicating that the models accurately represented the thermal biology of O. cornifrons in field. The narrow thermal window found in this study for O. cornifrons larval development indicates that O. cornifrons is sensitive to temperature change during this life history stage. Implications of the thermal requirements of O. cornifrons for propagation and management are discussed.
Whole genome sequencing, a novel and powerful tool against tuberculosis

The whole genome sequencing by next generation sequencing technologies (WGS-NGS) applied to the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) has been located as a powerful tool for the generation of new knowledge, and help in the analysis and characterization of polymorphisms associated with drug resistance, as well as in the development of clinical and epidemiological studies (1-3).