Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular Genetics of Colorectal and Gastric Cancers.

We screened for germline mutations of the mismatch repair genes and related genes in 37 Japanese hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) cases. Fifteen kindreds fulfilled the Amsterdam criteria; and 22 other kindreds, the less stringent "Japanese clinical criteria. " When we examined the entire coding sequences and flanking intronic sequences of the hMLHI and hMSH2 mismatch repair genes by PCR-SSCP, 9 of the 15 (60%) cases satisfying the Amsterdam criteria and 3 of the 22 (13.6%) cases according to the Japanese clinical criteria showed germline mutations, indicating a significant difference in the detection rate. Interestingly, the mutation frequency of hMSH2 (11/12, 91.7%) was much higher than that of hMLHI (1/12, 8.3%). We also analyzed colorectal cancer-related genes, e.g., the transforming growth factor-β type II receptor (TGF-βRII) gene, in several microsatellite instability (MSI)-negative HNPCC cases. A substitution of methionine for threonine at codon 315 in the kinase domain of TGF-βRII gene was found in one kindred with the Japanese clinical criteria. Thus, it is likely that causative genes of HNPCC are heterogeneous. MSI has been reported in familial gastric cancers (FGC). However, genetic defects responsible for this phenotype, that is, mutations in mismatch repair genes such as hMLH1 and hMSH2 have not been detected in most FGC cases. Earlier studies have shown that the promoter region of the hMLH1 gene was methylated in some sporadic colorectal cancers. To determine how FGC acquire MSI, we examined the MSI status, hMLH1 protein expression, and methylation status of the hMLH I promoter region in FGC cases. Out of 9 cancers from 8 FGC kindreds, 6 showed MSI at one or more loci; no germline mutations in the hMLHI or hMSH2 genes were detected; 4 cancers exhibiting MSI displayed aberrant hMLHI expression. Methylation in the hMLH1 promoter region was found in these 4 cases. In contrast, the cancers displaying hMLH I protein expression were not methylated in the hMLHI promoter region. Our data show a significant association between the absence of hMLHI expression and methylation of its promoter in FGC cases with MSI. This suggests that the mechanism of inactivation of hMLH1 is epigenetic and that there are other genes responsible for FGC.
MUTATION IN FERNS GROWING IN AN ENVIRONMENT CONTAMINATED WITH POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are ubiquitous and persistent environmental contaminants. The Housatonic River in Massachusetts is heavily contaminated with PCBs in the vicinity of the city of Pittsfield. The ostrich fern, Matteuccia struthiopteris, forms extensive populations in the flood plain of this river. The frequency of somatic mutations was determined in these fern populations as well as control populations growing in uncontaminated environments in the Connecticut River and its tributaries. The frequency of somatic mutations in the Housatonic River populations was 5.26-6.14 times the controls. Whether similar genetic damage has occurred to other inhabitants of the Housatonic environment is unknown.
Interactions of Intraspecific, Interspecific, and Apparent Competition with Host‐Pathogen Population Dynamics

I investigated the interactions of intra— and interspecific competition with parasitism for populations of two terrestrial isopods, Porcellio scaber and Porcellio laevis, infected with a lethal virus. In field experiments, I varied densities of one or both isopod species in enclosures in which food and virus presence were also manipulated. I estimated the effects of intra— and interspecific competition, additional food, and virus infection on both the survival of P. scaber and the prevalence of the virus. In uninfected populations, intraspecific and interspecific competition negatively affected isopod survival, although food resources had no effect. In infected treatments, interspecific competition produced higher levels of virus prevalence than did intraspecific competition. Virus infection and reduced food interacted to produce higher overall mortality in interspecific competition treatments than in intraspecific competition treatments. The lack of significant effect of food on competition suggests that interference interactions rather than resource competition predominated. This mechanism is supported by a laboratory study in which total food availability was controlled. These results indicate that competition and parasitism interacted to produce the observed mortality patterns, and that ignoring mortality due to the virus would produce apparent interspecific competition. The data suggest that the impact of P. laevis on P. scaber involves both direct and indirect effects.
Evaluating Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet germplasm to identify short-season accessions suitable for crop and livestock farming systems in southern Africa

Lablab purpureus is a multipurpose legume with potential as a vegetable, pulse or forage crop for smallholder farming systems of southern Africa. Its use in the region is limited because the long-season forage types available result in unreliable seed set. In the first of three field evaluations conducted in Limpopo province, South Africa, 33 introduced accessions and three local varieties were evaluated. Days to 50% flowering and to maturity ranged from 51 to >150 days after planting (DAP) and from 90 to 197 DAP, respectively. Most accessions produced <5 000 kg ha−1 biomass at 87 DAP. The highest seed yields were between 500 and 600 kg ha−1 produced generally by the earliest flowering lines. The second evaluation repeated these measurements for 24 of the earliest flowering accessions and from these eight were selected for a third evaluation. Five accessions (CPI52552, CPI60795, CPI81364, CQ3620 and Q6990B) were found to be consistently early flowering (range 43 to 70 DAP), high seed yielding (331 to 1 233 kg ha−1) and are recommended for further evaluation. Further work should be in partnership with farmers to test desirable eating qualities and there is need for seed multiplication for future commercial release.
Functional traits and local environment predict vegetation responses to disturbance: a pan‐European multi‐site experiment

1. Disturbance is one of the most important factors structuring the taxonomic and functional composition of vegetation. Vegetation resistance or resilience to disturbance depends on local environmental conditions, further modifying the pool of species and traits. This paper aims to understand how disturbance and local environment combine to affect the resistance and resilience of vegetation.
Chewing activity of dairy cows fed diets based in sunflower cake

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different levels of sunflower cake (SC) on nutrient intake and ingestive behavior in lactating cows. Eight multiparous Holstein x Zebu cows, between 50 and 74 lactation days and 20 ± 2 kg of milk per day, were allocated in a 4 x 4 double latin square design, where the factors were four inclusion levels of SC (0; 7; 14 and 21%). Tifton 85 hay was used as forage in a 60:40 ratio of forage: concentrate. There was no detectable effect of the inclusion of SC (P > 0.05) on dry matter, crude protein and organic matter intake. However, ether extract and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake, showed linear and quadratic effect (P < 0.05), respectively. The time spent ruminating, idling and standing was not altered by addition of SC to the rations, but the time spent in food and water intake was linearly influenced (P < 0.05). Rumination efficiency, expressed in gDM/h and gNDF/h, the total chewing time, number of ruminal bolus and number of chews per day did not differ significantly, except for feeding efficiency that varied of quadratic way (P < 0.05). In a feeding management, if there is availability, it is recommended the use of sunflower cake up to 21% inclusion in the concentrate ration of dairy cows.
Inoculation of rapeseed under different rates of inorganic nitrogen and sulfur fertilizer: impact on water relations, cell membrane stability, chlorophyll content and yield

It is important to develop integrated fertilization strategies for various crops that enhance the competitive ability of the crop, maximize crop production and reduce the risk of nonpoint source pollution from fertilizers. In order to study the effects of mineral nitrogen fertilization and biofertilizer inoculation on yield and some physiological traits of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) under different levels of sulfur fertilizer, field experiments in factorial scheme based on randomized complete block design were conducted with three replications in 2012 and 2013. Experimental factors were: (1) four levels of chemical nitrogen fertilizer (0, 100, 150 and 200 kg N ha−1), (2) two levels of biofertilizer (with and without inoculation) consisting Azotobacter sp. and Azospirillum sp. and (3) two levels of sulfur application (0 and 50 kg S ha−1). Rapeseed yield, oil content of grains and studied physiological traits had a strong association with the N fertilization, biofertilizer inoculation and sulfur (S) application. Higher rates of N fertilization, biofertilizer inoculation and S application increased the grain yield of rapeseed. In the case of physiological traits, the highest value of relative water content (RWC) was recorded in 100 kg N ha−1 that was statistically in par with 150 kg N ha−1 application, while usage of 150 kg N ha−1 showed the maximum cell membrane stability (CMS). Inoculation with biofertilizer and S fertilization resulted in higher RWC and CMS in rapeseed plants. The chlorophyll content showed its maximum values in the highest level of N fertilization, biofertilizer inoculation and S application. The usage of 200 kg N ha−1 significantly decreased the oil content of rapeseed grains, but the highest grain oil content was obtained from the application of 150 kg N ha−1, Azotobacter sp. and Azospirillum sp. inoculation and S fertilization. It seems that moderate N rate (about 150 kg N ha−1) and S application (about 50 kg S ha−1) can prove to be beneficial in improving growth, development and total yield of inoculated rapeseed plants.
Determining the geographic origin of the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens, using trace element content

Abstract A chemometric study using pattern recognition technology was carried out to characterize the geographic origins of the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens. The concentrations of 23 trace elements (Mn, Mo, Cd, Ce, V, Th, Cs, Be, Tl, Fe, Nd, Pr, Se, Tm, Lu, Eu, Ho, Br, Dy, Gd, U, Sm and Er) in 53 samples from seven regions in southern China were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The data obtained were successively evaluated using a multivariate statistical approach, namely, linear discriminant analysis, which allowed classification and discrimination of the N. lugens samples from Fuqing, Shaoguan, Hepu, Yongfu, Hengnan, Wan‐an and Yongkang with high accuracy and a clear separation among the seven regions. The results show that pattern identification on the basis of trace elements in the bodies of N. lugens is feasible for determining the geographic origins of individuals.
The effect of introduced wasp (Vespula vulgaris, Hymenoptera: Vespidae) predation on the dispersive life history stages of beech scale insects (Ultracoelostoma spp., Homoptera: Margarodidae)

Introduced wasps reach huge densities in honeydew beech forests and have been found to substantially reduce the abundance of many species of invertebrates. However, the effects of wasps on the beech scale insect, which has been identified as a key species due to the large amounts of carbohydrate-rich honeydew it produces, have not been investigated. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of direct wasp predation on winged, adult male scale insects, whose flight period coincides with the peak wasp season. We found that wasps have no discernible effect on the persistence of male scale insects. Samples from malaise flight intercept traps inside and outside a wasp controlled area also showed that high densities of wasps had no effect on the activity-density of male scale insects or first instar crawlers. The peak in the male scale insect flight period was in mid February, two months later than the peak observed in a previous study of male beech scale insects, although the biotic or abiotic factors driving this variation are still unknown. The significance of these results is hard to quantify without some knowledge of the role that male scale insects play in the population dynamics of the beech scale insect, but it appears that introduced wasps do not significantly affect the life history or population density of beech scale insects.
Mortality, foliage loss, and possum browsing in southern rata (Metrosideros umbellata) in Westland, New Zealand

Abstract Foliage loss and possum browsing were scored separately on 1475 southern rata trees and seedlings in three neighbouring study areas in central Westland which had different histories of possum occupation. As the time of possum occupation increased, foliage loss from individual trees and the numbers of trees showing such losses increased sharply in most stands. Dead and dying trees (>75% foliage loss) were scattered in a salt-and-pepper pattern among healthier trees. Basal area of dead and dying trees constituted from 1.5% (5 years' possum colonisation) to 32% (20 years' possum occupation) of the total. Foliage loss occurred over all altitudes and sites sampled, but in one area foliage loss on sites with exposed physiography or with seral vegetation was significantly greater than on other sites. In all areas foliage loss increased with increasing tree diameter and was least from small rata trees in even-sized stands. Foliage loss was also greater in the canopy than in the sub-canopy. Possum browsin.
Hypoxie intermittente et homéostasie glucidique : Etude des mécanismes d'action cellulaire

L'hypoxie intermittente (HI), induite par les apnees du sommeil, conduit a des alterations de la sensibilite a l'insuline et de l'homeostasie glucidique mais les mecanismes impliques restent mal connus. L'objectif de ce travail etait d'etudier les effets et les mecanismes sous jacents d'une exposition chronique a l'HI sur l'homeostasie glucidique. L'HI induit une resistance a l'insuline a la fois systemique et tissulaire, ainsi qu'une amelioration de la tolerance au glucose associee a une activation de l'AMPK musculaire. L'HI cause egalement des alterations du foie et du tissu adipeux associees a un changement du pattern d'expression des genes dans ces tissus et a un risque accru de developpement de pathologies vasculaires comme l'atherosclerose. Enfin, la deletion de PHD1, une des proteines regulatrices de HIF-1, entraine une resistance a l'insuline associee une steatose hepatique, faisant de HIF-1 une cible potentielle impliquee dans les alterations metaboliques induites par l'HI.
Yields of alfalfa varieties with different fall-dormancy levels in a temperate environment.

Fall dormancy (FD) is an important indicator of winter hardiness in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), but the relationship between FD and the yield potential of alfalfa varieties with contrasting FD classes has not been determined in the temperate regions with mild winters. This study was conducted with 42 varieties of eight FD classes (2-9) over four consecutive years to determine the relationship of seasonal and annual total dry matter (DM) yields with FD classes. The results showed that all the eight FD varieties survived over the winter without any persistency problems during the four production years. The greatest average DM yield of 24.4 Mg ha -1 yr -1 was achieved with 'Runner' (FD2), while the smallest yields were found in 'Defi' (FD5). There were no differences in annual DM yields of varieties among FD classes 3 and 5 to 9. Time of cuts affected DM yields (P < 0.01) with the first three cuts accounted for 80% of the total yields. Dry matter yields for some of the dormant, semidormant and nondormant varieties were also the greatest and notable yield differences (P < 0.05) were found among the same FD varieties, whereas overall annual total DM yields were not correlated with FD classes. Our data suggest that FD class should not be used as the main criteria for alfalfa variety improvement and/or introduction of new varieties into temperate regions, and also highlight the importance of early season management to achieve great annual total herbage yields in the temperate regions, such as North Central China.
Performance Evaluation of Naturally Mated and Instrumentally Inseminated Honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) Queens in Field Colonies

Apis mellifera queens were reared to evaluate the performance of Naturally Mated (NM) and instrumentally inseminated (II) queens, using Doolittle grafting method. A group of twelve queen cells was introduced to five frames nucleus colonies and virgins allowed to mate naturally. A second group of 14 queen cells was confined to cages and instrumentally inseminated once with 8 μl of semen and placed back to their assigned nucleus colonies. At oviposition, nucleus colonies for both groups were transferred into a standard Langstroth hive filled with empty combs, and all colonies were allowed to build up naturally into full-size colonies. A perusal of the data presented a slightly higher survival rate in NM queens but binary logistic regression test revealed no significant differences between the survival rates of both NM and II queens that ended up with 5 NM (41%) and 3 II (21.4%) queens after 23-months. A detail probe of ANOVA also indicated no significant difference in brood production which were recorded 1274.4 and 1304.3cm 2-months after colony establishment, 1585.2 and 1534.6 cm during April 1997, and 1674.9 and 1541.5cm during spring 1998 for NM and II queens respectively. Likewise, honey production for NM remained statistically at par with that of II queens and was recorded 251.7 and 241.1 lbs. during fall season 1996 and 314.2 and 297.5 lbs. during fall 1997 for NM and II queens respectively.
Interspecific Competition and Niche Changes in Tits (Parus spp.): Evaluation of Nonexperimental Data

The role of nonexperimental observations for testing causal processes, such as interspecific competition, has been questioned during the present "competition controversy. " Initially, niche changes between areas of allopatry and sympatry were considered to be strong evidence for interspecific competition. However, any single change may be due to alternative causes, in particular, to differences in the environment irrespective of the presence or absence of the putative competitor. We evaluated niche changes in European tits (Parus spp.). In all seven cases studied, one or two species showed a clear, divergent ecological shift in the area of sympatry. Likewise, Alatalo (1981) found a general pattern of divergence in foraging sites in mixed-species tit flocks compared with monospecific flocks. These significant tendencies toward divergent rather than convergent shifts in the presence of putative competitors cannot be explained by differences in the environment alone. The strongest evidence that interspecific competition causes niche changes comes from the observation that, within the guild, changes were found only in the species that morphologically most closely resembled the species that were absent in allopatry (weight ratio ≤ 1.2). In general, we believe that well-done experiments, if feasible, are the best way to evaluate alternative hypotheses. However, it is also possible to make inferences about causal processes without experiments if alternative explanations of the observed patterns can be refuted. The nonexperimental approach is tedious and requires good knowledge of the animals and the question under consideration. Inclusion of several independent comparisons allowing general tests is of great value.
BIOACTIVITY OF ESSENTIAL OILS OF BASIL, FENNEL, AND GERANIUM AGAINST SITOPHILUS ORYZAE AND CALLOSOBRUCHUS MACULATUS: EVALUATION OF REPELLENCY, PROGENY PRODUCTION AND RESIDUAL ACTIVITY -

Patients with acute leukaemia are predisposed to opportunistic infections. Microbiological and immunological investigations were done on patients with acute leukaemia and healthy control. Antimicrobial of cinnamon, clove, garlic and black seed oils were evaluated in vitro by an agar well diffusion assay. The most commonly isolated microorganisms were Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhimurium, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Candida albicans. Among infections, urinary tract infections represent 70%, septicaemia represent 20%, and gastrointestinal tract infections represent 10%. It could be concluded that gram negative bacilli were the most common infections in children with leukaemia. Also there were significant decrease in serum immunoglobulin A and complement component 3 for children with leukaemia who infected with microorganisms compared to leukaemia children who didn’t infect with microorganisms. Cinnamon oil was the best antimicrobial oil from the other used oils (garlic oil, clove oil and black seed oil) against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. The present study proved that children with acute leukaemia suffered from immunodeficiency especially during chemotherapy that made them susceptible to infections. Also cinnamon oil was more effective in inhibiting growth of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. Cinnamon oil could be used as alternative drug to control the microbial infections rather than antibiotics to avoid their side effects.
Proposed Biological Management of Mysis relicta in Colorado Lakes and Reservoirs

Abstract The opossum shrimp Mysis relicta has been introduced into many lakes and reservoirs outside its native range to supplement the prey bases for fish. Colorado has received more introductions of the mysid than any other state or province in western North America, but not all of these introductions have been beneficial or innocuous. Mysid predation on zooplankton, particularly cladocerans, has resulted in diminished food for some fishes, especially for planktivores such as the kokanee Oncorhynchus nerka and small trout Oncorhynchus spp. Few fishes forage on the often abundant populations of introduced mysids. Management options are limited in lakes where M. relicta competes for, or has eliminated, the large zooplankters eaten by fish. Furthermore, the mysid has shown enough vagility to expand its nonnative range and may harm fisheries in waters that it enters. Because its eradication is not now feasible, the development of strategies to control or benefit from established mysid populations is warrant.
Regeneration of Araucaria angustifolia in three physiognomies of a Mixed Ombrophilous Forest fragment

It is presented the results of a sudy that evaluated the population structure, dynamics of regeneration, and the infl uence of biotic and abiotic factors over mortality, recruiting and growth of Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze. The study was conducted in three phytophysiognomies of Mixed Ombrophilous Forest (Mun. Sao Joao do Triunfo-PR; 25° 34’ S; 50° 05’ W); representative of distinct successional stages classifi ed according to the intensity of canopy covered by Araucarias. Initially a stable structure (inverted-J) was detected in all three samples surveyed, with high potentials and rates of regeneration. The subsequent monitoring confi rmed this pattern, with high seedling survival and ingress rates being evidenced. A positive relation between the distinct canopy coverings and the natural regeneration rates registered was not detected. However, the populations presented themselves differently when referring to density, mortality and survival, being those determined by a complex web of interactions with the fauna within this ecosystem. Different from older studies, this work emphasizes the existence of a great potential of regeneration for Araucarias inside forests, once the limits of seed harvesting are respected, a non-wood forest product which is widely commercialized in the state of Parana.