Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Snail sperm production characteristics vary with sperm competition risk

Sperm competition is widespread and influences both male investment in spermatogenic tissue and ejaculate characteristics. Sperm competition models assume trade–offs between sperm size and number, although such trade–offs may be difficult to detect. This study examines the effects of sperm competition risk on the sperm production characteristics of the freshwater snail Viviparus ater. In this prosobranch, females mate frequently and store sperm, generating sperm competition. Males produce two sperm morphs, fertile eupyrene sperm and non–fertilizing oligopyrene sperm. Non–fertilizing sperm may play a role in sperm competition and therefore, like fertilizing sperm, the number produced could vary relative to sperm competition risk. In addition, trade–offs between sperm number and sperm size may be expected. We manipulated the sex ratio of sexually mature snails and found the presence of rivals affected the ratio of oligopyrene/eupyrene sperm males produced. In experimental and natural populations, the number of oligopyrene sperm produced, but not the number of eupyrene sperm, was significantly higher when the sex ratio was male biased. Testis mass did not vary between experimental treatments. We also found a negative relationship between the number and size of oligopyrene sperm produced, which is consistent with evolutionary models of sperm competition, and is, to our knowledge, the first intraspecific demonstration of a trade–off between these traits.
Disturbed ion balance in alevins of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar chronically exposed to sublethal concentrations of cadmium

Embryos and alevins of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar were exposed to cadmium concentrations ranging from 0.47 to 300 μg Cd/L from shortly after fertilization to near complete yolk absorption (92 days). Tissue sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and water contents of embryos and alevins were determined at 9-day intervals during this period. Cadmium had no significant effect on the tissue cation or water contents of embryos. Net water uptake by alevins was significantly inhibited at cadmium concentrations ≥0.78 μg Cd/L. Net sodium uptake was significantly inhibited at all concentrations except 79 and 300 μg Cd/L, but because of the concomitant decrease in water uptake there were no significant changes in sodium to water ratios. Net potassium uptake was significantly inhibited at concentrations ≥ 8.2 μg Cd/L and net calcium uptake was significantly inhibited at concentrations ≥ 0.78 μg Cd/L. Tissue magnesium was not affected. Calcification of skeletal elements was inhibited progressively at concentrations ≥.
Distribution and biology of mayflies (Ephemeroptera) of the Czech Republic: present status and perspectives

The checklist of mayflies of the Czech Republic now comprises 107 species (30 genera, 16 families), 87 spp. found until 1970 (first research period) and 99 after 1970 (second research period). The distribution of these species in principal river basins (Elbe: 95 spp., Danube: 79 spp. and Oder: 55 spp.), their frequency, abundance and spatial distribution (highest richness in the colline zone: 93 spp.) are summarised. Main species traits (current preference, feeding and locomotion types and life cycle) are presented in tables. Saprobiological characteristics, substantially modified or newly suggested in at least 36 spp. , are defined according to the Czech Standard. Four species are classified extinct, 7 critically endangered, 7 endangered, 16 vulnerable and 14 near threatened. Long-term changes caused mainly by morphological degradation of potamal watercourses (extinction and area diminishing, re-occurrence at some sites after decades of very scarce frequency or quantitative changes) are discussed.
Desafios enfrentados por agricultores familiares na produção de morango no Distrito Federal

Neste artigo sao relatados, a partir de um levantamento realizado em 2009, as dificuldades e os desafios enfrentados por agricultores familiares na producao de morango no Distrito Federal (DF), assim como sao discutidas algumas alternativas para mitigar os problemas. As principais dificuldades relatadas pelos produtores foram, por ordem de importância: (1) incidencia de pragas e doencas; (2) aquisicao de mudas; (3) custo de embalagens; (4) necessidade de mao-de-obra; e (5) custos de producao elevados. Considerando-se estes resultados, algumas possiveis alternativas para aprimorar a producao de morango do DF sao: (a) producao local de mudas com qualidade sanitaria e custo adequado, para minimizar a dependencia de material propagativo de outros estados; (b) melhor uso da concentracao de instituicoes publicas e privadas de ensino superior, pesquisa e desenvolvimento e extensao rural presentes na regiao para buscar informacoes tecnicas e apoio para o sistema de producao; (c) buscar uma forma de associativismo para ganhar escala de producao, ter acesso a mercados diferenciados e aumentar o peso politico das demandas do setor; (d) aprimorar o manuseio pos-colheita do morango, adotando embalagens mais adequadas e refrigeracao; (e) implementar ferramentas modernas de rastreabilidade do morango, para aumentar o valor agregado do produto e ter acesso a mercados mais exigentes; (f) adotar as praticas da "Producao Integrada do Morango (PIMo)", lancadas pelo MAPA em 2006, e ingressar oficialmente no programa para obter um produto certificado, com alto padrao de qualidade; (g) realizar um estudo de mercado sobre o consumo de morango no DF e suas tendencias para atender melhor os distintos segmentos de consumo e tracar estrategias de marketing para o morango candango. A pressao cada vez maior dos consumidores por produtos de qualidade, isentos de agrotoxicos e com certificacao, seguramente tornara o sistema produtivo de morango do DF mais eficiente e seletivo.
The Kinetochore Moves Ahead: Contributions of Molecular and Genetic Techniques to Our Understanding of Mitosis

Cell division is necessary to the building of a soma from the single-celled zygote during development, as well as the sine qua non, in the form of meiosis, for the evolutionary success of species. Here we review recent progress in our understanding of a key player, the kinetochore, in these processes. The kinetochore is both the anchor to the mitotic spindle for chromosomes at division and the motor for distribution of chromosomal units to daughter cells. In addition, the kinetochore plays a key role in the molecular checkpoints of cell-cycle progression. Although the nucleation of the kinetochore at a chromosomal site is under epigenetic control, the underlying base sequence of the DNA at the centromere is not critical: The assembly of the kinetochore occurs at exactly the same place on the same chromosomes at every division cycle. We discuss recent advances in our understanding of how the kinetochore is organized and assembled, as well as how it contributes to critical cell-cycle checkpoints and to chromosome movement.
Cyanobacteria isolated from the high-intertidal zone: a model for studying the physiological prerequisites for survival in low Earth orbit

Abstract Cyanobacteria are capable of surviving the adverse conditions of low Earth orbit (LEO). We have previously demonstrated that Gloeocapsa strain OU_20, Chroococcidiopsis and akinetes of Anabaena cylindrica were able to survive 548 days of exposure to LEO. Motivated by an interest to understand how cyanobacteria can survive in LEO, we studied the strategies that Gloeocapsa strain OU_20 employs to survive in its natural environment, the upper region of the intertidal zone. Here, cyanobacteria are exposed to fluctuations in temperature, UV radiation, desiccation and salinity. We demonstrated that an increase in salinity from 6.5‰ (BG-11 medium) to 35.7‰ (similar to that of seawater), resulted in increased resistance to UV radiation (254 nm), vacuum (0.7×10−3±0.01 kPa) and cold temperatures (–20 °C). Concomitantly, biochemical analyses demonstrated that the amount of fatty acids and mycosporine-like amino acids (a UV absorbing pigment) were higher in the stressed cells. Morphological analysis demonstrated that the electron density and thickness of the mucilaginous sheath were also greater than in the control cells. Yet, the control and stressed cells both formed aggregates. As a result of studying the physiological adaptation of Gloeocapsa strain OU_20 in response to salinity, we postulate that survival in the high-intertidal zone and LEO involves a dense extracellular mucilaginous sheath and the formation of aggregates. We conclude that studying the physiological adaptation of cyanobacteria in the intertidal zone provides insight into understanding survival in LEO.
Phylogenetic relationships in the tribe Alysseae (Brassicaceae) based on nuclear ribosomal ITS DNA sequences

Sequence data from the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of 85 species (131 accessions) were used to determine the tribal limits, monophyly status, and phylogenetic intra-tribal relationships of genera within the tribe Alysseae (Brassicaceae). Both maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood analyses support the recognition of the tribe Alysseae s. str. (12 genera: Alyssoides, Alyssum, Aurinia, Berteroa, Bornmuellera, Clastopus, Clypeola, Degenia, Fibigia, Galitzkya, Hormathophylla, and Physoptychis). Six well-supported clades were recognized within the Alysseae clade, including two Alyssum clades (one of which includes Clypeola), an Alyssoides and allies clade (includes Alyssoides, Bornmuellera, Clastopus, Degenia, Fibigia, Hormathophylla, and Physoptychis), a Berteroa and allies clade (includes Aurinia, Berteroa, and Galitzkya), a Bornmuellera clade, and a Hormathophylla clade. Morphological and cytological support for these clades is reviewed. The ITS data support the exclusion of.
Spatial patterns and spread of exotic earthworms at local scales.

Given the substantial impacts of non-native species on invaded systems, an understanding of the rates and spatial patterns of invasive spread is critical. Spread may vary across spatial scales, with dispersal of invasive species occurring both via diffusive spread at local sites and long-distance jump dispersal at larger scales. Research on earthworm invasions in North American forests has focused on patterns of spread across landscapes, with less examination of spread at local sites. We sampled the exotic earthworm Dendrobaena octaedra (Savigny, 1826) on 500 m × 500 m grids at three sites in the boreal forest of northeastern Alberta in 2006 and again in 2012–2013 to examine distributional changes over time. Earthworms spread farther from roads (the presumed site of initial introduction) over time, and spatial patterns at our sites suggest transport by vehicles and waterways are key vectors of dispersal at the local level. Spread was estimated to be occurring at a rate of at least 17.9 m/year. Our study i.
β-Arrestin-Dependent Spontaneous α1a-Adrenoceptor Endocytosis Causes Intracellular Transportation of α-Blockers via Recycling Compartments

The antagonist ligand BODIPY-FL-prazosin (QAPB) fluoresces when bound to bovine α1a-adrenoceptors (ARs). Data indicate that the receptor-ligand complex is spontaneously internalized by β-arrestin-dependent endocytosis. Internalization of the ligand did not occur in β-arrestin-deficient cells; was blocked or reversed by another α1 ligand, phentolamine, indicating it to reflect binding to the orthosteric recognition site; and was prevented by blocking clathrin-mediated endocytosis. The ligand showed rapid, diffuse, low-intensity, surface binding, superseded by punctate intracellular binding that developed to equilibrium in 50 to 60 min and was reversible on ligand removal, indicating a dynamic equilibrium. In cells expressing a human α1a-AR-enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) 2 fusion protein, BODIPY-R-558/568-prazosin (RQAPB) colocalized with the fusion, indicating that the ligand gained access to all compartments containing the receptor, and, conversely, that the receptor has affinity for the ligand at all of these sites. The distribution of QAPB binding sites was similar for receptors with or without EGFP2, validating the fusion protein as an indicator of receptor location. The ligand partially colocalized with β-arrestin in recycling and late endosomes, indicating receptor transit without destruction. Organelles containing receptors showed considerable movement consistent with a transportation function. This was absent in β-arrestin-deficient cells, indicating that both constitutive receptor internalization and subsequent intracellular transportation are β-arrestin-dependent. Calculations of relative receptor number indicate that at steady state, less than 30% of receptors reside on the cell surface and that recycling is rapid. We conclude that α1a-ARs recycle rapidly by an agonist-independent, constitutive, β-arrestin-dependent process and that this can transport “α-blockers” into cells carrying these receptors.
Asymptomatic bacteriuria in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus

This study was to investigate the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) in patients clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus and to determine the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of bacterial isolates. One hundred and thirty type 2 diabetics comprising 56 males and 74 females (aged between 30 - 59 years) attending the Central Hospital, Benin- City, Nigeria were studied. Mid-stream urines were collected from patients who gave informed consent aseptically into sterile McCartney bottles and examined microscopically, culturally using standard techniques and tested for glucose, post-prandial glucose, protein and ketone using a dipstick. Samples were cultured on blood agar, McConkey agar and cysteine lactose electrolyte deficient (CLED) media and incubated at 37°C aerobically for 24 h. Isolates were tested against antibiotics which included tetracycline, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin and cotrimoxazole by the disc diffusion method. White blood cells (WBC) and red blood cells (RBC) were detected in 87 and 6% of samples while ketones and proteins were 6% and 96% respectively present in the samples. Significant bacteriuria (≥105 cfu /ml) was observed in some samples. Bacteria isolated included Escherichia coli with a prevalence of 56.9%, followed byKlebsiella pneumoniae (12.7%), Staphylococcus aureus (8.5%) and Proteus sp. (6.3%). E. coli, K. pneumoniae, S. aureus and Proteus sp. were most sensitive to cotrimazaxole, amoxicillin, nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin but a large number of bacteria were resistant to tetracycline, chloramphenicol and ampicillin. The misuse of some antibiotics is a major factor responsible for bacterial resistance. Therefore, treatment of ASB in diabetics must be by drugs prescribed by physicians after proper laboratory analysis. Key words: Bacteriuria, type 2 diabetes mellitus, antibiotics, Nigeria, white blood cell, red blood cell.
Chemical components of Aspergillus‐type Douchi, a Chinese traditional fermented soybean product, change during the fermentation process

Summary Douchi, a traditional fermented soybean product that originated in China, has been consumed since ancient times as a food seasoning. The influence of fermentation on the chemical components of naturally fermented douchi and Aspergillus egypticus pure-cultured douchi was investigated. Changes in per cent and/or concentration of amino-type nitrogen, total acid, reducing sugar, organic acid, amino acids (AA) and isoflavone, along with the neutral protease and β-glucosidase activities during the fermentation, were analysed. The results indicated that fermentation had a significant effect on the concentration of chemical components. The concentration of all free amino acids (FAA) increased gradually during fermentation, to a maximum of 109.54 mg g−1 in 15-day fermented products. The main organic acids in douchi are 7.788 and 17.778 mg g−1, respectively. During fermentation, the contents of daidzin and genistin decreased from 160.7 and 207.9 to 7.54 and 24.12 μg g−1 respectively. Daidzein and genistein increased from 18.2 and 16.9 to 63.4 and 84.6 μg g−1, respectively.
Microarray Analysis Identifies Pathways In Progression of Early Stage Lung Adenocarcinoma: The Importance of Focal Adhesion and ECM-Receptor Interactions

Recurrence after lung cancer surgery is high, even among Non-Small Cell Lung Can- cer (NSCLC) adenocarcinoma patients diagnosed early as Stage I, where there has been no spread to lymph nodes. Understanding the biological underpinnings of aggressivity and recur- rence in this subset of tumours may enable the identification of patients who would benefit from adjuvant therapy. The purpose of this study was to identify differentially expressed molecular biomarkers that might underlie recurrence of Stage I tumours by comparing gene expression in later-stage tumours with those expressed in early-stage tumours. Gene expression in tissue biopsy samples from five Stage I and five Stage II/III NSCLC adenocarcinoma patients was analysed using an oligonucleotide microarray containing 17,000 probes printed in duplicate. Analyses were performed on total RNA isolated from tumour tissue of each patient using uni- versal human RNA as a reference. Compared to normal tissues, the transcriptome of Stage I NSCLC adenocarcinomas showed enrichment in general pathways in cancer, whereas in Stage II/III more specific cancer pathways such as focal adhesion and ECM-receptor interaction path - ways were enriched and components of the PPAR signalling pathway were depleted. Relative to early-stage NSCLC, Stage II/III adenocarcinomas showed up-regulation of genes of the ba- sic transcriptional and translational machinery, particularly the "cancer testis antigen" PASD1 transcription factor. The actin cytoskeleton re-organisation and interleukin-6 pathways were also up-regulated whereas there was a generalized down-regulation of immune effectors and genes involved in immune system development. This small-scale transcriptome study provides important information about the pathways and molecules likely to be involved in the more metastatic propensity of those Stage I NSCLC adenocarcinomas that recur.
Evolutionary relationships among the Pulmonate land snails and slugs (Pulmonata, Stylommatophora)

We have incorporated an additional 56 species of land snails and slugs in our ribosomal (r) RNA molecular phylogeny. The new taxa include representatives of several important groups. The molecular tree now includes 160 species of stylommatophoran land snails and slugs in 144 genera in 61 families. In the rDNA tree, the Stylommatophora are principally divided into an ‘achatinoid’ and a ‘non-achatinoid’ clade. Within these clades, several major land snail groups, including the Orthurethra, Elasmognatha, Limacoidea, and Helicoidea, are supported. Overall, the rDNA molecular phylogeny has remained stable following the incorporation of the additional taxa, with these additions having little impact on the major evolutionary patterns in the tree. Taxonomic coverage of the Orthurethra, Orthalicidae, Camaenidae, and Bradybaenidae is increased significantly. The camaenids and bradybaenids form a complex, and both appear to be paraphyletic. Several families of uncertain affinity, such as the Sagdidae and Thyrophorellidae, are included for the first time. The Sagdidae are shown to belong to the Helicoidea, and the Thyrophorellidae to the Achatinoidea. © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2006, 87, 593–610.
Identification and characterization of ispA, a Shigella flexneri chromosomal gene essential for normal in vivo cell division and intercellular spreading

The virulent phenotype of Shigella requires loci on the chromosome as well as on the large virulence plasmid, and is regulated via a complex web of interactions amongst various chromosomal and large plasmid genes. To further investigate the role of chromosomal loci in virulence, we performed random Tn10 mutagenesis in Shigella flexneri YSH6000T, and isolated an avirulent mutant (V3404) incapable of spreading throughout an epithelial cell monolayer. Although V3404 initially spread intercellularly at the same rate as the wild‐type, it gradually slowed down and ceased spreading as a result of increasing defects in cell division, leading to the formation of long filamentous bacteria lacking septa, trapped within cells. In addition, the mutation affected the ability of V3404 to polymerize actin, a prerequisite for intra‐ and inter‐cellular spreading ability. Sequencing of Tn10‐flanking DNA revealed that the mutated gene, designated ispA (intracellular septation), was equivalent to a previously sequenced but uncharacterised gene of Escherichia coli located between trp and tonB. Using E. coli sequence data, we cloned the ispA gene from the YSH6000T chromosome and found that it complemented the V3404 mutation. Nucleotide sequencing and in vitro expression experiments revealed that ispA coded for a small (21 kDa), very hydrophobic protein. These results thus show that ispA is an essential virulence gene affecting several functions of the virulence process.
Virus‐like particle distribution and abundance in sediments and overlying waters along eutrophication gradients in two subtropical estuaries

Viruses are recognized as ubiquitous components of marine ecosystems; however, there has been limited study of viral abundance and its ecological role in sediments. Viral abundance was determined in both the water column and sediments of a eutrophic (Brisbane River/Moreton Bay; 27°25′S, 153°5′E) and oligotrophic (Noosa River; 26°15′S, 153°0′E) estuary in subtropical Queensland, Australia. Viruses, bacteria, and microalgae from both water column and extracted sediment samples were enumerated using SYBR Green I staining and epifluorescence microscopy. Sediment viral abundance ranged from 107 to 109 particles cm−3 of sediment, bacterial abundance ranged from 107 to 108 cells cm−3 of sediment, and microalgal abundance ranged from 104 to 105 cells cm−3 sediment. Pelagic abundances for all microorganisms were 10–1,000‐fold lower than sediment abundances. Correlations between viral abundances and suspended solids suggest that viruses sorbed to suspended material in the water column may settle out and contribute to the benthic viral population. Virus production was measured by a time course increase of viral abundance in seawater using a dilution technique. Virus production was highest in eutrophic waters of the Brisbane River, and addition of inorganic nutrients (NO3− + NH4+ + PO43− + SiO3) stimulated viral production rates at all stations by 14–52% above ambient, suggesting that inorganic nutrient availability may play a key role in aquatic viral abundance.
Decomposition of Nothofagus wood in vitro and nutrient mobilization by fungi

The role of fungi in determining rates of wood decomposition and nutrient release in forest ecosystems is poorly understood. The decomposition of wood from three species of Nothofagus by 12 species of widely occurring New Zealand wood-decay fungi was investigated in vitro under standardized conditions. Wood mass loss varied strongly among fungal species and to a lesser extent with the species of wood. The species of fungi in this study were divided into three groups based on the extent of mass loss after 15 weeks: (1) rapid (>65% reduction in mass, Fomes hemitephrus, Pleurotus purpureoolivaceus, Trametes versicolor, and Ganoderma cf. applanatum), (2) intermediate (15%–30%, Phellinus sp., Schizopora radula, Phellinus nothofagi, and Skeletocutis stramenticus), and (3) slow (<10%, Armillaria novaezelandiae, Postia pelliculosa, Australoporus tasmanicus, and Laetiporus portentosus). For several fungal species, the final contents of nitrogen, phosphorus, and calcium in the remaining wood exceeded the initial nu.