Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Leaf Beetles (Insecta: Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Suffer From Feeding on Fern Leaves 1

Two age groups of larvae of Agelastica alni (Linnaeus, 1758) and Phratora vitellinae (Linnaeus, 1758) were provided with treated or untreated leaves of their actual host plant (Alnus glutinosa or Salix spp., respectively) or of the ferns Athyrium filix-femina, Dryopteris austriaca and D. filix-mas. "Treated" leaves were covered with an aqueous ex- tract of host plant or fern leaves. Mortality of young larvae (one-day old) of A. alni was significantly higher when pro- vided with treated or untreated fern leaves and treated food plant leaves compared to untreated food plant leaves. Mor- tality of older larvae (six-day old) was significantly lower than that of young larvae. Young larvae did not feed on fern leaves at all, while older larvae ingested material from treated fern leaves, however at low rates. Phratora vitellinae in- dividuals showed abnormal elytra and irregular melanisation patterns when they had taken up fern substances. In both species, the larvae produced less defensive secretion if they had ingested an extract of Athyrium filix-femina.
Evaluation of the Antioxidant Potential of Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L.) and Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) Extracts in Cooked Pork Meat

ABSTRACT: The objective of this work was to study the ability of rosemary and hyssop extracts to inhibit lipid oxidation and metmyoglobin formation in pork meat, thereby stabilizing meat color. We also evaluated their effects on iron release from the heme moiety of pork meat. Meat samples were blended with hyssop and rosemary extracts and cooked. The cooked meat was chopped into pieces and stored for 8 d at 4 °C. Heme iron, TBA values, metmyoglobin percentage, and meat color were calculated. Hyssop and rosemary were seen to inhibit lipid oxidation and degradation of heme pigments caused by cooking and storage. Both spices delayed metmyoglobin formation and stabilized the red meat color during storage of the cooked meat.
Bioefficacy of New Isolates of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner Against Lepidopteran Pests of Economic Importance

Two new Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner isolates viz. 01-TAD-01 belonging to B. thuringiensis var sotto and 01-CHI-01 of B. thuringiensis var kurstaki were isolated from cadavers of silkworm, Bombyx mori L. Cross infectivity studies conducted against insect pests of mulberry revealed that both the strains were pathogenic to mulberry leaf webber, Diaphania pulverulentalis (Hampson) causing a mortality of 95.0 and 78.8 per cent, respectively. The isolate, 01-CHI-01 caused 71.3 per cent mortality of Spodoptera litura (Fab.). The isolates, 01-CHI-01 and 01-TAD-01 caused a mortality of 99.0 and 61.0 per cent, respectively for Crocidolomia binotalis (Zeli), 91.0 and 48.0 per cent aginst Plutella xylostella (L.) and 64.0 per cent each against Adisura atkinsonii (M.). The isolate, 01-CHI-01 caused 85 per cent mortality of Helicoverpa armigera (Hub.). These isolates may have wider use for management in agricultural and horticultural ecosystems wherin the pests have developed resistance to certain strains of B. thuringiensis.
Nodulation dynamics and nodule activity in leguminous tree species of a Mexican tropical dry forest

Biological N fixation by symbiotic micro-organisms plays a key role in making atmospheric N largely available to other organisms and nodule formation by rhizobia in roots of many legume species represents a very important pathway (Postgate 1998). Estimates of the contribution of symbiotic fixation to total N content in soils range from 44 to 200 Tg y−1 (Bøckman 1997).
NORMAS DRIS PARA A CULTURA DO COQUEIRO HÍBRIDO NO ESTADO DO PARÁ

O Sistema Integrado de Diagnose e Recomendacao (DRIS) e baseado no calculo de um indice para cada nutriente. Para o calculo das normas DRIS ha a necessidade de um banco de dados contendo resultados de analise foliar e produtividade. No Estado do Para nao existem normas DRIS desenvolvidas para a cultura do coqueiro hibrido. O objetivo do trabalho foi desenvolver essas normas para a cultura do coqueiro hibrido. O trabalho foi realizado em area comercial de coqueiro no municipio de Moju (PA). O banco de dados foi formado por 134 amostras no periodo de 2001 a 2011. Foram obtidas a media, o desvio padrao, o coeficiente de variacao e a variância das relacoes das concentracoes dos nutrientes, alem dos coeficientes de correlacao entre a relacao de cada par de nutrientes e a produtividade de frutos. As normas foram estabelecidas com base na populacao de alta produtividade. Das 110 relacoes 55 foram selecionadas para compor as referidas normas, utilizando dois criterios de selecao das relacoes entre os nutrientes. Os maiores valores de desvio padrao, variância e coeficiente de variacao foram apresentados para os teores foliares dos micronutrientes, quais sejam: ferro, manganes e boro. Os nutrientes que apresentaram maiores percentagens de amostras com teores abaixo dos niveis adequados adotados foram o Mg e Ca, enquanto que as amostras com teores foliares acima ou iguais aos niveis adequados foram o Fe, Mn e Ca.
Reconsidering the rhizotoxicity of hydroxyl, sulphate, and fluoride complexes of aluminium

Recent years have witnessed some convergence of opinion regarding the identity of the rhizotoxic species of aluminium. AI04AI12(0H)24(H20)? 2+ (AI13) and Al 3+ are almost certainly toxic, but no rhizotoxicity has been detected for AI-S04 (AISO4+ and AlfSOJj") or Al-F (e.g. AIF2+ and AIF2+). The status of AI-OH (e.g. AIOH2+ and AI(OH)2+) is uncertain because experimental results often appear to indicate AI-OH toxicity. In this article it is argued that this appearance of toxicity is the consequence of the relief of Al3 + toxicity by H + (and vice versa). Furthermore, this view provides an explanation for phenomena, such as Al stimulation of growth, unexplained by the hypothesis that AI-OH is toxic. It is concluded, therefore, that AI-OH is not toxic at achievable activities. The previous failure to detect toxicity from AI-S04 and AI-F also may have been a consequence of the low activities used in the experiments. New experiments again failed to reveal a toxicity for AI-SO4, but do indicate that AIF2+ and AIF2+ are toxic. Several alternative hypotheses for the apparent toxicity of Al-F were considered and rejected. Consequently, this report concludes that the following Al species are toxic to wheat roots in the following order: AI 13 >AI 3+ >AIF 2+ > AIF 2 +. The correlation between toxicity and charge is discussed in light of the fact that the binding strength of cations to plasma membrane surfaces generally increases with charge.
Targeted mutation of the SC3 hydrophobin gene of Schizophyllum commune affects formation of aerial hyphae

The SC3 hydrophobin gene of Schizophyllum commune was disrupted by homologous integration of an SC3 genomic fragment interrupted by a phleomycin resistance cassette. The phenotype of the mutant was particularly clear in sealed plates in which formation of aerial hyphae was blocked. In non-sealed plates aerial hyphae did form but these were hydrophilic and not hydrophobic as in wild-type strains. Complementation with a genomic SC3 clone restored formation of hydrophobic aerial hyphae in sealed plates. In a dikaryon homozygous for the SC3 mutation normal sporulating fruiting bodies were produced but aerial hyphae were hydrophilic.
Evaluation of Razorback Sucker and Colorado Squawfish Batch Marking Techniques

Abstract Young razorback sucker Xyrauchen texanus (mean total length [TL] = 127 mm) and Colorado squawfish Ptychocheilus lucius (mean TL = 150 mm) were marked by freeze branding and injection of a fluorescent elastomer. The elastomer injection was made at the base of the anal fin and on the operculum (razorback suckers) or lower jaw (Colorado squawfish) and consisted of one of four colors: green, blue, red, or orange. Freeze branding had 99% retention after 15 months for both species. Elastomer recognition was better for Colorado squawfish (mean 74%) than for razorback suckers (mean 60%) after 15 months, and retention at both locations was similar. Red and orange had the best recognition and blue had the poorest. Red and orange elastomer injected in young Colorado squawfish could be detected (95%) for 5 months. One person implanting elastomer at two locations on each fish and one person anesthetizing and handling fish can mark 130–140 fish/h. Approximately three times that number can be freeze-branded per.
Leaf Fatty-Acid Content in Relation to Hardening and Chilling Injury

At 25 °C the leaves of ehill-resistant plants did not contain more unsaturated fatty acid than chill-sensitive plants. Furthermore when chill-sensitive plants were hardened at 12 °C there was no increase in the amount of unsaturated fatty acid or total weight of fatty acid in the leaf. These results cast further doubt on the importance of the degree of unsaturation of the fatty acids in determining the critical temperature at which the phase change occurs in the lipid portion of the membrane. When chill-sensitive plants are chilled (5 °C) the percentage of linolenic acid and total weight of fatty acid decreases rapidly but remains constant in chill-resistant species. Hardening may reduce the degree of damage to the plant by slowing down detrimental processes such as the decrease in the percentage of linolenic acid which occurs on chilling. ,
Excitation‐ and β2‐agonist‐induced activation of the Na+−K+ pump in rat soleus muscle

In rat skeletal muscle, Na+‐K+ pump activity increases dramatically in response to excitation (up to 20‐fold) or β2‐agonists (2‐fold), leading to a reduction in intracellular Na+. This study examines the time course of these effects and whether they are due to an increased affinity of the Na+‐K+ pump for intracellular Na+. Isolated rat soleus muscles were incubated at 30 oC in Krebs‐Ringer bicarbonate buffer. The effects of direct electrical stimulation on 86Rb+ uptake rate and intracellular Na+ concentration ([Na+]i) were characterized in the subsequent recovery phase. [Na+]i was varied using monensin or buffers with low Na+. In the [Na+]i range 21–69 mm, both the β2‐agonist salbutamol and electrical stimulation produced a left shift of the curves relating 86Rb+ uptake rate to [Na+]i. In the first 10 s after 1 or 10 s pulse trains of 60 Hz, [Na+]i showed no increase, but 86Rb+ uptake rate increased by 22 and 86 %, respectively. Muscles excited in Na+‐free Li+‐substituted buffer and subsequently allowed to rest in standard buffer also showed a significant increase in 86Rb+ uptake rate and decrease in [Na+]i. Na+ loading induced by monensin or electroporation also stimulated 86Rb+ uptake rate but, contrary to excitation, increased [Na+]i. The increase in the rate of 86Rb+ uptake elicited by electrical stimulation was abolished by ouabain, but not by bumetanide. The results indicate that excitation (like salbutamol) induces a rapid increase in the affinity of the Na+‐K+ pump for intracellular Na+. This leads to a Na+‐K+ pump activation that does not require Na+ influx, but possibly the generation of action potentials. This improves restoration of the Na+‐K+ homeostasis during work and optimizes excitability and contractile performance of the working muscle.
Meningoencefalite por Listeria monocytogenes em ovinos

Seven cases of neurological disease in sheep caused by Listeria monocytogenes in Rio Grande do Sul and Parana state, southern Brazil are described. The cases occurred between 2000 and 2007 and 12-24-month-old sheep were affected. Overall morbidity and lethality rates were 3.15% and 100%, respectively. Cases occurred in the summer and early spring. When this information was available, affected sheep had not been fed with silage. In three farms there were close contact among affected sheep and other species. Clinical signs were characterized by recumbency (7/7), head tilt (4/7), incoordination (3/7), depression (3/7), circling (2/7), unilateral blindness, wasting, fever, midriasis, paddling, opisthotonus, hind or hind and fore limb paralysis, drooling, and muscle tremors (1/7 each). Clinical evolution varied from 12 hours to three days. Histological findings consisted of predominantly unilateral, microabscedative encephalitis with variable degrees of gliosis and degenerative lesions characterized by axonal spheroids and infiltration by Gitter cells. These lesions were observed extending from medulla oblongata to mesencephalon. Listeria monocytogenes antigen was showed by imunohistochemistry in routinely processed sections of brainstem from all seven affected sheep. The diagnostic was based on epidemiological, clinical, and pathological findings and confirmed by immunohistochemistry (IHQ) using polyclonal anti-L. monocytogenes antibody.
Annulate Lamellae versus Tubulohelical Membrane Arrays: A Guide for Comparison of Related Cellular Compartments

Recently, we reported on novel membrane specializations, referred as tubulohelical membrane arrays (TUHMAs). Could they possibly have a wider impact on cellular processes? For answering this question the examination of their close ties with annulate lamellae (AL) is crucial. A recherche of previous publications, however, made us aware of difficulties in distinguishing between both nucleoporin-containing cytoplasmic membrane configurations. Overlooking the individual characteristics of TUHMAs seems to have led to their assimilation as AL, in the past. Nowadays, progress in both sample preparation and electron microscopic 3D-visualization has narrowed the latitude for controversial interpretation. In consequence, the incompatibility of TUHMAs with the definition of the AL proper becomes apparent. Here, we provide a guideline how to distinguish between both entities, including cancerous conditions of cells that may lead to aberrations. With respect to TUHMAs, we emphasize those observations, which are not typical for AL, and which would not have met the interest of previous research on this topic. Elucidation of the initial observations related to TUHMAs in a common context with AL, perhaps, could help overcoming the current deadlock in research on AL.
Purification and characterization of an extracellular proteinase from Brevibacterium linens

The alkaline proteinase of Brevibacterium linens was partially purified through ultrafiltration and chromatography on Sephacryl S-200. The molecular weight of this enzyme was determined by gel electrophoresis in polyacrylamide to be 52 000 – 55 000. The proteinase hydrolyses natural polypeptides such as casein, haemoglobin, bovine serum albumin, and ovalbumin. An apparent Km for casein was determined to be 1.3 mg∙mL−1. The optimal pH for caseinolytic activity was between 7.0 and 8.5 at the optimal temperature of 45 °C. The isolated enzyme is thermolabile: incubation at 50 °C destroyed proteolytic activity. Substrate proteins have a stabilizing effect. Our inhibition studies revealed that the B. linens proteinase belongs to the serine proteinase class. Key words: Brevibacterium linens, proteinase, purification.
New chromosome number and unreduced pollen formation in Achillea species (Asteraceae)

Cytological studies were performed in 14 populations of 8 Achillea species growing in Iran. A. eriophora, A. tenuifolia, A. oxyodonta, A. talagonica and A. biebersteinii showed 2n = 2x = 18 chromosome number, A. wilhelmsii and A. vermicularis showed 2n = 4x = 36 and A. millefolium showed 2n = 6x = 54 chromosome number. The chromosome numbers of A. eriophora and A. talagonica are new to science and new polyploidy levels are reported for A. tenuifoli and A. wilhelmsii. Tetraploid and hexaploid species, they formed only bivalents in metaphase of meiosis-I showing diplontic behavior possibly due to allopolyploid nature of the species studied and the presence of control over pairing among homologous chromosomes. Multipolar cells were observed almost in all populations and species studied leading to the formation of abnormal tetrads and pollen grains as well as unreduced (2n) pollen formation.
THE EFFECT OF DIETRY HUMIC ACID SUPPLEMENTATION ON SOME PRODUCTIVE AND PHYSIOLOGICAL TRAITS OF LAYING HENS

This study was designed to investigate the effect of addition humic acid to the developed laying hen diets on egg production, egg quality and some physiological traits. At 20 weeks of age one hundred and twenty hens of Gimmizah strain were divided at random into three equal groups and represented 40 hens for each one. The first group was fed on a basal diet and served as control, the second and third groups were fed on a basal diets supplemented with 100 mg or 200 mg humic acid /Kg diet, respectively for a period of 24 weeks. The results were summarized as follow:  Live body weight and feed consumption were not significantly affected by humic acid supplementation, while live body weight was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased by developing hens age.  Supplementation of humic acid to the laying hen diet caused significant (P ≤ 0.05) increase in egg weight and egg production percentage compared with the control group Also, these traits were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased as the hen age increased. While the age at the first egg was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) decreased in the groups fed humic acid, this reduction is related to the decrease of first egg weight. Therefore, addition of humic acid to laying hen diet could induce precocious sexual puberty.  No significant effect of humic acid supplementation on egg shape index, albumin (%), Haugh unit and egg yolk index. These traits were not significantly affected by hen's age. Whereas, egg shell weight percentage and shell thickness were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased compared with the control group. Moreover, shell thickness significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased at 32, 38 and 44 weeks of age.  Addition of humic acid (especially with high level) to the laying hen diets caused a significant (P ≤ 0.05) increase in RBCs, WBCs, hemoglobin, plasma calcium and total protein compared with other groups. The highest values of WBCs, hemoglobin and plasma total protein were observed at 44
Prevalence of Cryptosporidium Infection in Buffalo Calves with Special Reference to Urea and Creatinine Levels

3 Abstract: The present study was conducted on 571 buffalo calves from different Egyptian governorates (Cairo, Giza, Beni Suef and Qualiobya) around the year. Four age groups were involved; less than one month, from 1-2 months, from 2-6 months and more than 6 months of age. Modified Ziel-Neelsen staining technique (MZN) was used for the detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts in formed and diarrheic fecal samples. Blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis. Prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection among buffalo calves was 52%. The highest rate of infection was in animals aged less than 1 month (62%) The lowest rate of infection was reported in buffalo calves aged more than 6 months (46%). Regarding seasonal prevalence, Cryptosporidium infection was higher in spring (58%) followed by winter (55%) then, autumn (50%) while, the lowest rate was in summer (43%). Dealing with biochemical changes, the infected animals showed significant increase in serum urea and creatinine than healthy ones. In conclusion, Cryptosporidiosis had a relationship with age and seasonal variations. Also, it had an adverse effect on biochemical parameters of infected buffalo-calves.
Breeding biology of Chestnut-capped Blackbirds in rice paddies in southern Brazil

Abstract The Chestnut-capped Blackbird (Agelaius ruficapillus) is widely distributed in South America, where it breeds in a variety of natural and man-made habitats. We studied the nesting of this species during two breeding seasons in rice paddies of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, a region where it is considered a pest on rice crops. Chestnut-capped Blackbirds build nests in rice paddies when the plants start to flower; thus, breeding phenology in this habitat is determined by sowing date. Clutch size averaged 2.5 eggs, and we found that clutch size tends to decrease the farther the nests are from the surface of the water. Incubation lasted 12.9 d on average, and hatching was asynchronous. The duration of the nestling period ranged from 12 to 17 d with an average of 13.9 days. Only 7.1% of nests were preyed upon, and none was parasitized by the Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis). About 90% of nests produced at least one fledgling. These results suggest that the growth of the Chestnut-capped Blackbird population in Rio Grande do Sul may be due not only to the high availability of food during the nonbreeding season but also to the bird's relatives high breeding success in rice paddies.
Construction of full-length cDNA library of white flower Salvia miltiorrhiza bge f.alba root and partial EST sequence analysis

In order to screen and isolate secondary metabolite biosynthesis related gene, we construct a cDNA library of white flower Salvia miltiorrhiza bge. f.alba. High quality of total RNA was successfully isolated from roots of white flower S. miltiorrhiza using modified CTAB method. Double strand cDNA was cloned into pDNR-LIB vector. The number of clones, recombinant rate and length of insert fragments were determined. Results showed that the capacity of the original library was 1.8×107 with a recombinant rate of 91% and the inserted cDNA fragments ranged from 0.5 to 2.0 kb. Partial cDNAs chosen by random were sequenced. After BLAST analysis of some cDNAs, their possible functions were predicted. It is found that most of these cDNAs were similar to homological genes of Arabidopsis thaliana, Oryza sativa, and other plants. Most of the genes were related to cell metabolism, stress resistance, cell growth and development, etc. More importantly, some key enzymes and factors involved in secondary metabolism of S. miltiorrhiza, such as EST fragments of phenylalanine ammonialyase (SmPAL1), chorismate synthase (SmCHS), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase (SmHMGR), 4-Coumaratecoenzyme A ligase (Sm4CL1) and SmMYB90, were found from this library. These results indicated that the library has enough capacity, high recombinant rate and long insert fragment. This study provided a base for further study on the structure and function of these cDNAs.
Occurrence and location of endophytic bacteria in garden and wild strawberry

The occurrence of bacteria in different tissues was studied using fi eld-grown strawberries, in vitro-grown strawberries, wild strawberries, and aseptically germinated strawberry seedlings. Strawberry has a number of endophytic bacteria in its the internal tissue, most of which appear to be nonpathogenic. In the in vitro-grown strawberries, all identifi ed isolates were in the genus Pantoea. In fi eld-grown garden and wild strawberries the most common genera were Pantoea and Pseudomonas. Location of eubacterial inhabitants within strawberry tissue sections was studied by in situ hybridization. Bacteria were detected in fl ower stalks, leaf stalks, leaves, stolons, berries and aseptically germinated seedlings. The existence of bacteria in seeds and seedlings suggests that bacteria are able to move up to the generative tissue and, ultimately, to the next generation, forming a symbiosis-like chain of plant-bacteria coexistence.