Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Variation in individual growth rates and population densities of ephemerellid mayflies

Individual growth and densities of six taxa of ephemerellid mayflies were examined in relation to differences in temperature and food among streams of western North America. For most taxa, growth rate was not a simple function of either temperature or food. Growth periods of taxa differed relative to seasonal changes in temperature. As a result of the interaction between size and temperature, growth rates and shapes of the growth curve varied among taxa. The significance of temperature for life history phenomena therefore cannot be easily generalized to explain phenological patterns among stream insects. Also, little evidence was found that implicated food as the cause for observed differences in growth rates among most sites. Growth rates in streams with high rates of algal production (open sites) were similar to growth rates in streams with low algal production (shaded sites). Only sites with long periods of ice cover, and presumably low availability of food, showed marked reduction in individual growth rates. Densities, however, varied strongly across sites: open streams had higher densities than shaded streams. These results imply that populations in streams may be near carrying capacity and that per capita food availability is similar among streams. The presence of such interactions between individual and population processes may help explain patterns at individual, population, and ecosystem levels of organization.
Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a musculoskeletal disease with a common genetic trait which responds to strength training: a translational intervention study

Background: Clinical evidence suggests that body muscle mass is positively associated with bone mass, of significance for the elderly population at risk of osteoporosis (OP). Furthermore, muscle and bone interact mechanically and functionally, via local interactions as well as remotely via secreted components. Thus, it was of interest to compare muscle transcriptomes in postmenopausal OP and healthy women, and study effects of strength training on the muscle transcriptome, muscle stress proteins and bone mineral density (BMD). Methods: Skeletal muscle histological and genetic properties were compared in postmenopausal healthy (n = 18) and OP (n = 17) women before and after heavy-load strength training for 13–15 weeks. The cohorts were of similar age and body mass index without interfering diseases, medication or difference in lifestyle factors. Muscle biopsies obtained before and after intervention were studied histologically, and stress proteins and transcriptomes analyzed. Results: The OP women showed distinct muscle transcription profiles when compared with healthy women and had higher levels of the stress proteins HSP70 and α-β-crystalline. A set of 12 muscle transcripts, including ACSS3, FZD4, GNAI1 and IGF1, were differentially expressed before and after intervention (false discovery rate ⩽0.10, p ⩽0.001), and their corresponding bone transcripts were associated with BMD. Experimental data underline and describe the functionality of these genes in bone biology. OP women had 8% (p <0.01) higher proportion of type I fibres, but muscle fibre cross-sectional area did not differ. Muscle strength increased in both groups (p <0.01). Conclusions: Postmenopausal healthy and OP women have distinct muscle transcriptomes [messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNAs) and microRNAs] that are modulated by strength training, translating into key protein alterations and muscle fibre changes. The function of common skeletal muscle and bone genes in postmenopausal OP is suggestive of a shared disease trait.
Trehalose and trehalase in root nodules from various legumes

Nitrogen-fixing (effective) nodules from various legume-Rhizobium combinations were analyzed for trehalose and other soluble carbohydrates using gas chromatography and for trehalase activity using biochemical assays. Whereas the bacterial disaccharide trehalose was present only in the minority of the nodules, trehalase activity was found in all of them. Extracts from determinate nodules had a higher trehalase activity than extracts from indeterminate nodules. More detailed studies were done on soybean nodules formed in interactions with two effective and 5 ineffective Bradyrhizobium japonicum strains. Only in effective soybean nodules colonized by the strain 61-A-101 was trehalose a major soluble carbohydrate. Irrespective of the wildtype strains used. effective soybean nodules contained about 10 nkat trehalase g−1 fresh weight, whereas the ineffective nodules colonized by mutant strains derived from these wildtype strains contained 2 to 30 times less trehalase. However, a clear correlation between trehalose content and trehalase activity could not be established.
Recent advances in the understanding and therapy of myasthenia gravis

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a T-cell dependent autoimmune disease mediated by autoantibodies, which mainly target muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChR) and cause loss of functional AChRs in the neuromuscular junction. Both MG and its major autoantigen are studied extensively, yet the etiology of the disease remains unclear, although it is known to be associated with the thymus. A genetic predisposition, combined with several unidentified environmental stimuli, likely creates a favorable milieu in which the disease can appear. Current research focusses on elucidating the cellular and molecular pathways of immune dysregulation, which underly MG outburst and progression. Considerable progress has been made concerning the involvement of the thymus, the identification of impaired mechanisms of immune control and the B–T-cell interaction in MG pathogenesis, while the role of chemokines arises as an intriguing new puzzle. Recent findings fueled the development of novel therapeutic approaches with some en.
Coinoculation of chickpea with Rhizobium isolates from roots and nodules and phytohormone-producing Enterobacter strains

The aim of the present study was to isolate plant-beneficial bacteria (both Rhizobium and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria) from roots and nodules of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and to study the effect of coinoculations on growth of two cultivars of chickpea. Four Rhizobium strains were obtained from roots and four from the nodules of field-grown chickpea cv. Parbat and identified on the basis of morphological characteristics, and biochemical and infectivity tests on the host seedlings. Only one type of nitrogen and carbon source utilisation pattern and DNA banding pattern of random amplified polymorphic DNA was observed in all isolates (Rn1, Rn2, Rn3, Rn4) from nodules, while two types of such patterns were detected among the isolates from roots. The isolate Rr1 from roots also exhibited a pattern identical to those of the isolates from nodules, whereas the remaining three isolates (Rr2, Rr3 and Rr4) from roots showed a different pattern. Two strains of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria belonging to genus Enterobacter were also isolated from chickpea roots. All the Rhizobium strains and Enterobacter strains produced the plant growth hormones indole acetic acid and gibberellic acid in the growth medium. Effects of the bacterial isolates as single- or double-strain inocula were studied on two chickpea cultivars (NIFA 88 and Parbat) grown in sterilised soil. In cultivar NIFA 88, coinoculation of Rhizobium strain Rn1 with Enterobacter strain B resulted in maximum increase in plant biomass and nodulation, as compared with the control treatment (non-inoculated as well as inoculated with Rhizobium strain Rn1 only), whereas the combination of Rhizobium Rn1 with Enterobacter A was more efficient in growth promotion of chickpea cv. Parbat. In non-sterilised soil, the same combinations of the Rhizobium strain Rn1 with Enterobacter strains A and B were found to be the most effective inoculants for cvv. Parbat and NIFA 88, respectively. However, some negative effects on plant growth were also noted in cv. Parbat coinoculated with Rhizobium strain Rr2 and Enterobacter strain B.
Biocontrol of broomrape (Orobanche crenata Forsk. and Orobanche foetida Poir. ) by Pseudomonas fluorescens isolate Bf7-9 from the faba bean rhizosphere

Abstract Bacteria of the faba bean (Vicia faba L.)/Orobanche spp. root environment were evaluated for their potential use as biocontrol agents for the parasitic weed. Bacteria were isolated mainly from the rhizosphere of faba bean as well as from diseased Orobanche underground structures and an Orobanche-suppressive soil from three districts of northern Tunisia. Out of 351 bacterial isolates, 337 were tested for pathogenicity in an inverted pyramidal-shape screening programme including a Lactuca sativa L. seedlings bioassay, root-chamber and pot experiments. In pre-selection screening on L. sativa seedlings, 37 isolates (11%) showed a strong growth inhibitory effect, of which 70 and 84% also had a significant suppressive activity on the pre-emergence structures of O. foetida and O. crenata, respectively, in root-chamber experiments. Among five bacterial isolates selected for pot trials, strain Bf7-9 of Pseudomonas fluorescens showed high biocontrol activity against both species of Orobanche and positively influenced faba bean growth. The bacterium reduced shoot emergence of O. crenata and O. foetida by 64 and 76% and their dry weight by 39 and 63%, respectively, compared with non-inoculated controls. Pseudomonas marginalis strain Nc1-2 exhibited also a tendency to reduce incidence of O. crenata and to improve faba bean performance. Results of the present study suggest that application of naturally occurring rhizosphere bacteria offers an additional approach for biocontrol of Orobanche spp. that can supplement current methods of control in an integrated weed management strategy.
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery–Based Perioperative Protocol for Head and Neck Free Flap Reconstruction

Objectives Evaluate an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS)–based free flap management protocol implemented at our center. Study Design Prospective cohort study of patients after implementation of an ERAS-based perioperative care protocol for patients undergoing free flap reconstruction of the head and neck as compared with a historical control group. Setting Tertiary care academic medical center. Participants and Methods All patients undergoing free flap reconstruction were prospectively enrolled in the ERAS protocol group. A retrospective control group was identified by randomly selecting an equivalent number of patients from a records search of those undergoing free flap surgery between 2009 and 2015. Blood transfusion, complications, 30-day readmission rates, intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay, and costs of hospitalization were compared. Results Sixty-one patients were included in each group. Patients in the ERAS group underwent less frequent flap monitoring by physicians and had lower rates of intraoperative (70.5% vs 86.8%, P = .04) and postoperative (49.2% vs 27.2%, P = .026) blood transfusion, were more likely to be off vasopressors (98.3% vs 50.8%, P < .01) and ventilator support (63.9% vs 9.8%, P < .01) at the conclusion of surgery, and had shorter ICU stays (2.11 vs 3.39 days, P = .017). Length of stay, readmissions, and complication rates did not significantly differ between groups. Conclusion ERAS-based perioperative practices for head and neck free flap reconstruction can reduce time on the ventilator and in the ICU and the need for vasopressors, blood transfusions, and labor-intensive flap monitoring, without adverse effects on outcomes.
Lasting Gammaproteobacteria profile changes characterized hematological cancer patients who developed oral mucositis following conditioning therapy

ABSTRACT Background Oral mucositis (OM) is a common side effect of conditioning therapy implemented before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The role of oral microbiome in OM is not fully elucidated. Objective To determine oral microbiome profile changes post-conditioning in HSCT patients who developed moderate OM, or mild to no OM. Design Patient groups were: Muc0-1 with OM-score = 0–1 (43 paired samples) and Muc2 with WHO OM-score = 2 (36 paired samples). Bacterial DNA was isolated from oral samples (saliva, swabs of buccal mucosa, tongue, and supragingival plaque) at pre-conditioning (T 0 ), post-conditioning mucositis onset (T Muc ), and one-year post-conditioning (T Year ). 16S-rRNA gene next-generation sequencing was used to determine the relative abundance (RA) of >700 oral species. Alpha-diversity, beta-diversity and linear discriminant analyses (LDA) were performed Muc2 versus Muc0-1. Results Muc2 oral microbiome alpha- and beta-diversity differed between T 0 and T Muc . Muc2 alpha-diversity and Muc0-1 beta-diversity did not differ between T 0 and T Year . T 0 to T Muc LDA scores were significant in Muc2 for Gammaproteobacteria. For Muc2 patients, the average RA decreased for Haemophilus parainfluenza, a species known as mucosal surfaces protector, but increased for Escherichia-Shigella genera. Conclusions Post-conditioning OM might contribute to long-term oral microbiome changes affecting Gammaproteobacteria, in HSCT patients.
Competitive interaction between aspen and birch moderated by invertebrate and vertebrate herbivores and climate warming

Background: Considerable changes in vegetation structure and distribution are predicted in high latitude ecosystems as a result of amplified climate change. However, some documented plant community changes do not follow model predictions. Aim: We compared the growth of and the responses to climate variation by the thermophilic aspen (Populus tremula) and its sub-Arctic competitor mountain birch (Betula pubescens ssp. czerepanovii) over the past 100 years. Methods: Repeat photography, high-resolution vegetation transects, dendro-ecological analysis, and local climate record archives were used to study changes in vitality and distributional range of the two tree species in response to climate variability. Results: Aspen grew 45% faster and had seven times higher recruitment numbers than birch. However, no aspen stand expansion was observed, most likely because of browsing by moose (Alces alces). Birch, on the other hand, suffered from cyclic outbreaks of the autumnal moth (Epirrita autumnata). One-hundred-year-old birch trees experienced on average 9.0 years of reduced growth due to moth herbivory compared to 1.4 years for aspen. Moreover, these moth outbreaks on birch stimulated recruitment of aspen in birch stands. Conclusions: As the sub-Arctic continues to become warmer, the dynamics between aspen and birch in forest ecosystems will likely depend on the number of vertebrate browsers relative to the number of aspen recruits, while major moth outbreaks on birch may facilitate the spread of aspen by reducing competition. Our results suggest that alternating episodes of apparent species range stabilities (homeostasis) and abrupt non-linear shifts may characterise species migration patterns in this ecosystem.
The transfer of Bt insecticidal protein to higher tropic levels via a transgenic cotton, then beet armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and their natural enemies

Abstract In order to determine the transference of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bacillaceae) (Bt) insecticidal protein in the food chain, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect Bt insecticidal protein levels in transgenic Bt cotton (GK12, New variety 33B and SGK321), Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) fed on the Bt cotton varieties, and two natural enemies of S. exigua, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and Microplitis pallidipes Szépligeti (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). The results showed that Bt insecticidal protein was found not only in cotton leaves, but also in the body and excrement of S. exigua and the bodies of both C. carnea and M. pallidipes. Bt toxin was detected in S. exigua larvae of all the examined instars (second, third, fourth, and fifth) that fed on transgenic cotton varieties and the Bt toxin level was the highest in the body of the second instar. In addition, the Bt toxin content in the excrement of the second instar was lower than that in the older ones. After the natural enemies C. carnea and M. pallidipes preyed/parasitised the S. exigua larvae that fed on transgenic cotton, Bt toxin was found in both the predator and parasite. This research indicates that Bt protein can be transferred through the food chain and to natural enemies of various predatory habits. Résumé Afin de déterminer la possibilité de transfert de la protéine insecticide de Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bacillaceae) (Bt) dans la chaîne alimentaire, nous avons utilisé des dosages d'immunosorption liée à enzyme (ELISA) pour mesurer les concentrations de la protéine insecticide Bt dans du coton transgénique Bt (GK12, NuCTN 33B et SGK321), dans des Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) nourris de ces variétés de coton-Bt et dans deux ennemis naturels de S. exigua, soit Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) et Microplitis pallidipes Szépligeti (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Nous avons trouvé la protéine insecticide Bt non seulement dans les feuilles de coton, mais aussi dans le corps et les excréments de S. exigua, ainsi que dans les corps de C. carnea et de M. pallidipes. La toxine Bt peut être décelée chez les larves de S. exigua de tous les stades examinés (2e, 3e, 4e et 5e) nourries des variétés de coton transgénique et la concentration de toxine Bt est maximale dans le corps des larves de 2e stade. De plus, le contenu en toxine Bt des excréments des larves de 2e stade est inférieur à celui des larves plus âgées. Après que les ennemis naturels C. carnea et M. pallidipes se soient nourris de larves de S. exigua alimentées de coton transgénique ou les aient parasitées, la toxine Bt se retrouve tant chez le prédateur que chez le parasite. Notre travail indique que la protéine Bt peut être transmise à travers la chaîne alimentaire et passer aux ennemis naturels présentant divers comportements prédateurs.
Molecular phylogeny of Dioscorea(Dioscoreaceae) in East and Southeast Asia

The phylogenetic relationships of Dioscorea, including sections Botryosicyos, Combilium, Enantiophyllum, Lasiophyton, Opsophyton, Shannicorea and Stenophora, are reconstructed with chloroplast trnL-F, matK, rbcL and atpB-rbcL sequence data, covering a total of 72 accessions including 48 ingroup species and five outgroup species from East and Southeast Asia. The seven Asian sections do reflect the genetic relationships among the species that they include. In summary, D. sect. Combilium and sect. Shannicorea are recognized as closely related sections with moderate support. The results also support Burkills treatment of subsect. Euopsophyton (D. bulbifera) as sect. Opsophyton and subsect. Macrourae (D. sansibarensis) as sect. Macroura. In addition, there is a well-supported sister relationship between D. sect. Lasiophyton and sect. Botryosicyos. The level of morphological characters and molecular divergence within D. sect. Enantiophyllum is low, but the members of this group could still be distinguished from each other.
The structure and significance of early Holocene laminated lake sediments in the Faiyum Depression (Egypt) with special reference to diatoms

Lake Qarun lies in the Egyptian Faiyum Depression and is the modern remnant of a much larger Holocene lake. Variations in water level occurred during the Holocene as a result of palaeoclimate changes and, since ca. 4000 bp, there have been hydrological interventions. Past lake levels have been inferred from the locations of archaeological sites, former beaches and exposed lake sediments, but there is no continuous Holocene palaeolimnogical record for the lake. To explore the potential of this record, three sediment cores (10.4–21.4 m long) were collected from terrestrial locations on the southern margin of the lake in 2008. The basal sections of all three cores consisted of thinly laminated diatom marl sediments overlying coarse sand. The nature of these laminations was investigated in thin sections from two cores (QARU9 and 10). Quantitative very high-resolution diatom analysis revealed seasonal succession patterns of Aulacoseira and Stephanodiscus species within diatom-rich laminae. Elemental microprobe analysis of one thin section (QARU10) confirmed the presence of alternating Ca- and Si-rich laminae. The results indicate annually deposited sediment sequences with seasonality signals provided by microlayers of diatoms, calcite and clastic material. According to diatom counting, mean varve thicknesses equated to 6.0 (QARU9) and 9.4 (QARU10) annual diatom laminae accumulated cm−1. Radiocarbon dates from a third core (adjacent to QARU9) indicated that the QARU9 thin section material was bracketed between 8693 and 9935 cal bp. Diatom microstratigraphy was used to infer seasonality in varve forming processes. Gross sediment stratigraphy indicated that varve forming conditions had persisted for>1500 years. The presence of early Holocene varved sediments in palaeo-Lake Qarun provides an exceptional palaeoenvironmental archive for northeast Africa.
Metabolic and endocrine responses to cold and feed restriction in ruminants

Twenty-four wether lambs were assigned to different temperature and feeding levels to assess their metabolic and endocrine profiles and to test the hypothesis that energy conservation responses of sheep to feed restriction occur in warm but not cold environments. Lambs were kept in warm (W; 23 ± 2 °C) or cold (C; 0 ± 2 °C) environments and received either an ad libitum (A) or a restricted (1.35 × maintenance) (R) level of feed intake, thus creating four treatment groups (WA, WR, CA and CR). Average daily gain (ADG), feed intake, metabolic rates, rectal temperature, and plasma levels of insulin, thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3) and cortisol were recorded during three periods of 5 wk each. The ADG was lower (P < 0.001) in feed-restricted groups. Cold exposure reduced the ADG along with feed efficiency in the first period (P < 0.01). Metabolic rate was lowered by feed restriction (P < 0.01) in periods 1 and 3, but was increased by cold exposure in ad libitum-fed sheep during period 1 (P < 0.05). Both co.
Influence of soil biota on Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) seedling growth: the role of rhizosphere bacteria

The influence of soil biota on Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) seedling growth was investigated by sowing seed collected from two ecologically distinct zones in British Columbia, Chilliwack and Williams Lake, in soil collected from the same two areas. Seedling biomass of both Douglas-fir ecotypes was greatest in unpasteurized soil collected from the same area as was the seed, but pasteurization negated this effect. In addition, Chilliwack seedlings responded specifically to biota present only in Chilliwack soil. To determine if rhizosphere bacteria were involved in these growth responses, bacteria were isolated from the rhizosphere of wild Douglas-fir seedlings collected from both locations, and putative growth promoting bacteria were selected in a screening experiment. Selected bacteria were then tested for seedling growth response specificity using a factorial design in which seed, soil, and bacteria from both locations were evaluated in all combinations. Inoculation of Douglas-fir se.