Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Resistance in Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) to Western Flower Thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande))

A replicated greenhouse study was conducted to confirm the availability of resistance to western Rower thrips in pepper germplasm. Host-plant resistance ratings confirmed earlier observations that there is a considerable amount of variability within pepper germplasm for reaction to F. occidentalis. Plants of 'Keystone Resistant Giant', 'Yolo Wonder L', 'Mississippi Nemaheart', 'Sweet Banana', and 'California Wonder' were resistant to the insect and exhibited only mild symptoms of damage. Plants of 'Carolina Cayenne', 'Santaka', and 'Bohemian Chili', however, exhibited the symptoms of severe thrips damage, i.e., poorly expanded, deformed, and distorted leaves; greatly shortened internodes; and severe chlorosis. The resistance to F. occidentalis in pepper appears to be due to tolerance mechanisms, not antixenosis (nonpreference) or anti- biosis mechanisms. Thrips-resistant cultivars could be used as a cornerstone in an integrated pest management program for greenhouse pepper production. Western flower thrips are tiny insects that can cause severe losses to a wide range of crops (Mantel, 1989). The insect is consid- ered to be one of the most serious green- house pests of ornamental and vegetable crops in Europe (vanLenteren and Wardlow, 1989).
Mixed phenotype acute leukemia

Objective To highlight the current understanding of mixed phenotype acute leukemia (MPAL). Data sources We collected the relevant articles in PubMed (from 1985 to present), using the terms “mixed phenotype acute leukemia”, “hybrid acute leukemia”, “biphenotypic acute leukemia”, and “mixed lineage leukemia”. We also collected the relevant studies in WanFang Data base (from 2000 to present), using the terms “mixed phenotype acute leukemia” and “hybrid acute leukemia”. Study selection We included all relevant studies concerning mixed phenotype acute leukemia in English and Chinese version, with no limitation of research design. The duplicated articles are excluded. Results MPAL is a rare subgroup of acute leukemia which expresses the myeloid and lymphoid markers simultaneously. The clinical manifestations of MPAL are similar to other acute leukemias. The World Health Organization classification and the European Group for Immunological classification of Leukaemias 1998 criteria are most widely used. MPAL does not have a standard therapy regimen. Its treatment depends mostly on the patient's unique immunophenotypic and cytogenetic features, and also the experience of individual physician. The lack of effective treatment contributes to an undesirable prognosis. Conclusion Our understanding about MPAL is still limited. The diagnostic criteria have not been unified. The treatment of MPAL remains to be investigated. The prognostic factor is largely unclear yet. A better diagnostic criteria and targeted therapeutics will improve the therapy effect and a subsequently better prognosis.
Tamanho da semente e substratos na germinação e crescimento inicial de mudas de cagaiteira

A cultura da cagaiteira apresenta perspectivas de expansao no cerrado e no Nordeste brasileiro. Com o presente trabalho teve-se como objetivo avaliar as caracteristicas de germinacao de sementes de cagaiteira de diferentes tamanhos em tres tipos de substratos. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi de blocos inteiramente casualizados em um esquema de parcela subdividida, com fatorial (2 x3), consistindo de dois tamanhos de sementes, grandes (13,5 mm de largura, 15,91 mm de comprimento e 1,41 g de massa) e pequenas (9,94 mm de largura, 12,19 mm de comprimento e 0,68 g de massa) em tres tipos de substratos (plugmix; areia, argila e esterco de curral, na proporcao v/v 1:1:1; e areia e argila na proporcao v/v 1:1). Pelos resultados, observou-se que, independentemente do tamanho da semente e do tipo de substrato, nao houve diferencas significativas quanto a porcentagem de emergencia, que foi superior a 90%. Nas caracteristicas de indice de velocidade de emergencia, altura e numero de folhas, observou-se superioridade para as plantas provenientes de sementes grandes. Em relacao aos diferentes tipos de substratos, houve diferencas significativas para as caracteristicas de altura e numero de folhas, indicando a superioridade dos substratos a base de areia e argila.
PCR markers of apple resistance to scab (Venturia inaequalis CKE.) controlled by Vf gene in Czech apple breeding

The varieties of apples resistant to apple scab (Venturia inaequalis CKE.) are among the latest outcomes of breeding this fruit species not only worldwide but also in the Czech Republic. A common donor of resistance to this disease is Malus floribunda Sieb. , clone 821, which has conferred the qualitative resistance based on the dominant Vf gene to a range of varieties. The objective of this article is to characterise Vf gene in a collection of new Czech apple varieties. The published primers were used for PCR evaluation of the collection of twenty Czech varieties, seventeen varieties of world assortment and six new resistant selections of Czech breeding. All varieties possessing resistance based on Vf gene had the heterozygous constitution of Vf gene (Vfvf). Segregated F 1 progeny, which was already selected by infection tests in a greenhouse, was included in the same PCR test. In all progenies recessive homozygous genotypes (vfvf) were also found that were not selected by the infection test. The higher occurrence of recessive homozygous genotypes (vfvf) was detected above all in the progenies of such parental combinations where one of the parents was a donor of quantitative resistance to apple scab.
Folivory in the white‐tipped plantcutter Phytotoma rutila: seasonal variations in diet composition and quality

Plantcutters (Phytotomidae) represent the only Passeriformes with a predominantly folivorous diet. Little is known however about their feeding habits and adaptations for leaf consumption. Here we analyze the relationship between diet composition and nutritional value in the white-tipped plantcutter Phytotoma rutila in a Chaco woodland in Cordoba, Argentina. The white-tipped plantcutter consumed mainly dicot leaves (91%), complemented with a small proportion of fruits (7%) and flowers (2%). Eleven plant species were utilized, of which five were strongly dominant: Lycium cestroides (38%), Prosopis alba and P. nigra (28%), Celtis tala (22%), and Schinus longifolius (8%). No animal food was consumed. The leaf material ingested by the white-tipped plantcutter had high protein content and low proportion of fibers and phenols. In multivariate analysis, leaf chemical properties accounted for over 81% of the variation in diet composition throughout the year. However, only protein and phenols content related significantly with diet composition in single regressions. The quality index that relates protein with lignin and phenols showed the highest correlation with diet composition. Availability of highly nutritive leaves of Lycium cestroides during the dry season seems to be a key factor for the occurrence of the white-tipped plantcutter in the study area. Our results confirm that plantcutters are truly folivorous passerine species, being able to obtain a highly nutritional diet throughout the year.
New Species of Eleutherodactylus (Anura: Leptodactylidae) from Cloud Forest of Bolivia

Abstract A new species of leptodactylid frog, genus Eleutherodactylus, is described from cloud forest of the northeastern versant of the Bolivian Andes. Eleutherodactylus ashkapara sp. nov. seems to be most closely related to E. pluvicanorus from which it is distinguished mainly by larger size, advertisement call, and arboreal habit. Because of many phenetic similarities, I propose that E. ashkapara, E. fraudator, and E. pluvicanorus be recognized as a species group distinct from other groups of South American Eleutherodactylus.
Response of non-native European terrestrial gastropods to novel climates correlates with biogeographical and biological traits

Aim Anticipating the propensity of species to persist outside the climatic conditions in which they are observed is important in assessing the uncertainty in climate-matching when applied to different locations or times. By using data from 27 European terrestrial gastropods (slugs and snails) established in new regions, we measured (1) the degree of climate match between native and non-native ranges and (2) the diversity of novel climatic conditions inhabited. We then tested for species traits as predictors of the patterns found. Location Worldwide. Methods We projected the occurrences of each species onto the climatic space defined by the two main axes of a principal components analysis. On the basis of the convex hull of native occurrences, we measured the proportion of non-native occurrences in novel climates and the diversity of the newly occupied climates. Generalized estimating equations were used to test for associations between climatic responses and species traits, while considering phylogenetic relatedness and
Habitat addition and stock enhancement for American lobsters, Homarus americanus

Six experimental artificial reefs for lobsters were established in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, in February 1997. These have been monitored according to a 'before-after-control-impact' design since placement by means of visual surveys, traps, tag-recapture, photoquadrats, and airlift sampling. Juvenile and adult lobster density at the reef increased from near zero to >1 lobster m -2 , significantly higher than the two control areas. Settlement of young-of-year lobsters has significantly increased. We used microwire tags to mark hatchery-reared lobsters and released over 2000 marked 5th-6th-stage lobsters in each of two years. The density of young-of-year lobsters on enhanced reefs was not different from that on the control reefs. Despite intensive sampling, we have recovered only one of the hatchery-reared animals. Field observations indicate possible behaviour differences in the hatchery-reared lobsters that might make them more susceptible to predation.
Fatty Acid Oxidation Is an Adaptive Survival Pathway Induced in Prostate Tumors by HSP90 Inhibition

HSP90 is a molecular chaperone required for stabilization and activation of hundreds of client proteins, including many known oncoproteins. AUY922 (luminespib), a new-generation HSP90 inhibitor, exhibits potent preclinical efficacy against several cancer types including prostate cancer. However, clinical use of HSP90 inhibitors for prostate cancer has been limited by toxicity and treatment resistance. Here, we aimed to design an effective combinatorial therapeutic regimen that utilizes subtoxic doses of AUY922, by identifying potential survival pathways induced by AUY922 in clinical prostate tumors. We conducted a proteomic analysis of 30 patient-derived explants (PDE) cultured in the absence and presence of AUY922, using quantitative mass spectrometry. AUY922 significantly increased the abundance of proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation and fatty acid metabolism in the PDEs. Consistent with these findings, AUY922-treated prostate cancer cell lines exhibited increased mitochondrial mass and activated fatty acid metabolism processes. We hypothesized that activation of fatty acid oxidation is a potential adaptive response to AUY922 treatment and that cotargeting this process will sensitize prostate cancer cells to HSP90 inhibition. Combination treatment of AUY922 with a clinical inhibitor of fatty acid oxidation, perhexiline, synergistically decreased viability of several prostate cancer cell lines, and had significant efficacy in PDEs. The novel drug combination treatment induced cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis, and attenuated the heat shock response, a known mediator of HSP90 treatment resistance. This combination warrants further preclinical and clinical investigation as a novel strategy to overcome resistance to HSP90 inhibition. Implications: Metabolic pathways induced in tumor cells by therapeutic agents may be critical, but targetable, mediators of treatment resistance.
Metabarcoding Analyses of Gut Microbiota of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) from Lake Awassa and Lake Chamo, Ethiopia

The Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) gut harbors a diverse microbial community; however, their variation across gut regions, lumen and mucosa is not fully elucidated. In this study, gut microbiota of all samples across gut regions and sample types (luminal content and mucosa) were analyzed and compared from two Ethiopian lakes. Microbiota were characterized using 16S rRNA Illumina MiSeq platform sequencing. A total of 2061 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were obtained and the results indicated that Nile tilapia from Lake Chamo harbored a much more diversified gut microbiota than Lake Awassa. In addition, the gut microbiota diversity varied significantly across the gut region based on the Chao1, Shannon and Simpson index. The microbiome analyses of all samples in the midgut region showed significantly higher values for alpha diversity (Chao 1, Shannon and Simpson). Beta diversity analysis revealed a clear separation of samples according to sampling areas and gut regions. The most abundant genera were Clostridium_sensu_stricto and Clostridium_XI genera across all samples. Between the two sampling lakes, two phyla, Phylum Fusobacteria and Cyanobacteria, were found to be significantly different. On the other hand, six phyla (Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Chloroflexi, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Cyanobacteria) were significantly different across gut regions. In this study, we found that all samples shared a large core microbiota, comprising a relatively large number of OTUs, which was dominated by Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Cyanobacteria, Fusobacteria and Actinobacteria. This study has established the bases for future large-scale investigations of gut microbiota of fishes in Ethiopian lakes.
PHYSIOLOGICAL ECOLOGY AND INTERTIDAL ZONATION IN LIMPETS (ACMAEA): A CRITICAL LOOK AT "LIMITING FACTORS"

1. This study tests the hypothesis that physical factors limit the ranges of five species of limpets (Acmaea) inhabiting the splash zone (Zone I) and upper midtidal (Zone II) of the Central California rocky shore. Two criteria are considered necessary to establish the hypothesis. First, interspecific differences in adaptation to physical factors must permit exploitation of different portions of the intertidal gradient. Secondly, physical conditions, by occasionally causing mortality, must set the limits of ranges at different levels depending upon the interspecific differences in physiological tolerances.2. Dilution by winter rainwater runoff probably presents no osmotic threat to Acmaea. No pronounced differences are evident in either resistance to or tolerance of dilution. All five species tolerate immersion in fresh water for periods in excess of the maximum exposure expected in nature. Under exceptional circumstances some Zone I limpets may experience entrapment and lethal dilution in fresh water seep.
Microbial production of glycyrrhetic acid 3-O-mono-β β β β-D-glucuronide from glycyrrhizin by Aspergillus terreus

Among seven fungi (three Aspergilli and four Penicilli ) have been screened for production of glycyrrhetic acid 3-O-monoβ-D-glucuronide (GAMG) from glycyrrhizin (GL), Aspergillus terreus was found to be the most potent GAMG producer. This strain was capable of expressing two intracellular β-D-glucuronidase forms, one responsible for partial hydrolysis of GL to GAMG and the other one for hydrolysis of GL to glycyrrhetic acid (GA). The highest yield of GAMG was achieved when the reaction mixture was incubated at pH 6 at 40 °C for 1 h using GL (0.1%, w/v) as a substrate. The maximum hydrolytic activity for production of GAMG (396 U/mL) was obtained using production medium composed of (g%, w/v): corn steep liquor 2.5, soybean flour 3.5, glucose 0.5 and CaCO3 0.5; pH 6.0. The medium was inoculated with 15% (v/v) inoculum and incubated at 27 °C for 3 days. Under these optimal conditions, GAMG yield became about 2 times higher than GA yield and the cells bioconversion efficiency increased from 24.6 to 78.3%.
Effect of water restriction on thermoregulation and some biochemical constituents in lactating aardi goats during got weather conditions.

This study was conducted to assess the effect of water restriction on some physiological variables in lactating Aardi goats. The trial was divided into 3 periods each of 6 days; control, water restriction and rehydration. Aardi goats in early lactation were divided into two groups. One group (n=5) received 50% and the other group (n=4) received 25% restriction of drinking water relative to their water consumption during the control period. Respiration rate and sweating rate were not affected by water restriction and therefore, rectal temperature was maintained without changes. Compared to 25% restriction, 50% water restriction resulted in a steady increase in plasma sodium and osmolality, which was an indication of hemoconcentra tion as a consequence of water depletion from the plasma compartment. Water restriction did not induce any obvious changes in plasma glucose and urea, and packed cell volume. However, plasma creatinine increased progressively with 50% restriction, which may be indicative of lower glomerular filtration rate. This study indicates that lactating Aardi goats can tolerate a sustained 50% water restriction with minimal physiological alterations even when it was coupled with a high ambient temperature.
Mammal-plant dynamics in forests: interactions and implications for understory plant diversity

In forest communities, the composition and abundance of plants in the understory is generally mediated via a complex interplay between herbivory and competition. Nonetheless, most research assesses the effect of herbivory and competition independently and rarely investigates potential interactions between the two factors. In this dissertation, I examine how herbivory and competition, alone and in concert, influence forest understory plant diversity. At one extreme, herbivory is hypothesized to reduce interspecific competition, thus allowing for greater species coexistence in the understory. In chapter one, I test this hypothesis in the herbaceous community of a tropical forest in central Panama. I found mammals limited the abundance of the dominant herbs while simultaneously limiting the establishment of rare species. In contrast, intense herbivory may reduce the diversity of the most palatable species allowing browse-resistant species to rapidly expand and overtake the forest understory. In chapter two, I explore this alternative by reviewing the processes leading to the formation of recalcitrant understory layers worldwide and summarizing the mechanisms by which these layers inhibit tree seedling regeneration and alter forest succession. In chapter three, I experimentally examining how a recalcitrant understory layer limits tree species recruitment via direct competitive as well as indirect, apparent competitive interactions. Specifically, by providing a favorable microhabitat for small mammals, a dense understory canopy can facilitate increased granivory, thereby indirectly limiting tree recruitment. I found a dense hay-scented fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula) understory exerts strong apparent competitive effects on the emergence of black cherry (Prunus serotina) and strong competitive effects on emergence and survival of red maple (Acer rubrum). In chapter four, I explore the potential interactions between white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and a dense canopy of hay-scented fern. This work demonstrates that in light limited, closed-canopy forests, a dense understory layer strongly suppresses germination and survival of several shade intolerant tree species. Furthermore, I argue that century-long legacy of deer overbrowsing has resulted in a depauperate forest community that predisposes future declines in plant diversity and increased monodominance. In all, these findings stress the need to discriminate among multiple ecological factors and assess their relative importance in structuring natural communities.
Family and peer support moderates the relationship between distress tolerance and suicide risk in black college students

Abstract Objectives The relationship between distress tolerance and suicide risk was examined in black college students, as well as the moderating role of family and peer support in this relationship. Parent and peer support were studied separately in their relationship to overall suicidality. Method One-hundred twenty-five Black undergraduate students completed self-report measures that assessed study variables. Results Using moderation analyses, distress tolerance was significantly associated with overall suicidality, such that increased tolerance was associated with decreased risk. Higher family support was significantly associated with decreased suicide risk, while peer support was not. However, both family and peer support significantly moderated the relationship between distress tolerance and suicide risk. For both types of support, the relationship between distress tolerance and suicide risk was significant when support was low. Conclusions Social support appears to be an important protective factor for suicide risk in black college students.
Development of a Mouse Reporter Strain for the Purinergic P2X2 Receptor

Abstract The ATP-sensitive P2X2 ionotropic receptor plays a critical role in a number of signal processes including taste and hearing, carotid body detection of hypoxia, the exercise pressor reflex and sensory transduction of mechanical stimuli in the airways and bladder. Elucidation of the role of P2X2 has been hindered by the lack of selective tools. In particular, detection of P2X2 using established pharmacological and biochemical techniques yields dramatically different expression patterns, particularly in the peripheral and central nervous systems. Here, we have developed a knock-in P2X2-cre mouse, which we crossed with a cre-sensitive tdTomato reporter mouse to determine P2X2 expression. P2X2 was found in more than 80% of nodose vagal afferent neurons, but not in jugular vagal afferent neurons. Reporter expression correlated in vagal neurons with sensitivity to α,β methylene ATP (αβmATP). P2X2 was expressed in 75% of petrosal afferents, but only 12% and 4% of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and trigeminal afferents, respectively. P2X2 expression was limited to very few cell types systemically. Together with the central terminals of P2X2-expressing afferents, reporter expression in the CNS was mainly found in brainstem neurons projecting mossy fibers to the cerebellum, with little expression in the hippocampus or cortex. The structure of peripheral terminals of P2X2-expressing afferents was demonstrated in the tongue (taste buds), carotid body, trachea and esophagus. P2X2 was observed in hair cells and support cells in the cochlear, but not in spiral afferent neurons. This mouse strain provides a novel approach to the identification and manipulation of P2X2-expressing cell types.