Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bacteria as food had no effect on fecundity during domestication of the fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni

Adult Bactrocera tryoni from different generations of domestication were given various diets to determine whether either or both the bacteria Klebsiella oxytoca and Klebsiella pneumoniae could provide a source of proteinaceous material sufficient to allow the female flies to produce mature oocytes and eggs or alternatively, whether the bacteria could act as a beneficial supplementary food when given in addition to the usual laboratory proteinaceous food that consisted of a paste of sucrose and yeast autolysate. Overall, there was no evidence from any generation studied that female flies could produce eggs or mature oocytes on a bacterial diet above the levels attained with access to culture medium without bacteria. Similarly, there was no evidence that bacterial supplementation to a diet that included a paste of sucrose and yeast autolysate was more beneficial than when the paste was the sole source of proteinaceous food. There was an increase in mature oocytes per female with the number of generations of culture but the extent of increase was greater when sugar/yeast paste was included in the diet. There was no evidence that mixtures of either bacterium species in nutrient broth or the broth itself was attractive to female B. tryoni over a distance of a few centimetres when the tested flies were caged at low density but flies of later generations did feed when offered either type of food at very close range.
Selenium-induced oxidative stress in coffee cell suspension cultures.

Selenium (Se) is an essential element for humans and animals that is required for key antioxidant reactions, but can be toxic at high concentrations. We have investigated the effect of Se in the form of selenite on coffee cell suspension cultures over a 12-day period. The antioxidant defence systems were induced in coffee cells grown in the presence of 0.05 and 0.5 mm sodium selenite (Na2SeO3). Lipid peroxidation and alterations in antioxidant enzymes were the main responses observed, including a severe reduction in ascorbate peroxidase activity, even at 0.05 mm sodium selenite. Ten superoxide dismutase (SOD) isoenzymes were detected and the two major Mn-SOD isoenzymes (bands V and VI) responded more to 0.05 mm selenite. SOD band V exhibited a general decrease in activity after 12 h of treatment with 0.05 mm selenite, whereas band VI exhibited the opposite behavior and increased in activity. An extra isoenzyme of glutathione reductase (GR) was induced in the presence of selenite, which confirmed our previous results obtained with Cd and Ni indicating that this GR isoenzyme may have the potential to be a marker for oxidative stress in coffee.
The heat resistance of Listeria monocytogenes

Heat resistance data for Listeria monocytogenes are reviewed. The organism is appreciably more resistant than common Salmonella serotypes but less resistant than Salmonella senftenberg 775W. Reports that the organism can survive heating at 80°C have not been substantiated and are incompatible with carefully determined D and z values in milk and a range of foods. Cooking food to an internal temperature of 70°C for 2 min is adequate to ensure destruction of L. monocytogenes. Normal pasteurization procedures will inactivate L. monocytogenes in milk but the margin of safety is greater for vat pasteurization than for high temperature short time treatment.
Community Structure of Bacteria Associated with Microcystis Colonies from Cyanobacterial Blooms

ABSTRACT Thirty Microcystis colonies, belonging to three species (Microcystis aeruginosa, Microcystis flos-aquae, and Microcystis wesenbergii) were isolated from Lake Taihu and Lake Chaohu in China. Bacterial communities associated with the single Microcystis colonies were investigated using a seminested polymerase chain reaction-amplification along with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The bacterial communities of most colonies of the same Microcystis species in each lake tended to be similar. This indicates that species-specific associations may exist between colony-associated bacteria and Microcystis spp. Sequence analysis of dominant DGGE bands revealed that the dominant bacterial groups associated with Microcystis colonies were Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, Garnmaproteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Deinococcus-Thermus, and Gemmatimonadetes. Phylotypes related to Pseudomonas sp. , Serratia sp. , and Flexibacteraceae were dominant in colonies of M. wesenbergii, M flos-aquae, and M aeruginosa, respectively.
Advances in two-metal chelation inhibitors of HIV integrase

Background: Small-molecule inhibitors of the retroviral enzyme HIV integrase are among the most exciting discoveries of the past 10 years in the area of infectious disease research. The field of two-metal chelating inhibitors of this nucleic-acid-modifying enzyme has exploded since the early diketo-acid discoveries in the late 1990s and the advent of the more drug-like heterocyclic templates in the early 2000s. The field of research has now expanded across multiple companies, resulting in several clinical candidates, and ultimately delivered the first licensed inhibitor – raltegravir – in late 2007. Objective: This review is an attempt to assess the most relevant patent literature concerning two-metal chelators from the pioneering examples in 1999 that first displayed antiviral activity through mid-2008. Methods: The existing integrase inhibitor patent literature was surveyed for chemical series that consisted of a two-metal binding pharmacaphore, which were further broken down into structural subclasses for presentation. Results/conclusions: The integrase inhibitor field has matured rapidly over the past decade into a major area of focus for new HIV therapeutics. This work has resulted in one licensed drug and clearly defined needs for future directions centered around viral resistance, for which solutions that are contained within the reviewed patents will undoubtedly emerge.
Pasture-based systems for poultry production: implications and perspectives

The use of pasture-based systems for poultry production is growing due to consumer demand for specialty ‘natural’ and ‘welfare-friendly’ meat and eggs. This paper discusses the various meanings of the term ‘pastured poultry’ and defines the different pasture-based poultry production systems. Considerations of poultry welfare standards provided through the specific system are also discussed. Production topics such as poultry genetics, outdoor access and pasture management are presented together with potential problems. Finally, various aspects of sustainability are analysed to estimate the environmental, economical and social benefits promoted by the pasture-based poultry production systems.
Fatty acids and hypolipidemic drugs regulate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors α- and γ-mediated gene expression via liver fatty acid binding protein: A signaling path to the nucleus

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) is a key regulator of lipid homeostasis in hepatocytes and target for fatty acids and hypolipidemic drugs. How these signaling molecules reach the nuclear receptor is not known; however, similarities in ligand specificity suggest the liver fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) as a possible candidate. In localization studies using laser-scanning microscopy, we show that L-FABP and PPARα colocalize in the nucleus of mouse primary hepatocytes. Furthermore, we demonstrate by pull-down assay and immunocoprecipitation that L-FABP interacts directly with PPARα. In a cell biological approach with the aid of a mammalian two-hybrid system, we provide evidence that L-FABP interacts with PPARα and PPARγ but not with PPARβ and retinoid X receptor-α by protein–protein contacts. In addition, we demonstrate that the observed interaction of both proteins is independent of ligand binding. Final and quantitative proof for L-FABP mediation was obtained in transactivation assays upon incubation of transiently and stably transfected HepG2 cells with saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids as well as with hypolipidemic drugs. With all ligands applied, we observed strict correlation of PPARα and PPARγ transactivation with intracellular concentrations of L-FABP. This correlation constitutes a nucleus-directed signaling by fatty acids and hypolipidemic drugs where L-FABP acts as a cytosolic gateway for these PPARα and PPARγ agonists. Thus, L-FABP and the respective PPARs could serve as targets for nutrients and drugs to affect expression of PPAR-sensitive genes.
Incorporating persistent tree growth differences increases estimates of tropical timber yield

Sustainable tropical forest management using selective logging, like any natural resource management system, requires reliable estimates of future yields. Commonly, timber yield predictions are calculated using the average of diameter growth rates in the population and thus ignore variation among trees. Using tree-ring analysis for three Amazonian timber species, we show that strong and persistent growth differences exist among individual trees. These differences substantially affect predictions of future timber yield. After incorporating realistic growth variation, we calculated timber yields that were 36–50% higher than those calculated using average growth rates. Even so, the regrowth of timber volume in a 20-year interval between logging events is low (18–24%) due to the old age of trees that are logged at first harvest. Improved yield estimates are important to evaluate the economic viability of sustainable forest management, a hotly debated issue in conservation circles.
Interspecific relations in a mixed‐species troop of moustached tamarins, Saguinus mystax, and saddle‐back tamarins, Saguinus fuscicollis (Platyrrhini:Callitrichidae), at the Río Blanco, Peruvian Amazonia

This study examined the social interactions between moustached tamarins, Saguinus mystax, and saddle‐back tamarins, Saguinus fuscicollis, living in a mixed‐species troop at the Río Blanco, Peruvian Amazonia, between July 1985 and July 1986. Mixed‐species troops were common among the S. mystax and S. fuscicollis populations in the Río Blanco study area; 72% of all sightings of S. mystax and 82% of all sightings of S. fuscicollis were in mixed‐speices troops (study group excluded from analysis). In the study group, the two species spent on average 82% of time in association. Interactions were observed at a rate of one per 5 h of observation. Most interactions (96%) were agonistic. About 70% of agonistic interactions occurred at small food resources (crown diameter < 5 m and/or limited number of ripe fruits). Moustached tamarins were always dominant over saddle‐back tamarins. Friendly interactions were extremely rare and were restricted to play invitations. Mutual calling was observed in the morning before the two species joined each other and during the day when they became separated. It is concluded that interspecific interactions and mutual calling incur some costs to the associated species but that these costs may be low.
Relation of constant, daily fluctuating, and ambient feeding temperature to daily and accumulated consumption of yeast autolysate and sucrose by female Queensland fruit fly

Intake rates by the Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae), of yeast autolysate and sucrose were clearly related to temperature in constant thermal regimes, but consumption occurred only in light. In regimes of fluctuating temperature, rates of consumption were not necessarily related to the temperatures that prevailed during the photophase, but were more consistently related to daily mean temperature and best related to day degrees per day above the gonadotrophic threshold of 13.5 °C. Day degrees per day could be related to age‐specific changes in the daily rate of yeast autolysate and sucrose consumption, the rate of accumulated consumption of these foods, and thus the time taken to consume the amount of yeast autolysate known to be required for the attainment of sexual maturity. Consumption rate changed within 1 or 2 days of a change between a gonadotrophic regime and a non‐gonadotrophic one (or vice versa), which is consistent with the known rapid effects of temperature change on ovarian maturation.
Population viability analysis of the butterfly Lopinga achine in a changing landscape in Sweden

Metapopulation theory has generally focused only on the stochastic turn-over rate among populations and assumed that the number and location of suitable habitat patches will remain constant through time. This study combines in a PVA both the deterministic landscape dynamics and the stochastic colonisations and extinctions of populations for the butterfly Lopinga achine in Sweden. With data on occupancy pattern and the rate of habitat change, we built a simulation model and examined five different scenarios with different assumptions of landscape changes for L. achine. If no landscape changes would be expected, around 80 populations are predicted to persist during the next 100 yr. Adding the knowledge that many of the sites are unmanaged and that the host plant will slowly deteriorate as canopies close over, and adding environmental variation and synchrony, showed that the number of populations will decrease to around of 4.3 and 2.8 respectively, with an extinction risk of 34% - quite different from the first scenario based only on the metapopulation model. This study has shown the importance of incorporating both deterministic and stochastic events when making a reliable population viability analysis. Even though one can not expect that the long-term predictions of either occupied patches or extinction risks will be accurate quantitatively, the qualitative implications are correct. The extinction risk will be high if grazing is not applied to more patches than is the case today. The simulations indicate that an absolute minimum of 10-30 top-ranked patches needs to be managed for the persistence of the metapopulation of L. achine in the long term. The same problem of abandoned and overgrowing habitats affects many other threatened species in the European landscape and a similar approach could also be applied to them.
Enhanced expression of genes for ACC synthase, ACC oxidase, and NAC protein during high-temperature-induced necrosis of young inflorescences of Cymbidium

Growing Cymbidium under high-temperature conditions (25–30°C) results in the necrosis of young inflorescences. An increase in the evolution of ethylene was correlated with the necrosis. To study the molecular aspects of high-temperature-induced necrosis of Cymbidium floral buds, we isolated complementary DNA (cDNA) clones for proteins that are likely to be involved in the biosynthesis of ethylene during high-temperature-induced necrosis of young inflorescences, namely, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) synthase (CyACS1) and ACC oxidase (CyACO1). In addition, a cDNA (CyNAC1) encoding an NAC protein whose expression is modulated during high-temperature treatment was isolated by differential display. High levels of expression of CyACS1, CyACO1 and CyNAC1 were observed in the necrotic inflorescences of wild-type Cymbidium at high temperatures. Bud necrosis was not observed in the mericlone mutant (nhn, non–high-temperature-induced necrosis) of Cymbidium. Ethylene evolution was lower in nhn than in wild-type, but application of exogenous ACC or ethephon to the young inflorescences of nhn restored the high-temperature necrosis response. Expression of CyACS1, CyACO1 and CyNAC1 did not increase with high-temperature treatment in the nhn mutant. Expression levels of CyACS1, CyACO1 and CyNAC1 in necrotic inflorescences of nhn treated with 5.0 mM ACC were much lower than in necrotic inflorescences of wild-type at high temperatures, but CyACS1 and CyNAC1 were stimulated by ACC treatment. These results suggest that ethylene is involved in high-temperature necrosis of young inflorescences of Cymbidium and that an NAC protein may be involved in the regulatory mechanisms of genes that are regulated during necrosis.
Entomopathogenic fungi disturbed the larval growth and feeding performance of Ocinara varians (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) larvae

Abstract Feeding experiments using three strains of entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae and Isaria fumosorosea were conducted with newly moulted 3rd–5th instar Ocinara varians Walker larvae in the laboratory. The mortality of larvae immersed individually in spore suspension (1 × 107 spores/mL) of all the strains was ≥ 80% except 5th instar larvae treated with M. anisopliae which transformed into pupae, but did not result in adult emergence. The growth (total body mass), consumption, relative consumption rate and relative growth rate, were reduced at all three larval stages, while developmental time was extended in infected larvae with concurrent significant increase in approximate digestibility in infected larvae. Conversion of digested food (ECD) and ingested food (ECI) values declined in infected larvae as compared to the healthy larvae (control). The 5th instar larvae treated with M. anisopliae showed higher ECD and ECI values than control. Based on mortality and growth inhibition it can be suggested that all the studied fungal strains have a high potential for biocontrol and could be developed into biocontrol agents against O. varians.
Allelopathic potential of rice (Oryza sativa) varieties on seedling growth of barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli)

Abstract High performance liquid chromatography method was used to analyze six phenolic acids in 15 rice cultivars hull water extracts as representative cultivars collected according to the results of our previous study. Dinorado hull extract had the highest phenolic acid content among the treatments. None of the six phenolic acids were detected in Line-229 hull extract by HPLC, while, Dashti-sard had the highest p-hydroxy benzoic acid content. Phenolic contents had significant correlation with percent inhibition of root growth of barnyardgrass. Eleven of the tested cultivars were chosen and grown in hydroponics system to study their root exudates effects on growth traits of barnyardgrass seedlings, in a completely randomized design with four replications. Root exudates of Dinorado, Neda, Domsorkh and Dular showed the highest inhibitory activities of barnyardgrass growth parameters while; Line-229 root exudates had the highest stimulatory effects on growth traits of this plant. Rice root exudates obtained from nine cutivars hydroponics were also qualified and quantified with HPLC method. No vanilic acid or ferulic acid was detected in cultivars root exudates. Anbarbu, Usen and Dasht rice root exudates had the highest, and Line-229 had the lowest amount of the total phenolics content.
Combinations of Nonselective Herbicides for Difficult to Control Weeds in No-Till Corn, Zea mays, and Soybeans, Glycine max

The combination of glyphosate and 2,4-D at various rates was evaluated for controlling existing weeds at planting in no-till corn and soybeans. Herbicide combinations in soybeans also included paraquat plus 2,4-D, linuron, or diuron. Standard treatments included glyphosate (0.6 and 1.1 kg ae/ha) and paraquat (0.3 and 0.6 kg ai/ha), and 2,4-D (0.6 kg ae/ha) alone. For corn, the addition of 2,4-D to glyphosate did not improve weed control, although the addition of 2,4-D to paraquat did improve horseweed control. Corn yield with the herbicide combinations was higher than that for the nonselective herbicides alone. Although initial weed control was good in soybeans, weed regrowth in all paraquat alone treatments was substantial, especially with horseweed. The addition of 2,4-D to paraquat improved control of horseweed and tall morningglory. The addition of linuron or diuron to paraquat improved horseweed and common ragweed control, whereas the addition of 2,4-D to glyphosate improved the control of tall morningglory but not the other weed species. Generally, after 4 weeks, all glyphosate treatments provided better horseweed control than all paraquat treatments. Paraquat plus either linuron or diuron and glyphosate alone or in combination with 2,4-D gave the highest soybean yields.
Screening wheat genotypes for tolerance of soil acidity

A soil-based screening method was used to test tolerance of wheat genotypes to acidity. Plants were grown for 6 days in an acid soil with the pH adjusted to 3.9–5.8. The number and length of roots were measured. To validate the method, 12 wheat cultivars of known acidity tolerance and one acid-sensitive barley cultivar were grown on an acid soil in the field with or without amelioration of subsoil acidity. The relative yields of these wheat genotypes on the soil with subsoil acidity ranged from 50 to 89% of yields on soil without subsoil acidity, and were correlated with root growth parameters obtained in the glasshouse. The best correlation was obtained between relative yields in the field (y) and root length per plant (x) at pH 3.9 in the glasshouse (y = –43 + 52*log x, r = 0.95) or root length per plant at pH 3.9 as a percentage of root length at pH 4.8 (y = 1.2 + 46*log x, r = 0.94). Following validation of the glasshouse screening method in the field, 115 wheat genotypes, including cultivars and breeding lines, were screened in the glasshouse. A substantial genotypic variation in acidity tolerance was found, with root length per plant at pH 3.9 ranging from 66 to > 350 mm. Many Western Australian breeding lines displayed better tolerance than existing tolerant wheat cultivars. The screening system can be instrumental in breeding wheat for increased tolerance to acid soils.
Effect of levels of concentrate supplement on live weight gain and carcass characteristics in sheep on restricted grazing

Sixteen local sheep (8 male + 8 female) of about six months old Avith average live weight 10.78 (± 1.11) kg were allocated into four treatments. The treatments (T) are : To = Restricted grazing without concentrate; Tb T2 and T3 = Grazing + 100, 200 and 300 g concentrate per sheep daily. Live weight of grazing (7.30 hrs daily) sheep was recorded in each week. The uncastrated male sheep were slaughtered for carcass and non-carcass parameters. Statistically significant (p < 0.05) differences were observed in live weight gain (g/day) among the treatments (To = 15.71; = 22.66; T2 = 32.66 and T3 = 40.47). The dressing % were: (To = 32.75, T] = 38.50, T2 = 36.90 and T3 = 37.75). The warm carcass weight represented 37.21% of live weight. Significant (p < 0.01) correlation were observed for live weight with carcass weight (r = 0.99) and dressing % (r = 0.88). Concentrate supplement increase live weight gain in sheep on grazing. Live weight is a good indicator to assess carcass characteristics. (
THE EFFECT OF NITROGEN FERTILIZER RATES ON GREEN BIOMASS AND DRY MATTER YIELD OF Sorghum sp. AT DIFFERENT GROWTH STAGES

The paper investigated the production properties of three sorghum genotypes: NS-Džin (forage sorghum), Zora (Sudan grass) and Siloking (interspecies hybrid) in terms of different nitrogen rates used in side dressing in 2009 and 2010. The subject of study was green biomass and dry matter yield in the stages of intensive growth and tasseling. The results have shown that there have been significant fluctuations in production indicators between the genotypes. In the total average, the lowest yield was recorded for the Sudan grass (85.41 t ha-1). Significantly higher yields were recorded for the interspecies hybrid (90.22 t ha-1) and the forage sorghum (93.51 t ha-1). Although the effect of nitrogen rates depended on weather conditions, i.e. rainfall distribution, the optimal nitrogen rate in both years was 180 kg ha-1. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR-31078]