Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A description of gametogenesis in the panga Pterogymnus laniarius (Pisces: Sparidae) with comments on changes in maturity patterns over the past two decades

A description of gametogenesis in the panga Pterogymnus laniarius, a common endemic seabream species inhabiting the Agulhas Bank, South Africa, is presented. After sexual maturity, oogenesis and spermatogenesis continued throughout the year and were found to be similar to these processes in other seabream species and teleosts in general. Analysis of maturity data over the past two decades revealed a significant change in both age and size-at-maturity, a response to fishing pressure.
Competitive hierarchies and the structure of herbaceous plant communities

A major goal of community ecology is to explain patterns in the relative abundance of species (MacArthur 1972, May 1975 Grubb et al. 1982). This problem can be divided into two distinct questions: I. what determines the shape of the distribution curve of species abundances, and 2. why are particular species typically rare and others typically common (Rabinowitz 1981). A number of studies of herbaceous plant communities have addressed themselves to the second of these questions in an attempt to identify a set of general attributes that determine commonness and rarity (Grime 1979, Gaudet and Keddy 1988, Goldberg 1990, Grace 1990) (.)
Improvement of uricase production from Bacillus subtilis RNZ-79 by solid state fermentation of shrimp shell wastes

Abstract Among various strains of Bacillus subtilis, the strain RNZ-79 was selected for this study due to the highest uricase productivity in solid state cultures containing shrimp shell wastes, highest Vmax (0.42 μM mg−1min−1) and lowest value of Km (56 μM). Maximum productivity was observed at pH 7.6 and 45°C with an inducer concentration of 0.4% (w/v) uric acid and moisture content of 80% (v/w). An inoculum of 7% (v/v) and particle size of 354–500 μm for substrate were optimal for productivity after 54 h of fermentation. None of the tested carbon and inorganic nitrogen sources had stimulatory effect on uricase productivity. KH2PO4 at 0.12% (w/v) was the best source of phosphorus. Final uricase productivity was 5.05-fold more than the initial productivity. Enzyme purification increased the specific activity to 25-fold with a recovery of 36%. Furthermore, the purified enzyme showed a molecular mass of 33.7 kDa. Purified uricase was optimally active at pH 8.0 and 40°C and maximally stable at pH 7.0-10.0 and till 70°C for 30 min. The half-life (t1/2) at 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100°C were 87.0, 56.6, 30.0, 24.2 and 15.6 min, respectively, and the calculated midpoint temperature (Tm) was 66.85°C. Interestingly, purified enzyme exhibited a good storage stability for 3 months and none of uric acid analogues were competitive inhibitor, indicating a high specificity of uricase.
Distributions and abundances of Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax) and other pelagic fishes in the California Current Ecosystem during spring 2006, 2008, and 2010,estimated from acoustic–trawl surveys

The abundances and distributions of coastal pelagic fish species in the California Current Ecosystem from San Diego to southern Vancouver Island, were estimated from combined acoustic and trawl surveys conducted in the spring of 2006, 2008, and 2010. Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax), jack mackerel (Trachurus symmetricus), and Pacific mackerel (Scomber japonicus) were the dominant coastal pelagic fish species, in that order. Northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax) and Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii) were sampled only sporadically and therefore estimates for these species were unreliable. The estimates of sardine biomass compared well with those of the annual assessments and confirmed a declining trajectory of the “northern stock” since 2006. During the sampling period, the biomass of jack mackerel was stable or increasing, and that of Pacific mackerel was low and variable. The uncertainties in these estimates are mostly the result of spatial patchiness which increased from sardine to mackerels to anchovy and herring. Future surveys of coastal pelagic fish species in the California Current Ecosystem should benefit from adaptive sampling based on modeled habitat; increased echosounder and trawl sampling, particularly for the most patchy and nearshore species; and directed-trawl sampling for improved species identification and estimations of their acoustic target stren
Seasonal Changes in the Metabolic Capacity of Red-Backed Voles

By the use of helium-oxygen mixtures it is possible to elicit maximum metabolic effort from small mammals under modest cold stress without training or injury. By this means, levels ranging from 5 to 8 times the standard metabolism (met) have been observed in various captive rodent species. These values are lower than those of 15 to more than 20 met observed in larger mammals such as dogs, man, and horses which can be systematically trained to exercise (Rosenmann and Morrison 1974). However, wild individuals may have greater metabolic demands at times, particularly in winter. The present study examines the influence of seasonal cold on unconfined individuals of a subarctic species in its natural habitat. Besides the maximum metabolism (Mmax), other bioenergetic parameters of interest include body temperature (TB), basal metabolism (MB), thermal conductance (C), low lethal temperature [TB (Mmax/C)], low critical temperature [TB (MB/C)], metabolic expansivity (MmaxMB), and metabolic reserve (Mmx M).
Overview of Network Meta-analysis for a Rheumatologist

The need to combine direct and indirect evidence is increasing in clinical fields, and this is especially true when direct evidence is inconclusive. Thus, in recent years, network meta-analysis has been utilized increasingly in medicine. Network meta-analysis is a statistical method that enables comparison of multiple treatments simultaneously—by combining direct and indirect evidence of the relative treatment effects—to assess the comparative effectiveness of multiple interventions even if there are no head-to-head comparisons. Network meta-analysis has some advantages in addressing all treatments for a specific condition, comparing interventions and ranking the efficacy and safety of multiple treatments, and increasing the certainty of evidence by pooling direct and indirect evidence to generate overall estimates. The major assumption in network meta-analysis is exchangeability of the studies, and other key assumptions include similarity, consistency, and transitivity. The Bayesian approach is used most commonly in network meta-analysis because it provides greater flexibility that allows for the use of more complex models and can produce estimates of rank probabilities. Bayesian network meta-analysis produces treatment rankings according to the probability of being the best treatment, the second best, third best, and so forth. Network meta-analysis is an interesting method that provides useful information for use in by rheumatologists in decision-making. (J Rheum Dis 2016;23:4-10)
Inter- and Intraindividual Variation in Daily Energy Expenditure of the Pouched Mouse (Saccostomus campestris)

1. We measured the simultaneous energy expenditure of five male and six female pouched mice (Saccostomus campestris), over 3 consecutive days, using the doubly labelled water (DLW) technique. The aim was to assess the interindividual scaling of daily energy demands and also the repeatability of measures of daily energy expenditure when using doubly labelled water. 2. Individual mice were housed in cages, given free access to food and water and were kept in a natural photoperiod (February at 26°S) at a mean temperature of 26.5°C (daily range 25-28°C). 3. Males were significantly heavier than the females, as is typical in this species. Mean energy expenditure (Watts) (single-pool model) over 3 days, across individuals, was positively related to body mass (reduced major axis scaling exponent b = 1.96) and to change in body mass over the 3 days
Sphagnum centrale and S. palustre from Mediterranean Basin: A Comparison with Conspecific North American Populations by Microsatellite Analysis

Abstract Twenty nine South European specimens of Sphagnum centrale, S. palustre, S. papillosum and S. magellanicum were studied with 15 microsatellite markers. In contrast with eastern North American populations, our analysis showed a genetic overlapping between S. centrale and S. palustre in mixed populations. Moreover, Mediterranean species showed a genetic richness (total number of alleles) higher than that calculated in conspecific American samples. As Mediterranean Sphagnum bogs are remnant populations, microsatellites could well work for selecting source populations in order to recover Mediterranean peatlands.
Exogenously applied gibberellic acid, indole acetic acid and kinetin as potential regulators of source-sink relationship, physiological and yield attributes in rice (Oryza sativa) genotypes under water deficit conditions.

Rice is one of the important cereal crops drastically affected by water scarcity in rice ecosystems. In a pot study, the impact of externally applied gibberellic acid (GA3), indole acetic acid (IAA) and kinetin was investigated on assimilates mobilization and yield parameters of rice under water stress. Twenty five days seedlings of two rice genotypes KS-133 and Basmati-2000 were transplanted in soil filled pots and sprayed with GA3, IAA and kinetin each of 10 M concentration at panicle initiation stage. Water stress was imposed to plants 80 days after transplanting for 10 days. Water stress (p≤ 0.05) reduced leaf chlorophyll content and yield of rice but increased the concentration of proline, leaf soluble protein and enhanced mobility of assimilates from leaves to grains. Application of GA3 and kinetin significantly (p≤ 0.05) increased chlorophyll content, growth and yield attributes in both genotypes under water stress conditions. However, IAA application did not improve the grain yield in rice genotypes under water stress. The positive impact of GA3 and kinetin spray was imitated in the form of enhanced solute accumulation; enhanced growth and greater grain assimilate deposition. This may be concluded that GA3 and kinetin can be applied exogenously prior to flower initiation in rice to reduce panicle sterility by increasing assimilates mobility under water deficit for optimal economic yield. © 2016 Friends Science Publishers
Variations of the Infection of the Mugilid Fish Liza abu (Heckel, 1843) with the Acanthocephalan Neoechinorhynchus iraqensis Amin, Al-Sady, Mhaisen et Bassat, 2001

During the period from October 2002 till September 2003, a total of 296 specimens of the mugilid fish Liza abu were collected from different fish markets at Baghdad city. The inspection of these fishes revealed the presence of the acanthocephalan Neoechinorhynchus iraqensis in their intestine. The overall percentage incidence of infection was 37.2% and the mean intensity of infection was 2.1. The infection of male and female fishes showed no significant differences. Generally, the percentage incidence of infection was high during spring and first two months of summer, while lower values were recorded during autumn. The mean intensity was generally high during winter and spring and low during summer and autumn. Significant differences in the percentage incidence were noticed in different fish length groups. The percentage incidence gradually increased with the increase in fish length, reached its highest value in length group 140-149 mm, and then it decreased until it reached its lowest value in the largest length group of 170 mm and more. No significant differences were noted in the mean intensity of infection of different fish length groups. Generally, the intensity was higher in smaller fishes and lower in larger fishes.
Crustacea Leptostraca, principles of taxonomy and a revision of European shelf species

Abstract For nearly a century the species concept used for the Crustacea Leptostraca has been very wide, particularly in the case of the cosmopolitan genus Nebalia. It is shown that the characters upon which this concept rests are unsatisfactory. On the whole chaetotaxonomic characters in the Leptostraca are, with exceptions, variable and growth-related and thus not well suited for identification of species. On the other hand the shape and proportions of parts provide constant and reliable characters. Against this background the principles for working on leptostracan taxonomy are laid down and a model for description of species is presented. It is shown that species decriptions should always be based on females. The model is applied in a revision of the leptostracan species of the European shelf. Five species of Nebalia are recognized, two of them new to science, and a new genus, Sarsinebalia, is introduced with {Nebalia typhlops G.O. Sars as genotype. It is demonstrated that in their geographical distrib.
Relationship between Resistance to Water Transport and Exudation Rate and the Effect of the Resistance on the Midday Depression of Stomatal Aperture in Rice Plants

There was considerable difference in the degree of the midday depression in the stomatal conductance, and the photosynthetic rate among rice plants grown under different conditions, and the degree of the midday depression was supposed to depend on root-water uptake ability. The present study was conducted to investigate the difference in the exudation rate under practically zero transpiration, representing active water uptake capacity, and in the resistance to water transport under intense transpiration, representing passive water uptake capacity, among rice plants grown under different conditions. The relationship between passive and active water uptake capacities as well as between the passive water uptake capacity and the degree of midday stomatal closure was also investigated. In the plants in which "root-rot" occurred as a result of the soluble starch added to the soil and in those which were grown under the conditions of low light intensity and high humidity and developed a smaller root system, the exudation rate was low and the resistance to water transport was high compared to the control plants. This means that active and passive water uptake capacities were lower in these plants than in the control plants. In the plants which were grown on the culture solution of low nitrogen level and developed larger root system, exudation rate was high and the resistance was low compared to the plants grown on the standard culture solution, that is, active and passive water uptake capacities were higher in the former than in the latter. The degree of the midday depression in the stomatal aperture was larger in the plants in which resistance to water transport was larger and there was a close correlation between the resistance, i.e. passive water uptake capacity, and the degree of the midday depression. On the other hand, in the plants whose leaf nitrogen content was increased by applying ammonium sulfate one week before measurement commenced, exudation rate increased markedly but the resistance to water transport did not change. The stomatal aperture was far larger in the plants supplied with additional ammonium sulfate than in the control plants in the morning, but the difference in the sizes of these respective stomatal apertures became smaller under intense midday transpiration because of the absence of any difference in their passive water uptake capacities. In view of the high correlation between gas exchange rate through stomata and photosynthetic rate, these results suggest that higher passive water uptake capacity is essential, in addition to the increase in leaf nitrogen content, in increasing the daily total photosynthesis.
Sodium Deoxycholate Exerts a Direct Destructive Effect on HIV and Influenza Viruses in vitro and Inhibits Retrovirus-Induced Pathology in An Animal Model

The bile salt sodium deoxycholate had a virucidal effect on influenza, Rauscher leukaemia and HIV-1 viruses, reducing virus infectivity by a maximum of 6 logs TCID50 ml−1 after 1 h incubation at 37 °C with 50 μg ml−1 of the compound. Electron microscopy demonstrated directly that sodium deoxycholate and other bile salts perturbed influenza virus structure causing partial or complete disruption of the virion lipid membrane, thus allowing entry of phosphotungstate dye to the virion interior. Parenteral administration of sodium deoxycholate (14 mg kg−1) to Balb/C mice abrogated pathology caused by Rauscher leukaemia virus replicating in the spleen and influenza virus replicating in the lung. Bile salts may also have clinical potential as topical virucidal agents at the point of entry of enveloped viruses and particularly against HIV.
Classification of the Gall-Wasps and the Parasitic Cynipoids, or the Superfamily Cynipoidea III

The members of this tribe form galls only on the Roseworts (Rosaceae), and apparently, so far as the records go, will attack no other order of plants, the rose (Rosa) and the bramble (X’u3us) especially being subject to their attacks they show some affinity with the Aufacini, some of which also form galls on the 7? osaceae, but these latter are easily distinguished by the venation of the front wings and by abdominal differences, the hypopygium not being prominent or acutely pointed as in the former, while the second segment is usually much shorter. Walsh, deceived by the statement of a farmer, described his genus Tribalia as forming galls on the 15otato Solarium tuberosum, but these turn out to be rootgalls on rose, closely resembling a potato. The genus is very closely allied to 27hodites Hartig and has been rechristened recently by Abbd Kieffer under the name of Zytorhodites.
Status of the ‘Mangrove tunicate’ Ecteinascidia turbinata (Ascidiacea: Perophoridae) in the Mediterranean Sea

The ascidian Ecteinascidia turbinata is reported from Maltese waters for the first time. Mature colonies were recorded on artificial substrata at two different sites (and on natural substrata at one of these), 4 km apart, during the summer months. The appearance of this ascidian is expected to be seasonal as the winter temperature in Malta may fall below that required for the maintenance of zooid growth. A second species, E. moorei, which was described in 1890 is here confirmed to be the same as E. turbinata, meaning that the species has existed in the Mediterranean since at least ~1880. The possibility that the Mediterranean population is a relic one from warmer periods cannot yet be excluded, so it is best described as being cryptogenic. The species appears to be spreading slowly, perhaps as a result of the rise in surface sea temperature. The Maltese sites offer an opportunity to monitor the species as they are accessible dive sites. This will allow assessment of whether this species remains restricted to these sites, or if it spreads perhaps to impact other species.
Marteilia refringens and oyster disease - Recent observations

The parasite responsible for the disease of the flat oyster, Ostrea edulis has been the object of numerous studies (Comps 1970), (Tige and Morel, 1974, Perkins, 1976) in which most considered the internal cycle of development of the parasite in the oyster, and the parasite's structure, ultrastructure, and systematic position, of which the latter remains debatable. In this paper I mention observations made at the time of diagnosis for the presence of infections and information gained through studies of oysters on the bottoms of estuaries and coastal waters. The research is designed to provide practical solutions to problems facing oyster culture.
Measuring Genetic Variability in Natural Populations by Allozyme Electrophoresis

Association for Biology Laboratory Education (ABLE) ~ http://www.zoo. utoronto.ca/able Reprinted From: Bader, J. M. 1998. Measuring genetic variability in natural populations by allozyme electrophoresis. Pages 25-42, in Tested studies for laboratory teaching, Volume 19 (S. J. Karcher, Editor). Proceedings of the 19 Workshop/Conference of the Association for Biology Laboratory Education (ABLE), 365 pages.
Expression of antifungal activity in agar culture by isolates of grass endophytes

spores and phialoconidia. In addition, there is some morphological resemblance between P. nishigaharanas and Arachnophora fagicola Hennebert, which forms conidia of complex shape with a central body which is usually 1-septate, bearing several inwardly curved, brown lateral protuberances, terminally and singly on well-developed conidiophores with percurrent proliferations, while papulaspores of P. nishigaharanas are borne usually intercalarily on aerial or nonaerial hyphae, mostly without conspicuous development of conidiophores. The specific epithet is based on the collection site.
Water Metabolism and Estimated Field Water Budgets in Two Rodents (Clethrionomys gapperi and Peromyscus leucopus) and an Insectivore (Blarina brevicauda) Inhabiting the Same Mesic Environment

At Ta 20 C shrews and voles lose water at about twice the rate predicted from body weight, while the white-footed mouse loses about one-third more water per day than predicted. Cold exposure (5 C) caused significant increases in water loss in the three species, and this increase was due to increased fecal and urinary losses while evaporative loss was not significantly changed; during cold exposure Peromyscus leucopus lost much less water than shrews and voles. When drinking water was reduced to the minimum requirements at both 5 C and 20 C, the three species showed marked reductions in urinary, fecal, and evaporative losses. Minimum water requirements of P. leucopus were much lower than those of shrews or voles. On minimum water regimes urine concentration was significantly higher in P. leucopus (2,953 mosmol/liter) than in shrews (1,802 mosmal/liter) or voles (1,758 mosmol/liter), and ability to concentrate urine in these three as well as numerous other mammals correlated well with relative medullary thickness of the kidneys. Water budgets for the three species were calculated based on energy requirements; diet; the amount of food intake necessary to fulfill the energy requirements; the protein, salt, and water intake resulting from feeding; and obligatory water loss. These calculations revealed: (1) shrews and voles, despite their high water requirements, are in effect forced to consume large quantities of low-caloric and high water-content food with consequent intake of large quantities of preformed water and probably remain in water balance throughout the year; (2) P. leucopus may need to supplement their diet with small amounts of drinking water in the winter, but their summer diet probably supplies sufficient water.
Dietary immunoglobulins affect colon cytokines in mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease

The incidence of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) is increasing in the US. Dietary factors impact the symptoms of IBD, although the food matrix and milieu of the gastrointestinal tract create challenges for therapy. Based on previously documented success in managing necrotizing enteropathy in neonatal pigs using a concentrated form of blood‐derived immunoglobulins, we explored the role of this product in alleviating the symptoms of IBD in a mouse model. ImmunoLin® (Proliant Health Ingredients, Ankeny IA) contains a mixture of mainly IgG with IgA, IgM, IgE, and IgD. We hypothesized that the immunoglobulins in this product would reduce colon inflammation. We treated C57BlackJ mice with 2% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) for 4 days and then fed AIN‐93G diets containing 0, 11.25, 22.5 or 45 g/kg ImmunoLin® for 7 or 14 days. Colon tissue was snap frozen and 23 cytokines were analyzed by Luminex immunoassay. DSS resulted in elevated expression of most cytokines in the mouse colon. After 14 days the lower doses of ImmunoLin® reduced IL‐1α, IL‐4, IL‐6, IL‐10, MCP‐1 and KC, but the highest dose was ineffective. In a parallel study, feeding the 45g dose for 14 days prior to DSS treatment had no protective effect on these cytokines. Thus, low doses of ImmunoLin® reduced cytokine induction in response to DSS in mice and may have value in human therapy. Funded by USDA special grant to the ISU Center for Designing Foods to Improve Nutrition.