Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Vitamin C and Glutathione on Ethanol Cytotoxicity and Selected Parameters of Pro- and Antioxidative Processes in Mouse Fibroblasts 3T3-L1

Ethanol metabolites may directly or indirectly induce oxidative stress as a result of disturbed balance between pro- and antioxidative processes. An indirect effect of ethanol on the generation of oxidative stress is associated with the attenuation of intracellular defensive enzymatic antioxidants, e.g. gluthatione peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase as well as water- and/or fat-soluble low-molecular antioxidants (e.g., vitamin C, vitamin E, glutathione, selenium). The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of 48h preincubation of mouse embryo fibroblast-like cells (3T3-L1) with vitamin C (VC, 0.06 mM) and glutathione (GSH, 0.05 mM) on their viability after exposure for 4, 8, and 24 h to ethanol (0.3 mM). Additionally, the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) enzymes as well as the level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were assessed in the exposed cells. In our study, vitamin C and glutathione had no significant effect on cytotoxicity of ethanol. We observed differences in GSH-Px and TrxR activity depending on the duration of exposure to ethanol. The highest GSH-Px activity in cell lysates was measured after 8 and 24h of incubation with ethanol and both antioxidants, or ethanol alone. The highest TrxR activity was observed after 4h of incubation in the presence of ethanol or GSH. There were no effects of VC and GSH on the activity of the antioxidant enzymes in comparison to cells not supplemented with VC and GSH. Similarly, we were unable to show any significant differences in levels of TBARS except incubation for 24h, when concentration of TBARS was highest in cells exposed to ethanol and simultaneously supplemented with the antioxidants.
Swimming ability and physiological response to swimming fatigue in kuruma shrimp, Marsupenaeus japonicus

The swimming endurance of kuruma shrimp, Marsupenaeus japonicus (11.04 ± 2.43 g) at five swimming speeds (23.0, 26.7, 31.0, 34.6 and 38.6 cm s-1) was determined in a circulating flume at 25.7 ± 0.7°C. The plasma glucose and total protein, hepatopancreas and pleopods muscle glycogen concentrations were determined before swimming and immediately after swimming to evaluate physiological effect of swimming. Swimming endurance of M. japonicus decreased as swimming speed increased. The relationship between swimming endurance (t, s) and swimming speed (v, cm s-1) could be described by the logarithmic model as: t = -6881Ln (v) + 26090, R2 = 0.97 (P vdt was found to be 32.43 cm. Metabolic rates of plasma glucose (Mpg, mol ml-1 s-1) and pleopods muscle glycogen (Mmg, mg g-1 s-1) during swimming to fatigue increased as swimming speed increased. The relationship between Mpg or Mmg and swimming speed (v, cm s-1) could be described by the exponential model as: Mpg = 3E-06e0.140v, R2 = 0.98 (P
The influence of surfactants on transpiration of strawberry leaves

Surfactants introduced into strawberry (Fragaria grandiflora Duch. cv. Redgauntlet) leaves in doses of 5.5 × 10−4 – 5.5 × 10−2 μmol per leaf blade decreased the transpiration rate of treated leaves regardless of the electrical charge brought to the membranes. A 5.5 × 10−2 μmol dose of surfactants applied during constant illumination caused almost the same decrease in transpiration as a dose of 7.5 × 10−4 μmol of abscisic acid. Surfactants also accelerated the decrease in transpiration in plants grown in the dark, and there was a consistent rate of solute efflux from guard cells. Fusicoccin applied to plants under the influence of surfactants or abscisic acid caused a sustained increase in the transpiration rate. Mannitol and sucrose caused a temporary increase in transpiration rate. KCl increased transpiration when applied after abscisic acid but decreased transpiration when applied after surfactants. These observations suggest that surfactants and abscisic acid influence the guard cell membrane in differ.
Tree growth is related to light interception and wood density in two mixed dipterocarp forests of Malaysia

Summary 1. The development of simple predictors of tree growth is important in understanding forest dynamics. For this purpose, tree height, crown width in two perpendicular directions, trunk diameter at 1·3 m height (d.b.h.) and crown illumination index (CI) were determined for 727 pole-sized trees (8‐20 cm d.b.h.) of 21 species, on forest dynamics plots at Pasoh Forest Reserve, Peninsular Malaysia and Lambir Hills National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia. A light-interception index (LI = A cr CI 2 , where A cr is crown area) was calculated for each tree, and wood density (stem wood dry mass/fresh volume) was estimated for each species from reported values. 2. Diameter growth rates were linearly correlated with LI (mean per species r 2 = 0·45, excluding substantially damaged and vine-covered trees). 3. Among trees of all species, diameter growth rate was highly correlated with LI/ wood density. 4. Mean growth rate per species varied 10-fold among the study species, but increased linearly with mean LI/wood density ratio ( r 2 = 0·78), consistent with the previous pattern. 5. Thus much of the variability in tree growth rates, both within and among species, can be accounted for by the simple mechanistic assumption that, within a given size class, growth is proportional to light interception/wood density.
Factors Affecting Silverleaf Nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium) Germination

Abstract Silverleaf nightshade is a widespread, deep-rooted, summer-growing perennial that significantly reduces production in Australian crop and pasture systems. It has an extensive root system, which competes both directly and indirectly with summer and winter pastures and crops through depletion of soil moisture and nutrients. Long-distance dispersal of seeds is an important mechanism for its spread and management. A range of experiments was conducted to determine the factors influencing seed production and seedbank dynamics. Seed production ranged from 1,814 to 2,945 m−2. Diurnally fluctuating temperatures of 25/15 C provided the optimal thermal conditions for germination, with germination not affected by light. Osmotic stress reduced germination, with no germination occurring at −1MPa. Germination was reduced to 5% at 160 mM NaCl, suggesting some salt sensitivity. Germination occurred over a pH range of 4 to 10, but declined with increasing acidity. Viability of buried seed declined to around 20% after 3 yr, with seed buried at 10 cm remaining the most viable. The prolonged seed persistence in the soil indicates a long-term control program is necessary for depleting the soil seedbank. Nomenclature: Silverleaf nightshade, Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. SOLEL.
Energy deficiency alters behaviours involved in transmission of Heligmosomoides polygyrus (Nematoda) in mice

Des etudes independantes demontrent que le comportement animal est affecte par les carences nutritionnelles et que le comportement de l'hote affecte la transmission des parasites. Les objectifs de notre etude sont de determiner si une carence energetique affecte le profil de comportement des souris et leur taux d'exposition aux larves d'Heligmosomoides polygyrus (Nematoda), un parasite acquis naturellement. Des souris femelles CF-1 et CD-1 non consanguines ont ete nourries d'un regime alimentaire temoin ou d'un regime a carence energetique (65 % du regime temoin) pendant 7 jours; les souris nourries au regime deficient ayant alors consomme significativement moins d'energie, elles avaient des temperatures rectales plus basses et, dans le cas des souris CD-1, des masses plus faibles que les souris temoins. Au jour 7, les souris ont ete placees individuellement pendant 6 h dans des arenes de transmission naturelle contenant de la mousse de tourbe humide et des larves de parasites; elles ont ete observees a 60 reprises et leur comportement a ete note. Par la suite, toutes les souris ont ete remises dans des cages ordinaires et nourries avec un regime energetique adequat pour eliminer l'effet confondant d'une carence alimentaire sur la reaction immunitaire de l'hote au cours des 8 jours suivants. A la necropsie, le nombre de parasites etait significativement inferieur chez les souris des deux lignees a regime alimentaire deficient. Les profils de comportement differaient significativement en fonction du regime et de la lignee; les souris des deux lignees soumises a des regimes deficients se toilettaient moins et creusaient moins dans la tourbe que les souris temoins. La frequence du toilettage est en relation positive avec la charge parasitaire chez les deux lignees; la frequence de machouillage de la tourbe et du sommeil sont en correlation positive avec la charge parasitaire chez les souris CD-1; les frequences de la position dressee et de la marche accroupie sont en correlation positive avec la charge parasitaire chez les souris CF-1. Ces observations indiquent que le toilettage et le contact avec la mousse de tourbe sont des facteurs importants dans la transmission d'H. polygyrus, qu'une carence energetique entraine une reduction de la frequence de ces comportements et que ces changements de comportement peuvent expliquer, en partie, la reduction de la transmission de parasites chez des souris nourries d'un regime deficient en energie.
Desempenho de novilhas leiteiras em pastagem de capim-Xaraés (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Xaraés) suplementadas com dois tipos de misturas minerais

The effects of selective (e.g. mineral supplement formulated on the basis of nutritional and clinical examination of the herd) or commercial mineral supplementation of crossbred dairy heifers (Holstein-Mantiqueira), on daily weight gain (DWG), body condition score (BCS), age at first mating (AFM) and the intake of mineral mixture (IMM) managed on Xaraes palissadgrass pasture (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Xaraes) were evaluated from February 2006 to March 2008. Structural characteristics, forage allowance and nutritional value of Xaraes palissadgrass were also evaluated. The structural variables of pasture, allowances and nutritive value of forage, besides the DWG were only affected (p<0.05) by season, with highest results for spring and summer. Throughout the experimental period (730 days), no sign of mineral deficiency was detected in heifers that ingested the selective supplement. The DWG and AFM were not influenced by the mineral mixture offered (0.52 and 0.33 kg/day during the spring/summer and in fall/winter for DWG, respectively, and 813 days of AFM). The IMM was higher for commercial mineral mixture than for selective (61.6 and 51.0g/day respectively). The BCS was slightly higher for selective (3.17) than for the commercial (3.02) mineral mixture. Thus, the selective mineral supplement was a strategy to prevent mineral deficiency in this herd and resulted in similar performance at lower costs (e.g. due to less IMM) of crossbred heifers when compared with the commercial mineral supplementation.
Interactive Effects of Simulated Herbivory and Interspecific Competition on Survival of Blackbrush (Coleogyne ramosissima) Seedlings

Abstract I investigated the individual and joint effects of simulated herbivory and interspecific competition on survival of Coleogyne ramosissima Torr. (blackbrush) seedlings. Seeds of C. ramosissima and Bromus rubens L. (red brome grass) were collected at mid-elevations (1220 to 1770 m) of the Spring Mountains in southern Nevada. A pot trial experiment was conducted for six months (27 wk) in a controlled environmental greenhouse. This trial experiment, consisting of a 2 × 2 factorial design with simulated rodent herbivory and interspecific competition with B. rubens as the main effects, resulted in four treatments. Herbivory on C. ramosissima by heteromyid and non-heteromyid species of rodents was simulated by clipping the top 3 cm of young shoots. Significant interaction was detected between herbivory and competition for C. ramosissima seedling survival. When herbivory and competition were examined independently, both factors had significant adverse effects on C. ramosissima seedling survival, with the former having greater negative effect than the latter. Results of this study suggest that simulated rodent herbivory and B. rubens competition limited survival independently, and that a combination of herbivory and competition caused synergistic reductions in C. ramosissima seedling survival. Understanding the role of herbivory and plant competition in reducing survivorship of seedlings is crucial to the management and regeneration of C. ramosissima shrublands in the Mojave Desert.
Pulse Radiolysis Studies of β-Carotene in Oxygenated DMSO Solution. Formation of β-Carotene Radical Cation

Abstract Getoff, N. Pulse Radiolysis Studies of β-Carotene in Oxygenated DMSO Solution. Formation of β-Carotene Radical Cation. The spectroscopic and kinetic characteristics of β-carotene radical cation (β-carotene·+) were studied by pulse radiolysis in aerated DMSO solution. The buildup of β-carotene·+ with k1 = (4.8 ± 0.2) × 108 dm3 mol–1 s–1 [λmax = 942 nm, ϵ = (1.6 ± 0.1) × 104 dm3 mol–1 cm–1] results from an electron transfer from β-carotene to DMSO·+. The β-carotene·+ species decays exclusively by first-order reaction, k = (2.1 ± 0.1) × 103 s–1, probably by two processes: (1) at low substrate concentration by hydrolysis and (2) at high concentrations also by formation of dimer radical cation (β-carotene)2·+. Under the experimental conditions, a small additional β-carotene triplet-state absorption (3β-carotene) in the range of 525 to 660 nm was observed. This triplet absorption is quenched by oxygen (k = 7 × 104 s–1), resulting in singlet oxygen (1O2), whose reactions can also lead to additional formation of β-carotene·+.
Egg laying decisions by the bean weevil Callosobruchus maculatus

ABSTRACT. 1 Previous work has shown that female Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) can accurately assess the number of eggs on a seed and use this information to produce a near uniform distribution of egg‐loads, so minimizing larval competition within hosts. 2 The decision to lay on a particular seed may be based on one of two possible rules: (i) a‘relative’rule, which compares the number of eggs on the present seed with that on previously encountered seeds; and (ii) an‘absolute’rule, which takes into account the current egg‐load alone. 3 This paper describes an experimental study of oviposition behaviour which concludes that an absolute measure of egg‐load probably determines egg‐laying decisions. The implications of this result are discussed.
Seasonal and Diurnal Water Relations of Selected Forest Species

Leaf diffusive conductance, leaf water potential, and leaf osmotic potential measurements were made on one tree species and three woody brush species on north and south aspects in the Priest River Experimental Forest of northern Idaho. Douglas maple (Acer glabrum) and western white pine (Pinus monticola) occurred on both aspects. Sitka alder (Alnus sinuata) and mallow ninebark (Physocarpus malvaceus) occurred only on north and south aspects, respectively. Physocarpus on the south aspect attained osmotic and leaf water potentials near -30 bars and daytime leaf diffusive conductances (reciprocal of resistance) near 0.3 cm/s. The Pinus on this site attained osmotic and leaf water potentials near -25 bars and leaf diffusive conductances near 0.06 cm/s. Osmotic potential and leaf water potential decreased to a minimum specific to each deciduous species as the season progressed. The Alnus and Acer species exhibited osmotic potentials near -16 bars with the Acer leaf water potential decreasing further to near -20 bars. The Pinus maintained a uniform osmotic po- tential between -20 and -25 bars throughout the year. Leaf diffusive conductance appeared to be controlled during the day by a combination of atmospheric demand, soil moisture availability, and plant adaptation to water stress. Stomatal control of leaf water potential was evident in Pinus on both aspects and in the brush species on the north but not on the south aspect.
Floral development of Berberidopsis corallina: a crucial link in the evolution of flowers in the core Eudicots.

Background and Aims On the basis of molecular evidence Berberidopsidaceae have been linked with Aextoxicaceae in an order Berberidopsidales at the base of the core Eudicots. The floral development of Berberidopsis is central to the understanding of the evolution of floral configurations at the transition of the basal Eudicots to the core Eudicots. It lies at the transition of trimerous or dimerous, simplified apetalous forms into pentamerous, petaliferous flowers. Methods The floral ontogeny of Berberidopsis was studied with a scanning electron microscope. Key Results Flowers are grouped in terminal racemes with variable development. The relationship between the number of tepals, stamens and carpels is more or less fixed and floral initiation follows a strict 2/5 phyllotaxis. Two bracteoles, 12 tepals, eight stamens and three carpels are initiated in a regular sequence. The number of stamens can be increased by a doubling of stamen positions. Conclusions The floral ontogeny of Berberidopsis provides support for the shift in floral bauplan from the basal Eudicots to the core Eudicots as a transition of a spiral flower with a 2/5 phyllotaxis to pentamerous flowers with two perianth whorls, two stamen whorls and a single carpel whorl. The differentiation of sepals and petals from bracteotepals is discussed and a comparison is made with other Eudicots with a similar configuration and development. Depending on the resolution of the relationships among the basalmost core Eudicots it is suggested that Berberidopsis either represents a critical stage in the evolution of pentamerous flowers of major clades of Eudicots, or has a floral prototype that may be at the base of evolution of flowers of other core Eudicots. The distribution of a floral Bauplan in other clades of Eudicots similar to Berberidopsidales is discussed. a 2004 Annals of Botany Company
Biodegradation of lignin-derived molecules under anaerobic conditions

Soluble fragments of lignin origin obtained by thermochemical treatment of [14C]lignin-labeled lignocellulose served as substrate for anaerobic enrichment cultures. This study demonstrates that oligolignols, thought to be refractory under anaerobic conditions, can be degraded to lower molecular weight compounds and to methane and carbon dioxide.
Inhibition of sex pheromone communications of Trichogramma brassicae (Hymenoptera) by the insecticide chlorpyrifos

Biological control agents such as entomophagus insects (e.g., Trichogramma sp.) are important components of integrated pest management (IPM) programs. Because pesticides are also an important component of IPM programs, it is essential to understand how biological control agents are affected by pesticides and how these effects may affect the effectiveness of the biological control agents. Contrary to most insect species that use volatile pheromones for mate location, T. brassicae is one of the few species using a substrate‐borne sex pheromone for mating. In this work we determined the effects of an organophosphorus insecticide, chlorpyrifos, on sex pheromone reception by males and emission by virgin females. The insects used in the pheromone tests were survivors from an acute toxicity test in which individuals were exposed to a dose of chlorpyrifos equivalent to a 20% lethal dose. Males that survived the insecticide exposure spent much less time on the area marked with the female pheromone than control males (mean choice indexes, 0.46 [0.34 SD] vs 0.70 [0.25 SD], p < 0.001). The kinetics of the response of males to marking by control and treated females indicated that chlorpyrifos decreased the emission of sex pheromone by females surviving the insecticide. Therefore, chlorpyrifos inhibited pheromone reception by males and decreased pheromone emission by virgin females. These results are interpreted in the context of sex pheromone regulation by the nervous system of insects and according to the mode of action of chlorpyrifos. Extensions of these results on actual work on sex pheromone, the use of pheromone traps, and the population biology of Trichogramma sp. are discussed.
Testing the correlations between leaf life span and leaf structural reinforcement in 13 species of European Mediterranean woody plants

Summary 1It has been proposed that in longer-living leaves the allocation of biomass to structural components is greater than in shorter-living leaves, leading to a greater leaf mass per area (LMA) and to lower assimilation rates. However, direct evidence in support of this hypothesis is very scarce. 2In the present work we investigated the relationships between leaf duration and LMA, leaf thickness and fibre concentrations (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) in five oak species, five pine species and three additional tree species, differing in leaf life spans. Correlations among leaf life span and the other leaf traits were obtained both across species (TIPs) and as phylogenetically independent contrasts (PICs). 3Leaf thickness and LMA increased steadily with leaf longevity. No relationship was found between leaf longevity and the lignin concentration per unit leaf mass. Evergreen leaves were found to have higher mean concentrations of cellulose and hemicellulose than deciduous ones. However, no relationship was observed between leaf longevity and the concentration of structural carbohydrates across the set of evergreen species, although PIC correlations revealed increases in cellulose with leaf longevity within particular lineages. 4Our findings reveal that leaf reinforcement by structural carbohydrates depends on leaf habit (deciduous vs. evergreen) and, within a given lineage, also on leaf longevity. However, among the evergreen species co-occurring in a particular environment, leaf duration may apparently be increased, with no need for increases in the concentration of structural components per unit leaf mass.
Determination of the Average Partial Pressure of CO2 in Chloroplasts From Leaves of Several C3 Plants

Measurements of CO2 and water vapour exchange by leaves were combined with measurements of carbon isotope composition (13C/12C) of CO2 in the air passing over the leaf. Carbon isotope discrimination during CO2 uptake was determined from the difference in carbon isotope composition of the air leaving the leaf chamber with or without a leaf enclosed. Leaves of wheat plants grown with different nitrogen nutrition and leaves of several other species were examined. The measurements, made at different irradiances for a given leaf, showed that carbon isotope discrimination was strongly correlated with the rate of CO2 assimilation as well as the ratio of intercellular to ambient partial pressure of CO2, pI/pa. A function relating carbon isotope discrimination to the rate of CO2 assimilation was used to estimate the CO2 transfer conductance, gw, from the substomatal cavities to the sites of carboxylation for individual leaves. The photosynthetic capacity correlated with the CO2 transfer conductance, gw, and the average ratio of chloroplastic to intercellular partial pressure of CO2, pI/pa, was 0.7. This means that in general under high irradiance, the ratio of chloroplastic to ambient partial pressure of CO2 is about 0.5. In wheat, variation in gw was correlated with the chloroplast surface area appressing intercellular airspaces.