Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fruit fossils of Rosoideae (Rosaceae) from the late Pliocene of northwestern Yunnan, Southwest China

The subfamily Rosoideae Focke (Rosaceae) has a good fossil record in the Northern Hemisphere, but these fossil records are confined mainly to a few genera, whereas the majority, in particular those with herbaceous members, are still under‐represented. In this study, we describe new fruit fossils of Rosoideae, including Fragaria achenes and Rubus endocarps, from the late Pliocene of northwestern Yunnan, Southwest China. These fossils add new accounts to the fossil archive of Rosoideae and provide the first fossil record of Fragaria in East Asia. The new fossil findings provide a historical backdrop for the modern diversity and distribution of the subfamily in northwestern Yunnan, a topographically complex area accommodating a high diversity for many plant groups. Our Rubus fossils, in combination with other nearby coeval occurrences of the genus, suggest that Rubus was already establishing its modern diversity in northwestern Yunnan during the late Pliocene. This finding enriches our knowledge of the post‐Neogene diversification of flowering plants in northwestern Yunnan, which is thought to be largely driven by dramatic mountain uplifts and environmental complications associated with the southeastern extension of the Tibetan Plateau.
Myosin Heavy Chain-embryonic is a crucial regulator of skeletal muscle development and differentiation

Myosin heavy chains (MyHCs) are contractile proteins that are part of the thick filaments of the functional unit of the skeletal muscle, the sarcomere. In addition to MyHCs that are part of the adult muscle contractile network, two MyHCs - MyHC-embryonic and -perinatal are expressed during muscle development and are only transiently expressed in the adult during regeneration. The functions performed by these MyHCs has been a long-standing question and using a targeted mouse allele, we have characterized the role of MyHC-embryonic. Analysis of loss-of-function mice reveals that lack of MyHC-embryonic leads to mis-regulation of other MyHCs, alterations in fiber size, fiber number and fiber type at neonatal stages. We also find that loss of MyHC-embryonic leads to mis-regulation of genes involved in muscle differentiation. A broad theme from these studies is that loss of MyHC-embryonic has distinct effects on different muscles, possibly reflecting the unique fiber type composition of different muscles. Most significantly, our results indicate that MyHC-embryonic is required during embryonic and fetal myogenesis to regulate myogenic progenitor and myoblast differentiation in a non-cell autonomous manner via Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase (MAPKinase) and Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) signaling. Thus, our results signify that MyHC-embryonic is a key regulator of myogenic differentiation during embryonic, fetal and neonatal myogenesis.
Macrophage Il-1beta protects against mycobacterial infection downstream of Hif-1alpha in zebrafish

Drug resistant mycobacteria are a rising problem worldwide. There is an urgent need to understand the immune response to TB to identify host targets that, if targeted therapeutically, could be used to tackle these currently untreatable infections. Here, we use an Il-1 fluorescent transgenic line to show that there is an early innate immune pro-inflammatory response to well-established zebrafish models of inflammation and Mycobacterium marinum (Mm) infection. We demonstrate that host-derived hypoxia signalling, mediated by the Hif-1 transcription factor, can prime macrophages with increased levels of Il-1 in the absence of infection. Moreover, Il-1 upregulates neutrophil antimicrobial nitric oxide production and is protective against infection. Our data link Hif-1 to proinflammatory macrophage Il-1 transcription during early mycobacterial infection and highlight how host-derived Hif-1 may be a promising drug target to stimulate the innate immune response to better deal with infection.
ISOLASI DAN IDENTIFIKASI BAKTERI ASAM LAKTAT (BAL) DARI BUAH MANGGA (Mangifera indica L.)

The research has been done for the isolation and identification of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from mango (Mangifera indica L.). This research aimed to isolated of lactic acid bacteria that is in mango (Mangifera indica L.) and determine the characteristics of lactic acid bacteria isolate (LAB) of mango (Mangifera indica L.). The method used is spoiled technique of mango (Mangifera indica L.) and isolation using selective media MRS Broth and MRS Agar. The identification isolate of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) used methods macroscopically and microscopically with indirect coloring, gram staining and used biochemical with katalase testing. The results obtained in the form of characteristic isolate of lactic acid bacteria displayed form of bacteria with circle, smooth surface, curve, entire side and white. The microscopically displayed stick form of bacteria and purple with gram coloring
Cа2+ transporting systems in secretory cells of the rat exorbital lacrimal gland. І. Ca2+ pumps of plasma membrane and endoplasmic reticulum

The mechanism of secretion by lacrimal glands, the innervation and orientation effects, and the mechanism of transduction of primary agonists are similar to the major salivary glands. However, unlike the major salivary glands, about organization of Ca 2+ signalling and Ca 2+ -transporting systems contribution to Ca 2+ homeostasis maintenance in secretory cells of the lacrimal glands is not totally clear yet. The purpose of the work was to investigate the role of plasma membrane (PMCA) and endoplasmic reticulum (SERCA) Ca 2+ pumps in maintenance of Ca 2+ homeostasis in the secretory cells of the lacrimal glands. The study was performed on intact and digitonin-permeabilized secretory cells of exorbital lacrimal glands of rats. The functioning of the Ca 2+ -transporting systems was estimated by changes of Ca 2+ content in cells, after incubation with agonists or antago -nists. Ca 2+ content was determined using metalochromic dye Arsenazo III. The baseline Ca 2+ content in intact and permeabilized cells decreases during in cubation time. This decrease is caused by dysfunction of SERCA. This pump is high effectively inhibited by eosin Y (10 µ mol/l) and thapsigargin (1 µ mol/l). PMCA plays important role in maintaining of Ca 2+ homeostasis in the lacrimal gland secretory cells. Thus, the content of Ca 2+ in intact cells of rat lacrimal glands did not change under inhibition by eosin Y in wide concentration range (5–20 µ mol/l) (unlike digitonin-permeabilized cells). In addition, eosin Y (5 µ mol/l) prevented time-dependent reduction of Ca 2+ content in intact cells. In both cases, inhibition of PMCA eliminates the effect of inhibition of SERCA. Results of two-factor analysis of variance confirmed that in the absence of eosin Y incubation time and permeabilization of plasma membrane significantly affect the content of Ca 2+ in cells . At the same time, in the presence of eosin Y (5 µ mol/l) only permeabili zation of plasma membrane reliably affects of the changes of Ca 2+ content. Because in permeabilized cells, as well as eosin Y influence in concentration 5 µ mol/l, PMCA does not transport Ca 2+ from the cell.
Effects of stocking density on growth and survival of young Gulf killifish in recirculating aquaculture systems

ABSTRACT Gulf killifish, Fundulus grandis, is a hardy marine baitfish with established rearing techniques in ponds and static pools, but there is little information about the use of recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) for growing killifish.The current trial investigated the effects of stocking density on growth and survival of young killifish in RAS. Young fish (28-day posthatch) of 51.6 ± 0.9 mg (mean ± SE) were stocked at 2, 5, 8, and 11 fish/L in 31 L tanks in RAS with triplicate groups for 16 weeks. Cannibalism was a major problem in the study, which increased with increasing initial stocking density, affecting survival negatively. Survival decreased (P < 0.03) with increasing initial stocking density and culture period. At the end of the trial, the 2, 5, 8 and 11 fish/L initial stocking density reduced to 1.66, 1.42, 0.86, and 0.74 fish/L respectively. A significant linear relationship existed between the initial stocking density and weight (y = 0.077x + 2.3; R2 = 0.8; P = 0.003), whereas an inverse relationship occurred between initial stocking density and survival parameters (y = −9.43x + 97.4; R2 = 0.89; P < 0.001). From the trial, the optimum density for culturing young of Gulf killifish in RAS appears to be around two fish/L.
Leaf decomposition of the macrophyte Eichhornia azurea and associated microorganisms and invertebrates

The knowledge of the decomposition of macrophytes and associated organisms is important to understand ecological processes that control aquatic ecosystem metabolism. The aims of the study were: 1) to investigate the structure and composition of the aquatic invertebrate community associated with the decomposition of leaves of the macrophyte Eichhornia azurea over time; 2) to determine the biomass of microorganisms (fungi and bacteria) and their relationship with the associated invertebrate communities; and 3) to assess the relationship between biotic and abiotic variables and invertebrate density. To analyze the decomposition process, leaves of E. azurea were put into litter bags and incubated in Barbosa Lake, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Litter bags were retrieved at seven sampling occasions during a 2.5 month period. We measured decomposition rates of leaves, and the associated communities of invertebrates, the biomass of bacteria and fungi, and biotic and abiotic variables that might be associated with the decomposition process. Significant differences were found in the densities of invertebrates. The microorganism biomass also varied significantly throughout the experiment. Fungal biomass (ergosterol concentration) was positively associated with the density of most taxonomic groups of aquatic invertebrates, as well as the total density of invertebrates and their taxonomic richness. Total invertebrate density increased during the experiment, but the taxonomic richness of invertebrates did not follow this pattern. Insecta and Crustacea densities were the main contributors to similarity within the groups formed at each sampling time. The different ways that invertebrates use detritus, such as a food source or a feeding site, as well as their feeding plasticity, may have contributed to the increase in the total invertebrate density over time as decomposition progressed. After two months and a half of macrophyte incubation the loss of E. azurea leaf biomass was less than 4.4% of the initial value. Factors such as decreasing temperature throughout the experiment, possible inhibition of microorganism growth by leachates, the predominantly oligotrophic environment and low abrasion due to the environment lentic regime may have contributed to the low rate of decomposition of E. azurea. Our results suggest that decomposition process in the present study has not begun in fact and/or macrophyte decomposition in nature is much slower than previously thought.
Changes in leaf gas exchange, chlorophyll a fluorescence and antioxidant metabolism within wheat leaves infected by Bipolaris sorokiniana

The photosynthetic performance (leaf gas exchange and chlorophyll a (Chla) fluorescence), activities of antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX), ascorbate peroxidase (APX)] and the concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the flag leaves of plants from two wheat cultivars with contrasting levels of resistance to spot blotch was assessed. Spot blotch severity was significantly lower in plants from cv. BR-18 compared to cv. Guamirim. Net carbon assimilation rate, stomatal conductance and concentrations of Chla, Chlab and carotenoids were significantly decreased from fungal infection. In contrast, internal CO2 concentration was significantly increased from fungal infection in comparison to their non-inoculated counterparts. Similarly, inoculation significantly reduced photochemical performance in the inoculated flag leaves in comparison to their non-inoculated counterparts. However, plants from cv. BR-18 were able to sustain greater functionality of the photosynthetic apparatus during fungal infection process compared to cv. Guamirim. The activities of SOD, POX, APX and CAT increased in inoculated flag leaves from both cultivars compared to non-inoculated plants, and the highest increases were measured in cv. BR-18. The greater activities of these enzymes were associated with a reduced H2O2 concentration in the inoculated flag leaves from cv. BR-18, resulting, therefore, in a lower MDA concentration. Thus, a more efficient antioxidative system in flag leaves from cv. BR-18 plays a pivotal role in removing the excess reactive oxygen species that were generated during the infection process of Bipolaris sorokiniana, therefore limiting cellular damage and largely preserving the photosynthetic efficiency of the infected flag leaves.
Chromosome investigations in annual Medicago species (Fabaceae) with emphasis on the origin of the polyploid Medicago rugosa and M. scutellata

Abstract Chromosome number variations play an important role in the genus Medicago. In addition to polyploidy there are cases of dysploidy as evidenced by two basic numbers, x = 8 and x = 7, the latter limited to five annual species having 2n = 14. Annuals are diploid with the exception of Medicago scutellata and Medicago rugosa which have 2n = 30 and are considered the result of crosses between the 2n = 16 and 2n = 14 species. However, this hypothesis has never been tested. This study was carried out to investigate the 2n = 14 and 2n = 30 karyotypes and verify the allopolyploid origin of M. scutellata and M. rugosa. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) of rDNA probes and genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) were performed. FISH showed that all five diploids with 2n = 14 have one pair of 45S and one pair of 5S rDNA sites. M. scutellata displayed four sites of 45S and four sites of 5S rDNA, while in M. rugosa only one pair of each of these sites was found. GISH did not produce signals useful to identify the presumed progenitors with 14 chromosomes. This result suggests alternative evolutionary pathways, such as the formation of tetraploids (2n = 32) and subsequent dysploidy events leading to the chromosome number reduction.
Isotopic insights on cave bear palaeodiet

Abstract More than 300 cave bear bones from all over Europe have carbon and nitrogen isotopic composition that match overwhelmingly a diet based on plants, except for samples from two caves in Romania, for which high nitrogen-15 amounts have been interpreted as reflecting an omnivorous diet. This paper aims at deciphering the various factors influencing the carbon and nitrogen isotopic composition of a potential omnivorous species like cave bear, those linked to trophic levels and variations among plants and those caused by physiological factors. The comparison of European cave bears with coeval Late Pleistocene large mammals with different diets clearly shows that all the cave bear populations, including those from Romania, present isotopic values overlapping with herbivores, not with carnivores. Therefore omnivory is very unlikely for cave bears. Consumption of plants with high δ15N values, such as graminoids, forbs and possibly fungi, could explain in part the observed isotopic pattern. In addition, the variations in δ15N values through ontogeny support the hypothesis of a different hibernation pattern for the Romanian cave bears with high δ15N values. Future investigations using new isotopic approaches, especially nitrogen isotopic composition of collagen amino acids, should contribute to decipher the paleoecology of these Romanian cave bears.
Variation in growth of herbivorous tortoises: causes and consequences for reproduction and health management

Variation in growth of herbivorous tortoises: causes and consequences for reproduction and health management Reptiles have very flexible growth rates, depending on living conditions - in particular dietary resources. Here, I demonstrate a difference in the growth rates of captive specimens, as compared to literature data for free-ranging ones, in Leopard tortoises (Geochelone pardalis), African spurred tortoises (G. sulcata), Hermann’s tortoises (Testudo hermanni) and Spur-thighed tortoises (T. graeca). Such high growth rates are traditionally thought to be linked to health problems. In the case of the G. sulcata dataset (spanning 18 years for the captive individuals), it could be shown that fast growth leads to a fast reproductive maturity, as expected from inflexion points of growth curves. In a retrospective evaluation of 539 tortoise patients of the University of Zurich, no evidence for diet- or growth-related disease risk was found in animals that were particularly heavy for their age. However, typical diet- or growth-related disorders were more frequent among younger patients, suggesting that animals with such problems do not often survive to an older age. Raising tortoises on intensive feeding regimes in captivity may considerably shorten generation times during the breeding stage of restocking programs. Whether fast growth presents a health risk needs to be evaluated in controlled studies. The observations also suggest that feeding regimes in captivity – even of appropriate diets - should be restricted if replication of conditions in the wild is a husbandry objective. Reptilien haben sehr flexible Wachstumsraten, je nach Haltungsbedingungen – insbesondere je nach Futterung. Hier werden Unterschiede im Wachstum bei Individuen aus Menschenobhut und freier Wildbahn belegt fur Panther- (Geochelone pardalis), Sporen- (G. sulcata), Griechische (Testudo hermanni) und Maurische (T. graeca) Landschildkroten. Solche hohen Wachstumsraten werden traditionell als Gesundheitsproblem betrachtet. Im Falle des 18 Jahre umfassenden Datensatzes zu G. sulcata konnte gezeigt werden, dass ein schnelles Wachstum zu einer raschen sexuellen Reife fuhrt, so wie man es aufgrund des Umkehrpunktes der Wachstumskurve erwartet. Bei einer retrospektiven Auswertung von 539 Schildkroten-Patienten der Universitat Zurich wurde kein Hinweis dafur gefunden, dass fur ihr Alter schwere Tiere eher zu futterungs- oder wachstumsbedingten Problemen neigen. Solche Probleme traten aber haufiger bei jungeren Tieren auf, was darauf hinweisen konnte, dass Tiere mit solchen Problemen nicht alt werden. Schildkroten intensiv zu futtern konnte eine Strategie sein, um die Generationszeiten in Nachzuchtprogrammen zu verkurzen. Ob hohe Wachstumsraten wirklich die Gesundheit gefahrden, muss in kontrollierten klinischen Studien untersucht werden. Die Ergebnisse legen nahe, dass man Schildkroten – auch mit adaquaten Futterrationen – restriktiv futtern muss, wenn man die Bedingungen in freier Wildbahn imitieren will. 3
Light may have triggered a period of net heterotrophy in Lake Superior

Recent studies of Lake Superior, the Earth's largest freshwater lake by surface area, describe it as net heterotrophic (primary production < community respiration), making it a net source of carbon dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere. This conclusion is largely based on measurements made between 1998 and 2001. We present a long‐term (1968–2016) analysis of ice‐free (April–November) surface oxygen (O2) saturation data collected by monitoring agencies. These data indicate that Lake Superior's surface waters are typically supersaturated with dissolved O2 from May to September (May–September mean is 103.5% ± 0.6%; pooled mean from April, October, and November is 97.6% ± 1.1%, standard error of the mean). However, these data also support prior studies which describe a state of net heterotrophy from 1998 to 2001. We investigated potential triggers for a transient heterotrophic period and discuss the sources of organic carbon necessary to fuel net heterotrophy in a large oligotrophic lake. We conclude that net heterotrophy likely resulted from an increase in light period and penetration driven by declines in cloud cover, increases in water clarity, and a reduction of winter ice cover following the 1997–1998 El Niño. Together, these could have depleted a pre‐existing pool of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) via photomineralization and/or photochemical degradation. Our results indicate that Lake Superior is typically net autotrophic (calculated annual CO2 influx = ∼ 0.4 Tg C). These results highlight how water clarity and aquatic DOC pools may interact to induce net metabolic shifts in large oligotrophic aquatic ecosystems.
Effects of R and R+FR Irradiance as Night break on Floral Initiation in Chrysanthemum

Night break (NB) is an effective method to depress flower induction in short-day plants. It has been suggested that red (R) light is more effective than light containing R and far-red (FR) light on the depression of flower induction. This study revealed the effect of the NB duration with R and FR light on the depression of flower induction using two genotype of chrysanthemum (summer-to-autumn flowering type ‘Iwano-Hakusen’, and autumn-flowering type ‘Jimba’). When the duration of NB was short, R light was more effective than R+FR light, and a reversible response to R-FR light was also observed. On the other hand, R+FR was more effective when more than 2-hour NB was applied for ‘Iwano-Hakusen’, and more than 45-min NB with R or R+FR showed the same effect in ‘Jimba’. The results indicate that the effect of NB was affected by both the duration and light quality of NB. Ten-hour NB with R or R+FR was given to 92 genotypes of chrysanthemum. Only a few genotypes showed a stronger depression of flower induction by R+FR NB, suggesting that R light NB should be recommended for commercial cut chrysanthemum production.
Diverse Responses of Lettuce Cultivars and Germplasm Lines to Infections of Three Isolates of Xanthomonas campestris pv. vitians

Bacterial leaf spot (BLS) disease, caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. vitians ( Xcv ) has become an increasingly damaging disease in the lettuce production areas of the United States. To understand the nature of the outbreaks of this disease, the pathogenic variations for causing disease were evaluated on 29 lettuce cultivars and germplasm lines using three Xcv isolates recovered in different years from the Everglades Agriculture Area (EAA) of Florida. Signiﬁcant differences were shown in both the BLS incidences and disease severities among the three Xcv isolates, and the rank from high virulence to less severity was L7 > JF196 > NF1. Our results suggest that the pathogenic variations of the isolates may have been associated with the epidemic outbreaks of BLS in EAA. Among the 29 lettuce genotypes, the host plant resistance was characterized by speciﬁc host genotype and Xcv isolate interactions. The leaf lettuce PI358001-1 was consistently in the high resistant category to all three Xcv isolates, and is a promising resistant source for development of resistant cultivars.
A faunistic study on the Braconidae of Iran (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonoidea).

espanolLos braconidos (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) son enemigos naturales de las plagas agricolas y juegan un importante papel en el control biologico. Este trabajo aporta informacion sobre 28 especies pertenecientes a 11 subfamilias (Agathidinae, Alysinae, Brachistinae, Braconinae, Cheloninae, Euphorinae, Helconinae, Macrocentrinae, Microgastrinae, Opiinae y Rogadinae) procedentes de diferentes partes de Iran. Tambien se detallan datos sobre las localidades de captura y la distribucion zoogeografica de las especies. EnglishBraconid wasps (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) are natural enemies of agricultural pests and have powerful role in biological control. This paper documents 28 species belonging to 11 subfamilies (Agathidinae, Alysinae, Brachistinae, Braconinae, Cheloninae, Euphorinae, Helconinae, Macrocentrinae, Microgastrinae, Opiinae, and Rogadinae) from different parts of Iran. This work also includes the details on collection localities and zoogeographical distribution of the species.