Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evolutionary and ecological implications of trematode parasitism of modern and fossil northern Adriatic bivalves

Abstract The role of antagonistic organismal interactions in the production of long-term macroevolutionary trends has been debated for decades. Some evidence seems to suggest that temporal trends in predation frequency share a common causative mechanism with genus-level diversity, whereas studies on the role of parasites in “shaping” the evolutionary process are rare indeed. Digenean trematodes (Phylum Platyhelminthes) infest molluscs in at least one stage of their complex life cycle. Trematodes leave characteristic oval-shaped pits with raised rims on the interior of their bivalve hosts, and these pits are preserved in the fossil record. Here we survey 11,785 valves from the Pleistocene–Holocene deposits of the Po Plain and from nearby modern coastal environments on the northeast Adriatic coast of Italy. Of these, 205 valves exhibited trematode-induced pits. Trematodes were selective parasites in terms of host taxonomy and host body size. Infestation was restricted to lower shoreface/transition-to-platform paleoenvironments. During the Holocene, individuals from the transgressive systems tract were significantly more likely to be infested than those from highstand systems tracts. Temporal trends in infestation frequency cannot be explained as an ecological/evolutionary phenomenon (e.g., the hypothesis of escalation); instead the trend seems controlled by environmental variation induced by glacio-eustatic sea-level changes and inadequate sampling. Because this interaction appears to be ephemeral, both temporally and spatially, it is not likely that any selective pressure would be continuous over geologic time in this region. Furthermore, these results support the hypothesis that antagonistic interactions are lower in the northern Adriatic Sea in comparison to other midlatitude shallow marine settings.
Metacommunity patterns across three Neotropical catchments with varying environmental harshness

Summary Most metacommunity studies indicate that dispersal processes play a minor role compared with species sorting in explaining metacommunity organisation, in particular, in stream systems. However, the role of dispersal could vary with environmental harshness, as a result of frequent resetting of community succession by disturbances and the selection of generalist species from regional species pools. The importance of dispersal may also be mitigated by species dispersal ability. In this study, we explored how species sorting and dispersal shaped invertebrate and fish metacommunities across streams in three tropical headwater catchments in Bolivia with contrasting environmental harshness, including flow regime, altitude and climate conditions. We addressed the hypothesis that the relative roles of dispersal and species sorting vary with environmental harshness: we predicted that the role of species sorting would predominate in benign conditions, whereas that of dispersal would predominate under moderate environmental harshness, and that neither dispersal nor species sorting would be relevant to explain metacommunities under high environmental harshness. We also hypothesised that the role of dispersal would decrease with increasing species dispersal ability. Although there was little or no spatial autocorrelation of environmental distances (i.e. environmental differences) across the headwater catchments, community similarity correlated more strongly with environmental than spatial distances among headwater sites that had low environmental harshness, but the opposite pattern was observed among sites with moderate environmental harshness. Under high environmental harshness, neither environmental harshness nor spatial distances between sites explained community similarity. Under moderate environmental harshness, the correlation between community similarity and spatial distances was the strongest for moderate dispersers of both invertebrates and fish. Yet, in contrast to fish, strongly dispersing invertebrate taxa were spatial structured, suggesting that they were not able to reach all sites as predicted. Our results suggest the role of dispersal might be underestimated, notably in systems prone to environmental harshness. Better proxies for dispersal, along with the use of spatial distances to account for resistance to animal movements in river systems and that account for flow magnitude and directionality, slope, riparian vegetation, wind and streambed roughness, may promote a more realistic integration of dispersal processes in basic and applied metacommunity research.
Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme

Description The angiotensins are peptides (substances smaller than proteins) that act as vasoconstricting agents (causing blood vessels to narrow) that send up the blood pressure. Angiotensin I-converting enzyme, or kininase II, is a dipeptidyl carboxypeptidase that plays an important role in blood pressure regulation and electrolyte balance by hydrolyzing angiotensin I into angiotensin II, a potent vasopressor, and aldosterone-stimulating peptide. The enzyme is also able to inactivate bradykinin, a potent vasodilator.
Radioisotope Turnover and Energy Flow in Terrestial Isopod Populations

Radiocesium turnover rates in terrestrial isopod populations were used to measure food consumption and metabolism under natural and laboratory—simulated field conditions. Four old—field and forest species were studied: Armadillidium vulgare (Latreille), Armadillidium nasatum Budde—Lund, Cylisticus convexus (DeGeer), and Metoponorthus pruinosus (Brandt). Uptake, body burden equilibria, and elimination rates for 134Cs were related to environmental temperatures (Q10°2). dietary supplements of stable Na, K, and Cs salts produced no effect upon 134Cs elimination rates. Assimilation fractions from food were 60 to 64% for digestible dry matter, 70 to 73% for caloric intake, and 70 to 87% for radiocesium. Body equilibrium concentrations and biological half—lives of radiocesium in each species permitted estimates of food consumption comparable to gravimetric determinations. Food intake varied between different species and ranged from 1.5 to 3.5% of dry body weight per day. Bomb calorimetry and respirometry measurements were used to partition the total energy budgets, caloric inputs required for maintenance, production, and growth were determined. Radiocesium elimination rates were correlated with the metabolic rates of individual species, and radionuclide turnover rates in tagged individuals were demonstrated to be a practicable means of determining the activity and metabolism of species in the natural habitats.
The influence of biopreparation on seed germination and growth

We studied a landfill where toxic sludge derived from copper ore production is deposited. These types of landfills pose a threat to the surrounding environment because of the complete lack of vegetation and dust emission. Thus, the problem refers to the future recultivation of these areas. In order to improve the quality of the affected environment, thus allowing plants development, we applied biopreparations containing biosurfactants and microorganisms for the following plant species: Zea mays, Lupinus luteus, Pisum sativum, Avena sativa, and Sinapsis alba. We studied their influence on both germination and plant growth. It was found that applying biosurfactants before germination stimulates all studied seeds. This effective technique could be used for the reclamation of soil contaminated by post-flotation waste. However, the usefulness of biosurfactants for further plant growth was not proved.
Molecular markers and protein quantities as genetic descriptors in maize. II. Prediction of performance of hybrids for forage traits

As it is related to the variability in genome expression, variability in protein quantities revealed by two-dimensional electrophoresis was proposed for describing phenotypic diversity. The objective of this study was to compare the predictive power of different genetic distances derived from molecular markers and from protein quantitative variations in a diallel of 210 hybrids among 21 maize inbred lines (Zea mays L.) of various origin. The lines were characterized for : 1. 142 markers resulting from the analysis of enzyme, RFLP, and protein-structure polymorphism ; and 2. The variation in relative quantities of 190 proteins. The hybrids were evaluated for six forage traits in four environments. Correlations between the genetic distances computed for 142 marker loci and hybrid performances were moderate to high in diallels using crosses between related lines. Genetic distances based on protein quantities showed, in most cases, similar or lower correlations. Distance measures were not useful as predictors of hybrid performance for crosses between unrelated lines. Protein quantities were better for revealing specific genotypes.
Evidence of transmission of palm lethal yellowing agent by a planthopper, Myndus crudus (Homoptera, Cixiidae).

Lethal yellowing (LY) di9ease developed in three of five coconut palms, Cocos nucifera L. five of seven Manila palms, Veitchia merrillii (Becc.) H.E. Moore, and two of three of the palm, Pritchardia thurstonii F. Muell. et Drude, that were planted in cages into which ? 850 wild planthoppers, Myndus crudus Van Duzee, were introduced each month for 34 months. Transmission of LY disease to one or more palms occurred in each of five treatment cages. Mycoplasma-like organisms (MLO) were observed in sieve elements in tissues sampled from all palms that developed LY symptoms, but not in samples from healthy palms. Palms of the same species in five cages in which M. crudus were not introduced remained healthy. Insects that contaminated the experiment were discounted as possible vectors by biological and experimental design considerations. The number of M. crudus used in the experiment and the susceptibilities of the palms were consistent with field observations. The results of this experiment provide the strongest evidence yet published that M. crudus is a vector of LY agent.
Feeding Habits, Digestive Rates, and Growth of Some Minnesota Warmwater Fishes

Abstract Quality and quantity of food ingested, summer feeding habits, and digestion rates are reported for eight species of fish from two western Minnesota lakes, one of which had a dense population of centrarchid panfishes and the other, a smaller population. Both lakes also had game and forage fishes. Most complete data are presented for bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus), black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus), and northern pike (Esox lucius) and some for walleye (Stizostedion vitreum), largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), black bullhead (Ictalurus melas), and yellow perch (Perca flavescens). Fish were taken by seining from weedy littoral areas and stomach contents removed with a stomach pump. Quality and quantity of stomach contents are related to kinds and sizes of fish, growth, population density, and inter- and intraspecific competition. Greatest volumes of food were found in the stomachs in early summer and least in late summer. The three centrarchid panfishes fed .
DNA extraction protocols for molecular studies of Asiatic black bears

Abstract Optimization of DNA extraction and amplification techniques increases the reliability of genetic studies used to estimate population size and assess genetic diversity, particularly for non-invasively collected samples. We evaluated the effectiveness of 4 DNA extraction procedures—the Roboscreen and Qiagen kit methods and the Organic and Chelex methods, as applied to invasively and non-invasively collected samples from Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus). We assessed effectiveness based on quantity and purity of the extracts by method, and their ability to amplify genomic DNA via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of a single simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker. For each method, the greatest average DNA quantity and purity index (86.25%) was from blood, while muscle showed greatest DNA quantity and purity index using the Qiagen DNA extraction method. The Roboscreen kit and Chelex method provided a 57% and 58% PCR success rate, respectively, for hairs, demonstrating the value of such samples for molecular studies of Asiatic black bears.
Determination of incompatibility genotypes in almond using first and second intron consensus primers: detection of new S alleles and correction of reported S genotypes

The work aimed to develop a reliable and convenient PCR approach for determining incompatibility S genotypes in almond. Initially, genomic DNAs of 24 accessions of known S genotype were amplified with novel consensus primers flanking the first and second introns of the S-RNase gene. The PCR products separated on agarose showed length polymorphisms and correlated well with the reference alleles S 1- S 23 and S f . In addition, to improve discrimination between alleles of similar sizes, the same sets of primers but fluorescently labelled were used, and the products sized on an automated sequencer. These fluorescent primers were particularly informative in the case of the first intron, variation in the length of which has not been used previously for S genotyping in almond. Some reference alleles showed the same patterns with first and second intron primers, and others showed a microsatellite-like trace. Subsequently, the S genotypes of 26 cultivars not genotyped previously and of four of uncertain genotype were determined. An allele described in Australian work as putative S 10 was shown to be a 'new' allele and ascribed to S 24 and evidence of five more 'new' S alleles was found, for which the labels S 25 -S 29 are proposed. This PCR approach should be useful for genotyping in other Prunus crops.
Omega-3 supplementation, milk quality and cow immune-competence

This study aimed to assess the effect of a dietary supplementation rich in n-3 fatty acids from algae ( Schizochytrium sp .) on cow immune-competence and milk quality. Twenty-one lactating Italian Friesian cows (at 220±20 days of lactation) were equally allocated to 3 treatments: group C received no supplementation, group D was offered 136 g of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) per day and group E was supplemented with 136 g of DHA + 2000 U.I. of vitamin E per day. Individual milk production was recorded weekly and samples were collected for analysis of milk composition and fatty acid profile. At the end of the trial and 2 weeks later animals were subcutaneously injected with 5 mg of keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH), whereas at the end of the trial and 8 weeks later skinfold thickness was measured after intradermal injection with 500 mg phytohaemagglutinin. Dietary treatment showed no effect on milk production. Concentrations of DHA were higher (P<0.05) in milk fat from D and E groups, whereas polyunsaturated fatty acids tended to be higher (P<0.10). When DHA and DHA + vitamin E were supplemented to the animals, milk sensory properties were significantly modified as samples from groups D and E could be discriminated from the control using the triangle test (P<0.001). Both supplemented groups showed evidence of increased antibody response 4 to 8 weeks after the first KLH administration (P<0.05). In the two skin tests the treated groups showed a higher skin thickening in comparison with control animals (P<0.05). Although provided in a late stage of lactation, an n-3 fatty acid enriched diet favourably changed milk fatty acid profile and promoted animal healthiness by enhancing cellular and humoral immune response.
In vitro plant regeneration via petiole callus of Viola patrinii and genetic fidelity assessment using RAPD markers

Viola patrinii DC. (Violaceae) petiole explants were used for inducing calli. Significant callus proliferation was observed on MS medium supplemented with 16.12 mM NAA and 13.33 mM BA. Shoot regeneration was achieved upon transferring the green friable calli to MS medium with a 2-fold dilution of potassium dihydrogen phosphate supplemented with 23.25 mM Kn and 2.68 mM NAA. Maximum shoot regeneration was achieved in 4 weeks. Multiple shoots were separated and further cultured in half-strength MS medium supplemented with 9.85 mM IBA with 2% sucrose. Profuse root development was observed after 20-25 days of culturing. Regenerated plants were successfully transferred to soil, showing an 85% survival rate. The genetic fidelity of the micropropagated plants was analysed using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. The RAPD profile of the regenerated plants showed similar banding patterns to that of the mother plant thus demonstrating the homogeneity of the micropropagated plants. This protocol could be successfully used for the mass multiplication and germplasm conservation of this medicinal plant.
Establishment and Long-Term Maintenance of Bovine Embryonic Stem Cell Lines Using Mouse and Bovine Mixed Feeder Cells and Their Survival after Cryopreservation

To investigate the efficiency of establishment and maintenance of bovine embryonic stem (ES) cell lines, the inner cell mass (ICM) of embryos derived from in vitro production was isolated for ES cell preparation by removal of trophoblasts with protease. Feeder cells from bovine, mouse and mixed fibroblasts were produced from mouse and bovine embryonic fibroblasts. The feeder cells were selected and purified through 30 passages. Stabilized feeder cells with their good contact and forming monolayer were used for long-term culture of bovine ES cell lines. The efficiency of bovine ES cell attachment on mouse or mixed feeder cell monolayer increased when compared to those using bovine feeder cells. Bovine ES cell lines were cultured and maintained in undifferentiated state longer on mixed fibroblasts (258±19 days) than bovine (225±6 days) or mouse (196±49 days) fibroblasts. The ES cell lines were identified as pluripotent by alkaline phosphatase (AP) staining and forming the embryoid body. Vitrification procedure for cryopreservation of ES cells showed a higher survival rate than the conventional freezing method. These data suggest that mixed fibroblast feeder cells were more efficient for long-term culture of bovine ES cell lines than using only mouse or bovine fibroblasts.
Redescription of Apostolepis sanctaeritae Werner 1924 (Serpentes, Colubridae), and a Comparison with Related Species

Abstract An examination of the holotype of Apostolepis sanctaeritae Werner, 1924, allows confirmation and redescription of this species with additional data. This species is most similar to Apostolepis assimilis and not to Apostolepis cearensis or Apostolepis flavotorquata, as suggested by previous investigators. A comparison and key for identification of species with similar color patterns is provided.
Post‐harvest increase of indolyl glucosinolates in response to chopping and storage of Brassica vegetables

Brassica vegetables contain high amounts of glucosinolates, which contribute to the beneficial health effects of their consumption. Processing of such vegetables in domestic food preparation or industrial processing will influence levels of glucosinolates considerably and thus affect their health-protective capacity. This study demonstrates the effects of chopping of raw Brassica vegetables on their glucosinolate composition. Limited breakdown of aliphatic glucosinolates in cabbage was found, whereas unexpected increased levels of indolyl glucosinolates were detected after chopping and storage of cabbage and broccoli under ambient conditions. In chopped white cabbage a 15-fold increase of 4-methoxy- and l-methoxy-3-indolylmethyl glucosinolates was noted after 48h of storage. Chopping and storage of broccoli resulted in a strong reduction of most glucosinolates, except for 4-hydroxy- and 4-methoxy-3-indolylmethyl glucosinolates, which increased 3.5- and 2-fold respectively. The myrosinase-mediated hydrolysis of glucosinolates appears to be counteracted by a post-harvest increase of some indolyl glucosinolates. In this paper we propose a mechanism of stress-induced increase of glucosinolates, which plays an important role besides the well-known breakdown mechanism. L'effet du tranchage sur la composition des choux crus en glucosinolates est etudie. Les taux de glucosinolates d'indole augmentent apres entreposage et tranchage dans le chou et le brocoli. Les glucosinolates totaux dans le chou coupe proviennent probablement de la degradation par la myrosinase d'une part et de la formation des indoles induite par le stress, d'autres part.
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manier en overwegend via nationale symbolen en gebruiken. Onder migranten en hun kinderen ontstaat die loyaliteit eerder via eigen ervaringen in de buurt of de stad, en dat gebeurt veelal niet terloops maar redelijk bewust: ze weten beter dan Nederlanders-van-oudsher waarom en tot op welke hoogte ze zich identificeren met hun stad, hun land of hun land van herkomst. Die spanning is met geen beleid weg te nemen. Eis daarom geen hondentrouw van uw burgers als u om onderlinge binding geeft. Sterk benadrukken van het belang van welke vorm van loyaliteit dan ook – nationale of lokale – zal de verschillende groepen eerder uit elkaar drijven dan dichter bijeen brengen. Praktijken waar mensen zelf deel van uit kunnen maken – zoals inburgeringsceremonies en stadsfestiviteiten – zijn wel behulpzamer bij het organiseren van gedeelde identificatie dan het aanroepen van abstracte elementen uit de geschiedenis en cultuur, zoals een canon van belangrijke mensen en gebeurtenissen of een volkslied.
Characterization of chilling effects on photosynthetic performance of maize crops during early season growth using chlorophyll fluorescence

Changes in a range of chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were monitored for leaves of crops of three Zea mays cultivars (MO17, CB3 and LG11) during early canopy development when large fluctuations in air temperatures occur. Crops were sown on 1 May 1993 and measurements made between 17 May and 7 June. Measurements of the ratio of variable to maximal fluorescence of dark-adapted leaves (Fv/Fm) and the quantum efficiency of photosystem II photochemistry (Φ PSII ), the efficiency of excitation energy transfer to open photosystem II reaction centres (Fv'/Fm') and the photochemical quenching coefficient (q p ) for leaves operating at a photon flux density of 250 μmol m -2 s -1 were made during the day at 3 h intervals. Fluctuations were observed in Fv/Fm, Φ PSII and Fv'/Fm' throughout the period and significant decreases occurred during periods of low temperatures and high photon flux densities, indicating chill-induced photoinhibition of photosynthesis. Changes in Fv/Fm were highly correlated with changes in Φ PSII for all three cultivars. Measurements of Φ PSII , Fv'/Fm', q p and the quantum efficiency of CO 2 assimilation (Φ CO2 ) at a photon flux density of 1000 μmol m -2 s -1 were made for leaves at 08.00 h each morning and demonstrated that changes in Φ PSII were highly correlated with changes in CO 2 assimilation. Chill-induced changes in Φ PSII were shown to be correlated with changes in the quenching of excitation energy in the antennae of photosystem II and not with changes in the redox state of the electron acceptors of photosystem II. It is concluded that measurements of Fv/Fm and Φ PSII provide useful, rapid and non-invasive probes of the photosynthetic performance of maize leaves in the field during periods of chill-induced photoinhibition.