Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Usos y tendencias de marcadores moleculares en flebotomíneos (Diptera: Psychodidae)

The subfamily Phlebotominae is principally composed of the Lutzomyia and Phlebotomus genera: the main vectors of several protozoan, bacterial and viral pathogens. Since the 1990’s molecular markers have enabled us to effectively address many issues concerning this taxon by, for example, solving systematic conflicts, increasing our understanding of speciation and hostparasite co-evolution, and determining the genetic structure of populations. In this paper we review the research undertaken using molecular markers in this taxonomic group. We hope that this will make it easier for scientists to identify markers and data analyses appropriate to their particular research interests. The principal trends we found are a move towards the use of mitochondrial DNA as molecular markers, DNA sequencing as the characterization method of choice, and phylogenetic analysis for analyzing the data. Most of the studies reviewed center on Lutzomyia longipalpis, the main vector for visceral leishmaniasis in the American tropics and Phlebotomus papatasi, the main vector for cutaneous leishmaniasis in Europe, Asia and Africa. Taxonomic problems and the description of genetic structure are the issues most addressed by researchers, followed by resolving systematic conflicts. Future research using molecular markers in the study of sandflies should be aimed towards: a) the development of genetic barcoding as a complementary tool for morphological identification and b) genome sequencing to increase our understanding of host-parasite interactions.
Temperature Modulates the Strength of Density-dependent Habitat Selection in Ectotherms: Expanding and Testing Theory with Red Flour Beetles and Common Gartersnakes

II RESUME IV ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS VI TABLE OF CONTENTS VII LIST OF TABLES XI LIST OF FIGURES XVI LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS XX LIST OF APPENDICES XXII GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1 CHAPTER ONE 8 INTRODUCTION 9 METHODS 12 Thermal Preference 12 Habitat Selection 13 Relative Effects of Thermal Quality and of Food Abundance in Habitat Selection 14
The distribution of some species of Trentepohliaceae (Trentepohliales, Chlorophyta) in France

Plusieurs especes interessantes d'algues vertes appartenant a la famille des Trentepohliacees ont ete identifiees dans le Nord et le Centre de la France. Des specimens du genre Phycopeltis ont ete observes sur des feuilles de lierre dans un bois de feuillus en Bretagne; ils presentaient un port discoide, avec des cellules vegetatives de 8-20 μm de long et de 5-10 μm de large. La plus grande partie du materiel appartient a l'espece Phycopeltis arundinacea (Montagne) De Toni, mais le fait que certains specimens forment des expansions spurocystiques sur les cellules apicales et subapicales suggere egalement la presence possible de Phycopeltis epiphyton Millardet. Cet article constitue la premiere mention de Phycopeltis en France et la premiere de Phycopeltis arundinacea en Europe continentale. Des specimens de Trentepohlia iolithus (Linnaeus) Wallroth et d'une autre espece de Trentepohlia. probablement Trentepohlia umbrina (Kutzing) Bornet, ont ete recoltes sur du beton et sur d'autres substrats artificiels dans le Nord et le centre de la France. Ces especes se developpent dans un habitat similaire a celui qu'elles occupent dans l'Ouest de l'Irlande et elles sont vraisemblablement beaucoup plus largement repandues dans les regions d'Europe au climat tempere chaud oceanique que ne l'indiquent les publications existantes.
GC-MS and NMR analysis of the bioactive compounds from the crude extracts of Waltheria indica and the histopathological changes induced in albino rats challenged with Naja nigricollis venom

Objective: To develop a characteristic fingerprint of the different chemical compounds of plant by gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis and assess the effect of the crude extract on histological changes induced in Naja nigricollis (N. nigricollis) envenomed albino rats. Methods: The coarsely powdered Waltheria indica (W. indica) whole plant material was extracted using 70% methanol. GC-MS analysis was carried out using a Shimadzu GC-MS QP 2010 plus system of gas chromatography interfaced to a mass spectrometer. The identification of components was based on National Institute of Standard and Technology-08 and Willey-8 libraries. Hydrogen-NMR spectra of the extracts was performed using Bruker Biospin Avance 400-MHz NMR spectrophotometer with a 5 mm broad inverse probe head, equipped with shielded z-gradient accessories and C-13 NMR hetero-nuclear single quantum correction was carried out using the Brucker's standard pulse library. The efficacy of the crude extract of W. indica whole plant was tested and the lesions induced in the liver, brain and kidney of albino rats challenged with N. nigricollis were analyzed by light microscopy. Results: The identification of the bioactive compounds from W. indica by GC-MS analysis revealed 41 peaks. A total of 38 compounds were identified with majority having important pharmacological activities that included anti-microbial, anti-cancer, anti-oxidant anti- inflammatory, anti-allergenic, anti-ageing, anti-arthritic, larvicidal, anti-convulsant and herbicidal activities. C-13 and hydrogen-NMR analysis of W. indica elucidated key bioactive compounds in the whole plant that were consistent with the classes of bioactive compounds detected by GC-MS analysis. The efficacy of the crude extract of W. indica whole plant in ameliorating histopathological lesions induced in the liver, brain and kidney of albino rats challenged with N. nigricollis venom revealed the abrogation of tissue degeneration when compared with the experimental control group. Conclusions: The present study identified an array of bioactive compounds present in W. indica and reported their ethno-botanical uses in the treatment of a wide range of medical exigencies and showed scientific evidence of the detoxification of N. nigricollis venom by W. indica.
The impact of estrogen and the cAMP/PKA pathway on male-female differences in SR calcium release in murine cardiomyocytes

ix List of Abbreviations Used.x Acknowledgements . xii Chapter 1: Introduction . 1 1.1 OVERVIEW . 1 1.2 SEX DIFFERENCES IN CARDIAC FUNCTION . 2 1.2.1 Clinical differences in cardiac pathophysiology and normal physiology 2 1.2.2 Cardiac EC coupling.4 1.2. 3 The cAMP/PKA pathway . 8 1.2. 4 Contractile function in isolated ventricular myocytes from males and females . 12 1.2. 5 Sex differences in Ca transients in isolated ventricular myocytes 16 1.2. 6 SR Ca handling in cardiomyocytes from males and females.19 1.2. 7 Electrophysiology studies of EC coupling in ventricular myocytes from males and females . 22 1.2. 8 Summary.27 1.3 THE IMPACT OF SEX STEROID HORMONES ON CARDIAC EC COUPLING MECHANISMS.27 1.3. 1 Clinical effects on menopause and hormone replacement therapy on cardiovascular function and disease 27 1.3. 2 Acute effects of female sex hormones on EC coupling.30 iii 1.3. 3 The impact of ovariectomy on EC coupling.33 1.3. 4 Female sex hormones and the cAMP/PKA pathway.41 1.4 SUMMARY.42 1.5 HYPOTHESIS AND OBJECTIVES.44 Chapter 2: Materials and Methods . 45 2.1 Materials . 45 2.1.1 Animals . 45 2.1.2 Chemicals.46 2.2 Methods . 47 2.2.1 Body composition . 47 2.2.2 Ventricular myocyte isolation.47 2.2. 3 Experimental apparatus and whole cell photometry.48 2.2. 4 Field stimulation experiments.50 2.2. 5 Voltage clamp experiments . 51 2.2. 6 Patch clamp experiments . 55 2.2. 7 Confocal line scan microscopy: Ca spark measurement . 56 2.2. 8 Intracellular cAMP assay.57 2.2. 9 Immunoblotting . 60 2.2.10 Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) . 62 2.2.11 Statistical analyses . 65
Ascorbic acid alleviates water deficit induced growth inhibition in wheat seedlings by modulating levels of endogenous antioxidants

Abstract The present investigation envisaged the potential of ascorbic acid through seed priming on the seedling growth and antioxidant response in three wheat cultivars i.e., PBW 644 (Drought tolerant), PBW 621 and HD 2967 (Drought sensitive) grown under water deficit stress. Imposition of water deficit stress reduced the root and shoot lengths by more than 11% in PBW 644, 18% in PBW 621 and 9% in HD 2967. On exposure to water deficit stress, catalase (CAT) was upregulated in the roots of all the three cultivars but declined in the shoots. Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity increased in stressed plants of tolerant cultivar but declined in sensitive cultivars except the shoots of HD 2967. Under water deficit stress, seed priming with 400 μM of ascorbic acid increased shoot length of all the three cultivars by more than 19% when compared to stressed seedlings. Further, it enhanced the drought tolerance of PBW 644 by upregulating superoxide dismutase (SOD), CAT, APX and glutathione reductase (GR) enzymes accompanied by an increase in glycine betaine and H2O2 contents. Ascorbic acid treatment also protected sensitive cultivars from water deficit stress by increasing CAT, APX, GR and mono dehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR) enzymes, ascorbate and glycine betaine contents in PBW 621 whereas SOD and peroxidase (POX) enzymes were upregulated in treated stressed seedlings of HD 2967. Lower levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the treated seedlings of all the cultivars further signified the role of ascorbate treatment in alleviation of water deficit induced oxidative damage.
In-vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Roots of Rauwolfia serpentina L. Benth Kurz

Microbial pathogens develop resistance to antibiotics after repeated administration during the treatment of infectious diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to find alternative antimicrobial drugs and the present trend is focused on medicinal plants. The hereby research work was carried out to investigate the antimicrobial activity of solvents as well as aqueous extracts of Rauwolfia serpentina roots. The extracts were tested against Bacillus subtilis , Enterococcus faecalis , Escherichia coli , Klebsiella pneumoniae , Micrococcus luteus , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Proteus vulgaris , Staphylococcus aureus , Streptococcus pneumoniae , Aspergillus niger , Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae by agar well diffusion method. It was observed that methanol extract showed the highest antimicrobial activity against multi drug resistance S. aureus at 100 mg/ml concentration, while S. aureus was the most susceptible bacterium to all extracts. However, E. faecalis, M. luteus and S. pneumoniae were also susceptible to the experimented solvents and extracts. On the other hand, K. pneumoniae was resistant against the solvent and aqueous extracts. The present study suggested that methanol extracts of R. serpentina roots would be helpful in treating diseases caused by human pathogenic bacteria and fungi. In particular, based on the results obtained in the current experiment, it can be recommended for the control of infectious Gram-positive bacteria.
Effects of Tillage on Chlorimuron Persistence

Field studies were conducted in Mississippi on a Marietta loam during 1988, 1989, and 1990, and in Tennessee on a Statler loam during 1988 and 1989, to determine effect of tillage on chlorimuron persistence. A corn shoot bioassay was conducted to determine bioavailable chlorimuron in the soil. Tillage system affected chlorimuron persistence only in 1989 at Tennessee. Chlorimuron half-life was 10 to 31 d longer in both tillage systems in Mississippi in 1988 compared to 1989 and 1990, probably due to low soil moisture immediately after application in 1988. In Tennessee, chlorimuron half-life was 71 d shorter in the no-till system in 1988 compared to 1989. Differences did not occur between locations in the conventional tillage system in 1989. Differences in chlorimuron persistence between years and locations were most often attributed to soil water and temperature. Soil pH differences between the two locations did not consistently affect chlorimuron persistence.
Recent insights into cnidarian phylogeny

With representatives of more than 10,000 species from diverse clades scattered throughout the world’s oceans, Cnidaria is a moderately diverse phylum of Metazoa. As such, various taxa within Cnidaria have been the subjects of recent phylogenetic analyses. Because of its diversity, it has not yet been possible to conduct any extensive phylum-level phylogenetic analyses. In addition, new information suggests that the large group of parasites known as Myxozoa is part of Cnidaria. The present contribution summarizes recent fi ndings to create a picture of a current working hypothesis of cnidarian phylogeny. This summary, which treats the relationships among taxa down to the approximate level of order, likely provides a suboptimal estimation of cnidarian phylogeny as compared to a detailed phylogenetic analysis of data sampled densely from all the Cnidaria component clades. Nevertheless, it should provide points of comparison for upcoming efforts to more comprehensively assess cnidarian phylogeny. Even at the basic level of order, many taxa are thought to be polyphyletic. Understandably, current classifi cations are not fully refl ective of recent phylogenetic advances.
Interactive effects of salinity and two phosphorus fertilizers on growth and grain yield of Cicer arietinum L.

ABSTRACT Chickpea is considered among the most sensitive grain legumes to salinity. The improvement of tolerance of lines in combination with tolerant rhizobial strains depends on various environmental and cultural conditions such as soil properties. This investigation was undertaken to evaluate the effect of phosphorus fertilization (0, 90 and 200 kg ha−1 of P2O5) on biomass, nodular traits and grain yield (GY) of chickpea (cv. Flip 84-79C) growing under salinity (0 and 150 mM NaCl). The trial was laid out following a randomized block design with three replicates during 2010–2012, at the experimental farm of Oued Smar (Algiers). Salinity did not significantly decrease the dry biomass of the plants but the relative shoot growth was more affected than control, P and SP1 treatments. Besides, salinity significantly reduced GY (−20%) and nodulation traits compared to the control plants while an inversely proportional relationship was found between protein, leghemoglobin and MDA content, K/Na ratio and the increase in salt concentration. Application of two P levels to saline soil enhanced growing conditions of plants. Particularly, the (90 kg ha–1 of P × 150 mM NaCl) combination significantly increased leghemoglobin (92%), reduced proline content (−69%) and protected membranes against peroxydation compared to saline conditions. A significant increase was observed in the GY (about 30%) of plants at both P doses combined with salt stress compared to other cases. Statistically, the low P level combined with salinity induced similar responses of plants and sometimes better responses to control plants. Finally, our results support the roles of phosphorus fertilizer in the alleviation of salt stress and enhancing the soil quality for better symbiosis efficiency and yield of chickpea.
The outcome of competition between two parasitoid species is influenced by a facultative symbiont of their aphid host

Summary Symbiotic bacteria can act to protect their host against natural enemies. Where this protection is asymmetric against different natural enemies, protection conferred by symbionts has the potential to mediate interactions between natural enemies, as well as between enemies and the host. In pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum), resistance against parasitoid wasps can be conferred by facultative symbiotic bacteria. We investigated whether the outcome of competition between two parasitoid species can be influenced by the presence of a defensive symbiont in the host. We exposed pea aphids from a single clonal line, with and without a strain of the protective endosymbiont Hamiltonella defensa, to multiparasitism by the parasitoid wasps Aphelinus abdominalis (Aphelinidae) and Aphidius ervi (Braconidae), and recorded the outcome. The symbiont strain is known to impact A. abdominalis more strongly than A. ervi. We found that the presence of a strain of the protective endosymbiont H. defensa can reverse the outcome of competition between the wasps. In the absence of the symbiont, A. ervi gains very little success when attacking an aphid previously parasitized by A. abdominalis. However, where the aphids possessed the symbiont, A. abdominalis did not develop successfully, and the success rate of A. ervi was significantly increased. Our results show that defensive facultative symbionts are able to influence community interactions at the trophic level above their host. A lay summary is available for this article.
SEASONAL AND SPATIAL VARIATION OF NITROGEN FIXATION IN THE BARROW, ALASKA, TUNDRA*

A seasonal study of nitrogen fixation was carried out on the arctic tundra in the vicinity of Barrow, Alaska. Nitrogen fixation rates were measured on tundra cores at selected sites at 10-day intervals throughout the summer. The acetylene reduction technique was the principal tool. Significant nitrogen fixation was found throughout the mid-summer months. Indirect evidence suggests that blue green algae of the genus Nostoc were the principal agents along with lichens of the genus Peltigera since isolated specimens of these reduced acetylene with high efficiency. A survey of nitrogen fixation was also carried out on subarctic alpine tundra in the
COMPOSICIÓN FLORÍSTICA, ESTRUCTURA Y ENDEMISMO EN UNA PARCELA PERMANENTE DE BOSQUE SECO EN ZAPOTILLO, PROVINCIA DE LOJA, ECUADOR

Resumen En el bosque seco de la Reserva Natural La Ceiba (RNLC), canton Zapotillo, provincia de Loja, ubicada entre 386 y 415 m de altitud y en las coordenadas 80o15'34,06’’ O y 4o13'42,69’’ S, se establecio una parcela permanente de 100 x 100 m, con 25 subparcelas de 20 x 20 m. En cada subparcela, se registraron todos los individuos ≥5 cm de diametro a la altura del pecho (DAP). Se registran 28 especies de arboles, 8 arbustos, 9 hierbas y 4 epifitas. Se inventariaron 1057 individuos/ha, 956 son arboles no ramificados y 101 se ramifican. Los arboles presentan un area basal de 26,73 m 2 /ha y un volumen de 169,41 m 3 /ha. Las familias mas diversas son Fabaceae, Bombacaceae, Mimosaceae y Caesalpiniaceae. Las especies con mayor IVIE son: Simira ecuadorensis, Tabebuia chrysantha, Ceiba trichistandra y Cordia macrantha . El perfil estructural de un transecto de 10 x 100 m demuestra que el estrato superior esta representado por Tabebuia chrysantha, Terminalia valverdeae y Piscidia carthagenensis , el estrato codominado por Bursera graveolens, Citharexylum quitense y Erythroxylum glaucum , y el estrato suprimido por Simira ecuadorensis y Prockia crucis . Se registraron 13 especies endemicas que son compartidas con Peru. La composicion floristica y las caracteristicas estructurales determinan un buen estado de conservacion del bosque. Palabras clave: bosque seco deciduo, region Tumbesina, composicion floristica, parcela permanente. Abstract In the dry forest of the Nature Reserve La Ceiba (RNLC), Zapotillo, province of Loja, located between 386 and 415 m above sea level and at coordinates 80°15'34.06’’ W and 4°13'42.69" S, we established a permanent plot of 100 x 100 m, with 25 subplots of 20 x 20 m. In each subplot were registered all individuals ≥5 cm diameter at breast height (DBH). We recorded 28 species of trees, 8 shrubs, 9 herbs and 4 epiphytic. An inventory of 1057 individuals/ha, 956 trees are not branched and 101 branched. Trees have a basal area of 26.73 m 2 /ha and 169.41 m 3 /ha in volume. The most diverse families are Fabaceae, Bombacaceae, Mimosaceae and Caesalpiniaceae. Species with greater IVI are: Simira ecuadorensis, Tabebuia chrysantha, Cordia macrantha and Ceiba trichistandra . The structural profile of a transect of 10 x 100 m shows that the top tier is represented by Tabebuia chrysantha, Terminalia valverdeae and Piscidia carthagenensis , co-dominant stratum by Bursera graveolens, Citharexylum quitense and Erythroxylum glaucum and suppressed stratum by Simira ecuadorensis and Prockia crucis . There were 13 endemic species that are shared with Peru. The floristic composition and structural characteristics determine a good state of preservation of the forest. Keywords: dry deciduous forest, Tumbesian region, floristic composition, permanent plot.
Contribution of tillage systems on the organic matter of Gley soil and the productivity of corn and soybean soil and the productivity of corn

O comportamento dos teores de materia orgânica em um Gleissolo e da produtividade do milho e soja foi avaliado em condicao de clima temperado (Estacao Experimental da Universidade de Purdue – West Lafayette – Indiana - Estados Unidos - Long: 86o 55’ W e Lat: 40o 26’ N). Estudaram-se os efeitos de seis tratamentos (tres diferentes sistemas de cultivo: convencional (SC), plantio direto (PD) e cultivo minimo (CM), com duas sucessoes de culturas (soja-milho e milho cultivado continuamente)), com delineamento experimental de blocos casualizados, constituindo seis tratamentos arranjados em parcelas subdivididas (split-plot), com tres repeticoes. Nas parcelas experimentais foram estabelecidos os tratamentos de sucessao das culturas e a sub-parcela, os sistemas de manejo do solo. Analisaram-se amostras de solo provenientes de cinco profundidades em 11 posicoes, de uma linha transversal na parcela e a produtividade de graos. Os teores de materia orgânica aumentam na camada superficial a medida que diminuiu a movimentacao do solo, na seguinte sequencia: PD > CM > CC. O CC proporcionou maiores valores de produtividade do milho quando associado ao CM e em sucessao a soja; quando comparado com os sistemas conservacionistas e, nas condicoes de clima temperado e quando em solos hidromorficos, os teores de materia orgânica estabelecem relacao inversamente proporcional a produtividade, com menor expressao para a sucessao de soja e milho.