Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes in phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase and peroxidase activities in wheat cultivars expressing resistance to the leaf‐rust fungus

Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and peroxidase activities increased slightly during pre-haustorial stages of development of the leaf-rust fungus (Puccinia recondita f. sp. tritici) in each combination of rust strain and wheat line used. Activity of both enzymes greatly increased during the formation of the first haustoria by avirulent and virulent strains in an Lr28-bearing line but not in an Lr20-bearing line. PAL increased markedly in activity at the time when an avirulent strain was known to cause hypersensitivity in the Lr28-bearing line and when another avirulent strain was known to cause cellular changes that preceded the expression of resistance in the Lr20-bearing line. PAL increased less markedly and not at all at corresponding times when virulent strains developed in the Lr28 and Lr20 lines, respectively. Increases in peroxidase activity occurred after the increases in PAL activity and were greater during resistance expression than in leaves infected with virulent strains. Cytochemical tests revealed enhancements of peroxidase activity in epidermal and guard cells in response to avirulent and virulent strains and in mesophyll cells that were becoming necrotic in response to avirulent strains only. The implications of the changes are that aromatic and phenylpropanoid synthesis and peroxidations may be enhanced in wheat by infection and particularly during resistance expression. The products of these processes may play roles in both Lr28- and Lr20-based expression of resistance.
210Pb/226Ra determination of longevity in redfish

Examination of annular growth rings apparent in charred otolith cross sections is the basis for reports of extreme longevity in the rockfish genus Sebastes, but the interpretation of the annuli has long been disputed. We used a radiochemical assay of the otolith core to confirm our interpretation of annuli in Atlantic redfish, Sebastes mentella, to at least an age of 65 yr. Through measurement of the radioactive disequilibrium between 226Ra and 210Pb, it appears that redfish live to an age of at least 75 yr in the waters off of Nova Scotia.
Effect of recycling wood ash on microbiological and biochemical properties of soils

Wood ash production is increasing due to the increasing use of wood as a sustainable fuel. Wood ash can be recycled in crop soils as a source of nutrients and as a liming agent to correct soil acidity. However, the effect of wood ash on soil quality is poorly known. Here we studied the effect of addition of wood ash at 5 and 20 t ha -1 on microbial and biochemical properties in samples from the 0-30 cm surface of three neutral and two alkaline agricultural soils. The samples were incubated for one year at 25 °C and 60% water-holding capacity. The soil microbiological biomass (microbial biomass C and N), general microbial activity using fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis, and alkaline phosphatase, arylsulphatase, catalase and o-diphenoloxidase activities were determined periodically together with pH and electrical conductivity. Increases in microbial biomass C and fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis occurred at the lower wood-ash dose, whereas microbial biomass C decreased at the higher wood-ash dose over the entire period, and the fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis after 4 months. The microbial C/N ratios of treated samples were significantly different with respect to that of the control, suggesting changes in the structure of the microbial communities. The changes in microbial biomass and microbial activity were related to the increases in pH, which induce the development of bacteria to the detriment of fungi, to the electrical conductivity, and to the nutrient levels after wood-ash addition. Alkaline phosphatase and arylsulphatase activities were weakly inhibited at 20 t ha -1 , and catalase activity was stimulated in the neutral samples and inhibited in the alkaline samples. The highest o-diphenoloxidase activity observed throughout in all of the treated samples may suggest a decrease in the mineralisation process. Our findings reveal that the soil biochemical parameters investigated are significantly affected only in some cases at 20 t ha -1 , suggesting that a treatment exceeding 5 t ha -1 is not recommended until the agro-chemical and physical functions of the soil are further studied.
Avaliação in vitro da atividade fotoprotetora de extratos vegetais do cerrado de Mato Grosso

O cerrado brasileiro e um bioma detentor de grande diversidade biologica. No entanto, sao escassas as pesquisas de especies vegetais, especialmente do cerrado mato-grossense, com potencial para serem utilizadas como filtros solares naturais. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi estudar o potencial fotoprotetor de especies de diferentes familias (Apocynaceae, Lythraceae, Oxalidaceae) do cerrado da regiao do Rio Manso, Chapada dos Guimaraes - MT. A absorbância dos extratos etanolicos secos foram medidas em diferentes concentracoes entre os comprimentos de onda de 260 a 400nm para verificar a absorcao nas regioes ultravioleta A e B (UVA e UVB). As plantas que apresentaram absorbância na regiao estudada foram submetidas a uma analise fitoquimica qualitativa preliminar para determinar a presenca de polifenois e alcaloides, constituintes caracteristicos de plantas que absorvem a radiacao UV. Os extratos etanolicos secos que apresentaram absorcao em UVB foram submetidos ao teste de determinacao in vitro do Fator de Protecao Solar (FPS) desenvolvido por Mansur. M. Velame apresentou absorcao na regiao UVB com absorbância maxima em 318nm, enquanto que a L. pacari e O. hirsutissima apresentaram absorbância na regiao UVA. Na concentracao utilizada e padronizada, nenhuma das especies apresentou FPS >2, sendo assim nao podem ser consideradas plantas com potencial fotoprotetor.
Economic value and genetic parameters for calving performance in Dutch dairy cattle breeding

Dystocia refers to calving performance degree of difficulty of giving birth. Dystocia is well accepted as a reproductive problem in dairy cattle. Direct cost associated with dystocia include veterinary fee, farmer labor and loss of calf. Indirect cost include increased health and fertility problems and reduced production, and as a result increased culling rate, decreased animal welfare, and increased concern on consumer acceptanc€ of dairy products. Factors affecting calving performance can be separated in to letal and maternal components (Meijering, 1984). The fetal component refers to the ability of a calf to b€ born easily, and is largely defined by the size of the calf. The maternal component is the ability of a cow to give birth easily, largely a function of the size of the dam, her pelvic area and her contribution to fetal growth. The sire of the calf has a direct genetic effect on the fetal component; the maternal component of the sire is expressed by his daughters, and is often reterred to as the indirect genetic effect. In most dairy cattle breeding programmes, sires are only evaluated for their direct effect on dystocia (lnterbull, 1992). This information is used for dir€ctional mating of virgin heifers to calving ease sires (Meijering, 1986; Dekkers, 1994). A study was undertaken to reconsider th€ use of calving performance data in Dutch dairy cattle breeding programmes. This paper describes estimated direct cost associated with dystocia, and estimated (co)variances for direct and indirect effects for dystocia and g€station length.
ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF Pasteurella multocida FROM CAPRINE PNEUMONIC LUNGS

By conventional microbiological methods, investigation was carried out in Nsukka and Enugu areasof Enugu State, Nigeria to determne the percentage frequency of occurrence of Pasteurella multocida from caprine pneumonic lungs in Nsukka and Enugu areas of Enugu State, Nigeria. In this study that spanned 12 years, a total of 350pneumonic lung samples were collected from WestAfrican Dwarf goats, Sokoto Red goats and Fulani goats slaughtered in Nsukka and Enugu Municipal abattoirs in Enugu State. By cultural, biochemical and physiological attributes, four (4) of the isolates were characterized as Pasteurella multocida Both gross and histopathological lesions of the pneumonic lung specimens from which this aerobic bacterium was isolated were correlated with the organism. Inspite of the low percentage requency (114%) of isolation of Pasteurella multocida in this study, attention is drawn to the pathogenic potential of this organismfor goats and other livestock in this par o Nigeria. Keyword: Isolation, Characterization, Pasteurella multocida, Pneumonic, Caprine
THE SUBMITOCHONDRIAL LOCALIZATION OF MONOAMINE OXIDASE

Controlled osmotic lysis (water-washing) of rat liver mitochondria results in a mixed population of small vesicles derived mainly from the outer mitochondrial membrane and of larger bodies containing a few cristae derived from the inner membrane. These elements have been separated on Ficoll and sucrose gradients. The small vesicles were rich in monoamine oxidase, and the large bodies were rich in cytochrome oxidase. Separation of the inner and outer membranes has also been accomplished by treating mitochondria with digitonin in an isotonic medium and fractionating the treated mitochondria by differential centrifugation. Treatment with low digitonin concentrations released monoamine oxidase activity from low speed mitochondrial pellets, and this release of enzymatic activity was correlated with the loss of the outer membrane as seen in the electron microscope. The low speed mitochondrial pellet contained most of the cytochrome oxidase and malate dehydrogenase activities of the intact mitochondria, while the monoamine oxidase activity could be recovered in the form of small vesicles by high speed centrifugation of the low speed supernatant. The results indicate that monoamine oxidase is found only in the outer mitochondrial membrane and that cytochrome oxidase is found only in the inner membrane. Digitonin treatment released more monoamine oxidase than cytochrome oxidase from sonic particles, thus indicating that digitonin preferentially degrades the outer mitochondrial membrane.
ETHNOMEDICINAL APPROACHES FOR TREATING VARIOUS DISEASE BY IRULAS TRIBALS, KONBANUR VILLAGE, ANAIKATTI HILLS,THE WESTERN GHATS, COIMBATORE DISTRICT

Indigenous traditional Knowledge is an integral part of the culture and history of a local community. It evolves through years of regular experimentation on the day to day life and available resources surrounded by the community. The present paper documented 85 ethno-medicinal plants of Konbanur village, Anaikatti, Coimbatore district, the Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu belonging to 48 families were used by the Irula tribals for various diseases and food. The conventional ethno medicinal plants were mostly used for different inflammation, cough and cold, leucoderma, different skin diseases, ulcers and leprosy. The ethnomedicinal plants are arranged alphabetically followed by botanical name, family, local name and medicinal uses.
Pathogenicity of Rhynchosporium secalis isolates from Norway on 30 cultivars of barley

The pathogenic variability of the barley scald fungus, Rhynchosporium secalis, in central Norway was examined in 1994. The climate in this region is usually cold and wet during the growing season of spring barley. Leaf blotch is prevalent and causes significant yield losses. Forty-two isolates of the fungus, from naturally infected spring barley in four counties, were differentiated into 32 pathotypes by the standard differential set for R. secalis. All pathotypes were complex and had virulence for nine to 22 differentials. The cultivar Osiris was resistant to all isolates tested. The cultivars C.I. 8162, Hudson, Atlas 46 and C.I. 3515 were resistant to the majority of the isolates. Several differentials with various resistance genes were susceptible to up to 100% of the isolates. Isolates were derived from local cultivars with no known resistance genes, suggesting that R. secalis populations in central Norway are characterized by a high degree of seemingly unnecessary pathogenicity. Because of the great variability and complexity of the pathotypes, traditional breeding methods using single major genes are not likely to be effective in central Norway.
Learning of foraging skills by fish

This chapter outlines the relationships between a number of key factors that influence learning and memory, and illustrates them by reference to studies on the foraging behaviour of fish. Learning can lead to significant improvements in foraging performance in only a few exposures, and at least some fish species are capable of adjusting their foraging strategy as patterns of patch profitability change. There is also evidence that the memory window for prey varies between fish species, and that this may be a function of environmental predictability. Convergence between behavioural ecology and comparative psychology offers promise in terms of developing more mechanistically realistic foraging models and explaining apparently 'suboptimal' patterns of behaviour. Foraging decisions involve the interplay between several distinct systems of learning and memory, including those that relate to habitat, food patches, prey types, conspecifics and predators. Fish biologists, therefore, face an interesting challenge in developing integrated accounts of fish foraging that explain how cognitive sophistication can help individual animals to deal with the complexity of the ecological context.
Xanthine‐analog, KMUP‐2, enhances cyclic GMP and K+ channel activities in rabbit aorta and corpus cavernosum with associated penile erection

The pharmacological properties of KMUP‐2 were examined in isolated rabbit aorta and corpus cavernosum smooth muscle (CCSM). KMUP‐2 caused relaxations that were attenuated by removed endothelium, high K+, and pretreatment with the soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) inhibitors methylene blue (10 μM) and ODQ (1 μM), a NOS inhibitor, L‐NAME (100 μM), a K+ channel blocker TEA (10 mM), a KATP channel blocker glibenclamide (1 μM), a voltage‐dependent K+ channel blocker 4‐AP (100 μM), and the Ca2+‐dependent K+ channel blockers apamin (1 μM) and charybdotoxin (ChTX, 0.1 μM). The relaxant responses of KMUP‐2 (0.01, 0.05, 0.1 μM) together with a PDE inhibitor, IBMX (0.5 μM), had additive effects on rabbit aorta and CCSM. Additionally, KMUP‐2 (100 μM) also affected cGMP metabolism, due to its inhibiting activity on PDE in human platelets. KMUP‐2 (0.1–100 μM) further induced an increase of intracellular cGMP levels in the primary cultured rabbit aortic and CCSM cells. These increases in cGMP content were abolished in the presence of methylene blue (100 μM) and ODQ (10 μM). Obviously, the relaxant effects of KMUP‐2 on rabbit isolated tissues are more sensitive in CCSM than in aorta. Moreover, KMUP‐2 also stimulated NO/sGC/cGMP pathway and subsequent elevation of cGMP by blockade of PDE and enhanced opening of K+ channels in rabbit aorta and CCSM. KMUP‐2 (0.2, 0.4, 0.6 mg/kg), similar to KMUP‐1 and sildenafil, caused increases of intracavernous pressure (ICP) and duration of tumescene (DT) in a dose‐dependent manner. It is concluded that both the increases of cGMP and the opening activity of K+ channels play prominent roles in KMUP‐2‐induced aortic smooth muscle and CCSM relaxation and increases of ICP in rabbits. Drug Dev. Res. 55:162–172, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Feeding straw to small ruminants: effect of amount offered on intake and selection of barley straw by goats and sheep

The hypothesis that increasing the amount of straw offered and allowing animals to refuse proportionately more than 0·1 to 0·2 would increase intake and quality of the straw consumed was tested in two experiments with castrated goats (aged 6 to 31 months) and one with wether sheep (aged 6 to 18 months). Each trial (over 21 to 42 days following 14 to 35 days preliminary feeding) involved individually feeding long barley straw and concentrate supplement (15 g dry matter (DM) per kg live weight (M075) daily) and monitoring the quantity and quality of straw offered and straw refused. The results supported the hypothesis. In experiment 1, with 18 goats per treatment, those allowed to refuse 500 rather than 200 g straw per kg DM offered consumed more (18·9 and 14·4 g DM per kg M75 per day, s.e.d. 0·70) and their straw refusals contained more digestible organic matter (DOM) in vitro (347 and 320 g/kg DM, s.e.d. 7·7). For both treatments, refusals were less digestible in vitro than the straw offered (412 g DOM per kg DM). Thirty-six goats in experiment 2 (over 42 days) offered increasing amounts of straw (18, 54 and 90 g DM per kg M075 per day) consumed more (15·5, 22·8 and 26·2 g DM per kg M per day, s.e.d. 0·74), refused more (125, 566 and 703 g/kg DM offered) and the refusals were of increasing digestibility in vitro (354, 370 and 403 g DOM per kg DM, s.e.d. 14·5). All refused straw was inferior to that offered (443 g DOM per kg DM). The estimated intake of straw DOM was markedly improved by offering more straw (7·2, 12·8 and 14·5 g per kg M75 per day). Experiment 3, using 30 wethers over 21 days fed as in experiment 2, showed similar treatment responses, although absolute intakes of straw were lower. The responses observed are comparable to improvements in intake following treatment of straw with alkali. Further research is required to determine optimum feeding rates as affected by straw quality and animal productivity level. Practical feeding strategies will also need to consider utilizing refused straw.
Morphometric and genetic sexing in the Gough Moorhen Gallinula comeri

To develop an accurate, low-cost method for sexing Gough Moorhens Gallinula comeri using morphometric measurements, twelve measurements were taken from 59 birds and validated against genetic sexing. The classification accuracy of variables was determined and discriminant analysis was used to test whether multiple variables improved accuracy. Males were larger than females in all dimensions. Head length reliably differentiated male and female Gough Moorhens. A threshold of 64 mm correctly classified 92% of the sample birds; adding other variables did not improve accuracy. Gough Moorhens can be sexed with an acceptable level of accuracy using a single morphometric variable, but genetic sexing is needed to confirm the sex of individuals that fall within the overlap zone (62–66 mm).
Duration of Intracapsular Development of Zidona dufresnei (Gastropoda: Volutidae) at its Southern Distributional Limit

Abstract. Zidona dufresnei Donovan, 1823 is an endemic snail of the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. In San Antonio Bay, Río Negro Province, it is commonly found in the intertidal zone all year round and from October to April the females deposit planoconvex egg capsules attached to hard substrates. The population of Z. dufresnei studied is an exception because it is unique in that inhabits shallow waters. The main goal of this study was to determine the duration of the direct intracapsular development of Z. dufresnei in the field. Results show that the intracapsular development takes 34.5 ± 3.8 days. In late developmental stages, a mean of three embryos per capsule was observed. Developmental duration under natural conditions was shorter than in lab conditions previously studied. The shorter developmental period than that reported for other temperate neogastropods may be related to the high summer water temperatures and high salinity at the location studied. Shorter embryonic duration would be important for this population of Z. dufresnei which inhabits an environment of high predation pressure on egg capsules.
Test day-milk yields variance component estimation using repeatability or random regression models in the Rendena breed

Abstract This study has aimed to compare Repeatability (RP-TDm) and Random-Regression Test Day models (RR-TDm) in genetic evaluations of milk (M), fat (F) and protein (P) yields in Rendena breed. Variance estimations for Milk (M), Fat (F) and Protein (P) were obtained on a sample of 43,842 TD belonging to 2,692 animals controlled over 15 years (1990-2005). RP-TDm estimates of h2 were of 0.21 for M and 0.17 for both F and P, whereas RR-TDM provided a trend of h2 ranging from 0.15-0.34 for M, 0.15-0.31 for F and 0.10-0.24 for P. Both RP-TDm and RR-TDm results agreed with literature, even though RR-TDm provided a pattern of h2 along the lactation different from other studies, with the lowest h2 at the beginning and at the end of lactation. PSB, MAD and -2Log L parameters revealed lower power of RP-TDm as compare with the RR-TDm.
Breeding ecology of the Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola on the Biebrza marshes, northeast Poland

Aquatic Warblers Acrocephalus paludicola were studied in a natural fen mire in the Biebrza River valley, the main breeding ground of the species in its entire distribution range. The number of males present and singing at the sample plot changed considerably during the breeding season. Individual identified colour-ringed males sang with unchanged intensity throughout the breeding season. The period of daily singing activity differed from other species of Acrocephalus; males sang at dusk rather than at dawn. Males took no part in rearing nestlings but remained on territory and showed vigilance behaviour. The density of males in the breeding season ranged from 1.0 to 10.9 per 10 ha. The density of nesting females ranged from 1.3 to 15.7 per 10 ha. In the most suitable habitat females were more numerous than males. The distribution of females (nests) was clumped where potential food resources were higher. Nests were well hidden in places with deeper water between sedge tufts and an abundance of old dry sedge. Females feeding nestlings collected most food within a 5–60-m radius (mean 31.7 m). The return rate of males was higher than that of females. The results suggest a mating system that is intermediate between facultative polygyny and promiscuity.
Tumor Necrosis Factor-α-induced Insulin Resistance in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes Is Accompanied by a Loss of Insulin Receptor Substrate-1 and GLUT4 Expression without a Loss of Insulin Receptor-mediated Signal Transduction*

A number of studies have demonstrated that tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is associated with profound insulin resistance in adipocytes and may also play a critical role in the insulin resistance of obesity and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Reports on the mechanism of TNF-α action have been somewhat contradictory. GLUT4 down-regulation has been implicated as a possible cause of insulin resistance as has been the reduced kinase function of the insulin receptor. Here we examine the effects of tumor necrosis factor on the protein components thought to be involved in insulin-stimulated glucose transport in adipocytes, namely the insulin receptor, its major substrate IRS-1, and the insulin responsive glucose transporter GLUT4. Prolonged exposure (72-96 h) of 3T3-L1 adipocytes to TNF-α causes a substantial reduction (>80%) in IRS-1 and GLUT4 mRNA and protein as well as a lesser reduction (>50%) in the amount of the insulin receptor. Nevertheless, the remaining proteins appear to be biochemically indistinguishable from those in untreated adipocytes. Both the insulin receptor and IRS-1 are tyrosine-phosphorylated to the same extent in response to acute insulin stimulation following cellular TNF-α exposure. Furthermore, the ability of the insulin receptor to phosphorylate exogenous substrate in the test tube is also normal following its isolation from TNF-α-treated cells. These results are confirmed by the reduced but obvious level of insulin-dependent glucose transport and GLUT4 translocation observed in TNF-α-treated adipocytes. We conclude that the insulin resistance of glucose transport in 3T3-L1 adipocytes exposed to TNF-α for 72-96 h results from a reduced amount in requisite proteins involved in insulin action. These results are consistent with earlier studies indicating that TNF-α reduces the transcriptional activity of the GLUT4 gene in murine adipocytes, and reduced mRNA transcription of a number of relevant genes may be the general mechanism by which TNF-α causes insulin resistance in adipocytes.