Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of kernel roasting on bioactive components and oxidative stability of pine nut oil

Changes in the content of bioactive components, oxidative stability, and radical scavenging capacity of pine nut oils extracted from kernels roasted for different times (0–60 min) at 150°C were determined. Oil extracted from kernels roasted for 30 min demonstrated the highest oxidative stability. The browning index which indicates extent of Maillard reaction significantly (p<0.05) increased with roasting. Compared to samples from unroasted kernels, roasting was found to cause an increase in total phenolics and a reduction in the level of total tocopherols. Total carotenoids and total chlorophylls were also reduced by roasting and almost completely diminished in heaver roasting conditions. The highest radical scavenging capacity was detected in oil sample from kernels roasted for 30 min. The improvement of oxidative stability and antioxidant capacity is possibly resulted from the combined action of the neo-formed Maillard reaction products, increased total phenolics, and other remaining bioactive components.
The G4 Gene of Arabidopsis thaliana Encodes a Chlorophyll Synthase of Etiolated Plants

: The gene coding for a putative chlorophyll synthase gene (C4) from Arabidopsis thaliana was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction and cloned into the expression vector pQE- 31. Lysates of bacteria (E.coli) that had been transformed with this construct were used for in vitro enzymatic assays. The chlorophyll synthase catalyzed esterification of chlorophyllides a and b at the same rate but preferred geranylgeranyl-PP over phytyl-PP. This corresponds to the enzyme specificity previously described for etiolated plants and differed from that of green plants.
Distribution and frequency of VKORC1 sequence variants conferring resistance to anticoagulants in Mus musculus

BACKGROUND: Emerging resistance to anticoagulant rodenticides may significantly impair house mouse (Mus musculus L.) control. As in humans and rats, sequence variants in the gene vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit 1 (VKORC1) of house mice are strongly implicated in the responses of mice to anticoagulants. This study gives a first overview of the distribution and frequency of such potentially resistance-conferring sequence variants in house mice, based on tissue samples from 30 populations in Germany, Switzerland and the Azores. RESULTS: Except for one population from south Germany, sequence variants were found in individuals from all locations sampled (29 out of 30 sites surveyed), with less than 10% of the individuals matching the wild-type genotype. The most frequent and widespread amino acid substitutions were Leu128Ser, Tyr139Cys and a group of linked sequence changes (Arg12Trp/Ala26Ser/Ala48Thr/Arg61Leu). Where these substitutions occurred as the sole variant, the proportion of homozygous individuals was 72-83%. CONCLUSIONS: An evaluation of published data revealed that the three most frequently found sequence variants are associated with a substantial loss of rodenticide efficacy of first-generation anticoagulants (e.g. warfarin, coumatetralyl), as well as the second-generation compound bromadiolone and most probably also difenacoum. Knowledge of the distribution and frequency of resistance-conferring sequence variants will stimulate their further functional characterisation and facilitate the choice of effective active substances for house mouse control.
Response of Potted Sunflower Cultivars to Daminozide Foliar Sprays and Paclobutrazol Drenches

Plant growth retardant (PGR) foliar sprays of daminozide at 4,000 or 8,000 mg·L–1 (ppm) and paclobutrazol drenches of 2 or 4 mg a.i. per pot were applied to ‘Big Smile’, ‘Pacino’, ‘Sundance Kid’, ‘Sunspot’, and ‘Teddy Bear’ pot sunflowers (Helianthus annuus L.) to compare their chemical height control. Plant height varied among the cultivars due to genetic variation. The percentage reduction in plant height from the untreated control only was significant at the PGR level, indicating similar responses of all five cultivars to each PGR rate. Paclobutrazol drenches at 2 mg and daminozide foliar sprays at 4,000 or 8,000 mg·L–1 reduced plant height by about 24% when compared to the control. Paclobutrazol drenches at 4 mg produced plants that were 33% shorter than the control. Plant diameter of ‘Big Smile’, ‘Pacino’, or ‘Sundance Kid’ was unaffected by daminozide, whereas ‘Sunspot’ plants were smaller than the controls. Paclobutrazol drenches at 2 or 4 mg decreased plant diameter for all cultivars except ‘Teddy Bear’, with the reduction being greater as paclobutrazol drench rates increased. The number of inflorescence buds increased by ≥18% with the use of daminozide sprays, while paclobutrazol drenches at 2 or 4 mg had no effect when compared to the untreated control. Paclobutrazol drenches of 2 or 4 mg offer the economic advantage to growers of increased plant density on greenhouse benches, while plants treated with daminozide had an increased bud count but would require a greater amount of bench space.
Basal and Reovirus-Induced Beta Interferon (IFN-β) and IFN-β-Stimulated Gene Expression Are Cell Type Specific in the Cardiac Protective Response

ABSTRACT Viral myocarditis is an important human disease, with a wide variety of viruses implicated. Cardiac myocytes are not replenished yet are critical for host survival and thus may have a unique response to infection. Previously, we determined that the extent of reovirus induction of beta interferon (IFN-β) and IFN-β-mediated protection in primary cardiac myocyte cultures was inversely correlated with the extent of reovirus-induced cardiac damage in a mouse model. Surprisingly, and in contrast, the IFN-β response did not determine reovirus replication in skeletal muscle cells. Here we compared the IFN-β response in cardiac myocytes to that in primary cardiac fibroblast cultures, a readily replenished cardiac cell type. We compared basal and reovirus-induced expression of IFN-β, IRF-7 (an interferon-stimulated gene [ISG] that further induces IFN-β), and another ISG (561) in the two cell types by using real-time reverse transcription-PCR. Basal IFN-β, IRF-7, and 561 expression was higher in cardiac myocytes than in cardiac fibroblasts. Reovirus T3D induced greater expression of IFN-β in cardiac myocytes than in cardiac fibroblasts but equivalent expression of IRF-7 and 561 in the two cell types (though fold induction for IRF-7 and 561 was higher in fibroblasts than in myocytes because of the differences in basal expression). Interestingly, while reovirus replicated to equivalent titers in cardiac myocytes and cardiac fibroblasts, removal of IFN-β resulted in 10-fold-greater reovirus replication in the fibroblasts than in the myocytes. Together the data suggest that the IFN-β response controls reovirus replication equivalently in the two cell types. In the absence of reovirus-induced IFN-β, however, reovirus replicates to higher titers in cardiac fibroblasts than in cardiac myocytes, suggesting that the higher basal IFN-β and ISG expression in myocytes may play an important protective role.
Influence of the type of collector and collector preparation periods on the settling rate of the scallop Nodipecten nodosus L. in the laboratory

We analysed the settling rate of Nodipecten nodosus L. scallop spats during winter and spring, testing diierent types of collectors and collector preparation periods. Larval rearing was conducted with water exchange every 48 h, density at 2 larvae mL � 1 and feeding between 0.5 and 2 � 10 4 microalgae cells mL � 1 . The recovery larvae based on D-larvae produced were 31.6% (Winter Trial) and 47.2% (Spring Trial), without any antibacterial additives. The mean settling rates obtained in Winter Trial were from 0.04% to 0.79% withstand in Spring Trial were 24.99^48.65%. In the Winter Trial, there was no statistical diierence between the settling rate of collectors prepared for 6 or12 days. The settling rates of the netlon collectors with pine leaves were up to 19 times higher than those of the other types of collectors. In the Spring Trial, there was no statistical diierence between the settling rates of the netlon and plastic net fruit collectors. Collectors with pine leaves produced a yield of spats up to 48.65%, more than those without pine leaves (Po0.01). The e⁄ciency of larval rearing and settling obtained in spring, pine leaves and low-cost local material indicate the feasibility to improve and facilitate regular production of N. nodosus spats for promotion of the growth of scallop culture in Brazil.
A model of habitat selection by drift-feeding stream salmonids at different scales

Whole-stream size gradients of drift-feeding stream salmonids have received practically no attention, perhaps because the smaller-fish-upstream pattern that is thought to prevail is consistent with knowledge of habitat selection by other stream fish at the local scale. However, a rather counterintuitive larger-fish-upstream pattern has recently been documented for Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus) in Alaska and brown trout (Salmo trutta) in New Zealand, and habitat selection theory cannot explain these observations. My goal in this paper is to improve this situation by developing a model that predicts the distribution of a population of fish both within single pools and over the length of the entire river, as well as the behavioral mechanism responsible. The model uses information on invertebrate drift density and water temperature to predict the growth rate of different sizes of fish at the positions available in the stream. Fish then distribute themselves so that each individual occupies the most profitable position it can defend, with the largest fish winning any disputes. The model suggests that streams can be classified into categories based on the way temperature and drift density vary with the passage downstream. Each of these categories favors a different combination of size gradient and behavioral mechanism. A larger-fish-upstream pattern due to size-dependent habitat preference is predicted for streams with cool temperatures and low drift densities, conditions found in Arctic grayling streams. A larger-fish-upstream pattern due to competition between fish of different size is predicted in warm streams, irrespective of drift density, conditions found in many New Zealand trout streams. A smaller-fish-upstream pattern due to competition between fish of different size is expected in cool streams with high drift abundance; currently no data are available to test this prediction.
FOULING COMMUNITY OF THE SNOW CRAB CHIONOECETES OPILIO IN ATLANTIC CANADA

Abstract We examined the fouling organisms on the exoskeleton of 762 adult male snow crabs (Chionoecetes opilio) from 10 sampling stations situated in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (SGSL) and the Scotian Shelf (SS) off the eastern coast of Canada. A total of twenty-one sessile invertebrate families were observed on the exoskeleton of crabs. Epibiotic families occurring on 10% or less of crabs were considered minor foulers, while families occurring in 50% or more were considered major foulers. Nine minor and 3 major families were observed in the SGSL. The most important taxa were the bryozoans Alcyonidium spp. (87.5%) and Hippothoa spp. (77.5%), as well as the polychaetes Spirorbis spp. (68.8%). Eight minor and 3 major families were observed in the SS. The principal taxa belonged to the cirripeds Balanus spp. (89.1%), the bryozoans Alcyonidium spp. (78.2%) and the polychaetes Spirorbis spp. (77.2%). The relative abundance of each of the taxa observed on crabs suggests that differences in the structure of the community exist between the two studied regions and within a given region. These differences were confirmed by multivariate analyses (e.g., MDS plot, ANOSIM and SIMPER analyses). Variations between the fouling communities are mainly driven by the presence/absence of bryozoans and barnacles. Our results also tend to show that the Cape Breton region may act as a transition zone between the SGSL and the SS. Results are discussed in a general ecological context. Potential stock management implications are also underlined.
Condensed Tannins in Sainfoin: Composition, Concentration, and Effects on Nutritive and Feeding Value of Sainfoin Forage

Legume forage is the most economical source of nutrients for ruminants. Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) is high nutritive forage growing worldwide and possesses polyphenolics including condensed tannins (CT) that contribute to some of its superior nutritional properties such as improved protein utilization, bloat-free, and anthelmintic characteristics. This review attempts to capture the latest research in characterizing the impact of polyphenolics on the feeding value of sainfoin with an emphasis on CT. Sainfoin contains a diverse array of polyphenolics and its CT content declines as the plant matures, with an increase in the degree of polymerization and a decreasing proportion of prodelphinidins, resulting in a reduction in biological activity. This forage is best to be utilized between bud to flowering stage to balance the biological activity of CT and biomass yield. Incorporation of sainfoin into alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) pasture has been effective in reducing alfalfa pasture bloat due to the presence of CT. New sainfoin populations suitable for survival in high-performance grazing systems have been developed and have demonstrated superior anti bloat activity due to the increased grazing persistence. Fresh sainfoin is the best feed for cattle for maximum effect of CT, but if it needs to be preserved then hay would be better than silage in terms of preservation of the biological activity of CT. Although greater CT content is desirable for this forage in terms of antibloat and antiparasitic activity, sainfoin with CT concentration at about 50 g kg⁻¹ dry matter (DM) offer the best feed value.
The biology, specificity and habitat of the species of Eubothrium (Cestoda: Pseudophyllidea), with reference to their use as biological tags: a review

The literature pertaining to the distribution, habitat, specificity, life cycles and population biology of all the species of Eubothrium is reviewed. Records in which scolex morphology is used to identify species cannot be used as this character is too variable to be of value in specific recognition. Study of the valid records suggests that E. crassum comprises three races. There is a freshwater race, whose preferred host is non-migratory Salmo trutta fario, but which also infects parr, smolts and landlocked adult S. salar and parr of migratory S. trutta trutta. Its distribution is confined to Europe and Eurasia and is co-extensive with that of S. trutta: it does not occur in N. America or E. Asia. It may be carried to sea in migratory salmonids, where it dies out in S. salar but may survive in S. trutta. Its life cycle only takes place in fresh water, and requires a copepod as the only intermediate host. Other fish species may serve as paratenic or accidental hosts. The preferred host of the marine Atlantic race of E. crassum is S. salar, but S. trutta is also infected. Its distribution is co-extensive with that of S. salar on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. It may be carried into fresh water by both hosts, when its numbers decline in S. salar but not in S. trutta. The life cycle is unknown, but infection probably takes place in marine coastal waters. The preferred hosts of the marine Pacific race are all species of Oncorhynchus, with which its distribttion is co-extensive on both sides of the Pacific Ocean. It may also be carried into fresh water, and its life cycle is also unknown. E. salvelini comprises two races. The European freshwater race is specific to Salvelinus alpinus, and does not infect Salmo spp. Its life cycle takes place in fresh water and involves only one intermediate host, a copepod. It may be carried to sea in migratory fish, and survive to return to fresh water. The American race, found throughout North America and East Asia, infects species of Salmo, Salvelinus, Oncorhynchus, Cristivomer and other genera. Its biology is otherwise similar to that of the European race, although its return from the sea has not yet been confirmed in America. The other species of Eubothrium are more local in their distribution, some being endemic; do not comprise different races, and infect marine and anadromous fish. Nothing is known of their biology or life cycle. Eubothrium is recognised as being a marine genus that has invaded fresh water with anadromous fish. The inability to distinguish the races of E. crassum and E. salvelini on morphological characters, their low rate of survival in the other medium and their wide distribution renders them unsuitable as biological tags.
Perfil Polínico do Mel de Melipona scutellaris Latreille, 1811 (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Proveniente de Colônias Instaladas em Área de Agricultura Familiar na Bahia

Este estudo teve por objetivo conhecer o perfil polinico presente no mel de Melipona scutellaris proveniente de colonias instaladas em meliponario localizado em area de agricultura familiar no estado da Bahia, por meio de estudos melissopalinologicos, contribuindo com informacoes sobre a flora meliponicola na regiao de Jequitiba, municipio de Mundo Novo – BA. Coletas mensais de mel dessa especie foram obtidas durante o periodo de agosto de 2008 a fevereiro de 2009, totalizando 27 amostras. As amostras de meis foram analisadas segundo metodo de acetolise, microfotografadas e avaliadas qualitativa e quantitativamente. Um total de 43 tipos polinicos, pertencentes a 15 familias de plantas, foi identificado. O perfil polinico do mel desta regiao e caracterizado por representantes das familias Fabaceae – Mimosoideae, Myrtaceae e Solanaceae, com destaque para os tipos polinicos M. pudica, M. quadrivalvis, Eucalyptus 1, E. uniflora, S. paniculatum e Solanum 2.
Phylogenetic tree of vascular plants reveals the origins of aquatic angiosperms

Although aquatic plants are discussed as a unified biological group, they are phylogenetically well dispersed across the angiosperms. In this study, we annotated the aquatic taxa on the tree of vascular plants, and extracted the topology of these aquatic lineages to construct the tree of aquatic angiosperms. We also reconstructed the ancestral areas of aquatic families. We found that aquatic angiosperms could be divided into two different categories: the four aquatic orders and the aquatic taxa in terrestrial orders. Aquatic lineages evolved early in the radiation of angiosperms, both in the orders Nymphaeales and Ceratophyllales and among basal monocots (Acorales and Alismatales). These aquatic orders do not have any extant terrestrial relatives. They originated from aquatic habitats during the Early Cretaceous. Asia would have been one of the centers for early diversification of aquatic angiosperms. The aquatic families within terrestrial orders may originate from other areas besides Asia, such as America or Australia. The lineages leading to extant angiosperms diversified early in underexploited freshwater habitats. The four extant aquatic orders were relicts of an early radiation of angiosperm in aquatic environments. Their extinct ancestors might be aquatic early angiosperms.
Trends in the Evolution and Ecology of Functional Morphology in Neotropical Cichlids

The uneven distribution of biological diversity has been a subject of great interest in the study of evolutionary biology. Advances in molecular phylogenetics and comparative methods have facilitated an increasing number of studies relating to the impacts of neutral and adaptive processes on morphological diversity, especially those relating to the predictions of adaptive radiation. While such studies have largely focused on restricted, island radiations, such as African Rift Lake cichlids and Caribbean anoles, recent years have seen an expansion of the analysis of morphological evolution within more broadly-distributed clades. Due to their species-richness, ecological/morphological diversity and age, the continentally-distributed freshwater fish Cichlinae (Neotropical cichlids) represent an ideal system for the study of morphological evolution and its relationship to ecological diversity. Combining data from biomechanics, morphometrics, modern and fossil specimens, and dietary analyses with a comprehensive molecular phylogeny and modern phylogenetic comparative methods I examined functional morphological evolution in Neotropical cichlids and the impact of factors such as selection, adaptation, extinction and ecological opportunity on diversification. Analysis of the functional morphospace of Neotropical cichlids revealed complex selective regimes that have contributed to their modern functional diversity. Rates of functional evolution varied with iii ecological opportunity in Neotropical cichlids, declining in South American through time and increasing upon the colonization of new habitats in Central America. Extinct, fossil cichlid species demonstrate the stability of selective processes on ecomorphological evolution over tens of millions of years. Functional morphology was also significantly correlated with dietary composition. While feeding roles constrained trait evolution along particular morphological axes, dietary specialization increased evolutionary rates, facilitating the evolution of more extreme morphologies. Neotropical cichlid morphological diversity has been influenced by selection and adaptive diversification especially in relation to trade-offs in bentho-pelagic foraging, and patterns of evolution in South America are consistent with a continental adaptive radiation.
Diversity and competitive interactions in experimentally evolved bacterial populations

Laboratory bacterial populations provide ideal opportunities to experimentally test theories in ecology and evolutionary biology. I used a model laboratory microbial system, Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25, to address an array of questions on the origin, maintenance, and functional role of biodiversity, and the evolution of biotic interactions. My thesis reports experiments with the following conclusions. (1) The extent of diversification in P. fluorescens populations is not affected by the presence of an interspecific competitor P. putida, although the early stage of the diversification in one environment (spatially homogeneous environment) could be speeded up by the competitor. (2) Niche and neutral mechanisms simultaneously contribute to the maintenance of phenotypic diversity in P. fluorescens populations; but the operation of niche processes does not lead to a positive effect of biodiversity on ecosystem functioning. (3) The competitive interactions among bacterial phenotypes are generally transitive, and competitive hierarchies inferred from pair-wise competition are fairly consistent to those from multi-species competition. (4) The niche complementarity and selection effects evaluated by random assembly biodiversity experiments can be used to predict the functional consequences of particular non-random species extinction scenarios. (5) P. fluorescens does not show an evolutionary trade-off in using several carbon substrates (glucose, galactose and trehalose), and evolution in environments containing these resources results in imperfect generalists; migration among populations may speed up fitness evolution of some generalists. (6) Biofilm formation at the air-broth interface by wrinkly spreader phenotypes in P. fluorescens is a cooperative behaviour which is costly to individuals but benefits the group; this behaviour could be exploited by smooth morph phenotypes. The cooperators and cheats in this system show reciprocal antagonistic coevolution in resistance and cheating performance.