Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Vitamin B12 Requirement Of The Marine Rotifer Brachionus Plicatilis

The nutrient requirements of many algae are well documented, with most algae being found to need only one or two vitamins. In the case of their predators, only a handful of microinvertebrates have had their diets and even fewer their vitamin requirements denned. Thus, any progress in this field together with the mode of nutrient uptake, must lead to a better understanding of the component-transfer in the food chain. Brachionus plicatilis Müller has been reported to require vitamin B12 (Droop & Scott, 1978). The work described in this paper sought first, to confirm this and then to establish the mode of uptake. The alga Brachiomonas submarina var. pulsifera Droop was used to investigate the first of these questions as the writer had previous experience with it in steady-state energetics work. The alga Dunaliella SMBA Strain 246 was used to examine the mode of uptake by the rotifer since this had also been found to be a good food organism. The possibilities considered were uptake: (a) via the algal cell; (b) directly from solution; (c) a combination of both. Mode of vitamin B12 uptake is of particular interest as it may be representative of the pathway of many of the rotifer's water soluble micronutrients. Before considering the influence of the vitamin on Brachionus investigations were made into the relationship between the vitamin and the two food-algae. It has already been established that Brachiomonas has a definite requirement (Droop, 1961) and Dunaliella no requirement for vitamin B12 (Turner, 1979). It was of interest to see if they took-up the vitamin in the manner shown by Monochrysts, a B12 requirer, and Phaeodactylum a non-requirer (Droop, 1968).
Natural 15 N abundance in fruit bodies of ectomycorrhizal fungi from boreal forests.

The 15 N natural abundance and N concentrations of fruit bodies from 70 species (23 genera) of ectomycorrhizal fungi found in boreal forests are presented. Large intraspecific and intrageneric differences were found, e.g. 8.3‰15 N in the species Dermocybe crocea and 12.6‰ in the genus Cortinarius. In addition, significant differences in both δ15 N and %N were found between different parts of fruit bodies, with cap material giving consistently higher values. Proteins and amino acids were enriched by 9.7±0.4‰ (mean ± 1 SE) relative to chitin, irrespective of the part of the fruit body examined. Chitin had δ15 N values similar to that of plant hosts. The higher δ15 N and %N values of the caps than of the stipes probably reflect a higher portion of proteins and amino acids in the caps. The δ15 N of mycorrhizal fungi can be a function of the N species used (organic N, NH4 + , NO3 - ), the depth of soil at which the mycelium occurs, and metabolic fractionations. The metabolic fractionations, e.g. potential transaminations during the flux of N from the soil through the fungus to the plant, make it difficult, at present, to make inferences about sources of N based on δ15 N values alone. No effect of sample drying temperature on δ15 values of fungal material was detected.
Variation at two flowering time genes within and among populations of Arabidopsis thaliana: comparison with markers and traits

Flowering Locus C (FLC) and Frigida are two interacting genes controlling flowering time variation in Arabidopsis thaliana. Variation at these genes was surveyed in 12 A. thaliana populations sampled in France. These populations were also screened for variation at molecular markers [12 microsatellites and 19 cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) markers] and at seven quantitative traits measured with and without vernalization. Seven populations were highly polymorphic at markers (HS = 0.57 at microsatellites, 0.24 at CAPS) and showed heritable variation for bolting time and some other traits. Five populations were genetically fixed or nearly fixed. QST for bolting time without vernalization was significantly higher than FST, suggesting local divergent selection. One of the two haplotype groups at FLC (FLCA) was very predominant (frequency of 99%). The first exon of Frigida showed elevated nonsynonymous variation, and nine loss‐of‐function mutations were found throughout the gene. The association between loss‐of‐function and earlier bolting was confirmed. Overall, 18 Frigida haplotypes were detected. The pattern of variation at Frigida was largely similar to that found at markers and traits, with the same populations being fixed or highly diverse. Metapopulation dynamics is thus probably the main factor shaping genetic variation in A. thaliana. However, FST for functional (FRI) vs. nonfunctional (FRIΔ) haplotypes was significantly higher than FST at markers. This suggested that loss‐of‐function at Frigida is under local selection for flowering time.
DIGESTIBLE LYSINE REQUIREMENT OF ARIAN MALE AND FEMALE BROILER CHICKS DURING SIX TO TWENTY-ONE DAYS OF AGE

An experiment was conducted to determine the dietary digestible lysine requirement of male and female broiler chickens (Arian) during the period from 6 to 21 days posthatching. An amino acid-fortified basal diet containing corn and soybean meal as intact protein sources provided 20 % CP, and 3200 kcal AMEn / kg. In this experiment 150 male and 150 female chicks were allocated on the basis of BW to 12 treatments in a factorial arrangement (two sexes at six digestible lysine levels) with five replications of five chicks each in a completely randomized design (CRD). The digestible lysine levels fed were 0.85, 0.95, 1.05, 1.15, 1.25 and 1.35%. The growth rate and feed efficiency of birds fed the basal diet fortified with a surfeit level of l-Lysine-HCl were equal to those of birds fed a cornsoybean meal positive control diet. Average body-weight gain (ABWG) and gain: feed (GF) responded quadratically (P<0.05) to incremental dietary lysine addition. Subjecting the growth data to broken-line analysis indicated that the digestible lysine requirement for maximum body weight gain was 1.075% for males and 1.049% for females. The lysine requirement for maximum feed efficiency was 1.179% for males and 1.149% for females. Male chicks required a higher level of diet ary lysine than females for both maximal ABWG and GF. Regardless of sex, 8.8% more digestible lysine (percentage of diet) was required for maximal GF than that needed for maximal ABWG.
Photoperiodic regulation of cellular retinoic acid-binding protein 1, GPR50 and nestin in tanycytes of the third ventricle ependymal layer of the Siberian hamster

Tanycytes in the ependymal layer of the third ventricle act both as a barrier and a communication gateway between the cerebrospinal fluid, brain and portal blood supply to the pituitary gland. However, the range, importance and mechanisms involved in the function of tanycytes remain to be explored. In this study, we have utilized a photoperiodic animal to examine the expression of three unrelated gene sequences in relation to photoperiod-induced changes in seasonal physiology and behaviour. We demonstrate that cellular retinoic acid-binding protein 1 (CRBP1), a retinoic acid transport protein, GPR50, an orphan G-protein-coupled receptor and nestin, an intermediate filament protein, are down-regulated in short-day photoperiods. The distribution of the three sequences is very similar, with expression located in cells with tanycyte morphology in the region of the ependymal layer where tanycytes are located. Furthermore, CRBP1 expression in the ependymal layer is shown to be independent of a circadian clock and altered testosterone levels associated with testicular regression in short photoperiod. Pinealectomy of Siberian hamsters demonstrates CRBP1 expression is likely to be dependent on melatonin output from the pineal gland. This provides evidence that tanycytes are seasonally responsive cells and are likely to be an important part of the mechanism to facilitate seasonal physiology and behaviour in the Siberian hamster.
Time of Root Pruning Influences Vegetative Growth, Fruit Size, Biennial Bearing, and Yield of 'Jonathan' Apple

Jonathan'/M.26 apple (Malus domestics Borkh.) trees were root-pruned annually on two sides, 60 cm from the trunk, to a depth of 40 cm for 6 years while dormant, at bloom, or in mid-June. Root pruning reduced terminal shoot growth by 30% in 1985-89 with no influence in 1990. Cumulative yield was reduced by root pruning at bloom (14%) or mid-June (20%), and cumulative yield efficiency (kg·cm -2 trunk cross-sectional area) was reduced by root pruning with no difference among pruning times except in 1 year, where abundant moisture throughout the season appeared to negate the effect. The intensity of biennial bearing was reduced by root pruning with no rela- tionships to time of pruning. Root pruning resulted in a decrease in large fruit and an increase in small fruit in 3 of the 6 years. A covariant analysis with yield showed that root pruning reduced average fruit size. Root-pruned trees produced firmer fruit with an increased soluble solids concentration and had less preharvest drop than nonpruned trees. Under severe drought conditions in 1988, root pruning reduced net photosynthesis and transpiration; supple- mental water (57 liters·week -1
Characterization of morphological forms of Aspergillus carbonarius and the effect of inoculum size on raw starch digesting amylase (RSDA) production

The effect of spore inoculum level and mycelia morphology on raw starch digesting amylase production by Aspergillus carbonarius in submerged culture was investigated. Shake flask cultures were inoculated directly with spore concentration range of 10 to 10spores/ml. Morphology was differentiated into, pellets, clumps, branched and free filaments. Results on the percentage morphologyical occurrences revealed that for all tested inoculum a gradual change in morphology was observed as innoculum level increased from 10 to 10spores/ml though pellets predominated. A decrease in the mean main and total hyphal length, mean hyphal growth unit and marginal increase in mean number of tips/mycelium was observed in the mycelia trees as inoculum levels increased from 10 to 10spores/ml. In the aggregated forms, there was a decrease in the mean area, perimeter, roughness and equivalent diameter while mean compactness increased as inoculum increased from 10 to 10 spores/ml. Irrespective of the predominating form a change in morphology was observed. RSDA production appeared to be related to spore inoculum level. Maximum yield was observed at fermentation inoculated with 10 and 10spores/ml where pellets were most dominant. The impact of spore inoculum size on the resulting mycelia morphology was marginal but had a significant effect on RSDA production.
Interleukin‐27 promotes inflammatory and neuroprotective responses in microglia

Interleukin‐27 (IL‐27) is released by antigen‐presenting cells including macrophages, dendritic cells and microglia, and negatively regulates IL‐17‐producing T helper (Th17) cells, which play key pathogenic roles in multiple sclerosis. As the effects of IL‐27 on cells in the central nervous system are unclear, we have examined the effects of IL‐27 on microglia to uncover the roles of IL‐27 in immune responses of the central nervous system.
EVALUATION OF MULBERRY GERMPLASM BASED ON LEAF AND YIELD PARAMETERS

The nature and magnitude of genetic variability and their interrelationship were studied for leaf and yield traits in 17 genotypes of mulberry (Morus spp). Analysis of variance of Lamina length, Lamina width, Lamina weight, Petiole weight and Leaf petiole ratio by weight, Petiole length, Leaf petiole ratio by length and leaf yield per plant showed significant variation. Leaf yield was recorded highest (4.751 kg/plant) in Goshoerami followed by SKM33 (4.100 kg/plant) during spring season while as it was recorded (4.863 kg/plant) in Goshoerami and (4.450 kg/ plant) in SKM-33 during autumn season. The correlation coefficient showed significant association of leaf yield with lamina weight (0.72**); lamina length (0.37**) and petiole weight (0.60**). Divergence analysis grouped the genotypes into 3 clusters, cluster I contained 15 genotypes, cluster II and Cluster III contained 1 genotype each on pooled over spring. The genotypes were grouped in to 2 clusters, cluster I contained 16 genotypes and cluster II contained 1 genotype on pooled over autumn. The variability among the genotypes measured by inter-cluster distance showed variation, which can be utilised for mulberry crop improvement. Goshoerami and SKM-33 exhibit highest leaf yield which can utilized in future breeding programmes.
Baseline susceptibility and insecticide resistance monitoring in European populations of Meligethes aeneus and Ceutorhynchus assimilis collected in winter oilseed rape

Pollen beetle, Meligethes aeneus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), and cabbage seed weevil, Ceutorhynchus assimilis (Paykull) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), are important pests in the production of European winter oilseed rape, Brassica napus L. (Brassicaceae), which is grown on several million hectares in Europe. Insecticide treatments are common to control both pests once they exceed economic damage thresholds; however, not many chemical classes are available for their control in European oilseed rape. Particularly pollen beetles recently developed high levels of pyrethroid resistance impairing field control at recommended rates in many countries, whereas no resistance is yet reported to another important insecticide, thiacloprid. The major objective of this study was to investigate the spatio‐temporal susceptibility status of pollen beetle against the recently introduced insecticide thiacloprid. From 2009 to 2012 more than 630 populations of pollen beetle collected in 13 countries were monitored for resistance to thiacloprid by using an adult vial test. No shifting to lower susceptibility of pollen beetle to thiacloprid has been observed between 2009 and 2012. Furthermore, we were able to show that pollen beetle larvae are extremely susceptible to thiacloprid, whereas within strains larvae are significantly more resistant than adults to pyrethroids such as lambda‐cyhalothrin. Dose‐response data for thiacloprid against cabbage seed weevil populations collected in 2011 in Germany, Sweden, and Ukraine showed a 10‐fold higher intrinsic sensitivity compared to pollen beetle, and showed only a low variation in response. In addition, we also tested 17 cabbage seed weevil populations collected in five countries against lambda‐cyhalothrin with low variation in response (three‐fold), suggesting full baseline susceptibility and no resistance to pyrethroids. The implications of the data presented for resistance management in coleopteran pests in winter oilseed rape are discussed.
Chemical and physical characteristics of grains related to variability in energy and amino acid availability in pigs: a review

This paper reviews the carbohydrate, protein, lipid, anti-nutritional, and physical characteristics ofgrains that determine the variability in their nutritional quality for ruminant animals. The amount, rate, and extent of starch fermentation in the rumen have been the subject of many studies, with large variation found between and within grain species. Electron microscopy scanning techniques have shown that the protein matrix limits the microbial colonisation of starch granules in some grain species, whereas in others it may be the structural carbohydrates that affect colonisation. The composition of the different fibre fractions of grains and their interaction with non-fibre carbohydrates requires investigation, since it has been shown that non-starchpolysaccharides, including neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre, may not be specific enough to predict animal response to grain. Fermentation patterns of the non-starch polysaccharide components of legumes are also poorly understood and hence require further investigation. Different varieties of grain and different seasonal conditions show variation in the protein fractions of the kernel. Since these fractions display different solubility and degradation rates in the rumen, rumen solubility values cannot be generalised for grains. The variability in solubility caused by rumen flow rate and pH is a further complication. Finally, the lipid content of grains varies greatly, with high-oil grains potentially contributing to the energy level of the diet, but possibly negatively affecting rumen fermentation. Due to the degree of variability of characteristics discussed in this review, it is clear that the nutritional quality of grains cannot be assessed in a single rapid assay.
Intraguild Predation of Beneficial Arthropods by Red Imported Fire Ants in Cotton

Abstract The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta (Buren), is an invasive species in the southern United States and is expanding its range westward to California and eastward up the Atlantic Coast. This voracious predator can reach extremely high densities and have widespread effects once it invades an ecosystem. We conducted a 2-yr sampling study and a series of greenhouse and field experiments to document the impact of red imported fire ants on beneficial insects in cotton. We found that the densities of 12 of 13 natural enemies sampled on cotton plants in 1999, and 8 out of 8 sampled in 2000, were negatively correlated with the densities of foraging fire ant workers. Red imported fire ants reduced the survival of lady beetles (Coccinella septempunctata L., and Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Méneville) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) by 50% and green lacewing larvae (Chrysoperla carnea Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) by 38% in greenhouse experiments. Fire ants did not, however, reduce the survival of spiders (Oxyopidae, Thomisidae, and Clubionidae). We used a commercially available fire ant bait to suppress fire ant populations in cotton fields during the 2000 growing season and compared the densities of beneficial arthropods in treated versus control fields. Densities of lady beetles, spiders, and big-eyed bugs (Heteroptera: Geocoridae) were significantly higher in fields with suppressed fire ant populations than in fields with relatively large fire ant populations. The effect of fire ants on minute pirate bugs (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) was inconsistent, and populations of damsel bugs (Heteroptera: Nabidae) and hooded beetles (Coleoptera: Anthicidae) were not affected by fire ant suppression. The results of this study suggest that red imported fire ants are major intraguild predators of important beneficial arthropods in cotton.
Fracionamento de carboidratos e degradabilidade ruminal da cana-de-açúcar tratada com óxido de cálcio

Were evaluated the fractioning of carbohydrates and in situ dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) of sugarcane treated with calcium oxide (CaO). Levels 0, 0.75, 1.5, 2.25, 3.0, 3.75 and 4.5% CaO, and the material witness (sugarcane in nature) were tested for the assessment of fractioning of carbohydrates and levels 0, 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5% CaO for the evaluation of in situ DM and NDF. The levels of CaO were added in powder form, as a percentage of natural matter in sugarcane for 24 hours. The inclusion levels of CaO in sugarcane showed lower values for the total carbohydrates (TC) when compared with sugarcane in natura. A linear growth of the fractions A + B1 and B2 was observed, as well as a decrease in C fraction of sugarcane depending on the levels of CaO. The highest values of insoluble fraction potentially degradable in rumen and the lower values of NDF indigestible fraction (Ip) were observed in sugarcane with 3.0 and 4.5% CaO. The addition of 3.0 and 4.5% CaO to sugarcane decreased the indigestible carbohydrates fraction and promotes better rates of ruminal degradation of both DM and NDF.
TESTOSTERONE TREATMENT TO FREE-RANGING MALE DARK-EYED JUNCOS (JUNCO HYEMALIS) EXACERBATES HEMOPARASITIC INFECTION

Abstract The “immunocompetence handicap” hypothesis predicts that reproductive hormones, in particular testosterone (T), are immunosuppressive and consequently increase susceptibility to diseases and parasite infections, but this prediction has not been evaluated in free-living birds and the factors mediating the immunosuppressive influence of T remain poorly known. To address these issues, we administered supplemental T via implants to free-ranging adult male Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis) and characterized the effects of this treatment on infection with the two most prevalent hematozoan parasites in this species, Leucocytozoon fringillinarum and Trypanosoma avium. Males caught at the beginning of their breeding season (May) received T-filled, empty (control), or no Silastic capsules, and were recaptured five weeks later. Capsule implantation had, by itself, no effect on parasite infections, body mass, or size of an androgen-dependent secondary sexual characteristic, the cloacal protuberance. Testosterone treatment maintained physiologically high plasma levels of the steroid for the duration of the study, thus preventing the seasonal decline in these levels that occurred in control males. As predicted by the immunocompetence handicap hypothesis, the hormone treatment increased blood L. fringillinarum abundance. This increase was specific, in that implanted T did not affect (1) either the prevalence or the incidence of L. fringillinarum, (2) body mass, or (3) size of the cloacal protuberance. Trypanosoma avium prevalence was not influenced by T treatment either, but it increased between May and June, which suggests that it is regulated by factors other than the activity of the reproductive system. These findings provide the first demonstration in free-ranging birds that experimentally elevated physiological T levels increase hematozoan infection. El Tratamiento de Testosterona en Machos Silvestres de Junco hyemalis Exacerba la Infección de Hemoparásitos
Exposure and Risk Assessment with Respect to Contaminated Soil: Significance of Biomarkers and Bioavailability

The evaluation of health risk from chemical exposure is evolving in concept and practice. The ability to sensitively detect levels of chemicals in the environment has served as the traditional foundation for determining exposure levels and consequent health risks. More recently, however, other parameters have been constructed to probe the pathway between environmental levels of a chemical and the biological effects of subsequent exposure. Among these, two that are discussed in this paper are bioavailability and biomarker determinations. Chemicals in the environment often are associated with a medium such as airborne particulate, water, or soil. The interaction between the chemical and its medium is dependent on the physicochemical properties of the system. In some cases, such as 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in soil, the chemical becomes partially and irreversibly bound to the medium. Animalingestion studies of TCDD-contaminated soil suggest that some of the TCDD remains bound to the soil and does not cross the gastrointestinal barrier during digestion, and therefore only a fraction of the TCDD enters the blood and becomes bioavailable. The characterization of bioavailability provides for more accurate exposure assessment. Biomarker information potentially can validate exposure assessment information from bioavailability studies, elucidate specific biological effects from chemical exposure, and investigate genetic susceptibility issues that may increase the likelihood that an individual or population will experience increased health risks. Benzene-induced chromosome damage is discussed as an example of a significant biomarker that has demonstrated the potential for providing information useful for accurately prediction health risk.