Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Patterns of brood production in the grass shrimp Palaemonetes pugio (Decapoda: Caridea)

Summary The pattern of brood production was analyzed in the grass shrimp Palaemonetes pugio. Determination of patterns of brood production as successive (spawning after each molt) or alternate (spawning after every other molt) was made by observations on individual females paired with males in the laboratory over a four-month period. A pattern of successive parturial (spawning) molts was the most common pattern. However, in a majority of these successive parturials, the ovary of the female was not mature at hatching of embryos from a previous brood. There was a delay of 10–11 days, during which ovarian maturation took place, between embryo hatching and the next (parturial) molt. This pattern of “slow successive” parturials does not result in the truly continuous brood production which occurs in many caridean species, i.e., spawning of a new brood within 1–2 days after hatching of a previous brood. However, there was a relatively low percentage of females in which the ovary was mature at embryo hatching. These latter females did have a parturial molt after only 2 days (“fast successive” parturial). In the “alternate” pattern, more frequent later in the 4-month observation period, hatching of embryos was followed by a non-parturial (without spawning) molt within 2 days, followed by an intermolt period of 10 days during which ovarian maturation occurred prior to the next (parturial) molt. The interval between spawns was similar in the “slow successive” and “alternate” parturial molt patterns (22–23 days) compared to a much shorter one (14–15 days) in the “fast successive” parturials. Examination of reproductive females from field samples indicated that the spawning pattern observed in the laboratory was that which occurs in natural populations in southern Louisiana. Although brood production in P. pugio is not truly continuous, the relatively short interspawn intervals observed still allow production of several broods during the breeding season.
Rapid cold hardening in the olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae under laboratory and field conditions

A rapid cold hardening response was studied in females and males of the olive fruit fly Bactrocera (Dacus) oleae. When laboratory‐reared females and males were transferred and maintained from the rearing temperature of 24 °C for 2 h to −6.5 °C approximately 5% survived. However, conditioning of both females and males for 2 h at various temperatures from 0 to 10 °C before their exposure for 2 h to −6.5 °C increased survival to 80 to 92%. A similar rapid cold hardening response in both females and males was also induced through gradual cooling of the flies at a rate of approximately 0.4 °C per min. The rapid increase in cold tolerance after prior conditioning of the flies to low temperatures, was rapidly lost when they returned to a higher temperature of 24 °C. In the field, in late February and early March, females and males were capable of a rapid cold hardening response. After exposure to the critical temperature they suffered a high mortality when tested in the afternoon and low mortality early in the morning on consecutive days, probably because of differences in the prevailing field temperatures a few hours before testing. This plasticity of cold tolerance gained through rapid cold hardening may allow the flies to survive during periods of the year with great fluctuation in circadian temperatures.
A PRELIMINARY APPROACH TO THE BULLET TUNA (Auxis rochei) FECUNDITY IN THE SPANISH MEDITERRANEAN

SUMMARY Bullet tuna (Auxis rochei) is one of the most abundant small tuna species in the Mediterranean Sea. This species is commercially exploited in the Spanish coast by traditional fisheries. Nevertheless, the biological and reproductive information about this species is currently scarce in the Western Mediterranean. Sex-ratio, maturity, oocyte developmental features, spawning areas and other reproductive characteristics of this population have already been described by the authors in previous papers. In order to improve our knowledge about the reproductive parameters, specifically, the fecundity of this population, gonads were collected during June 2003 in a Spanish Mediterranean trap (La Azohia, Murcia). The fish collected ranges from 334 to 470 mm in fork length. All these fish were mature and their reproductive characteristics indicate a spawning area near to the trap location. Batch fecundity was estimated using just pre-spawning females without postovulatory follicles in their ovaries. The average fecundity was 233941 oocytes by spawning batch. The relative batch fecundity, a parameter particularly useful to compare females of different size classes, ranges from 150 to 365 oocytes g -1 , with an average value of 242 oocytes g -1 . Histological and stereological methods allow the obtaining of adequate estimates of fecundity in this species. RESUME
Genetic analyses of soluble carbohydrate concentrations in onion bulbs.

Fructans are the main soluble carboh ydrate in onion (A/hem, cepa) bulbs and their concentrations show significant correlations with dry weights and pungency. In previous research, we identified regions on chromosomes,-; and 8 associated with higher amounts of soluble carbohydrates in onion bulbs. In this research, we estimated the genetic effects and interactions between these two chromosome regions using larger inbred families grown in field trials over 3 years. Bulbs were evaluated 30 and 90 days after harvest (DAH) for dr y weights and soluble carbohydrates. Fructan concentrations decreased significantly between 30 and 90 DAIL consistent with loss of bulb dormancy over this period. Dry weights were negatively correlated with fructose and positively correlated with sucrose and fructans. Analyses of variance and interval mapping revealed that the region on chromosome S affected bulb dry weight, whereas the region on chromosome 8 significantly affected both dry weight and fructan concentrations. Regions on chromosomes 5 and 8 showed dominance for increased dry weights and/or soluble solids. Interactions between regions on chromosomes 5 and 8 were significant only for sucrose and the fruetan neokestose, indicating that these regions independently contribute to higher amounts of soluble carbohydrates. These results demonstrate that onions with low concentrations of soluble carbohydrates were developed by selecting for relatively few recessively inherited chromosome regions.
Salmonid macrophages: separation, in vitro culture and characterization

A method is described for the separation of fish leucocytes and the establishment of pure monolayers of fish macrophages in vitro. The method makes it possible to study the important role of cellular immunity in fish. Fish leucocytes were obtained from the pronephros of rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson, and compared to those obtained from the pronephros of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. Single cell suspensions were separated by density gradient centrifugation and seeded on glass cover slips for maintenance in culture. After 20 h in culture a subpopulation of the cells had adhered and spread out on the cover slips and were macrophage-like by morphological criteria. About 90–99% of these cells had the ability to phagocytose a variety of particles, including fixed sheep erythrocytes, latex, carbon particles, yeast and Vibrio anguillarum. Opsonization of particles with mammalian immunoglobulins and mammalian complement did not enhance the phagocytic activity.
Trends and methodological impacts in soil CO2 efflux partitioning: A metaanalytical review

Partitioning soil carbon dioxide (CO2) efflux (RS) into autotrophic (RA; including plant roots and closely associated organisms) and heterotrophic (RH) components has received considerable attention, as differential responses of these components to environmental change have profound implications for the soil and ecosystem C balance. The increasing number of partitioning studies allows a more detailed analysis of experimental constraints than was previously possible. We present results of an exhaustive literature search of partitioning studies and analyse global trends in flux partitioning between biomes and ecosystem types by means of a metaanalysis. Across all data, an overall decline in the RH/RS ratio for increasing annual RS fluxes emerged. For forest ecosystems, boreal coniferous sites showed significantly higher (P<0.05) RH/RS ratios than temperate sites, while both temperate or tropical deciduous forests did not differ in ratios from any of the other forest types. While chronosequence studies report consistent declines in the RH/RS ratio with age, no difference could be detected for different age groups in the global data set. Different methodologies showed generally good agreement if the range of RS under which they had been measured was considered, with the exception of studies estimating RH by means of root mass regressions against RS, which resulted in consistently lower RH/RS estimates out of all methods included. Additionally, the time step over which fluxes were partitioned did not affect RH/RS ratios consistently. To put results into context, we review the most common techniques and point out the likely sources of errors associated with them. In order to improve soil CO2 efflux partitioning in future experiments, we include methodological recommendations, and also highlight the potential interactions between soil components that may be overlooked as a consequence of the partitioning process itself.
SHORT COMMUNICATION Presence of Triploids among Oak Species

Received: 31 October 2006 Returned for revision: 3 January 2007 Accepted: 30 January 2007 Published electronically: 4 April 2007†Background and Aims Polyploids, organisms that have multiple sets of chromosomes, are common in certain plantand animal taxa. However, there are only a few reports of intraspeciﬁc ploidy variation within the genus Quercus.The aim of the study was to investigate the suspected ploidy level of two oaks that have unusual microsatellitebanding patterns. †Methods Polyploidy was investigated by using microsatellite analysis, stomata length measurements and nuclearDNA content estimation by ﬂow cytometry. †Key Results Each putative triploid tree has patterns of microsatellite variation unexpected for diploid genomes,with up to three alleles at some loci, signiﬁcantly longer stomata and 1.5 times more DNA per nucleus comparedwith diploids. †Conclusions To our knowledge, this report contains the ﬁrst evidence for triploidy in Q. petraea and conﬁrmationof this phenomenon in Q. robur. Regardless of the positive or negative aspects of the presence of triploid oaks inforest stands, it is of value to be able to screen for them. This study demonstrates that nuclear microsatellites andestimation of DNA content by ﬂow cytometry can readily be used for this purpose.Key words: Quercus robur, Quercus petraea, microsatellites, stomata, ﬂow cytometry, DNA amounts, triploidy.
Germination of cacti species under risk status of the chihuahuan desert

A synthesis of the main results of seed germination of 28 cacti under risk status and 4 without risk from the Chihuahuan Desert is presented here. The effect on germination of dormancy, light, seed age, seed competition and seed size were assessed. Three out of 17 taxa of the genus Turbinicarpus showed dormancy and two of them lost dormancy with age. Two Opuntia species also lost dormancy with age, aided by the presence of fungus that scarified the seed coat. From 28 cacti species at risk, 17 were dormant (germination ≤ 70%); and 11 non-dormant species were positive photoblastic that had small seeds (<1 mg). From the germination of two endemic columnar species, Isolatocereus dumortieri reduced germination at higher seed densities, while that of Myrtillocactus geometrizans was unaffected by seed density. 4 yr old small seeds from threatened Astrophytum myriostigma germinated faster and at higher per cent than large seeds. Future research lines are suggested to get a better understanding of cacti seed dynamics in current and future conditions in order to contribute to the preservation of these plants.
Yield and morphological traits in alfalfa varieties of different origin

The study was conducted to examine variability of green forage yield (GFY) and morphological traits (tiller length, internodes length, internodes-stem diameter, leaf width and length) in nine alfalfa varieties from USA and six varieties from Europe. The trials were carried out in Central Serbia during the second (2006-A1) and third year (2007-A2) of alfalfa exploitation. In unfavourable environmental conditions (A1), varieties from the USA had higher coefficient of variability (CV, %) in all cuttings (I CV=16.93, II CV=17.13, III CV=13.00, IV CV=21.29), as well as total yield variability (CV=14.33), compared to varieties from Europe (I CV=7.45, II CV=6.47, III CV=10.65, IV CV=19.51, for total yield CV=6.43). In the favourable agro-ecological conditions (A2) genetic potential of varieties was manifested, which caused similar yield variability. Variety origin (USA or Europe) had a low effect on variability of the morphological traits. The highest correlation (P £ 0.001) was achieved between yield and tiller length, regardless of variety origin.
Delivery of interleukin-18 gene to lung cancer cells using cationic emulsion

Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is known to reduce melanoma lung metastases through various mechanisms. For the delivery of IL-18 gene into the lung, three different cationic emulsions as non-viral vectors were formulated using the same components of 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DOPE), 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-trimethylammonium propane (DOTAP), and Tween 80 with distinct oils. By using the small particle size of physicochemically stable E3, the complex of E3/plasmid DNA encoding IL-18 (16:2.5, w/w) was transfected into lung cancer cells, and the amount of plasmid DNA transferred and the expression of both mRNA and protein for IL-18 were measured. When compared with Lipofectamine®/DNA complexes, an E3/DNA complex was less toxic and induced a comparable cellular level of plasmid DNA and expression levels of both mRNA and protein for IL-18. After injecting E3/DNA complexes into mice, the distribution of plasmid DNA was the highest in the lung and the liver. Especially, the administration of E3/DNA complexes induced a more rapid and prolonged distribution of plasmid DNA encoding IL-18 into the lung than that of Lipofectamine®/DNA ones. These data demonstrated that cationic emulsion E3 containing castor oil could be useful for a delivery of IL-18 gene targeting the lung as well as the liver without an additional homing device, implying a potential IL-18 delivery system for the treatment of lung cancer.
Climate Change, Invasive Alien Flora and Concerns for their Management in Sri Lanka

Climate is the key driver of diversity of life in ecosystems. Changes in the climate, would not only alter the spatial distribution of species but also facilitate some of the non-native species to become invasive. This would further imbalance the status quo of native species and may bring about irreversible changes in some ecosystems imposing large economic costs for their management. Few researchers have addressed the issue of the interaction of climate change and invasive species in developing countries. We review the ecological impacts of invasive alien flora on the environment and the necessity to assess the economics of these impacts, particularly in developing countries. The potential implications of climate change on invasive alien flora relevant to Sri Lanka are discussed, highlighting how disturbances to ecosystems during climate change would facilitate the dispersal, establishment and spread of these invasive species and result in a change in the species distribution of native flora within ecosystems. The management of invasive alien species is already formulated for Sri Lanka. We draw attention to how climate change aspects should be incorporated into these management strategies. Important aspects to be considered are assessment of risk, targeting ecosystems vulnerable to climate change and mapping to monitor the location and progress of invasive flora. Ceylon Journal of Science (Bio. Sci.) 43 (2): 1-15, 2014
CD4+CD28null T Cells in Autoimmune Disease: Pathogenic Features and Decreased Susceptibility to Immunoregulation1

To determine the role of expanded CD4+CD28null T cells in multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis pathology, these cells were phenotypically characterized and their Ag reactivity was studied. FACS analysis confirmed that CD4+CD28null T cells are terminally differentiated effector memory cells. In addition, they express phenotypic markers that indicate their capacity to infiltrate into tissues and cause tissue damage. Whereas no reactivity to the candidate autoantigens myelin basic protein and collagen type II was observed within the CD4+CD28null T cell subset, CMV reactivity was prominent in four of four HC, four of four rheumatoid arthritis patients, and three of four multiple sclerosis patients. The level of the CMV-induced proliferative response was found to be related to the clonal diversity of the response. Interestingly, our results illustrate that CD4+CD28null T cells are not susceptible to the suppressive actions of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells. In conclusion, this study provides several indications for a role of CD4+CD28null T cells in autoimmune pathology. CD4+CD28null T cells display pathogenic features, fill up immunological space, and are less susceptible to regulatory mechanisms. However, based on their low reactivity to the autoantigens tested in this study, CD4+CD28null T cells most likely do not play a direct autoaggressive role in autoimmune disease.
Conduction disorders after aortic valve replacement: what is the real impact of sutureless and rapid deployment valves?

Background Although sutureless and rapid deployment aortic valve replacement (SURD-AVR) has been associated with an increased rate of permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation compared to conventional AVR (c-AVR), the predictors of new conduction abnormalities remain to be clarified. This study aimed to identify risk factors for conduction disorders in patients undergoing AVR surgery. Methods Data from 243 patients receiving minimally invasive AVR were prospectively collected. SURD-AVR was performed in 103 (42.4%) patients and c-AVR in 140 (57.6%). The primary endpoint was the occurrence of new-onset conduction disorders, defined as first degree atrioventricular (AV) block, advanced AV block requiring PPM implantation, left anterior fascicular block (LAFB), left bundle branch block (LBBB) and right bundle branch block (RBBB). Results The unadjusted comparison revealed that SURD-AVR was associated with a higher rate of advanced AV block requiring PPM when compared with c-AVR (10.5% vs. 2.1%, P=0.01). After adjusting for other measured covariates (OR: 1.6, P=0.58) and for the estimated propensity of SURD-AVR (OR: 5.1, P=0.1), no significant relationship between type of AVR and PPM implantation emerged. On multivariable analysis, preoperative first-degree AV block (OR: 6.9, P=0.04) and RBBB (OR: 6.9, P=0.03) were independent risk factors for PPM. Subgroup analysis of patients with normal preoperative conduction revealed similar incidence of PPM between SURD-AVR and c-AVR (1.3% vs. 1.9%, P=0.6). When compared with c-AVR, SURD-AVR was associated with a greater incidence of postoperative new onset LBBB (18.1% vs. 3.2%, P<0.001). This finding was confirmed after adjusting for the estimated propensity of SURD-AVR (OR: 6.3, P=0.009). Conclusions Our study revealed that the risk of PPM implantation in patients receiving surgical AVR is heavily influenced by the presence of pre-existing conduction disturbances rather than the type of valve prosthesis. Conversely, SURD-AVR emerged as an independent predictor for LBBB and was associated with an increased risk of PPM in patients presenting with RBBB.
Dry Period to Maximize Milk Production Over Two Consecutive Lactations

Abstract Dry period to maximize daily milk spanning two lactations depended on age, calving interval, and daily milk on the 100th day before the calving which followed the dry period. The study was on Dairy Herd Improvement records made 1975 to 1977 by 8981 Holstein cows in Ohio. Dry period accounted for more variation of daily milk produced after the dry period (2.4%) than of daily milk produced during the calving interval including the dry period (1.1%). Days dry to maximize daily milk was most affected, in order, by age at calving in the lactation preceding dry period, calving interval spanning dry period, and daily milk on 100th day before calving. Optimal number of days dry declined from 65 to 23 days as age at calving increased from 24 to 83 mo. Cows with calving intervals less than 340 days required at least 55 days dry. Cows following first lactation required 44 to 76 days dry, depending on age, calving interval, or 100th day milk. Twelve to 17 more days dry helped daily milk as 100th-day milk increased from 12.7 to 19.3kg for first lactations. Economic benefits of maximizing days in lactation depend on production in late lactation necessary to cover costs of daily feed and labor.
The role of pair -rule genes in Tribolium segmentation

All arthropods share a segmented body plan. Detailed studies on segmentation mechanisms in the long-germ insect Drosophila melanogaster identified a segmentation hierarchy composed of maternal, gap, pair-rule, and segment polarity genes. In this hierarchy, pair-rule genes play an important role to translate gradients of regional information from maternal and gap genes into segmental expression of segment polarity genes. However, our understanding of the role of pair-rule genes in other short-germ insects and basally branching arthropods is still limited. To gain insights into the role of pair-rule genes in short-germ segmentation, I analyzed genetic interactions as well as expression patterns and functions of homologs of Drosophila pair-rule genes in the short-germ insect Tribolium castaneum. Interestingly, despite the pair-rule like expression patterns of Tribolium homologs of almost all eight canonical Drosophila pair-rule genes, only five have a segmentation function. Knock-down of primary pair-rule genes caused asegmental and truncated phenotypes while knock-down of secondary pair-rule genes caused typical pair-rule phenotypes. Epistatic analysis between the genes revealed that primary pair-rule genes form a gene circuit to prepattern a two-segmental unit, and secondary pair-rule genes are downstream targets of the gene circuit. The typical pair-rule phenotypes observed in secondary pair-rule gene RNAi embryos led to a detailed comparative analysis of the role of paired (prd) and sloppypaired (slp) between Drosophila and Tribolium. This study revealed that prd is functionally conserved while the functional parasegmental register for Tribolium slp is opposite that of Drosophila slp. The fact that the register of slp function has evolved differently in the lineages leading to Drosophila and Tribolium reveals an unprecedented flexibility in pair-rule patterning. Despite this flexibility in pair-rule patterning between Drosophila and Tribolium, segmental expression of engrailed (en) and wingless (wg) at parasegmental boundaries is conserved in both insects. Analysis of double and triple RNAi for pair-rule genes in Tribolium revealed that the primary pair-rule genes even-skipped and runt are redeployed to directly regulate en and wg with prd or slp at parasegmental boundaries. This redeployment of primary pair-rule genes seem to compensate for the apparently fewer number of functional secondary pair-rule genes in Tribolium segmentation. THE ROLE OF PAIR-RULE GENES IN TRIBOLIUM SEGMENTATION