Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Resistance of Brassicaceae plants to root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne spp.) in northern Australia

Abstract Brassicaceae plants have the potential as part of an integrated approach to replace fumigant nematicides, providing the biofumigation response following their incorporation is not offset by reproduction of plant-parasitic nematodes on their roots. Forty-three Brassicaceae cultivars were screened in a pot trial for their ability to reduce reproduction of three root-knot nematode isolates from north Queensland, Australia: M. arenaria (NQ1), M. javanica (NQ2) and M. arenaria race 2 (NQ5/7). No cultivar was found to consistently reduce nematode reproduction relative to forage sorghum, the current industry standard, although a commercial fodder radish (Raphanus sativus) and a white mustard (Sinapis alba) line were consistently as resistant to the formation of galls as forage sorghum. A second pot trial screened five commercially available Brassicaceae cultivars, selected for their biofumigation potential, for resistance to two nematode species, M. javanica (NQ2) and M. arenaria (NQ5/7). The fodder radish cv. Weedcheck, was found to be as resistant as forage sorghum to nematode reproduction. A multivariate cluster analysis using the resistance measurements, gall index, nematode number per g of root and multiplication for two nematode species (NQ2 and NQ5/7) confirmed the similarity in resistance between the radish cultivar and forage sorghum. A field trial confirmed the resistance of the fodder radish cv. Weedcheck, with a similar reduction in the number of Meloidogyne spp. juveniles recovered from the roots 8 weeks after planting. The use of fodder radish cultivars as biofumigation crops to manage root-knot nematodes in tropical vegetable production systems deserves further investigation.
Reevaluating the Evolution of Epigyny: Data from Phylogenetics and Floral Ontogeny

A long‐standing perspective of many botanists has been that there is a unidirectional trend in the evolution of ovary position from superior to inferior and that reversals are rare if at all possible. Recent studies that formally investigate the problem of gynoecial diversification in a rigorous phylogenetic context demonstrate that the evolution of ovary position is more complex and dynamic than this traditional view suggested. It is well known that a hypogynous ground plan characterizes a vast majority of angiosperms having superior ovaries and that within a hypogynous ground plan, flowers with inferior ovaries can be produced by a developmental plan termed receptacular epigyny. However, most angiosperms with inferior ovaries have an appendicular‐epigynous ground plan in which a distinctive concavity appears in the center of the floral apex during perianth initiation. Recent investigations have shown that a diverse array of ovary positions ranging from completely inferior to what superficially appear to be superior ovaries, as well as intermediate ovary positions, can all develop from flowers having an appendicular‐epigynous ground plan. A wide range of ovary positions among closely related species can be produced by allometric shifts in development, entailing greater relative growth in either the superior or inferior regions of an ovary. We have termed those ovaries produced via appendicular epigyny that appear superior or nearly superior “pseudosuperior ovaries. ” Such ovaries are not developmentally homologous with truly superior ovaries produced via a hypogynous ground plan. We have observed, however, that errors in homology assessment of apparently superior ovaries are not uncommon, such that a number of angiosperm lineages with ovaries that have been termed superior are actually pseudosuperior. Finally, recent studies have demonstrated that reversals from an appendicular‐epigynous to a hypogynous ground plan can occur but are rare.
INFLUENCE OF FOUR VESICULAR‐ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI ON NUTRIENT UPTAKE AND GROWTH IN BARLEY (HORDEUM VULGARE)

Summary Barley was inoculated with Glomus constrictus, G. fasciculatus isolate no. 185, G. fasciculatus isolate no. 0–1 and Gigaspora margarita in sterilized soil in pots. Plants inoculated with G. constrictus and with G. fasciculatus isolates showed an increased total uptake of P, Cu and Zn, an increased yield of grain and an increased yield of straw. Plants inoculated with G. margarita did not differ from control plants in growth or P, Cu and Zn uptake. Increase of growth was not correlated with intensity of infection.
Future approaches to reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is recognized as one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Many interventions ranging from diet to bile acid sequestrants, cholesterol absorption inhibitors and statins reduce LDL-C levels; most have been shown to reduce cardiovascular events. Current intestinally-acting agents reduce LDL-C by 15–20%, while statins reduce LDL-C by up to 50%. All these therapies show marked variations in individual response, and the management of ‘drug-resistant’ patients is an increasing challenge. In addition, many patients cannot tolerate sufficient statin doses, while intestinal agents have less efficacy and so cannot reach the LDL-C targets that are now desirable. Thus, the opportunity exists for additional agents, taken synergistically with current drugs that could help reduce LDL-C to the eventual target of 1 mmol/l in patients with atherosclerosis. This review summarizes new developments in the field of novel agents to lower LDL-C.
Nutritional evaluation of various plant protein sources in diets for Asian sea bass Lates calcarifer.

A biological assay was conducted to evaluate the suitability of various leguminous seed meals and leaf meals as dietary protein sources for Asian sea bass, Lates calcarifer. In the growth experiment, fish (initial mean weight ± standard error (SE) of 3.8 ± 0.5 g) were fed isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets containing test ingredients to replace 13–18% of the diet. The same diet formulations were used in a digestibility experiment, except that 1% Cr2O3 was added as an external indicator. The growth of the control fish was comparable to fish fed leguminous seed meal-based diets, and better than those given leaf meal-based diets. The control diet had the highest apparent protein digestibility (APD) value. No significant differences were observed between the APD of white cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), green mungbean (V. radiata) and papaya (Carica papaya) leaf meal-based diets. However, the cassava (Manihot esculenta) leaf meal-based diet had the lowest APD value. The present findings suggest that white cowpea and green mungbean meals can be used as protein sources in practical diets to replace 18% of the sea bass diet without affecting their growth.
Utility of the precision cut lung slice model to investigate airway smooth muscle contraction

Asthma is characterised by airway remodelling and an increase in airway resistance. A greater understanding of the mechanisms involved in airway inflammation and airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR) may highlight therapeutic opportunities for asthma. This study initially aimed to optimise the preparation of precision cut lung slices (PCLS) in mouse and pig to investigate the influence of calcium (Ca2+) homeostasis on airway smooth muscle (ASM) contraction as a prelude to human studies. The PCLS technique was then applied to a murine model of allergic airway disease to explore the inflammatory process and pathogenesis of airway hyper-reactivity in sensitised mice. Initial experiments using murine and porcine airways validated the PCLS model and demonstrated the significance of release and refilling of Ca2+ from internal stores to induce and maintain an airway contraction. Results also highlight interesting species differences in agonist sensitivity, with the porcine system sharing similar pharmacology to human airways. Using a murine model of allergic airway disease, agonist induced contractile responses in peripheral airways were measured in vitro using the PCLS technique. BALB/c mice underwent initial sensitisation by intraperitoneal administration of ovalbumin, receiving a 3 day challenge with aerosolised OVA l% (vlv), for varying periods of up to 3 weeks for acute, mid-chronic and chronic sensitisation protocols. To investigate the influence of the inflammatory environment, naive murine lung slices were incubated with selected inflammatory mediators. OVA sensitisation led to progressive structural remodelling and AHR to methacholine (MCh) challenge. However, this hyperresponsiveness was decreased 48 hours post lung removal. Of the inflammatory mediators selected for lung slice incubation, IL-33 significantly increased AHR to MCh. IL-33 is a proinflammatory cytokine with transcriptional repressor properties, playing a role in initiating the TH2 inflammatory response. In lung slices prepared from IL-33 receptor (ST2) KO mice IL-33 was unable to sensitise the contractile response. These data suggest the inflammatory environment promotes AHR and disassociates this airway sensitivity from structural remodelling. These data suggest a key role for IL-33 in mediating AHR in this murine model. Investigation of the mechanisms involved in airway hyper-reactivity revealed mRNA expression of IL-33 and the IL-33 receptor (ST2) in soluble and membrane bound forms were significantly increased in the mid-chronic and chronic ovalbumin sensitised murine lung tissue. Further quantitative analysis in human lung showed expression of IL-33 in epithelial and ASM cells. The human ST2 receptor (also known as IL-IRL-l) was expressed in mast cells. Together these results suggest IL-33 is a sensor of tissue damage; indirectly inducing AHR through further inflammatory cell activation to target ASM. This study demonstrates IL-33's role as an inflammatory marker of asthma and suggests a novel therapeutic intervention by targeting of the ST2 receptor.
Notes on the cestode parasites of English sparrows in Indiana

One hundred and ninety-seven English sparrows collected in the vicinity of Lafayette, Indiana, have been examined for cestode parasites. The species recovered and incidences of infection are as follows: Hymenolepis passeris (Gmelin), 2·5%; Choanotaenia passerina (Fuhrmann) provis, 3·5%; Anonchotaenia globata (von Linstow), 2·5%. Of these, Hymenolepis passeris is reported for the first time from North America. The name Haploparaxis linstowi is proposed for Aploparaksis fringillarum von Linstow nec Rudolphi. Additions are made to the present descriptions of the species observed.
Similar biochemical properties of human seminal plasma and epididymal α-1,4-glucosidase

We have studied some characteristics of alpha-1,4-glucosidases in human male reproductive organs in order to obtain information on the origin of the enzyme in seminal plasma. Acid and neutral enzymes could be distinguished on the basis of their selective inhibition either by SDS (acid enzyme) or MTT (neutral enzyme). Only the epididymis contained a significant amount of SDS resistant neutral alpha-1,4-glucosidase which was comparable to what has been isolated in seminal plasma. The similarity of epididymal and seminal plasma neutral enzymes was further confirmed by ultracentrifugation on sucrose density gradients, which permitted a complete separation of neutral (11S) and acid (4S) iso-enzymes. The 11S form was present in epididymis and in seminal plasma, but was totally absent in seminal vesicles, prostates and testis. The epididymal enzyme also had some of the unique characteristics found in the seminal plasma enzyme: it precipitated upon dialysis against distilled water, and its mobility on SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was identical to that of form 1 in seminal plasma. These results, although they do not constitute absolute proof of the identity of epididymal and seminal plasma alpha-glucosidase, certainly provide strong support for this hypothesis.
Harvest moisture effects on rice milling quality

T h e value of rough rice is partly determined by its milling quality the particular mixture of whole and broken kernels. Each lot has a slightly different value, depending on the ratio of the two fractions. Milled whole kernels, known as head rice, sell for a higher price than do the various grades of milled broken kernels. A typical milled sample in California for the period 1979-82 contained 54.3 percent head rice and 14.4 percent brokens, for a headltotal appraisal of 54.31 68.7. The latter number represents the percentage of total milled rice after the removal of hull and bran. An apparent downward trend of head rice from 1979 through 1982 (see table) has renewed growers’ and processors’ interest in understanding and regulating the conditions that control rice milling quality. Many genetic and environmental factors directly or indirectly influence head yield. Important cultivar characteristics associated with milling quality are water sorption and desorption rates of the grain, time to maturity, ripening uniformity, and response to adverse climatic conditions during ripening. Cultural practices may also affect quality, including time of planting, seeding rate, nitrogen fertilization, pest and water management, harvest moisture content, and harvesting technique. Environmental conditions during filling and maturation, such as high daytime temperature, low sunlight, wide variations in day/ night temperatures, low humidity, and dry winds, can all lead to low quality. Postharvest handing, drying, milling, and storage conditions also affect milling quality. In this research, we evaluated final milling appraisals from a single laboratory that tested approximately 50 percent of the rice grown in California from 1979 through 1982. The laboratory used the same test procedures throughout the period. We looked for trends showing the effect on head rice of certain cultivar characteristics and environmental factors. Although other relationships were defined in the complete study, this report deals only with the effect of grain moisture content at harvest on head and total of selected cultivars.
Phylogenetic Diversity of the Causative Agents of Vibriosis Associated with Groupers Fish from Karimunjawa Islands, Indonesia

A molecular-based study was conducted to estimate the richness of the causative agents of vibriosis associated with groupers from Karimunjawa islands, North Java Sea, Indonesia. Moribound grouper fish were collected from the cage cultures and a total of 32 isolates were isolated from external wound and kidney of groupers. Based on the repetitive sequence-based PCR (rep-PCR) and Koch postulate test, eight isolates were chosen for further sequencings. On the basis of the sequence analysis, the data showed that the causative agents are closely related with Vibrio natriegen, V. o! iviceaus, V fortEs, V alginolitycus, V harveyt, V parahemo! itycus, V damse! a and V carchariae, respectively. Present study highlighted the effectiveness of rep-PCR in rapid grouping and estimating the richness of the causative agents of vibriosis associated with the groupers
Plant Density Effects on Tropical Corn Forage Mass, Morphology, and Nutritive Value

Tropical corn (Zea mays L.) has potential as a silage crop in double-crop systems with cool-season annual grasses in the southeastern USA. In a 3-yr study conducted in silt loam soils in southeast Louisiana, plots within stands of Pioneer hybrid X304C tropical corn planted at 89 000 plants ha -1 were thinned to achieve harvested plant densities of 44 830, 52 150, 58 130, 65 150, and 72 920, plants ha -1 to determine the effect of plant density on total forage mass, plant morphology, and forage nutritive value of tropical corn. Total forage mass was greater at higher plant densities than at lower plant densities, but forage mass was not different among plant populations that exceeded 58 130 plants ha -1 . Leaf concentration of dry matter did not differ among plant populations and averaged 300 g kg -1 . The sum of stem and grain concentrations was similar among treatments and ranged from 622 to 637 g kg -1 . Within the stem and grain components, grain concentration decreased and stem concentration increased in an almost one-to-one relationship as plant density increased. Forage nutritive value of tropical corn was similar among plant densities. In vitro true digestibility averaged 654 g kg -1 across all plant densities. Increasing forage mass, coupled with stable forage nutritive values, indicates that, until some factor limits production of high-quality tropical corn silage, high plant densities are desirable. Under the environmental conditions of this experiment, it appears that plant densities of about 58 000 plants ha -1 are optimal.
Immunohistochemical and electrochemical detection of serotonin in the nervous system of the blood-feeding bug, Rhodnius prolixus

The distribution of serotonin throughout the nervous system of the blood-feeding bug Rhodnius prolixus has been studied using immunohistochemistry and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrochemical detection. Approximately 150 serotonin-like immunoreactive neurons are distributed throughout the central nervous system. These neurons are distributed over both ventral and dorsal surfaces and are found in all ganglia. Several of these neurons appear to be homologous to previously described serotonin-like immunoreactive neurons in insects. These include a large pair of bilaterally symmetrical neurons that project axons out of the suboesophageal ganglion, and some serially homologous neurons which project contralaterally and appear to be interneurons. Immunoreactive branches and varicosities are found in the neuropile of all ganglia, and immunoreactive axons are found in all interganglionic connectives. Several of the peripheral nerves are covered in a plexus of immunoreactive processes. These processes result in a meshwork of fine varicose branches lying superficially over the peripheral nerves, which resemble neurohemal areas. The central nervous system of Rhodnius contains about 5.5 pmol serotonin unequally distributed between the ganglia. The highest content is found in the brain and optic lobes, and the lowest content is found in the prothoracic ganglion. Substantial amounts of serotonin are present in the corpus cardiacum and in the peripheral nerves possessing the serotonin-like neurohemal areas. Serotonin is released from these latter neurohemal areas in a calcium-dependent manner in response to high-potassium saline. It is concluded that serotonin plays an important central and peripheral role in this insect.
Identification of resistant sources and epidemiology of early blight (Alternaria solani) of tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) in Jammu and Kashmir

Field surveys were conducted during 2011 and 2012 to diagnose the symptoms of early blight disease ( Alternaria solani ) of tomato ( Lycopersicum esculentum L.) in all vegetable-growing areas of Jammu Division of Jammu and Kashmir. The disease intensity and incidence varied from 21.66 to 34.13% and 10.48 to 18.56%, respectively. Progression of early blight disease in 15 genotypes of tomato in relation to different resistant components, viz. size of spot, disease index was studied under field and artificial conditions. Area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) calculated for field studies showed maximum AUDPC of 582.55 exhibited by Pusa Ruby. Three varieties, viz. CO3, Tomato Cherry and Heem Sohna were found moderately resistant, while Pusa Ruby, P-2 and Indam Vaishali were found susceptible under both field and artificial conditions. Maximum lesion size (11.33 mm) was recorded in Pusa Ruby and minimum (4.3 mm) in CO3 under artificial conditions. Weather factors (temperature, humidity and rainfall) were found to play a significant role in the development of early blight of tomato. Disease showed a progressive increase and maximum disease intensity was observed during 21 st standard week in Pusa Ruby and minimum severity (12.42%) in CO3 during the same week. The disease intensity exhibited significant and positive simple correlation with minimum and maximum temperature and significant and negative correlation with maximum relative humidity. However, rainfall and minimum relative humidity showed non-significant positive and negative correlation, respectively. Step-wise regression equation was drawn for disease prediction.
Biodiversity and systematics in cephalopods: unresolved problems require an integrated approach

Some problems of cephalopod biodiversity are discussed. Many squid species are represented by 2–4 intraspecies groupings that may be wholly or partly sympatric, but differ in spawning season and size at maturity. They may be genetically distinct stock units, but their taxonomic status remains unresolved. Discovery of a biochemical or molecular key to distinguish between intra- and interspecific differences may help to solve the problem of subspecific taxa in cephalopods, as stated by G. L. Voss in 1977. Electrophoretic study of allozyme differentiation is a good method for clearing up relationships between taxa within a family, but this method cannot be used in situations when the concept of subgenus or subfamily is necessary. The problem of suprafamilial taxa needs urgent attention. However, restructuring only one family or group of families leaving others unrevised may lead to skewing the entire system. Examples are splitting the Enoploteuthidae into three families (as proposed by M. R. Clarke in 1988) and raising the rank of the Sepiidae and the Sepiolidae to ordinal, a proposal by P. Fioroni in 1981. In such cases the method of common level should be applied: subdivisions in a large taxon shall be separated by approximately similar characters. Many attempts to select natural groups of families, for example in the Oegopsida, failed primarily because they were based on analysis of a single organ or system of organs when study of other organs/systems may lead to different natural groupings. The use of molecular techniques in cephalopod phylogeny may be profitable, but initial attempts have led to results that are not easily interpretable. The evolution of Recent Cephalopoda has probably proceeded with such large variations in rates among different clades that it is impossible to construct a non-contradictory system based on any single organ or system. No single organ/system-of-organs nor single methodology currently exists that will solve every problem in taxonomy. An integrated approach, based on analysis of as many organs and different taxa as possible, is necessary to construct an accurate picture and not a mosaic of dispersed random pieces.
Identification of a functional nuclear export sequence in diacyl glycerol kinase-ζ

Diacylglycerol kinases (DGKs) are key regulators of diacylglycerol-dependent signaling pathways. Among the 10 DGK isoforms, DGK-ζ is the only nuclear form that contains a nuclear localization signal. Here, by site-directed mutagenesis, we showed that DGK-ζ also displays a functional independent nuclear export signal (NES) sequence between the amino acid residues 363-370. Indeed, the NES mutant forms of DGK-ζ accumulated in the nucleus to a much greater extent than wild type DGK-ζ. Moreover, treatment with leptomycin B, an inhibitor of leucine-rich type NES, resulted in accumulation of both endogenous and ectopically expressed DGK-ζ in the nucleus, demonstrating that nuclear export of DGK-ζ is chromosome regional maintenance protein 1 (CRM1) -dependent. Previously, we reported that nuclear DGK-ζ is a negative regulator of cell cycle progression in C2C12 mouse myoblasts. In this paper, we documented that enhancement of DGK-ζ nuclear localization by NES sequence mutation, increases G0/G1 block in C2C12 cells. Overall, our data demonstrate that DGK-ζ export from nucleus to cytoplasm is regulated by a leucine-rich NES through the exportin CRM1 and suggest that the nuclear localization of DGK-ζ could finely tune its function as a regulator of G1/S cell cycle transition.