Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ADAPTIVE CONTROL OF WATER LOSS RESISTANCE IN AN ARBOREAL FROG

Rates of cutaneous evaporative water loss (CWL), skin resistances (ri), and body temperatures (Tb) of a moderately waterproof arboreal frog (Hyla cinerea) and a terrestrial toad (Bufo valliceps) were measured at two different ambient water vapor densities (20.13 x 10-6 and 9.30 x 10-6 g cm-3) to test the hypothesis that the ri of the arboreal species would increase in response to a decrease in vapor density whereas that of the terrestrial species would remain unchanged. Skin resistance in Bufo was not significantly different from 0 s cm-, in either environ- ment, resulting in a 3.1 x increase in area-specific CWL rate in the low vapor density environment. In Hyla, ri increased significantly from 1.67 s cm-' in the high to 3.46 s cm-' in the low vapor density environment, resulting in only a 2.5 x increase in CWL. Body temperatures of Hyla cinerea were significantly higher than those of Bufo valliceps in both environments. Whereas Tb was relatively constant in individuals of Bufo valliceps, individuals of Hyla cinerea exhibited sudden, transient Tb decreases which were more frequent and intense in the low than in the high vapor density environment. Transient mucous gland discharge, followed by evaporation of water from the mucus, may explain these Tb irregularities and serve to provide the skin surface with a thin layer of dried mucus resulting in a significant r,. Increased frequency and intensity of mucous gland discharge in the low water vapor density environment would increase the thickness of the dried mucus layer and thus provide a mechanism for increasing ri.
DNA Methylation in Humans and Dogs: Evaluating the Impact of Nutritional and Particulate Exposures

Asthma is among the most common chronic diseases in children, among the leading causes of hospitalization for children, and one of the leading causes of school absenteeism. Discovery of preventable factors and the underlying mechanisms that exacerbate asthma among prevalent cases is important for mitigating the health burden of this childhood disease. Environmental factors such as exposure to particulate matter (PM) or nutritional deficiencies can lead to poor respiratory health among susceptible children. Recent animal studies suggest that PM exposures and dietary nutrients may influence asthma pathways through epigenetic mechanisms. Epigenetic modifications are heritable changes that can regulate gene activity without altering the primary DNA sequence. With respect to allergic or asthma phenotypes, several cytokine and transcriptional factors relevant to the allergy/asthma response pathway and its counter regulation have been shown to be modulated by epigenetic processes. The results of the following research aims may help to elucidate the relationship between PM and dietary exposures, epigenetic responses, and respiratory health outcomes among asthmatic children. Aims 1 and 2 occur within the context of an ongoing randomized trial of indoor air quality interventions and quality of life among asthmatic children living in homes that heat with wood stoves. Our laboratory has demonstrated that children in wood stove homes are exposed to elevated concentrations of indoor PM smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) due to biomass combustion. Aims 1 and 2 take advantage of the extensive research infrastructure currently in place for exposure assessment, health outcomes characterization and biomarker analysis. Human epidemiological studies are limited by ethical considerations and subject to a number of variables, which make interpretation of results problematic in some cases. Aim 3 is an exploratory aim to establish the utility of using dogs as sentinels for human health effects with respect to PM2.5 exposure. Domestic animals, specifically dogs, have been used in this way both in lieu of human studies and in parallel. This multifaceted approach will increase opportunities for success in determining the effects of environmental exposures on human health outcomes in this study and may inform future intervention strategies and study design. Overall hypothesis: PM2.5 and dietary factors will cause hypoand hypermethylation changes modulating cytokine expression associated with asthma symptoms.
Comparison of revegetation techniques on mineral clay soil: analysis of quantitative response of vegetation cover

Revegetation of mineral-clay soils is a notably complex ecological and technically challenging undertaking that depends on substrate profile and local micro-environmental conditions, factors making it a particularly long procedure as well. This study compared and assessed the medium-term effectiveness of four treatments employed to promote stable pedogenesis and herbaceous recolonisation of abandoned clay quarries in the Apennine foothills of northern Italy’s Emilia- Romagna region. The treatments included: slow-release N organic fertiliser, phosphate fertiliser, organic amendment and topsoil [the soil top layer (0-0.2 m) of a local natural meadow]. The state of the vegetative cover was monitored monthly from 1994 through 2004, until problems of slope stability at the site compromised the integrity of the trial plots. Significant effects were achieved by the recycled topsoil through 8 years and by organic amendment through 6 years; the effects of slow-release nitrogen were notably limited over time and phosphorous delivered a medium-term response but of notable year-toyear swings. No interactions among factors emerged in the mediumterm. After 11 years, treatments did not induce effects statistical appreciable. Our results suggest that the tested agronomic strategies on mineral clay soil did not trigger, in the medium-term, secondary succession processes able to potentially alter the spontaneous revegetation course.
Reproduction, growth and size of a burrowing intertidal clam exposed to varying environmental conditions in estuaries

Abstract Bivalves in estuaries are exposed to many environmental variables but little is known about how such variables, including reduced salinity, affect reproduction and growth in burrowing clams. These were measured in the New Zealand little-neck clams, Austrovenus stutchburyi, from one urban and three rural estuaries with different contaminant inputs. Two shellfish sites were selected within each estuary reflecting high- and low-salinity exposure. Reproductive activity was seasonal and similar amongst the estuarine systems. The gravimetric condition index (CI) of the clams decreased significantly on exposure to low-salinity regimes. The gonad index increased significantly with CI and per cent glycogen in the foot tissue. At most sites, shell length increased significantly with the age of the clam, and maximum shell length and growth was reduced in clams exposed to the low-salinity regime. Reproductive indices of the clams did not correlate with sediment characteristics or sediment trace metal pollution index. It was concluded that salinity was the main factor affecting shellfish condition and that seasonal CI measurements could be a good indicator of growth and reproductive success. This knowledge is useful for the future management of this and other similar shellfish species.
The complete mitochondrial genome of Conus capitaneus (Neogastropoda: Conidae)

Abstract The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of cone snail Conus capitaneus, a kind of worm-hunting sea snails, was performed by next-generation sequencing. The mitogenome is 15,829 bp in length, including 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes (12S and 16S rRNA) and 1 control region. It has an overall base composition of A (25.6%), T (36.6%), C (16.3%) and G (21.5%). It shows 79.8% identity with C. tribblei, which also belongs to worm-hunting sea snail. The phylogenetic analysis was conducted with 21 closely related species to assess their phylogenetic relationship. The complete mitogenome of the C. capitaneus provides important DNA molecular data for further phylogeography.
Influence of Paddy Straw of Different Particle Sizes in the Diet on Nutrient Utilisation and Enteric Methane Emissions in Murrah Buffalo Calves

Fifteen Murrah male calves were divided into three groups of five each. All the animals were offered a diet consisting of paddy straw, concentrate mixture and berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) fodder ad lib. in 50: 40: 10 ratio. Group G-I was fed with paddy straw of small particle size (0.88 cm), G-II with long particle size (2.45 cm) and G-III with unchaffed paddy straw. The feed intake was higher (P<0.05) in chaffed paddy straw fed group (G-I and G-II) than unchaffed paddy straw fed group (G-III). The digestibility coefficients of DM, OM and ADF were significantly (P<0.05) higher in group G-II as compared to groups G-I and G-III. The digestibility of NDF was higher (P<0.05) in groups G-I compared to G-II and G-III. The digestibility of CP and EE was similar in all the groups. Methane production (g/kg DMI or g/kg DDMI or % of GE, DE and ME) was lower (P<0.05) in groups G-I and G-II as compared to group G-III. Thus, the inclusion of chaffed paddy straw of medium size particles (2–3 cm) in the rations of growing buffalo calves improved (P<0.05) the voluntary feed intake and reduced enteric methane emissions.
Genetic Variability, Structure Analysis, and Association Mapping of Resistance to Broomrape (Orobanche aegyptiaca Pers.) in Tobacco

Broomrape is a debilitating holoparasiting weed in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) fields with devastating effects on its production. In this study, the reaction of 89 tobacco genotypes was evaluated against broomrape (Orobanche aegyptiaca) in randomized complete block design with three replications during two years. In each year, genotypes were planted in both non-inoculated and inoculated conditions where the soil of pots was mixed with 0.06 g of broomrape seed. Considering the average data of two years, studied genotypes did not show infection to broomrape at non-inoculated condition, whereas in inoculated condition, the majority of genotypes showed infection to broomrape. Two genotypes including ‘TB 22’ and ‘Kramograd NHH 659’ did not show any infection to broomrape in inoculated condition. In a molecular experiment, the fingerprint of tobacco genotypes was prepared with 26 SSR loci. Using model-based Bayesian approach, the studied association panel was divided into three subgroups. The D′ was used to test the LD between pairs of SSR loci using the software package TASSEL. 7.08% of possible SSR locus pairs showed significant level of linkage disequilibrium (P<0.01). By using mixed linear model, 5 SSR loci from linkage groups 2, 10, 11 and 18 of tobacco reference map were identified as DNA markers to be linked to gene(s) controlling broomrape resistance in tobacco.
Phosphine fumigation against pulse beetle: germination and vigour of green gram seed

Stored seed of legume crops are infested with Pulse beetle, Callosobruchus spp. (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) which results in deterioration of the seed quality. Repeated phosphine fumigations are carried out to check the infestation of this bruchid in seed stores under sub-tropical conditions, especially during the rainy (monsoon) season. A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of phosphine fumigation at different doses (0.125, 0.250 and 0.500 mg/l), exposure periods (1 to 45 d) and seed moisture content (9% and 12%) on bruchid mortality percentage, seed germination and seedling vigour index in green gram (Phaseolus radiatus L.). Bruchid mortality (%) was not affected by seed moisture content alone, though phosphine doses and exposure periods affected the mortality significantly. Deleterious effects on seed germination, shoot and root length and also seedling vigour index were observed with repeated fumigations at varying doses and exposure periods in combination with seed moisture content (mc). At 12% mc, deterioration of seed quality was rapid even when seed was exposed to normal recommended (0.250 mg/l) phosphine doses. The results of this study have important implications during revalidation of old seed stocks, which are often stored for long periods under sub-tropical conditions.
Inbreeding coefficients of field populations of Kochia scoparia using chlorsulfuron resistance as a phenotypic marker

Inbreeding coefficients were determined for nine southeastern Idaho kochia populations using chlorsulfuron resistance as a phenotypic marker. Inbreeding coefficients in six of the populations approximated 0, indicating that these field populations were random mating. One population had an inbreeding coefficient of 0.32, indicating partial selfing. No susceptible genotypes were identified in one population, which suggested recent selection and skewed the inbreeding coefficient. One population had an inbreeding coefficient of −0.19, suggesting either heterozygote advantage or some recent selection in the population. Our results suggest that kochia populations generally approximate random mating. Therefore, unlinked alleles will be independently assorted in field populations of kochia.
Toxicity, bioaccumulation and metabolism of pesticides in the earthworm

The toxic effects of pesticides on earthworms, one of the most important bioindicators in the terrestrial environment, are closely related to their body burden determined by uptake, metabolism and excretion processes. Not only the passive diffusion via the outer skin from a dissolved fraction of pesticide but also the ingestion of contaminated soil and food governs the uptake process, with each contribution controlled by either the hydrophobicity of the pesticide or the soil organic matter. Although the available information is limited, earthworms are likely to metabolize pesticides via hydrolysis and oxidation (Phase I) followed by conjugation (Phase II), and low bioaccumulation is observed as a result for most pesticides. The acute toxicity in the soil exposure can be partly explained by the dissolved fraction of pesticide in pore water, but the contribution of dietary uptake and metabolism should be further studied to correctly evaluate pesticide toxicity. © Pesticide Science Society of Japan
Histopathologie de Culex pipiens Linné ( Diptera , Culicidae ) soumis à l'activité larvicide de Bacillus sphaericus 1593-4

L'ingestion de B.s. par les larves de C.p. est suivie de lesions importantes au niveau de l'intestin moyen. Les premiers signes d'intoxication commencent apres 30 mn de contact. Le premier signe est une perturbation du flux alimentaire, suivie par une hypertrophie ou un ballonnement des cellules mesenteriques de l'estomac posterieur. Des vacuoles commencent a envahir les cellules mesenteriques des le debut de l'intoxication. Puis la partie apicale se lyse. Il se produit ensuite un eclatement suivi d'un rejet du materiel cytoplasmique dans la lumiere
Heritability and expected gain estimates for traits of black locust in Michigan

L'amplitude de la variation genetique chez Robinia pseudoacacia a ete analysee sur la descendance issue de pollinisation croisee de 434 familles dans deux sites du Michigan. La hauteur, la mortalite, le nombre d'arbres dominants, la longueur des epines, les dates d'ouvertures des bourgeons et d'initiation des feuilles ont ete etudies apres une saison de vegetation. L'analyse de variance montre des differences significatives entre les familles, les blocs et les sites, mais pas de variation geographique nette
A Study On The Roles And Effects Of Syndecans On Endothelial Cell Biology During Angiogenesis

Syndecans are a four member family of multifunctional transmembrane heparan sulphate bearing cell surface receptors. Each family member has common molecular architecture but a distinct expression profile. Numerous molecular interactions between syndecan heparan sulphate chains, growth factors, cytokines, and extracellular matrix molecules have been reported and syndecans are intimately associated with cell adhesion and migration. Here, we describe the important emerging concept that contained within syndecan extracellular core proteins are ‘‘adhesion regulatory domains. ’’ Cell adhesion is driven by the integrins and syndecan ectodomain adhesion regulatory domains can alter integrin driven cellular responses. Cell adhesion and migration is central to numerous pathologies and an understanding of how syndecan ectodomains influence integrins will lead to novel therapeutic strategies. VC 2013 BioFactors, 00(00):000–000, 2013
Genetic diversity, mating types and phylogenetic analysis of Indian races of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris from chickpea

Abstract The present study describes the comparative analysis of five genetic markers viz., random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC), BOX-elements, mating type (MAT) locus and microsatellites for genetic analysis of virulent isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri (FOC) representing seven races from chickpea. Phylogenetic analysis of translation elongation factor 1-α and internal transcribed spacer region separated all the FOC isolates into two major clades. Majority of the isolates (FOC 63, FOC 33, FOC 40, FOC 100, FOC 6, FOC 22, FOC 31, FOC 79 and NDFOC 98) representing race 1, 2, 5 and 6 grouped in clade I, while isolates (FOC 90, FOC 108 and FOC 88) belonging to race 3, 4 and 7 were clustered in clade II. Isolates (FOC 33, FOC 40, FOC 17 and FOC 100) representing race 2 had MAT-2 loci, while race 1 isolates (FOC 63, FOC 72 and FOC 76) contained MAT-1 loci only. The principal component analysis (PCA) of RAPD, ERIC, BOX and microsatellite marker data explained 39.94, 39.98, 42.04 and 62.59% of the total variation among test isolates, respectively. Furthermore, there was no correlation existed between genetic diversity, virulence, race compositions or geographic origin of the isolates. Overall, these findings will assist in better understanding of the genetic variability and ideally, will improve disease management practices.
Identification of molecular targets regulating fatty acid synthesis in bovine mammary epithelial cells

Consumer demand for milk fat has declined due to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease associated with consuming a high saturated fat diet. Milk fat synthesis is energetically expensive for the dairy cow, especially during early lactation or periods of poor nutrition. Thus, manipulating milk fat production and composition may promote the synthesis of more market-valuable milk components and improve energy utilization in dairy cows during periods of increased energy demand. Therefore, the objective of the present studies was to identify molecular proteins that regulate fatty acid synthesis in bovine mammary epithelial cells. The regulation of lipogenic genes including acetylCoA carboxylase (ACC) and fatty acid synthase (FAS) is controlled by transcription factors including sterol regulatory element binding protein-1 (SREBP1) and liver X receptor (LXR). In vivo, diet-induced milk fat depression or supplementing diets with polyunsaturated fatty acids inhibits milk fat synthesis by regulating SREBP1 expression. Results confirm that polyunsaturated fatty acids inhibit fatty acid synthesis in bovine mammary epithelial cells by regulating the expression of SREBP1. In hepatocytes, LXR can regulate the transcription of SREBP1 in addition to ACC and FAS. Results confirm that LXR activation enhanced synthesis of fatty acids in bovine mammary epithelial cells by promoting the transcription of FAS and SREBP1. Activation of LXR was unable to prevent the inhibitory effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids on fatty acid synthesis. In the lactating mammary gland, LXR may contribute to the synthesis of fatty acids by
Contrasting the summer ecology of white-tailed deer inhabiting a forested and an agricultural landscape

Abstract: We compared habitat use, home range size, movements, and activity during summer between rural (12 animals km-2) and forest (<; 1 animal km-2) white-tailed deer populations, hypothesizing that competition for natural forage at high density would influence deer behaviour. Biomass of preferred forage at forester sites was 6 times greater in the forest than in the rural landscape. Forest deer avoided conifer and mixed stands, whereas rural deer tended to avoid stands of shade-tolerant hardwoods. Rural deer intensified their use of cultivated fields at night and ate a greater variety of native plants than forest conspecifics, including species rarely consumed by forest deer (e.g., ferns). Rural deer used smaller home ranges but moved at a greater rate than forest counterparts. Activity pattern of deer did not differ between the two landscapes, with peaks at dawn and dusk. Our results suggest that rural deer adapted to the rarity of natural forage by exploiting agricultural crops.
Nested patterns of species distribution and winter flock occurrence of insectivorous birds in a fragmented landscape

Abstract The goal of this paper is to evaluate whether the probabilities of aggregating in flocks are dependent on the patterns of species distribution across the landscape. I analyzed winter species distribution and flock occurrence (flock formation in a given fragment) at the community and individual species levels of a guild of small insectivorous birds in a fragmented landscape. Species distributed following a nested pattern, which was mainly affected by fragment size. Flock occurrence (single- plus mixed-species flocks) followed a nested pattern, such that the probability of joining flocks was affected by the distribution of species across the landscape. However, when analyzed separately, single-species flock occurrence showed a nested pattern, but mixed-species flock occurrence followed a random pattern. Fragment size and total bird density (as an indicator of the availability of individuals to join flocks) accounted for nestedness. At the individual species level, conspecific and heterospecific densities were the foremost factors increasing flock occurrence probabilities, suggesting that species tended to aggregate when there was an increase in the local availability of individuals. Fragment size and habitat structure (coniferous cover and number of thick trees) also increased flock occurrence, likely because of higher resource availability, which allowed the colonization of more species and individuals. Greater isolation reduced flock occurrence, maybe as a result of lower availability of individuals in distant fragments. Overall, fragmentation conditions can disrupt flocking behaviour of small insectivorous species, which could decrease survival and increase predation risk during winter. Keywords: nestedness, flock occurrence, fragmentation, insectivorous birds, winter flocks.