Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of O2 Concentrations and Various Haemoglobins on Respiration and Nitrogenase Activity of Bacteroids from Stem and Root Nodules of Sesbania rostrata and of the Same Bacteria from Continuous Cultures

Summary: Bacteroids from both stem and root nodules of Sesbania rostrata inoculated with Rhizobium sp. strain ORS571 were studied in the presence of the respective leghaemoglobins or soybean root nodule leghaemoglobin. Concentrations of free dissolved O2 and rates of O2 consumption and nitrogenase activity were measured during steady states in a special reaction chamber. The two types of bacteroids had high-affinity terminal oxidase systems. They were capable of respiration-coupled nitrogenase activity at concentrations below 10 nM free dissolved O2; at such concentrations the homologous leghaemoglobins were more effective than soybean leghaemoglobin because of their higher affinity for O2. S. rostrata bacteroids were less efficient in nitrogenase activity (consuming 4 to 11 mol O2 per mol of C2H2 reduced) than soybean bacteroids (02/C2H4 = 3.6) in comparable experiments, but efficiency was not affected by the source of leghaemoglobin. Similar experiments with ORS571 grown in N2-fixing continuous cultures showed that these bacteria also had high-affinity terminal oxidase systems coupled to nitrogenase, but those grown at 21) than those grown at 7 to 11 μM-O2 (O2/C2H4 <8). Nitrogenase activity of bacteria grown at the higher O2 concentration increased when the O2 concentration in the chamber was raised from 0.1 to 3 μM in experiments in which mammalian myoglobin replaced leghaemoglobin in the reaction solution. With bacteria grown at < 1 μM-O2, nitrogenase activity was inhibited (reversibly) by 50% after an increase from 0.1 to 1.4 μM-O2 in the reaction chamber. After changes in rates of supply of dissolved O2 there were oscillations in rates of O2 consumption before establishment of new steady states. These effects were greater in bacteria grown at 7 to 11 μM-O2 than in those grown at < 1 μM-O2, but with the latter, a sixfold increase in O2 flux produced only very small increases in concentration of dissolved O2.
Treatment of chronic lymphoid leukemias with monoclonal antibodies: current place and perspectives

Over the past few years, several monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed against lymphoid cells have been developed and investigated in preclinical studies and clinical trials. Some of them are highly active in leukemias. At present, the most important clinical value in the patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has two MAbs. The first is the human mouse antibody, rituximab (IDEC C2B8, Rituxan, Mabthera), which targets CD20 antigen. The second is alemtuzumab (Campath‐1H), a humanized form of a rat antibody active against CD52. Recently, several new MAbs have been explored and have shown promise in treating CLL. Novel MAbs are being evaluated in preclinical studies and in early clinical trials. These treatments include new MAbs targeted CD20 molecule (ofatumumab, GA‐101), lumiliximab, epratuzumab, apolizumab, galiximab, and anti‐CD40 MAbs. Alemtuzumab is also a useful drug in previously treated and untreated patients with T‐cell prolymphocytic leukemia. Rituximab as well as anti‐CD22 and anti‐CD25 immunotoxins have been also investigated in refractory and/or relapsed hairy cell leukemia with high response rate. MAbs provided new opportunities for effective therapies of these disorders. Drug Dev Res 69:373–387, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparative root morphological anatomy of Zingiberaceae

The root anatomy and morphology of 23 species of Zingiberaceae from three tribes and eight genera were examined. Roots were sectioned, with a microtome or freehand, and examined using a variety of staining techniques. The anatomical characters of roots were thoroughly studied and analysed laying emphasis on 21 qualitative and 16 quantitative characters. Statistical tools such as UPGMA Cluster analysis, PCoA and PCA were used to elucidate species boundaries. The prominent anatomical characters in the roots were as follows: all the gingers examined had a piliferous epidermis, followed by an exodermis which contained one or more layers of compact, suberized cells. The cortex had two regions (outer and inner layers) with intercellular air spaces that were radially extended, either linear (Curcuma spp. and Kaempferia galanga), tetrangular (Zingiber officinale), or triangular. The uniseriate endodermis had ‘U’-shaped thickening at maturity. Stele included a thin-walled, uniseriate pericycle and polyarch vascular tissues. Phloem strands in Alpinia, Curcuma, Hedychium and Zingiber often extended radially inwards, forming phloem islands. The peripheral ground tissues of stele were mostly fibrous and occasionally parenchymatous. The medulla commonly occupied the centre of the stele. Tuberous roots of Globba, Hedychium and Kaempferia had a wide, starch-filled cortex with stele diameter similar to non-tuberous roots. Oil cells were found in Alpinia spp. and members of the tribe Zingibereae. Starch grains were also found in the parenchymatous cortex and medulla in Hedychium. The perforation plates of the tracheary elements were scalariform to simple. Anatomical characters of the roots in Zingiberaceae could not only help in the identification of the plant species but also in authenticating plant materials used in medicine. A phylogenetic analysis of anatomical characters provided information regarding the closely allied species and could be further confirmed by molecular techniques.
Bacteriological study of diabetic foot infection in Egypt

testing. Results Overall, 40 (54%) patients had subcutaneous infections, 22 (29%) had infected superficial ulcers, seven (9%) had infected deep ulcers involving muscle tissue, and six (8%) patients had osteomyelitis. A total of 99 pathogens were isolated. Forty percent of patients had polymicrobial infection, 39 (52%) had single organism infections, and six (8%) had no growth. Gram-negative bacteria (67%) were more commonly isolated compared with Gram-positive bacteria (30%). The three most frequently found Grampositive organisms were Staphylococcus aureus (10.2%), Streptococcus pyogenes (7.1%) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (7.1%), and the most common Gram-negative organisms were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (19.4%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (15.3%), and Acinetobacter spp. (10.2%). Vancomycin was found to be the most effective against Gram-positive bacteria, whereas imipenem and amikacin were most effective against Gram-negative bacteria on antibiotic testing. Conclusion Forty percent of diabetic foot infections were polymicrobial. S. aureus and P. aeruginosa were the most common Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms, respectively. This study helps us to choose empirical antibiotics for patients with diabetic foot infections.
Incidence and Association of 563 C/T Mediterranean and the Silent 1311C/T G6PD Mutations in G6PD-deficient Egyptian Children

Background: Molecular characterization of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency variants is essential, especially since the biochemical characterization has lost its significance due to the individual variability. As a result, cases can be misdiagnosed. The present study was designed to determine the incidence of G6PD Mediterranean (Med) mutation among Egyptian children with G6PD deficiency as well as its molecular association with the G6PD 1311T silent polymorphism. Methods: Fifty G6PD-deficient children were subjected to quantitative G6PD enzyme assay. A polymerase chain reaction-amplification refractory mutation system (PCR-ARMS) technique was used to detect the G6PD Med mutation, and polymerase chain reactionrestriction fragment length polymorphism (PCRRFLP) was used to assess the associated G6PD 1311T silent polymorphism. Results: G6PD Med was found in 62% and G6PD 1311T polymorphism in 52% of the patients. The association between both mutations was statistically significant. Conclusion: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase Med mutation is 1 of the most common mutations causing G6PD deficiency among Egyptian children with G6PD deficiency, with linkage disequilibrium between this G6PD mutation and thymine at nucleotide (nt) 1311.
Morphological and histochemical observations on Polymorphus minutus (Goeze, 1782), with special reference to the body wall

1. Certain aspects of the general morphology of Polymorphus minutus are described together with a detailed description of the body wall. 2. An additional layer of the body wall, the epicuticle, has been demonstrated. It appears to consist of acid mucopolysaccharide and may have a function of protecting the parasite from the enzymes of its host. 3. A histochemical investigation has been made of the layers of the body wall and it is concluded that lipoprotein is one of the main structural components. 4. The distribution of the activity of the two enzymes, non-specific esterase and alkaline phosphatase, has been studied throughout the animal and the activity of a third enzyme, leucine aminopeptidase, has been detected in the body wall. 5. It is suggested that all the layers of the body wall, with the exception of the cuticle and epicuticle, are of metabolic importance. The striped layer may be connected with absorption and the felt and radial layers may be involved in the further metabolism of absorbed compounds. 6. The results obtained are used to formulate a possible structure of the surface of the parasite which would facilitate the absorption of nutrient substances through the body wall. I am grateful to Dr P. Tate for advice and encouragement during this work, Dr R. J. Tatchell for helpful discussions, and Dr D. L. Lee for criticising the manuscript and Mr T. M. Warwick, Department of Zoology, University of Edinburgh for providing material.
Foraging Ecology of Caspian Terns in the Columbia River Estuary, USA

Abstract Comparisons were made of the foraging ecology of Caspian Terns (Sterna caspia) nesting on two islands in the Columbia River estuary using radio telemetry and observations of prey fed to chicks and mates at each colony. Early in the chick-rearing period, radio-tagged terns nesting at Rice Island (river km 34) foraged mostly in the freshwater zone of the estuary close to the colony, while terns nesting on East Sand Island (river km 8) foraged in the marine or estuarine mixing zones close to that colony. Late in the chick-rearing period, Rice Island terns moved more of their foraging to the two zones lower in the estuary, while East Sand Island terns continued to forage in these areas. Tern diets at each colony corresponded to the primary foraging zone (freshwater vs. marine/mixing) of radio-tagged individuals: Early in chick-rearing, Rice Island terns relied heavily on juvenile salmonids (Oncorhynchus spp., 71% of identified prey), but this declined late in chick-rearing (46%). East Sand Island terns relied less on salmonids (42% and 16%, early and late in chick-rearing), and instead utilized marine fishes such as Anchovy (Engraulis mordax) and Herring (Clupea pallasi). Throughout chick-rearing, Rice Island terns foraged farther from their colony (median distance: 12.3 km during early chick-rearing and 16.9 km during late chick-rearing) than did East Sand Island terns (9.6 and 7.7 km, respectively). The study leads to the conclusion that Caspian Terns are generalist foragers and make use of the most proximate available forage fish resources when raising young.
The Effects of Lead [Pb(NO3)2] on the Growth and Chlorophyll Content of Sea Grass [Thalassia hemprichii (ehrenb.) Aschers.]Ex situ

This study aimed to determine the effects of heavy metals Pb exposure on growth rate of shoots, chlorophyll content, new roots length, and level Pb accumulation in root and leaf of Thalassia hemprichii were cultured ex situ condition. A total of 40 ramets T. hemprichii were divided into 4 treatment groups: K0 (control), and different concentrations of Pb(NO3)2 as K1 (10 ppm), K2 (25 ppm), and K3 (50 ppm). The observation of growth rate was occured for 40 days. Chlorophyll contents and Pb content of 8 ramets from each group were measured at day 41. During study, it was not found any new shoot that growth in all groups. The result of chlorophyll contents showed that the lowest value found in K3 group (chlorophyll a= 1.106 ± 0.205 mg/L; chlorophyll b= 0.746 ± 0.151 mg/L; and total of chlorophyll= 1.861 ± 0.190 mg/L). There was significantly influence of Pb on total chlorophyll content among all groups (p=0.006). It is also known that chlorophyll b was more affected than chlorophyll a as result of lead effect. There were growth and elongation of roots however no significantly difference between the groups. Highest level of Pb accumulation on root and leaf was shown by K3 group (2.55 ± 0.09 ppm on root and 1.80 + 0.11 ppm on leaf).
Pollen Evolution and Development in Ericaceae, with Particular Reference to Pseudomonads and Variable Pollen Sterility in Styphelioideae

Many epacrids (Ericales: Ericaceae: Styphelioideae) possess the highly unusual character of variable sterility of some members of the pollen tetrad, producing tetrads, triads, dyads, and monads. In Leucopogon and Styphelia (Styphelioideae: Styphelieae), remarkably, three of the four cells produced by meiosis regularly degenerate. In this article, pollen structure was examined using TEM in nine species of Styphelioideae from five different tribes, together with pollen development in Leucopogon parviflorus. Both living and rehydrated herbarium material was used. Data on pollen units in Ericaceae, on the basis of these original observations and the results of an extensive literature survey, were optimized on an rbcL phylogeny, and a hypothesis for pollen evolution in Ericaceae is proposed. Monad pollen is plesiomorphic in Ericaceae, and pollen dispersed in permanent tetrahedral tetrads has evolved from this condition, possibly because of mutations in genes controlling callose deposition and the degradation of the microsporocyte primary cell wall. Tetrads with variable pollen sterility have arisen several times, mostly in Styphelioideae, possibly due to the action of lethal genes, and are ancestral to pseudomonads. Tetrads with nuclear migration followed by asymmetric cytokinesis occur in the later‐branching genera Leucopogon and Styphelia, where three of the four meiotic products regularly die, an example of programmed cell death, forming pseudomonads. There are striking similarities between programmed cell death in microsporogenesis in Styphelioideae and in the sedge family Cyperaceae (Poales) and in the formation of the seed plant megaspore.
The impact of tourists on Antarctic tardigrades: an ordination-based model

Tardigrades are important members of the Antarctic biota yet little is known about their role in the soil fauna or whether they are affected by anthropogenic factors. The German Federal Environment Agency commissioned research to assess the impact of human activities on soil meiofauna at 14 localities along the Antarctic peninsula during the 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 austral summers. We used ordination techniques to re-assess the block-sampling design used to compare areas of high and low human impact, to identify which of the sampled variables were biologically relevant and/or demonstrated an anthropogenic significance. We found the most significant differences between locations, reflecting local habitat and vegetation factor, rather than within-location anthropogenic impact. We noted no evidence of exotic imports but report on new maritime Antarctic sample sites and habitats.
Sperm Storage Patterns in Singly Mated Females of the Caribbean Fruit Fly, Anastrepha suspensa (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Abstract Insemination and fertilization are temporally dissociated in most insects thus creating conditions for female-mediated processes to influence paternity. One possible response to copulatory and postcopulatory sexual selection may be to increase the number of sperm-storage organs allowing for differential storage and use of sperm from multiple males. Differential sperm storage was tested in singly mated females of the tephritid fruit fly species, Anastrepha suspensa, which has four sperm-storage organs with separate entries to the bursa. Females mate multiply, and males display copulatory courtship. Copulation duration was examined in relation to female size, male size, and the quantity and distribution of spermatozoa in the four storage organs. Sperm quantity stored in females ranged from 141 to 2,617 spermatozoa, and the time spent in copulation ranged from 6 to 45 min. Spermatozoa were present in the ventral receptacle after all copulations, although this was not the case for the spermathecae. There was no significant correlation between body size and the duration of copulation or the quantity of sperm stored, but copulation duration was positively correlated to the quantity of sperm stored (r = 0.38, P = 0.02).
DEMOGRAPHIC PARAMETERS OF INDO‐PACIFIC BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS (TURSIOPS ADUNCUS) AROUND MIKURA ISLAND, JAPAN

Long-term identification surveys were conducted using video records on Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) around Mikura Island, Tokyo, Japan. On 246 surveys, 3,996 min of video were recorded during each summer season from 1994 to 2001. Two hundred and twenty individuals were observed, including juveniles and neonates, that were not cataloged, but could be identified by association with their mothers. Over the eight-year study period, the total number of identified and cataloged individuals was 169. The annual number of newly identified dolphins stabilized at ∼ 10 after 1995. In the middle of each research season, a plateau in the number of reidentified individuals was reached. Most of the dolphins were observed frequently–percentages of reidentified dolphins in adjoining years were greater than 86% and 62 individuals were seen consecutively during the eight years. There were no significant differences in the sex ratio between years. The sex ratio was skewed significantly towards male for subadults and towards female for adults. The survival rate of one-year-old calves was 86.7%, and the mean age at weaning was 3.5 yr. The calving interval averaged 3.4 yr among adult females. The mean annual birth, fecundity, and recruitment rates were 0.071, 0.239, and 0.068, respectively. Mikura Island is located in the pelagic ocean with no protected bay area existing around the island. Dolphins do not regularly inhabit any other locations besides Mikura within the Izu island chain. Thus, this island may be important core habitat of these dolphins.
Involvement of ethylene in the disease caused by Botrytis cinerea on rose and carnation flowers and the possibility of control

SUMMARY Ethylene production by flowers, petals and leaves of rose was correlated with severity of grey mould. However, when the host became completely macerated, ethylene production diminished. Ethylene production by Botrytis cinerea grown on autoclaved flowers which were supplemented with methionine was negligible. Methionine spray, incubation with ethylene, or precooling of flowers at 4°C increased disease incidence considerably. Ethylene also induced susceptibility of carnation flowers to attack by B. cinerea. On the other hand, sprays of silver thiosulphate (STS) aminooxyacetic acid (AOA) and aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) decreased disease severity in rose petals and leaves inoculated with mycelial plugs or conidia. Treatment of cut rose flowers with STS (by dipping) or AOA (by spraying) significantly decreased disease incidence during subsequent incubation at 20 and 10°C. This suggests a treatment for reducing grey mould damage in flowers transported overseas.
A new species of hydrobiid snail of the genus Pyrgulopsis from northwestern Nevada

Pyrgulopsis bruesi new species, from northwest Nevada, differs from closely similar P. augustae on the basis of its higher-spired shell, larger penial filament, and more ventrally positioned seminal receptacle. This species is endemic to a thermal spring area in a small basin which was inundated by pluvial Lake Lahontan.
Genotypic differences in growth and stomatal morphology of Southern Beech, Nothofagus cunninghamii, exposed to depleted CO2 concentrations

Nothofagus cunninghamii (Hook.) Oerst. clones of four different genotypes from Mt Field National Park, Tasmania were grown at both current (~370 mol mol–1 ) and depleted (~170 mol mol –1 ) CO2. Growth was significantly less in the lower [CO2] treatment in all genotypes. The amount of growth reduction caused by low [CO2] depended strongly upon genotype and varied from less than 30% to greater than 75% reduction of whole plant biomass when compared to growth at current [CO2]. Specific leaf area was significantly greater in all plants grown in reduced [CO2], whereas individual leaf area was not significantly affected by [CO2]. The direction and magnitude of the response of stomatal index, stomatal density and epidermal cell density to [CO2] was strongly dependent upon genotype. [CO2] had a significant effect on the length of the stomatal pore, but the magnitude of the effect (~3%) was trivial compared to changes in stomatal density (up to 20%). There was a significant (P < 0.01) and positive relationship between the response of stomatal density and growth response of a genotype. Therefore, we propose that the response of stomatal density to [CO2] controls the relative growth response of N. cunninghamii and that this response is highly dependent upon genotype.
Influences of silviculture, genetics and environment on radiata pine corewood properties: results from recent studies and a future direction

Marketing structural wood from radiata pine plantations is limited by the corewood zone of each log, a zone which lacks stiffness and is unstable during drying (Harris and Cown, 1991). While basic density is lower in the corewood zone, the key factor affecting wood properties in this zone is the angle of microfibrils of cellulose within the S2 layer relative to the tracheid axis (Walker & Butterfield 1996). Higher microfibril angle (MFA) is associated with lower stiffness (measured as dynamic modulus of elasticity, MOE) and with greater longitudinal shrinkage during drying (Pentoney 1953). Furthermore, high rates of change in MFA within this zone mean that different parts of boards shrink by different amounts, directly contributing to instability (Walker and Nakada, 1999). The corewood zone has been defined as the first 10 rings from the pith of a radiata pine log, but this is a rough approximation of a zone that varies in properties with silvicultural, climatic and genetic influences. “Outerwood” is wood beyond this zone.
Stock size assessment and spatial distribution of bivalve species in the Gulf of Tunis

The shellfish ranching, its current exploitation status and its management are becoming a major interest in fisheries industry in Tunisia. In this respect, the coasts of the Gulf of Tunis were explored along 20 shore-perpendicular transects to evaluate the stock size of shellfish populations. 285 samples of malacological fauna were collected by a VanVeen grab. This sampling revealed the presence of six target bivalve species owing to their high commercial value. The determination of the weight–size relationships of each species pinpointed that five species have a negative allometric relationship (Tellina planata, Tellina nitida, Glycymeris violacescens, Donax semistriatus and Solen marginatus) whilst Mactra stultorum indicated an isometric growth. The stock size assessment of these target species revealed that abundance values ranged from 2 to 60 individuals m−2, and biomass values varied from 2 to 230 g m−2. The mapping of the spatial distribution of density and biomass showed that the majority of species colonized essentially shallow waters corresponding to sandy and muddy bottoms. These findings are consistent with ecological and physiological properties of species. Major physical parameters influencing spatial distribution patterns are discussed.