Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ECDYSTEROIDS AND RELATED MOLECULES IN ANIMALS AND PLANTS

Ecdysteroids represent a family of more than 250 members present in animals and plants. In addition, many more or less related molecules belonging to a very large group of “polyhydroxysterols” are present in both phyla. Of the several fundamental questions that remain unanswered at the moment, three major ones will be considered here: 1) The biosynthetic pathway is only partially understood; several steps remain to be elucidated in arthropods, and almost nothing is known in plants. Is it the same in plants as in animals? Some recent developments using cell cultures and new labeled precursors appear very promising to answer this fundamental question. The exact nature and the origin of ecdysteroids in non-arthropod invertebrates is also a matter of debate, and this problem should take advantage of a better knowledge of the biosynthetic pathway in arthropods. 2) The identification of “active hormone(s)” in arthropods is a too-neglected field. However, the physiological significance of the multiple secretory products of molting glands, and of the peripheral metabolism which takes place in target cells, is not clear. Whether there are specific roles for specific molecules, or if all receptor isoforms display the same relative affinity toward various ecdysteroids, remains unanswered, although this question was addressed more than 25 years ago. We hope that new bioassays using several different species/tissues will be developed for extensive structure/activity relationships studies, and also that this problem will appear more attractive for those “ecdysonists” working on the regulation of gene expression. 3) Up to now, the studies on the non-genomic effects of ecdysteroids have been underdeveloped. Although many articles on vertebrate neurosteroids have appeared during the last few years, we are still waiting for “neuroecdysteroids. ” Several membrane actions of ecdysteroids on nerve cells and salivary glands have been described, and there is growing evidence for their perception by taste receptors in both insects and crustaceans. It may well be that spectacular advances will occur in the near future. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 35:3–20, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Nutritional composition of potential zooplankton prey of the spiny lobster phyllosoma (Jasus edwardsii)

Despite the global significance of spiny lobsters, the biology of their planktonic larvae, especially their carnivorous diet, is very poorly understood. Unsuitable diets and feeding regimes are one of the major reasons for consistently high mortalities during larval culture. In an effort to begin to determine the nutritional requirements of phyllosoma larvae of the spiny lobster, Jasus edwardsii, the present study first characterised the proximate composition of 11 previously identified groups of their potential prey. This included gelatinous zooplankton (chaetognaths, ctenophores, tunicates, siphonophores, scyphozoans, heteropods and pteropods), crustacean zooplankton (amphipods, copepods and euphausiids) and fish larvae. The composition of the 54 samples of 30 species of zooplankton ranged over 79.2–98.1% moisture content, and 1.9–54.2% for protein, 0.4–11.2% for carbohydrate, 0.1–27.9% for lipid, and 3.9–76.4% for ash of dry weight. The results showed that, in the most, zooplankton species provide a reliable source of protein. Only a small number of zooplankton had high lipid yield, suggesting that a narrow range of zooplankton species high in lipid are likely to be targeted by late-stage phyllosomas. The results of the present study will be useful as a guide for the development of artificial diets to improve phyllosoma aquaculture.
TETRAMORIUM PARVIOCULUM SP. N. (FORMICIDAE: MYRMICINAE), A NEW SPECIES OF THE T. SIMILLIMUM GROUP FROM GIBRALTAR

We describe a new species of Tetramorium, which has so far only been found in Gibraltar. Tetramorium parvioculum sp. n. belongs to the simillimum-group, which is of Afrotropical origin. It is likely that this species is a non native and was im- ported with plant material originating from tropical Africa. The ecology of this new species is discussed.
The decline of endangered stone crayfish (Austropotamobius torrentium) in southern Germany is related to the spread of invasive alien species and land-use change

Declines in populations of stone crayfish (Austropotamobius torrentium) have recently been reported throughout many parts of their range, including southern Germany. To assess the rate of decline and the probable causes, a crayfish survey was conducted in the River Argen catchment, where the species was known to be widely distributed and abundant. Using mixed-effects regression analysis, the presence or absence of the species was subsequently correlated with riparian land-use and habitat characteristics. To elucidate the potential role of crayfish plague in stone crayfish decline, the crayfish plague-carrier status of newly discovered alien signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) was evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Twenty-five of the 98 surveyed sites were colonized by stone crayfish, including only 12 of 25 sites with a previous record. The probability of stone crayfish presence was positively correlated with overhanging bank structures and the proportion of broad-leafed woods in riparian buffers. In contrast, high proportions of intensive grassland had a distinct negative effect on the probability of stone crayfish presence, and cropland also tended to decrease the probability of stone crayfish presence. Both land-use forms have significantly increased in the study area within the last decade, signifying an intensification of riparian land-use. Plague-carrying signal crayfish were present at two headwater sites. Crayfish plague transmission from highly resistant signal crayfish to highly susceptible stone crayfish has most likely contributed to the decline in stone crayfish, and crayfish plague outbreaks may account for up to 67% of the observed stone crayfish disappearances. The present study confirms a marked decline in stone crayfish populations, which is probably driven by the persistent spread of invasive alien species and intensified riparian land-use. Therefore, conservation efforts for stone crayfish should incorporate strategies to prevent and control the spread of invasive, plague-carrying crayfish, and to mitigate pressures from land use. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
BROILER CARCASS COMPOSITION AS AFFECTED BY AMINO ACID SUPPLEMENTATION

A corn-soybean diet containing 20% protein and a similar diet with glycine supplementation, to give a diet with a 24% protein equivalent, were supplemented with lysine and methionine. Weight gain, feed intake and carcass composition of male broilers were compared to those of similar birds fed a 24% protein corn-soybean diet. Weight gain and feed:gain ratio for the amino-acid-supplemented 20% protein diet were not significantly different from the 24% protein diet. The addition of glycine, while having little effect on performance, resulted in a reduction (P < 0.05) in carcass fat. In a second experiment, increasing the level of dietary protein to 22% from 16% or supplementing the 16% diet with additional lysine and methionine failed to alter weight gain or feed:gain ratio during the 4- to 7-wk finishing period. However, total carcass protein was increased and total carcass fat was reduced with the higher protein diet. Although the amount of total edible meat was similar for all diets, the 22% protein diet .
On the origin of plants and relations to contemporary cyanobacterial-plant symbioses

Cyanobacteria are highly versatile organisms in spite of their small size; they represent the smallest photosynthetic units on Earth, and gave rise to algae and plants. Cyanobacteria are globally widespread in terrestrial and aquatic environments, including the large oceans. In recent years they have attracted attention because of their high evolutionary importance, their developmental complexity, their unexpected pivotal ecological significance in global biogeochemical cycles and their production of a large number of secondary metabolites, many with great biotechnological potential. In this overview, focus is on the role of cyanobacteria in the origin and evolution of algae and plants, and on mechanisms in contemporary cyanobacterial-plant symbioses (Gunnera and Azolla) that may represent ‘blue-prints’ of those that some 2.1 billion years ago became the first chloroplasts.
A comparison of the abilities of freshwater algae and bacteria to acquire and retain phosphorus1

Extant physiological and in situ data provide contradictory answers to the question of whether the bacterioplankton can outcompete the phytoplankton for phosphorus at natural concentrations. Two phytoplankton species and three bacterial spccics isolated from the epilimnion of Lake Memphremagog, Quebec, were grown in phosphorus-limited continuous cultures and their abilities to take up and retain phosphorus compared. The algae showed orthophosphate uptake kinetics comparable to those reported elsewhere. In contrast, the specific orthophosphate uptake rates (i.c. uptake per unit cell P) by the bacteria were variable, but much higher than the algal rates at the low P concentrations characteristic of natural waters. Algal and bacterial alkaline phosphatase activities were similar and provided no evidence that the algae could utilize organic P more efficiently than the bacteria. The bacteria showed some tendency to excrete P more readily than the algae but mixed culture experiments indicated that excretion did little to alter the long term partitioning of phosphorus between the algae and the bacteria. The kinetic data suggest that planktonic bacteria are unlikely to be limited by phosphorus in situ. Furthermore, our results are consistent with the hypothesis that the bacteria should bc markedly superior competitors at natural phosphate concentrations.
How many mature microhabitats does a slow-recolonising reptile require? Implications for restoration of bauxite minesites in south-western Australia

If we are to accelerate the recolonisation of restored areas by slow-recolonising species, we must provide suitable microhabitats at appropriate densities. Previous research in south-western Australia has shown that Napoleon’s skink (Egernia napoleonis) rarely recolonises restored areas. We trapped Napoleon’s skink in restoration and unmined forest to confirm the species was late successional. We also radio-tracked six skinks in unmined forest, to determine types and characteristics of used microhabitats, and estimated home ranges to determine required microhabitat densities, with the aim of accelerating skink recolonisation of restored areas. All tracked skinks used logs and hollow-bearing trees. Used logs were larger, and used trees were larger and taller than random samples, probably because large logs and trees were more likely to contain cracks and hollows that provide a refuge from predators. Extrapolations from home-range estimates indicated that a minimum of four logs ha–1 are required in restored areas to facilitate recolonisation by skinks, with skink densities likely to increase with log densities. Our study demonstrated that not all fauna will naturally recolonise restored areas and management of these areas is required to provide suitable habitat for late-successional species. Our approach could potentially be applied to other ecosystems or species.
Reproductive Biology of the Crayfish Orconectes luteus (Creaser) in a Missouri Stream

Abstract The reproductive biology of the crayfish Orconectes luteus (Creaser) from the Jacks Fork River, Missouri, was studied. Data on reproduction, fecundity and growth were obtained from monthly or semimonthly collections over 27 mo. Females oviposited in March or April, depending on water temperature, and the young became independent by May or June. Seasonal growth and molting began when water temperatures exceeded about 9 C in spring and ceased when water temperatures dropped below 8 C in fall. About one-third of the male and female crayfish became sexually mature their first year of life. Adult males began molting to the reproductive state (Form I) in September and October and returned to the nonreproductive state (Form II) in April and May when the females were carrying eggs and young. Newly hatched young went through two molts before becoming independent from the female in the third instar. A significant positive relation was found between crayfish size and number of ovarian eggs, pleopodal eggs and size of pleopodal eggs. Significantly greater numbers of ovarian vs. pleopodal eggs were found at both sites.
Characterization of the Orobanche–Arabidopsis system for studying parasite–host interactions

Abstract Parasitization by Orobanche is a complex process, one that is mediated by host-derived chemical signals that control parasite seed germination and haustorium initiation and one that ultimately results in the union of two plant species. Experiments were conducted to characterize Orobanche parasitization of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana and to begin to explore the role of host flavonoid metabolism in the interaction. Arabidopsis thaliana stimulated seed germination and allowed tubercle development of O. aegyptiaca and O. ramosa but did not significantly stimulate seeds of O. crenata, O. minor, or O. cernua. However, if Orobanche seeds were artificially stimulated, O. crenata and O. minor successfully established tubercles on A. thaliana. When compared to the recognized crop hosts, Daucus carota and Nicotiana tabacum, A. thaliana stimulated less O. aegyptiaca germination but allowed for formation of equivalent numbers of tubercles. These findings indicate that A. thaliana is not a large-scale producer of germination stimulant but is highly susceptible to the parasite once Orobanche seeds have germinated. Experiments comparing wild-type A. thaliana plants to mutant lines deficient in flavonoid biosynthesis revealed no differences in the ability to stimulate germination or to allow tubercle formation, indicating that host flavonoid production is not essential for Orobanche parasitization. The results of this work support the use of A. thaliana as a valuable host in understanding Orobanche parasitization. Nomenclature: Arabidopsis thaliana L. Heynh. , ARBTH, mouseearcress; Daucus carota L. ‘Danver half long’, DAUCS, carrot; Nicotiana tabacum L. ‘Coker 319’, NIOTA, tobacco; Orobanche aegyptiaca Pers. , ORAAE, Egyptian broomrape; Orobanche cernua Loefl. , ORACE, nodding broomrape; Orobanche crenata Forsk. , ORACR, crenate broomrape; Orobanche minor Smith, ORAMI, small broomrape; Orobanche ramosa L. , ORARA, branched broomrape.
Parasites, fossils and geologic history: Historical biogeography of the South American freshwater croakers, Plagioscion spp. (Teleostei, Sciaenidae)

A hypothesis on the historical biogeography of the freshwater croakers, Plagioscion spp. (Teleostei: Sciaenidae), is developed based on data from the phylogeny of their monogenoidean parasites (Platyhelminthes), the geology of South America and the fossil record. Analyses suggest that the common ancestor of Plagioscion spp. colonized freshwater concomitantly with the common ancestor of their parasites, Euryhaliotrema spp. Colonization probably occurred via a marine transgression through western Venezuela that developed about 20 million years ago (Mya). This transgression with its postulated highly variable temporal and spatial salinity conditions most likely represented the facilitating event associated with freshwater colonization. A less likely alternative, that colonization occurred via the Mar del Plata in southern South America, is not supported by the geographical distributions and putative phylogeny of extant species of Plagioscion.
Evaluación de la harina de hoja de morera (Morus alba) en la alimentación de pollos de engorda

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of including mulberry leaf flour (MLF) in broiler feeding. For the first trial 480 male chickens of one day (ISA MPK) were randomly distributed in four treatments with different feeding flour levels 0 (M0), 4 (M4), 8 (M8) and 12% (M12) and six replicates (n= 20). A lineal (P<0,05) decrease in body weight as leaf flour increased was observed (2725, 2617, 2482, 2375 g; in M0, M4, M8 y M12, respectively) and a quadratic effect (P<0,05) in consumption, has be the inflection point on M8. Wherever, the conversion had a similar response to consumption. Gastrointestinal tract and closed gizzard close weight was greater (P<0,05) in chickens with 12% of MLF and intermediate with 8%. Carcass yield was 11 % greater in control group. The second trial consisted in the evaluation of true digestibility (TD) in vivo. The digestibility of MLF was 32,18% and 17,88% to dry matter and crude protein, respectively. We concluded that levels of 4% of MLF negatively affect the growth and carcass yield of the chicken; however it can included at 8% in the diet of chicken over 35 days old. The TD of the protein is low in MLF.
Photocontrol of protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid interactions

Proteins often depend on a-helices for binding to other biomacromolecules. Reversible control of a-helix stability was accomplished in previous studies by incorporating a photoisomerisable azobenzene cross-linker into peptides, subsequently enabling the optical control of DNA-protein interactions. This approach was extended in this study to include protein-protein and protein-RNA interactions. One of the primary regulatory components in apoptosis signalling is the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-xL which interacts with the a-helical BH3 domain of the Bak protein. The Rev/RRE interaction is crucially involved in the life cycle of Human Immunodeficiency Virus. These interactions were targeted by designing peptides based on the BH3 domain of Bak and on the RNA-binding domain of Rev these peptides are activated by external light pulses after the incorporation of the cross-linker. The ability to control cross-linker conformation and hence peptide secondary structure was demonstrated by CD and UV/Vis spectroscopy. The binding to the target structure and complex disruption was determined in the dark-adapted and irradiated states using fluorescence based assays. Structural studies using NMR spectroscopy demonstrated that the alkylated peptides bind to the same part of the target molecule as the wild-type peptide, regardless of their structure. Moreover, one of the BH3 domain-based peptides and the light-controllable transcription factor PhotoMyoD were modified with protein transduction domains to enable future in vivo studies. Overall, this work opens the possibility to interfere reversibly and specifically with protein-protein and protein-RNA interactions and to study and modulate cellular function by optical control.
Novel dematiaceous hyphomycetes

Novel taxa are described as Alternaria simsimi isolated from Sesamum indicum, distinguishing it from Alternaria sesami; Embellisia lolii from Lolium perenne; Nimbya perpunctulata from Alternanthera philoxeroides; Ulocladium arbores- cens from Pistacia vera; and Stemphylium symphyti from Symphytum × uplandicum.
Early Ontogeny of the Japanese Common Squid Todarodes pacificus (Cephalopoda, Ommastrephidae) with Special Reference to its Characteristic Morphology and Ecological Significance

Abstract Early ontogeny of the Japanese Common Squid Todarodes pacificus was described for artificially inseminated and collected specimens to present new criteria for developmental stages in relation to its ecological adaptation. For the purpose, details for formation of the following organs and tissues were observed with special attention: cilia on the integument, mouth part, shell sac and stellate ganglia, visceral mass, funnel-collar complex, statocysts, eye parts, and ventral photosensitive vesicles. At the embryonic stage (i.e., pre-hatching), various types of epidermal cilia that seem to work as the embryonic rotation were detected. At the early postembryonic stage (i.e., post-hatching), the epidermal lines were characteristically arranged at the scattered condition on arms, tentacles, head, and funnel. Novel strong muscle fibers were distinct in the base of tentacles and funnel retractor muscles at the early postembryonic stage, which is clearly related to the head withdrawal behavior of the paralarvae. The lip cilia and toothed beak developed at the early postembryonic stage, but disappeared later; these apparatus were considered to be related with a change of unique feeding mode in the paralarval life. Based on such morphological features, four distinct stages, namely, paralarval stage 1, 2, 3, and juvenile stage are proposed. The present observations are discussed in relation to survival strategy at early life of T. pacificus and they are compared with those in other cephalopods.
Factors controlling epilithon biomass in a temporary, karstic stream: the interaction between substratum and grazing

Abstract Factors affecting epilithon biomass were investigated at 3 sites along a temporary karst stream system on the Mediterranean island of Majorca. Two sites were on the mainstream axis (downstream site [T5], upstream site [T4]) and one site was in a spring-fed tributary (GB). The degree of abiotic control of periphyton biomass was examined at the 3 sites. Mean periphyton biomass during a surficial flow period (as chlorophyll a [chl a] and ash-free dry mass [AFDM]) was nearly 1 order of magnitude higher at T5 than at the other 2 sites. AFDM ranged from low values at GB to intermediate and very high levels at T4 and T5, respectively. Spatial variation in periphyton chl a was related to the coarser, and more stable, karstic substrata and higher discharge at T5 than at GB or T4. A significant proportion of the temporal variation in periphyton chl a at T4 and T5 was related to abiotic factors, but abiotic factors did not explain the temporal pattern at GB. A short-term field experiment was conducted at GB to determine the role of the dominant grazer, the glossosomatid caddisfly Agapetus quadratus, in regulating periphyton biomass. This experiment revealed that densities of A. quadratus may have controlled periphyton biomass at GB (where grazer densities were highest) because the relationship between A. quadratus density and chl a followed a negative exponential function. The grazer prevented an increase in chl a at intermediate and high densities (>4000 ind./m2), but no effect was found at lower grazer densities. Overall, the levels of calcareous deposition over substratum surfaces seemed to influence colonization by grazers, which, in turn, may have influenced periphyton accrual.
OPTIMIZATION OF VARIOUS PARAMETERS FOR PRODUCTION OF ANTIMICROBIAL COMPOUNDS BY FUSARIUM ROSEUM FGCC#61

The increasing side effects of chemical antimicrobial compounds and growing resistance against them in pathogenic microorganisms has attracted the attention of researchers to search for some novel antimicrobial compounds from natural sources. The most common sources are bacteria, fungi and plants. But the production of these compounds is largely affected by certain parameters like pH, temperature, media constituents etc. Adjustment of these parameters up to optimum level leads to maximum production of antimicrobial compounds. Therefore the aim of present study was to investigate the influence of cultural conditions and environmental parameters affecting the growth and antimicrobial metabolite production of the Phytopathogenic fungi Fusarium roseum FGCC#61 isolated from Vinca rosea. The effect of different culture media, pH, temperature, incubation period, various carbon and nitrogen sources on the growth and antimicrobial metabolite production in a fixed volume of culture broth were studied. Fusarium roseum FGCC#61 grew well and produced optimum antimicrobial metabolites in Richard’s broth medium at 25±2°C on the 21 st day of the incubation. The optimal growth, however, was obtained at pH 6. Sucrose and Sodium nitrate were the best carbon and nitrogen sources respectively for optimum growth and production of active metabolites by the isolate. The results of this investigation indicated