Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of three cocoa hybrid families susceptibility and cysteine involvement in defense process against Phytophthora megakarya

Black pod disease (BPD) is the major cocoa pathology constraint caused by an Oomycete, Phytophthora megakarya prevailing in African cocoa producing countries. The development of T. cacao planting material tolerant to BPD lies on cross-pollination of adequate parental genotypes which generate offspring with desirable traits. We assessed the susceptibility to BPD of offspring derived from three manual crosses (SNK13xUPA143, T79/501xUPA143 and UPA143xSNK64) using leaf discs test (LDT) which evaluates disease scores of hybrid genotypes. Cysteine involvement in T. cacao defence process against BPD has been studied for the potential use of this sulphur amino acid profile to identify tolerant cocoa hybrid genotypes. LDT displayed variable disease scores patterns. Within a given family, LDT revealed heterogeneity in disease scores. This heterogeneity may have been derived from polygenic character of T. cacao susceptibility to BPD. In SNK13xUPA143 family, 26.13% exhibited disease scores lower than two (tolerant hybrid genotypes). T79/501xUPA143 and UPA143xSNK64 generated 21.18 and 26.46% of tolerant hybrid genotypes respectively. This variability between families may have resulted from deferential susceptibility of parental clones; UPA143 being more susceptible than T79/501 followed by SNK13. SNK64 was the less susceptible to BPD. The percentages of tolerant hybrid genotypes in this study appeared to be consistent hence, SNK13xUPA143, T79/501xUPA143 and UPA143xSNK64 could be used to produce hybrids genotypes tolerant to BPD. Cysteine analysis was performed in none detached healthy and wounded-infected leaves of hybrid genotypes with variable disease scores. It appeared that cysteine was mobilized during the infection. Two main patterns were observed: in tolerant hybrid genotypes (disease score lower than 2), infection was associated to a significant reduction of cysteine content in young leaves while in susceptible hybrid genotypes, infection was associated to an increase (accumulation) of cysteine in young leaves. Cysteine could be involved in the synthesis of effective defence molecules against P. megakarya in tolerant hybrid genotypes. This set of finding may indicate that cysteine profile could be used to discriminate tolerant from susceptible hybrid genotypes of T. cacao to P. megakarya. Key words: Cocoa tree, black pod disease, hybrids genotypes, tolerance, cysteine.
Targeted deletion of Nmnat1 in mouse retina leads to early severe retinal dystrophy

Mutations in NMNAT1 can lead to a very severe type of retinal dystrophy, Leber congenital amaurosis, in human patients, characterized by infantile-onset or congenital retinal dystrophy and childhood blindness. The loss-of-function mouse models of Nmnat1 have not been well-established, since the complete knock-out (KO) of Nmnat1 in mice results in embryonic lethality. Here, we generated retina-specific KO by using the Crxpromotor-driving Cre combined with the flox allele. By a panel of histological and functional analyses, we found that Nmnat1 conditional KO (cKO) mice have early severe retinal dystrophy. Specifically, the photoreceptors of Nmnat1 cKO mice are almost diminished and the retinal functions also become completely abolished. Our results established a loss-of-function model for Nmnat1 in mice, which will be useful for studying the detailed functions of NMNAT1 in the retina.
Damage by Neonectria neomacrospora and Adelges piceae in provenance trials of subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) in Denmark

Summary Field trials of Abies lasiocarpa were undertaken with the aim of assessing the potential for Christmas tree production in Denmark. Twenty-six provenances originating from Alaska to New Mexico were tested. Damage by the insect Adelges piceae and the fungus Neonectria neomacrospora was recorded for the first time 8 and 12 years after the initial planting. Damage from N. neomacrospora increased rapidly in the period 12–15 years after planting. Trees from the northern provenances and humid climates exhibited less damage than those from southern ones. Previous attack by A. piceae had a minor effect on N. neomacrospora infection. Greenhouse tests showed that detached shoots from healthy Abies lasiocarpa can be used to rank provenances for resistance to N. neomacrospora, but results varied according to host subspecies.
Composição e variação temporal da assembleia de peixes do alto sistema estuarino de Santos, São Paulo, Brasil

To evaluate the composition and temporal variation of a fish community of the upper Santos estuarine system in Brazil, a sampling program was organized with set gillnets, positioned near Bagres Island for 24 h, in summer and winter of 2010. A total of 1,738 individuals belonging to 13 orders, 28 families and 59 species were captured. The most abundant families were Gerreidae and Sciaenidae. The most abundant species were Diapterus rhombeus, Harengula clupeola, Atherinella brasiliensis and Bairdiella rhonchus. This survey adds 17 species to those already known for this estuarine system. The overall species composition varies between day and night and between sites. There was a greater abundance of fish at night. The Shannon-Wiener diversity was found to be higher in the rainy season and at night. Ten species are categorized as "Endangered" according to the list of Species of Endangered Wildlife of the State of Sao Paulo.
Molecular characterization of Cronobacter sakazakii isolated from different herbal teas and mixtures in Serbia

contained 72 C. sakazakii -positive samples (32.6%) and involved Sennae folium , Althaeae radix , Menthae piperitae folium , Chamomilae flos and Urticae folium teas. Molecular characterization of isolated C. sakazakii from different herbal teas by rep-PCR, RAPD and 16S rRNA sequences analysis showed the high similarity to C. sakazakii NCTC 8155. Knowing this strain as one of the most pathogenic clinical strains, our results raise concern about the safety risks these foods pose to immunocompromised and healthy consumers, especially for babies and children.
Rainfall variability and its impact on large mammal populations in a complex of semi-arid African savanna protected areas

We investigated the rainfall patterns and associated fluctuations of wild large herbivore species in the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA), southern Africa. The study objectives were to: (i) establish the synchrony in rainfall and drought occurrence patterns in Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe, and four adjacent areas, and (ii) determine the responses of different large herbivore species' populations to droughts. We used annual rainfall data collected from the five sites within the GLTFCA and large herbivore population data collected from multispecies aerial surveys in Gonarezhou and Kruger National Park, South Africa. Our results showed that between 1970 and 2009, Gonarezhou recorded three wet years (1977, 1978 and 2000) and six drought years (1973, 1983, 1989, 1992, 1994 and 2005). However, there were some variations in the drought occurrences between Gonarezhou and the four adjacent areas indicating a weak synchrony in rainfall patterns. Furthermore, seven large herbivore species showed dips in their populations associated with the 1992 severe drought, with most of the species' populations recovering thereafter. Our study suggests that rainfall does have a strong influence on large herbivore population dynamics especially in really dry years in African savanna ecosystems. Our findings underscore the need for further detailed studies on bottom-up processes influencing large herbivore population trends in savanna ecosystems with high rainfall variability.
Emergence, morpho-physiology and flowering of colored-fiber cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) submitted to different nitrogen levels and saline water stress irrigation.

The decrease in the availability of water resources, especially in semi-arid regions, increases every day the need for solutions to supply this deficit water demand. Under low supply of good-quality water, the generation of technologies and research that allow the use of saline waters is currently an essential activity. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of different saline levels of the irrigation water and nitrogen (N) fertilization doses on the emergence, morpho-physiology and flowering of colored-fiber cotton, cv. ‘BRS Rubi’, in an experiment conducted in lysimeters under greenhouse conditions in a Eutrophic Neolithic soil of a sandy-loam texture, in the municipality of Campina Grande-PB, Brazil. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design and the treatments consisted of five levels of irrigation water salinity with the following electrical conductivities ECw (5.1, 6.1, 7.1, 8.1 and 9.1 dS m), combined with five N doses ND (65; 100; 135; 170; 205 mg of N kg of soil), distributed in a 5 x 5 factorial scheme with three replicates. The effects of the treatments were evaluated, through variables: emergence percentage, emergence speed index, gas exchanges, stomatal conductance , transpiration, CO2 assimilation rate, internal CO2 concentration, instantaneous carboxylation efficiency, instantaneous water use efficiency, stem diameter, plant height, leaf area, number of days for flower bud opening and flower abortion rate. Germination, gas exchanges and growth of the cotton cv. ‘BRS Rubi’ are negatively affected by irrigation water salinity from 5.1 dS m on wards. Irrigation using water with ECw higher than 5.1 dS m prolonged the period of opening of flower buds and promoted increase in flower abortion rate and internal CO2 concentration. Increasing doses of N led to increment in cotton stomatal conductance and the highest value was obtained at the dose of 205 mg of N kg of soil; irrigation water salinity levels and N fertilization doses acted as independent factors for the studied variables of the cotton crop.
Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids and vascular and cardiac responses to alpha1-adrenoceptor stimulation

There is epidemiological evidence that the benefits of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) derived from fish oil (n-3 PUFA) and plant seed oil (n-6 PUFA) in cardiovascular disease include a reduction in blood pressure (BP). In man, intervention studies have shown that dietary PUFA can affect vascular resistance, an important determinant of BP. Animal experiments have suggested that n-3 PUFA may affect vascular responses to a \ -adrenoceptor stimulation but differences between species, in experimental diets and duration of feeding make interpretation of the results difficult. The aim of this thesis was to use semisynthetic isocalorific experimental diets, representative of what is or could be consumed by man, to investigate the effects of dietary PUFA on cardiovascular responses to a i-adrenoceptor stimulation. Generally, diets derived 40% of total calories from fat. The control diet had a PUFA/saturated fat (P/S) ratio of 0.3. Dietary n-3 PUFA were given as a small daily supplement (0.4% dietary calories) to the control diet and the n-6 PUFA diet had a P/S ratio of 2.0, achieved by substituting 18:2, n-6 for saturated fat. In one series of experiments, diets deriving 10% of total calories from fat, relatively rich in saturated fat, n-3 PUFA or n-6 PUFA, were used. Throughout, diets were fed for eight weeks. There were three experimental preparations: the buffer perfused rat hind-quarters, the isolated rat femoral resistance artery and the isolated rat heart retrogradely perfused with buffer through the aorta. Responses to a \ -adrenoceptor stimulation were elicited by noradrenaline in the presence of Pand a2-adrenoceptor antagonists, where appropriate. The effect of the diets on total and fractionated phospholipid (PL) FA composition was monitored in cardiac tissue. In the perfused hind-quarters and isolated resistance artery, n-3 PUFA, but not n-6 PUFA, significantly attenuated responses to a \ -adrenoceptor stimulation. A supplementary study in the resistance artery did not reveal any effect of dietary PUFA on relaxation to acetylcholine. In the isolated heart, a 10% fat n-3 PUFA diet, but not
Do cranial suture age and growth layer groups correlate in South American pinnipeds?

Age is one of the most important life history parameters required to understand the dynamics of mammalian populations. Growth Layers Groups (GLGs) are incremental units of calcified tissue in the teeth (dentine and cementum), which represent a pattern of cyclical deposition that can be counted. However, the estimation of absolute age in GLGs demands a skull with teeth, the permission to destroy part of a tooth, equipment to cut the teeth, and experienced GLGs readers. In 1954 Sivertsen proposed an alternative method using cranial suture age (CSA) to establish age categories. However, there are no studies validating the CSA in relation to GLGs. Thus, this study examined whether there is a correlation between age categories proposed by the CSA and chronological age in years from GLGs of South American fur seals (Arctocephalus australis) (N = 52) and of South American sea lions (Otaria flavescens) (N = 37). 93% of the skulls of A. australis and 83.8% of O. flavescens corresponded accurately to the age in years estimated by each cranial suture age range. These results indicated the existence of high correspondence between the CSA and the GLGs age (r: 0.491 for A. australis and r: 0.675 for O. flavescens). However, an adaptation to Sivertsen's method is recommended: using only eight sutures (excluding the premaxillary-maxillary suture for CSA analysis, due to its late fusion), and updating the intervals for cranial sutures, that correspond to 16–32 = adults, 11–15 = young and 8–10 = pups.
Cytogenetic Analyses In Eight Species Of Teleostean Fishes (Pisces): Karyotypes, Multiple Ag-NORs, Sex Chromosomes

Cytogenetic analyses of karyotypes and Ag-NORs have been made in eight species of teleostean fishes, namely, Thunnus orientalis (Scombridae), Valamugil speigleri ( Mugilidae), Balantiocheilos melanopterus, Amblypharyngodon microlepis (Cyprinidae), Lepidocephalichthys guntea (Cobitidae), Pangasius hypophthalmus (Pangasiidae), Nandus nandus (Nandidae) and Ompok bimaculatus (Siluridae). Of these, L.guntea (male ZZ: female ZO) and O. bimaculatus (male X1X1X2: female X1X1X2X2) have morphologically identifiable sex chromosomes. The nucleolar organizing regions (NORs) were located terminally at centromeric regions of one pair of acrocentric chromosomes (Tc, No.1) in T.orientalis and V.speigleri (2n=48), at shorter arm (Tp) of one pair of submetacentric chromosomes in B.melanopterus (2n=50; No.6), in A.microlepis (2n=50; No.1) and in P.hypophthalmus (2n=60; No. 1), at whole shorter arm (p) of one pair of submetacentric chromosomes in L.guntea (No.1; male, 2n=52, female 2n=51), at the longer arms of one pair of interstitial sub-terminal (Ist ÂÂq, No.1) and at terminal regions of one pair of submetacentric chromosomes (Tq, No.10) in N.nandus (2n=48) and at shorter arm of one pair of submetacentric chromosomes (Tp, No.4) in O.bimaculatus (male 2n=41, female 2n=42). The significance of the study has been discussed in the light of other previous studies and their karyotypic evolution.
Phytoplankton defenses: Do Emiliania huxleyi coccoliths protect against microzooplankton predators?

The calcium carbonate plates (coccoliths) surrounding most coccolithophorid cells are strikingly reminiscent of armor, and defense against predators has been hypothesized as a selective advantage provided by these mineral structures. Although microzooplankton are the main predators of small phytoplankton such as coccolithophores, few putative phytoplankton defenses have been tested against this group. In this study, predation by the heterotrophic dinoflagellate Amphidinium longum on three calcifying strains of Emiliania huxleyi was compared with predation on cells acid‐treated to remove coccoliths. As a control for acidification effects on other cell properties, we also compared predation on acid‐treated and untreated non‐calcifying (haploid) E. huxleyi strains. We found no systematic support for the defense hypothesis in this predator‐prey system. Acid‐treated cells experienced predation rates that were higher, the same as, and lower than rates on untreated cells, depending on E. huxleyi strain. Other cell properties showing no relationship to predation included size, dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) content, and DMSP release. For untreated cells, however, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentration in the cell suspension was positively related to predation, suggesting that H2O2 acts as a signal promoting prey detection, or that H2O2 co‐varies with other (unmeasured) predation‐enhancing cell properties. A. longum uses two different prey capture and ingestion strategies, depending on prey type. This plasticity suggests co‐evolution of predation and defense strategies, facilitating a generalist feeding strategy compatible with the diversity of potential phytoplankton prey.
Vocal individuality, but not stability, in wild palm cockatoos (Probosciger aterrimus)

Abstract The ability to identify individuals within a population is often essential for a detailed understanding of the ecology and conservation of a species. However, some species, including large parrots, are notoriously difficult to catch and mark for individual identification. Palm cockatoos (Probosciger aterrimus) are a large, poorly understood species of parrot which are likely in severe decline within the eastern part – and possibly the western part – of their range on Cape York Peninsula, Australia. Here, we investigated whether three different palm cockatoo call types are sufficiently individually distinctive to function as a non-invasive “marker” for identifying individuals over time. Using Discriminant Function Analysis, overall identification accuracy among 12 putative individuals for all call types was 81% (i.e. 148 out of 183 calls were assigned to the correct individual) on the basis of multiple temporal, energy (amplitude) and frequency measurements on the spectrogram. For three different call types, individual identification accuracy among males and females ranged from 69 to 95%. However, based on a limited sample sizes of five putative individuals between years, our data suggest that individual call structure, as quantified by call parameters, was not stable between years. We discuss the applicability of these results for future studies of palm cockatoos and other parrot species.
Effects of chitosan coating containing lysozyme or natamycin on shelf-life, microbial quality, and sensory properties of Halloumi cheese brined in normal and reduced salt solutions

The effects of chitosan (C) coating with or without lysozyme (L) or natamycin (N) on shelf-life, microbial quality, and sensory properties of Halloumi cheese held at 3 °C or 25 °C in 5%, 10% or 15% (w/v) NaCl were examined. Coatings increased cheese shelf-life by ≥ 5 days than the control when brined in 5% and 10% NaCl at 3 °C but did not affect the shelf-life of cheese in 15% NaCl. Nonetheless, coatings reduced psychrotrophs, anaerobes, lactic acid bacteria, and yeasts and molds by 1.8 to 2.2 log in 15% brined cheese. Reductions of microbial species contaminating Halloumi cheese at 10% and 15% brine were not significantly different with CL and CN coatings throughout storage at 3 °C. Coatings did not adversely affect sensory properties of cheese. Therefore, brine concentration could be reduced to 10% for CL and CN-coated cheeses. Practical applications Results support the possibility of reducing the high salt concentration in brine solution of Halloumi cheese by using a chitosan coating containing lysozyme or natamyc in which provided similar shelf-life and microbial stability. The coatings did not adversely affect the sensory properties of cheese and can be applied by a simple step during processing which facilitates their use in the food industry.
Warming Strengthens the Ecological Role of Intraspecific Variation in a Predator

Recent work shows communities and ecosystems can be shaped by predator intraspecific variation, but it is unclear whether the magnitude and direction of these influences are context-dependent. Temperature is an environmental context of strong ecological influence and widespread relevance given global warming trends. Warming should increase per capita predator effects on prey through increases in predator metabolic rate, potentially exacerbating intraspecific differences in ecological effects. Here, we used two populations of the potent pelagic freshwater predator, Western Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis), to test how experimental pond temperature mediates the differences between their ecological impacts. Mosquitofish introduction induced a strong pelagic trophic cascade, causing a large reduction of crustacean zooplankton biomass, an increase in phytoplankton biomass, and changes to ecosystem-level response variables. Warming (+2°C above unwarmed treatments) exacerbated fish-induced reduction of zooplankton biomass, but moderated the cascade to phytoplankton, primary productivity, and nutrient concentrations. Effects of intraspecific variation were apparent only on zooplankton, and only at warmed environmental temperatures. The traits underlying this divergence may be related to the population source thermal environments. Overall, results show that warming may increase the ecological importance of predator intraspecific variation. In general, extrinsic environmental drivers, such as those associated with climate change, may reshape the effects of intraspecific trait variation on ecosystems.