Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HEALTH FROM FOREST - ANTIOXIDATIVE PROPERTIES OF ENDOPHYTIC FUNGI FROM SCOTS PINE ROOTS

Endophytic fungi are a diverse group of micro-organisms living inside the tissues of host plants. Although the ecological significance of these fungi is not fully understood, they are known to increase plant’s fitness and stress tolerance in harsh environmental conditions. They are also a potential source of chemically novel, bioactive compounds for e.g. various medical purposes. In this study, we monitored antioxidative properties of endophytic fungi living in association with Scots pine roots. On regeneration areas of drained peatlands pine saplings are often subjected to oxidative stress due to extreme temperatures and changing ground water level. It may be expected that the survival of these trees is assisted by endophytic fungi producing antioxidative, protecting compounds. Altogether 26 mycorrhizal or endophytic fungal strains were isolated from surface sterilized roots of pines and cultivated as pure cultures for four weeks on solid or liquid modified Melin-Norkrans or Hagem medium at room temperature. The fungal tissues were ground with liquid nitrogen and the water soluble compounds were extracted thereafter with water or PBS buffer in a hot water bath. Antioxidative potential of the extracts was screened by determining the ferric reducing ability/antioxidant power (FRAP-test) and the total phenolic content with modified Folin-Ciocalteu’s phenol test using microplate applications. The total phenolic contents of the water-base fungal extracts after protein removal were up to 24±10 mg/g as gallic acid equivalences (GAE) per dry weight of fungus, and the FRAPvalues up to 197±11 µmol/g µmol/g as FeSO4 equivalences per dry weight of fungus. The results showed relatively high variation between the fungal isolates in their antioxidant potential. On the other hand, the ferric reducing abilities of the fungal extracts were quite strongly associated with the total phenol test results. The results show, that the studied endophytic fungal species living in pine roots have antioxidative properties. Additionally, the antioxidative potential of these fungi determined by their ferric reducing ability correlates positively with the production of phenolic compounds.
Skin tissue engineering

The skin is the largest organ of the body and is critical to survival of the organism as a barrier to the environment and for thermal regulation and hydration retention. In order to serve these critical functions, the skin is constantly undergoing renewal and possesses the capacity for repair of wounds, which are dependent on the multiple types of stem cells in the skin. Engineered skin substitutes have a critical medical application to patients with extensive burn wounds. However, current skin substitutes do not restore the normal skin anatomy, lacking the normal appendages of skin including hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and sweat glands as well as the normal mechanical properties of the skin. Advances in stem cell biology and skin morphogenesis hold promise for the ability to markedly improve the engineering of skin substitutes that would ideally be indistinguishable from normal skin.
Analysis of resistance in tomato and sweet pepper against the greenhouse whitefly using electrically monitored and visually observed probing and feeding behaviour

Different types of plant resistance against the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, were distinguished according to the tissue location of the resistance factors. The effects of resistance factors were compared by measuring the electrically monitored and visually observed probing and feeding behaviour of whiteflies on two resistant tomato genotypes (82207 and 82216), a susceptible tomato cultivar, and a non‐host plant, sweet pepper. On sweet pepper, whiteflies displayed very short first probes, very long pathway probing and spent much time on non‐feeding activities such as walking and standing still. Also, a high percentage of whiteflies rejected sweet pepper without ingesting substances from the phloem vessel. These data suggest a strong resistance that is based on the factors present in surface/epidermis and/or mesophyll layers of this plant. The behaviour of whiteflies on tomato 82207 was very different from that on sweet pepper. On tomato 82207 whiteflies apparently did not perceive resistance factors on the leaf surface and in the mesophyll. Resistance factors appeared to be present in the phloem tissue, because a higher number of phloem phases, longer phloem salivation periods and shorter phloem ingestion periods were observed when compared with the susceptible tomato cultivar. Tomato 82216 showed no clear resistance factor in the phloem. The importance of combined EPG and behavioural research for host‐plant resistance studies are discussed.
Quantitative Effects of Atyid Shrimp (Decapoda: Atyidae) on the Depositional Environment in a Tropical Stream: Use of Electricity for Experimental Exclusion

Effects of biotic (shrimp) and abiotic (discharge) factors on the depositional environment were quantified in a montane stream in Puerto Rico. Electricity was used experimentally to exclude large (approximately >1 cm in length) biota without artificially increasing sedimentation as in cage enclosure/exdosure experiments in stream systems. Shrimp (>1 cm in length) were excluded from rock substrata by semicircular fences hooked up to battery-powered fence chargers which emitted continuous pulses of electricity. Unelectrified control substrata had natural high densities of atyid shrimp. Significantly greater masses of total sediment, fine and large organic particles, and algal biovolume occurred in shrimp exclusion treatments relative to controls. Shrimp exclusion treatments experienced slow and steady accumulation of sediments under base flow conditions and a large stepwise increase in sediment weight following a storm. No measurable sediment accrued in the presence of natural densities of shrimp under base.
Intestinal Cryptopatch Formation in Mice Requires Lymphotoxin α and the Lymphotoxin β Receptor1

Interactions between lymphotoxin (LT)α1β2 on inducer cells and the lymphotoxin β receptor (LTβR) on stromal cells initiate development of lymph nodes and Peyer’s patches. In this study, we assessed the contributions of LTα and LTβR to the development of cryptopatches (CP), aggregates of T cell precursors in the mouse small intestine. Mice genetically deficient in LTα or LTβR lacked CP. Bone marrow from LTα-deficient mice was unable to initiate development of CP or isolated lymphoid follicles (ILF) after transfer to CD132-null mice lacking CP and ILF. However, LTα-deficient bone marrow-derived cells contributed to CP formed in CD132-null mice receiving a mixture of wild-type and LTα-deficient bone marrow cells. Transfer of wild-type bone marrow into irradiated LTα-deficient mice resulted in reconstitution of both CP and ILF. However, the LT-dependent formation of CP was distinguished from the LT-dependent formation of ILF and Peyer’s patches by not requiring the presence of an intact NF-κB-inducing kinase gene. CP but not ILF were present in the small intestine from NF-κB-inducing kinase-deficient alymphoplasia mice, indicating that the alternate NF-κB activation pathway required for other types of LTβR-dependent lymphoid organogenesis is dispensable for CP development. In addition, we identified VCAM-1+ cells within both CP and ILF that are candidates for the stromal cells involved in receiving LT-dependent signals from the hemopoietic precursors recruited to CP. These findings demonstrate that interactions between cells expressing LTα1β2 and LTβR are a shared feature in the development of all small intestinal lymphoid aggregates.
BAYESIAN ESTIMATION OF A DEMOGRAPHIC MATRIX MODEL FROM STAGE-FREQUENCY DATA

Demographic matrix models are standard tools for analyzing the dynamics of age- or stage-structured populations. Here, we present a method for estimating the average vital rates that parameterize a demographic matrix using a series of measurements of population size and structure (an “inverse problem” of demographic analysis). We join a deterministic, density-independent demographic matrix model with a stochastic observation model to write a likelihood function for the matrix parameters given the data. Adopting a Bayesian perspective, we combine this likelihood function with prior distributions for the model parameters to produce a joint posterior distribution for the parameters. We use a numerical technique (Markov chain Monte Carlo) to estimate and analyze the posterior distribution, and from this we calculate posterior distributions for functions of the demographic matrix, such as the population multiplication rate, stable stage distribution, and matrix sensitivities. Although measurements of populatio.
Agroecological zones and the assessment of crop production potential

The rapidly growing world population puts considerable pressure on the scarce natural resources, and there is an urgent need to develop more efficient and sustainable agricultural production systems to feed the growing population. This should be based on an initial assessment of the physical and biological potential of natural resources, which can vary greatly. The agroecological zonation (AEZ) approach presents a useful preliminary evaluation of this potential, and ensures that representation is maintained at an appropriate biogeographic scale for regional sustainable development planning. The principal AEZs of the world, as described by the Technical Advisory Committee of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research, are presented along with their extent and characteristics. Net primary productivity of terrestrial vegetation can be assessed from weather data, and it varies from 1 t dry matter ha-1 yr-1 in high latitude zones and dry regions to 29 t ha-1 yr-1 in tropical wet regions, depending on the climatic conditions. To assess the crop production potential, length of the growing period zones, a concept introduced by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, is very useful as it describes an area within which rainfall and temperature conditions are suitable for crop growth for a given number of days in the year. These data, combined with the information on soils and known requirements of different food crops, can be used to assess the potential crop productivity. Some perspectives on AEZs and crop production potential are presented by describing the manner in which production potential can be integrated with present constraints. Efforts to intensify production should place emphasis on methods appropriate to the socio-economic conditions in a given AEZ, and on promotion of conservation-effective and sustainable production systems to meet the food, fodder and fuel needs for the future.
LIPID METABOLISM AND THE REGULATION OF VOLATILE ESTER SYNTHESIS IN SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE

The specific rates at which ethyl acetate and iso-amyl acetate are produced by yeast increase markedly at that point in fermentation where syntheses of lipids (i.e. saturated fatty acids and squalene) stop. An increase in the acetyl-CoA: CoASH ratio, or a reduced availability of substrates (fatty acyl-CoAs) for acyl transferases, are possible reasons for such a stimulation of ester synthesis. Increased rates of ester production are not sustained but contribute significantly (ca. 30% for ethyl acetate) to the total concentration of acetate esters in beer fermented from 1·040 all-malt wort. Addition of linoleic acid (50 mg litre−1) suppresses the induction of ester synthesis and reduces overall formation of both ethyl and iso-amyl acetates by ca. 80%. Possibly, linoleic acid exerts these effects either by directly inhibiting the activity of an ester-synthesising enzyme, or by allowing alternative use of acetyl-CoA for the synthesis of saturated fatty acids.
Large‐scale terrestrial gastropod community composition patterns in the Great Lakes region of North America

Abstract: Previous ordination studies of land snail community composition have been limited to four or fewer habitat types from sites separated by no more than 300 km. To investigate the nature of large‐scale patterns, North American land snail assemblages at 421 sites, representing 26 habitat types and covering a 1400 × 800 km area, were ordinated using global, nonmetric multi‐dimensional scaling (NMDS). These data were then subjected to model‐based cluster analysis and kmeans clustering to identify the main compositional groups and most important environmental covariables. Six primary compositional groups were identified. Three of these largely represent upland forest and rock outcrop sites, while the remaining largely represent either lowland forest, lowland grassland or upland grassland habitats. The geographical location and moisture level of sites also influences community composition. A strong compositional difference exists between sites having duff vs. turf soil surface layers. Only 8% of sites were improperly classified when soil surface architecture was used as the sole predictor variable. Fully 43% of taxa exhibited significant preferences towards one of these surface types, while only 15% of relatively common (10 + occurrence) taxa showed no preferences. Twelve groups of closely related taxa within the same genus had members that favoured different surface types, indicating that differential selection pressures have existed over evolutionary time scales. While turf faunas appeared unaffected by anthropogenic disturbance, duff faunas were strongly impacted, suggesting that their conservation will require protection of soil surface architecture.
INCOMPATIBLE RACES OF EUROPEAN CHERRY FRUIT FLY, RHAGOLETIS CERASI (DIPTER A: TEPHRITIDAE), THEIR ORIGIN AND POTENTIAL USE IN BIOLOGICAL CONTROL

International investigations on the unidirectional incompatibility between two races of Rhagoletis cerasi discovered in 1972 have yielded a new distribution map of the observed phenomenon. Genetic, cytoplasmic and symbiote‐induced incompatibility can be proposed as possible mechanisms but increasing evidence indicates that the observed sterility is caused by extra‐chromosomal factors. Three hypotheses are suggested to explain the possible origin and mode of action of the observed trait. The potential use of incompatible races of R. cerasi for novel control methods are discussed.
Biotic and Abiotic Factors Governing Nestling-Period Length in the Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla)

ABSTRACT. In many songbirds, the nesting period for a breeding attempt is extremely short, often lasting only a few weeks. Breeding adults can shorten this period by decreasing the number of eggs laid or reducing the length of the nestling period. Nestling-period length has received little attention in the literature but could have profound effects on annual fecundity, because each day represents a risk of nest depredation. Consequently, we were interested in assessing the biotic and abiotic factors that govern the nestling period in the Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla). We provide evidence that food availability, more than predation pressure and climatic factors, influences nestling-period length, with increases in food availability decreasing the nestling period. We suggest that the nestling period is dictated by physiological constraints, which may be influenced by food availability and, thus, the ability to provision young. However, the greatest variation in nestling period was individual variation among breeding pairs. Thus, we believe that large-scale variation in ecological and environmental factors may determine the physiological constraints of the nestling period but parental behavior and quality within this framework dictate the actual length of the nestling period.
Linkages between plant litter decomposition, litter quality, and vegetation responses to herbivores

Summary 1There is increasing awareness that similar suites of plant traits may govern foliage palatability and litter decomposability, but whether there is an association between the response of vegetation to herbivory and litter decomposition rates across plant species remains unexplored. 2We collected 141 samples of litter from 59 understorey and 18 canopy tree species from a total of 28 sites under natural forest throughout New Zealand. We assessed whether variables related to decomposition and quality of litter of the understorey species showed a statistical relationship with the response of vegetation density (assessed using a pole-intercept method) of the same species at the same locations to browsing by deer and goats. Decomposition and nutrient-loss data from litter were obtained using standardized laboratory bioassays. 3There was a significant positive correlation between litter decomposition rate and the extent to which vegetation density was reduced by browsing mammals (r = 0·488, P < 0·001). Further, decomposition rate and vegetation response to herbivory were both correlated with several of the same litter quality variables. 4The proportion of total initial phosphorus and nitrogen released from litter during decomposition was correlated with litter decomposition rate, but not with vegetation density response to browsing. This suggests that effects of browsers on vegetation composition are more likely to influence ecosystem carbon flow than nitrogen or phosphorus flow. 5Litter-mixing experiments showed that good quality litters produced by plant species reduced by browsers tended to promote the decomposition of other litters. Meanwhile, poor quality litters from species promoted by browsers tended to decompose more rapidly when mixed with other litter types than when by themselves. However, these effects were weak and likely to be less important than the more direct effects of browsing mammals on vegetation composition. 6The relationships between litter decomposition and effect of herbivory on vegetation density were driven primarily by differences among the main plant functional groups, which showed the same decreasing rank order for both variables: large-leaved dicots, small-leaved dicots, Nothofagus, ferns, and monocots. 7The implications of these results for understanding how herbivores affect the decomposer subsystem are considered. Because the results of this work are only partially consistent with those of an earlier study on how browsers affect decomposer organisms and processes, conducted at the same 28 field sites, other mechanisms through which browser effects are manifested below-ground must often override that investigated in this study.
Coral interactions and community structure: an analysis of spatial pattern

The spatial patterns of the coral community along a reef flat transect at Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef, were studied at 2 scales to investigate the possible effects of coral interactions on community structure. The dominant aspect of spatial pattern at the small scale was a random mingling of the species. A minor aspect was that a few species pairs were not randomly mingled but were significantly less common as neighbours than could be expected by chance. The large-scale spatial pattern, itself decomposable into several components, was a zonation of species over the transect. None of the components of small-scale spatial pattern was strongly coupled with any components of the large-scale pattern. Only the minor nonrandom component of small-scale pattern could reasonably be the result of coral interactions. We conclude that coral interactions can play only a minor role in structuring this community.
High-Density Lipoproteins Induce Transforming Growth Factor-&bgr;2 Expression in Endothelial Cells

Background—HDL is endowed with cardiovascular protective activities. In addition to its role in reverse cholesterol transport, HDL influences different functions of endothelial cells. In the present study, we investigated in endothelial cells the genes involved in inflammation modulated by HDL. Methods and Results—Through cDNA array analysis, transforming growth factor (TGF)-&bgr;2 appeared to be a gene responsive to HDL treatment in endothelial cells. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction confirmed that HDL subfraction 3 selectively induces TGF-&bgr;2 mRNA expression and protein release, whereas TGF-&bgr;1 and TGF-&bgr;3 were not affected. This effect was mainly PI3K/Akt dependent. Lysosphingolipids present in HDL such as sphingosine 1 phosphate and sphingosylphosphorylcholine mimicked the effects of the whole HDL. These results were confirmed in vivo in transgenic mice overexpressing human apolipoprotein (apo) A-I. Compared with apoA-I–knockout mice, phospho-Akt, phospho-ERK1/2, and TGF-&bgr;2 expression was increased in the aorta of transgenic mice overexpressing human apoA-I. In addition, the expression of phospho-Smad2/3, the transcription factor activated by TGF-&bgr;, is increased in transgenic mice compared with knockout mice. Conclusions—Because TGF-&bgr; possesses antiinflammatory properties and stabilizes the plaque, the results of the present work suggest a novel target for the antiatherosclerotic effect of HDL.
The Great Bengal Famine

Bengal, which prior to partition of India covered the state of West Bengal in India and Bangladesh, suffered from a calamitous famine in 1943, when it was estimated that two miIIion people died of starvation. The author was ap­ pOinted as Mycologist in Bengal in October 1943 when the famine was at its height. When he travelled to join his new assignment on 18th of October 1943, he could see dead bodies and starving and dying persons all along the way from Bahudurabad Ghat on the Brahmaputra to Dacca. This horrendous situation of several thousands of men, women, and children dying of starva­ tion continued throughout October, November, and December in and around all the important cities in Bengal, especially Calcutta and Dacca. There was a war raging in many theaters in the world. The British empire was visibly crumbling. The victorious Japanese army, in collaboration with Indian National Army, was knocking at the eastern gates of India. It is in this context that a serious shortage in rice production occurred in 1942. As there was very little marketable surplus from 1942 harvest, the price of rice started rising from the beginning of 1943 in all parts of Bengal. The civil administra­ tion could not and did not cope with the situation created by the shortage. Soon the cost of rice was beyond the reach of ordinary people. Most of the rural population migrated to the cities in the hope of finding employment and rice. Finding neither, they slowly died of starvation. Though administrative failures were immediately responsible for this hu­ man suffering, the principal cause of the short crop production in 1942 was the epidemic of helminthosporium disease which attacked the rice crop in that year. This was caused by Helminthosporium oryzae Breda de Haan[=Co­ chliobolus miyabeanus (Ito & Kuribayashi) Drechsler ex Dastur. Nothing as devastating as the Bengal epiphytotic of 1942 has been recorded in plant pathological literature. The only other instance that bears comparison in loss sustained by a food crop and the human calamity that followed in its wake is the Irish potato famine of 1845. The loss sustained by the rice crop in 1942 might be judged from Table 1, which gives the yield of the principal rice varieties widely grown in Bengal as recorded at the rice research stations of Chinsura and Bankura for the years 1941 and 1942. It may be seen that the loss sustained by the early maturing