Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Testosterone, immunocompetence, and honest sexual signaling in male red grouse

The expression of sexual ornaments has been suggested to reliably indicate individual quality, such as the ability to cope with parasites and diseases. The Immunocompetence Handicap Hypothesis (IHH) states that testosterone-dependent ornaments honestly signal such quality because of physiological costs associated with testosterone, such as impaired immune function. We tested predictions of the IHH both correlatively and experimentally in red grouse Lagopus lagopus scoticus. Male grouse exhibit supra-orbital red combs whose size is testosterone-dependent. We found that comb size was not correlated to infection intensity by two parasites (coccidia and the nematode Trichostrongylus tenuis), but it was significantly positively correlated with condition and T-cell-mediated immunity (the ability to mount a primary inflammatory response). We manipulated testosterone by means of implants and re-caught males after a month to investigate the effects on comb size, condition, immunity, and parasite load. Males implanted with testosterone had increased comb size, lost more condition, and had lower T-cell-mediated immunity than control males. Increased testosterone also resulted in a significant increase in coccidia infection intensity but had no effect on T. tenuis burden. The results are consistent with predictions of the IHH and suggest that comb size honestly indicates immunocompetence and males' ability to cope with certain parasites. Females could thus benefit from choosing mates based on the expression of this sexual trait. Copyright 2004.
Characterization of bacteriocin producing lactic acid bacteria and its application as a food preservative

Lactic acid producing bacteria was isolated from Whey. The isolated strain Lactobacillus fermentum KN02 was potent producer of bacteriocins. Bacterioicin produced by the isolate KN02 had a large spectrum of inhibition against food spoilage microorganisms (Escherchia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeuroginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Bacillus cereus). The bacterioicin inhibited the growth of pathogens but it showed high activity against Bacillus. The bacteriocins were found to be heat stable at 100°C. The maximum antimicrobial activity was retained within the pH range of 2, and completely affected by proteolytic enzyme (papain). Bacteriocins are used to control the frequent development of pathogens and spoiling microorganism in food and feed. Growth of L. fermentum KN02 was inhibited only by few antibiotics suggesting that the strain may be used as a probiotic by the individual receiving medical treatment. The new bacterioicin producing L. fermentum KN02 has been selected for identification and application of bacteriocins to food products (Milk and Mushroom) which reduces the growth of pathogens. The bacteriocins producers L. fermentum KN02 was identified on the basis of phenotypic analysis and 16S rRNA sequences.
New Bothremydid Turtle (Testudines, Pleurodira) from the Paleocene of Northeastern Colombia

Abstract A new turtle, Puentemys mushaisaensis, from the middle to late Paleocene Cerrejón Formation of Colombia, is described on the basis of a partial skull and many partial to nearly complete carapaces and plastrons representing multiple ontogenetic stages. Whereas P. mushaisaensis is unique in aspects of its shell morphology, it shares many diagnostic characteristics of bothremydid pleurodirans, including a long exoccipital-quadrate contact, a very low and rounded almost circular carapace, and a thinner internal bone cortex than that of the external cortex in both the carapace and plastron. With a maximum carapacial length of 151 cm, P. mushaisaensis is the largest known bothremydid turtle and represents the first occurrence of bothremydids in the Paleogene of South American tropics. Results from a cladistic analysis of bothremydids indicate that P. mushaisaensis shares a close relationship with Foxemys mechinorum from the Late Cretaceous of Europe, indicating a wide-spread geographical distribution for bothremydines during the Late Cretaceous–Paleocene.
INDICATORS OF INFLUENCE OF SALINITY IN THE RESISTANCE AND RESILIENCE OF FISH COMMUNITY IN A TROPICAL COASTAL LAGOON (SOUTHEASTERN BRAZIL)

Los efectos del disturbio de cuatro aberturas de la barra de arena en la laguna costera Imboassica, localizada en el municipio de Macae, estado de Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, en la comunidad de peces fueron evaluados en un estudio a largo plazo. Entre los anos 1993 y 2004, colectas de peces y valores de salinidad fueron obtenidos con el objetivo de caracterizar la estructura y los efectos de las aberturas de barra sobre esta comunidad, como medidas de resiliencia y resistencia. Durante las aberturas de la barra realizadas entre los anos de 1993 y 1996, el tiempo de resiliencia de la comunidad no fue identificado debido a los cortos intervalos de aberturas, a la magnitud del disturbio y a la discontinuidad de los muestreos de peces. Estudios realizados entre 1993 y 2004 indicaron que los factores que estructuran la ictiofauna de la laguna Imboassica son consecuencia de las variaciones de la salinidad, influenciadas por las aberturas de la barra a que este ambiente es sometido. Estos eventos fueron indicados por la recolonizacion de las especies primarias de agua dulce, valores de salinidad oligohalinos y bajas alteraciones en la composicion y abundancia de la comunidad de peces. Debido a la magnitud y frecuencia de los disturbios, las poblaciones evaluadas de peces que entran en la laguna provenientes del oceano adyacente, mas la resistencia de este ambiente a las variaciones de salinidad, determinan la resiliencia y resistencia de la fauna de peces en la laguna. Asi, la resiliencia de la fauna ictica en la laguna Imboassica fue indicada por el conjunto de: a) valores de probabilidad de Spearman menores de 0. 05 entre los pares de comunidades pre y pos disturbio; b) presencia de especies de peces de agua dulce indicadoras de resiliencia; c) intervalos de salinidad variando entre 0 y 5; y d) bajas alteraciones en la abundancia de las poblaciones de peces
Modelling forest‐growth response to increasing CO2 concentration in relation to various factors affecting nutrient supply

It is well recognized that photosynthesis of C3 plants is highly responsive to CO2 concentration. However, in natural ecosystems, plants are subject to a range of feed‐back effects that can interact with increased photosynthetic carbon gain in different ways so that it is not clear to what extent increased photosynthesis will translate into increased growth. To assess the probable growth response of nutrient‐limited forests to increasing CO2 concentration, we use a previously developed modelling framework and apply it under conditions where the supply of nutrients is affected by a range of different factors.
Population Structure of the Cabbage Seedpod Weevil, Ceutorhynchus obstrictus (Marsham) (Coleoptera Curculionidae): Origins of North American Introductions

Abstract Determining the origins of invasive species has important management implications when introduced species become pests, especially when candidate biocontrol agents are specialized on host biotypes. The cabbage seedpod weevil, Ceutorhynchus obstrictus (Marsham), is a European native that was first discovered in North America in British Columbia in 1931. It has since become a major economic pest of brassicaceous oilseed crops. To assess population structure and determine points of origin for North American introductions, we sequenced a 475-bp fragment of the mitochondrial DNA COI gene in 176 individuals from 16 localities from North America and Europe. Eleven haplotypes were found, with one haplotype present in every locality and represented by 71% of all individuals. Nested clade analysis indicated fragmentation, range expansion, restricted gene flow, and long distance dispersal. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) also showed significant population structure and supported an inference of restricted gene flow between populations. These patterns may be explained by two separate introductions to North America. The first introduction was to western North America from source locations likely to have been western or northern Europe, and the second was to northeastern North America from locations, such as Sweden or Russia, that are distinct from the first introduction. At least two females were introduced to western North America, and three to northeastern North America, where the species was recently detected in Quebec.
THE MALATE DEHYDROGENASE GENE FROM BOTRYOCOCCUS BRAUNII (CHLOROPHYTA, CHLOROPHYCEAE): CLONING, SEQUENCE ANALYSIS, AND EXPRESSION IN ESCHERICHIA COLI

The gene for malate dehydrogenase from Botryococcus braunii Kützing (Chlorophyceae) was isolated. The gene codes for a protein of 316 amino acids with a calculated molecular weight of 32.9 kDa. In the N‐terminal region, a pyridine nucleotide‐binding domain was observed. The G+C content of the gene is 65%. Six copies of the (A/G)GGCGG hexanucleotide, which forms the core binding site for the cellular transcription factor Sp1, were observed in the promoter region. Southern blot analysis showed that malate dehydrogenase is encoded by a single gene in B. braunii. Escherichia coli cells in which the B. braunii gene was expressed showed 3.6 times more activity in the conversion of oxaloacetate to malate than the noninduced ones, confirming the identity of the gene. Botryococcus braunii malate dehydrogenase has been subjected to phylogenetic analyses by the neighbor‐joining and parsimony procedures.
Propagule pressure and resource availability determine plant community invasibility in a temperate forest understorey.

Few field experiments have examined the effects of both resource availability and propagule pressure on plant community invasibility. Two non-native forest species, a herb and a shrub (Hesperis matronalis and Rhamnus cathartica, respectively), were sown into 60 1-m 2 sub-plots distributed across three plots. These contained reconstructed native plant communities in a replaced surface soil layer in a North American forest interior. Resource availability and propagule pressure were manipulated as follows: understorey light level (shaded/unshaded), nutrient availability (control/fertilized), and seed pressures of the two non-native species (control/low/high). Hesperis and Rhamnus cover and the above-ground biomass of Hesperis were significantly higher in shaded sub-plots and at greater propagule pressures. Similarly, the above-ground biomass of Rhamnus was significantly increased with propagule pressure, although this was a function of density. In contrast, of species that seeded into plots from the surrounding forest during the growing season, the non-native species had significantly greater cover in unshaded sub-plots. Plants in these unshaded sub-plots were significantly taller than plants in shaded sub-plots, suggesting a greater fitness. Total and non-native species richness varied significantly among plots indicating the importance of fine-scale dispersal patterns. None of the experimental treatments influenced native species. Since the forest seed bank in our study was colonized primarily by non-native ruderal species that dominated understorey vegetation, the management of invasions by non-native species in forest understoreys will have to address factors that influence light levels and dispersal pathways.
Diets of mammalian herbivores in Australian arid, hilly shrublands: seasonal effects on overlap between euros (hill kangaroos), sheep and feral goats, and on dietary niche breadths and electivities

The diets of euros or hill kangaroos (Macropus robustus), domestic sheep (Ovis aries) and feral goats (Capra hircus) in hilly, shrub rangeland in southern Australia were examined in a 12-year study. Levels of dietary overlap between these herbivores, their foraging in relation to resource availability, and the potential for competition in different conditions were also examined. The diet of euros was based around grasses. In dry seasons some shrubs were also eaten but in severe drought grass formed more than 80% of their diet. While grass was important to sheep in wetter conditions, they ate much shrub in dry conditions. Feral goats had broad diets but their preference for browse was high. In drought, euros had only a modest dietary overlap with sheep and goats. Data for dietary niche breadths and electivities pointed to only limited competition between the herbivores.
Characterization of a Domesticated Tree Lineage (Spondias purpurea, Anacardiaceae) Based on Nuclear and Chloroplast Sequence Data1

Abstract Domesticated tree species represent an economically and ecologically important group of taxa. Trees differ from other well-studied crop systems (rice, wheat, corn, sunflower) in several basic biological attributes, all of which influence the way in which genetic variation is structured in these organisms. The goals of this study were to delimit a lineage of a Mesoamerican domesticated tree, Spondias purpurea, and to investigate the relationship between this lineage and another sympatric congener (S. mombin) using nuclear and chloroplast sequence data. The fourth intron of Pepc was sequenced for sixty-eight Central American Spondias trees including twelve S. mombin accessions, 55 S. purpurea trees, and one S. radlkoferi individual. Data were analyzed using traditional phylogenetic techniques and using a network approach. Nuclear data were compared with previously published sequence data from the chloroplast spacer trnS-trnG, revealing that the Spondias purpurea lineage includes both cultivated and wild populations, but in localized areas hybridization and incomplete lineage sorting blur the boundaries between the crop species and a sympatric congener. This study provides insight into the nature of a domesticated tree lineage, which, in the case of Spondias purpurea, is generally distinct despite some evidence for ongoing gene flow.
ISSR markers for assessing DNA polymorphism and genetic characterization of cattle, goat and sheep popula- tions

Based on the purpose of conservation planning for native species, sixteen populations of cattle, goat and sheep were analyzed by amplification of genomic DNA using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers to estimate of genetic structure. DNA samples of 275 animals were collected to Paccess their genetic content. The polymorphism information content (PIC) values and genetic diversity in sheep populations were higher than the others. The mean coefficient of gene differentiation (Gst) was 0.3615, indicating that 19.42% of the genetic diversity resided within the population. In total, 60 fragments in PCR products were indicated by using ISSR primers and generally most of the fragments were common in all populations, but differed in their frequency. A cluster analysis was carried out using unweighed pair group method with arithmetic averages (UPGMA) and dendrogram illustrated genetic relationships among 275 individuals in three species. Haplotypes were constructed computationally and frequencies were compared in each species. The results of this study can provide basic molecular information for future research on native livestock using ISSR markers.
Factors affecting seed germination of Grammatophylum speciosum cultured in vitro

Grammatophylum spreciosum is the largest epiphytic orchid distributed from Southeast Asia, Indonesia, New Guinea to the Solomon islands. So far, there was no reports on seed germination or micropropagation of this species. Here, we investigated seed germination on the five basic inorganic media which were Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium, a quarter of MS (1/4 MS) medium, Gamborg B5 (B5) medium, Vacin and Went (VW) medium and Knodson C (KC) medium together with or without 0.5 g/l activated charcoal. MS medium with 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 mg/l N6-benzyladenine (BA) and 0, 0.025, 0.05, 0.075, 0.10 mg/l thidiazuron (TDZ) and the light treatment were also tested their effect on the germination of this species in vitro for 12 weeks. The result showed that KC medium without activated charcoal gave the highest seed germination with no effect on light treatment whereas MS medium showed the least seed germination efficiency. It was found that BA, TDZ, light and dark treatment had no effect on seed germination unlike the activated charcoal which showed negative effect on seed germination of G. spreciosum. This information should be useful for multiplication of G. spreciosum, its hybrid including genetically modified G. spreciosum in the future.
Phytochemical and Antibacterial Studies of Different Parts of Euphorbia hirta L.

Flavonoid extracts from Euphorbia hirta were screened for antibacterial activity by “Disc Diffusion Assay. ” Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of extracts was by broth microdilu-tion method. Extracts found sensitive against test pathogens were also evaluated for minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and total activity (TA). The highest inhibition zone (IZ) of 17 mm and AI 0.607 ± 0.090 was shown by bound flavonoids of leaves against Agrobacterium tumifacians. Bacillus subtilis was the most sensitive to flavonoids (free and bound) compared to the other bacteria. MIC of the extracts against Bacillus subtilis, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, and Klebsiella pneumoniae was recorded as 0.039 mg.mL−1.
Dicamba-responsive genes in herbicide-resistant and susceptible biotypes of kochia (Kochia scoparia)

Abstract The herbicide resistance to dicamba (HRd) biotype of kochia is resistant to several auxinic herbicides and is impaired in shoot gravitropism and other auxin-mediated responses. To better characterize the biotype and investigate its mechanism of resistance, we used messenger RNA (mRNA) differential display to compare patterns of dicamba-induced gene expression in HRd and susceptible (S1) plants. More than 60,000 complementary DNA fragments were generated and examined, 106 of which were isolated and used as probes on Northern blots to confirm gene expression levels. Steady-state levels of > 90% of mRNAs did not change after dicamba application. However, several mRNAs were detected whose levels were decreased, increased, or differentially regulated between the biotypes within minutes of dicamba treatment. The abundance of three mRNAs decreased after treatment, two of which had significant sequence similarity to choline monooxygenase and 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, respectively. Conversely, increased expression levels were observed for a putative chloride channel protein, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase, and an unknown gene. Genes differentially expressed between HRd and S1 plants included those similar to a putative translation initiation factor, xyloglucan endotransglycosylase, and a hypothetical protein cloned from several organisms. The results demonstrate that mRNA differential display is a useful technique for discovering genes that are rapidly regulated as part of a physiological response, and that this approach may provide insight into the mechanism of auxinic herbicide resistance in kochia. Nomenclature: Dicamba; kochia, Kochia scoparia L. Schrad. KCHSC.
Evaluating mortality sources for the Vulnerable pudu Pudu puda in Chile: implications for the conservation of a threatened deer

Abstract We assessed the importance of potential sources of mortality for the Vulnerable southern pudu Pudu puda in southern Chile using the clinical records of wildlife rehabilitation centres, necropsies of animals found in the field and a review of the diet of potential predators. To assess whether the identified mortality sources operate in nominally protected areas, we conducted a camera-trap survey in two areas to determine the presence of pudus and their potential predators. Predation by domestic dogs Canis lupus familiaris and car collisions were the commonest causes of pudu admissions to rehabilitation centres (35 of 44) and of deaths of animals encountered opportunistically in the field (seven of 14). Field data suggest that poaching could also be an important threat to pudus. Pudus were detected in both areas surveyed, accounting for 15.6% of mammal detections. Dogs accounted for 47.8% of all detections of potential predator species, followed by pumas Puma concolor (17.4%), guignas Leopardus guigna (17.4%) and chilla foxes Lycalopex griseus (17.4%). The literature survey implicated only pumas as important pudu predators among native carnivores. Our data suggest that, aside from forest loss, dogs, road kills and probably poaching are important concerns for pudu conservation. Our frequent detections of free-ranging dogs associated with roads within nominally protected areas suggest that long-term efforts to conserve pudu will require not only the protection of remnant native forest but also substantive environmental education to modify dog management near protected areas.
Validação do índice prognóstico SAPS 3 em pacientes internados na UTI de um hospital terciário de Teresina (PI)

INTRODUCAO: A avaliacao do nivel de gravidade dos pacientes admitidos em UTI pode ser realizada atraves de sistemas de escore prognostico,como o SAPS3,que prediz a mortalidade hospitalar, permitindo avaliar a qualidade do servico prestado e comparar resultados com os de outros centros com pacientes de gravidade semelhante. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar o poder discriminatorio do escore SAPS3 em pacientes internados em uma UTI geral de um hospital terciario de Teresina(PI) com relacao a mortalidade hospitalar. METODOLOGIA: Estudo de coorte retrospectiva, observacional, de analise de prontuarios dos pacientes internados no periodo de setembro a novembro de 2017. Os dados referentes a primeira hora de admissao na UTI foram utilizados para o calculo do SAPS3.A validacao foi calculada pelo metodo Hosmer-Lemeshow e a discriminacao obtida atraves da curva ROC. Estudo aprovado pelo comite de etica em pesquisa da instituicao. RESULTADOS: Foram incluidos no estudo 107 pacientes, com idade media 60±17 anos. Admissoes cirurgicas foram responsaveis por 49% das internacoes. O grupo dos nao-sobreviventes apresentou maiores tempos de internacao hospitalar antes da admissao(p=0,017) e de internacao na UTI (0,023). A calibracao mostrou c 2 =20,34 (p=0,0024). O menor valor do SAPS3 foi 29 e o maior 121(mediana 58). O valor do SAPS3 com maior poder discriminatorio foi 58 (S80%, E86%; AUROC 0,8936). A mortalidade observada foi 34%, menor que a estimada pelo SAPS3 (49±32%). A razao de mortalidade padronizada (SMR) foi 0,68 (IC95% 0,90-0,46). CONCLUSAO: O indice prognostico SAPS3 apresentou bom poder discriminatorio, porem superestimou a mortalidade, quando utilizada a equacao adaptada para a America do Sul.
Hepatoprotective nature of seaweed alcoholic extract on acetaminophen induced hepatic oxidative stress

We have examined the protective effect of Sargassum polycystum (Phaeophyceae) alcoholic extract against a single dose of acetaminophen (intraperitoneally, 800 mg/kg body wt in saline solution) induced hepatic oxidative stress in experimental rats. The levels of serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, pyruvate transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, creatinine and blood urea were determined. The activities of glutathione, vitamins (C & E) and the levels of lipid peroxides in the liver homogenate were also determined. The acetaminophen induction resulted a significant elevation in the levels of serum marker enzymes, bilirubin, and creatinine with decreased blood urea. The activities of hepatic glutathione and vitamins (C & E) were also significantly depleted with increased lipid peroxides in acetaminophen intoxicated rats. The oral pre-treatment with alcoholic extract of Sargassum polycystum (200 mg/kg body wt/day for a period of 15 days) showed hepatoprotective nature against acetaminophen induced biochemical changes in the serum and liver tissue. The animals pre-treated with Sargassum polycystum extract alone, did not show any toxicity in the liver tissue, which was confirmed by histopathological studies. These results suggest that the Sargassum polycystum alcoholic extract may probably acted as a natural antioxidant against acetaminophen induced hepatic oxidative stress.