Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New Molecular Methods for the Detection of Bacteria in Food

In order to maintain food safety standards, conventional microbiological methods are still being used to detect bacteria and other organisms in food. However, these techniques are not ideal, as often it can be many days before results are known‐which may be of particular economic importance for those foods with a short shelf‐life. The introduction of newer technology, such as nucleic acid probe and related amplification technology in other fields, has transformed the detection of many organisms. The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) allows nucleic acid probes, with their inherent specificity, to be used to detect organisms present in very low numbers within a short period of time. However, at present, in food microbiology, there are technical problems with using the PCR, as certain components in food interfere with the reaction. When these problems are resolved and with prospects for semi‐automation of the PCR technique, there should be enormous potential for the rapid detection of bacteria in foods, with c.
Viral interactions with microtubules: orchestrators of host cell biology?

Viral interaction with the microtubule (MT) cytoskeleton is critical to infection by many viruses. Most data regarding virus–MT interaction indicate key roles in the subcellular transport of virions/viral genomic material to sites of replication, assembly and egress. However, the MT cytoskeleton orchestrates diverse processes in addition to subcellular cargo transport, including regulation of signaling pathways, cell survival and mitosis, suggesting that viruses, expert manipulators of the host cell, may use the virus–MT interface to control multiple aspects of cell biology. Several lines of evidence support this idea, indicating that specific viral proteins can modify MT dynamics and/or structure and regulate processes such as apoptosis and innate immune signaling through MT-dependent mechanisms. Here, the authors review general aspects of virus–MT interactions, with emphasis on viral mechanisms that modify MT dynamics and functions to affect processes beyond virion transport. The emerging importance of .
Citrate Secretion Induced by Aluminum Stress May Not be a Key Mechanism Responsible for Differential Aluminum Tolerance of Some Soybean Genotypes

Abstract Eighteen soybean genotypes differing in aluminum (Al) tolerance were used to investigate genotypic differences in Al-induced citrate exudation and its role in Al tolerance. Aluminum accumulation and localization in soybean roots were examined by analysis of total Al and hematoxylin staining. Soybean genotypes exhibited a wide range of Al tolerance. Based on relative root elongation, several Al-tolerant genotypes from Brazil such as B1, B10, and B15 were more tolerant than the Al-tolerant PI 416937 (PI) and Perry. All soybeans exuded citrate in response to Al stress, and some Al-sensitive genotypes secreted more citrate than tolerant ones, showing no correlation between the Al tolerance and Al-induced citrate exudation. Further study found that both copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd) stimulated citrate and malate exudation in soybean, indicating that organic acid secretion is not specifically induced by Al. Aluminum concentrations were significantly higher in 2–3 and 3–4 cm of segments than that in 0–1 and 1–2 cm segments under 15 μM AlCl3. Both the root mature zone and apex were heavily stained by hematoxylin after exposure to 10, 15, or 20 μM AlCl3 (24 h), whereas root elongation zone was not stained. After exposure to 50 μM AlCl3 for 20 min, the Al-tolerant PI was less stained by hematoxylin than the Al-sensitive Young, suggesting that Al accumulation in root apices seem to be an immediate response to Al stress, and related to differential Al sensitivity. Present results suggest that citrate secretion induced by Al stress may not be a key mechanism responsible for the differential Al tolerance of some soybean genotypes and other mechanism(s) conferring Al exclusion should exist and operate immediately after exposure to Al stress.
Biology and ecology of the leaf cutting ant Atta vollenweideri Forel, 1893

The distribution of Atta vollenweideri in Paraguay is described. It appears that the nests in the two subregions differ in shape. The structure of the nest and its growth is described. The use of aerial photographs for studying distribution on a large scale and over a long time revealed the importance of old nests as “starting points” (wood-nuclei) in the succession of woodland in certain pastures. Zusammenfassung Biologie und Okologie von Atta vollenweideri Forel, 1893 Die Verbreitung von Atta vollenweideri in Paraguay wird beschrieben. Es wurde festgestellt, das die Nester in den zwei unterschiedenen Subregionen sich in ihrer Form unterscheiden. Struktur und Wachstum der Nester werden beschrieben. Die Anwendung von Luftbildern fur Verbreitungsforschung uber grose Gebiete und uber langere Zeitraume zeigte, das die alten Nester eine wichtige Rolle als Kerne fur eine Waldentstehung innerhalb des Graslandes spielen.
Ecosystem responses to changes in plant functional type composition: An example from the Patagonian steppe

Abstract. Grass cover along a grazing intensity gradient in Patagonia decreases, whereas bare soil and shrub cover increases. Our objective was to study the effect of a change in the dominant plant functional type on soil water balance, primary production, herbivore biomass, roughness, and albedo. Using a soil water balance model, we found increases in evaporation and deep drainage, and a decrease in total transpiration along the grazing intensity gradient. Above-ground primary production, estimated from transpiration, decreased along the grazing intensity gradient because shrubs did not fully compensate for the decrease in grass production. Using a statistical model, we calculated herbivore biomass from estimates of above-ground primary production. Estimated herbivore biomass was lowest in the shrub-dominated extreme of the grazing gradient. Roughness increased from the grass-dominated to the shrub-dominated community. Albedo had a maximum at an intermediate position along the gradient. Our results suggest that changes in plant functional type composition, independent of changes in biomass, affect ecosystem functioning and the exchange of energy and material with the atmosphere. Grasses and shrubs proved to be appropriate plant functional types to link structure and function of ecosystems.
Gamma irradiation results in phosphorylation of p53 at serine-392 in human T-lymphocyte leukaemia cell line MOLT-4.

Exposure of human leukaemia MOLT-4 cells to ionizing irradiation led to apoptosis, which was detected by flow cytometric analysis and degradation of the nuclear lamina. The multiple signalling path- ways triggered by either membrane or DNA damage play a critical role in radiation-induced apoptosis. The response to DNA damage is typically associated with the p53 protein accumulation. In this study, we proved that the transcriptionally active p53 variant occurs in the MOLT-4 cells and its abundance alteration is trig- gered in the γ-irradiated cell population concomitantly with phosphorylation at both the serine-392 and ser- ine-15 residues. The p21 upregulation followed the p53
A cytosolic vegetative storage protein (TrVSP) from white clover is encoded by a cold-inducible gene

The stolons of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) contain a predominant 17.3-kDa protein, previously characterized as a vegetative storage protein (VSP), which accumulates under autumn and winter conditions. Its full-length complementary DNA, TrVsp, was obtained and its 157 amino acid sequence deduced. This VSP has common characteristics to stress-responsive proteins (high neutral amino acid content and potential alpha helices in its secondary structure) and shows high homologies to abscisic acid-responsive and pathogenesis-related-10 proteins. The lack of any common amino acid sequence domains with known dehydrins or late embryogenesis abundant proteins suggests that clover VSP is not related to these proteins. Antibodies raised against the protein were produced and used in light and electron microscopic studies to show that it is localized to the cytosol of cortical parenchyma cells. This is in agreement with the VSP sequence, which does not contain any transit peptide signal. The accumulation of the transcript and the protein in roots is quickly induced by root chilling, suggesting a direct transcriptional regulation of TrVsp in response to low temperatures. Altogether, these results suggest that the 17.3-kDa protein may have an additional or alternative function to its role in nitrogen storage and may confer putative tolerance to chilling in white clover.
Minipig: Advantages and Disadvantages as a Model in Toxicity Testing

The choice of animal models for toxicity testing is usually based on convenience rather than validity for application in human beings. Attention must be paid to the similarities of the test system with those of humans so that extrapolations can be made with some margin of safety. Miniature swine offer many advantages in terms of being phylogenetically closer to humans and having many physiological similarities. The neonatal piglet is an excellent model for studies of perinatal toxicology and pediatrics because of its physiological resemblance to the human infant. The size of mature miniature swine, short reproductive cycle, ease of breeding, high prolificacy, large litter size, diversity of gene pool, early maturity, and adaptability to the experimental situation are advantages that do not exist in other species. All in all, the miniature swine is as yet an unappreciated and underutilized species for experimental purposes.
Predicting Poultry Egg Production

Abstract The two equations y = 1.0 . 01 + a r ( x − b ) − c ( x − d ) where x = age of the flock, y = percent hen-day production, and a, b, c, d, and r are constants to be evaluated and y = a + b r x where x = age of the flock, y = weight per egg, and a, b, and r are constants to be evaluated are proposed to predict egg production and egg size as functions of age. This information can then be combined with mortality and egg size distribution to provide an egg income prediction.
Digestion Kinetics and Cell Wall Composition of Brown Midrib Sorghum ✕ Sudangrass Morphological Components

(.) The objectives of this study were to determine the composition and rate and extent of digestion of cell walls of normal and brown midrib (bmr) genotypes of two sorghum × sudangrass [Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench] hybrids and to assess the relationship between cell wall composition and digestibility. Plants, harvested at three stages of maturity, were separated into leaf blades, leaf sheaths, and stems and analyzed for fiber constituents, structural carbohydrates, and alkali-labile phenolic composition (.)
NF‐κB pathway is involved in griseofulvin‐induced G2/M arrest and apoptosis in HL‐60 cells

Griseofulvin (GF), an oral antifungal agent, has been shown to exert antitumorigenesis effect through G2/M cell cycle arrest in colon cancer cells. But the underlying mechanisms remained obscure. The purpose of this study is to test the cytotoxic effect of GF on HL‐60 and HT‐29 cells and elucidate its underlying molecular pathways. Dose‐dependent and time‐course studies by flow cytometry demonstrated that 30 to 60 µM GF significantly induced G2/M arrest and to a less extend, apoptosis, in HL‐60 cells. In contrast, only G2/M arrest was observed in HT‐29 cells under similar condition. Pretreatment of 30 µM TPCK, a serine protease inhibitor, completely reversed GF‐induced G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in HL‐60 cells but not in HT‐29 cells. The GF‐induced G2/M arrest in HL‐60 cells is reversible. Using EMSA and super‐shift analysis, we demonstrated that GF stimulated NF‐κB binding activity in HL‐60 cells, which was completely inhibited by pretreatment of TPCK. Treatment of HL‐60 with 30 µM GF activated JNK but not ERK or p38 MAPK and subsequently resulted in phosporylation of Bcl‐2. Pretreatment of TPCK to HL‐60 cells blocked the GF‐induced Bcl‐2 phosphorylation but not JNK activation. Time course study demonstrated that activation of cdc‐2 kinase activity by GF correlated with Bcl‐2 phosphorylation. Taken together, our results suggest that activation of NF‐κB pathway with cdc‐2 activation and phosphorylation of Bcl‐2 might be involved in G2/M cell cycle arrest in HL‐60 cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 101:1165–1175, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rainbow Trout (Salmo gairdneri) Growth Hormone: in vitro Translation of Pituitary RNA and Product Analysis

We have used RNA blot analysis, in vitro translation, and protein immunoblot analysis to characterize mRNA in the pituitary glands of rapidly growing rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri). Cell-free translation products of total RNA, analyzed by direct immunoprecipitation or western immunoblot analysis with an antiserum to chum salmon (Oncorphynchus keta) growth hormone (GH), indicate that rainbow trout pregrowth hormone (pre-GH) is a polypeptide of 25 000 Da. RNA blot analysis of total pituitary RNA to its cDNA, using total liver RNA as a competitor, revealed the presence of at least four size classes of pituitary mRNA sequences. One class, with a size smaller than 18S rRNA, is the predominant mRNA component. By in vitro translation and western immunoblot analysis, the pre-GH mRNA activity is associated with this class of mRNA sequences. These results suggest that rainbow trout pre-GH mRNA is in the same size range as that of mammalian GH mRNA.
Annual cycle of energy allocation to growth and reproduction of yellow perch

Growth (length, weight) of yellow perch Perca flavescens in western and west-central Lake Erie began between June and July, possibly reaching asymptotic size by early winter. Energy density (kJ g−1) of somatic tissue increased markedly from June to September, then declined to low levels by the following spring. Consequently, energy mass (kJ) of somatic tissue increased to September and then declined slowly until March. Ovarian growth began in October, and the size of the ovaries was maximal in April, just before spawning in May. The energy density of ovaries, however, increased to a peak in December, and then declined. The increase in ovary size in the winter, therefore, resulted largely from an allocation of tissue of low energy density. Fecundity and gonad size were correlated with somatic and gonadal energy density. A bioenergetics model was used to describe the monthly allocations of energy to respiration, growth, excretion, and reproduction. Most direct reproductive costs (80%) were incurred from September to December, corresponding to the cycle in the activity of the liver. Energy acquired in the early summer may be critical for determining maturation, fecundity, and egg quality. From 1978 to 1990, <80% of the females from the western and west-central basins of Lake Erie were classed as spent in July.
A Dual Role for Microbial Pathogen-Derived Effector Proteins in Plant Disease and Resistance

Many proteins from plant pathogens affecting the interaction with the host plant have dual functions: they promote virulence on the host species and they function as avirulence determinants by eliciting defense reactions in host cultivars expressing the appropriate resistance genes. In viruses all proteins encoded by the small genomes can be expected to be essential for viral development in the host. However, in different plants surveillance systems have evolved that are able to recognize most of these proteins. Bacteria and fungi have specialized pathogenicity and virulence genes. Many of the latter were originally identified through the resistance gene-dependent elicitor activity of their products. Their role in virulence only became apparent when they were inactivated or transferred to different microbes or after their ectopic expression in host plants. Many microbes appear to maintain these genes despite their disadvantageous effect, introducing only few mutations to abolish the interaction of their products with the plant recognition system. This has been interpreted as been indicative of a virulence function of the gene products that is not impaired by the mutations. Alternatively, in particular in bacteria there is now evidence that pathogenicity was acquired through horizontal gene transfer. Genes supporting virulence in the donor organism's original host appear to have traveled along. Being gratuitous in the new situation, they may have been inactivated without loss of any beneficial function for the pathogen.
SONG POPULATIONS AND DISPERSAL IN STEELBLUE AND PURPLE WIDOWFINCHES

Summary Payne, R. B. 1985. Song populations and dispersal in Steelblue and Purple Widowfinches. Ostrich 56:135-146. Songs of Steelblue Widowfinches Vidua chalybeata were recorded over eight years at Lochinvar National Park, Zambia. Neighbouring males share their song-type repertoires. Individual birds changed the structural details of all song types in their repertoire from year to year, and over 4–5 years the songs accumulated changes so that a song type could scarcely be recognized as the same. A few males in addition switched their song repertoires when they dispersed from one song population to another, or when their old neighbours disappeared and new neighbouring males sang a different song repertoire. Individual marked adult birds moved from one song neighbourhood to another. Purple Widowfinches had a similar song behaviour but only one song dialect was found in the study area. An estimate of the proportion of immigrants was made from the proportion of birds with songs unlike their neighbours, and f.
Diversity, distribution, and new phylogenetic information of calcareous dinoflagellates from the China Sea

Abstract Calcareous dinoflagellates have been recorded from subarctic to tropical areas, inhabiting both neritic and oceanic regions. In the present study we analyse 12 sediment samples from the China Sea to establish the existence of calcareous dinoflagellates in this area. A total of 11 calcareous dinoflagellate species were recorded, among them, three genera (Calciodinellum, Leonella, Posoniella) and seven species (Calciodinellum albatrosianum, C. levantinum, C. operosum, Leonella granifera, Posoniella tricarinelloides, Scrippsiella irregularis, and S. regalis) were reported from the China Sea for the first time. Cysts of S. irregularis and S. precaria are identical, with a mesoepicystal archeopyle, representing the loss of 2–4′ and 1–3a paraplates; however, their thecal plates vary slightly and differ from each other in 78 positions of the internal transcribed spacer sequence. Scrippsiella trochoidea is dominant in coastal areas, whereas Calciodinellum albatrosianum is the most abundant offshore. Scrippsiella irregularis is distributed widely along the coast of China, whereas S. precaria is recorded only in northern China. Leonella granifera is the second most abundant species offshore, comprising 15–40% of the cyst assemblage.
On the evolution of delayed recruitment to food bonanzas

Whereas food sharing by immediate recruitment to food bonanzas is relatively common, especially among birds, delayed recruitment from overnight roosts is comparatively rare, although it has been studied extensively in the common raven (Corvus corax). Two hypotheses have been advanced to explain the evolution of delayed recruitment. Under the status-enhancement hypothesis, delayed recruiting is favored because the recruiter’s social status increases with the number of followers it leads to a food source. The posse hypothesis also focuses on the number of individuals recruited to a site, but in this case aggregation is favored because larger groups are more likely to usurp a carcass defended by a pair of territorial adult ravens. We used a game-theoretic model to explore the logic of immediate versus delayed recruitment in the light of these hypotheses. In particular, we identified three critical values of the probability of immediate recruitment: that below which delayed recruitment is a cooperative strategy, that below which delayed recruitment is an evolutionarily stable strategy, and that below which a mutant strategy of delayed recruitment will invade a population of immediate recruiters to reach fixation. The model demonstrates that either status enhancement or the posse effect may alone suffice for the evolution of delayed recruitment to food bonanzas via mutualistic information sharing at communal roosts. Key words: communal roosts, cooperation, Corvus corax, delayed recruitment, evolutionary game theory, food sharing, information centers, mutualism, ravens, social status. [Behav Ecol 10:377‐ 390 (1999)]
Longitudinal Profiles of Growth, Photosynthesis and Light Independent Carbon Fixation in the Antarctic Brown Alga Ascoseira mirabilis

Thallus growth, photosynthetic oxygen evolution and rates of carbon fixation were determined along the lamina of the endemic Antarctic brown alga Ascoseira mirabilis (Ascoseirales), grown under simulated Antarctic conditions. The meristem is basally located and forms new blade tissue under spring-conditions. Light saturated net photosynthesis (Pmax), measured as O2 production, was higher in the intermediate region of the plant (9.8 μηιοί Ο2 g" fw h"")· In general, photosynthetic parameters such as dark respiration, gross photosynthesis, photosynthetic efficiency (a) and photosynthetic light compensation (Ic) increased significantly towards the distal region. Carbon-fixation in A. mirabilis also showed thallus-dependent variation. Rates of light and light independent (dark) carbon fixation increased towards the distal regions ranging between 7.6—9.5 and 1.2-2.0 μηιοί C g" fw h"" respectively. The percentage of light independent carbon fixation (in relation to light C-fixation) also increased from the basal to the distal parts reaching 24% in the distal region of the thallus. The contents of Chi a and Chic, were close to 0.37 and 0.14 mg g" fw respectively and were notably uniform along the lamina. The results indicate that the formation of the blade by a basal meristem and the increase of light carbon fixation rates from base to the distal regions in A. mirabilis are similar compared with certain Laminariales, especially members of the genus Laminaria. However, light independent carbon fixation is highest in the meristems of Laminaria, opposite to the results obtained here for A. mirabilis.
Maxilliped-Setation Adaptations to Habitat and Sexual Dimorphism of Feeding Claws in Uca perplexa and U. vomeris

Abstract Maxilliped-setation in two Australian fiddler crabs, Uca perplexa (n = 104) and U. vomeris (n = 128) was studied and related to the habitats in which these crabs live. Both species were collected from the banks of Myora Springs, North Stradbroke Island, Queensland, Australia. We counted the total number of setae (both plumose and spoon-tipped) on: 1) the inner and outer surfaces of the first and second maxillipeds, and 2) the inner surface of the third maxilliped. In general, there is no distinct sexual dimorphism for both types of setae in the two species. For any given size of crab, significantly more spoon-tipped setae were present in U. perplexa than in U. vomeris, providing further quantitative evidence that fiddler crabs from sandy habitats possess more spoon-tipped setae (an adaptation for processing sandy sediments) than those living in muddy habitats. No significant difference in plumose setation between the two species was generally detected; perhaps plumose setation is of less adaptive significance in terms of habitat adaptation than spoon-tipped setation in these two species. There is generally no sexual dimorphism in the size of the three maxillipeds for both species. Uca perplexa males had longer minor chelipeds than females while U. vomeris males had minor chelipeds that are deeper in the centre than females. These results provide evidence that male fiddler crabs could compensate for their foraging handicap by having longer or deeper minor chelipeds which enable them to scoop larger amounts of substrate.