Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterisation of huntingtin localisation and transcriptional regulation in response to growth factor stimulation in an immortalised cell model of Huntington's Disease

Disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease caused by a CAG expansion on the HD gene on chromosome 4, which gives rise to an expanded polyglutamine (polyQ) tract in the huntingtin protein. HD is characterised primarily by motor abnormalities, but is also commonly associated with cognitive impairments and psychiatric disturbances. Huntingtin (HTT) dynamically shuttles between subcellular compartments, however the mutant huntingtin protein (mHTT) is mislocalised to cell nuclei, where it may interfere with nuclear functions, such as transcription. The phosphorylation of HTT has been implicated with the regulation of its subcellular localisation; however the mechanism by which the mislocalisation of mHTT occurs is currently unknown. The localisation of HTT in an immortalised embryonic striatal cell model of HD (StHdhQ111) was identified as being more nuclear with a longer polyQ length. Additionally, stimulation of StHdhQ111 lines with a panel of growth factors alters the apparent subcellular localisation of HTT in a polyQ length-dependent manner. Aberrant kinase responses to growth factor stimulation were identified by ELISA assay. Inhibition of AKT1 and MEK1 phosphorylation indicated that their activation may be involved in mHTT mislocalisation and immediate-early gene expression. Transcriptional dysregulation is a characteristic feature of HD pathogenesis that may be directly influenced by HTT localisation. Microarray analysis of differential gene expression responses to growth factor stimulation uncovered a potential role for SMAD transcription factor activity and the transforming growth factor-β pathway in HD pathogenesis. Primary embryonic striatal cells from the HdhQ111 and HdhQ150 mouse models of HD showed similarities to the StHdhQ111 cell model in terms of HTT localisation, kinase signalling and gene expression. Cellular dysfunction may therefore be an early HD phenotype that is present from embryogenesis, and potentially alters HD development and progression; aberrant control of kinase signalling may regulate mHTT mislocalisation, which in turn modulates transcriptional dysregulation and contributes to HD pathogenesis.
Ecological and Geographical Feeding Peculiarities of the Central Asian Tortoise ( Agrionemys horsfieldii Gray, 1844) in Desert Landscapes

In April 2002 – 2005, the feeding patterns of Agrionemys horsfieldii were studied in four different landscapes in Uzbekistan. At the four sites, with the combined area no less than 5 ha, 43 plant species from 17 families were recorded as forming the tortoise diet. The proportion of plant species and gill mushrooms consumed by the tortoise at these sites varied from 42 to 59% with highest feeding preferences was given to species from families Brassicaceae, Papaveraceae, Fabaceae, Poaceae. Some tortoises preferred species ( Anisantha tectorum , Hypecoum parviflorum , Leptaleum filifolium ) and these dominated in food in several communities while animals and other non-vegetable objects were rarely consumed (~2%). Spearman’s rank correlation between the level of availability of a plant species in landscapes and the proportion of its consumption by the tortoise was near to 0 in many cases and we are able to prove that the tortoise should be seen as a selective consumer (PSI = 0.22) rather than as a generalist. A number of species dominating in plant communities were not, or rarely, eaten and among these are plants containing alkaloids and ethers, as well as species with harsh fibers and thorny spikes. In each community there were three or five species constituting the base of the diet (63 – 81%) that sustained the population. The base part of the diet constituted the species which had both high availability in the community and a high index of electivity (Jacob’s index > 0.6). The tortoise’s habitat in arid and waterless desert landscapes requires high rates of water consumption which comes from its food: for this reason, tortoises prefer to eat species with high moisture content, even including some poisonous ones. However, it is quite possible that the consumption of poisonous plants also achieves antihelminthic prophylactics.
Ultrastructural Studies of Gametophytic Apomicts in Guinea Grass (Panicum maximum) II. Characteristics of Aposporous Initial Cell-derived Embryo Sac

The ultrastructural analysis using ultra-thin section and transmission electron microscope was carried out to characterize the features of the reproductive cells in aposporous initial cell (AIC)-derived embryo sac (AES), i.e. egg, synergid and polar cells, in ovule of facultative apomictic Panicum maximum. At anthesis, the first AES located in micropylar end consists of egg apparatus with 2 synergids and 1 egg cell, and the central cell with 1 nucleus. The other AESs contain less than four cells. The egg cell contains high dense of cytoplasm, and around the nucleus plastids and mitochondria are remarkable. There exist lipid bodies, few rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER), dictyosomes, and big vacuoles distributed in cytoplasm. The polar cell is occupied almost by one big vacuole, the lower dense cytoplasm than that of egg cell wraps 1 or 2 nuclei and is distributed around egg apparatus. Only in micropylar end of the AES the cell wall of the central cell with one nucleus exists with ingrowth of cell wall, indicating that this structure transports the nutrition for the embryo development. Synergid usually contains lowest dense of cytoplasm, and lipid bodies, plastid and mitochondria are distributed along the filiform apparatus in micropylar end. Filiform apparatus is located in the top place of the 2 synergids that is same to that of sexual embryo sac. Extreme rER and vacuoles distributed in chalazal end are the characteristics of the synergids. These vacuoles and rER might contain abundant inorganic substances that are absorbed as a part of nutrition for the developing embryo.
Effects of NPK Fertilizer on Soil Enzymes and Micro Biota

Soil enzymes are involved in various biochemical processes and play a vital role in maintaining soil fertility. Soil samples were collected from FederalPolytechnicNekedeSchoolfarmland in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State. The collected samples were further processed and analyzed using standard biochemical and microbiological procedures over a sampling period of three (3) weeks to determine the effect of NPK fertilizer on the soil micro biota and enzymes. The result revealed that microbial population of the 3 rd week had the highest viable bacteria count (4.5x10 5 ) followed by the 2 nd week (3.8x10 5 ) and least is the 1 st week (2.4x10 5 ). Similar trend was also observed in the viable fungal count 2.2 x 10 5 , 1.4 x 10 5 and 0.8 x10 5 in the 3 rd , 2 nd and 1 st weeks respectively. Pseudomonas sp, Salmonella , Proteus , E.coli, Klebsiella , Staphylococcus, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Phycomycetes and Rhizopus species were isolated from the sampling area over the sampling period. The enzyme activity of the soil treated with 12.5ml, 10ml, 7.5ml and 5ml of fertilizers also revealed the effective utilization and breakdown of the chemical component of the fertilizers. This is upheld by the result obtained on the effects of the fertilizer on catalase, dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase enzyme activities. The statistical analysis showed that there is no significant difference in the catalase, acid and alkaline phosphatase enzyme activity, but a difference in the dehydrogenase enzyme activity at I± = 0.05 degree of significance. This study therefore reveals that NPK fertilizer has great effect on the soil microbial and enzyme activity which are vital components in the maintenance of soil health and fertility.
Functional analysis of AVR3a of Phytophthora infestans a member of the RXLR family of cytoplasmic effectors

Phytophthora infestans secretes two classes of effectors that are delivered to different cellular compartments of the host where they interact with plant targets to reprogram plant defenses. One class is secreted into the apoplast (apoplastic effectors), whereas the other is translocated inside the plant cell (cytoplasmic effectors). A combination of data mining and functional genomics facilitated the identification of AVR3a, a cytoplasmic effector of P. infestans. The AVR3a family is represented by at least two polymorphic secreted proteins that differ in two amino acids in the mature region. P. infestans isolates that are avirulent on R3a potato carry Avr3a_K80I103, whereas virulent isolates carry only avr3a_E80M103. Intracellular co-expression of Avr3a_K80I103 and R3a by agroinfiltration in Nicotiana benthamiana resulted in the hypersensitive response (HR) suggesting that the two proteins interact in the plant cytoplasm. Indeed, in addition to a signal peptide, AVR3a contains the RXLR motif that is thought to promote the translocation of Phytophthora effectors inside host cells. We took advantage of the N. benthamiana assay to characterize the AVR3a effector and gain insight into the mechanisms that modulate host responses. Virus induced gene silencing showed that R3a-mediated HR requires the plant signaling components SGT1 and HSP90. We also showed that AVR3a suppresses the HR induced by P. infestans INF1 elicitin. Finally, deletion analyses revealed the functional domain of AVR3a. Altogether, this data shows that AVR3a exhibits both avirulence and cell death suppression functions.
Altitudinal variation in the taxonomic composition of ground‐dwelling beetle assemblages in NW Patagonia, Argentina: environmental correlates at regional and local scales

Abstract. 1. Altitudinal gradients offer a unique scenario to elucidate how the increase in harsh climatic conditions towards the top of the mountain interacts with other environmental factors at regional and local scale to influence the spatial variation in local species composition and biodiversity maintenance. We analysed the altitudinal variation in the taxonomic composition of epigaeic beetle assemblages across five mountains in north‐western Patagonia (Argentina) to address whether substantial change in species composition was associated (i) at regional spatial scale, with changes in vegetation types, and the presence of dry and moist mountains, and (ii) at local spatial scale, with variation in temperature, plant cover and richness and several soil characteristics.
Agrobacterium tumefaciens-Mediated Transformation of Two Economically Important Strawberry Cultivars with P5CS Gene

Abstract The purpose of this research was to transform two economically important cultivars of strawberry with P5CS gene, which encodes Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase (P5CS), the key enzyme in proline biosynthesis. Shoots were obtained on MS basal medium supplemented with 2% glucose and 4 mg/l TDZ for Camarosa and Kurdistan cultivars. For genetic transformation, a binary vector PBI121 containing P5CS gene under control of the 35SCaMV promoter was used. Transformed cells (explants) were regenerated on the selective regeneration medium containing 75 mg/l kanamycin and 500 mg/l cefotaxime after five days of pre-incubation and 72 h of co-cultivation with Agrobacterium, while control explants failed to grow in the same medium. The presence of the transgene in the plant genome was confirmed by PCR. The morphology of the transgenic plants was normal as controls. Drought stress was applied using polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 at concentrations equal to 0, -5 and -7 Bar, respectively. Proline content was four times higher in the transformed leaves compared to that of the untransformed plants while the proline content in the roots was similar in both transgenic and wild-type plants. Overproduction of P5CS also increased chlorophyll content, shoot length, shoot fresh and dry weight in the transgenic plants under drought-stress conditions.
Diatomeas (Bacillariophyceae) de humedales de altura de la Provincia de Jujuy-Argentina

Diatoms (Bacillariophyceae) from high altitude wetlands of Jujuy province-Argentina. A diatomological analysis of thirteen high altitude wetlands, between 3500-4683 m a. s. l. of Jujuy Province (Argentina) was performed. Fifty one genera and one hundred and fifty seven infrageneric taxa, excluding Navicula sensu stricto species, were identified; three of them are new records for Argentina and 43 are new for Jujuy Province. A new combination is proposed: Craticula cuspidata var. gracilis. The finding of Cylindrotheca gracilis (Bréb.) Grunow is important, since it has not been previously mentioned for this kind of environments. Amphora veneta Kützing var. veneta was recorded in more than 90 % of the studied waterbodies while Nitzschia hungarica Grunow, Craticula cuspidata (Kützing) D. G. Mann var cuspidata and Luticola cohnii (Hilse) Lange-Bertalot were found in more than 60% of the samples.
Plant traits mediate effects of predators across pepper (Capsicum annuum) varieties

The magnitude of plant intra‐specific variation for indirect defence and the underlying plant traits influencing predators remain relatively unstudied, particularly in cultivated plants. We tested whether differences in flower number, pollen production, and leaf trichome density among 17 pepper (Capsicum annuum Linnaeus) varieties influenced the abundance and predation intensity by the omnivorous mite Amblyseius swirskii Athias‐Henriot. A greenhouse experiment was conducted where pepper plants were infested with thrips (Frankliniella cephalica Crawford DL) and subsequently exposed to A. swirskii. We estimated thrips and mite density based on arthropod counts conducted over a 4‐week period, and also performed flower and trichome counts, and estimated pollen production per anther. Significant differences were found among varieties for all three traits, as well as mite and thrips density. After accounting for all traits in a multiple regression model, we found that flower and trichome number had significant positive effects on mite density (by providing food and shelter, respectively). Increased mite density was in turn associated with a decrease in thrips density, presumably as a result of mite predation. Moreover, we found that flower number (but not trichome density) increased the strength of thrips suppression and that such an effect was mediated by mite density. These findings suggest that genetic variation for plant traits may indirectly influence herbivore suppression in peppers (although traits may vary in the strength or direction of their effects), and underscore the evolutionary potential and importance of selection not only for direct but also indirect resistance in crops.
Agriculture urbaine et subsistance des ménages dans une zone de post-conflit en Afrique centrale

Les specificites techniques et socio-economiques de l’agriculture urbaine (AU) dans le contexte d’une zone de post-conflit en Afrique centrale ont ete etudiees lors d’une enquete menee a Brazzaville au Congo en 2002 sur un echantillon de 710 menages tires aleatoirement d’une base de sondage de 2800 menages urbains. Environ un tiers des menages brazzavillois sont concernes par l’AU, dont 29,5 % par les cultures et 8,8 % par l’elevage. La volaille est la principale espece elevee et les cultures legumieres et vivrieres jouent un role majeur. Le conflit de 1997 a eu un impact negatif affectant plus les productions animales que vegetales. Actuellement, l’AU est pratiquee par les differentes classes sociales et professionnelles, mais principalement par des menages a faible niveau de vie, presentant un profil de pauvrete et ayant deja pratique auparavant. Les eleveurs sont beaucoup plus motives par le revenu que par l’autoconsommation contrairement aux agriculteurs. Le besoin d’assurer un developpement urbain durable et equitable, conforme aux aspirations des personnes pratiquant l’agriculture urbaine et de celles ne la pratiquant pas, necessite, d’une part une limitation des effets negatifs comme l’odeur et les autres nuisances et, d’autre part, la levee des contraintes limitant la productivite dont les principales sont l’approvisionnement en intrants, les vols d’animaux et l’appauvrissement des sols.
Model selection and information theory in geographical ecology

Aim Although parameter estimates are not as affected by spatial autocorrelation as Type I errors, the change from classical null hypothesis significance testing to model selection under an information theoretic approach does not completely avoid problems caused by spatial autocorrelation. Here we briefly review the model selection approach based on the Akaike information criterion (AIC) and present a new routine for Spatial Analysis in Macroecology (SAM) software that helps establishing minimum adequate models in the presence of spatial autocorrelation. Innovation We illustrate how a model selection approach based on the AIC can be used in geographical data by modelling patterns of mammal species in South America represented in a grid system (n = 383) with 2° of resolution, as a function of five environmental explanatory variables, performing an exhaustive search of minimum adequate models considering three regression methods: non-spatial ordinary least squares (OLS), spatial eigenvector mapping and the autoregressive (lagged-response) model. The models selected by spatial methods included a smaller number of explanatory variables than the one selected by OLS, and minimum adequate models contain different explanatory variables, although model averaging revealed a similar rank of explanatory variables. Main conclusions We stress that the AIC is sensitive to the presence of spatial autocorrelation, generating unstable and overfitted minimum adequate models to describe macroecological data based on non-spatial OLS regression. Alternative regression techniques provided different minimum adequate models and have different uncertainty levels. Despite this, the averaged model based on Akaike weights generates consistent and robust results across different methods and may be the best approach for understanding of macroecological patterns.
Changes in the spear fishery of herbivores associated with closed grouper season in Palau, Micronesia

Several species of coral reef herbivorous fish and groupers (Serranidae) are among the main targets of Micronesian spearfishers. Since 1994, a closed season (April–July) protects spawning aggregations of five grouper species in Palau, and, although this regulation may affect fishers targeting behaviour towards herbivores and increase their catch levels, the extent of these effects was previously unknown. This study conducted market surveys and interviews to examine if the closed grouper season in 2009 had any effect on herbivore spearfishing catches, or caused changes in the targeting behaviour of fishers. Catch volumes of the most desirable herbivores were unaffected by the grouper season, but the catch per unit effort of herbivores regularly caught opportunistically (i.e. if seen) or avoided raised by 45% during the grouper closure. The size composition of the catch of the bluespine unicornfish Naso unicornis during the grouper closure was significantly skewed to smaller sized fish due to the high proportion of immature individuals. Further investigation is required to clarify whether this pattern emerged because fishers had relaxed size selectivity during the closure or due to a paucity of adults in July. Fifty‐seven per cent of the interviewed fishers indicated that while groupers would be their first choice during open season, N. unicornis would become their preferred target during the closure, and that other herbivores were also more likely to be targeted. This study took an important step in identifying a factor driving short and acute changes in the herbivore catch composition. Further efforts should be directed to quantify the ecological implications of the observed changes and determine if these are aggravated by the life‐history traits or functional roles of the focal species. Relaxed species selectivity might emerge elsewhere, if inherently selective fishing methods are used and highly prized targets are temporarily or permanently banned, or overfished to critical levels. Such implications should be considered when assessing the sustainability of local fisheries.
Decrease in sapling nutrient concentrations for six northern Rocky Mountain coniferous species.

In the west, fire exclusion, timber harvest, and last century’s climate led to copious regeneration on millions of ha that now need tending. Without treatment, overcrowding increases competition, snow and ice damage potential, and ladder fuels. Limited funding prevents treating all of the affected ha, but by selling small trees for wood pellets, biofuel, or methanol, costs would decrease and more ha could be cleaned. In the northern Rocky Mountains, 8 –10 tree species can occur in young forests, and until this study, information on foliage nutrient concentrations and leaching from saplings for all of these species was limited. We use a mixed-model analysis to examine the change in nutrient concentrations (calcium, magnesium, potassium, carbon, and nitrogen) remaining in saplings for 6 tree species (western white pine, ponderosa pine, western hemlock, western redcedar, Douglas-fir, and grand fir) over a 12-month period. Nutrient concentrations and the pattern of nutrient leaching did vary among the species, but we found that nutrient concentrations did not diminish in the first 200 days and western hemlock was the only species for which nutrient concentrations leached substantially in the 12-month period. Results suggest managers may need to use biomass utilization thresholds to ensure sufficient biomass is left on site to maintain soil productivity.
Feed particle size: Implications on the digestion and performance of poultry

This review highlights the limited amount of research conducted regarding the optimum particle size of different feeds for efficient poultry production. The current industry practice of using highly processed, pelleted diets masks the influence of particle size, but some reports suggest that the effects of feed particle size on performance may be maintained even after pelleting. There appears to be a general consensus that particle sizes of broiler diets based on maize or sorghum, optimum particle size should be between 600 and 900 μm. Available data clearly show that grain particle size is more critical in mash diets than in pelleted or crumble diets. Although it has been postulated that finer grinding increases substrate availability for enzymatic digestion, there is evidence that coarser grinding to a more uniform particle size improves the performance of birds maintained on mash diets. This counter-intuitive effect may result from the positive effect of feed particle size on gizzard development. A more developed gizzard is associated with increased grinding activity, resulting in increased gut motility and greater digestion of nutrients. Although grinding to fine particle size is thought to improve pellet quality, it will markedly increase energy consumption during milling. Systematic investigations on the relationships of feed particle size and diet uniformity with bird performance, gut health and pellet quality are warranted if efficiency is to be optimised in respect of the energy expenditure of grinding.
Chromosome and karyotype analysis of Hibiscus mutabilis f. mutabilis

The number of chromosomes and karyotype of Hibiscus mutabilis f. mutabilis were analyzed with the root tip squash method. The results showed that H. mutabilis f. mutabilis is diploid, the chromosome number of the somatic cell is2n = 92 and the index of relative length is 16L + 12M 2 + 56M 1 + 8S. The karyotype formula is K(2n) = 2x = 92 =86m + 6sm and the asymmetrical index of the karyotype is 54.54%. The karyotype is 2C.