Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of pea flour and pea flour extracts on Sitophilus oryzae

Abstract Protein-rich pea flour is an antifeedant and a repellent and is toxic to the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.), but its mode of action is not known. Results showed that protein-rich pea flour had no fumigant effect on adult survival or offspring production of S. oryzae. In a contact experiment, immobilized weevils were fed every other day and had their abdomens brushed with protein-rich pea flour or wheat flour on the alternate days. Insects treated with protein-rich pea flour had an average longevity of 9.6 days, which was significantly shorter than that for insects treated with wheat flour (11.3 days) or brushed controls (17.6 days). These results suggest that toxins from the protein-rich pea flour may be able to penetrate the insect cuticle. Midguts from weevils fed protein-rich pea flour, a pea flour extract, or a mixture of pea peptides contained numerous bubbles. Midgut tissues in these treated adults were injured, as shown by dual staining with the fluorescent dyes calcein AM and propidium iodide. The volume of the bubbles increased rapidly when insects were fed protein-rich pea flour or pea flour extract. There were no bubbles found in the midguts of S. oryzae that fed on wheat kernels or wheat flour. Résumé La farine de pois riche en protéine est un antiappétant et est toxique à la charançon du riz, Sitophilus oryzae (L.), mais on ne connaît pas le mode d'action. Les résultats ont montré que la farine de pois riche en protéine n'agissait pas comme fumigant ni sur les adultes, ni sur la production de la progéniture avec S. oryzae. Dans une expérience où la farine de pois riche en protéine était mise en contact avec les insectes, ils étaient immobilisés, et nourris aux 2 jours. Les jours alternés, les abdomens des insectes étaient brossés, soit avec de la farine de pois riche en protéine ou avec de la farine de blé. Les insectes traités avec la farine de pois riche en protéine avaient une durée de vie moyenne de 9,6 jours; moins que les insectes traités avec la farine de blé (11,3 jours), ou les témoins (17,6 jours). Ces données suggèrent que les toxines de la farine de pois riche en protéine peuvent franchir la cuticule de l'insecte. L'intestin moyen des charançons avait plusieurs bulles de gaz quand les insectes étaient nourris avec de la farine de pois riche en protéine, un extrait de farine de pois, ou un mélange de peptides en provenance des pois. Les tissus d'intestin moyen dans ces adultes étaient endommagés, démontré par les colorants fluorescents à double action, calcéine AM et iodure propidium. Le volume des bulles augmentait rapidement quand les insectes étaient nourris à la farine de pois riche en protéine ou à l'extrait de pois. Il n'y avait pas de bulles dans les intestins moyens de S. oryzae nourri aux graines de blé ou à la farine de blé.
Combined effects of nutrients and small-scale turbulence in a microcosm experiment. II. Dynamics of organic matter and phosphorus

In the oligotrophic sea, phytoplankton and bacteria compete for nutrients. Turbulence changes the outcome of this competition by means of an increase in the nutrient flux to cells by the shear fields, which is cell-size dependent. This effect is insignificant for small cells such as natural bacteria. The hypothesis is that turbulence will increase the phytoplankton competition-capability for nutrients and reduce the organic matter utilisation by bacteria. Consequently, the composition of par- ticulate organic matter should change. To test this hypothesis, we studied the response of natural plankton communities to turbulence enclosed in 15 l microcosms. We evaluated the response in terms of the ratio of heterotrophic:total biomass and the stoichiometry of particulate organic matter. Results under turbulent and still conditions were compared in 3 nutrient-induced conditions: nitrogen sur- plus (N, with initial addition of an excess of nitrogen, N:P ratio = 160), nitrogen:phosphorus ratio bal- anced (NP, with initial addition of nitrogen and phosphorus as Redfield ratio, N:P ratio = 16) and con- trol (C, no nutrient addition). In N and NP conditions, turbulence decreased the heterotrophic:total biomass ratio up to 2-fold, and induced changes in the stoichiometry of the particulate organic mat- ter. We found higher values of carbon:phosphorus and nitrogen:phosphorus ratios in turbulent than in still treatments. The magnitude of these responses to turbulence depended on the induced nutri- ent conditions. In the control microcosms, we found the maximum differences of carbon:phosphorus ratio between turbulence and still treatments. In terms of biomass, the response to turbulence was clear in the enriched conditions and insignificant in the control microcosms.
Relation between anatomic respiratory dead space and body size and lung volume

The respiratory anatomic dead space has been measured by the single breath nitrogen washout method of Fowler in 73 normal subjects ranging from 4 to 42 years of age. The volume of the anatomic dead space correlated closely with height (Vd (ml) = 7.585 x Ht (cm)2.363 x 10-4·ɣ = . 917), but also with body weight, surface area, and functional residual capacity. When compared on the basis of any of these parameters there was no significant difference between the anatomic dead space values for males and females. Comparisons with available data for newborn infants suggest that the value of the anatomic dead space has a relatively constant relation to height from birth to adulthood. Dead space appears to increase more rapidly than weight, surface area, and functional residual capacity during, at least, the early period of somatic growth.
Do Collared Peccaries Negatively Impact Understory Insectivorous Rain Forest Birds Indirectly Via Lianas and Vines?

Tropical rain forest understory insectivorous birds are declining, even in large forest reserves, yet the mechanisms remain unclear. Abundant large mammals can reshape forest structure, which degrades foraging microhabitat. We used six sites in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama with varying collared peccary (Pecari tajacu) density to test three linked hypotheses: (1) locally declining understory insectivores forage preferentially in liana tangles; (2) vine and liana density, cover, and frequency of dense tangles are lower in the presence of abundant collared peccaries; and consequently (3) abundant collared peccaries are associated with reduced understory insectivorous bird abundance. Three insectivores that declined at La Selva preferentially foraged in liana tangles: Checker‐throated Antwren (Epinecrophylla fulviventris), Dot‐winged Antwren (Microrhopias quixensis), and Ruddy‐tailed Flycatcher (Terenotriccus erythrurus). Vine density, liana cover, liana tangle frequency, and forest cover were lower in the presence of collared peccaries relative to experimental mammal exclosures, with the greatest differences at La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica. Across sites, five of seven vine and liana measures showed negative, curvilinear relationships with peccary densities. Vine and liana measures peaked at sites with intermediate peccary density, and were low at La Selva. Structural equation models suggest negative indirect effects of the collared peccaries on focal bird densities, mediated by vine and liana density, cover, or tangle frequency. Forest area and rainfall affected both lianas and birds, but collared peccaries also contributed to the reduced abundance of understory insectivores. Indirect effects such as that suggested here may occur even in large, protected forest reserves where large mammal communities are changing.
The Nucleolar Organizer Regions of Erythrinidae Fish. An uncommon situation in the genus Hoplias

A characterization of the Ag-NORs is presented for fish species of the Erythrinidae family, comprising the genera Hoplias, Hoplerythrinus and Erythrinus. A highly diversity was observed for the NORs sites, concerning their number and locations on the chromosomes, supporting the view that these regions underwent several chromosomal changes during the karyotypic evolution of this neotropical fish family. A particular situation occurs in the genus Hopliasmalabaricus group, where typical bitelomeric NORs can be seen in some biarmed chromosomes as a clearly populational feature, an infrequent situation in other fish groups or even among the vertebrates in general.
In vitro development of maize immature embryos: a tool for embryogenesis analysis

During monocot embryo development, the zygote goes through a proembryo stage characterized by a radial symmetry and later becomes a true embryo with a bilateral symmetry. In order to determine culture conditions for immature embryonic stages, proembryos and embryos were isolated from controlled pollinated maize plants and developed in vitro. Precise culture conditions were determined for each type of explant: a monolayer system for embryos using NBM medium enriched with maltose (0.25 M) but without hormones, and a bilayer system for proembryo stages using N6 medium supplemented with maltose (0.35 M) and zeatin (3 mM). Morphological, cytological, and in situ hybridization analysis have shown that the resulting embryos (stages 1-2), developed in vitro, were similar to those formed in vivo and subsequently gave rise to fertile plants. This work demonstrates that successful embryo differentiation is dependent on specific parameters including the genotype, the nature of the carbon source, the type and concentration of hormones used and orientation of the embryos on the medium. The potential use of these results for embryo rescue and mutant analysis are discussed.
DISTRIBUTION OF LIGNIN DERIVATIVES IN PLANTS

Summary Acetovanillone, p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, syringic aldehyde and vanillin were prepared from a range of gymnosperm, angiosperm, pteridophyte and bryophyte lignins by alkaline oxidation. The major lignin oxidation product of gymnosperms is vanillin; that of angiosperms is syringic aldehyde. The latter is more widespread than previously thought. Its identification seems to be linked in most cases to the presence of fibres in the plant tissues analyzed. The differentiation of gymnosperm and angiosperm plant groups on these oxidation products is discussed. It is proposed that the lignin of fibre walls is the reason for these differences.
Perch Arrangements in Small-Group Furnished Cages for Laying Hens

SUMMARY In 2 trials, including 2,768 birds in total, 3 different perch arrangements were evaluated in furnished 8-hen cages for laying hens. The hybrids used were Lohmann Selected Leghorn and Lohmann Brown in trial 1 and Hy-Line White and Hy-Line Brown in trial 2. The furnished cages were identical in all other respects than the arrangement of perches. A perch was either fitted across the cage, providing 12 cm of perch per hen, or 2 perches were installed in a cross, implying 15 cm per hen. Although the perches arranged in a cross provided more perch per hen than the single perch fitted across the cage, perch use at night by the birds was similar or lower as compared with the single perch. Hence, the way perches are arranged in the cage may be as important as perch length itself to achieve a high use at night. Perch arrangement did not affect production, mortality, or egg quality. Compared with a conventional battery cage, also included in the trials, hygiene was inferior in the furnished cages, but there was no difference in proportions of dirty eggs. Differences in proportions of cracked eggs were found between furnished and conventional cages in 1 of the trials. However, on the whole, production, mortality, and egg quality were at similar levels in all cage models. Genotype differences were found in production traits, egg quality, hygiene, and in the use of perches and nests.
Occurrence of a stable nitrate reductase in Actinidia spp.

Abstract Following development of an in vitro assay, a NADH/NADPH bispecific nitrate reductase stable for at least a month at 4°C, and thermostable at temperatures to at least 60°C, has been identified in crude and partially‐purified extracts of leaves and roots of kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa). Stability characteristics were not confined to kiwifruit, but were found to extend to other members of the genus also.
Sharpshooter X Wave: Correlation of an Electrical Penetration Graph Waveform with Xylem Penetration Supports a Hypothesized Mechanism for Xylella fastidiosa Inoculation

ABSTRACT Electrical penetration graph (EPG) monitoring is the most rigorous means of observation and quantification of feeding by piercing-sucking arthropods. Previous EPG studies with aphids and leafhoppers have demonstrated that the X wave identifies when the stylets of these phloem fluid-ingesting insects make contact with their preferred plant vascular cell, phloem sieve elements. This article presents the first direct evidence of an X wave identifying ingestion from a xylem tracheary element by a xylem fluid-ingesting type of leafhopper Homalodisca liturata Ball (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellinae), whose waveforms are nearly identical to those of the glassy-winged sharpshooter, Homalodisca vitripennis (Germar). We document consistent association of the sharpshooter X wave with salivary sheath termini in xylem, especially lignified secondary xylem cells, and absence of the X wave in the rare instance of ingestion from a nonxylem cell. The sharpshooter X wave is a complex, multicomponent waveform, composed of X wave-specific variants of waveform subtypes B1w (representing salivation), B1s (representing precibarial valve movement for tasting), types C1 (a new waveform type that may represent egestion) and C2 (a new designation for the waveform type representing ingestion/cibarial pumping). It is proposed that the sharpshooter X wave represents a blended suite of behaviors that function to 1) physically seal stylet tips into the cell via sheath salivation, 2) repeatedly taste then eject (egest) chemical constituents of the cell to determine acceptability, and 3) mechanically test the strength of the stylet seal via trial cibarial pumping (ingestion). It is further hypothesized that the X wave represents vector behaviors that control inoculation of the Pierce's disease bacterium, Xylella fastidiosa. The ingestion-(salivation and egestion) hypothesis is stated for the mechanism of transmission of X. fastidiosa.
Identification of Vegetatively Propagated Turf Bermudagrass Cultivars Using Simple Sequence Repeat Markers

Accurate identification of bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) cultivars is necessary to ensure the purity of the cultivars produced by sod farmers, to protect the intellectual property of cultivar developers, and to assure cultivar purity for the benefit of turfgrass consumers. Vegetatively propagated turf bermudagrass cultivars have been extensively used in the turf industry not only in the USA but also in many other countries. Accordingly, the objectives of the study were to examine simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers for their ability to distinguish commonly grown clonal turf bermudagrass cultivars, which were derived through crosses and mutations, from each other and their respective parent cultivars and to develop a set of SSR markers for accurate identification of commercially used clonal cultivars. Thirty-two clonal turf bermudagrass genotypes comprising 29 commercially released cultivars and 3 Oklahoma State University experimental lines were assessed by 11 microsatellite markers. A total of 141 DNA fragments were generated for the 11 primer pairs in the 32 bermudagrass genotypes, with an average of 12.8 bands per primer pair. Forty-four fragments were cultivar specific. The SSR markers successfully identified 22 cultivars when mutant cultivars had the same banding patterns as the 2 parent cultivars, 'Tifgreen' and 'Tifway'. It was concluded from the study that the SSR markers are highly polymorphic and can be utilized as a reliable tool for accurate cultivar identification in nonmutated bermudagrass.
High - frequency electroporation and expression of human interleukin 4 gene in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii chloroplast

An electroporation-mediated technique for the research of hIL4 gene expression within Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Chloroplast was developed.Human Interleukin 4(hIL4) is a key immunomodulatory factor importantly related with autoimmune disease.In order to enhance the stability of hIL4 gene expression,hIL4 gene was fused with C.reinhardtii chloroplast rbcL 5'-and 3'-untranslated regions(UTRs) to construct the 5'UTR-hIL4-3'UTR fragment.The fused fragment was then introduced into the expression vector p322-BTM to obtain homologous recombinant plasmid pXhIL4,which contains a homologous fragment(5.7 kb) with C.reinhardtii chloroplast.Cells of C.reinhardtii were cotransformed by electroporation with plasmid pXhIL4 and the selectable marker plasmid p228 conferring the resistance to spectinomycin.Transformants were screened on the plates containing 100 μg/ mL spectinomycin.The positive transformants were picked and firstly confirmed by PCR,followed by western blotting analysis for the accumulation of hIL4 protein.Results showed that electroporation is an effective approach for the cotransformation of C.reinhardtii chloroplast with the efficiency of cotransformation up to 90%. The western blotting analysis indicated that hIL4 gene is successfully expressed in C.reinhardtii strains.
Seasonal Consumptive Demand and Prey Use by Stocked Saugeyes in Ohio Reservoirs

Abstract Community structure and species composition may be strongly influenced by predator– prey interactions resulting from and leading to episodes of population abundance or scarcity. We quantified diets of stocked saugeyes (female walleye Sander vitreus × male sauger S. canadensis) and estimated biomass of their primary prey, gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum, in three Ohio reservoirs at quarterly intervals during July 2002–July 2003 to determine whether saugeye consumptive demand could exceed the supply of available gizzard shad prey, resulting in a shift to alternative prey. We incorporated water temperature and saugeye diet composition, growth, and mortality into walleye bioenergetics models, which allowed us to compare estimated prey-specific consumption rates by saugeyes with gizzard shad standing stocks estimated with acoustics. Spring and summer were critical seasons. During spring, gizzard shad biomass was low, saugeye consumptive demand was low, and saugeyes consumed primarily alternative prey.
Optimization of carotenoids extraction from Penaeus semisulcatus shrimp wastes

Global production of fish and shrimp has been steadily increasing over the last decade and this trend is expected to continue. Of the estimated 131 million tons of fish produced in 2000 in the world, of which nearly 74% (97 million tons) was used for direct human consumption[1]. Shrimp waste is one of the important sources of natural carotenoids. Carotenoids are responsible for the color of many important fish and shellfish products. Most expensive seafoods, such as shrimp, lobster, crab, crayfish, trout, salmon redfish, red snapper and tuna, have orange-red integument and/or flesh containing carotenoid pigments[2]. Oxidation of lipids and proteins during processing and storage of food products decreases consumer acceptability of foods by causing undesirable changes in flavour, texture, appearance and nutritional quality, as well as by producing toxic compounds[3]. Consumption of these potentially toxic products can give rise to several diseases. Oxidation of foods can be minimised by removing prooxidants, such as free fatty acids, metals and oxidised compounds, by protecting foods from light and air, and by adding antioxidants. In practice, it is very difficult to completely remove all the pro-oxidants and air from foods. Therefore, antioxidants are PEER REVIEW ABSTRACT
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN INTERLEUKIN 4 GENE SEVENTY-BASE-PAIR VARIABLE NUMBER OF TANDEM REPEATS POLYMORPHISM AND UTERINE LEIOMYOMA

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between IL4 gene variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) polymorphism and the risk of UL in southeast of Iran. Patients and Methods: We compared of 99 patients with UL with that of 102 healthy controls. The IL4 VNTR polymorphism was genotyped by gel electrophoresis after PCR amplification. Results: There was no significant association between RP*1/RP*2 and RP*2/RP*2 genotypes and UL; however, a significant association between RP*2/RP*2 genotype and UL was found after adjustment for age (OR, 4; 95% CI, 1.3-12.4; and P = 0.015). The frequency of RP*2 allele was significantly higher in women with UL (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.1-3.5; and P = 0.03). Conclusions: The IL4 VNTR RP*2/RP*2 genotype could be an age-related risk factor for UL. Moreover, the frequency of RP*2 allele was significantly higher in women with UL.
Plant Regeneration of Pampas Grass from Immature Inflorescences Cultured in Vitro

A micropropagati on system to obtain plants from inflorescences of pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana Schult. 'Pumila') was developed. Factors examined included developmental stage of inflorescence cultured and growth regulator combinations and concentrations that support explant establishment, shoot regeneration, and rooting. Immature inflorescences ≈300 mm long formed many shoot primordia when initially cultured on Murashige and Skoog basal medium containing 4.5 µM 2,4-D and 8.9 µM BA and subcultured to medium with 0.4 µM 2,4-D and 4.4 µM BA. Thereafter, monthly transfer to a medium without growth regulators yielded about three shoots per tube per month for more than 6 months. Most shoots rooted spontaneously and were easily hardened to greenhouse conditions. Field-tested plants flowered within 2 years and nearly all appeared identical to the parent cultivar. With this technique, several thou- sand plants can be obtained from a single inflorescence in 1 year. Chemical names used: N -(phenylmethyl)-1 H -purine-6-amine (BA); (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid
SEX DIFFERENCES IN DIVING DEPTHS AND DIET OF ANTARCTIC SHAGS AT THE SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS

Abstract Sexual differences in maximum diving depths and in the composition of the diet of the Antarctic Shag (Phalacrocorax bransfieldensis) were investigated at Harmony Point, Nelson Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, during the 1995–1996 and 1996–1997 breeding seasons. The mean maximum diving depth estimated by the capillary-tube depth gauge technique was 37.8 m which, when compared with other studies, reflects good food availability in shallow waters around Harmony Point. Females dived significantly deeper than males and also reached the maximum dive depth registered (112.6 m). The analysis of the stomach contents recovered when the individuals with capillary-tubes returned to the nest from foraging trips indicated that males ingested almost exclusively large Notothenia coriiceps specimens, whereas females preyed more intensively on smaller fish. The differences observed suggest that individuals of both sexes partitioned foraging depths and food resources.