Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF THE THREATENED PALM Euterpe edulis Mart. IN THE ATLANTIC FOREST: IMPLICATIONS FOR CONSERVATION

The combination of species distribution models based on climatic variables, with spatially explicit analyses of habitat loss, may produce valuable assessments of current species distribution in highly disturbed ecosystems. Here, we estimated the potential geographic distribution of the threatened palm Euterpe edulis Mart. (Arecaceae), an ecologically and economically important species inhabiting the Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot. This palm is shade-tolerant, and its populations are restricted to the interior of forest patches. The geographic distribution of E. edulis has been reduced due to deforestation and overexploitation of its palm heart. To quantify the impacts of deforestation on the geographical distribution of this species, we compared the potential distribution, estimated by climatic variables, with the current distribution of forest patches. Potential distribution was quantified using five different algorithms (BIOCLIM, GLM, MaxEnt, Random Forest and SVM). Forest cover in the biome was estimated for the year 2017, using a recently-released map with 30 m resolution. A total of 111 records were kept to model climatic suitability of E. edulis , varying from 6 to 1500 m a.s. l and spanning almost the entire latitudinal gradient covered by the Atlantic Forest (from 7.72o S to 29.65o S). Based on climatic suitability alone, ca. 93 million hectares, or 66% of the area of the Atlantic Forest, would be suitable for the occurrence of E. edulis . However, 76% of this climatically suitable area was deforested. Therefore, currently, only ca. 15% of the biome retains forest patches that are climatically suitable for E. edulis . Our analyses show that E. edulis has suffered a dramatic loss of potential distribution area in the Atlantic Forest due to widespread deforestation. Our results provided updated information on the distribution of E. edulis , and may be used to identify which forested and deforested areas could receive priority in future conservation and restoration efforts.
Activity patterns of mammals at Quedas do Rio Bonito Ecological Park, Lavras City, Minas Gerais State, Brazil

The activity patterns present a temporal partition of species cohabiting the same area in orderto avoid competition. Moreover, it optimizes capture efforts and provides information on the naturalhistory of species. Nevertheless, anthropic impacts compromise this activity by changing the patterns.Since there is a lack of studies in the last decades, this work demonstrates and discusses the pattern ofactivity of medium and large mammals in an ecological park in the south of the state of Minas Gerais,Brazil. Photographic trapping registered two species classified as cathemeral, four as nocturnal andtwo as diurnal. The predominant habit was nocturnal, which is the result of adaptive behaviors relatedto predation and human actions. The results of this study show the biological importance of the regionand the need for new systematized studies focusing on the medium and large local mammal fauna,aiming to contribute to a more comprehensive knowledge of the local biodiversity.Keywords: Activity pattern. Behavior. Functional activity.
Vitamin and micronutrient supplement advice given to post-bariatric surgery patients by UK dietitians

This study was to determine the vitamin and micro-nutrient supplementation recommendations made by UK registered dietitians to patients following bariatric surgery. There is a well recognised risk of nutritional deficit following bariatric surgery. Twenty one members (10.5%) of “Dietitians in Obesity Management UK” responded to an anonymous on-line survey about their bariatric activity and nutritional recommendations to patients following “food limiting” and “nutrient absorption limiting” surgery. Nine respondents had each consulted with over 100 patients last year, with 85% of dietitians’ caseloads being within the NHS. Compared against the 2007 Inter-disciplinary European Guidelines on Surgery of Severe Obesity, 90% of dietitians were meeting the recommended nutritional supplement guidelines for food limiting procedures. Only one respondent (5%) was meeting the supplementation guidelines for nutrient absorption limiting procedures. Two dietitians were recommending additional vitamin or micro-nutrients to their patients’ general vitamin and micro-nutrient supplement following food limiting procedures. Four out of twenty dietitians, with smaller caseloads, were only recommending a general vitamin and micro-nutrient supplement to patients following nutrient absorption limiting procedures. The range of nutritional composition of products named by the dietitians was substantial, with iron, vitamin B12, calcium and vitamin D levels below those known to prevent common nutritional deficiencies following bariatric surgery. Only five respondents (25%) stated that the results of laboratory tests influenced their recommendations. Increasing the awareness of the nutritional needs to this group of patients to all healthcare practitioners and exploration of the use of bariatric surgery specific nutritional supplements may reduce to risk of patients’ nutritional deficit.
Functional coupling between NMDA receptors and SK channels in rat hypothalamic magnocellular neurons: altered mechanisms during heart failure

Glutamatergic NMDA receptors (NMDAR) and small conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels (SK) are critical synaptic and intrinsic mechanisms that regulate the activity of hypothalamic magnocellular neurosecretory neurons (MNNs) under physiological and pathological states, including lactation and heart failure (HF). Still, whether NMDARs and SK channels in MNNs are functionally coupled, and whether changes in this coupling contribute to exacerbated neuronal activity during HF is at present unknown. In the present study, we addressed these questions using patch-clamp electrophysiology and confocal Ca2+ imaging in a rat model of ischaemic HF. We found that in MNNs of sham rats, blockade of SK channels with apamin (200 nM) significantly increased the magnitude of an NMDAR-evoked current (INMDA). We also observed that blockade of SK channels potentiated NMDAR-evoked firing, and abolished spike frequency adaptation in MNNs from sham, but not HF rats. Importantly, a larger INMDA-ΔCa2+response was observed under basal conditions in HF compared to sham rats. Finally, we found that dialyzing recorded cells with the Ca2+ chelator BAPTA (10 mM) increased the magnitude of INMDA in MNNs from both sham and HF rats, and occluded the effects of apamin in the former. Together, our studies demonstrate that in MNNs, NMDARs and SK channels are functionally coupled, forming a local negative feedback loop that restrains the excitatory effect evoked by NMDAR activation. Moreover, our studies also support a blunted NMDAR-SK channel coupling in MNNs of HF rats, standing thus as a pathophysiological mechanism contributing to exacerbated hypothalamic neuronal activity during this prevalent neurogenic cardiovascular disease.
Different Pathways Mediate Amphotericin-Lactoferrin Drug Synergy in Cryptococcus and Saccharomyces

Fungal infections are an increasing cause of morbidity and mortality. Current antifungal drugs are limited in spectrum, few new drugs are in development, and resistance is an increasing issue. Drug synergy can enhance available drugs and extend their lifetime, however, few synergistic combinations are in clinical use and mechanistic data on how combinations work is lacking. The multifunctional glycoprotein lactoferrin (LF) acts synergistically with amphotericin B (AMB) in a range of fungal species. Whole LF binds and sequesters iron, and LF can also be digested enzymatically to produce cationic peptides with distinct antimicrobial functions. To understand how LF synergizes AMB, we previously undertook a transcriptomic analysis in Saccharomyces and found a paradoxical down-regulation of iron and stress response, suggesting stress pathway interference was dysregulating an appropriate response, resulting in cell death. To extend this to a fungal pathogen, we here perform the same analysis in Cryptococcus neoformans. While both fungi responded to AMB in a similar way, the addition of LF produced remarkably contrasting results, with the Cryptococcus transcriptome enriched for processes relating to cellular stress, up-regulation of endoplasmic-reticulum-associated protein degradation (ERAD), stress granule disassembly and protein folding, endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi-vacuole trafficking and autophagy, suggesting an overall disruption of protein and lipid biosynthesis. These studies demonstrate that the mechanism of LF-mediated synergy is species-specific, possibly due to differences in the way LF peptides are generated, bind to and enter cells and act on intracellular targets, illustrating how very different cellular processes can underlie what appears to be a similar phenotypic response.
Dominant Height Growth in Tectona grandis Plantations in Mato Grosso, Brazil

Tectona grandis (teak) plantations have gained increased interest in recent decades in Brazil, bringing about the need for acquiring information regarding the growth and productive potential. The present work aims to evaluate the growth of dominant height in teak at various locations in the state of Mato Grosso, midwest Brazil. For this purpose, six stands were evaluated in distinct municipalities and the database was obtained from trunk analysis. Subsequently, the dominant height growth was estimated using nonlinear regression models, whose performance was evaluated, based on goodness-of-fit statistics and graphical analysis of residues. Tests for model identity were used to analyze the differences in growth rates between sites (municipalities). The studied teak stands displayed different dominant height growth trends, with differences reaching up to 37%.
Assessing Extreme Seed Longevity: The Value of Historic Botanical Collections to Modern Research

Botanical, historical, and archaeological collections have been the source of extraordinarily long-lived seeds, which have been used to revive extinct genotypes or species. The longest-lived example of a viable seed of known age is the date palm, Phoenix dactylifera L. , of which an estimated 2000-year-old seed was germinated in 2005. Seed longevity is important for agriculture and biodiversity conservation, and understanding the basis for the extraordinary longevity of seeds from botanical collections could help improve seed banking technology. In this work, we studied the viability and structural features of date palm seeds collected in Baghdad in 1873 and stored in the Economic Botany Collection (EBC) at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and seeds collected in 2004 and stored dry at −20°C in the Millennium Seed Bank (MSB). Viability was studied by attempted seed germination and in vitro culture of embryos, and structural features were studied by X-rays, transmission electron microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. We found that the seeds preserved in the MSB did not decrease in viability, with ultrastructural features similar to those in freshly harvested seeds. In contrast, the 144-year-old seeds were dead, and large ultrastructural changes were observed, particularly in the storage lipids (size, distribution, and melting properties) and other storage constituents. These results contrast with previous reports that date seeds could remain viable for ∼2000 years in uncontrolled storage environments. We did not find that the postharvest treatment of the EBC seeds in the 19th century, or their storage conditions at Kew, was more deleterious than that which was likely encountered by the ∼2000-year-old seeds. These results highlight the role of well-documented collections in establishing whether reports of extraordinary longevity are ordinarily repeatable.
Serum Amino Acid Concentrations in Infants from Malawi are Associated with Linear Growth

ABSTRACT Serum amino acid (AA) concentrations are correlated with childhood stunting, but their relation to linear growth velocity has not been explored. This was a secondary analysis of a clinical trial where Malawian infants aged 6–12 mo were given a legume supplement providing 8.2 g/d of protein; anthropometry was conducted at multiple intervals, and fasted serum AA concentrations were measured at 12 mo of age. Lysine, proline, tryptophan, tyrosine, and valine concentrations were higher in infants with a linear growth velocity z-score >0 than those <0. Corrected Spearman correlation coefficients between individual AA concentrations and weight-for-height and length velocity from 6 to 12 mo of age were positively correlated for glycine, isoleucine, proline, serine, threonine, tyrosine, and valine. Additionally, weight-for-height was correlated with arginine, asparagine, glutamine, leucine, lysine, methionine, and phenylalanine. The observed associations suggest that testing the hypothesis that essential AA provision will reduce linear growth faltering is warranted. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02472262.
Microsatellite (SSR) markers assisted characterization of rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes in relation to salt tolerance

Under present investigation a total of 18 rice genotypes with diverse genetic background were taken for screening at seedling stage and its molecular characterization using SSR markers. Selected rice genotypes were exposed to five salinity levels (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 dSm-1) at seedling stage. Modified standard evaluation score (SES) at seedling stage identified 7 highly tolerant, 2 tolerant and 8 moderately tolerant genotypes. The susceptible genotype was IR64 with score 7. Considering 4 other morpho-physiological characters (germination percent, K/Na ratio, shoot and root length, shoot and root fresh weight, shoot and root dry weight) studied at seedling stage, the genotype CSR2K-262 showed greater tolerance among all the 18 genotypes. For molecular characterization a total of 44 SSR markers were selected. The average number of alleles per locus was 9.3 indicating greater magnitude of diversity among plant materials. The average PIC value 0.767 confirmed that the markers used were highly informative. The cluster analysis grouped the 18 genotypes into three major clusters. Cluster I was the largest with 9 genotypes with all highly tolerant and tolerant genotypes, Cluster II comprised 8 genotypes with all tolerant and moderately tolerant and Cluster III comprised of 1 genotype (IR64) identified as susceptible one.
Dietary dl-methionyl-dl-methionine supplementation increased growth performance, antioxidant ability, the content of essential amino acids and improved the diversity of intestinal microbiota in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Abstract The dipeptide dl-methionyl-dl-methionine (Met-Met) has extremely low water solubility and better absorption than other methionine sources (such as dl-methionine and l-methionine) available in the market. Therefore, six diets (D1, D2, D3, D4, D5 and D6) containing 0, 0·07, 0·15, 0·21, 0·28 and 0·38 % Met-Met were formulated to investigate the effects of Met-Met in juvenile Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (17 g initial body weight). The results indicated that percentage weight gain and specific growth rate of fish fed with D2 and D3 diets were higher than those fed with D1, D4–D6 diets. The levels of total essential amino acid in whole body of fish fed with D3 and D4 diets were significantly higher than those fed the D1 diet. Superoxide dismutase activity and malondialdehyde content have no significant difference in fish fed the diet with or without Met-Met supplementation. Majority of reads derived from the fish intestine belonged to members of Fusobacteria, followed by Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria. Diversity of intestinal microbiota and total antioxidant capacity in fish fed with D3 diet was significantly higher than that of other groups. Based on the growth results, the authors conclude that the optimal level of Met is 0·61 % Met with the addition of 0·15 % Met-Met for grower-phase O. niloticus.
UPLC-MS analysis of characterization of bioactive compounds produced by endophytic Bacillus tequilensis ALR-2 from Aloe vera plant

Endophytic Bacillus tequilensis ALR-2 isolated from Aloe vera plant, was found to have antimicrobial activities attributed to a series of lipopeptide antibiotics and biosurfactants produced. Partial-purification of ethylacetate extracts by column chromatography revealed that fraction SF5 (5mg mL−1) effectively inhibited Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus (28.6±0.5 and 30.3±0.5 mm zone of inhibition, respectively), and was significantly more effective than the standard antibiotics Ciprofloxacin (5μg) (23.6 ±0.5 and 18.6 ±0.5 mm, respectively) and Kanamycin (30μg) (20.3 ±0.5 and 13.6 ±0.5 mm, respectively). UPLC-MS analysis of SF5 showed three series of ion peaks. The quadrupole-orthogonal ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer revealed [M+H]+ of 678.4601; 679.4690 and 680.5076 which corresponded to the oligopeptide antibiotic monamycin (mol. wt. 677.84). The [M+H]+ of 1119.8870; 1120.8992 and 1121.9119 corresponded to antibiotic complex 61-26 (mol. wt. 1120.348), a lipopeptide. The third peak of [M+H]+ of 1356.0151 and 1358.0664 could not be classified to existing known compounds in the literatures.
Abnormal Meiosis Initiation in Germ Cell Caused by Aberrant Differentiation of Gonad Somatic Cell

The interaction between germ cell and somatic cell plays important roles in germ cell development. However, the exact function of gonad somatic cell in germ cell differentiation is unclear. In the present study, the function of gonad somatic cell in germ cell meiosis was examined by using mouse models with aberrant somatic cell differentiation. In Wt1R394W/R394W mice, the genital ridge is absent due to the apoptosis of coelomic epithelial cells. Interestingly, in both male and female Wt1R394W/R394W germ cells, STRA8 was detected at E12.5 and the scattered SYCP3 foci were observed at E13.5 which was consistent with control females. In Wt1-/flox; Cre-ERTM mice, Wt1 was inactivated by the injection of tamoxifen at E9.5 and the differentiation of Sertoli and granulosa cells was completely blocked. We found that most germ cells were located outside of genital ridge after Wt1 inactivation. STRA8, SYCP3, and γH2AX proteins were detected in germ cells of both male and female Wt1-/flox; Cre-ERTM gonads, whereas no thread-like SYCP3 signal was observed. Our study demonstrates that aberrant development of gonad somatic cells leads to ectopic expression of meiosis-associated genes in germ cells, but meiosis was arrested before prophase I. These results suggest that the proper differentiation of gonad somatic cells is essential for germ cell meiosis.
Detection of mutations in the VP7 gene of vaccine-derived strains shed by monovalent rotavirus vaccine recipients

Strains of Rotarix, a live attenuated monovalent oral rotavirus vaccine, replicate in the intestine and are shed for about one month in immunocompetent recipients. The current study aimed to identify genetic changes of shed strains to reveal any significant mutations and their clinical impact on recipients. Stool samples of recipients of the first dose of Rotarix were sequentially collected for one month from the day of administration. Sequence analyses of the VP7 gene in eight recipients revealed five amino acid substitutions. Among them, two were observed in aa123, which is located in antigenic region 7-1a. Since there were no associated clinical symptoms, the genetic changes were unlikely to have caused reversion of pathogenicity of vaccine strain. Of interest, the virus in one case became closer to wild-type rotavirus via an amino acid change at aa123 occurring 14 days after administration, which might have resulted from multiple replications and long-term shedding of the vaccine strain.
AN MP3 A DAY KEEPS THE WORRIES AWAY: Exploring the use of podcasting to address preconceptions and alleviate pre-class anxiety amongst undergraduate information technology students

Creating a productive and satisfying learning experience involves actively engaging students and having them take responsibility for their own learning. However, the anxiety students bring into the classroom, along with their preconceptions about subject content and other course-related matters, often works as an immediate impediment to effective learning, even prior to the commencement of a course or subject. This paper describes, with reference to relevant literature, the rationale and design of a pilot study involving an investigation into the application of podcasting to address these issues and foster “good practice in practice” in university teaching and learning with first year information technology undergraduates. The authors believe that given the large uptake of portable music players, the use of a series of informal, talkback radio-style audio clips, delivered in a timely fashion through podcasting, can help alleviate some of the pre-class anxiety and allay student concerns about issues such as assessment, and do so more flexibly and effectively than the traditional methods of using subject websites and printed handouts.
Essential environmental variables to include in a stratified sampling design for a national-level invasive alien tree survey

Abstract: There is a direct relationship between the abundance of biological invasions and their impact, which means that it is important to capture spatial patterns in their abundance and use this information to focus management actions. However, protocols to objectively determine invasive alien plant (IAP) distributions and abundance are lacking at a national level, resulting in the inability to determine and monitor changes in spatial extent and density over time. A complete inventory of IAP spatial distribution across an extensive area such as South Africa is not possible and so requires an efficient sampling approach. A simple random sampling design would not be efficient, so monitoring of IAP species at a national level requires an appropriate sampling design such as a stratified sampling. The selection of environmental variables to be included in such a stratification should be based on the relationship between IAP species and their physical environment to successfully summarize variance in their abundance within the different strata. A further objective is to obtain all possible combinations of environmental variables or a full rank design in the stratification to allow for the comparison of different strata based on actual field sampled data. This raises the question of which predictive environmental variables as well as how many to include in the stratification. For this purpose, three invasive tree species, namely Acacia cyclops, Acacia mearnsii and Prosopis glandulosa were selected as they cover the maximum possible area at the highest density with the least amount of geographic overlap. A total of 26 environmental variables that included climatic, soil and topographic type variables were tested with linear regressions against correlations with the abundance of those tree species. The results showed that a combination of average precipitation, soil depth, clay content in the B-horizon and terrain morphological units will serve as a suitable stratification at a national level to explain IAP abundance variation sufficiently well whilst retaining a full rank design. These results will be applied as the first phase in the formation of a regional level IAP monitoring programme for South Africa on a scientific basis.