Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Treatment with fungicides influences phytochemical quality of blackcurrant juice

The impact of fungicide treatment on fungal infection and blackcurrant juice quality was examined in a series of field experiments over the course of 2 years. Fungicide treatment reduced the incidence of foliar disease and resulted in changes in the concentration of sugars, organic acids, polyphenols and anthocyanins in blackcurrant juice. Treatment with Signum® (containing pyraclostrobin, a strobilurin, and boscalid, a succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor) enhanced glucose, fructose and total sugar content in one treatment year but not in another. Treatment with Signum or Filan® (containing boscalid only) caused a reduction in the key organic acid citrate. Treatment with Signum or Platoon® (containing pyraclostrobin only) enhanced total polyphenol and anthocyanin content of juices. The data suggest a beneficial impact of fungicide treatment not only on disease control but also on juice phytochemistry.
Inheritance of durable adult plant resistance to stripe rust (Puccinia striiformisf. sp. tritici) in ‘Otane’ wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Abstract Stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, is an important disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum) in New Zealand and throughout the world. The wheat cultivar ‘Otane’ carries durable resistance to stripe rust that has remained effective in New Zealand since the cultivar's release in 1984. To determine the mode of inheritance of this durable adult plant resistance to stripe rust, ‘Otane’ was crossed with the stripe rust susceptible ‘Tiritea’, and 140 F1 derived double haploid (DH) lines were evaluated in glasshouse and field experiments for their reaction to the stripe rust pathogen. Transgressive segregation occurred, indicating that both cultivars possess resistance genes. Genetic gain as a percentage of the moderately resistant parent for the most resistant 5% of the DH lines was statistically significant (83% and 68% in the glasshouse and field experiments, respectively). The distribution of DH lines assessed through infection types (IT) in the glasshouse supported a digenic ratio, whereby resistance genes from both parental cultivars act additively to produce resistant DH lines. Moderately resistant DH lines were produced when only the gene from ‘Otane’ was present, and the absence of the ‘Otane’ gene produced susceptible DH lines. The distribution of reaction of DH lines in the field fitted a trigenic ratio. This model proposed that resistant DH lines were produced when at least two genes from both parents interact; moderately resistant DH lines were produced when either two genes (one modifier) or one gene from ‘Otane’ were present, and susceptible DH lines were produced when either resistance genes from both parents or the major gene from ‘Otane’ were absent. Segregation of final disease severity measured in the field also supported the segregation of three genes in the DH population. The demonstrated durability of stripe rust resistance in ‘Otane’ in New Zealand, which is influenced by environment, may be the result of a combination of resistance alleles at two loci at least.
Serotonin involvement in larval settlement of the barnacle, Balanus amphitrite

Following our previous report (Yamamoto et al. [1995] Zool. Sci., 12:391–396) in which we demonstrated that protein kinase C (PKC) plays an important role in larval metamorphosis of the barnacle Balanus amphitrite, we examined the effects of a range of neurotransmitters, including serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine), epinephrine, and norepinephrine on cyprid settlement and metamorphosis. Serotonin induced pronounced larval settlement. Furthermore, settlement was inhibited by neurotransmitter uptake blockers, such as amitriptyline, imipramine, and desipramine, in a concentration-dependent manner. Cyprids exposed to these uptake blockers metamorphosed without settling on substrata. These results suggest that serotonin is involved in larval settlement. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Spatial Variation of the Land Snail Brephulopsis Cylindrica (Gastropoda, Pulmonata, Enidae): A Fractal Approach

Abstract Spatial Variation of the Land Snail Brephulopsis cylindrica (Gastropoda, Pulmonata, Enidae): a Fractal Approach. Kramarenko, S. S. , Dovgal, I. V. - Th e results of investigations of intrapopulation patterns in the land snail Brephulopsis cylindrica (Menke, 1828) variation are discussed in the article. Th e self-similar intrapopulational groups (demes) with sets of random (chaotic) and ranked (clinal) patterns of morphological characters were observed. It is argued that the self-similar elements lead to the formation of spatial variability patterns with distinct fractal nature. Thus the relative roles both of the random and the regular components can be detected for separate characters according to the degrees of nearness or remoteness of fractal dimension to 2.0. Пространственная изменчивость наземного моллюска Brephulopsis cylindrica (Gastropoda, Pulmonata, Enidae): фрактальный подход. Крамаренко С. С. , Довгаль И. В. - Представлены резуль- таты изучения внутрипопуляционной изменчивости наземного моллюска Brephulopsis cylindrica (Menke, 1828). Установлено наличие внутрипопуляционных групп (демов) с преобладанием слу- чайных (хаотичных) или закономерных (клинальных) элементов. Показано, что наличие таких самоподобных элементов приводит к формированию паттернов пространственной изменчивости отчётливой фрактальной природы. Установлено, что с помощью сравнения степени близости или удалённости фрактальной размерности от величины 2,0, можно оценить относительную роль слу- чайной и закономерной компонент.
Development of microbial consortia as a biocontrol agent for effective management of fungal diseases in Glycine max L.

Thirty isolates of bacteria and six isolates of Trichoderma were isolated from fertile agricultural soil and evaluated for their antagonistic activity against phytopathogens like Macrophomina phaseolina and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, under in vitro conditions. Different isolates showed varying degrees of antagonism. The three most antagonistic bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MBAA1), Bacillus cereus (MBAA2) and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (MBAA3) and one fungi Trichoderma citrinoviride (MBAAT) were selected as the most effective isolates as biocontrol agents. The present study was undertaken to develop a plant growth promoting microbial consortium to reduce the disease incidence in Glycine max both under in vitro and in vivo conditions. Biocontrol attributes such as ammonia, siderophore, enzymes like β-1,3 glucanase, chitinase and cellulase were more potential in consortia in comparison to single isolates. Plants treated with consortia + pathogen showed lower disease incidence in comparison to single antagonist + pathogen and pathogen infested control (p ≤ 0.05). Maximum disease control was observed in potted plants treated with S. sclerotiorum + MBAA1 + MBAAT showing only 15.8% disease incidence in comparison to Sclerotinia infested control, in which disease incidence was 97%. Seed bacterised with MBAA1 + MBAAT exhibited enhanced seed germination of G. max up to 68% along with subsequent increase in other plant growth parameters. Considerable increase in seedling vigour index (1863.2) and chlorophyll content (13.518 mg/g) was observed in seeds treated with MBAA1 + MBAAT in plants infected with M. phaseolina.
Preliminary Evaluation of the Use of Nitrogen Stable Isotope Ratios to Establish Escapement Levels for Pacific Salmon

Abstract Research over the last decade has established the ecological significance of the nutrients and organic matter deposited by Pacific salmon in the freshwater habitats where they spawn. A large proportion of the nitrogen in plants and animals in streams where salmon are abundant may be derived from spawning fish, and juvenile salmonids exhibit higher growth rates at locations where carcasses are available. Currently, no method is available to establish salmon escapement goals that meet the nutritional needs of streams. We examined the relationship between the abundance of spawning coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and the nitrogen stable isotope ratio of coho salmon parr to determine whether a saturation level for salmon-derived nitrogen could be identified. Coho parr were collected from 26 sites in western Washington in late winter. The isotope ratio in the coho parr was related to the abundance of salmon spawning at that site the previous autumn. The amount of carcass-derived nitrogen increased w.
Reconstructing ancestral ranges in historical biogeography: properties and prospects

Abstract Recent years have witnessed a proliferation of quantitative methods for biogeographic inference. In particular, novel parametric approaches represent exciting new opportunities for the study of range evolution. Here, we review a selection of current methods for biogeographic analysis and discuss their respective properties. These methods include generalized parsimony approaches, weighted ancestral area analysis, dispersal–vicariance analysis, the dispersal–extinction–cladogenesis model and other maximum likelihood approaches, and Bayesian stochastic mapping of ancestral ranges, including a novel approach to inferring range evolution in the context of island biogeography. Some of these methods were developed specifically for problems of ancestral range reconstruction, whereas others were designed for more general problems of character state reconstruction and subsequently applied to the study of ancestral ranges. Methods for reconstructing ancestral history on a phylogenetic tree differ not only in the types of ancestral range states that are allowed, but also in the various historical events that may change the ancestral ranges. We explore how the form of allowed ancestral ranges and allowed transitions can both affect the outcome of ancestral range estimation. Finally, we mention some promising avenues for future work in the development of model‐based approaches to biogeographic analysis.
Sunshine Bass Performance in Ponds, Cages, and Indoor Tanks

Abstract Performances of sunshine bass, the hybrid of female white bass Morone chrysops × male striped bass M. saxatilis, were compared between fish reared in round and rectangular cages in ponds, between fish reared in round and rectangular indoor tanks equipped with biofilters, and between fish reared in ponds without confinement and in rectangular cages in the same ponds. Fish weights at start were 100 ± 5 g, and trials lasted 108 d. Measurements were in terms of density equivalence for cage–cage and tank–tank comparisons and numerical equivalence for cage–pond comparisons. Survival was 100% in all culture units. Mean growth rates in round and rectangular units were similar (2.5 and 2.6 g/d in cages; 2.3 and 2.4 g/d in tanks). Fish grew better in open ponds (2.9 g/d) than in cages in the same ponds (1.4 g! d). Growth and survival of fish in all systems were comparable to reports for palmetto bass (striped bass female × white bass male) and for striped bass.
Investigation of intraspecific diversity in Capsicum chinense using morphological and molecular markers

Sixty accessions of Capsicum chinense were investigated to reveal the genetic diversity based on morphological traits along with ISSR based molecular markers. Genetic distances for morphological traits and ISSR markers respectively ranged from 1.41 to 8.60 and 0.05 to 0.49. Fourteen ISSR markers showed mean of 53.84% polymorphism. The Mantel test revealed low correlation (r=0.34) between the genetic distances based on morphological and molecular markers. All the accessions of Capsicum chinense found genetically diverse which can be used for future crop improvement programme.
Inflammatory Mediators Modulate NK Cell-stimulating Activity of Dendritic Cells by Inducing Development of Polarized Effector Function

It is well established that cross talk between natural killer (NK) cells and myeloid dendritic cells (DC) leads to NK cell activation and DC maturation. In the present study, we investigated whether type 1-polarized DC (DC1) matured in the presence of IFN-γ and type 2-polarized DC (DC2) matured in the presence of PGE2 can differentially activate NK cells. Methods: In order to generate DC, plastic adherent monocytes were cultured in RPMI 1640 containing GM-CSF and IL-4. At day 6, maturation was induced by culturing the cells for 2 days with cytokines or PGE2 in the presence or absence of LPS. Each population of DC was cocultured with NK cells for 24 h. The antigen expression on DC was analyzed by flow cytometry and cytokine production in culture supernatant was measured by ELISA or a bioassay for TNF-α determination. NK cell-mediated lysis was determined using a standard 4h chromium release assay. Results: DC2, unlike DC1, had weak, if any, ability to induce NK cell activation as measured by IFN-γ production and cytolytic activity. DC2 were weakly stimulated by activated NK cells compared to DC1. In addition, IFN-γ-primed mature DC appeared to be most resistant to active NK cell-mediated lysis even at a high NK cell/DC ratio. On the other hand, PGE2-primed DC were less resistant to feedback regulation by NK cells than IFN-γ-primed mature DC. Finally, we showed that the differential effect of two types of DC population on NK cell activity is not due to differences in their ability to form conjugates with NK cells. Conclusion: These results suggest that different combinations of inflammatory mediators differentially affect the effector function of DC and, as a result, the function of NK cells, eventually leading to distinct levels of activation in adaptive immunity.
Spinturnicid mites of bats in Albania – host spectrum and morphometrics as a tool of species separation

We recorded 10 species of parasitic spinturnicids on bats in Albania. Eyndhovenia euryalis euryalis was collected on Rhinolophus euryale and R. ferrumequinum; Spinturnix acuminata on Nyctalus noctula; S. emarginata on Myotis emarginatus; S. helvetiae on N. leisleri; S. kolenatii on Eptesicus serotinus; S. myoti on M. capaccinii, M. nattereri, M. myotis and M. oxygnathus; S. mystacina on M. mystacinus; S. nobleti on Hypsugo savii; S. plecotina on Plecotus auritus, P. austriacus and P. macrobullaris; and S. psi on Miniopterus schreibersii and M. capaccinii. All mite species recorded are new for the Albanian fauna and three are new for the Balkans. Plecotus macrobullaris is a new host species for S. plecotina. We confirmed low levels of mite species co-occurrence on the same bat hosts. All mite species included in the present study were separable based on their measurements, with idiosoma length and width and dorsal shield length as the most important characters.
Hippocampal slice cultures integrated with multi‐electrode arrays: a model for study of long‐term drug effects on synaptic activity

Technological limitations have restricted the ability to determine chronic drug effects on synaptic function from in vitro preparations. In earlier studies, the extracellular recording duration was limited to less than 10 h and only a distinct population of neurons was examined. To address these limitations, we used organotypic hippocampal slice cultures integrated with planar multi‐electrode arrays (MEA‐OHSC), which permitted within‐slice comparisons and examination of long‐term changes across multiple populations of neurons. Long‐term potentiation (LTP) is a widely accepted measure of synaptic plasticity, and is believed to be a cellular mechanism underlying learning and memory. Amyloid‐β protein (Aβ) is a 40–42 amino acid peptide that is the primary element of senile plaques, a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In contrast to earlier studies, MEA‐OHSCs allowed for long‐term administration of Aβ1–42 to more closely model the chronic nature of AD pathogenesis. Prior to Aβ1–42 exposure, the CA1 region displayed robust potentiation, but afterwards the ability to induce LTP was nearly absent. Spatial analysis illustrated, for the first time, the substantial area of LTP induction, and clearly showed the global loss of this plasticity after long‐term Aβ exposure. The MEA‐OHSC model characterized here presents an ideal platform for examining the effects chronic exposure of a bioactive compound can have on a cellular correlate of memory. This model could also be used to screen potential therapeutics that may influence synaptic activity. Drug Dev Res 68:84–93, 2007. Published 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.; Canadian Crown Copyright
Taxonomy and Halotolerance of Mesophilic Methanosarcina Strains, Assignment of Strains to Species, and Synonymy of Methanosarcina mazei and Methanosarcina frisia

We examined 22 previously described and newly isolated Methanosarcina strains by performing denaturing gel electrophoresis of whole-cell proteins and assigned these strains to previously described species. Methanosarcina mazei S-6T (T = type strain) and Methanosarcina frisia C 16T were very similar in terms of the electrophoresis patterns of their proteins and in their DNA sequences (the results of reassociation experiments indicated that there was 77% sequence similarity). Thus, M. frisia is a junior subjective synonym of M. mazei, and strain C 16 is a reference strain of M. mazei. M. mazei C 16 was similar to M. mazei in other characteristics that have not been reported previously, including the ability to catabolize acetate and a lack of halophily. All of the Methanosarcina strains examined, including the marine strains M. mazei C 16 (= M. frisia C 16T) and Methanosarcina acetivorans C2AT, were slightly halotolerant (rather than halophilic, as originally described). Methanosarcina sp. strain FR-1, which has gas vesicles, was more similar to Methanosarcina barkeri MST than to Methanosarcina vacuolata Z-761T in both its protein patterns and its DNA sequence (80% similarity to M. barkeri MST and 38% similarity to M. vacuolata Z-761T). Thus, the presence of gas vesicles is not an adequate taxonomic characteristic for assigning Methanosarcina strains to M. vacuolata.
Taxonomic and evolutionary relationships in the genus Vella L. (Cruciferae)

Thirty-two differential characters are numerically analysed for the six existing taxa of the genus Vella L. The closely related monotypic genus Boleum Desv. is also included for comparison. Most of the characters used are morphological, but cariological, ecological and biogeographical aspects have also been studied. The results indicate that four distinct species, one (V. pseudocytisus L.) with three sub-species, should be distinguished. The new combination V. anremerica (Lit. et Maire) Gomez-Campo (basionym: V. pseudocytisus L. subsp. anremerica Lit. et Maire) and the new name V. pseudocytisus L. subsp. paui Gomez-Campo for V. pseudocytisus L. var. glabrescens Willk. , nornen nudum are presented. A key is given to aid identification of these taxa. Their conservation status is also discussed.
STARCH DETERMINATION BY PERCHLORIC ACID VS ENZYMES : EVALUATING THE ACCURACY AND PRECISION OF SIX COLORIMETRIC METHODS

Different methods of polymer extraction can markedly affect the accuracy of starch determination in plant tissues. This study compared starch values in pine root tissue extracted with either perchloric acid or starch-digesting enzymes. Three variations of the two extraction methods were tested. The accuracy of starch determination was assessed for five methods by comparing results to a standard method that employed perchloric acid and KI precipitation. Methods that employed commercial enzymes without additional purification yielded starch values slightly higher than the standard method. Commercial enzymes subjected to additional purification yielded starch values slightly lower than the standard method. Perchloric acid methods without KI precipitation yielded starch values 20-40 5% higher than the standard method. Also, enzyme methods had the highest precision for extraction and colorimetric steps and were more convenient than perchloric acid methods if additional enzyme purification was not performed. Detailed protocols for the laboratory procedures are provided.
Gordura corporal e eficiência reprodutiva em éguas doadoras de embrião Mangalarga Marchador

Foi comparado o julgamento do escore de condicao corporal (ECC) com a espessura de gordura subcutânea (EGS) e sua relacao com a eficiencia reprodutiva de eguas Mangalarga Marchador doadoras de embriao. O experimento foi conduzido com 56 eguas doadoras entre os meses de agosto/08 e abril/09. O ECC foi maior em eguas mais velhas e aumentou com os dias de permanencia no experimento. Houve correlacao positiva entre peso e tempo de experimento. O peso nao foi associado a idade, porem aumentou ao longo do experimento. A EGS na regiao da cauda e entre a 12a e 13a costelas aumentou com a idade e diminuiu com os dias de permanencia no experimento. Houve correlacao positiva entre EGS e ECC para a cauda e costela. O diâmetro do foliculo dominante aumentou ao longo do ciclo estral, e foi menor em eguas com ECC abaixo de 6,5. O diâmetro folicular nao foi influenciado pela idade. O diâmetro medio do foliculo ovulatorio foi 38,43 ± 3,09 mm. A recuperacao embrionaria nao foi afetada pela idade ou ECC, mas foi menor (41%) emeguas que ovularam foliculos menores que 40 mm quando comparados as que ovularam foliculos maiores que 40 mm (59%). A idade da doadora nao foi associada a taxa de gestacao dos embrioes nas receptoras. A gordura corporal afetou a eficiencia reprodutiva das eguas, alem disso, a ultrassonografia parece ser essencial para a avaliacao precisa e correta do escore de condicao corporal.
Mass spore production and inoculation of Calonectria pteridis on Eucalyptus spp. under different environmental conditions

Calonectria pteridis is one of the most important causal agents of Calonectria leaf blight (CLB) of Eucalyptus spp. in Brazil, which is a limiting factor for growth of Eucalyptus plantations. In this study we developed standard procedures for in vitro mass spore production and inoculation of C. pteridis for screening plant species and clones for resistance to CLB. The isolates used in this study were identified using similarity in DNA sequence to reference strains. Among six media tested, glucose asparagine agar induced the highest sporulation production and a significantly enhanced sporulation was found by scraping the aerial mycelium and temporarily submersing the cultures in tap water, followed by drying and additional incubation of the culture. We also demonstrated that the severity of CLB on excised leaves of two Eucalyptus spp. clones increased significantly when the inoculated leaves were incubated in the dark. The optimal temperature for infection was 26oC when plants were incubated for 48 hours post-inoculation in a mist chamber and then maintained in a greenhouse (25oC±5oC) for 50 days. This study identifies environmental conditions to improve spore production and inoculation procedures of C. pteridis for selection of resistant Eucalyptus spp.