Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Riparian Areas and Conservation of Herpetofauna in a Tropical Dry Forest in Western Mexico

Studies that assess the importance of riparian habitats in maintaining diversity of herpetofaunal assemblages in tropical dry forests are limited. We examined changes in abundance, diversity and composition of anuran, lizard and snake assemblages along stream edge–upslope gradients in conserved and disturbed areas of tropical dry forest on the Pacific coast of México. We sampled 659 plots in six watersheds over 2 yr. Two forest conditions (conserved and human disturbed, with three watersheds as replicates) were evaluated in the dry and rainy season. Within each watershed, plots were randomly located at three different distance categories from either stream edge: 0–10 m (near‐stream environment), 30–40 m (mid‐slope environment), and 50–60 m (upslope environment). Herpetofauna was surveyed by time‐constrained searches with a sampling effort of 1980 person‐hours. Eighteen anuran, 18 lizard and 23 snake species were recorded. Overall, abundance and diversity of lizards and snakes decreased from near‐stream to upslope areas in both forest conditions and seasons; while that of anurans followed this trend only for the conserved forest during the rainy season. Regardless of distance, abundance and diversity of anurans markedly decreased during the dry season, while that of snakes and lizards increased. Overall, our study shows that the importance of riparian areas for herpetofaunal conservation in dry tropical forests varies with forest condition and season.
Clonal diversity and allozyme variation in populations of the arctic sedge Carex bigelowii (Cyperaceae).

1 A study of allozyme variation in vegetatively propagating populations of the rhizomatous sedge Carex bigelowii, revealed high levels of clonal diversity (genet diversity) within populations. The structure of allelic variation within the populations suggests that sexual reproduction has played a significant role in these C. bigelowii populations, despite present lack of seedling recruitment. The study was carried out in moss-heath communities on Icelandic lava-fields. Two adjacent populations were studied at one site, while a third population was studied at a second site, 35 km away from the first two populations. 2 The number of genets detected in each population, among 85-88 analysed ramets, ranged from 41 to 55 (minimum estimate). Samples were taken every 4 m along transects in the populations. Ramets with the same allozyme genotype were often spatially aggregated. No seedlings have been observed in the populations during five years of demographic studies. 3 All the populations studied showed a diploid expression of allozymes and high levels of allelic variation, with on average 491.77 alleles per locus (A) and an allelic diversity (HS) of 0.167. Similar levels of within-population variability are found in many wind-pollinated and outcrossing plant species. 4 The difference between observed and expected heterozygosity was small in all populations, suggesting high levels of outbreeding. 5 Comparisons with other Carex taxa show that the levels of and structuring of allozyme diversity in C. bigelowii is similar to that in other outbreeding species (usually rhizomatous), and much higher than in inbreeding species (which are usually caespitose). 6 Only 5the total allelic diversity was explained by differences between the two study sites (G ST = 0.055), suggesting extensive recent or historic gene-flow. (Less)
Characterization of Coastal Sites by Applying Genetic and Genotoxicity Markers in Mytilus Galloprovincialis and Tapes Philippinarum

Electrophoretic profiles of allozyme loci (Odh, Gpi, Idh, Pgm, 6Pgd) and early markers of genetic damage have been studied in parallel in Mytilus galloprovincialis and Tapes philippinarum from three coastal zones concerning the Venice Lagoon (off-shore. Malamocco outlet, inner industrial district). The selected species are filter-feeding bivalves inhabiting the water column and bottom sediments. respectively. In general. heterozygosity values were higher in clams than in mussels. Interestingly, heterozygote deficiency was detected in both species. particularly in samples from the industrial area where significant levels of DNA adducts. cytogenetic alterations and DNA strand breaks were also detected. Further work is necessary to extend these data and to investigate the relationships between long-lasting exposure to toxic and genotoxic contaminants and changes in the genetic structure of native mollusc populations.
Systematic revision and phylogenetic analysis of the South American genus Chlorus (Orthoptera, Acridoidea, Melanoplinae)

The South American grasshopper genus Chlorus (Melanoplinae, Dichroplini) from Bolivia, southern Brazil and Paraguay is revised. Cladistic analysis of morphological characters indicates that Chlorus constitutes a monophyletic group whose generic relationships remain unsolved. If the external morphology is considered, Chlorus showed to be related to Dichromatos, while characters from the male genitalia support the relationship between Chlorus and Eurotettix. Seven species are recognised for Chlorus with three of them described as new: Chlorus spatulus, Ch. chiquitensis and Ch. attenuatus. Keys to the species of the genus and a review of the morphological characters defining the taxa are provided.
Construction of a new set of rice chromosome segment substitution lines and identification of grain weight and related traits QTLs

We report here the construction of a new set of chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) in rice, in which the genome of the elite japonica cultivar C418 has been introgressed into the background of the elite indica cultivar 9311. This set was developed by marker aided selection, based on 136 SSR and in/del markers. The introgressed chromosomal segments presented in the 108 CSSLs covered 98.3% of the cultivar C418 genome. The CSSL set was used to genetically analyze variation for 1000-grain weight (TGW) and related traits in two contrasting environments, and led to the identification of 41 quantitative trait loci (QTLs), five of which were expressed in both environments. More detailed mapping of qTGW7 showed that it is co-segregated with RM22034 on the short arm of chromosome 7. The CSSLs varied phenotypically with respect to a number of agronomic traits besides TGW. CSSL populations would be effective in identifying QTLs for these various traits, and could provide germplasm relevant for crop improvement.
Phenotypic Characterization And Comparative Genomics Analysis Of Listeriaphages

As the foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes is common in dairy farm environments, it is likely that phages infecting this bacterium (“listeriaphages”) are abundant on dairy farms. To better understand the ecology and diversity of listeriaphages on dairy farms and to develop a diverse phage collection for further studies, silage samples collected on two dairy farms were screened for L. monocytogenes and listeriaphages. While only 4.5% of silage samples tested positive for L. monocytogenes, 47.8% of samples were positive for listeriaphages, containing up to >1.5 x 10 PFU/g. Host range characterization of the 114 phage isolates obtained, with a reference set of 13 L. monocytogenes strains representing the 9 major serotypes and four lineages, revealed considerable host range diversity; phage isolates were classified into 9 lysis groups. While one serotype 3c strain was not lysed by any phage isolates, serotype 4 strains were highly susceptible to phages and were lysed by 63.2 to 88.6% of phages tested. Overall, 12.3% of phage isolates showed narrow host range (lysing 1 to 5 strains), while 28.9% of phages represented broad host range (lysing ≥11 strains). Genome sizes of the phage isolates were estimated to range from approx. 26 to 140 kb. The extensive host range and genomic diversity of phages
Genetic Characterisation of CSN2 Gene in Girgentana Goat Breed

Among calcium sensitive caseins, β-casein is the most abundant in goat milk, representing up to 50% of total casein content. The goat β-casein locus has been widely investigated and at least ten alleles have been identified in different goat breeds. The aim of this work was to investigate the polymorphisms of β-casein gene in Girgentana dairy goat breed in order to assess the genotype distribution and evaluate how frequencies have changed during the last 10 years, as genotype is known to influence technological and nutritional milk properties. Sequencing analysis and alignment of the obtained sequences of β-casein exon 7, showed the presence of C, C1, and A strong alleles, and 0′ null allele, with frequencies of 0.597, 0.326, 0.023, and 0.054, respectively. Seven genotypic classes were found in Girgentana goat breed and the most frequent genotype was CC1 (0.423) followed by CC (0.326), C1C1 (0.110), and C0′ (0.096). No AA nor 0′0′ homozygous individuals were found. The presence of strong alleles at CSN2 gene in Girgentana goat breed could be useful for the production of milk with high protein content and good cheese-making properties. Moreover, food business operators should consider the possibility of reviving interest in Girgentana goat milk using weak and null genotypes at CSN2 locus to make peculiar food products, such as drinking milk.
Lunar influence on human visual acuity: effects during the lunar quarters

We have previously shown that, in an eye affected by macular edema, visual acuity is better at the time of the full moon, with respect to the new moon, whereas there is no difference in the normal eye. In the present paper we report that in both the normal and the edematous eyes visual acuity is affected by the Moon at the lunar quarters. There are both increases and decreases of acuity but they occur rarely, only once or twice in a year. It is necessary for a lunar zero declination to coincide with a quarter for there to be a response. There is correlation between these events and changes in the atmospheric pressure. An increase in atmospheric pressure is associated with a decrease in visual acuity, whereas a decrease in atmospheric pressure correlates with an increase in acuity. These results may be of relevance to many marine animals.
Inland water crustaceans of Easter Island

The inland water crustaceans of the Chilean oceanic islands have been only poorly studied. First Brehm (1936) described the possibility of a find of the cyclopoid copepod, Paracyclops fimbriatus (Fischer, 1853) on the Juan Fernández Islands, but did not specify the exact site. Later on, Dumont & Martens (1996) described the presence of five (sub-)species of freshwater crustaceans, i.e., the cladoceran Alona weinecki Studer, 1878, the copepod Paracyclops fimbriatus chiltoni (Thomson, 1883), and the ostracods Heterocypris incongruens (Ramdohr, 1808), Cypretta seurati Gauthier, 1929, and Sarscypridopsis sp. On the basis of these references, none of the crustaceans reported therein is endemic for Easter Island, and thus probably these comprise species introduced from Sub-Antarctic and Asian-Pacific zones (Korovchinski, 2001; Fernández et al., 2014). The present study was performed on Easter Island, which has two extinct volcanos with crater lakes (Rano Kau and Rano Raraku), as well as numerous ephemeral water bodies that are present after the rain period, which falls approximately between June and September (Dumont & Martens, 1996). Easter Island was visited from 19 to 23 September 2014, and collections were made at the sites Rano Aroi, the highest point of the island, in three small ephemeral water bodies and one ephemeral stream, and at the crater lakes located at the volcanos Rano Kau and Rano Raraku. Samples were taken by filtering approximately 5 l water through screens of 80 μm mesh size. The samples were fixed with absolute ethanol and identified with the appropriate specialized literature (Araya & Zúñiga, 1985; Reid, 1985; Dumont & Martens, 1996; Karanovic, 2012). For each site a geographic reference was made with a Garmin GPS, and the conductivity and total dissolved solids were measured in situ with a Hanna sensor.
HIV Impairs TNF-α Mediated Macrophage Apoptotic Response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis1

The factors that contribute to the exceptionally high incidence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTb) disease in HIV+ persons are poorly understood. Macrophage apoptosis represents a critical innate host cell response to control MTb infection and limit disease. In the current study, virulent live or irradiated MTb (iMTbRv) induced apoptosis of differentiated human U937 macrophages in vitro, in part dependent on TNF-α. In contrast, apoptosis of differentiated HIV+ human U1 macrophages (HIV+ U937 subclone) was markedly reduced in response to iMTbRv and associated with significantly reduced TNF-α release, whereas apoptosis and TNF-α release were intact to TLR-independent stimuli. Furthermore, reduced macrophage apoptosis and TNF-α release were independent of MTb phagocytosis. Whereas surface expression of macrophage TLR2 and TLR4 was preserved, IL-1 receptor associated kinase-1 phosphorylation and NF-κB nuclear translocation were reduced in HIV+ U1 macrophages in response to iMTbRv. These findings were confirmed using clinically relevant human alveolar macrophages (AM) from healthy persons and asymptomatic HIV+ persons at clinical risk for MTb infection. Furthermore, in vitro HIV infection of AM from healthy persons reduced both TNF-α release and AM apoptosis in response to iMTbRv. These data identify an intrinsic specific defect in a critical macrophage cellular response to MTb that may contribute to disease pathogenesis in HIV+ persons.
Production of glycerol monolaurate‐enriched monoacylglycerols by lipase‐catalyzed glycerolysis from coconut oil

In order to study the potential of producing glycerol monolaurate (GML) under a mild condition, enzymatic catalyzed glycerolysis in microemulsion system and molecular distillation were used to produce glycerol monolaurate-enriched MAGs from coconut oil. For the process of glycerolysis, the catalytic abilities of three lipases were compared, and the reaction conditions were studied. Moreover, evaporator temperatures of two-step molecular distillations were optimized. The results showed that the suitable lipase was Novozym 435, and the optimum glycerolysis parameters were molar ratio of coconut oil to glycerol 1:4; the concentrations of Novozym 435 and sodium (bis-2-ethyl-hexyl) sulfosuccinate 8 and 16%, respectively; and the reaction temperature 50°C. Under these conditions, with a 240 min reaction time, glycerides which contained 62.5% MAGs, 30.4% DAGs, and 5.8% TAGs were obtained. The content of GML was 29.3% and the acid value (AV) was 8.0 mg KOH/g. Then, by two-step molecular distillations conducted at 90 and 120°C (0.5–1.0 Pa), the content of GML and MAGs were efficiently increased to 60.0 and 97.6%, respectively. Meanwhile, the content of DAGs and the AV were decreased to 2.0% and 0.02 mg KOH/g. Practical applications: Glycerol monolaurate (GML), a surfactant, has been widely used as emulsifier and preservative in the food industry. However, the traditional production of GML by chemical esterification under high temperature is complicated and energetically costly. The proposed method provideds mild conditions to produce GML. For the first time the GML produced from enzymatic glycerolysis of coconut oil and its concentration by molecular distillation were investigated.
Thermal stress effect on tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus (Pisces: Cichlidae) blood parameters

The effect of thermal stress on blood parameters of Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters, 1852) was evaluated based on the critical thermal maximum (CTMax) and the upper incipient lethal temperature (UILT). The CTMax values in tilapia acclimated at 24, 28 and 32°C were 41.6, 42.0 and 43.3°C, respectively. In fish acclimated at 24°C, the UILT was 38°C and in tilapia maintained at 28 and 32°C resulted in 39°C. The CTMax and UILT responses modified the following blood parameters of O. mossambicus acclimated at different temperatures: coagulation time, sedimentation rate, mean corpuscular volume, haematocrit, number of erythrocytes and leukocytes, percentage of lymphocytes and granulocytes, number of thrombocytes, osmotic pressure and glucose concentration. Glucose concentration was consistently altered by the CTMax and the UILT in all treatments and may be a good indicator of O. mossambicus thermal stress.
ABA Signal Transduction Pathway in Plants: ABA Transport, Perception, Signaling and Post-Translational Modification

During the life cycle of plants, water deficit leads to an adverse effect on its growth and development. To increase the productivity of crops, overcoming such drought stress is one of the most important issues in the field of plant study. Among plant hormones, the phytohormone, abscisic acid (ABA) plays a crucial role in eliciting resistance to drought stress as well as in multiple developmental processes, such as seed germination, stomatal closure, and seedling growth. Therefore, further understanding of the ABA-mediated signal transduction pathway in plants is an effective strategy to generate drought-tolerant plants. Posttranslational modification, such as phosphorylation and ubiquitination, is an efficient mechanism for plants to acquire quick adaptation against environmental stress conditions since this process directly affects pre-existing signaling components by modulating protein activity and stability. Here, recent reports on ABA signaling are reviewed, especially focusing on ABA transport, perception, signaling, and posttranslational modification in ABA-mediated cellular responses. Also, we present future prospects on how the control of such a mechanism can be applied to generate useful agricultural crops.
Effects of solar UV radiation on diurnal photosynthetic performance and growth of Gracilaria lemaneiformis (Rhodophyta)

Previous studies on diurnal photosynthesis of macroalgal species have shown that at similar levels of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR, 400–700nm) the photosynthetic rate is lower in the afternoon than in the morning. However, the impacts of solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR, 280–400nm) have been little considered. We investigated the diurnal photosynthetic behaviour of the economically significant red alga Gracilaria lemaneiformis in the absence or presence of UV-A+B or UV-B with a flow-through system. While UV-A and UV-B, respectively, inhibited noontime Pmax by 22% and 14% on the sunny days, UV-A during sunrise (PAR below about 50Wm−2) increased the net photosynthesis by about 8% when compared with PAR alone. UV-A + PAR also resulted in higher apparent photosynthetic efficiency in the morning than in the afternoon period than PAR alone. Nevertheless, integrated daytime photosynthetic production under solar PAR alone was higher than with either PAR + UV-A+B or PAR + UV-A. Relative growth rate in the long term (9 days) matched the integrated photosynthetic production in that UV-A led to 9–15% and UV-B to 19–22% reduction, respectively. UV-absorbing compounds were found to be higher in the thalli exposed to PAR+UV-A+B than under PAR alone, reflecting a protective response to UVR.
Deltochilini and Phanaeini dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) in introduced and native ecosystems of Brazil

The dung beetle tribes Deltochilini and Phanaeini (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) play an important ecological role in the habitats in which they live. Despite much field work on these beetles in the Neotropical region, biological information on many taxa is still unknown. Here we provide information on species of Deltochilini and Phanaeini including temporal distribution of adults, sex ratio (Male : Female) and measurements of the individuals as well as on ecology and general biology of all species sampled in introduced (pasturelands of Brachiaria spp.) and native (patch of the Brazilian savanna) ecosystems of Brazil. Furthermore, our findings may help to understand the complexity of the effects of mixed ecosystems on the biodiversity of dung beetles.
Prostaglandin E2 protects human lung fibroblasts from cigarette smoke extract‐induced apoptosis via EP2 receptor activation

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) has been shown to have a strong cytoprotective effect, inhibiting apoptosis. In the present study, we evaluated whether PGE2 has a protective effect on cigarette smoke extract (CSE)‐induced apoptosis in human lung fibroblasts. Apoptosis was assessed by various methods, including DNA content analysis. CSE (15%–20%) led to apoptosis and induced imbalance in favor of pro‐ over anti‐apoptotic protein expression and activated caspases. PGE2 blocked CSE‐induced apoptosis and modulated the balance of pro‐ and anti‐apoptotic proteins and decreased the activation of caspases. This anti‐apoptotic effect was mediated via EP2 receptor activation as the EP2 agonist butaprost mimicked PGE2 activity and siRNA for the EP2 receptor blocked it. An adenylyl cyclase inhibitor was found to abolish the PGE2‐mediated cytoprotective effect. Correspondingly, c‐AMP analogs blocked CSE‐induced apoptosis. Consistently, the protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor KT‐5720 abolished PGE2‐mediated protection. PGE2 and butaprost phosphorylated Bad and KT‐5720 blocked phosphorylation. These results suggest that PGE2 inhibits CSE‐induced apoptosis via EP2 receptor activation and activation of PKA, which leads to an alteration in the balance between pro‐ and anti‐apoptotic factors. Through such a mechanism, PGE2 may alter survival of cells in the smoke‐exposed lungs, thus affecting the pathogenesis of cigarette smoke‐induced disease. J. Cell. Physiol. 210: 99–110, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Screening Trial of 28 Species Conducted on Non-Saline and Saline Soils in Dry Tropical Northeast Australia

Abstract A trial to examine the suitabilities of 28 tree species for both non-saline and saline soils was carried out in a dry tropical area of northern Australia. The trial consisted of two experiments, Experiment 1 on a non-saline site and Experiment 2 on a saline site. In each experiment, trees of all the species were grown in a randomised complete block design with 6 blocks (replicates) and were measured for survival; height and diameter at breast height (DBH) at age 24 months. These parameters were found to differ significantly between species in both experiments. Of all species tested, Azadi-rachta indica, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, E. citriodora, E. maculata, E. pellita, E. raveretiana, Khaya senegalensisand Paulowniafortue-niihad high survival and fast growth in height and DBH on the non-saline site while E. camaldulensis, E. drepanophylla, E. moluc-cartaand E. raveretianaperformed better on the saline site. Salinity greatly affected survival for some species and reduced tree growth in both height .