Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Les virus du vanillier à la Réunion : un frein au développement de la culture sous ombrière

Depuis deux ans et sous ombriere, le probleme des viroses de la vanille a la Reunion a pris une ampleur preoccupante. Aussi un large indexage par la technique EIA a ete conduit en 1997 pour apprecier la frequence des virus sous ombriere. Les premiers resultats montrent que l'ensemble des ombrieres de l'ile sont touchees et que l'origine des deperissements observes serait le fait d'au moins deux virus, le cymbidium mosaic potexvirus (CYMV) et un ou des virus appartenant au groupe des potyvirus. Les niveaux de contamination des ombrieres sont variables et peuvent, dans le cas du CYMV, atteindre la totalite des plants. Cet indexage demontre l'urgence de la situation et la necessite de diffuser rapidement des mesures prophylactiques. Il a egalement permis le reperage de plants indemnes de virus qui sont desormais multiplies dans le cadre d'un programme de regeneration des ombrieres de l'ile. (Resume d'auteur)
T cell plasticity and co-infections in mycobacterial diseases.

The genus Mycobacterium comprises a variety of organisms, of which only a few are pathogenic, causing diseases of varying nature and severity. Despite this diversity, it is well established that CD4+ T helper type 1 (Th1) cells are instrumental in generating effective anti- mycobacterial immune responses. In addition, Th17 cells are required for mucosal vaccine recall responses. In this work, we studied T cell plasticity and how cytokine defects or co-infections that skew the immune response to a predominantly Th2 or Th17 type, can affect the outcome of primary and recall responses to mycobacterial infections. We explored the plasticity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb)-specific Th responses, showing that Mtb-specific Th1 and Th17 cells can acquire the cytokine secretion patterns of other Th subsets. In a vaccination setting, where Mtb-specific Th17 cells are required for protection, we studied the requirements for Mtb control following Th17 transfer. Firstly, we found that upon re-exposure to Mtb antigen, Th17 cells were plastic and required external signaling via IL-23 and CXCR5 expression for protection. Surprisingly, IFN-γ−deficient Th17 cells conferred enhanced protection against Mtb. Together, our data suggest that optimizing vaccine strategies to boost CXCR5 and IL-23 expression, while limiting IFN-γ production, may enhance vaccine efficacy. In countries with poorly developed infrastructure, Mtb is often co-endemic with helminth infections. Thus, using a model helminth organism (Schistosoma mansoni), we assessed whether helminth co-infection or antigens impact T cell plasticity during Mtb infection. Our data show that helminth infection enhances arginase expression in macrophages within the lung, reduces Th1 responses and diminishes Mtb control. Importantly, antihelminthic treatment of co-infected mice was sufficient for restoring T cell responses and reducing inflammation, suggesting that T cell modulation is reversible. In addition, we determined the effect of Aspergillus fumigatus co-infection on Mycobacterium abscessus (Mabs), which is an emerging pathogen in cystic fibrosis. Interestingly, we found that A.fumigatus alleviated Mabs-induced lung pathology in a mouse model. Future studies will establish if modulation of Th1 and Th17 commitment toward a regulatory phenotype underlies the decreased inflammation. Together, our results provide novel information on the dynamic interplay between host genetics, competing host responses to parasitic and fungal antigens and Mtb co-infection.
Ocorrência de genes tad associados à formação de biofilme em isolados de Pasteurella multocida de pulmões de suínos com pneumonia

Nowadays pig intensive production systems increase microbial selection pressure favoring spread of respiratory diseases. The bacteria Pasteurella multocida is associated with various respiratory diseases in pigs under farming conditions causing high economic losses. In vitro biofilm formation has been described in P. multocida which role is described in tissue colonization, enhancing resistance to host defenses and antibiotics. The aims of this study were to analyze the occurrence of P. multocida in pig pneumonia and health lung microbiota, and occurrence of tad locus genes in these isolates. Seventy isolates of P. multocida were analyzed which sixty seven were from lungs with lesion and three from healthy lungs. Serotype A occurred mainly in lung lesion (85.71%), in healthy lung, instead, only serotype D was observed. Genes tadA, tadB, tadC, tadD, tadE, tadF and tadG were present in 89.55% isolates from lesion lung. Genes tadA, tadB and tadC were present in all isolates from healthy lungs but, tadD, tadE tadF and tadG were present in 0%, 33.3%, 33,3% and 66.6%, respectively. This work associated tadD, tadE and tadF gene positive isolates of P. multocida to lung pneumonic lesions.
Anti‐oxidant Properties of C60 Fullerenes in vitro

C60 fullerenes at concentration 10−5 M show a protective effect on apoptotic H2O2–treated thymocytes, restoring the level of GSH in cytoplasm and increasing the activity of electron‐transport chain in mitochondria. The protective of C60 fullerenes most probably results from it ability to incorporate into cell membrane and to prevent lipid peroxidation.
Trends in numbers of Cape gannets (Morus capensis), 1956/1957-2005/2006, with a consideration of the influence of food and other factors

Crawford, R. J. M. , Dundee, B. L. , Dyer, B. M. , Klages, N. T. , Meyer, M. A. , and Upfold, L. 2007. Trends in numbers of Cape gannets (Morus capensis), 1956/57-2005/06, with a consideration of the influence of food and other factors - ICES Journal of Marine Science, 64, 169-177.Cape gannets (Morus capensis) breed at six colonies in Namibia and South Africa. Population size averaged about 250 000 pairs over the period 1956/1957-1968/1969 and about 150 000 pairs from 1978/1979 to 2005/2006. Over the whole 50-y period, numbers at the three Namibian colonies fell by 85-98%, with greater proportional decreases in the south. There were increases at two South African colonies between 1956/1957 and 2005/2006. The colony at Lambert's Bay increased between 1956/1957 and 2003/2004, but attacks by Cape fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus) on birds at nests caused abandonment of the entire colony in 2005/2006. Long-term changes at colonies are thought to be largely attributable to an altered abundance and distribution of prey, especially sardine (Sardinops sagax) and anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus). In both Namibia and South Africa, the numbers of Cape gannets breeding were significantly related to the biomass of epipelagic fish prey. Over the 50-y period, there was also a marked similarity in the proportions of gannets and epipelagic fish in the Benguela system, which were present in Namibia and South Africa. In the 2000s, there was an eastward shift in the distribution of sardine off South Africa and a large increase in the number of gannets breeding at South Africa's easternmost colony. When sardine were scarce off South Africa, gannets fed on anchovy, but off Namibia anchovy only temporarily and partially replaced sardine. Ecosystem management measures that might improve the conservation status of Cape gannets are considered.
Physiological impacts of Mg deficiency in Pinus radiata: growth and photosynthesis

This paper reports the effects of nutrient magnesium (Mg) concentrations on the growth and photosynthetic physiology of clonal Pinus radiata from four female parents (families) known to differ in their tolerance to Mg deficiency and in their needle Mg concentrations. Plants were grown in flowing nutrient solutions with 2 mg l -1 (control) and 0.8 mg l -1 (low) Mg. Plant growth, needle Mg concentration, photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence and carotenoid pigment content were measured. At low Mg, needle Mg concentration was about half that of control plants, height growth was reduced 15-25%, and the needles showed strong visual characteristics of Mg deficiency. Photosynthesis was also halved, and was associated with closure of the stomata under low Mg and with reductions in the residual conductance. In needles from plants grown at low Mg, photochemical yield was reduced both in the light and in the dark, and was strongly dependent on needle Mg concentrations below a threshold concentration of 0.02-0.025% (d. wt basis). The electron transport rate (ETR) at saturating photon flux density in low-Mg-grown needles was reduced to about half that of their Mg controls, but the photon efficiency of ETR was unaffected by the Mg concentration the plants were grown in. Photosynthetic quenching was markedly reduced and non-photosynthetic quenching was increased following growth in low Mg. Growth under low Mg also increased levels of zeaxanthin. Although family differences in growth and photosynthetic physiology were present, few family x Mg interactions were significant. We conclude that Mg deficiency probably affects growth through severe reductions in photosynthesis.
Diversity of understory birds in old stands of native and Eucalyptus plantations

We compared the vegetation structure between old (>70 year) stands of planted diversified native forests and stands of Eucalyptus tereticornis embedded in a mosaic of Eucalyptus stands. We then tested for differences in the abundance, species richness, species composition, and ecological traits (forest dependence, sensitivity to forest fragmentation, and diet) of the understory bird assemblages inhabiting both kinds of stands. We expected differences in the structure of the bird assemblages because of the different origins and management strategies (contrary to native stands, Eucalyptus stands were selectively logged in the past). Three stands of each habitat (native and Eucalyptus) were sampled with mist nets during 11 months. Eucalyptus stands had a denser understory, whereas native plantations had a more developed vertical structure and a greater density of native trees. The abundance distribution of bird species was more homogeneous in Eucalyptus than in native stands. Eucalyptus had slightly higher species richness (36 species) than native stands (32 species). The composition of species and the occurrence of the diet, forest dependence, and sensitivity to forest fragmentation categories were similar between habitats. Some bird species (e.g. Turdus leucomelas), however, were more abundant in one habitat over the other. Old stands of Eucalyptus and planted native forest can harbor a diverse bird community similar in structure but not exactly equivalent for individual bird species. Planting native diversified forests and keeping set‐aside stands of the exotic tree should be viewed as complementary rather than alternative strategies for maintaining bird diversity within plantations.
Food stress, nestling growth, and fluctuating asymmetry

It has been suggested that fluctuating asymmetry (FA) is an indicator of perturbed development. Our study tests the validity of a fundamental assumption of asymmetry theory: that environmental stress imposed during development increases FA. We deprived tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) nestlings of food for 3 h every morning from days 3 to 15 of brood age. We obtained 2 repeated measurements of the right and left ninth primaries, outer rectrices, and tarsi, and one measure of body mass on days 8, 12, and 16. Food-deprived nestlings had significantly smaller character sizes (all characters for all days), significantly lower wing and tail feather growth rates, and significantly higher tarsal and mass growth rates than control nestlings. However, food deprivation did not cause experimental nestlings to exhibit significantly greater FA than control nestlings. Nestling mass and FA were not associated within treatments or across broods, and brood size had no significant effect upon the character size, growth r.
Behaviour-mediated alteration of positively size-dependent vulnerability to angling in response to historical fishing pressure in a freshwater salmonid

Positively size-selective vulnerability to fishing is well established in recreational fisheries. Size-selective harvesting can either induce an indirect selection response of behavioural traits that are correlated with size or exert direct selection pressures on behaviours that contribute to vulnerability. In addition, learning to avoid future capture may always happen. Behavioural change caused by fishing may in turn affect the size-selective properties of angling. To test this prediction, field experiments with amago salmon (Oncorhynchus masou ishikawae) were conducted. We demonstrated that, as expected, large fish were more vulnerable than smaller individuals in a low fishing pressure (LP) stream and that positively size-selective angling was not (or no longer) present in a high fishing pressure (HP) stream. Moreover, fish in the HP stream were by far less vulnerable to angling with natural bait than fishes in the LP stream. Laboratory studies showed that offspring from HP streams were intrinsically s.
Cutting Edge: Dendritic Cells Are Sufficient to Cross-Present Self-Antigens to CD8 T Cells In Vivo1

The mechanism of cross-presentation enables professional APCs to induce CD8 T cell-mediated immune responses against exogenous Ags. Through this mechanism, APCs can induce either immunity against infectious pathogens or tolerance against self-Ag residing in extralymphatic locations. An unanswered question in this field concerns the identity of the cross-presenting APC. All major classes of professional APCs, particularly dendritic cells, macrophages, and B cells, have previously been shown to be able to cross-present Ags in vitro. In the present study, we have created transgenic mice where MHC class I expression is driven selectively in dendritic cells and provide direct in vivo evidence that dendritic cells are sufficient to cross-present exogenous self-Ags and induce Ag-specific cell division of CD8-positive T cells.
Purification, Crystallization, and Properties of Bovine Milk Catalase

Abstract Catalase of bovine milk was crystallized following n-butanol extraction, ammonium sulfate fractionation, ethanol-chloroform fractionation, diethyl-aminoethyl-Sephacel column chromatography, and Sephacryl S-300 gel filtration. About 120mg crystalline catalase was produced from 1200kg milk. The product was approximately 23,000 times as pure as milk. The crystalline catalase appeared homogeneous on disc-electrophoretic analysis. Its molecular weight was approximately 225,000 by Sephadex G-200 gel filtration. Optimum pH and temperature of the crystalline catalase were pH 8.0 and 20°C. The enzyme had a thermostable range below 40° C. Its absorption spectrum showed two bands, one at 275nm (protein) and the other from 360 to 450nm (Soret band, heme group). About 8% sodium chloride concentration reduced catalase activity by more than 6%.
Galaxy Classification Using Artificial Neural Networks

Applications of machine-automated reduction procedures and pattern recognition techniques are a key ingredient to the execution of large all-sky digital surveys. The development of objective machine techniques for object detection, measurement, and classification not only allow for a timely reduction of the data, but greatly add to the scientific worth of the final product by imposing a reduction process which is rigorously adhered to. Works by Slezak et ul. ,' Heydon-Dumbleton et ~ l . , ~ Rhee,3 and Odewahn et aL4 discuss the use of automated techniques for rudimentary image analysis (i.e., star-galaxy separation), but the area of automated morphological classification of galaxies is in a relative state of infancy. Early investigations have yet to produce a system which can discern the subtle features attainable by experienced human classifiers when assigning a type in the revised Hubble classification system. Using high-quality photometric parameter sets from multiple spectral regions, along with sophisticated classification algorithms, it is only a matter of time before machine classified sets will match the repeatability of the human classifiers. In addition, such techniques will be applied in a more consistent manner to vastly larger data sets than have heretofore been attempted in human visual classification projects. Thonnat' has used a rule-based expert system to derive galaxy classifications from parameters obtained in the image segmentation of PDS density arrays measured on photographic Schmidt plates. Although a well-understood classification system is attained in such a scheme, one must possess either a priori knowledge of how the measured image parameter data relate to the galaxy types or a vast amount of examples with which to derive the classification rules. Spiekermann6 has classified galaxies into five broad morphological classes (E, SO, Sa, Sb, Sc/Ir) using a fuzzy algebra system for digitized IIIa-J Schmidt images. Whitmore' presents a classification approach using a principal component analysis (PCA) of a variety of photometric parameters, some of which are based on metric measures, and hence require one to know the galaxy distance. A recent approach along this direction by Han,' where PCA is used to characterize the I-band luminosity profile of a galaxy, shows great promise. In recent work, Doi et aL9 have used the surface brightness and image concentration to discriminate between early and late type galaxies. Similarly, Abraham et al." use an image asymmetry and concentration parameter to perform a linear separation in a two-dimensional space for galaxy classification in three broad categories. From all these works, it is clear that one wishes to combine as
α6β1 integrin expression in hepatocarcinoma cells: Regulation and role in cell adhesion and migration

Liver carcinogenesis is associated with striking changes in the integrin repertoire of hepatocytes, including the overexpression of the laminin and collagen receptors α1β1 and the de novo induction of the laminin receptor α6β1. Our aim was to analyze the role of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, interferons and fibrogenic cytokines TGF‐β and FGF2 in the regulation of the expression of β1 integrins by neoplastic hepatocytes. The 2 human hepatocellular cell lines HepG2 and Hep3B were used as models. Integrin expression was assessed by qualitative methods (immunocytochemistry, Western blotting) and semi‐quantitative techniques (FACS, cellular ELISA), before and after stimulation by TNFα, IL1‐β, TGF‐β, FGF2, interferon γ and interferon α‐2b. HepG2 and Hep3B constitutively expressed α1, α2, α6 and β1 chains. A 24 to 48‐hr stimulation with pro‐inflammatory cytokines, TGF‐β and FGF2 induced a significant increase in the concentrations of all integrin chains. The maximum induction was registered for β1 chain, which presented increases amounting up to 3, 4 and 7 times the control values in the presence of, respectively, TNF α/IL1‐β, TGF‐β and FGF2. Interferons had no direct effect on integrin expression and partially antagonized the effects of TNF α and TGF‐β. The increased concentrations of integrin chains were associated with an increased membrane expression of the corresponding dimers and with an increased adhesion of stimulated hepatocytes to laminin, which was antagonized by neutralizing anti‐β1 and anti‐α6 antibodies. Finally, anti‐α6 antibody inhibited the migration of HepG2 and Hep3B cells in reconstituted basement membrane. Our results suggest that the stimulation of α6β1 integrin expression in hepatocarcinoma cells is essential for cell adhesion and migration. Int. J. Cancer, 83:518‐525, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Un perfil de vegetación entre La Plata (Huila) y el Volcán del Puracé

En esta contribucion se caracterizan las comunidades vegetales que se establecen en el trayecto entre La Plata (Huila) y el crater del volcan Purace. La metodologia que se siguio es la de la escuela Zurich-Montpellier (BRAUN-BLANQUET, 1979). El perfil de vegetacion incluye comunidades de tipo selvatico pluriestratificadas, en las regiones de vida Ecuatorial y sub-Andina y comunidades uniestratificadas en la franja del super-paramo. Se coloco especial enfasis en el aspecto estructural (fisionomia) de la vegetacion y con base en los resultados obtenidos se recomiendan limites para la distribucion de los estratos o arreglo en sentido vertical dentro de una fitocenosis determinada. Se suministran tambien datos sobre la densidad en los estratos altos y sobre las caracteristicas preliminares de los suelos en algunos de los sitios muestreados.
Folate - Associations with breast cancer depending on intake, metabolism, genetic variation and estrogen receptor status.

Folate is a B-vitamin that may influence cancer development via its role as methyl donor for DNA synthesis and methylation. Plant foods contain many bioactive compounds including folate and fiber. Results from the Malmo Diet and Cancer (MDC) cohort indicate lower breast cancer risk at high fiber intake. Folate intake may partly explain this association. Aims of this thesis were to examine if intakes or plasma concentrations of folate are associated with postmenopausal breast cancer risk, and if associations depend on genetic variation of the folate metabolizing enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) or estrogen receptor α and β expression of tumors. Food habit information and blood samples were collected 1991-96 from 17 035 women between 45 and 73 years in the MDC study. Until end of 2004, 544 cases of invasive breast cancer were diagnosed. High folate intake was associated with lower breast cancer risk. The MTHFR 677T allele was associated with increased risk. Among women with this allele, the risk increased with higher intakes and plasma concentrations of folate, and was especially pronounced for folate supplement consumers. Estrogen receptor β negative (ERβ-) breast cancer increased with higher plasma folate concentrations independently of 677C>T genotype. The results encourage consumption of folate rich foods. However, since women with disturbed folate metabolism due to genetic predisposition may respond differently to high intakes, and high folate status may promote development of ERβ- tumors, folate supplements should be cautiously recommended. The results also contribute knowledge to current discussions regarding mandatory folate fortification of foods.
Surprisingly fast recovery of biological soil crusts following livestock removal in southern Australia

Question: Biological soil crusts (BSCs) exist in arid and semi-arid ecosystems worldwide, and their recovery following the removal of a disturbance agent is integral to the rehabilitation of degraded landscapes. We asked: what is the likelihood of success and time frame of BSC recovery in vegetation remnants of southeast Australia, following livestock exclusion by fencing. Location: Dryland agricultural region of northwest Victoria, Australia. Methods: We conducted a “space for time” study of BSC recovery across 21 sites where livestock have been excluded by fencing between 1 and >50 years ago, and used boosted regression tree models to explore the response of BSCs to livestock exclusion while controlling for the influence of environmental variables on BSC abundance. Results: Our results show a relatively rapid, passive recovery of BSCs following livestock exclusion, with cover stabilizing after 20 years. Sites heavily disturbed by livestock grazing at the time of fencing stabilized at a lower cover. In contrast to studies from other countries, our results suggest mosses, not cyanobacteria, are the important colonizers in our study region. Conclusions: Ecosystem function in degraded remnants of southern Australia can be improved in a relatively short time frame through passive recovery alone. This knowledge will benefit land managers choosing between restoration options in disturbed and fragmented arid-landscapes.