Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE LOSS OF SODIUM ACROSS THE SKIN OF THE DEHYDRATED TOAD, Bufo regularis (Reuss)

ABSTRACT A study was undertaken to determine the loss of sodium across the skin of the dehydrated, terrestrial toad Bufo regularis. Sodium loss was ascertained by placing the toad in a known volume of distilled water, and then measuring the sodium lost to the water. Although dehydration resulted in an increased plasma sodium concentration, the sodium loss across the skin was negligible. The toads rehydrated almost completely within one hour.
Assessing Water Quality with Submersed Aquatic Vegetation

Estuaries throughout the world are experiencing water quality problems as the result of human population growth in coastal areas. By establishing the habitat requirements of critical submerged aquatic vegetation, water quality can be evaluated and restoration goals can be made. This study used submerged vegetation in Chesapeake Bay to examine the habitat and health of the Bay. Both natural distributions and transplant survival in different studies were analyzed. The five habitat requirements used were light attenuation, total suspended solids, chlorophyll, dissolved inorganic nitrogen, and dissolved inorganic phosphorus. Water-quality conditions supporting vegetation growth to one meter depth was used. This study represents the first attempt at linking habitat requirements of a living resource to water quality standards in an estuarine system. It allows for predictive capability without detailed knowledge of the precise nature of vegetation/water quality interactions.
Sequence characterization and expression analysis of mammary gland derived osteopontin gene of river buffalo

Sequencing of RT-PCR amplified osteopontin (OPN) gene of buffalo mammary gland revealed its ORF to be of 843 nucleotides, coding for 280 amino acids long protein. Sequence comparison with cattle, sheep and pig showed 4 buffalo specific nucleotide changes. Two additional triplet nucleotides 273ACG275 and 681CAA683 in buffalo OPN as compared to cattle resulted in insertion of 2 amino acids N95 and N227. Phylogenetic analysis based on both nucleotides and amino acids sequence showed buffalo grouping more close to cattle and pig being placed most distantly from other 3 livestock species. Most of functional domains were conserved in buffalo OPN except that one of the 4 chymosin cleavage sites reported in cattle was missing in buffalo. Expression analysis of osteopontin gene by real-time PCR revealed approximately 5 fold increase in lactating buffalo mammary gland as compared to non lactating, indicating its importance in milk production.
Impact of lead toxicity on male rat reproduction at “hormonal and histopathological levels”

The mechanisms of lead (Pb) toxicity involved in the pathogenesis of spermatogenesis have not been clearly elucidated. Thereby, the present work was conducted to investigate the toxic effects of Pb on the pituitary-testicular axis, and endocrine and exocrine testicular functions. Two groups of male Wister rats (30 days old), each consisting of 15 rats, were used. The first group received sodium acetate (control group), while the second group received drinking water containing 0.1% lead acetate (PbAc) (PbAc-treated group) for successive 60 days. At the end of the experiment, the toxic effects of Pb were assessed on the basis of metal, hormonal, and histopathological evaluations. In PbAc-exposed rats, blood Pb level exceeded 22 µg dL−1 with a simultaneous drop in plasma testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone levels by 46%. Collectively, the secretion of testosterone by Leydig cells and epididymal sperm count were reduced by 34 and 13%, respectively. Morphologically, the degeneration of germinal epithelium and sloughing of germ cells into the lumen, and fewer individual pyknotic germ cells of seminiferous tubules were seen. In conclusion, it appears that the hypothalamic-pituitary axis is the major target of Pb. However, the direct toxic action of Pb on the interstitial and Sertoli cells cannot be excluded.
Population structure and parentage analysis of black poplar along the Morava River

Twelve nuclear microsatellite markers were used to assess the population genetic structure of the riparian pioneer tree species Populus nigra L. along the Morava River in the Czech Republic. Parentage analysis of 30 seedlings was performed to examine the extent of hybridization between P. nigra and introduced hybrid poplars and to determine the distances of pollen and seed movement. Additionally, spatial genetic structure was analysed and gene dispersal was estimated indirectly. In spite of the limited size of our studied population (65 adult trees), the apparent overall genetic diversity was high (expected heterozygosity He = 0.82) and comparable to the known diversity of P. nigra in southern Europe, where its glacial refugia were located. Introgression of Populus deltoides Bartr. ex Marsh. genes to P. nigra was confirmed, since 13% of tested seedlings descended from a Populus ×canadensis Moench female. The results of parentage analysis showed that a low percentage (20%) of offspring originated from pare.
Allelopathic growth inhibition of Prorocentrum micans (Dinophyta) by Ulva pertusa and Ulva linza (Chlorophyta) in laboratory cultures

Allelopathic effects of several concentrations of fresh tissue and dry powder of two bloom-forming green macroalgae Ulva pertusa and Ulva linza on the red tide microalga Prorocentrum micans were investigated in coexistence culture systems. Preliminary studies on the algicidal effects of one aqueous and four organic solvent extracts from the macroalgae on the microalga were carried out to confirm the existence of allelochemicals in the tissue of these two macroalgae. The effects of filtrate of used macroalgal culture medium were tested on P. micans using a single initial or semi-continuous filtrate addition. Furthermore, the potential effects of the microalga on these two macroalgae were also evaluated. The results of the coexistence experiments demonstrated that the growth of P. micans was strongly inhibited by the addition of both the fresh tissue and the dry powder of both species of Ulva. Aqueous and methanol extracts of both macroalgae had strong growth inhibitory effects on P. micans, while the other three organic solvent extracts (acetone, ether and chloroform) had no apparent effect on its growth. This suggests that the allelochemicals from both macroalgae had relatively high polarities. The filtrate of used macroalgal culture medium exhibited no apparent growth inhibitory effect on the microalga under initial filtrate addition whereas the growth of P. micans was significantly inhibited under semi-continuous filtrate addition, which suggested that continuous release of small quantities of rapidly degradable allelochemicals from the fresh tissue of both macroalgae was effective in inhibiting the growth of P. micans. In contrast, the microalga had no apparent effect on the growth of either macroalgal species in coexistence experiments.
CURSORIAL SPIDERS (ARACHNIDA: ARANEAE) IN THE CHIHUAHUAN DESERT OF WESTERN TEXAS, U.S.A

ABSTRACT A pitfall trap survey of spiders was conducted on the Dalquest Research Site in the Trans-Pecos counties of Brewster and Presidio, Texas, within the northern Chihuahuan Desert, U.S.A. During 13.5 months 1,326 spiders were collected from two separate habitats. Sixty-six recognizable species representing 24 families and 46 genera were identified. The habitats, which were 800 m apart, had 20 shared species. The Sandy Canyon Site contained 29 unique species, whereas the Camp Site contained 17. Sites differed in vegetation, elevation, soil type, and availability of water.
Proteinase‐activated receptors and the pathophysiology of pulmonary fibrosis

Interest in the role of proteinase‐activated receptors (PARs) in the pathogenesis of fibrotic lung disease was fuelled by two central observations: first, the recognition that the coagulation cascade is activated in a number of these disorders; and second, the long‐standing observation that thrombin, a principal regulator of coagulation, is a potent mitogen for fibroblasts, the key cell type responsible for the production of interstitial collagens in the fibrotic lung. This article will briefly review this evidence and focus on recent studies suggesting an important role for PAR1‐mediated cellular responses in the pathophysiology of lung fibrosis. Drug Dev. Res. 60:29–35, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
New record, geographic variation and redescription of Apedilum elachistus Townes (Diptera: Chironomidae: Chironominae)

Apedilum elachistus Townes 1945 is recorded from Argentina, representing the southernmost record of this species. Due to dissimilarities found between South and North American specimens a Principal Component Analysis and Minimum Spanning Tree were performed in order to determine if these differences reflect a geographic differentiation. The results show North–South variation in the number of acrostichal setae, number of dorsocentral setae, number of prealar setae, wing length, VR, length of thorax, and length of abdomen for males, and number of gonocoxite IX setae, length of thorax, number of temporal setae, length of palpomere III, wing length, BV2, length of notum, BV1, number of dorsocentral setae, length of palpomere IV, length of abdomen, VR, and length of palpomere V for females. Consequently, Apedilum elachistus is redescribed as larva, pupa, male, and female.
Major sex differences in the development of myelination are prominent in song system nucleus HVC but not lMAN

Myelination of axonal processes is an important feature for setting up the connectivity in the neuronal network. Processes of myelination are also indicatives for changes in neuronal plasticity. The primary objective of this paper was to determine the time course of myelination—expressed in the number of myelinated profiles and the overall coverage of myelinated profiles per unit area of tissue—in two well-known song nuclei (HVC and lMAN) that have been implicated in song recognition in both male and female birds. While large sex differences have been described for many aspects of morphology in HVC, lMAN is much less dimorphic. Therefore, we wanted to know: 1) whether these differences in the extent of sexual dimorphism are also reflected in the extent of myelination; and 2) whether spatial and temporal features of myelin appearance differ in these two song nuclei in males. We analysed toluidine blue-stained Epon-embedded semithin sections with high resolution light microscopy using a computer-based morphometric system. Myelination in HVC increases substantially in males at 60 days of age, whereas, in lMAN, myelination starts early in development with an additional increase between 60 days and adulthood. In contrast to female HVC, where no changes in myelination can be observed throughout development, myelination in female lMAN increases. This increase, however, is of a different dynamic and of lesser extent in comparison to males. Henceforth, myelination in males lasts until adulthood, indicating long lasting plastic changes in both song nuclei, HVC and lMAN, whereas in females myelination is only prominent in lMAN.
Selective increase in cellular Aβ42 is related to apoptosis but not necrosis

Amyloid β protein ending at 42 (Aβ42) plays an important role in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here we show an increase in cellular Aβ42 in damaged neurons, with both ELISA and immunocytochemistry. The cellular Aβ42 increase was caused by 3-day treatments with H2O2, etoposide or melphalan, all of which induce genotoxic apoptosis, but not by treatment with sodium azide, which causes necrosis. Secreted Aβ was similarly decreased with all these treatments. The cellular Aβ42 increase appeared even with minimal damage (ELISA) and Aβ42-positive cells were TUNEL negative (double staining), indicating that any early apoptosis mechanism may induce the cellular Aβ42 increase. Thus, neuronal apoptosis and cellular Aβ42 increase may be linked in a way that contributes importantly to AD pathology.
Effect of Sugar Types, Culture Age, Concentrations of 2,4‐D and Sucrose on Somatic Embryogenesis of Cymbopogon schoenanthus subsp. proximus

The effect of sugar types, age of culture, and concentrations of 2,4? D and sucrose on somatic embryogenesis was investigated in Cymbopogon schoenanthus subsp. proximus. Six different sugar types: sucrose , fructose, maltose, glucose, galactose and lactose at 3% concentration were used for each of three 2,4? D concentration treatments (1.0, 2.0, 4.0 mg/l). ANOVA showed a significant difference at the 1% level for culture age, sugar types and interactions between 2,4? D and sugar types when mean embryo numbers of individual sugars across the four culture ages are compared. Maltose gave highest mean value , followed by sucrose and the lowest mean number was recorded with galactose. Cultures induced by galactose although low in embryo induction gave the highest mean number of shoots across the different media and culture age. Effect of different concentrations of sucrose and BA on production of number of immature somatic embryos, mature germinating somatic embryos and shoots was examined by culturing 2.5 month? old seed? derived callus onto MS medium containing 4 different sucrose concentrations (1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 %) in combination with different BA concentrations (0.0, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1 mg/l). ANOVA showed significant differences at 1% level for culture age, and interactions between culture age and sucrose concentrations. Mean number of shoots on 1% sucrose for 7 months old culture was 9.4 significantly higher than number produced on all of sucrose concentrations. The efficient regeneration system will be useful for the future production of high yielding genotypes and for the conservation of the species germplasm. Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 25(1): 51-62, 2015 (June)
Response of wheat to foliar application of zinc

Wheat is grown in Brazil, mostly in no-till, a system in which the zinc can become potentially deficient, due to excessive application of acidity corrective and phosphate fertilizers in surface and, or at shallow depths. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of foliar application of zinc in agronomic characteristics and yield of wheat. The experimental design was randomized blocks with five replications. Treatments consisted of four doses of zinc (0, 54, 108 and 216g ha-1 Zn), divided into two foliar applications, the first at tillering (18 days after plant emergence) and the second at the boot stage (65 days after emergence). Foliar application of zinc increased the number of fertile tillers and yield of wheat, however, have little effect on the agronomic characteristics of no-tilled crop with high nutrient content in soil.
Relationship between community structure and seed bank to describe successional dynamics of an Atlantic Coast maritime forest1

Abstract Naumann, J. C. and D. R. Young (Department of Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284). Relationship between community structure and seed bank to describe successional dynamics of an Atlantic Coast maritime forest. J. Torrey Bot. Soc. 134: 89–98. 2007. —Relationships between current community composition and the soil seed bank were investigated within a maritime forest on Virginia's Eastern Shore. Forty families, 48 genera, and 52 species were documented in the current community. Three overstory species (Liquidambar styraciflua, Acer rubrum, and Pinus taeda) were dominants and comprised 72% of all overstory trees sampled. Analysis of stem size classes indicated that P. taeda was not recruiting and would eventually be replaced by hardwoods. Ilex opaca, Toxicodendron radicans, and Lonicera japonica comprised the majority of cover in the understory. The forest was in a mid-successional seral stage. In comparison, 31 families, 43 genera, and 45 species were identified from the seed bank. Seed bank composition was largely distinct from the aboveground community, although seven tree species that emerged from the seed bank were present in the overstory. Dissimilarity between the present community and seed bank indicated that replacement of existing species is likely to occur from future seed rain, especially from bird-dispersal. Presence of invasive species within the overstory, understory, and seed bank may alter forest succession.
Mitochondrial sequence variation suggests extensive cryptic diversity within the Western Palearctic Daphnia longispina complex

We report on a discovery of six divergent lineages within the European Daphnia longispina complex from various localities in central to northeast Europe. The levels of divergence from well‐known species of the complex suggest that they represent as yet unrecognized distinct taxa. These newly recognized lineages always coexisted in syntopy with widespread species of the complex. Particularly rich in cryptic diversity (with four of the six lineages present) was the delta of the River Pechora in northern European Russia, a region not covered by an ice sheet during most of the last glacial period. We suggest that ice‐free regions of northeastern Europe may have been important refugia for planktonic species, and still are overlooked hot spots of diversity. Our findings confirm that the real diversity within widespread crustacean planktonic taxa is much higher than presently recognized. The potential presence of cryptic species should be considered in ecological studies.
Should we use carbohydrate-deficient transferrin instead of gamma-glutamyltransferase for detecting problem drinkers? A systematic review and metaanalysis.

BACKGROUND Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) has been used as a test for excessive alcohol consumption in research, clinical, and medico-legal settings, but there remain conflicting data on its accuracy, with sensitivities ranging from <20% to 100%. We examined evidence of its benefit over a conventional and less expensive test, gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), and compared the accuracy of different CDT assay methods. METHODS We performed a systematic review using summary ROC analysis of 110 studies prior to June 1998 on the use of CDT in the detection of alcohol dependence or hazardous/harmful alcohol use. RESULTS We identified several potential sources of bias in studies. In studies examining CDT and GGT in the same subjects, subject characteristics were less likely to influence the comparison. In such paired studies, the original Pharmacia CDT assay was significantly more accurate than GGT, but the modified CDTect assay did not perform as well as the original and was not significantly better than GGT. The accuracy of the AXIS %CDT assay was statistically indistinguishable from modified CDTect. Several CDT assay methods appeared promising, in particular, liquid chromatography (chromatofocusing, HPLC, fast protein liquid chromatography) and isoelectric focusing, but there were insufficient paired studies from which to draw firm conclusions. CONCLUSIONS In studies published before June 1998, the results obtained with commercially available CDT assays were not significantly better than GGT as markers of excessive alcohol use in paired studies. Further high-quality studies comparing CDTect (modified) and other CDT assays with GGT in the same subjects are needed.
A genetic map for Brassica oleracea based on RFLP markers detected with expressed DNA sequences and mapping of resistance genes to race 2 of Plasmodiophora brassicae (Woronin)

F2 segregation analyses of DNA restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) detected between a cabbage line (No. 86-16-5) resistant to race 2 of Plasmodiophora brassicae (Woronin), the fungus responsible for clubroot disease, and a rapid cycling line (CrGC No. 85) was used to construct a detailed genetic map of Brassica oleracea. RFLP markers were random and seedling-specific cDNA clones. The 201 loci so far mapped in B. oleracea covered 1112 cM. They are assembled into nine major linkage groups and four small linkage groups. Twelve loci were found unlinked to any other markers. Twenty-one loci were detected with the 18 seedling-specific cDNAs. Two dominant QTLs for resistance to race 2 of the clubroot disease causal agent were also identified. Leaf morphology and biennial flowering appeared to segregate as single Mendelian traits, but only leaf morphology could be linked to other markers. This RFLP study in B. oleracea is providing additional information on genome organization and complements curren.
Revision of the giant pterygote insect Bojophlebia prokopi Kukalová-Peck, 1985 (Hydropalaeoptera: Bojophlebiidae) from the Carboniferous of the Czech Republic, with the first cladistic analysis of fossil palaeopterous insects

The holotype is redescribed of the giant pterygote insect Bojophlebia prokopi Kukalová-Peck, 1985 from the Pennsylvanian of the Czech Republic. Multiple errors in the original description are documented and corrected. Bojophlebia prokopi has neither any visible traces of a costal brace nor an anal brace, but it does show triadic branchings of MA, MP, CuA, and even, as rare a plesiomorphy, of CuP. It is therefore rejected as a fossil stem mayfly and attributed as sister group of all other Hydropalaeoptera. The first cladistic analysis of fossil palaeopterous insects, including different palaeodictyopterid groups, is presented. A revised phylogeny of Hydropalaeoptera and the stem line of Ephemeroptera are suggested. Palaeodictyopterida is recognized as sister group of Neoptera; thus Palaeoptera s.l. is rejected as a paraphyletic taxon. Four new higher taxa – Paranotalia, Euhydropalaeoptera, Neopterygota and Litophlebioidea superfam. nov. – are introduced, as well as the new family Lithoneuridae. http://zoobank.org/urn/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:1B16D6AB-2B29-4891-A61D-7A9212A85493
Net primary productivity and below-ground crop residue inputs for root crops: Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.)

Bolinder, M. A. , Katterer, T. , Poeplau, C. , Borjesson, G. and Parent, L. E. 2015. Net primary productivity and below-ground crop residue inputs for root crops: Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.). Can. J. Soil Sci. 95: 87–93. Root crops are significant in agro-ecosystems of temperate climates. However, the amounts of crop residues for these crop types are not well documented and they need to be accounted for in the modeling of soil organic carbon dynamics. Our objective was to review field measurements of root biomass left in the soil as crop residues at harvest for potato and sugar beet. We considered estimates for crop residue inputs as root biomass presented in the literature and some unpublished results. Our analysis showed that compared to, for example, cereals, the contribution of below-ground net primary productivity (NPP) to crop residues is at least two to three times lower for root crops. Indeed, the field measurements indicated that root biomass for topsoils only rep.