Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nitrate Dissimilation by Vibrio spp. Isolated From Estuarine Sediments

SUMMARY: The generic distribution of nitrate-respiring bacteria in tidal mudflats of six Scottish east-coast river estuaries has been determined. The predominant bacteria involved were identified as Aeromonas/Vibrio spp. , together with lower numbers of enterobacteria. Pseudomonads accounted for only a small proportion of the nitrate-respiring populations. Samples of sediment from all the estuaries produced nitrite and ammonia after 7 d incubation at 15 °C with added nitrate. Studies with the isolate Vibrio V48 and strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus (NCMB 1903 and NCMB 2047) demonstrated that when these bacteria were grown anaerobically under conditions of glucose limitation, nitrite was the primary product of nitrate respiration, whereas ammonia was excreted into the medium when nitrogen was limiting. Nitrate reduction was accompanied by the synthesis of a particulate nitrate reductase and under N-limitation a nitrite reductase was also induced.
Effects of Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam Extract on the UVB-induced Cell Death, Oxidative Stress and Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 Expression in Keratinocytes

Ultraviolet radiation (UV) is a major cause of skin photoaging, and effective UV protecting agents are needed for the skin health and beauty. This study was undertaken to examine the effects of Bambusae caulis in Taeniam extract (BCTE) on UVB-induced cell death, oxidative stress and matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1) expression in cell-based assays. HaCaT human keratinocytes were exposed to UVB in the presence of BCTE at different concentrations and resulting changes in cell viability and biochemical events were determined. The results showed that BCTE enhanced the viabilities of UVB-exposed cells, and attenuated apoptotic events such as cleavage of procaspase 3 to its active form, and the increase of Bax to Bcl-2 ratios. BCTE also attenuated the reactive oxygen generation and lipid peroxidation in cells exposed to UVB. Additionally, it attenuated the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 1 and the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase stimulated by UVB. Conclusively, the present study demonstrated that BCTE pro tected skin cells from the UVB-induced cell death, oxidative stress and MMP1 expression, suggesting its potential use as a cosmetic ingredient mitigating some features of the skin photoaging.
Histological studies on the zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha reproduction from a DDT contaminated area in Lake Maggiore (N. Italy)

Histological techniques were used to monitor Dreissena polymorpha reproductive biology during 2001 in Lake Maggiore (N. Italy). Considering the DDT pollution which occurred during the mid 1990s in this lake and the high contamination level registered in 2001, we focused on the course of spawning events in zebra mussels and possible modified reproductive behavior induced by this pollution. Specimens were collected from the lake at Baveno as the polluted station, and at Villa Taranto as the control site. At Villa Taranto, morphological analyses of gonadal changes showed a gamete developing and maturing period until April, spawning phases from May to August, the restart of gametogenesis in females and an inactive period in males, immediately after the end of spawnings. This pattern was perturbed at Baveno where the mussels showed a delay in oocyte maturation with a significant percentage of specimens showing oocyte degeneration. Moreover, the onset of gamete release seemed to shift from May to July in the males at Baveno. Our findings agreed with the well recognized endocrine disrupting properties of DDT, even though the physiological mechanisms involved must be studied further.
An alien ectosymbiotic branchiobdellidan (Annelida: Clitellata) adopting exotic crayfish: a biological co-invasion with unpredictable consequences

Abstract Invasive alien species present a global threat to biodiversity, particularly where pathogens and symbionts are involved. Branchiobdellidans are clitellate annelids with an obligate ectosymbiotic association primarily on astacoidean crayfish. There are several examples of branchiobdellidan species adopting a geographically exotic host where endemic and exotic crayfishes cohabit the same water body. The first records of a western North American branchiobdellidan, Xironogiton victoriensis, adopting the eastern North American crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, in 2 river basins in Spain provide further evidence of the ectosymbionts’ tolerance to adopt an exotic host. Given worldwide translocations of these and other commercial crayfish species, limnologists and agency managers need to be alert for further introductions of X. victoriensis and other branchiobdellidans. Impacts of these exotic ectosymbionts on habitat and biota at a new location are unknown, as are their consequences on native biodiversity.
Ecotopic and ontogenetic trophic variation in mojarras (Pisces: Gerreidae)

Seven species of mojarras (Gerreidae) were collected from three stations in the Indian River lagoon near the Sebastian Inlet, Florida over an eighteen month period to study spatial and temporal variations in occurrence and feeding habits. Two major habitats common to this area were represented in the study; a sandy beach and a seagrass flat. Of the 2,899 gerreids collected,Eucinostomus gula represented 67% and was found primarily in theHalodule seagrass site. The next most abundant species,E. argenteus (11%),E. jonesi andE. lefroyi (each 10%), were found most frequently at the inlet site.Diapterus auratus, E. melanopterus, andGerres cinereus were captured infrequently and were considered incidental. Prey items found included amphipods, bivalves, copepods, fish eggs, foraminifera, isopods, nematodes, ostracods, polychaetes and crustacean parts. Significant amounts of sand and unidentifiable amorphous debris were also included in the gut content analysis. Little interspecific variation in diet was found among the four major species examined. The general shift seen from a diet composed primarily of copepods and other crustaceans to one of polychaetes suggests an intraspecific ontogenetic progression. Spatial variations in diet composition were also indicated between the two major habitats. Feeding analyses showed gerreids to be diurnal feeders with the greatest consumption (total gut content weight) occurring at dusk.
Parámetros Genéticos para Algunas Características Productivas y Reproductivas en un Hato Holstein del Oriente Antioqueño, Colombia

La edad y el peso al primer parto y otros caracteres productivos y reproductivos son importantes porque determinan el desempeno futuro de las vacas lecheras, su analisis permite definir metas relacionadas con el inicio de la vida productiva de las mismas, influyendo directamente en el costo del periodo de crecimiento y desarrollo. En esta investigacion se estimaron las heredabilidades (h2) y algunas correlaciones geneticas y fenotipicas para edad y peso al primer servicio, edad y peso al servicio fertil, produccion en primera y segunda lactancia y algunas otras caracteristicas relacionadas con el desempeno general de las vacas durante su vida. Fueron analizadas 928 lactancias de 184 vacas de la raza Holstein nacidas entre 1985 y 2006 en un hato lechero del departamento de Antioquia. Los componentes de varianza fueron estimados mediante analisis univariados con la metodologia de maxima verosimilitud restricta libre de derivadas y las correlaciones se estimaron directamente con la informacion fenotipica y los valores geneticos estimados. Se utilizo el programa SAS 9,0 para la edicion de los datos y los analisis estadisticos y el software MTDFREML para el analisis genetico. No se encontro efecto significativo (P>0,05) de la edad y peso al primer servicio con produccion de leche en primera y segunda lactancia, ni con caracteres reproductivos, la edad y el peso al primer servicio fertil tuvieron efecto altamente significativo (P<0,01) sobre la produccion en primera lactancia. La heredabilidad para edad y peso al primer servicio fue 0,29±0,184 y 0,04±0,170; edad y peso al servicio fertil 0,41±0,210 y 0,08±0,195 respectivamente.
Environmental assessment of MON 810 maize in the pannonian biogeographical region

Fundamental differences between Cry1Ab-based Bt-bioinsecticides and MON 810 maize varieties render these technologies not equivalent. While the former contain at least five different crystalline (Cry) toxins, the latter produce a single Cry1Ab toxin as active ingredient. Moreover, the lectin type toxin protein produced by these plants is a truncated version of microbial Cry1Ab. The majority of the results reported for Cry1Ab content is, therefore, subject to correction between microbial Cry1Ab protoxin and plant-expressed preactivated Cry1Ab toxin, and the latter is not a registered insecticide active ingredient. Cry1Ab toxin is produced continuously and not at the highest concentration in those plant parts, where the pest occurs. In turn, MON 810 maize does not comply with IPM principles, as control cannot be limited to the period of pest damage above threshold level. The target insect, Ostrinia nubilalis is a practically inconsiderable pest in Hungary, therefore, the use of MON 810 maize is mainly groundless. Pollen settling on Urtica dioica, Rubus spp. or Datura stramonium near or in maize fields may exert toxicity on caterpillars of protected butterflies, e.g. the peacock butterfly (Nymphalis io). Decaying Bt-maize material potentially affect other non-target organisms. Occurrence of Cry1 toxin resistance in pests is facilitated by the fact that MON 810 maize produces only a single Cry protein, preactivated Cry1Ab toxin.
Diet of the South African fur seal (1974–1985) and an assessment of competition with fisheries in southern Africa

Almost 1 000 South African fur seals Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus were collected at sea (inshore and offshore) for examination of stomach contents and other biological parameters. The main prey of seals above the age of one year was teleost fish, of which at least 28 species were identified. Overall, 74,6 per cent of the diet was teleost fish, 16,7 per cent cephalopods, 4,8 per cent crustaceans such as shrimps, prawns, amphipods and isopods and 3,2 percent rock lobster. Within this overall dietary pattern there were marked regional differences. The importance of individual fish species in the diet was investigated from the numbers and the sizes of otoliths occurring in the stomachs, from which the identity and size classes of the prey species could be calculated. Again there were regional differences in the importance of different prey species. On the west coast of South Africa the most important species were anchovy and Cape hakes (each 23% of total diet), whereas on the south coast the important spec.
Effect of plant and microbial chitinases on the eggs and juveniles of Meloidogyne hapla Chitwood (Nematoda: Tylenchida)

Chitinases from Phaseolus vulgaris, Serratia marcescens and Streptomyces griseus were compared for their effects on eggs and juveniles of Meloidogyne hapla Chitwood. Increased hatch rates of nematode eggs were observed on incubation with chitinase from all three sources. After treatment with chitinases from S. marcescens and St. griseus many of the eggs remaining became spherical with a concomitant increase in the number of dead juveniles. Egg mortality was observed with purified P. vulgaris chitinase at concentrations of 17 μg protein/ml and above. The results suggest that exogenous chitinases cause premature hatch of nematode eggs and could be used as an aid in the control of nematodes.
Accelerated cheese ripening: a method for increasing the number of lactic starter bacteria in cheese without detrimental effect to the cheese-making process, and its effect on the cheese ripening

Summary A method is outlined for accelerating ripening in Swedish semihard cheese by increasing the number of lactic starter bacteria present in the cheese without impairing characteristic texture and flavour. In addition to the normal starter inoculum, suitable lactic starter bacteria whose lactic-acid-producing activity had been greatly reduced by previous sublethal heat treatment, were added to the cheesemilk. When suspensions of streptococci and lactobacilli cultivated at a constant pH were heated at 59 and 69°C respectively acid production was retarded by 5–10 h, which was found to be sufficient for the cheese-making. Proteolysis was lowered only 10–30% by these heating temperatures. Bacterial cell suspensions, prepared by the methods outlined and added to the cheesemilk, were incorporated in cheese curd to extents depending on the amount added and the type of starter. The number in the final cheese could be increased to a maximum of 4–5 times that of control cheese. No adverse effect of the extra starter bacteria on pH, fat content and water content of cheeses 24-h old was observed. Proteolysis, measured as the increase in trichloroacetic acid and phosphotungstic acid (PTA)-soluble N, increased with increasing number of cells in the cheese. Organoleptic judgements showed a positive correlation (r = 0·81) between taste and PTA-soluble N, which in turn was influenced by the number of cells in the final cheeses.
Signaling by ITIM-bearing receptors

Abstract In order to respond adequately to pathogens without damaging the host, a balance between activating and inhibitory signals is required in the immune system. Over the past years a large number of inhibitory immune receptors has been identified. Most of these receptors contain one or several Immuno receptor Tyrosine-based Inhibitory Motif (ITIM)s in the intracellular part. These ITIMs recruit SH2 domain-containing phosphatases, which can inhibit cellular activation. Studies using knock out mice have shown that ITIM-bearing receptors have crucial and non-redundant roles in the regulation of the immune system. However, the question remains why so many different ITIM-bearing receptors are required. ITIM-bearing receptors differ in their expression patterns and recognize different ligands, thus allowing for negative regulation at different levels and stages of an immune response. In addition, ITIM-bearing receptors may deliver different signals to the cell. Apart from the SH2 domain-containing phosphatases several ITIM-bearing receptors recruit other molecules that contribute to their function. In this review we will give an overview of the current model of ITIM-mediated signaling and discuss that alternative pathways may be used by ITIM-bearing receptors.
Induction of systemic resistance of tobacco to tobacco necrosis virus by the root-colonizing Pseudomonas fluorescens strain CHA0: influence of the gacA gene and of pyoverdine production.

Pseudomonas fluorescens strain CHA0, which suppresses various plant diseases caused by soilborne pathogens, also can restrict leaf disease. Plants of Nicotiana glutinosa and of two cultivars of N. tabacum were grown in autoclaved natural soil previously inoculated with strain CHA0. After 6 wk, all the plants tested showed resistance in leaves to infection with tobacco necrosis virus (TNY) to the same extent as plants previously immunized with TNY (induced resistance control). Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and enzyme assays showed that the same amount of PR proteins (PR-1 group proteins, β-1,3-glucanases, and endochitinases) was induced in the intercellular fluid of leaves of plants grown in the presence of strain CHA0 as in the intercellular fluid of leaves of plants immunized by a previous TNV inoculation on a lower leaf [. ]
Review lecture: Ectomycorrhizas as nutrient absorbing organs

Early work on ectomycorrhizas indicated that they were probably adapted to efficient nutrient absorption. The use of excised mycorrhizas has allowed study of their properties as absorbing organs. The factors affecting their rates of nutrient uptake are similar to those of other absorbing organs but their rates are often greater. On absorption the nutrient is primarily accumulated in the fungal layer but may be mobilized later by reactions under metabolic control. Phosphate is accumulated in particularly large quantities as polyphosphate, which probably explains the linear relations of phosphate absorption and oxygen uptake in certain conditions. Hyphal connections between the fungal sheath and the substrate are variable, and this poses problems about absorption of ions of low mobility, and about the function of surface phosphatases. The fungal sheath is dependent on the host for carbohydrate and the drain on it may be considerable.
Tillage and rotation influences on weed community composition in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in southwestern Saskatchewan

The effects on weed community composition of zero-, minimum-, and conventional tillage practices were examined on three soil types under both continuous wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and wheat-fallow rotations between 1982 and 1989. Green foxtail [Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv. ] became a problem on continuously cropped plots, especially on the sandy loam soil where densities reached a maximum of 2354 plants m−2 with conventional tillage. Without tillage, high densities of foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum L.) developed since this species was not adequately controlled by herbicides. Even in a year when precipitation was only 63% of normal, perennial shoots of this species achieved a maximum density of 1222 plants m−2. A hoe seeder tended to improve foxtail barley control relative to the disc seeder used, likely due to greater soil disturbance. Wheat losses were significantly correlated to weed density, and it was concluded that, in terms of weed control in wheat, some degree of tillage may be required in southwe.
Avoidance Reactions of Salmonid and Centrarchid Fishes to Low Oxygen Concentrations

Abstract All of four fish species used in 174 laboratory experiments with a “channeled avoidance tank” avoided some low oxygen concentrations, the degree of avoidance generally decreasing with increasing concentration. Avoidance indices computed were based on numbers of entries into two experimental channels with reduced oxygen concentrations and two control channels, on numbers of crossings of a transverse line located well inside each channel, and on numbers of fish observed in the channels at 60-second intervals. Juvenile chinook salmon showed marked avoidance of oxygen concentrations near 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 mg. /1. in summer at high temperatures. A decrease of the avoidance observed in the fall is ascribable to lower temperatures. The chinook salmon showed little avoidance of concentrations near 4.5 mg. /1. in the fall, and no avoidance of concentrations near 6.0 mg. /1. at any time. At summer temperatures juvenile coho salmon showed some avoidance of all the above oxygen concentrations, including 6 mg. /1.
Ecotoxicology of Wild Mammals

List of Contributors. Series Foreword. Editorsa Preface. Abbreviations. Environmental Contaminants (D. Hoffman, et al.). Mammal Classification and Characteristics (G. Amori & R. Nowak). Marsupialia and Monotremata (R. Bolton--Grob, et al.). Insectivora (W.--C. Ma & S. Talmage). Chiroptera (D. Clark & R. Shore). Rodentia and Lagomorpha (S. Sheffield, et al.). Carnivora (C. Mason & C. Wren). Pinnipedia (P. Ross & G.Troisi). Cetacea and Sirenia (T. Oa Shea & A. Aguilar). Perissodactyla and Artiodactyla (A. Fr? slie, et al.). Biomarkers for Contaminant Exposure and Effects in Mammals (D. Peakall & K. McBee). Extrapolation of Laboratory Tests to Field Populations (D. Forsyth). Assessing Hazard and Risk of Chemical Exposures to Wild Mammals: Food--chain Analysis and its Role in Ecological Risk Assessment (G. Linder & G. Joermann). Putting the Impacts of Environmental Contamination into Perspective (A. Fairbrother). Summation (R. Ringer). Index.
Fatty Acid Profiles of Orchardgrass, Tall Fescue, Perennial Ryegrass, and Alfalfa

Recent research shows that the meat from beef animals finished on pasture has greater concentrations of omega-3 fatty acid (FA) and conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) compared with animals finished on high-concentrate diets. However, little is known about the FA concentrations in forage that might alter these FA in the meat of pasture-finished beef. The objective was to determine the FA variation between and within forage species commonly grown in pastures in the Midwest. A secondary objective was to identify phenotypic characteristics that may be associated with individual FA. The forages analyzed included multiple cultivars of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) S.J. Darbyshire = Schedonorus phoenix (Scop.) Holub], perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), and alfalfa [Medicago sativa L. ssp. sativa and falcata (L.) Arcang. ]. Grasses had higher amounts of α-linolenic (C18:3) acid compared with alfalfa. Conversely, alfalfa had larger amounts of linoleic acid (C18:2) than did the grasses. Correlations between phenotypic traits and specific FA were found; plant total chlorophyll had the greatest correlation to total FA concentration. Overall, there is not a large amount of within-species variation that breeders could use to make large changes in FA concentrations.
Plant biogeography and the late Cenozoic history of New Zealand

Abstract Patterns of regional endemism, vicariance, and disjunction in New Zealand higher plants are reviewed. These are discussed in relation to the post-Oligocene history of the geology, climate, and vegetation. Previous explanations for such distribution patterns have ccntred on the disruptive effects of ice and severe climates during the Last Glaciation, and subsequent migration of plants from glacial refugia during the postglacial. It is concluded that these explanations arc largely inadequate. It is suggested that many endemic, vicariant, and disjunct plant distributions are related to the large-scale modification of the New Zealand land mass which has occurred as a result of active tectonism since the Oligocene. The more stable regions of New Zealand (in particular Northland, northwest Nelson, and Otago) have retained diverse floras partly as a result of retention of older elements of the flora which more radically altered areas (southern North Island, central South Island) have tended to lose. The.
Critical thermal maxima of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) fry under field and laboratory acclimation regimes

Juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) from three populations in Washington State were captured in the field and tested for critical thermal maximum (CTM). Tolerances varied among the populations (mean CTMs were 28.21, 29.13, and 29.23 °C) and exceeded published data from some laboratory tests. The population from a relatively cool stream had a lower CTM than the two populations from warmer streams. However, after the salmon had been in the laboratory for 3 months under constant, common temperature regimes, the CTMs no longer differed, indicating that the population-specific differences resulted from different acclimation regimes rather than from genetic adaptation.
p53 enhances the Δ-24 conditionally replicative adenovirus anti-glioma effect

Previous studies have demonstrated that the conditionally replicative adenovirus Ad5Delta24 is a powerful cytolytic agent against glioma selectively affecting cells with a defective p16/Rb/E2F pathway. The p53 protein is also known to be an apoptotic factor for glioma cells. In this study, we examined the simultaneous delivery of the combination of exogenous p53 and Ad5Delta24 adenovirus in glioma cells. Infecting cells with low doses of adenovirus p53 and Ad5Delta24 resulted in an additive effect on cell death. The cell death induced by both agents was independent of the p53 status of cells. Flow cytometry revealed that the potent anti-tumor effect induced by the mixture of Ad5CMV-p53 and Ad5Delta24 adenoviruses was due to a combination of apoptosis and cell lysis. Our results indicate that Ad5CMV-p53 enhances the oncolytic effect of the Ad5Delta24 adenovirus, and the combination of adenovirus Ad5Delta24 and Ad5CMV-p53 may thus be a potential therapeutic tool for gliomas.