Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic diversity in Puccinia striiformis Westend. f.sp. tritici revealed by pathogen genome-specific repetitive sequence

DNA fingerprinting was used to examine genetic variation in populations of Puccinia striiformis Westend. f.sp. tritici, an obligate fungus that causes wheat stripe rust, using as a probe a moderately repetitive DNA sequence PSR331 that shows species specificity in the genome of this pathogen. One hundred and sixty isolates sampled from six provinces throughout China were examined for genetic variation over 26 putative genetic loci defined by PSR331 and the restriction enzyme BglII. Because of the dikaryotic nature of this fungus, DNA fingerprints can not differentiate heterozygotes from homozygotes. We refer to the PSR DNA fingerprints as phenotypes rather than genotypes. Phenotypic diversity analysis revealed a high level of genetic variation. A total of 97 phenotypes was detected among 160 isolates. Phenotypic diversity varied among regions, ranging from 0.3742 in Shaanxi to 0.9380 in Gansu, as calculated with the normalized Shannon's index. Genetic subdivision analysis revealed a low level of genetic d.
Dynamics of the control of Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti Linnaeus (Diptera, Culicidae) by Bacillus thuringiensis var israelensis, related with temperature, density and concentration of insecticide

The dynamics of the control of Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti Linnaeus, (Diptera, Culicidae) by Bacillus thuringiensis var israelensis has been related with the temperature, density and concentration of the insecticide. A mathematical model for biological control of Aedes aegypti with Bacillus thuringiensis var israelensis (Bti) was constructed by using data from the literature regarding the biology of the vector. The life cycle was described by differential equations. Lethal concentrations (LC50 and LC95) of Bti were determined in the laboratory under different experimental conditions. Temperature, colony, larvae density and bioinsecticide concentration presented marked differences in the analysis of the whole set of variables; although when analyzed individually, only the temperature and concentration showed changes. The simulations indicated an inverse relationship between temperature and mosquito population, nonetheless, faster growth of populations is reached at higher temperatures. As conclusion, the model suggests the use of integrated control strategies for immature and adult mosquitoes in order to achieve a reduction of Aedes aegypti.
Development of near-isogenic lines for BPH25(t) and BPH26(t), which confer resistance to the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stal.) in indica rice 'ADR52'

The brown planthopper [BPH; Nilaparvata lugens (Stal.)] is one of the most destructive insect pests in Asian rice-growing areas. Two genes conferring resistance to BPH, BPH25(t) and BPH26(t) derived from a BPH-resistant indica rice cultivar, Oryza sativa ADR52, have been identified. However, they are linked to genes conferring late heading and hybrid spikelet sterility. To eliminate these unfavorable traits (linkage drag), we generated BC6F1 populations carrying BPH25(t) or BPH26(t) in a BPH-susceptible japonica cultivar, Taichung 65, through marker-assisted selection. We selected three near-isogenic lines (NILs) carrying BPH25(t) without late heading date and one NIL carrying BPH26(t) without spikelet sterility from BC6F2 progeny that showed between 96.3 and 99.8% of the Taichung 65 genetic background through whole-genome survey. In antibiosis testing, the rates of surviving insects and of females with swollen abdomens were lower on the NILs than on Taichung 65, indicating that bph25(t) and Bph26(t) alleles from ADR52 controlled the resistance to BPH. The NILs will serve as useful resources for (1) monitoring BPH virulence and for (2) increasing resistance to BPH.
Forest–tundra ecotone response to climate change in the Western Sayan Mountains, Siberia

Abstract Tree response to climate trends is most likely to be observed in the forest–tundra ecotone, where mainly temperature limits tree growth. On-ground observation and multitemporal Landsat data were used in the analysis of forest–tundra ecotone dynamics (from 1976 to 2000) in the Western Sayan Mountains, Siberia. Observations showed an increase in forest stand crown closure, upward tree-line and regeneration shift and the transformation of Siberian pine and fir krummholz into arboreal forms. Closed stands were increasing in the area at a rate of 0.8% year−1 and advancing their upper boundary at an altitudinal rate of 0.6 m year−1; these changes were shown mainly by the transformation of sparse stands into closed stands. The altitudinal rate of regeneration propagation was estimated at 1.2 m year−1. It was also found that these changes correlated positively with temperature trends. The response of tree vegetation to air temperature increase was dependent on topographic relief features (azimuth and slope steepness).
Responses of stoats to scent lures in tracking tunnels

Abstract Scent lures made from the anal sac secretions of stoats (Mustela ermined) in a long‐life formulation increased the number of visits by stoats to footprint tracking tunnels set near the shoreline of Lake Waikaremoana. Lures derived from female stoats received a similar number of visits to those derived from males. Blank lures with no active ingredient did not attract stoats. Most of the lures remained intact and active for about seven weeks in summer. Rodents were unaffected by the lures, being neither repelled by the scent of stoats, nor attracted to the edible casein‐based carrier compound. Our results suggest that scent lures could be useful for indexing stoat populations. Trials are needed to compare the effectiveness of lures and bait, and to determine seasonal changes in lure attractiveness. Problems of supply of the active ingredients will need to be overcome.
EFFECTS OF NITROGEN SOURCES ON P‐LIMITED GROWTH OF ANABAENA FLOS‐AQUAE 1

The effects of N2, nitrate and ammonia as N sources were investigated in P‐limited and nutrient‐sufficient cultures of Anabaena flos‐aquae (Lyngb.) Bréb. The maximum growth rate (μm) was highest at 1.34 d−1 with ammonia, compared to 1.18 with nitrate and 0.95 d−1 with N2. There was no difference in P requirement between N2 and nitrate cultures. Under P‐limited conditions, the increase in cell P with growth rate (μ) was identical. With N2 as the N source, cell‐N concentrations in P‐limited cells increased with μ as did cell P, and the cellular N:P ratio remained the same (14) within the range of μ examined. With nitrate, however, cell N concentrations were high and independent of n, except at a low μ. It appears that this organism fixes atmospheric N2 only at the minimum concentration required to maintain a μ. The acetylene reduction rate increased with μ in both N2‐ and nitrate‐grown cells, but the rate was lower in nitrate. Under P‐limitation, there was no difference in net C‐fixation rate per cell between N2 and nitrate cultures at a given μ. However, the rate per unit of chlorophyll a (chl a) was higher in N2 than in nitrate cultures, and the rate was independent of μ with N2 but was a linear function of nitrate supplied. The maximum C‐fixation rate in nutrient sufficient cells was highest with ammonia, followed by nitrate and N2. The cellular chl a concentration was correlated with the total cell‐N concentrations regardless of H and the source of N.
Effects of Probiotics on the Localization of T Cell Subsets in the Intestine of Broiler Chicks

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of probiotics on T cell subsets induction in the intestine of broiler chicks. Day-old male broiler chicks were fed with or without probiotics consisting of Streptococcus faecalis, Clostridium buthricum, Bacillus mesentericus (probiotics group and control group, respectively). Cryostat sections of their ileum, cecum and rectum at day 0, 7 and 14 of feeding were immunostained for CD4, CD8 and TCRγδ, and the frequencies of positive cells in the mucosal tissue were analyzed. The CD4+, CD8+, TCRγδ+ T cells were localized in the lamina propria of intestinal mucosa in all birds. At day 7 and 14, CD8+ T cells were localized also in the mucosal epithelium of all segments in the probiotics group and of cecum in control group, and TCRγδ+ T cells were observed in the mucosal epithelium of all birds. The frequencies of CD4+, CD8+, TCRγδ+ T cells were increased with age from day 0 to day 14 in both control and probiotics groups. The frequency of CD8+ T cells was significantly greater in probiotics group than control group in the ileum and rectum (P<0.05) and the cecum (P<0.01) at day 7. There were no significant differences in the frequency of CD4+ and TCRγδ+ T cells between control and probiotics groups in all intestinal segments at day 7 and 14. The ratio of CD8+/CD4+ T cells was greater than 1.0 in all tissues. The ratio in the ileum at day 7 was significantly greater in the probiotics group than control group (P<0.05). These results further suggest that probiotics cause an influx of the CD8+ T cells into the intestinal mucosa, which may enhance the intestinal immunity by CD8+ T cells in young chicks.
Soybean Sulfur and Nitrogen Balance under Varying Levels of Available Sulfur

Protein quality of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ] seed could be enhanced by increasing the concentration of S-containing amino acids. The N:S ratio of soybean seed tissue is an indicator of protein quality. The objective of this study was to compare N and S accumulation and distribution in the soybean plant under varying levels of S availability. Soil S levels were varied in two greenhouse trials and tissue S and N contents were monitored. A field experiment with 0 and 60 kg ha -1 applied S was also conducted. In the two greenhouse trials, seed yield, rate of dry matter increase, and rate of N accrual by shoots all increased at least five-fold as S availability increased from less than 15 (zero added S) to 60 mg available S per plant, but showed little response to higher levels of S. Rate of S accrual was strongly related to S availability. In the field trial, there were no responses to added S. Leaf, pod, and seed tissue appeared to accumulate S in proteins, whereas, root and stem tissue appeared to accumulate S as sulfate. Harvest index values for S were consistently less than those for N, indicating S is not remobilized to seed as efficiently as is N. Seed S:N ratio was linearly related to the rate of S versus N accrual on a whole-plant basis. We estimate that a 50% increase in the amount of S-containing amino acids in soybean seed may require a 65 to 80% increase in S accrual by shoots to satisfy the increased demand for S.
Cladistic relationships and biogeographic patterns in the peppermint group of Eucalyptus (informal subseries Amygdalininae, subgenus Monocalyptus) and the description of a new species, E. willisii

A preliminary study of eastern Monocalyptus suggested that the peppermint eucalypts, informal subseries Amygdalininae, form a monophyletic group whose sister taxon is series Pilulares. Subseries Amygdalininae was then analysed using four cladistic methods: transformed cladistic method, Wagner trees, a branch and bound method (all three being parsimony methods) and character compatibility analysis. The branch and bound method produced the shortest trees, four in all. They suggested that, within the Amygdalininae, Eucalyptus pulchella is the sister species to E. amygdalina, which in turn is the sister species to all other taxa. The remaining species from Tasmania form a monophyletic group characterized by, for example, protruding oil glands on seedling and juvenile-leaf margins. The Victorian taxa form a monophyletic group characterized by high oil gland densities and lack of anthocyanin pigment on the lamina of juvenile leaves at node 7. Tasmanian and mainland forms attributed to E. nitida were treated as separate terminal taxa and it was shown that they are not sister taxa. Tasmanian populations are typical E. nitida Hook. f. and a new species, E. willisii, is here erected for the mainland populations. A revised classification of subseries Amygdalininae and a formal description of E. willisii sp. nov. are appended. A vicariance-biogeographic analysis is also included.
Hydrolytic and Oxidative Changes in the Lipids of Chicken Breast and Thigh Muscles During Refrigerated Storage

ABSTRACT: The changes in free fatty acid (FFA) amount and composition and in Thiobarbituric acid reactivesubstances (TBARS) were simultaneously determined in chicken breast and thigh muscles at intervals between 1and 14 d of storage at 4 °C (1, 3, 7, 10, 14). The rates of lipid hydrolysis were fast in the first 3 d and then slowed untilday 14; phospholipids showed the same pattern but hydrolysis of triacylglycerols was linear at least in thighmuscles. Oxidation increased linearly during storage. Thigh muscles contained 3 times more FFAs than breastmuscles and 2 to 4 times less TBARS suggesting that lipolysis did not favor lipid oxidation although both increasedconcomitantly.Key Words : lipolysis, free fatty acids, oxidation, muscles, refrigerated storage. Introduction P OULTRY MEAT IS VERY SENSITIVE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF OXI -dative rancidity because of its higher content in polyunsatu-rated fatty acids (PUFAs) (Wilson and others 1976; Igene andothers 1980; Melton 1983). Numerous studies have been devot-ed to oxidative changes in poultry meat showing an increase inthe amount of Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS)during refrigerated storage and cooking (Sharma and others1982; Lin and others 1989). On the contrary, few studies havebeen done on lipolysis. Even so, lipolysis is suspected to promotelipid oxidation because free fatty acids (FFAs) are often regardedas more sensitive to oxidation than esterified ones (Labuza andothers 1969; Nawar, 1996), particularly free long-chain PUFAswhich arise from phospholipid hydrolysis (Moerck and Ball 1974;Gandemer 1990). However, in muscle, the impact of lipolysis onlipid oxidation remains a controversial topic. Thus, in fish mus-cles, several studies showed a positive correlation between FFAproduction and lipid oxidation (Shewfelt 1981), while others indi-cated a negative one (Shewfelt and others 1981; Shewfelt andHultin 1983). In chicken muscles, FFA amount and oxidation lev-el increased simultaneously and both were higher in thigh mus-cles than in breast muscles suggesting that lipolysis could pro-mote lipid oxidation (Sklan and others 1983). However, theirstudy was performed during 60 d on sterile meat, and the first ex-amination was after 14 d of storage. So up to now, no data areavailable on lipolysis during the first days of refrigerated storagecovering the delay during which carcasses are cold-stored in thesupermarket (less than 11 d). Our study deals with the simultaneous changes in FFAamount and composition and in TBARS amount during refriger-ated storage of both breast and thigh muscles to establish a pos-sible relationship between lipolysis and oxidation.
Evidence for Physically Distinct Systemic Signalling Pathways in the Wounded Tomato Plant

Abstract The physical pathway of a systemic signal linking local wounding and systemic synthesis of proteinase inhibitors was investigated in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. ‘Moneymaker’) plants. Lucifer Yellow was used to visualize wound induced flow in the xylem. Cuts under water or severe wounds (heat or large crushing wounds) induced flows in the xylem to other parts of the plant in a pattern determined by the vascular architecture. The detailed distribution of systemic proteinase inhibitor activity following these wounds was similar to the pattern of wound induced flow in the xylem. Steaming the petiole of the wounded organ did not prevent the systemic induction of proteinase inhibitor by a severe wound. It was concluded that elicitors released by a severe wound were distributed systemically in the xylem. Small crushing wounds did not induce systemic flow in the xylem but did induce proteinase inhibitor activity in organs importing via the phloem. Steaming the petiole of the wounded leaf prevented systemic induction of proteinase inhibitor by small crushing wounds, a result which is consistent with the translocation of elicitors in the phloem. These results indicate the participation of more than one signalling pathway in the systemic induction of proteinase inhibitor synthesis by wounding.
IMPACT OF A NET CAGE FISH FARM ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA IN THE NORTHERN GULF OF EILAT (AQABA, RED SEA)

Two sediment transects, at 23 m depth, were sampled below a commercial fish farm at the northern end of the Gulf of Eilat in order to describe the benthic foraminiferal community along an organic enrichment gradient. Sediment organic matter, porewater ammonia and phosphate concentrations reflected the input from the overlying fish cages and there was generally a decrease in these variables with distance from the point source. Rose-bengal stained foraminifera were found at all of the stations sampled below the fish farm, i.e. there were no azoic sediments. Fifty-one species of foraminifera (>45 μm) were found in the sediments around the fish farm but most were rare species. The most abundant (generally > 83% of the foraminifer abundance) species (stained + unstained) found were Amphisorus hemprichii, Amphistegina lessonii, Assilina ammonoides, Borelis schlumbergeri, Challengerella bradyi, Hauerina diversa, and Peneroplis planatus. Five of these foraminifera are algal symbiont bearing forms. The diatom-bearing species, A. lessonii and A. ammonoides, constituted 40 to 50% of the total number of tests. The most abundant stained species were A. ammonoides, B. schlumbergeri, H. diversa and P. planatus. Abundances of foraminifera were highest in the “hypertrophic” zone, adjacent to the fish cages. The most abundant species showed negative correlations between total abundance of tests and organic matter in the upper centimeter of the sediment. Negative correlations were also found between abundances of both total and stained tests of the most abundant species and integrated ammonia concentrations. No clear indicator species of the organically-enriched benthos were identified. Deformed tests (mainly P. planatus ) were observed in the samples and it is not clear whether they formed as a result of adverse conditions related to the fish farm because such variants also occurred at unenriched sites.
Impacts of landscape structure on butterfly range expansion

Since the 1940s, the distributions of several butterfly species have been expanding in northern Europe, probably in response to climate warming. We focus on the speckled wood butterfly Pararge aegeria in order to determine impacts of habitat availability on expansion rates. We analyse observed expansion rates since 1940 and also use a spatially explicit mechanistic model (MIGRATE) to simulate range expansion in two areas of the UK which differ in their distribution of breeding habitat (woodland). Observed and simulated expansion rates were in very close agreement but were 42%–45% slower in an area that had 24% less woodland. Unlike P. aegeria, the majority of butterfly species are not currently expanding, almost certainly because of lack of suitable habitat. Incorporating the spatial distribution of habitat into investigations of range changes is likely to be important in determining those species that can and cannot expand, and for predicting potential future range changes.
The Role of Surface Free Energy in the Early In vivo Formation of Dental Plaque on Human Enamel and Polymeric Substrata

Strips of teflon and cellulose acetate were glued to the upper lateral incisors of human volunteers in a split mouth, double blind study on the influence of the substratum surface free energy (s.f.e.) on supragingival dental plaque accumulation during a three day period of no oral hygiene. Plaque accumulation, microbial composition of the plaque and s.f. e. of the microorganisms were determined and compared to plaque developed on natural enamel surfaces. Significantly less microorganisms colonised the polymer surfaces (p < 0.002). Streptococcus sanguis I was the predominant microorganism found in enamel samples, comprising about one-third of the total microflora, whereas it was recovered infrequently and in lower numbers from the polymeric surfaces, which predominantly contained Streptococcus sanguis II. Only on cellulose acetate sometimes high numbers of Streptococcus mitis and Streptococcus morbillorum were detected. The mean s.f. e. of the total plaque flora was lowest on teflon (84.5 mJ m -2 ) followed by cellulose acetate (86.0 mJ m -2 ), whereas enamel harboured a microflora with a significantly higher mean s.f. e. (93.0 mJ m -2 ; p<0.05). Also within the same bacterial species lower s.f. e. strains were isolated from the polymer surfaces compared to enamel. The results conform to a previously postulated model in which the interfacial free energy is the driving force for adhesion of microorganisms to solid surfaces. Keywords: Surface free energy; Bioadhesion; Oral microflora; Bacteria; Foreign Bodies.
Optimization of the marker-based procedures for pyramiding genes from multiple donor lines: II. strategies for selecting the objective homozygous plant

For extended application of marker-based plant breeding, strategies are discussed for selecting a high-degree gene-pyramided line from among progeny of a multiparentally produced heterozygous plant (root genotype). A strategy with combined use of haplo-diploidization and crossing between selected plants will be highly efficient; selection starts with haplo-diploidized plants raised from the root genotype, and in the absence of a plant with the objective marker genotype, two plants with the best complementary genotypes are crossed to produce a hybrid, which in turn is haplo-diploidized for the next round of selection. In this strategy, even a plant having as many as 20 target markers can be obtained at an almost perfect certainty in about three rounds of selection with a maximum of 200 tested plants per round. When haplo-diploidized plants are unavailable, a plant with the most promising marker genotype should be selected and self-fertilized in each generation, or in the absence of any promising plant, two plants with the best complementary genotypes are crossed for the next round of selection. In this strategy, the number of tested plants in the first two generations counts when the markers are codominant, whereas the rounds of selection counts when the markers are dominant. Of various supplementary measures for this strategy, backcrossing the root genotype with one of the donors could be useful when the donor has more than 70% of all targeted markers.
La levure, une aide pour décrypter les maladies mitochondriales humaines ?

déterminent la nature des réponses biologiques [4]. Les galectines induisent des effets contrastés sur la croissance cellulaire, et l’effet biologique observé prolifération ou apoptose dépend du type cellulaire et du statut d’activation cellulaire. Par exemple, il a été rapporté que GAL1 pouvait à la fois jouer un rôle d’inhibition de la prolifération sur les cellules T, et promouvoir la prolifération des cellules endothéliales vasculaires. Les galectines jouent aussi un rôle crucial dans les processus de transformation cellulaire et dans la formation des métastases. Il nous reste à déterminer quel est le rôle physiologique de GAL1 sur les cellules préB. La propriété remarquable qu’a cette lectine d’organiser à l’interface entre le précurseur B et la cellule stromale un réseau de contre-récepteurs glycosylés dans lequel le pré-BCR est engagé et stimulé laisse présager un rôle fonctionnel déterminant d’une telle organisation in vivo. Compte tenu de la perte de la population pré-B chez les souris SLC-/[5], la formation de la synapse entre les cellules pré-B et stromales pourrait être essentielle pour stimuler l’entrée en cycle des cellules pré-B et pour assurer la transition entre les grandes et les petites cellules pré-B, qui caractérise la différenciation lymphocytaire. ◊ Galectin-1 is a ligand for the pre-B cell receptor