Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of indoleacetic-acid-producing Bacillus isolates on the nodulation of Phaseolus vulgaris by Rhizobium etli under gnotobiotic conditions

Twenty-two Bacillus spp. isolates from the rhizosphere of Phaseolus vulgaris 'Contender' were identified using Biolog™, gas chromatographic fatty acid methyl ester, and 23S rDNA analyses. Some of the Bacillus isolates produced significant amounts of the phytohormone indoleacetic acid (IAA) when grown in a liquid culture medium supplemented with 100 μg L-tryptophan/L; less IAA was produced in culture medium not supplemented with L-tryptophan. Thin-layer chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography – mass spectrometry, and the avena coleoptile bioassay were used to identify and quantify IAA produced by Bacillus isolates. Significant differences were observed in the amounts of IAA produced by different strains of Bacillus, with amounts varying from 0.40 to 4.88 μg/mL. α-Methyltryptophan-resistant mutants of Bacillus exhibited altered IAA production and excreted tryptophan into the growing medium. The IAA-producing Bacillus isolates promoted root growth and (or) nodulation when c.
BIOSYNTHESIS OF PUNGENIN FROM C14-LABELLED COMPOUNDS BY COLORADO SPRUCE

A number of C14-labelled compounds were fed to detached leafy twigs of Colorado spruce (Picea pungens Engelm.), and after a metabolic period of 24 hours the pungenin was isolated and the specified activities of the glucose moiety and the aglycone (3,4-dihydroxyacetophenone) were determined. In some instances the aglycone was degraded further to determine the C14 in the methyl and carbonyl carbons separately.Caffeic acid and L-phenylalanine were the best precursors of the aglycone; cinnamic acid, p-coumaric acid, phenyllactic acid, and shikimic acid were quite good. Sodium acetate was a poor precursor, and was converted to glucose more readily than to the aglycone. Compounds found to be very poor precursors include tyrosine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, 3-hydroxytyramine, phenylacetic acid, mandelic acid, p-hydroxyphenylpyruvic acid, p-hydroxyphenyllactic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, and protocatechuic acid. Cinnamic acid-α-C14 gave 3,4-dihydroxyacetophenone labelled chiefly in the methyl group, while cinna.
Commercial uses of ethephon in crop production

Since its discovery in 1966, 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid, with a proposed common chemical name of ethephon (EthrelE) has been increasingly utilized in a number of important crops, including latex stimulation of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis), acceleration of maturity and/or abscission of many fruits and nuts and modification of growth characteristics of various food and fibre crops. It can be an important aid to programmed production, mechanical harvesting and enhancement of quality. Continuing experimentation is still finding new potential uses.
Regulation of gene expression by the small GTPase Rho through the ERK6 (p38γ) MAP kinase pathway

Small GTP-binding proteins of the Rho-family, Rho, Rac, and Cdc42, have been traditionally linked to the regulation of the cellular actin-based cytoskeleton. Rac and Cdc42 can also control the activity of JNK, thus acting in a molecular pathway transmitting extracellular signals to the nucleus. Interestingly, Rho can also regulate gene expression, albeit by a not fully understood mechanism. Here, we found that activated RhoA can stimulate c-jun expression and the activity of the c-jun promoter. As the complexity of the signaling pathways controlling the expression of c-jun has begun to be unraveled, this finding provided a unique opportunity to elucidate the biochemical routes whereby RhoA regulates nuclear events. We found that RhoA can initiate a linear kinase cascade leading to the activation of ERK6 (p38γ), a recently identified member of the p38 family of MAPKs. Furthermore, we present evidence that RhoA, PKN, MKK3/MKK6, and ERK6 (p38γ) are components of a novel signal transduction pathway involved in the regulation of gene expression and cellular transformation.
PAPEL TRÓFICO DEL ZOOPLANCTON A TRAVÉS DEL ANÁLISIS DE ISÓTOPOS ESTABLES EN UN LAGO DE INUNDACIÓN EN LA AMAZONIA COLOMBIANA

Para caracterizar las fuentes primarias de carbono del zooplancton y su flujo en la red trofica en un lago de inundacion proximo a la ciudad de Leticia (Amazonas, Colombia), se hicieron recolectas de bacterias, detritos, fitoplancton, perifiton y zooplancton entre mayo de 2010 y mayo de 2011. El zooplancton se uso como integrador por su posicion central en la red trofica y para tal fin fueron analizados en terminos de δ13C y δ15N los organismos concentrados en malla de 60μm, representados por cladocera, copepoda ciclopoida y rotifera. Las muestras fueron concentradas con filtros GF/F pre quemados para su analisis en el laboratorio de isotopos estables de la UNESP en Botucatu (SP). Los valores de δ13C muestran una relacion trofica pobre entre el zooplancton (-37,99‰ ± 2,14) y sus fuentes potenciales como fitoplancton (-32,53‰ ± 1,97) perifiton (-32,56‰ ± 1,55) y detritos (-32,27‰ ± 0,81). Por otra parte, si bien los valores de δ15N del zooplancton (6,12‰ ± 0,59) complementan la apreciacion sobre el fitoplancton (7,38‰ ± 1,1), sugieren el consumo de perifiton empobrecido (1,15‰ ± 0,07) y de detrito (5,23‰ ± 4,76). Los valores bajos de δ13C son asociados con el consumo de una fraccion de carbono metanogenico, como ha sido demostrado en el hipolimnio de lagos de inundacion, de la misma forma que su aporte a las capas superiores de la columna de agua durante eventos de mezcla. Esta especializacion del zooplancton en consumir una fraccion de varios gremios troficos puede ser el resultado de la variabilidad intrinseca de los recursos, como resultado de las variaciones biogeoquimicas asociadas con la hidrologia del lago.
Checklist of Platyhelminthes, Acanthocephala, Nematoda and Arthropoda parasitizing penguins of the world

A list of 108 species of metazoans parasites reported from penguins (Sphenisciformes) is provided, with information on their hosts, habitat and distribution. A total of 22 digeneans, 10 cestodes, 6 acanthocephalans, 31 nematodes, 15 mites and ticks, 25 insects have been found on 18 species of penguins, with most parasites reported from Eudyptula minor. A host-parasite list is also provided.
Conditional expression of a sexually selected trait in the stalk‐eyed fly Diasemopsis aethiopica

1. An important assumption of many models of the evolution of sexually selected ornaments is that such ornaments should be conditionally expressed. This was investigated by rearing larvae of the stalk‐eyed fly Diasemopsis aethiopica (Diptera: Diopsidae) (Rondani) on two food treatments: normal and low‐quality food.
Kinetic modelling of the quality degradation of frozen watermelon tissue: effect of the osmotic dehydration as a pre‐treatment

Summary Watermelon pieces were submitted to osmotic pre-treatment in alternative osmotic solutions of glucose, oligofructose and a high dextrose equivalent (DE) maltodextrin, in order to evaluate the quality and assess the stabilisation accomplished during the subsequent frozen storage in a wide temperature range from −5 to −20 °C. Colour change and total lycopene content loss were kinetically studied, and their temperature dependence was modelled by the Arrhenius equation. Dehydrofrozen samples exhibited significantly improved stability, with the rates of colour change and total lycopene loss being reduced up to 70% and 38%, respectively, for osmotically pre-treated watermelon, compared with the untreated samples.
Studies on the Nutrition of Macropodine Marsupials. 3. The Flow of Digesta Through the Stomach and Intestine of Macropodines and Sheep.

3. The two markers 51chromium EDTA and 103ruthenium were used to examine and compare digesta flow in the eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus), the red-necked pademelon (Thylogale thetis), the tammar wallaby (M. eugenii), the eastern wallaroo (M. robustus robustus) and in sheep fed on chopped lucerne hay, and in T. thetis and M. eugenii fed on fresh grass (Phalaris aquatica). The markers were also used to define the kinetics of digesta flow in the intestine, and to estimate the flow of fluid and DM through defined regions of the stomach and intestines of T. thetis and M. eugenii fed on the lucerne diet. The pattern of digesta flow and the degree of differential flow of the 2 markers observed in the macropodines differed markedly from those in sheep and were attributed solely to the mode of transport through the elongated stomach. In the macropodines it was apparent that total mixing of forestomach contents did not occur; rather, digesta flowed slowly along the tubiform forestomach. The relationship of this mode of transport, defined as tubular flow, to stomach structure, and the possible effects on digestion in the forestomach, are discussed.
Feeding, reproduction and growth in the crowned snake

The crowned snake Tantilla melanocephala is a small fossorial sonorine snake, widely distributed through South America. Dissection of 186 specimens, combined with observations of captive specimens, provided information on the natural history of this species in southeastern Brazil. Females attained larger body sizes than males. Apparently T. melanocephala forage at night for active prey. Centipedes of the genus Otostigmus were the main prey item. These centipedes are subdued by injection of venom. Data from preserved specimens showed no significant seasonal variation in the number of collected snakes. Reproduction seemed to be highly seasonal with vitellogenesis occurring from onset to the middle of the rainy season and hatching at the end of the rainy season. Clutch size ranged from one to three and was correlated with female body length. Neonates measured 10-12 cm snout-vent length and juveniles attained about 17.5 cm SVL during the first year. Apparently males attain sexual maturity at an age of about 10 months and females at about 20 months.
A genetic physical map in river buffalo (Bubalus bubalis, 2n=50 )

SUMMARYThis study reports the first entire genetic physical map in river buffalo chromosomes by ISH-techniques. Thirty-six loci (mostly mapped by FISH), of which 19 were expressed genes and 17 were DNA-segments (cosmid derived-microsatellites), were localized in specific chromosomes. At least one molecular marker from all 31 bovine syntenic groups was assigned to each river buffalo chromosome. This allowed tentative assignment of all bovine syntetic groups to river buffalo chromosomes, also in consideration of high degree of chromosome banding homologies between the two species and that all mapped loci in river buffalo chromosomes were at the same cattle homoeologous chromosomes and chromosome bands.By adding markers from bovine U1, U3, U7, U10, U13, U16, U17, U25, U28 and U29 assigned to the river buffalo genome by the somatic cell hybrid technique, a total of 54 markers is assigned to river buffalo genome.
Dopamine receptor subtypes modulate olfactory bulb γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors

The γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor is the predominant Cl− channel protein mediating inhibition in the olfactory bulb and elsewhere in the mammalian brain. The olfactory bulb is rich in neurons containing both GABA and dopamine. Dopamine D1 and D2 receptors are also highly expressed in this brain region with a distinct and complementary distribution pattern. This distribution suggests that dopamine may control the GABAergic inhibitory processing of odor signals, possibly via different signal-transduction mechanisms. We have observed that GABAA receptors in the rat olfactory bulb are differentially modulated by dopamine in a cell-specific manner. Dopamine reduced the currents through GABA-gated Cl- channels in the interneurons, presumably granule cells. This action was mediated via D1 receptors and involved phosphorylation of GABAA receptors by protein kinase A. Enhancement of GABA responses via activation of D2 dopamine receptors and phosphorylation of GABAA receptors by protein kinase C was observed in mitral/tufted cells. Decreasing or increasing the binding affinity for GABA appears to underlie the modulatory effects of dopamine via distinct receptor subtypes. This dual action of dopamine on inhibitory GABAA receptor function in the rat olfactory bulb could be instrumental in odor detection and discrimination, olfactory learning, and ultimately odotopic memory formation.
Effect of native and exotic leaf litter on macroinvertebrate communities and decomposition in a western Montana stream

Invasion by exotic trees into riparian areas has the potential to impact terrestrial and aquatic systems. To test the effect of different streamside tree species on the aquatic food web in a stream in Montana, we compared decomposition rates of leaf litter and invertebrate assemblages associated with the leaf litter of the exotic Acer platanoides and the dominant native Populus trichocarpa trees. Macroinvertebrate family richness, evenness, and diversity increased with days of aquatic processing; however, there was no effect of leaf species. Leaves of the A. platanoides were associated with 70% greater density of macroinvertebrates of the family Nemouridae. This family consists primarily of detritivores and had the greatest overall density and frequency of occurrence relative to other macroinvertebrate families. The density of a family of predatory macroinvertebrates (Rhyacophilidae) was also generally (73%) greater in association with A. platanoides than P. trichocarpa leaves. The density of Ephemerellidae and Rhyacophilidae increased over time. In contrast to studies comparing leaves of exotic vs. native trees, we observed no difference in leaf decomposition rates; however, the amount of leaf inputs are likely to differ between native and invaded forests. The results indicate that replacement of native riparian trees with exotics affected the most common family of macroinvertebrates and possibly a common family of predatory macroinvertebrates (Rhyacophilidae), which may affect the detrital food web.
Influence of environmental pH modulation on efficiency of apoplastic PR proteins during Fusarium culmorum– wheat seedling interaction

Variation of apoplastic pH by Fusarium culmorum and its influence on the production, activity and isoenzymes patterns of the pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins β1,3-glucanase, chitinase and peroxidase enzymes were detected in apoplastic fluids (AFs) from infected wheat seedlings. The time course in the 24–48 h interval post infection was characterized by an increase in activity and isoenzymatic differential induction of the selected PR proteins and by a concomitant rise of apoplastic pH. Chitinase attained maximum activity at pH 8·0 in the case of inoculated seedlings. Optimal β1,3-glucanase activity in the pH range 6·0–8·0, was observed at pH 7·0. Peroxidase was strongly affected by pH, with enzyme activity having a maximum rate at pH 6·0 and thereafter rapidly declining at higher pH. Maximum peroxidase activity paralleled the appearance of the complete isoenzymatic pattern. In order to investigate the biological role of PR proteins in AFs, the in vitro antifungal activity was evaluated. In the interval 0–6 h, pH of macroconidia suspensions rose up to 7·2. AFs revealed inhibitory activity against germinating macroconidia of F. culmorum by decreasing the germination efficiency of macroconidia apical compartments, while this effect was compensated by an increased germination capacity of middle compartments. Present results suggest that during infection of wheat seedlings by F. culmorum the pH modulation favours host colonization by enhancing the activity of pectin lyase, and simultaneously inhibits the capacity of the host to oppose the pathogen by interfering with peroxidases which represent an important component of the defence arsenal.
Molecular Diversity of the Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae): A Potential Vector of Potyviruses (Potyviridae)

ABSTRACT The melon aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is a cosmopolitan polyphagous aphid species that inflicts serious damage to a wide spectrum of crops and has an extraordinary ability to transmit viruses in either a nonpersistent or persistent mode. It tends to specialize on a few host plants species, resulting in parapatric divergence among populations in a given geographical area over a period of time. This seems to be the major reason for its remarkable diversity resulting in the evolution of biotypes and cryptic species favoring host adaptation and reproductive isolation across various localities. This notorious pest is supposed to have a number of putative biotypes associated with hosts or geographical locations. It is suspected that A. gossypii occurring on cotton (Malvaceae) and melons (Cucurbitaceae) are different biotypes. The relationship between host or geographic preference and genetic variation of aphids is unclear and thus requires further investigation. In light of this, the present study was conducted to determine if host- or geographical location-associated genetic differences are indeed present in 116 populations of A. gossypii collected from various agroclimatic zones of India on various host plants with special emphasis on Malvaceae and Cucurbitaceae families using the well-known mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (mtCOI) marker. Alignment of mtCOI sequences of A. gossypii along with available sequences in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), GenBank, and Barcode of Life Data (BOLD) system revealed maximum sequence identity of 99% with very few variable sites indicating an extremely low level of intraspecific variation. The phylogram strongly suggested that there is no major host- or geographical location-associated genetic differences in A. gossypii, and it is a single cosmopolitan species devoid of genetic variations. This study aids to resolve evolutionary relationships among closely related species groups and detect newly evolving biotypes.
Sexual dimorphism and sexual segregation in foraging strategies of northern giant petrels, Macronectes halli, during incubation

Giant petrels (Macronectes spp.) are the most sexually dimorphic of all seabirds. We used satellite-tracking and mass change during incubation to investigate the influence of sexual size dimorphism, in terms of the intersexual food competition hypothesis, on foraging and fasting strategies of northern giant petrels at South Georgia. Females foraged at sea whereas males foraged mainly on the South Georgia coast, scavenging on seal and penguin carcasses. Foraging effort (flight speed, distance covered, duration of foraging trips) was greater for females than for males. In contrast, foraging efficiency (proportionate daily mass gain while foraging) was significantly greater for males than for females. Females were significantly closer to the desertion mass threshold than males and could not compensate for the mass loss during the incubation fast while foraging, suggesting greater incubation costs for females than for males. Both sexes regulated the duration and food intake of foraging trips depending on the depletion of the body reserves. In males the total mass gain was best explained by mass at departure and body size. We suggest that sexual segregation of foraging strategies arose from size-related dominance at carcasses, promoting sexual size dimorphism. Our results indicate that sex-specific differences in fasting endurance, contest competition over food and flight metabolic rates are key elements in maintenance of sexual size dimorphism, segregating foraging strategies and presumably reducing competition between sexes.
Effects of sodium chloride on growth, tissue elasticity and solute adjustment in two Acacia nilotica subspecies

The objective of this study was to compare whole plant growth and physiological responses to salt stress of two Acacia nilotica subspecies (ssp. cupressiformis and ssp. tomentosa). Salt stress was induced by adding NaCl at different concentrations to the nutrient solution: 0, 75, 100 and 200 mM. After one month under such stress, plants were still healthy and actively growing in both subspecies up to 100 mM NaCl. Water potential (ψ) and osmotic potential (π) decreased with salinity and the lower π enabled the plants to maintain turgor. Hofler diagrams confirmed that osmotic adjustment had occurred under all treatments. Furthermore, the point of zero turgor occurred at a higher relative water content. An increase in the elastic modulus (e) was observed under stress (low elasticity of the cell wall). Both osmotic adjustment and a high e modified the capacity of both subspecies to maintain a positive water balance. Accumulation of ions (Na + , K + and Cl - ) and proline could explain such osmotic adjustment. Acacia nilotica ssp. cupressiformis showed a higher absorption of K + than ssp. tomentosa up to 100 mM NaCl treatment
Pollution atmosphérique et maladies respiratoires allergiques

Les particules diesel (PDi) exercent une activite adjuvante sur la production d’IgE (animal sensibilise a un allergene et injection simultanee de l’allergene et des PDi), et cela quelle que soit la voie d’administration utilisee. Chez l’homme, l’instillation nasale de PDi chez des volontaires sains provoque une augmentation de la production de cytokines pro-Th2, caracteristiques de la reponse allergique. A partir des etudes realisees chez l’homme et chez l’animal, on peut donc proposer une hypothese expliquant la recrudescence des pathologies respiratoires, et notamment des crises d’asthme, observee lors des episodes de pollution particulaire.
Epithelial-cell-specific transcriptional regulation of human Galβ1, 3GalNAc/Galβ1, 4GlcNAc α2,3-sialyltransferase (hST3Gal IV) gene

Abstract The mRNA expression of the sialyltransferase genes is regulated in a cell type specific manner. We show here the epithelium cell-specific transcriptional regulation of the human Galβ1, 3GalNAc/Galβ1, 4 GlcNAc α2,3-sialyltransferase gene (hST3Gal IV). Using a luciferase assay, we identified a functional DNA portion within hST3Gal IV genomic DNA that confers an epithelial cell line specific enhancer, located in nucleotide number (nt) −520 to −420 within the B3 promoter. This element contains two sequences similar to AP2 recognition motifs. Co-transfection with an AP2 expression vector stimulated the enhancer activity of nt −520 to −420 element eight-fold compared with that using parental vector. Site-directed mutagenesis of AP2 sites showed that two AP2 motifs are essential for enhancer activity in HeLa cells. These results suggest that AP2 plays a critical role in the epithelium-cell specific transcriptional regulation of the hST3Gal IV gene.
Protamine-Derived Synthetic Peptide Enhances the Efficiency of Sperm-Mediated Gene Transfer Using Liposome-Peptide-DNA Complex

Sperm-mediated gene transfer (SMGT), which uses sperm cells as vectors for DNA delivery during fertilization, is one of the methods used to achieve transgenesis in animals as an alternative to pronuclear microinjection. Despite the convenience of SMGT, its application in producing transgenic animals, especially domestic animals, is still limited due to its low success rate. In this study, to increase the efficiency of SMGT, we tested liposome-peptide-DNA (LPD) complex, a new reagent known to stabilize transfection in cultured cells. Two peptides, one designed from the amino acid sequence of human histone H1 (Hs) and the other from human protamine (Pr), were used with a CMV/β-actin/EGFP fusion gene to form LPD complex. Spermatozoa obtained from rat epididymis were incubated with LPD complex and used for artificial insemination, and the expression of EGFP in the morula-stage embryos was observed. Pr caused significantly more embryos to express EGFP, while Hs had no effect on the expression rate. Moreover, only Pr resulted in the production of offspring carrying foreign DNA. These results suggest that LPD complex with the aid of Pr could be useful in the transfer of foreign DNA by SMGT, probably by stabilizing liposome-DNA complex during fertilization.