Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Linking lineage diversification to climate and habitat heterogeneity: phylogeography of the southern African shrew Myosorex varius

Aim The phylogeographical patterning of taxa distributed in the Cape Floristic Region (CFR) of southern Africa has received much recent attention. Few studies, however, have focused on taxa with broad ecological requirements, such as the South African endemic shrew Myosorex varius (Soricidae). The species is considered a generalist and is distributed throughout the CFR and the grasslands of South Africa. Our aims were: (1) to investigate the fine‐scale phylogeographical structure of M. varius through comprehensive spatial sampling across the entire distribution; and (2) to determine if the distribution of genetic structuring was correlated with environmental factors such as seasonal rainfall regimes.
Effect of seedling management on yield and quality of tomato at Adami Tulu Jiddo Kombolcha District, Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia.

Four different media (red ash, termite tomb, cow dung and course sand) were collected to make good media for tomato seedling and basic theory of good soil (half pore space and half solid materials) that prevent the soil surface from crusting which causes difficulty in water passage and aeration for normal activity of the seedling. Those media were mixed in different proportions to evaluate the best combination that better support tomato seedling with maximum nutrient. At the time of transplanting, the statistical analysis at p < 0.05 indicated red ash, course sand, termite tomb and fermented cow dung in the ratio of 4:4:2:1 combination, giving highest stem diameter (4.14±0.09 mm), leaf number (4.25±0.223) and plant height (9.76±0.39 cm) as compared to the rest treatments including those planted with routine farmers practice. As to the placement, media filled with pot and placed on top of bed at waist height gave best performance for stem diamante (4.68±0.249 mm), seedling height (10.09±0.138 cm) and number of true leafs (4.90±0.173), but the average marketable and total yield at time of harvesting contradicts with the vegetative stage, that is, media with ratio of 4 red ash, 3 course sand, 2 termite tomb and 1 fermented cow dung performing better (477±83 q/ha) followed by 469±56 q/ha for 3 red ash, 3 course sand , 3 termite tomb, 1 cow dung and 363±32 q/ha for 4 red ash, 4 course sand, 2 termite tomb and 1 fermented cow dung respectively. Key words: Average yield, media, seedling management, tomato.
Sea Buckthorn Seed Powder Provides Protection in the Oxidative Stress Produced by Thermally Oxidized Sunflower Oil in Rabbits

SBT seed powder was used against the oxidative stress produced by thermally oxidized sunflower oil. OSFO and SBT powder were orally administered to the rabbits. Blood biochemistry, hematology and liver pathology were investigated. The results show that OSFO produce changes in the blood biochemistry and hematology and alterations in the liver. However, the toxicity of OSFO was minimized when rabbits were fed with SBT seed powder. The SBT seed both in independent and in fortified forms significantly decreases the serum cholesterol, LDL-c, ALT (alanine aminotransferase) and TG values, whereas it increases serum glucose and HDL-c values. The seed powder normalizes all the hematological indices. Histopathological investigation of the liver reveals that OSFO intake causes severe adverse changes, whereas SBT seed powder was found to restore the normal condition. It was concluded that SBT seed powder has strong potential to reduce the toxicity of oxidized lipids in model animals. Practical Applications Thermally oxidized edible oils are one of the main concerns of the modern-day food chemists and technologists. The ingestion of these oxidized lipids results into the toxic effects on human beings. This study clearly showed for the first time that SBT seed powder reduces the degenerative and toxic changes in the liver produced by thermally oxidized lipids. It has been found that SBT seed powder supplementation has protective effects against the toxicity of OSFO by increasing the antioxidant potential.
Eukaryotic Plasmids with Toxoplasma gondii Dense Granule Antigen(GRA 5) and Microneme 3 (MIC3) Genes as a Cocktail DNA Vaccine and Evaluation of Immune Responses in BALB/C Mice

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan that causes toxoplasmosis in human and animal. This parasite is worldwide spread and about one third of people are seropositive. Toxoplasmosis in immuno compromised patients causes serious symptoms. Toxoplasma gondii has a lot of various immunogenic antigens. Excreted/secreted antigens could stimulate of the cell mediated immune response and hence it appears to be a good candidate for vaccine in toxoplasmosis. In this study Microneme3 (MIC3) and GRA5 of Toxoplasma gondii are used as DNA vaccine. The results indicated that survival rate of mice that immunized by recombinant plasmid have significant differences with control groups. IgG and IgG2a assay approved significant different between case and control groups (P<0.05). Cytokine assay indicated high level of IFN-γ and low level of IL4 for immunized groups.These results indicated DNA vaccine encoded MIC3 and GRA5 genes of Toxoplasma gondii capable to induced partially protection against toxoplasmosis.
Isolation and Crystallization of Microbial Alkaline Protease Inhibitor, S-SI

S–SI, an microbial alkaline protease inhibitor, was produced in the culture broth of Streptomyces albogriseolus S–3253. S–SI was isolated from culture filtrate by salting out with ammonium sulfate, column chromatographies on DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex G–100. S–SI was also isolated by pH adjustment of the effluent from DEAE-cellulose column.Crystallization of S–SI was carried out, and two distinct shaped crystals, needle shaped and rhombic crystal, were obtained. Homogeneity of these crystals were identified by polyacrylamide disc electrophoresis at various pHs.S–SI retained its perfect inhibitory activity after treatment at 37°C for 25 hr in the pH range from 3 to 10, and 100°C for 10 min in the pH range from 4 to 6.From the examination of molecular weight determination with Sephadex G–100, the molecular weight of S–SI was decided to be about 27,000.S–SI was found to be highly specific towards microbial alkaline proteases.
Fragmented Populations of Leopards in West-Central Africa: Facing an Uncertain Future

During recent decades, most endangered species have suffered serious population declines. Little has been documented on leopards in West-Central Africa and as a result the efficiency of protection measures and wildlife managing practices can be questioned. Using 416 occurrences of leopards, we investigated the relationship between different environmental factors and leopard distribution to establish a baseline distribution of this feline. Leopards are mainly present in two large populations: one in a forest habitat, the other in a savanna habitat. Leopard populations were found to be associated with lions and hyaenas but they avoided human disturbances. Regarding potential breeding dispersal, the Gaussian representation showed a clear fragmentation among populations, suggesting that long-term survival of the species could be threatened. We found no area to be exempt from threats. The leopard has, however, declined less than other carnivore species and still shows viable populations. Furthermore, occurrences were found to be significantly more numerous than expected in protected areas, suggesting the relative efficiency of conservation.
Simulation and scaling of temporal variation in gross primary production for coniferous and deciduous temperate forests

Observations of ecosystem net carbon dioxide exchange obtained with eddy covariance techniques over a 4‐year period at spruce, beech and pine forest sites were used to derive time series data for gross primary production (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (Reco). A detailed canopy gas exchange model (PROXELNEE) was inverted at half‐hour time step to estimate seasonal changes in carboxylation capacity and light utilization efficiency of the forest canopies. The parameter estimates were then used further to develop a time‐dependent modifier of physiological activity in the daily time step gas exchange model of Chen et al. (1999) , previously used for regional simulations in BOREAS. The daily model was run under a variety of assumptions and the results emphasize the need in future analyses: (1) to focus on time‐dependent seasonal changes in canopy physiology as well as in leaf area index, (2) to compare time courses of physiological change in different habitats in terms of recognizable cardinal points in the seasonal course, and (3) to develop methods for utilizing information on seasonal changes in physiology in regional and continental carbon budget simulations. The results suggest that the daily model with appropriate seasonal adjustments for physiological process regulation should be an efficient tool for use in conjunction with remote sensing for regional evaluation of global change scenarios.
Lipid Composition and Interrelationships of Major Serum Lipoproteins

Cholesterol (C) and triglyceride (T) contents and their relationship within serum lipoproteins, very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), low density lipoproteins (LDL), and high density lipoproteins (HDL), were determined in subgroups of children (n=360) from a total biracial community whose earlier β- and/or pre β-lipoprotein cholisterol levels were in the extreme percentiles of the distribution. The lipid content of lipoproteins was analyzed following fractionation by ultracentrifugation. In addition to previously known raceand sex-related differences for lipoprotein cholesterol levels, results indicated that white children had significantly higher VLDL-T and LDL-T and lower VLDL-C/T and LDL-C/T ratios than black children. Although HDL-T levels were the same in both races, girls had significantly higher levels than boys. Children with low pre-β-lipoprotein cholesterol levels earlier had consistetly higher VLDL-C/T, LDL-C/T, and HDL-C/T ratios than children with high pre-β-lipoprotein cholesterol and low pre-β-lipoprotein cholisterol earlier showed the highest LDL-C/T ratio, suggesting that LDL particles in this group may have less fluid lipid core. Despite a very high correlation between VLDL-C and VLDL-T, definite compositional differences were noted in certain children with elevated pre-β-lipoprotein cholisterol levels. The relationship of LDL-C and LDL-T was significant but not high, whereas there was a complete lack of relationship between HdL-C and HDL-T, HDL-C in terms of % of serum total cholesterol was highest in children with low β- and pre-β-lipoprotein cholesterol while corresponding values were lowest in children with high β and pre-lipoprotein cholesterol. While no significant associations between age and lipoprotein lipids were noted in children who had lov β- and pre-β-lipoprotein cholesterol, such trends were observed mainly in boys with elevated β- and/or pre-β-lipoprotein cholesterol; a significant negative association between HDL-C and age was noted only in white boys stratified in this manner. These data provide baseline values for children with different lipoprotein profiles and may help identify at an earlyu stage children with lipoprotein patterns and characteristica that are potentially atherogenic.
Overyielding in experimental grassland communities - irrespective of species pool or spatial scale

In a large integrated biodiversity project (The Jena Experiment in Germany) we established two experiments, one with a pool of 60 plant species that ranged broadly from dominant to subordinate competitors on large 20 · 20 m and small 3.5 · 3.5 m plots (¼ main experiment), and one with a pool of nine potentially dominant species on small 3.5 · 3.5 m plots (¼ dominance experiment). We found identical positive species richness–aboveground productivity relationships in the main experiment at both scales. This result suggests that scaling up, at least over the short term, is appropriate in interpreting the implications of such experiments for larger-scale patterns. The species richness–productivity relationship was more pronounced in the experiment with dominant species (46.7 and 82.6% yield increase compared to mean monoculture, respectively). Additionally, transgressive overyielding occurred more frequently in the dominance experiment (67.7% of cases) than in the main experiment (23.4% of cases). Additive partitioning and relative yield total analyses showed that both complementarity and selection effects contributed to the positive net biodiversity effect.
Vegetation dynamics and disturbance history in three deciduous forests in boreal Sweden

Abstract Remaining deciduous forests in the Fennoscandian boreal landscape have high ecological value, and are considered as key components of the forest landscape as well as remnants of a former natural forest type. To improve our understanding of the formation of deciduous forests, we studied past disturbance regimes and vegetation dynamics in three deciduous forests in boreal Sweden using dendro-ecology, pollen analysis and charcoal analysis. We identified three stages in the development of the studied stands. Firstly, the coniferous period (pre 1800), a long-lasting period characterized by frequent fires, livestock grazing and extensive agriculture during which Pinus sylvestris was dominant. Secondly, the transformation period (1800 - 1900), when logging removed most pines from the sites while fire and grazing continued. At the time of the last fire, the sites lacked a local seed source of pines, resulting in a post-fire succession dominated by deciduous species with the capacity to disperse over long distances. Thirdly, the deciduous period (1900 - present), with little or no disturbance from fire, grazing or logging. Thus, the present deciduous stands have their origins in a complex interaction between changes in fire regime, extensive land use patterns and logging, contrary to earlier simplified explanations. We conclude that the complexity of historical patterns of land use, vegetation dynamics and disturbance should be acknowledged in the future when selecting areas for nature conservation and developing models for ecologically oriented forestry. Nomenclature: Lid (1985).
Differential nociceptive responses in mice lacking the α1B subunit of N-type Ca2+ channels

The role of N-type Ca2+ channels in nociceptive transmission was examined in genetically engineered mice lacking the α1B subunit of N-type channels and in their heterozygote and wild-type littermates. In α1B-deficient mice, N-type channel activities in dorsal root ganglion neurons and spinal synaptoneurosomes were eliminated without compensation by other types of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels. The α1B-deficient mice showed a diminution in the phase 2 nociceptive responses more extensively than in the phase 1 nociceptive responses of the formalin test. The α1B-deficient mice exhibited significantly increased thermal nociceptive thresholds in the hot plate test, but failed to increase mechanical nociceptive thresholds in the tail pinch test. These results suggest a crucial role of N-type channels in nociceptive transmission, especially for persistent pain like phase 2 of the formalin test and for nociception induced by thermal stimuli.
Leucocyte subpopulations in developing carp (Cyprinus carpio L.); immunocytochemical studies.

Abstract The distribution of leucocyte subpopulations was studied in thymus, head kidney, spleen, gut and blood of developing carp by using monoclonal antibodies against early T cells, B cells, thrombocytes and macrophage-like cells. In the first week post-fertilisation (p.f.), early T cells are very numerous (approximately 77%) in thymus, but are also present in other organs, especially the head kidney; subsequently these cells gradually dis-appear in all organs, except the thymus (approximately 40%). B cells appear in head kidney from the second week p.f. , and later in spleen and blood, but their number remains low in thymus and gut. Thrombocytes first appear in spleen during the first week p.f. and their percentage increases until the fourth week (approximately 30%). Monocyte/macrophage-like cells are present in all organs from the first week p.f. , and their percentage gradually increases until the eighth week p.f. This study indicates that: (1) thymus may be the primary lymphoid organ for T lymphocytes; (2) head kidney could be the primary lymphoid organ for B lymphocytes; (3) spleen is a primary site for thrombo-poiesis; and (4) monocyte/macrophage-like cells are already present in early age. These findings provide new information on the development of the fish immune system.
Enterobacter gergoviae sp. nov.: a New Species of Enterobacteriaceae Found in Clinical Specimens and the Environment

The name Enterobacter gergoviae sp. nov. is proposed for a group of organisms isolated from various clinical sources in France, Africa, and the United States and from environmental sources. E. gergoviae deoxyribonucleic acid contains 60% guanine plus cytosine. Deoxyribonucleic acid relatedness studies showed E. gergoviae strains to be very highly related, as is characteristic of strains of a single species. The biochemical profiles of E. gergoviae strains were extremely similar. Phenotypically, E. gergoviae belongs to the family Enterobacteriaceae and is most similar to Enterobacter aerogenes. E. gergoviae is distinguishable from E. aerogenes by its positive urea reaction and negative reactions for KCN, sorbitol, mucate, and gelatinase. Strain CIP 76.01 (= ATCC 33028 = CDC 604-77) is the type strain of this new species.
Trypanosome Infection Rate in Glossina pallidipes and Glossina fuscipes fuscipes in Gojeb Valley, Southwest Ethiopia

2 Abstract: A study was carried out to determine the infection rates of trypanosomes in Glossina pallidipes and Glossina fuscipes fuscipes fly species in Gojeb valley of Ghibe - Omo river system at Shebe Sombo woreda, Southwest of Ethiopia. Tsetse flies were traped, dissected and their organs (proboscis, salivary glands and mid-gut) were microscopically examined. A total of 384 tsetse flies were randomly selected and dissected. 200(52%) of them were G. pallidipes and 184(48%) were G. fuscipes fuscipes. Out of the dissected flies, 49 (24.5%) G. pallidipes and 42 (22.8%) G. fuscipes fuscipes were positive for trypanosomes. However, the difference is not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Out of 200 dissected G. pallidipes flies 33(16.5%), 15 (7.5%) and 1(0.5%) were infected by T. vivax, T. congolense and T. brucei respectively. On the other hand, out of 184 dissected G. fuscipes fuscipes flies 27(14.7%) were infected by T. vivax and 15 (8.2%) were infected by T. congolense. The study showed that, infection rate of T. vivax is higher in both species of tsetse flies than with T.congolense. There was a statistically significant difference (P<0.05) in trypanosome infection rates between male and female G. pallidipes fly species. Infection rates in male and female G. pallidipes and male and female G. fuscipes fuscipes were18.35%, 31.87%, 21.43% and 24% respectively. Finally a few points of recommendations were forwarded to alleviate the problem.
Sponge biodiversity of the Jason Islands and Stanley, Falkland Islands with descriptions of twelve new species

Sponge samples were taken by SCUBA diving from four sites around Stanley and nine sites at the Jason Islands in the Falkland Islands. Twelve new species are described: Iophon pictoni sp. nov., Lissodendoryx (Ectyodoryx) jasonensis sp. nov., Phorbas ferrugineus sp. nov., Phorbas shackletoni sp. nov., Myxilla (Styloptilon) acanthotornota sp. nov., Amphilectus fleecei sp. nov., Amphilectus dactylus sp. nov., Mycale (Aegogropila) nodulosa sp. nov., Scopalina erubescens sp. nov., Scopalina bunkeri sp. nov., Amphimedon calyx sp. nov. and Pachychalina erinacea sp. nov. Information is also provided on the distribution and external appearance of other sponge species: Iophon proximum Ridley, 1881, Clathria (Dendrocia) tuberculata Burton, 1934, Tedania (Tedania) mucosa Thiele, 1905, Tedania (Tedania) murdochi Topsent, 1915, Halichondria (Eumastia) attenuata Topsent, 1915, Siphonochalina fortis Ridley, 1881 and Haliclona (Soestella) chilensis Thiele, 1905. The biogeography of the Falklands' sponge fauna is discussed.
BIOLOGICAL EFFICIENCY OF WILD TYPE AND COMMERCIAL AGARICUS BISPORUS STRAINS

In the cultivation of the button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus), the cost of substrate production (compost) represents a large part of the total production cost. In Europe, the button mushroom uses only 25% of the organic matter in the compost in two flushes. Most white button strains used worldwide today are closely related to the first hybrid strains developed in the Netherlands over 30 years ago. Wild strains may provide possibilities to improve the efficiency in utilization of the compost (biological efficiency). Our research group has a large collection of mushrooms strains, many of which are derived from the ARP collection. Analysis of this collection has shown a large genetic variation. A selection, representing the genetic variation of the collection, has been cultivated in the Dutch shelf-system on a small scale. A large variation in biological efficiency has been found. The present commercial strains are among the ones with the highest biological efficiency. Next to this we noticed a clear correlation between the dry weight of mushrooms produced and the drop in pH in the compost. Loss in dry matter in compost as a result of mushroom production can be attributed for 95% to loss in hemicellulose and cellulose. Total amounts of lignin and undefined organic matter do not decrease much during the cultivation of mushrooms. Furthermore, there is a clear correlation between mushroom production and consumption of hemicellulose from the substrate. This correlation is less clear for cellulose.
Evidence for the signaling function of egg color in the pied flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca

A recent hypothesis proposes that the bright colors, especially blue and green, of many avian eggs may function as signals of female or offspring phenotypic quality or condition to males in species with biparental care, inducing them to allocate more effort to their offspring. The pigment determining blue and green egg colors is an antioxidant whose availability for eggshell coloring may be limited. To test the signaling function on a species with blue eggs, the pied flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca, we measured egg color with a spectrophotometer on the day of laying and obtained two principal components from their reflectance spectra that together explained 99% of variation and represented shell lightness, and hue and saturation, respectively. We also measured female immunocompetence during the nestling period through the response to phytohemagglutinin as a measure of cell-mediated immunity and the response to a tetanus vaccination as a measure of humoral immunity. The total amount of immunoglobulins in blood of females and of nestlings before fledging was also estimated. Mean within-clutch egg darkness was positively associated with both measures of female immunocompetence, while better female condition was associated with colors tending away from intermediate and toward short wavelengths. Ageing female laid lighter eggs. The mean within-brood level of nestling IgY was also associated with mean within-clutch egg colors tending away from intermediate and toward short wavelengths. Mean egg darkness decreased linearly during the laying sequence, suggesting pigment limitation. Males were observed frequently visiting nests during the laying period, allowing them to observe eggs before the start of incubation. These results support the signaling hypothesis for explaining bright colors of avian eggs. Copyright 2005.