Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rhizobacteria Capable of Producing ACC‐deaminase May Mitigate Salt Stress in Wheat

Rhizobacteria may promote plant growth by cleaving plant-produced 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) through ACC-deaminase activity. The effectiveness of plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) for improving the growth and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was evaluated under salinity stress. The effect of high ethylene concentrations on plant growth and performance of these strains for reducing this negative impact was also evaluated by conducting a classical triple-response bioassay. Eighteen rhizobacterial strains containing ACC-deaminase were screened by conducting a jar experiment under axenic conditions at 1 (original), 5,10, and 15 dS m -1 . The four most effective strains were further evaluated in a pot trial at salinity levels of 1.46 (original), 5, 10, and 15 dS m -1 . In general, salinity depressed the growth of wheat, but inoculation improved the growth and yield of wheat compared with the uninoculated controls. At the high salinity level (15 dS m-1 ) , plant height, root length, plant biomass, and grain yield increased up to 37, 70,116, and 111%, respectively, compared with the control. Results indicated that inoculated plants had higher K + /Na + ratios, relative water contents and chlorophyll content; however, relatively low proline contents compared with controls. The results also showed that intensity of the classical triple response decreased due to inoculation with these strains. Pseudomonas putida (W2) and P. fluorescens (W17) were the most effective strains for alleviating salt stress even at higher salinity levels. Our results suggest that the assay for ACC-deaminase activity could be an efficient approach to screen effective PGPR for increasing the growth and yield of wheat under salt-stressed conditions.
Remote modulation of lncRNA GCLET by risk variant at 16p13 underlying genetic susceptibility to gastric cancer

The integrated analytical strategy identified both genetic and epigenetic biomarkers for gastric cancer etiology. The biological effects of susceptibility loci are rarely reported in gastric tumorigenesis. We conducted a large-scale cross-ancestry genetic study in 18,852 individuals and identified the potential causal variant rs3850997 T>G at 16p13 significantly associated with a decreased risk of gastric cancer [odds ratio (OR) = 0.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.83 to 0.91, P = 2.13 × 10−9]. This risk effect was mediated through the mapped long noncoding RNA GCLET (Gastric Cancer Low-Expressed Transcript; ORindirect = 0.987, 95% CI = 0.975 to 0.999, P = 0.018). Mechanistically, rs3850997 exerted an allele-specific long-range regulatory effect on GCLET by affecting the binding affinity of CTCF. Furthermore, GCLET increased FOXP2 expression by competing with miR-27a-3p, and this regulation remarkably affected in vitro, in vivo, and clinical gastric cancer phenotypes. The findings highlight the genetic functions and implications for the etiology and pathology of cancers.
Commercialization of non-wood forest products on the territory of AP Vojvodina

In the previous utilization of natural resources in forestry as an economic activity, timber exploitation was always the dominant part, and the utilization of other forest products was partly neglected. Nowadays, non-wood forest products (NWFPs) occupy an increasingly significant position in the forestry sector in numerous countries, so that the revenue from their utilization approaches the returns realized by the classical production of timber products. The research performed in Vojvodina, on the sample of six enterprises dealing with NWFP purchase, processing and sale was aimed at the analysis of their market activities to create the image of the market of this group of products. After the study data were analyzed by dynamic statistical methods, the changes in the activities on purchase, the domestic sales and export sales between 2004 and 2010 were presented and future projects were visualized. The research in the form of questionnaire included the quantities of purchased raw materials, the scope of production and sales, both in the domestic, and in foreign markets, as well as the prices of final products. Some species of medicinal plants were purchased on the territories of Croatia and Macedonia, and the purchasing network in the domestic market was remarkably wide and it included predominantly: Nis, Svrljig, Coka, Apatin, Pancevo, Ruma, Boljevac, Kanjiža, etc. The most significant growth was realised in the purchase of a mixture of medicinal plants. Also significant are the purchased quantities of mint, which on average increased by 7.9 t and rose hip by 5.5 t per year. During the study period, the domestic sale of all species of herbal teas and medicinal plants increased significantly, while spices and honey were subject to a fluctuation in sales quantity. Average algebraic deviation of the original final NWFP sale value from the arithmetic mean accounts for 3.48%. With the significance level of 95%, it is estimated that the sale in 2012 will range between 3049.19 and 3343.95 t, under the condition that the sale continues its quadratic trend. Based on the quadratic trend, and with the significance level of 95%, it can be foreseen that the value of export in 2012 will range from 133.01 to 250.07 t. As for the time interval from 2004 to 2010, the average export amounted to 260.07 t, which encompassed primarily medicinal and aromatic plants, spices and honey. During the study period, export decreased on average by 7.03% (20.75 t per year).
Molecular based evidence for a lack of gene-flow between Rosa×hybrida and wild Rosa species in Japan

An important part of the assessment of the potential environmental impact from the introduction of a genetically modified (GM) plant is an evaluation of the potential for gene flow from the GM plant to related wild species. This information is needed as part of the risk-assessment process, in the context of whether gene flow to wild species is possible. One method for evaluating gene flow is to use molecular techniques to identify genes in wild species populations that may have originated from a cultivated species. An advantage of this method is that a phenotypic marker or trait is not required to measure gene flow. In the present study we analyzed the seedlings of seeds from three wild native Rosa species (R. multiflora Thunb., R. luciae Rochebr. et Franch. ex Crep. and R. rugosa Thunb.) selected from several locations across Japan where the wild rose was growing in close proximity to cultivated rose plants (Rosa×hybrida). To determine whether gene flow from cultivated rose had occurred, young leaves of 1,296 seedlings from the wild Rosa plants were analyzed by PCR for the presence of the KSN locus. This locus originated from a sport of R. chinensis Jacq. var. spontanea (Rehd. et Wils.) Yu et Ku and is involved in the recurrent flowering phenotype observed for cultivated rose hybrids, but is absent in Japanese species roses. The KSN locus was absent in all seedlings sampled, indicating no gene flow to wild Rosa species from the cultivated rose had occurred, and providing evidence that the probability of gene flow from cultivated to wild Rosa species in Japan is low or non-existent.
Utilization of High Oil Corn in Broiler Diets Varying in Energy Content

Abstract A feeding trial tested the performance of broiler chickens fed diets with high oil corn (HOC) or yellow dent corn (YDC). Five starter/grower treatments using HOC and YDC were compared in isocaloric diets. Eight replicate pens of 60 male chicks received each treatment. At comparable dietary energy levels, there were no significant differences in body weight, feed conversion, calorie conversion, dressing percentage, breast meat yield, or wing yield between birds fed HOC and YDC. Abdominal fat content was significantly decreased in diets containing HOC, probably due to the higher crude protein content of diets containing HOC. Increasing dietary energy level, regardless of the source of corn, significantly improved body weight and feed conversion without adversely affecting carcass components or parts yield. The opportunity to increase dietary energy level without increasing the amount of supplemental fat offers a potential benefit for HOC. Nutritionists and others should consider this evidence in any economic evaluation of high oil cultivars of corn.
Low‐frequency Raman spectra of guanosine and nucleotides in ordered states: Origin of the lowest‐frequency mode

Raman spectra of self‐associates of guanosine were investigated in the 5–200 cm−1 region together with crystals of guanosine⋅2H2O, Na2⋅5’–UMP⋅7H2O, Na2⋅5’–GMP⋅7H2O, Na2⋅5’–CMP⋅8H2O, Na2⋅5’–dGMP⋅4H2O, and Na2⋅ATP⋅3H2O, to clarify the origin of the lowest Raman active mode of deoxyribonucleic nucleic acid (DNA). When the bases stack well to form a column, as in guanosine self‐associates and crystals of guanosine and adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the spectral patterns are similar to that of DNA. The lowest‐frequency bands are sharp and isolated from other bands. The result suggests that the origin of the lowest‐frequency mode of DNA is assigned to the motion of bases stacked in a column. Guanosine has no phosphate groups, and ATP has no hydrogen bonds between bases in the crystal state. Therefore, neither hydrogen bonds between bases nor phosphate groups are necessary for the existence of this mode.
Evaluation of temporal and age‐related trends of chemically and biologically generated 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin equivalents in lake Ontario lake trout, 1977 to 1993

Levels of selected non‐, mono‐, and di‐ortho‐substituted polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners, polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins (PCDDs), and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) were determined in 4‐year‐old lake trout from the eastern basin of Lake Ontario, collected from 1977 to 1993. Results confirm that overall levels of contaminants have decreased steadily in lake trout since 1977, and that coplanar PCB levels do not appear to be increasing over time in relation to levels of other PCBs. Contaminant levels in lake trout from 3 to 9 years old, collected in 1988 from the western end of Lake Ontario, show the body burden of contaminants increases with age. Relative levels of coplanar PCBs to other PCBs for the age study samples showed no change, except for PCB 77, which exhibited a slight decrease in relation to total PCB levels. Toxic equivalents (TEQs) were calculated from fish contaminant concentrations measured for the time study using toxic equivalence factors (TEFs) from both mammalian and teleost studies. The relative contributions of PCBs, PCDDs, and PCDFs to total TEQs were examined. When TEFs used for risk assessment are applied to temporal trend data, 15 to 20% of the total TEQs were due to mono‐ortho‐substituted PCBs; 40 to 50% to non‐ortho coplanar PCBs; and 20 to 30% to 2,3,7,8‐substituted PCDD and PCDFs. The TEQs determined from lake trout extracts by an H4IIE cell bioassay technique are compared to those determined by chemical analyses, using a variety of TEFs.
Transforming Growth Factor- (cid:1) (TGF- (cid:1) ) Type I Receptor/ ALK5-dependent Activation of the GADD45 (cid:1) Gene Mediates the Induction of Biglycan Expression by TGF- (cid:1) *

We have recently shown that induction of biglycan (BGN) expression by transforming growth factor- (cid:1) 1 (TGF- (cid:1) 1) required sequential activation of both Smad and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling (Un-gefroren, H., Lenschow, W., Chen, W.-B., and Kalthoff, H. (2003) J. Biol. Chem. 278, 11041–11049). Here, we have analyzed the receptors through which TGF- (cid:1) 1 controls expression of BGN and GADD45 (cid:1) , the latter of which is postulated to link early Smad signaling to delayed activation of p38. Ectopic expression of a dominant-negative mutant of the TGF- (cid:1) type II receptor in PANC-1 cells abrogated TGF- (cid:1) -induced BGN up-regulation. Similarly, inhibition of the TGF- (cid:1) type I receptor/ALK5 with either SB431542 or by enforced stable expression of a kinase-dead mutant greatly attenuated the TGF- (cid:1) effect on both BGN and GADD45 (cid:1) expression in PANC-1 and MG-63 cells. The enhancing effect of ALK5 on TGF- (cid:1) mediated GADD45 (cid:1) and BGN BGN in (pancreatic) epithelial versus mesenchymal cells in qualitative and/or quantitative differences in receptor-proximal signaling, or at the transcriptional/post-transcriptional level. TGF- (cid:1) signaling to BGN has revealed an unexpected degree of complexity. The TGF- (cid:1) effect on BGN is strictly dependent on activation of Smads (25) and p38 (27). The delayed kinetics of both p38 activation and BGN up-regulation and the sensitivity of the TGF- (cid:1) effect on BGN to the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide (25) suggested an indirect effect involv-ing early Smad-mediated transcriptional activation of a gene X, which subsequently activates p38 and finally BGN. These find-ings further predict that signaling intermediates crucial for TGF- (cid:1) activation of p38 are likely to be important for TGF- (cid:1) regulation of BGN, too. As part of a larger project aimed at characterizing the “missing links” in the series of signaling events commencing with the activation of TGF- (cid:1) receptors and culminating in BGN mRNA accumulation, we initially focused on the role of ALK5 and its functional domains, respectively, responsible for transducing the TGF- (cid:1) signal to BGN. We present evidence that induction of both GADD45 (cid:1) and BGN expression as well as activation of p38 by TGF- (cid:1) requires the Smad-activating function of ALK5. We further show that intermittent activation of GADD45 (cid:1) expression is mandatory for TGF- (cid:1) / ALK5 regulation of p38 activation and BGN induction. The results of this study establish the ALK5-GADD45 (cid:1) -p38 pathway to be crucial for TGF- (cid:1) regulation of BGN and provide for the first time data on the regulation of GADD45 (cid:1) expression by the ALK5 kinase.
Cichlids respond to conspecific sounds but females exhibit no phonotaxis without the presence of live males

Many fish species are able to produce sounds, which are often associated with courtship. In an earlier study, we showed for the Lake Victoria cichlid Pundamilia nyererei that females prefer to associate with a male with sound over a male without sound. As a follow-up to this earlier finding, we here investigated whether playback of conspecific sounds is sufficient to attract females in the absence of a conspecific male. However, we did not find a phonotactic response for conspecific sounds in the absence of live males, using the same playback procedure as in our previous study. An additional playback test showed that both males and females discriminated between conspecific sounds and bursts of white noise. This suggests that the sounds may be recognised but that they seem only effective as attractant in the presence of visual and/or olfactory cues. These findings underline the multimodal complexity of fish communication and courtship and call for a more integrated study of the different modalities in future studies.
Soil respiration in six temperate forests in China

Scaling soil respiration (RS), the major CO2 source to the atmosphere from terrestrial ecosystems, from chamber‐based measurements to ecosystems requires studies on variations and correlations of RS from various biomes and across geographic regions. However, few studies on RS are available for Chinese temperate forest despite the importance of this forest in the national and global carbon budgets. In this study, we conducted 18‐month RS measurements during 2004–2005 in six temperate forest types, representing the typical secondary forest ecosystems across various site conditions in northeastern China: Mongolian oak (Quercus mongolica Fisch.), aspen‐birch (Populous davidiana Dode and Betula platyphylla Suk.), mixed deciduous (no dominant tree species), hardwood (dominated by Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr., Juglans mandshurica Maxim., and Phellodendron amurense Rupr.) forests, Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis Sieb. et Zucc.) and Dahurian larch (Larix gmelinii Rupr.) plantations. Our specific objectives were to: (1) explore relationships of RS against soil temperature and water content for the six forest ecosystems, (2) quantify annual soil surface CO2 flux and its relations to belowground carbon storage, (3) examine seasonal variations in RS and related environmental factors, and (4) quantify among‐ and within‐ecosystem variations in RS. The RS was positively correlated to soil temperature in all forest types, and was significantly influenced by the interactions of soil temperature and water content in the pine, larch, and mixed deciduous forests. The sensitivity of RS to soil temperature at 10 cm depth (Q10) ranged from 2.61 in the oak forest to 3.75 in the aspen‐birch forests. The Q10 tended to increase with soil water content until reaching a threshold, and then decline. The annual RS for the larch, pine, hardwood, oak, mixed deciduous, and aspen‐birch forests averaged 403, 514, 781, 785, 786, and 813 g C m−2 yr−1, respectively. The annual RS of the broadleaved forests was 72% greater than that of the coniferous forests. The annual RS was positively correlated to soil organic carbon (SOC) concentration at O horizon (R2=0.868) and total biomass of roots <0.5 cm in diameter (R2=0.748). The coefficient of variation (CV) of RS among forest types averaged 25% across the 18‐month measurements. The CV of RS within plots varied from 20% to 27%, significantly (P<0.001) greater than those among plots (9–15%), indicating the importance of the fine‐scaled heterogeneity in RS. This study emphasized that variations in soil respiration and potential sampling bias should be appropriately tackled for accurate soil CO2 flux estimates.
Floristic fluctuations in annual pastures: the role of competition at the regeneration stage

Many studies have shown the existence of large between-year fluctuations in the floristic composition of annual Mediterranean pastures, and these fluctuations have been linked to autumn rainfall patterns. It has been postulated that differing interannual weather patterns may play a decisive role in competitive processes, especially during the period of germination and seedling establishment. Removal experiments in conjunction with rainfall manipulation in a phytotron were conducted to test whether competition affects germination and seedling mortality under different autumn rainfall patterns, in pastures at three successional stages after last being ploughed. Early and late autumn rains affect the floristic composition as certain species germinate better under certain conditions than others in each successional stage. In general, however, competition is not manifested through the inhibition of new germination once the space has been occupied, and density-dependent mortality is found only for a few species.
The β1 Subunit of L-Type Voltage-Gated Ca2+ Channels Independently Binds to and Inhibits the Gating of Large-Conductance Ca2+-Activated K+ Channels

Large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BKCa) channels encoded by the Slo1 gene are ubiquitously expressed, and they play a role in regulation of many cell types. In excitable cells, BKCa channels and voltage-activated Ca2+ channels often form functional complexes that allow the cytoplasmic domains of BKCa channels to lie within spatially discrete calcium microdomains. Here, we report a novel protein interaction between the β1-subunit of L-type voltage-activated calcium channels (Cavβ1) and critical regulatory domains of Slo1 that can occur in the absence of other proteins. This interaction was identified by a yeast two-hybrid screen, and it was confirmed by confocal microscopy in native neurons, by coimmunoprecipitation, and by direct binding assays. The Cavβ1 subunit binds within the calcium bowl domain of Slo1 that mediates a portion of high-affinity Ca2+ binding to BKCa channels and also to a noncanonical Src homology 3 (SH3) domain-binding motif within Slo1. Binding of Cavβ1 markedly slows Slo1 activation kinetics, and it causes a significant decrease in Ca2+ sensitivity in inside-out and in dialyzed cells, even in the absence of pore-forming subunits of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. The guanylate kinase domain of Cavβ1 mediates Slo1 regulation through its binding to calcium bowl domains, and this domain of Cavβ1 is necessary and sufficient for the observed effects on BKCa activation. Binding of Cavβ1 to SH3-binding motifs may stabilize the interaction with Slo1, or it may contribute to formation of other complexes, but it does not seem to affect Ca2+-dependent gating of Slo1. Binding of Cavβ1 does not affect cell surface expression of Slo1 in human embryonic kidney 293T cells.
Studies of the resistance of grapes (Vitis spp.) to phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae)

Abstract The phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae Fitch) resistance of 5 rootstocks (Vitis spp. hybrids) and a V. vinifera variety (Muller Thurgau) was assessed in a glasshouse evaluation. The use of glass-sided containers permitted observation of rate of infection and phylloxera-root interactions. Muller Thurgau was extremely susceptible to phylloxera infection, high population levels, and severe root damage. Few phylloxera survived on 5BB, S04, and 1202C rootstocks and no significant root damage occurred at feeding sites demonstrating the existence of antibiosis to the insect and a physiological root tolerance of feeding. These stocks can be classed as highly resistant. Survival of phylloxera and root damage was very low on the roots of 1613C rootstock and although ARG 1 supported high numbers of phylloxera, little root damage was evident indicating a high level of tolerance to phylloxera feeding.
Insoluble Nitrogen for Milk Production in Holstein Cows via Increases in Voluntary Intake and Nitrogen Utilization

Abstract Influences of insoluble and soluble N on milk production and N use were studied in 24 Holstein cows. The basal diet (grain: corn silage plus urea, 1:1 dry matter) contained 12% crude protein (60% insoluble N). Urea or soybean meal was added to the basal diet, increasing the crude protein to 15% with 43 and 67% insoluble N, respectively. Balance studies were performed during wk 4, 10, and 22 of lactation. Multiple regression analyses were performed on balance data adjusted for metabolic size to determine coefficients of soluble and insoluble N use. Intake of N, partitioned into insoluble and soluble N, accounted for 76, 30, 61, and 10% of the variation in dry matter intake, milk yield, milk N, and body weight . 75 , respectively. Utilization coefficients for insoluble N were higher for dry matter intake, milk N, and weight . 75 but lower for milk yield. Urea supplementation increased dry matter intake; however, much of the milk yield by cows fed urea was attributed to a greater weight . 75 loss. In contrast, cows fed soybean meal as a source of insoluble N maintained both weight . 75 and higher milk production because of higher dry matter intake and more efficient use of N.