Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thermal Cost of Refuge Use Affects Refuge Entry and Hiding Time by Striped Plateau Lizards Sceloporus virgatus

Abstract Escaping prey decide whether to enter and how long to stay in refuges. According to refuge-use theory, hiding time increases as costs of emerging increase and costs of staying in refuge decrease. We studied effects of air temperature on probability of entering refuges and the effects of thermal cost on hiding time (duration in refuge). Few striped plateau lizards (Sceloporus virgatus) used refuges at intermediate air temperatures, but most readily entered cool refuges at the lowest air temperatures and relatively warm refuges at higher temperatures. Because running speed in lizards decreases as body temperature decreases, S. virgatus that are cool upon morning emergence presumably reduced their probability of being captured by entering refuges. As air and presumably body temperatures increase, refuges are initially cooler than outside, contributing to infrequent use. At higher, but not thermally stressful, temperatures, a greater probability of using refuges may reflect lower thermal costs in refuges that have warmed. Hiding time decreased as temperatures became cooler in refuges than outside. Our results confirm previous work on actively foraging lacertid lizards showing that hiding time decreases as thermal costs of refuge use increases, and extend this finding to a very distantly related phrynosomatid species that is an ambush forager. Thus, the thermal cost of refuge use affects hiding time even in lizards that do not require high body temperature for prolonged foraging movements. A growing body of knowledge supports the hypothesis that tradeoffs between costs of emerging and remaining in refuges guide decisions about hiding time.
Inhibitory effects of some invasive alien species leaf extracts against tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) bacterial wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum)

The inhibitory activity of selected invasive alien species leaf extracts against tomato bacterial wilt was studied in vitro and greenhouse. In vitro inhibitory activity was undertaken in a disc diffusion sensitivity test. Furthermore, aqueous extracts of Eichhorina crassipes, Mimosa diplotricha and Lantana camara and methanolic extract of Prosopis juliflora which showed better inhibitory effect in vitro were evaluated against R. solanacearum in greenhouse on tomato. The plant extracts were applied and evaluated at three different times of application (at the time of inoculation; two days before pathogen inoculation; and two days after pathogen inoculation). The result showed that most of the treatment combinations significantly reduce disease incidence and area under disease progress curve and increase biomass of tomato plants, but the effectiveness of tested plant species depends on the type of plant species and application time. The application of plant extracts at the time of pathogen inoculation resulted in highest reduction of disease development on tomato plants. Aqueous extract of E. crassipes was found to be the most effective plant extract in disease suppression and increase above-ground biomass compared to inoculated control. The study revealed that the tested plant species have a potential of inhibiting the development of bacterial wilt on tomato.
Photosynthesis in Peanut (Arachis) Genotypes1

Abstract Research was undertaken to assess the variation in photosynthetic capacity within the genus Arachis and to determine associations between photosynthesis and other leaf characteristics. Photosynthetic rates of attached leaves of thirty-one peanut genotypes, including six wild (Arachis L.) species and twenty-four genotypes of the cultivated species, Arachis hypogaea L. , were measured by gas exchange. Genotypes of A. hypogaea showed a range in photosynthetic rates from 24 to 37 mg CO2 dm-2 hr-1. Florunner, a recently developed US cultivar, consistently had higher photosynthetic rates than most other peanut genotypes. The rates were approximately 41 and 30 mg CO2 dm-2 hr-1 in two pot experiments and a field test, respectively. Wild species had generally lower photosynthetic rates than did A. hypogaea. A. pintoi Krap. et Greg. had the lowest rate of photosynthesis and the lowest specific leaf weight in the three experiments. Photosynthetic rate was positively correlated, though weakly, with percent ni.
EVIDENCE FOR A LACK OF PHOTOSYSTEM SEGREGATION IN CHLAMYDOMONAS REINHARDTII (CHLOROPHYCEAE)

The distribution of photosystems I and II (PSI and PSII) in cells of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Dangeard was studied by immunogold electron microscopy using cultures grown autotrophically at moderate irradiance and harvested in the middle of the light period. Sections of Lowicryl‐embedded cells were labeled with monospecific heterologous antisera raised against the reaction center proteins of PSI (CP1‐e) or the core antenna proteins of PSII (CP40 and CP47). All three antisera labeled both the appressed and the nonappressed thylakoid membranes at essentially similar densities. Labeling with both PSI and PSII antisera was slightly more concentrated over the outer nonappressed membranes of the thylakoid bands (1.7‐ to 2.4‐fold with anti‐CP1‐ e and 1.5‐ to 1.8‐fold with anti‐CP47 and anti‐CP40). However, since appressed membranes comprised 73% of the total thylakoid membranes, 50%–62% of the PSI and 58%–65% of the PSII labeling were localized on appressed membranes. We conclude that photosystem distribution in C. reinhardtii is similar to that reported for other algae and different from the lateral heterogeneity observed in higher plants.
On the Inadequacy of Simple Models of Mutual Interference for Parasitism and Predation

Mutual interference between searching arthropod parasites (i.e. parasitoids) is a beguilingly simple process, with apparently far-reaching implications for the stability of parasite-host interactions. The widely held view is that as parasite density increases, behavioural interactions (mutual interference) between searching individuals cause a reduction in the parasites' searching efficiency. In consequence, interference tends to confer stability on parasite-host interactions by reducing the death rate per parasite imposed on the hosts (and so the recruitment of parasites in the next generation) when parasite densities are high. The stabilizing effects of interference have recently been incorporated into a wide variety of ecological models (e.g. Austin & Cook 1974; Bulmer 1977; De Angelis, Goldstein & O'Neill 1975; Hassell & May 1973; Rogers & Hubbard 1974). It is often assumed (e.g. Beddington 1975) that similar considerations apply to predator-prey interactions. This paper is concerned primarily with parasitism, but possible extensions to predation are considered in the Discussion. The paper is divided into three sections. First, we re-examine the empirical model of interference proposed by Hassell & Varley (1969). This model postulates a linear relationship in logarithmic form between parasites' searching efficiency and density, with the degree of mutual interference given by the gradient. The model is already known to be oversimplified in one important respect. Thus, both a priori considerations (Royama 1971) and more detailed behavioural models (Beddington 1975; Rogers & Hassell 1974) require that the relationship should be curvilinear, with interference becoming negligible at low parasite densities. We later show that the behavioural models themselves indicate pitfalls in extrapolating from laboratory experiments conducted at higher parasite densities than prevail in the field. The second part, dealing with a host-parasite model written in difference equations, suggests that behavioural considerations largely preclude the possibility of significant mutual interference when the parasite is at or close to its equilibrium density. The behavioural models discussed assume that parasites search randomly. This assumption is relaxed in the last section. The implications of this change are that due to differential exploitation of the richer patches, searching efficiency measured over the whole environment is found to decline with parasite density (indicating interference) when there are no behavioural interactions. We call this effect 'pseudo-interference'. Accordingly we argue that 'interference' in the field can arise from both behavioural interactions and the effect of non-random search for aggregated hosts.
Zur Entwicklung der natürlichen und anthropogenen Vegetation in frühgeschichtlicher Zeit

Die unter den spezifischen Fragestellungen der Archaologie durch die Bearbeitung der bei Grabungen anfallenden pflanzlichen Grosreste (Diasporen), durch den Einsatz der Pollenanalyse sowie durch die Auswertung der einschlagigen Literatur erschlossenen Quellen werden unter vegetationsgeschichtlichen Aspekten ausgewertet. Zeitlich umfassen die Untersuchungen das 1. bis 12. ; Mitteleuropa und Sudskandinavien bilden den Raum fur die Behandlung der anthropogenen Vegetation, wahrend sich die Darstellung der fruhgeschichtlichen naturnahen Vegetation auf das Gebiet der DDR beschrankt. Im ersten Teil der Arbeit wird die anthropogene Vegetation der Acker, des Grunlandes und der Ruderalstellen behandelt. Einer kurzen Darlegung der Grundlagen und der Entwicklungstendenzen der landwirtschaftlichen Produktion im ersten Jahrtausend schliest sich die Analyse der in den Getreidefunden enthaltenen Unkrauter nach Charakterarten und nach soziologisch-okologischen Gruppen an. Die Nachweissituation fur Arten des Grunlandes ist ungunstiger als fur die der Acker. Nach den Befunden scheinen sich dem Arrhenatheretum ahnliche Fettwiesen erst nach dem 9. Jh. allmahlich herausgebildet zu haben. Die wichtigsten der fur den Untersuchungszeitraum nachgewiesenen Ruderalarten werden genannt. Es befinden sich darunter sieben Arten, die allgemein als Neophyten gelten. Plant remains, discovered through excavation and considered under archaeological aspects, pollen analysis and the evalution of the relevant literature provided the basis for the description of the history of vegetation. The survey includes the period between the 1st to the 12th century. Central Europe and South Scandinavia form the area for the description of the anthropogenic vegetation, whereas the description of the vegetation closer to natural conditions is confined to the area of the G.D. R. The first part of the paper deals with the anthropogenic vegetation of the arable land, the grassland (meadows and pastures) and the ruderal places. After a short description of the foundations and of the tendencies of development of agricultural production during the 1st millenium follows an analysis of the weeds contained in the cereal finds which includes the „Charakter-Arten” as well as „soziologisch-okologische” groups. The species of the grassland are more scarce then those of the arable land contained in the archaeological finds. Judging from the sources it appears that meadows similar to the Arrhenatheretum have developed gradually only after 9th century. The paper lists the most important ruderal species, which have been found in the period under survey. They include seven species which generally are considered as neophyts.
Myoinositol Phosphates: Analysis, Content in Foods and Effects in Nutrition

Methods available for myoinositol phosphate measurement, effects of processing and role of myoinositol phosphates in human nutrition, including possible anticancer functions and other positive effects, will be discussed in contrast to the detrimental effects of myoinositol phosphates on mineral element bioavailability. The phytic acid content in diets will also be discussed.
Entinostat augments NK cell functions via epigenetic upregulation of IFIT1-STING-STAT4 pathway

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) are an emerging cancer therapy; however, their effect on natural killer (NK) cell-mediated anti-tumor responses remain unknown. Here, we evaluated the impact of a benzamide HDACi, entinostat, on human primary NK cells as well as tumor cell lines. Entinostat significantly upregulated the expression of NKG2D, an essential NK cell activating receptor. Independently, entinostat augmented the expression of ULBP1, HLA, and MICA/B on both rhabdomyosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma cell lines. Additionally, entinostat increased both cytotoxicity and IFN-γ production in human NK cells following coculture with these tumor cells. Mechanistically, entinostat treatment resulted in increased chromatin accessibility to the promoter region for interferon-induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats 1 (IFIT1) gene and thereby increasing the transcript and protein levels of IFIT1 that augmented the IFIT1-mediated IRF1, STAT4, and STING pathways. Corresponding transcriptome analysis revealed enrichment of IRF1 and STAT4 and gene sets responsible for NK cell-mediated IFN-γ production and cytotoxicity, respectively. Our results show a novel mechanism by which entinostat initiates an IFIT1-STING-mediated potentiation of STAT4 via IRF1 to augment NK cell-mediated anti-tumor responses.
Studies on Nuclear DNA and Meiotic Chromosomes in 8 Species on Mammillaria

Meiotic studies of Pollen Mother Cell (PMCs) and 4C DNA content from root tip cells of 8 species of Mammillaria of the family Cactaceae revealed significant interspecific variations in the genome. The haploid chromosome number n=11 was recorded in M asteriflora, M bella, M. bravoae, M brevispina, M. elongata, M klissingiana and M matudae. The chiasma frequency sig-nificantly varied from 22.25 to 24.28 per nucleus. The formation of univalent in some of the cells, spindle anomalies i.e. early or late separation leads to the formation of pentads, sexads or octads in stead of tetrad formation in the meiotic telophase II through differential pollen sterility from 10.31 to 22.83% in M elongata and M collinsii respectively. The 4C DNA amount of root tip cells varied significantly from 18.262 to 24.124 pg in M klissingiana and M brevispina respectively. Significant variation in DNA amount with gross or minor alteration of chiasma frequency leads to genetic drift among the species.
The effects of density and interspecific interaction on mortality in experimental populations of adult Cepaea (Held.)

Field population cages were used to investigate the effects of density and interspecific interactions on adult mortality in two closely related species of landsnail, C. nemoralis (L.) and C. hortensis (Mull). High densities were associated with increased mortality in both species. Increased mortalities were also observed in populations in which the two species were placed together, compared to those in which each was kept separate. However, this trend was not consistent for populations which contrasted in density levels. The effect of C. hortensis on C. nemoralis was greater at low densities than at high densities. The results suggest that coexistence in nature may be unstable and could result in spatial displacement.
Effects of increased nitrogen deposition on soil nematodes in alpine tundra soils

Summary Because of anthropogenic activities, atmospheric deposition of nitrogen has increased on some high elevation ecosystems in North America. On Elk Mountain in SE Wyoming, USA, we found that ice, formed by the impaction of supercooled cloud droplets, contains nitrogen levels (NH 4 + = 58 ± 47 μmole/1, NO 3 − = 52 ± 40 μmole/1) significantly higher than snow (NH 4 + = 7 ±5 μmole/1, NO 3 − = 14 ± 7 μmole/1). At this site the impaction process (riming) occurs on krummholz and is an important mechanism of water and nutrient deposition. We sampled nematodes in alpine soil for two seasons under this rime ice deposition and in adjacent meadow and krummholz soil with only snow deposition. No significant difference was found in nematode density and trophic composition between snow and rime ice deposition zones in krummholz; and nematode densities were significantly higher in meadow soil than in the krummholz rhizosphere. Densities of active nematodes were highest immediately after snow melt and a positive correlation was found between nematode density and percent soil moisture. With subsequent soil drying, nematodes gradually entered anhydrobiosis and this process began earlier in the exposed meadow than under the krummholz canopy. In a subsequent microcosm experiment we exposed nematodes in two alpine soils to four different nitrogen treatments [ammonium nitrate (NH 4 NO 3 ) at 0, 20, 40 and 80 kg N/ha/yr] and two temperatures (5 and 25°C). None of the three variables had a significant effect on nematode density. But at the first sampling (1 month) the interaction between soil type and nitrogen level was significant, and at the second and final sampling (6 months) the interaction between soil type and temperature was significant. Nematode response to increasing nitrogen deposition rates varied in a complex way with soil type and temperature. Under the microcosm conditions, nematode community composition shifted to opportunistic rhabditid species. Our work indicates that higher levels of nitrogen deposition (>80 kg N/ha/yr) were necessary to produce detectable effects on nematode density in this alpine region.
Expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines by TCRαβ+ T and TCRγδ+ T cells in an experimental model of colitis

An inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) comparable to human ulcerative colitis is induced upon transfer of T cell‐depleted wild‐type (F1) bone marrow into syngeneic T cell‐deficient (tgε26) mice (F1 → tgε26). Previously we have shown that activated CD4+ T cells predominate in transplanted tgε26 mice, and adoptive transfer experiments verified the potential of these cells to cause disease in immunodeficient recipient mice. Using flow cytometry for the detection of intracellular cytokine expression, we demonstrate in the present study that large numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ TCRαβ+ T cells from the intraepithelial region and lamina propria of the colon of diseased, but not from disease‐free mice, produced interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α). Large numbers of T cells from peripheral lymphoid tissues of these animals also expressed IFN‐α and TNF‐α, but few expressed interleukin‐4, demonstrating g strong bias towards Th1‐type T cell responses in these animals. TCRγδ+ T cells, typically minor constituents of the inflammatory infiltrate of the colon in F1 → tgε26 mice, also expressed IFN‐γ at a high frequency upon CD3 stimulation. In light of these findings we examined the potential involvement of TCRγδ+ T cells by testing their ability to induce colitis in tgε26 mice. We report here that tgε26 mice transplanted with T cell‐depleted bone marrow from TCRαnull and TCRβnull animals developed IBD. Furthermore, disease in these mice correlated with the development of peripheral and colonic TCRαδ+ T cells capable of IFN‐γ production. These results suggest that IFN‐γ may be a common mediator of IBD utilized by pathogenic T cells of distinct phenotype.
Abstract CT182: Neoadjuvant immuno-radiotherapy (NIRT) in head and neck cancer: Phase I/Ib study of combined PD-1/SBRT prior to surgical resection

Background: Standard treatment of locally advanced HPV-associated oropharyngeal HNSCC includes definitive chemoRT or surgery followed by risk-adapted adjuvant RT +/- chemo. These approaches provide high rates of long term survival, but are associated with significant subacute as well as long term morbidity. Therefore, increasing efforts have been directed at exploring alternative approaches. Combined SBRT and PD-1 blockade may have particularly favorable properties for anti-tumor immune response in HNSCC (Gough 2009). We present phase I safety & efficacy data from the NIRT trial of neoadjuvant nivolumab/SBRT in oropharyngeal p16+ HNSCC (NCT03247712). Methods: Patients with p16+ oropharyngeal or unknown primary HNSCC, with clinical indications for adjuvant RT, or upfront TORS ineligible due to tumor size, could enroll. Patients received Nivo 240mg IV q2wks x3 prior to surgery, with SBRT to GTV+3mm delivered between Nivo doses 1 & 2, in two dose finding cohorts (n=5 each): 8Gy x5 daily (M-F) and de-escalated 8Gy x3 (M,W,F). Surgery was performed 5 weeks post-SBRT followed by adjuvant Nivo 480mg IV q4wks x3, starting 4 weeks post-op. The primary endpoint was Results: There were no unplanned surgical delays. All patients had radiologic evidence of decreased tumor size prior to surgery, but none showed a CR by RECIST. Remarkably, the pathologic CR rate was 100% in the 8Gy x 5 cohort (5/5) and 80% In the 8 Gy x 3 cohort (4/5), with the remaining patient achieving MPR (major pathologic response; Conclusions: Neoadjuvant combined PD-1/SBRT to GTV+3mm dosed at either 8Gy x5 (M-F) or 8Gy x3 (M,W,F) did not delay HNSCC surgery in this Phase I trial (n=10; five per dose). Potent anti-tumor response was observed in all cases (CR=9 + MPR=1). A high response rate and lower toxicity profile favors the 8Gy x3 cohort for development. This study represents a major paradigm shift in the approach to treatment of locally advanced p16+ oropharyngeal cancers. Citation Format: Rom Leidner, R. Bryan Bell, Kristina Young, Brendan Curti, Marcus Couey, Ashish Patel, Amber Watters, Hong Xiao, Carlo Bifulco, Brian Piening, George Morris, Lessli Rushforth, Dawn Brucker, Shorin Nemeth, Michael Gough, Marka Crittenden. Neoadjuvant immuno-radiotherapy (NIRT) in head and neck cancer: Phase I/Ib study of combined PD-1/SBRT prior to surgical resection [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr CT182.
Abstract CT195: Long-term survival outcomes with nivolumab (NIVO) in pts with previously treated advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): Impact of early disease control and response

Background: Historically, 5-y overall survival (OS) with chemotherapy for pts with metastatic lung cancer was ~5%; with the advent of immunotherapy, this has increased to ~15%. CheckMate (CM) 017, 057, 063, and 003 are NIVO studies with extensive follow-up in pts with previously treated advanced NSCLC. Using pooled data from these studies, we evaluated the long-term benefit (up to 4 y) of NIVO and impact of early response or disease control on subsequent long-term OS. Methods: Progression-free survival (PFS) and OS were estimated for pts with NSCLC across histologies treated with NIVO in pooled analyses of CM 017, 057, 063, and 003 (n=664), and for pts randomized to NIVO (n=427) or docetaxel (DOC; n=427) in pooled analyses of CM 017/057. Other analyses for CM 017/057 included estimation of OS in pts alive at 6 mo by response status at 6 mo, and OS in all responders (complete or partial response [CR/PR]) from time of response. Results: In pooled analyses of the 4 studies, 4-y OS rates for NIVO in all pts and those with PD-L1 ≥1% and Conclusions: These large pooled analyses show pts with CR/PR or SD with NIVO at 6 mo derived marked OS benefit; this long-term benefit was improved vs pts with DOC with the same response status at 6 mo. The NIVO safety profile was consistent with prior reports. Citation Format: Julie Brahmer, Hossein Borghaei, Suresh S. Ramalingam, Leora Horn, Esther Holgado, Adam Pluzanski, Marco A. Burgio, Marina Garassino, Laura Q. Chow, Scott Gettinger, Lucio Crino, David Planchard, Charles Butts, Alexander Drilon, Joanna Wojcik-Tomaszewska, Gregory Otterson, Vinny Hayreh, Ang Li, John R. Penrod, Scott J. Antonia. Long-term survival outcomes with nivolumab (NIVO) in pts with previously treated advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): Impact of early disease control and response [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr CT195.