Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The genus Coryanthes: a paradygm in ecology

Desde la epoca de Darwin, la biologia de polinizacion de Coryanthes fascino a los naturalistas, pero no solo con este fenomeno este genero sorprende a sus observadores. Dr. Cruger, el director del Jardin Botanico de Trinidad fue el primero que investigo el proceso de la polinizacion en 1864. El hablo de la intensa atraccion del aroma floral a ciertos himenopteros, pero la verdadera recompensa buscada por las abejas fue descubierta hace tan solo 100 anos por Dodson y Vogel. Todas las especies de Coryanthes crecen unicamente en llamados jardines de hormigas, estas comunidades pueden llegar a un tamano de 150 cm de diametro, solo el nido de las hormigas mide unos 80 cm. Los dos organismos son dependientes uno del otro, la planta esta condenada a la muerte si la colonia de hormigas asociada muere. Las plantas ofrecen nectar en nectarios extraflorales y con su sistema de raices facilitan una base para la construcion del nido, mientras las hormigas defienden su planta contra herbivoros y las fertilizan con los excrementos de vertebrados colectados del suelo. La alimentacion abundante permite a la planta un crecimiento muy rapido. Plantas de Coryanthes que crecen en viveros necesitan nada mas entre 2 a 3 anos para florecer. Esto es tal vez es uno de los record en las orquideas, porque las flores son muy grandes y pesadas. Estas pueden llegar a un peso de mas que 100 g, el cual es otro record dentro de la familia de las orquideas. Las semillas para madurar necesitan solo 60 dias, una capsula contiene alrededor de 600.000 granos de semilla, eso probablemente es una adaptacion a su habitat tan vulnerable. El proceso de polinizacion es sincronisado con gran precision para atraer a una o pocas especies de euglosidos, solamente ellos pueden efectuar la polinizacion. Si una abeja demasiado grande para el pasaje de la flor es atraida, ella tapa la salida de la orquidea, resultando en la muerte de ambas. Una abeja demasiada pequena puede pas
Anti‐inflammatory properties of human serum IgA: induction of IL‐1 receptor antagonist and FcαR (CD89)‐mediated down‐regulation of tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) and IL‐6 in human monocytes

A deregulated expression and/or release of large amounts of inflammatory cytokines such as IL‐1 and TNF‐α accounts for most pathophysiological events in a variety of systemic inflammatory diseases, the effect being mediated by the interaction of these cytokines with their respective receptors. IL‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1Ra), mainly produced by monocytes/macrophages, is an inhibitor of IL‐1 activity. The present study shows that human serum IgA induces significant IL‐1Ra release in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and adherent monocytes. IgA induced higher levels of IL‐1Ra than Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) expressing lipopolysaccharide (LPS), purified LPS or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), without induction of IL‐1β release, and even inhibited LPS‐induced IL‐1β release. Induction of IL‐1Ra by IgA could be detected both at the mRNA and protein levels in resting and activated monocytes. Ligation of FcαR with MoAb MY‐43 or treatment with human serum IgA induced protein tyrosine phosphorylation in human monocytes, and herbimycin A, a specific inhibitor of protein tyrosine kinase activity, inhibited IgA‐induced IL‐1Ra production, suggesting that FcαR‐mediated induction of tyrosine phosphorylation is required for the IgA‐induced stimulation of IL‐1Ra release. In addition, triggering of FcαR with MoAb specifically down‐regulated TNF‐α and IL‐6 release in human monocytes activated with Hib. By the induction of IL‐1Ra and down‐regulation of the release of inflammatory cytokines such as IL‐1β, TNF‐α and IL‐6, interaction of IgA with human monocytes may actively contribute to the regulation of the inflammatory response.
Studies of fossil hyaenids: the genera Ictitherium Roth … Wagner and Sinictitherium Kretzoi and a new species of Ictitherium

Samples of the Miocene hyaenid Ictitherium from China and Pikermi, Greece, are analysed statistically. Ictitherium viverrinum Roth & Wagner, 1854 and Ictitherium gaudryi Zdansky, 1924, are found to be conspecific. Ictitherium sinense Zdansky, 1924 is also reduced to synonymy with Ictitherium viverrinum.Ictitherium kurteni sp. nov. differs from 1. viverrinum particularly in its large Cs and large and broad P3.
Reproductive Decisions in Female European Ground Squirrels: Factors Affecting Reproductive Output and Maternal Investment

Physiological and behavioural parameters associated with reproductive effort and success were investigated in female European ground squirrels Spermophilus citellus. The proportion of reproductive (lactating) females in the study population was over 90% and was not related to age. Timing of oestrus and ovulation was found to be affected by the female’s emergence date and condition. Females with low emergence mass showed delayed oestrus. Differences in ovulation dates were shown to affect reproductive output in terms of litter size and sex ratio. Early litters were larger and male biased. X-ray techniques were used to determine intrauterine litter size in individual females. The results indicated that litter size and sex ratio were fixed prenatally. Lactation costs were reflected in the intensity of mass loss and duration of lactation. Mass loss varied with litter size, in that females with large litters showed a more rapid loss than others. The second parental investment parameter, lactation duration, varied among individual females and was dependent on the timing of reproduction and litter size (except yearlings). Early born litters, which were, in most cases, larger than later ones, were nursed longer. Prolonged lactation periods affected female condition in that they started prehibernation fattening later and entered hibernation with a lower mass than individuals that had shorter lactation periods. Yearling females probably could not afford the energetic costs of long lactation, independent of their offspring number. These results indicated that females with higher reproductive output and higher investment were unable to compensate these costs before hibernation. Consequences for these individuals could therefore be lower over-winter survival or a delayed oestrus in the following season.
Effect of Fertilizers (Activators) in Enhancing the Microbial Degradation of Endosulfan in Soil

The effect of fertilizers activators on microbial growth and capability in degrading IX and p-endosulfan was studied by incubating, two groups of microorganism in the presence and absence of four fertilizers (urea, triple super phosphate, urea + triple super phosphate and cow manure) for 45 days with sample drown every 15 days. Drawn sample were examined for microbial growth, concentration of starting material remained and a mount of sulphate generated. Results indicated that all activators caused significant increase in microbial counts especially the triple super phosphate followed by urea + triple super phosphate, cow manure and urea. Significant reduction in halflives of IX and p-endosulfan accompanied with various level of sulphate generation was noticed. Since, the microorganism studied have shown great potential in degrading endosulfan therefore any enhancement in their numbers and activity (caused by activator) will no doubt promote their capability in degrading endosulfan in soil.
Spontaneous heart regeneration in adult MRL mice after cryo-injury

The reaction of myocardium to injury is generally characterized by a tissue repair mechanism that is initially beneficial in maintaining tissue integrity but which ultimately has a debilitating effect on cardiac function. The components of this type of wound healing response in the mammalian heart have been the subject of extensive study. Far less understood, however, are the dynamics of inflammation, ECM remodeling and scar formation at the site of injury, as well as compensatory adaptations of adjacent uninjured myocardium such as angiogenesis, cadiomyocyte hypertrophy, and apoptosis in the regenerative response to a myocardial injury. Recent observations in the MRL strain of mice indicate a capacity to heal myocardial injury with a rapid resolution of granulation tissue and little scar tissue, an increase of cardiomyocyte BrdU incorporation and restoration of myocardial architecture/function. The role of stem cells in this process remains to be elucidated for MRL mice. This response to injury, however, suggests epimorphic regeneration rather than repair.
Selectively increased oxidative modifications mapped to detergent‐insoluble forms of Aβ and β‐III tubulin in Alzheimer's disease

Deleterious post‐translational modifications (PTMs) to the neuronal cytoskeleton are a proposed mechanistic link between accumulation of amyloid (A) β peptides and subsequent abnormalities of tau and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here we tested the hypothesis that PTMs on neuronal tubulins selectively accumulate in a pathological protein fraction in AD. We used new software, P‐MOD, to identify comprehensively and map PTMs using mass spectral data from soluble (normal) and detergent‐insoluble (pathological) protein fractions from AD, as well as total extracts from controls, for selected proteins: Aβ, tau, apolipoprotein (apo) E, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), α‐III tubulin, and β‐III tubulin. Our results confirmed direct observations of others by identifying methionine (M) sulfoxides at Aβ position 35 and numerous sites of tau phosphorylation in detergent‐insoluble protein from AD, while no PTMs were enriched on primarily astrocyte‐derived apoE or GFAP in this fraction. P‐MOD mapped several abundant M sulfoxides to neuron‐enriched β‐III tubulin but not its heterodimeric partner, neuron‐enriched α‐III tubulin, a result confirmed by selective suppression of CNBr‐mediated cleavage of β‐III tubulin. These findings are the first comprehensive assessment of PTMs in AD and point to oxidative modification of β‐III tubulin as a potential contributor to the neuronal cytoskeletal disruption that is characteristic of AD. —Boutte, A. M. , Woltjer, R. L. , Zimmerman, L. J., Stamer, S. L. , Montine, K. S. , Manno, M. V. , Cimino, P. J., Liebler, D. C. , Montine, T. J. Selectively increased oxidative modifications mapped to detergent‐insoluble forms of Aβ and β‐III tubulin in Alzheimer's disease. FASEB J. 20, 1473–1483 (2006)
Mate guarding in an Amazonian cichlid, Pterophyllum scalare

Aggression by Pterophyllum scalare to an opposite sexed intruder was markedly reduced when the mate was absent. Territorial defence was not vigorous just after the eggs had been released and fertilized. Fish of both sexes attacked intruders of the same sex more intensely than they attacked those of the opposite sex, but males were more aggressive than females in this context. These results suggest that their aggression toward intruders serves to maintain the pair bond.
Biologically Active Components and Nutraceuticals in Peanuts and Related Products: Review

Peanuts are among the world's major oilseed crops. They are very nutritious with relatively high protein content and can be utilized in diverse ways. Their oil is very easily digested, and for this reason they are useful consumptives. Peanuts not only contain the so-called “good” fat (monounsaturated fat), but they are also high in a variety of helpful antioxidants, or chemicals that shield the damaging effects of free radicals. Peanuts are also a source of helpful biologically active components found in plant foods, such as phytochemicals. Some of the phytochemicals in peanuts include flavonoids and phenolic compounds. This article discusses bioactive compounds and nutraceuticals in peanuts that could be used in prevention and management of illnesses such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and other degenerative diseases. The biological activity of anti-nutritional factors in peanuts is also briefly discussed.
Side-effects of pesticides on the predatory bug Orius laevigatus (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) in the laboratory

Abstract Laboratory trials were carried out in order to test the effects of 29 pesticides on the predatory bug, Orius laevigatus. To evaluate residual contact activity, newly moulted fourth instar nymphs of O. laevigatus were placed on treated Petri dishes and their mortality was checked after 7 days. The fecundity of surviving females was tested for 14 days. Young O. laevigatus adults were fed with eggs of Ephestia kuehniella, treated with the (above-mentioned) pesticides, to assess the effect of pesticides by ingestion. Adult mortality, female fecundity and egg hatching were recorded. Azadirachtin, granulosis virus products, mineral oil, pirimicarb, tebufenozide, clofentezine, hexythiazox and copper oxychloride had no significant effect on the survival and fecundity of O. laevigatus when predators were exposed to pesticide residues by contact or by ingestion. Triflumuron and diflubenzuron appeared to be harmless by contact, but diflubenzuron was slightly toxic when ingested. Buprofezin and teflubenzuron were slightly to moderately toxic, while hexaflumuron, flufenoxuron, and lufenuron showed a marked toxicity by contact as well as by ingestion. A number of organophosphates, endosulfan and deltamethrin were detrimental especially by contact. Imidacloprid was very toxic by contact but only slightly toxic when ingested. Indoxacarb and methoxyfenozide were less toxic than imidacloprid. These findings should be considered when releases of O. laevigatus are used in greenhouses or on outdoor crops.
Response of Eelgrass Zostera marina to CO2 Enrichment: Possible Impacts of Climate Change and Potential for Remediation of Coastal Habitats

Projected increases in dissolved aqueous con- centrations of carbon dioxide (CO2(aq)) may have significant impacts on photosynthesis of CO2-limited organisms such as seagrasses. Short-term CO2(aq) enrichment increases photo- synthetic rates and reduces light requirements for growth and survival of individual eelgrass Zostera marina L. shoots grow- ing in the laboratory under artificial light regimes for at least 45 d. This study examined the effects of long-term CO2(aq) enrichment on the performance of eelgrass growing under natural light-replete (33% surface irradiance) and light-limited (5% surface irradiance) conditions for a period of 1 yr. Eelgrass shoots were grown at 4 CO2(aq) concentrations in outdoor flow-through seawater aquaria bubbled with industrial flue gas containing approximately 11% CO2. Enrichment with CO2(aq) did not alter biomass-specific growth rates, leaf size, or leaf sugar content of above-ground shoots in either light treatment. CO2(aq) enrichment, however, led to significantly higher reproductive output, below-ground biomass and vege- tative proliferation of new shoots in light-replete treatments. This suggests that increasing the CO2 content of the atmo- sphere and ocean surface will increase the area-specific pro- ductivity of seagrass meadows. CO2(aq) enrichment did not affect the performance of shoots grown under light limitation, suggesting that the transition from carbon- to light-limited growth followed Liebig's Law. This study also demonstrated that direct injection of industrial flue gas could significantly increase eelgrass productivity; this might prove useful for restoration efforts in degraded environments. The broader effects of CO2(aq) enrichment on the function of natural seagrass meadows, however, require further study before deliberate CO2 injection could be considered as an engineer- ing solution to the problem of seagrass habitat degradation.
HSV-1 as a Model for Emerging Gene Delivery Vehicles

The majority of viral vectors currently used possess modest cargo capability (up to 40 kb) being based on retroviruses, lentiviruses, adenoviruses, and adenoassociated viruses. These vectors have made the most rapid transition from laboratory to clinic because their small genomes have simplified their characterization and modification. However, there is now an increasing need both in research and therapy to complement this repertoire with larger capacity vectors able to deliver multiple transgenes or to encode complex regulatory regions, constructs which can easily span more than 100 kb. Herpes Simplex Virus Type I (HSV-1) is a well-characterized human virus which is able to package about 150 kb of DNA, and several vector systems are currently in development for gene transfer applications, particularly in neurons where other systems have low efficiency. However, to reach the same level of versatility and ease of use as that of smaller genome viral vectors, simple systems for high-titer production must be developed. This paper reviews the major HSV-1 vector systems and analyses the common elements which may be most important to manipulate to achieve this goal.
Antidiabetic and Hypolipidemic Effects of Different Fractions of Catharanthus Roseus (Linn.) on Normal and Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats

The antidiabetic and hypolipidemic effects of petroleum-ether, ethyl acetate and chloroform fractions from ethanolic extract of the leaves of Catharanthus roseus ( C. roseus ) were investigated in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (SIDRs). Single doses (150 mg/kg, i.p.) of C. roseus extracts in the fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels were determined in normal and SIDRs on 0, 1, 2, 3, 6, 10, 16, and 24 th hours and serum triglyceride (TG) and serum total cholesterol (TC) levels were determined after 24 th hour. In normoglycemic rats and in SIDRs, petroleum-ether and ethyl acetate fraction of C. roseus reduced blood glucose level significantly. In case of hypolipidemic effects, all fractions reduced serum total cholesterol but the ethyl acetate fraction of C. roseus was the most effective. All fractions of C. roseus reduced serum triglyceride level but the ethyl acetate fraction reduced triglyceride level at the highest. The antidiabetic and hypolipidemic activities were compared to metformin HCl (150 mg/kg). Of all the three fractions, ethyl acetate fractions were the best in activity. Ethyl acetate fraction of C. roseus was found to contain flavonoids and alkaloids. The mechanism underlying the antidiabetic activity is probably increased glycogenesis, decreased gluconeogenesis or decreased absorption of glucose from intestine. Keywords: Catharanthus roseus; Antidiabetic; Hypolipidemic; Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat. © 2009 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237 (Print); 2070-0245 (Online). All rights reserved. DOI: 10.3329/jsr.v1i2. 1075
Lek centre attracts black grouse females

In several lek mating systems, centrally located males enjoy higher mating success than peripheral males. The mechanism behind this pattern, however, has been controversial and a rigorous test of the different alternatives is missing. Here we report that in black grouse Tetrao tetrix, a lekking bird species, central males achieved many more copulations than males in the periphery. Generally, central territories were smaller than peripheral ones, and males were thus more clumped in the centre. A choice experiment in an aviary provided experimental support for females being attracted to densely clustered males, so that males in larger clusters have higher expected average mating success. Thus this mechanism, which was once the common belief for the lekking system but lately has been disregarded, is likely to provide the main explanation for the evolution of lekking in this species.
Relationships within Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) using PCR-amplification and southern hybridisation of chloroplast DNA

Chloroplast DNA based phylogenetic studies using PCR-amplification and digestion (40 species) combined with Southern blotting (23 species) suggest that Angophora and some representatives of the Eucalyptus subgenera Corymbia and Blakella form a monophyletic group. The subgenera Eudesmia, Monocalyptus, Gaubaea, Idiogenes, Symphyoinyrtus and Telocalyptus appear to form a well defined monophyletic group encompassing most of Eucalyptus, but the exact sister taxon to this group remains unresolved. The results suggest that subgenera Corymbia and Blakella are paraphyletic and that Telocalyptus should be submerged within the subgenus Symnphyoinyrtus.
Climate-related range shifts – a global multidimensional synthesis and new research directions

Poleward and upward shifts are the most frequent types of range shifts that have been reported in response to contemporary climate change. However, the number of reports documenting other types of range shifts – such as in east-west directions across longitudes or, even more unexpectedly, towards tropical latitudes and lower elevations – is increasing rapidly. Recent studies show that these range shifts may not be so unexpected once the local climate changes are accounted for. We here provide an updated synthesis of the fast-moving research on climate-related range shifts. By describing the current state of the art on geographical patterns of species range shifts under contemporary climate change for plants and animals across both terrestrial and marine ecosystems, we identified a number of research shortfalls. In addition to the recognised geographic shortfall in the tropics, we found taxonomic and methodological shortfalls with knowledge gaps regarding range shifts of prokaryotes, lowland range shifts of terrestrial plants, and bathymetric range shifts of marine plants. Based on this review, we provide a research agenda for filling these gaps. We outline a comprehensive framework for assessing multidimensional changes in species distributions, which should then be contrasted with expectations based on climate change indices, such as velocity measures accounting for complex local climate changes. Finally, we propose a unified classification of geographical patterns of species range shifts, arranged in a bi-dimensional space defined by species’ persistence and movement rates. Placing the observed and expected shifts into this bi-dimensional space should lead to more informed assessments of extinction risks.
Mating and remating in Coproica vagans (Diptera, Sphaeroceridae)

Summary In the dung fly Coproica vagans Haliday 1833 (Diptera, Sphaeroceridae), a firm but elastic mating plug blocks the female genital opening after copulation. The plug does not contain sperm. Sperm are present in the form of a mass that fills the vagina anterior to the mating plug. Experiments using males marked with acridine orange demonstrated that the mating plug is produced by males. Copulations always resulted in plug formation. Male remating intervals seem to be adjusted to the time needed to replenish the material needed for mating plug production. Two non-exclusive functions of the mating plug are proposed: retention of sperm in the vagina after copulation and paternity assurance by preventing females mechanically from remating until oviposition. Shape and position of the C. vagans mating plug provide evidence for a capability of retaining sperm inside the vagina until sperm reaches the female storage organs. The mating plug prevents remating while it is in the vagina. Following copulation C. vagans females are not sexually available to other males. Mechanical manipulation of females seems to be the main cause for this post-mating loss of ability to copulate. Mating plugs persist unaltered until oviposition begins. Males were not able to induce plug expulsion or remove plugs with their genitalia. The mating plug is pushed out when the first egg is laid. Eggs are deposited in batches. Remating occurred on days when an egg batch laid by that female was observed, never on following days. In the field 96% of C. vagans females carry a mating plug. Copulation duration is fairly constant and is not correlated with female mating status.