Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chemical composition and ruminal degradation kinetics of crude protein and amino acids, and intestinal digestibility of amino acids from tropical forages

The objective of this research was to determine the chemical composition and ruminal degradation of the crude protein (CP), total and individual amino acids of leaves from tropical forages: perennial soybean (Neonotonia wightii), cassava (Manihot esculenta), leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) and ramie (Boehmeria nivea), and to estimate the intestinal digestibility of the rumen undegradable protein (RUDP) and individual amino acids of leaves from the tropical forages above cited, but including pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan). Three nonlactating Holstein cows were used to determine the in situ ruminal degradability of protein and amino acids from leaves (6, 18 and 48 hours of ruminal incubation). For determination of the intestinal digestibility of RUDP, the residue from ruminal incubation of the materials was used for 18 hours. A larger concentration of total amino acids for ramie and smaller for perennial soybean were observed; however, they were very similar in leucaena and cassava. Leucine was the essential amino acid of greater concentration, with the exception of cassava, which exhibited a leucine concentration 40.45% smaller. Ramie showed 14.35 and 22.31% more lysine and methionine, respectively. The intestinal digestibility of RUDP varied from 23.56; 47.87; 23.48; 25.69 and 10.86% for leucaena, perennial soybean, cassava, ramie and pigeon pea, respectively. The individual amino acids of tropical forage disappeared in different extensions in the rumen. For the correct evaluation of those forages, one should consider their composition of amino acids, degradations and intestinal digestibility, once the amino acid composition of the forage does not reflect the amino acid profiles that arrived in the small intestine. Differences between the degradation curves of CP and amino acids indicate that degradation of amino acids cannot be estimated through the degradation curve of CP, and that amino acids are not degraded in a similar degradation profile.
Characterization of the glycerolipid composition of a high‐palmitoleic acid sunflower mutant

The glycerolipid composition of a high-palmitoleic acid sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) mutant accumulating up to 20% of n-7 fatty acids was studied. This line produces oil with a complex triacylglycerol (TAG) composition, containing species that have not been previously identified in sunflower. In this regard, palmitoleic acid was esterified in an unexpected way in the three positions of the TAG molecules. The polar glycerolipid composition of the mutant was also studied, in order to identify and quantify the changes in membrane lipids imposed by the sunflower enzymatic machinery during the accumulation of the unusual n-7 fatty acids. The high-palmitoleic mutant accumulated important quantities of n-7 fatty acids in the polar lipid fraction, especially in the phosphatidylcholine lipid class. However, the total polar lipid content of these lines was not affected. On the other hand, the mutations responsible for the n-7 lipid accumulation induced an important decrease in the oil yield of the new mutant.
Bird frugivory and seed germination of Myrsine umbellata and Myrsine lancifolia (Myrsinaceae) seeds in a cerrado fragment in southeastern Brazil

Birds are known to be important dispersers of plants, since the passage of seeds through the digestive tract often has a positive influence on germination percentage and speed. In this study, proportions of germination in different substrates were compared between Myrsine (Myrsinaceae) seeds collected manually and those ingested by birds. The guilds of birds that fed on M. umbellata and M. lancifolia were identified and comprise 24 and 12 species, respectively. A higher germination proportion was found among seeds defecated by birds and sowed in the study area. The study also found differences between the guilds of frugivores in both synchronopatric species. Therefore, we suggest that M. umbellata and M. lancifolia are important food sources by birds that play a positive influence for enhance germination of Myrsine.
Buffalo livestock and products in Europe.

Buffalo livestock and strategies are reported for all the countries in Europe, where buffalo specie is reared and used for food production, as Italy, Romania, Bulgaria, Germany, Macedonia, United Kingdome, Greece, Serbia, Albania, Ukraine, and Hungary. Particularly Italy situation is discussed as in this country selection, milk recording and production, management, nutrition and reproduction techniques, quality food and marketing are really developed at top level. In Italy 50,000 buffaloes are recorded every month during the lactation, showing a milk yield of 2,220 kg in 270 days of lactation with 8.4% fat and 4.6% protein, as many champions produce more than 5,000 kg for lactation. Artificial insemination is largely applied. The National Association of Italian Buffalo breeders was instituted on 1979, the Buffalo Genealogical Book for the Mediterranean Italian Buffalo Breed on 1980, the famous mozzarella cheese obtained the Denomination Origin Protected on 1993, with Decree of Agricultural Ministry, approved by European Union, where milk and mozzarella characteristics are defined for consumer guarantee. In Italy 400,000 buffaloes are managed and fed in intensive system: the females are kept loose in paddock and mechanically milked twice a day; the males are managed in feed-lots or on slatted floor stables for fattening and are slaughtered at 15 months, achieving more than 400 kg live weight. Even if many products are appreciated coming from milk, as ricotta, provola, scamorza, treccia and other cheeses, or coming from meat, as steaks, roast, ham, bresaola, salami, the most important product in the Italian and international market is mozzarella, of which 36,000 tons are produced every year, with a value of 500 million euros. The consumption is 82% in Italy, 18% for export, particularly for Germany, France, USA, UK.
Population Structure and Feeding Behavior of the Stomatopod Crustacean Kempina mikado (Kemp & Chopra, 1921) in the East China Sea

The population structure and feeding behavior of the edible stomatopod crustacean Kempina mika do (Kemp & Chopra, 1921) was studied from samples captured with bottom trawls in the East China Sea. The sex ratio (female:male) was 1.64:1. Four size-class groups were discriminated for each sex which may correspond to one to four year-old cohorts. Gut analysis showed that this animal is a typical carnivore and mainly ate the tentacular clubs of the squid Loligo edulis and fish, regardless of sex and body size. From the present data, the suspected heavy predation on commercially important penaeid prawns by K. mikado was not confirmed.
Larval diapause in Dendroctonus obesus (Mannerheim) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae).

i>Dendroctonus obesus (Mannerheim) larvae diapaused in the last instar during laboratory rearing with warm thermoperiods reduced to 12 bours or less, mean temperatures of 50∞-56∞F. (10∞-13.3∞C) and at least one minimum subcortical temperature near or below the larval development threshold during the third and fourth instars. Larvae reared at a constant temperature of 70∞F (21.1∞C) did not diapause. Prediction of beetle populations and forest damage is dependent on a knowledge of the seasonal meteorological conditions that affect larval dispause and subsequently the numbers of mature beetles capable of initiating attacks. Further investigation is required to determine the separate effects of brood age, temperatures and thermoperiods on diapause.
Characterization of the effects of intestinal physiology modified by exogenous enzymes and direct-fed microbial on intestinal integrity, energy metabolism, body composition and performance of laying hens and broiler chickens

The objective of this dissertation research was to characterize the effects of intestinal physiology modulated by dietary supplementation of EE and DFM on intestinal integrity, energy metabolism, body composition and performance of laying hens and broiler chickens. The effects of reduced dietary metabolizable energy (ME) on performance, intestinal integrity and body composition of laying hens were evaluated in two experiments. A reduction of 90 kcal/kg of dietary ME over a period of 12 weeks did not significantly alter performance or nitrogen corrected apparent ME (AMEn), but reduced abdominal fat pad. In the follow-up experiment, no significant differences were noted in the performance of laying hens when fed a 100 kcal/kg reduced ME diet supplemented with EE or EE and DFM for 16 weeks. However, EE significantly increased AMEn and nutrient transport, whereas DFM increased intestinal epithelial barrier function, mucin expression and reduced zoonotic pathogen colonization. These data indicate that modern laying hens have little or no sensitivity to small differences in dietary ME, as they prioritize to meet the energy demands of production. The effects of DFM on performance and intestinal integrity of broiler chickens exposed to coccidial challenge or raised on built-up litter were evaluated. Ileal nutrient transport, mucin expression and intestinal epithelial barrier function were increased by DFM, although the performance was not altered. The effects of EE and DFM on dietary energy utilization in broilers were determined in two experiments. Both additives increased apparent ileal starch, amino acid and crude protein digestibility non-additively, while the combination additively increased AMEn. The effects of EE were exerted through increased activity of brush border digestive enzymes, and DFM through increased cecal butyrate synthesis. The final experiment examined the effects of EE and DFM on performance, energy utilization, and body composition
Ailanthus: Variation, Cultivation, and Frustration

Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle has become extensively naturalized in North America since its introduction in 1784. A shade intolerant species resistant to pollution, it is an aggressive pioneer in both natural and urban environments, is characterized by rapid juvenile growth and prolific seed production, and has an incredible ability to coppice once established. Ailanthus populations contain significant genetic diversity but may not be genetically different from native trees. Experience shows that ailanthus is difficult to grow on some sites where fine textured soils or moisture availability may be a barrier to establishment.
Expression and Promoter Analyses of Pepper CaCDPK4 (Capsicum annuum calcium dependent protein kinase 4) during Plant Defense Response to Incompatible Pathogen

CaCDPK4, a full-length cDNA clone encoding Capsicum annuum calcium-dependent protein kinase 4, was isolated from chili pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Deduced amino acid sequence of CaCDPK4 shares the highest homology with tobacco NpCDPK8 and chickpea CaCDPK2 with 79% identity. Genomic blot analyses revealed that CaCDPK4 is present as a single copy in pepper genome, but it belongs to a multigene family. CaCDPK4 was highly induced when pepper plants were inoculated with an incompatible bacterial pathogen. Induced levels of CaCDPK4 transcripts were also detected in pepper leaves by the treatment of ethephon, an ethylene-inducing agent, and high-salt stress condition. The bacterial-expressed GST-CaCDPK4 protein showed to retain the autophosphorylation activity in vitro. GUS expression driven by CaCDPK4 promoter was examined in transgenic Arabidopsis containing transcriptional fusion of CaCDPK4 promoter. GUS expression under CaCDPK4 promoter was strong in the root and veins of the seedlings. GW (-1965) and D3 (-1377) promoters conferred on GUS expression in response to inoculation of an incompatible bacterial pathogen, but D4-GUS (-913) and DS-GUS (-833) did not. Taken together, our results suggest that CaCDPK4 can be implicated on signal transduction pathway of defense response against an incompatible bacterial pathogen in pepper.
Phenotypic and phylogenetic studies associated with the crucifer white leaf spot pathogen, Pseudocercosporella capsellae, in Western Australia

Pseudocercosporella capsellae (white leaf spot disease) is an important disease on crucifers. Fifty four single-conidial isolates collected from Brassica juncea (Indian mustard), B. napus (oilseed rape), B. rapa (turnip), and Raphanus raphanistrum (wild radish) across Western Australia were investigated for differences in pathogenicity and virulence using cotyledon screening tests, genetic differences using Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, and growth rates on potato dextrose, V8 juice and malt extract agars. All isolates from the four crucifer hosts were pathogenic on the three test species: B. juncea, B. napus and R. raphanistrum, but showed differences in levels of virulence. Overall, isolates from B. juncea, B. napus and B. rapa showed greatest virulence on B. juncea, least on R. raphanistrum and intermediate virulence on B. napus. Isolates from R. raphanistrum showed greatest virulence on B. juncea, least on B. napus and intermediate virulence on R. raphanistrum. Growth and production of a purple-pink pigment indicative of cercosporin was greatest on malt extract agar and cercosporin production on V8 juice agar was positively correlated with virulence of isolates on B. juncea and B. napus. ITS sequencing and phylogenetic analysis showed that isolates collected from B. napus, B. juncea and B. rapa, in general and with few exceptions, had a high degree of genetic similarity. In contrast, isolates from R. raphanistrum were clearly differentiated from isolate groups collected from Brassica hosts. P. capsellae reference isolates from other countries generally grouped into a single separate cluster, highlighting the genetic distinctiveness of Western Australian isolates.
Morphological Variation as a Tool for Monitoring Bird Populations: A Review

Summary. This paper shows how our knowledge of the evolution, ecology and conservation of birds can be improved through the analysis of external morphological traits. After giving a short history of morphological studies of birds, we discuss the pros and cons of such data in exploring within-species variation and describe the main patterns and hypotheses related to the factors affecting bird size and shape. We describe the usefulness of external measurements (including body mass and feather morphology) of live birds for inferring population differentiation or intraspecific variation in body condition. Bird morphology monitoring is conceptually similar to other programs aimed at recording the distribution of species and their habitats. However, it has one additional advantage: the same data used to describe variation can be used to infer the processes underlying observed changes by testing geographical or ecomorphological predictions. Morphological approaches may be implemented in the context of national ringing schemes, in which thousands of birds are measured each year. They may be particularly illustrative in bird species with populations distributed between regions of contrasting ecology, or wherever man-made environmental stressors affect bird populations.
Climate change, fungus-invertebrate interactions and ecosystem processes

Saprotrophic fungi are the main agents of primary decomposition and nutrient cycling in woodland ecosystems. Powerful enzymatic capabilities enable then to break down the most recalcitrant components of wood and leaf litter, such as lignin and cellulose. Nutrients are retained by dynamic networks of mycelium, which are vulnerable to grazing by soil invertebrates. The studies reported in this thesis employed laboratory microcosm, mesocosm and field manipulations to further mechanistic understanding of climate change effects on basidiomycete fungal-dominated woodland decomposer community dynamics and ecosystem processes. Increased mycelial growth at elevated temperature can be prevented by collembola grazing in soil microcosms. The strength of this top-down effect varied with fungal palatability, which had a bottom-up effect on collembola populations and their responses to warming. A mesocosm multispecies collembola population was more strongly regulated by the bottom-up effect of inoculation with cord-forming fungi than climate change (warming, in combination with soil wetting or drying). Collembola can graze fungal cords, but thickness and chemical defences make them less palatable than soil microfungi, which are outcompeted by basidiomycete mycelia. In the absence of fungal biomass limitation by collembola, abiotic conditions regulated microbial community functioning. Warming stimulated fungal-mediated wood decomposition, particularly in drier soils. Moisture was the most important determinant of enzyme activity and displayed an interaction with temperature analogous to that for wood decay. Macro-invertebrates, such as woodlice, are better able to exploit nutritious, but thick and defensive, fungal cords. The consequences of macro-invertebrate grazing for fungal-dominated microbial community function were tested in a field manipulation of woodlouse (Oniscus asellus, Isopoda) population densities, predicted to increase due to climate warming. This provides the first evidence for bottom-up effects of fungal palatability on woodlouse populations. Body lipid analysis revealed fungi as a major component of the generalist woodlouse diet. Despite low population densities at the site, altered O. asellus abundance influenced aspects of microbial community functioning. The importance of biotic effects on decomposition may be more heterogeneous than abiotic influences, depending on microbial community dominance and the abundance of key macro-invertebrate taxa.
Divergência genética entre variedades de videiras do Banco Ativo de Germoplasma da Embrapa Semiárido

Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a divergencia genetica entre 31 variedades de videira do Banco de Germoplasma da Embrapa Semiarido, considerando caracteristicas de qualidade, compostos de importância funcional e atividade antioxidante dos frutos. Foram avaliadas nas bagas as seguintes caracteristicas: teor de solidos soluveis (SS), acidez titulavel (AT), relacao SS/AT, resistencia da baga a forca de compressao, teor de taninos (dimeros, oligomericos e polimericos), polifenois extraiveis totais, antocianinas totais, flavonoides amarelos e atividade antioxidante. Foi utilizada a distância generalizada de Mahalanobis para quantificar a divergencia genetica entre as variedades. Como estrategias de agrupamento, foram empregados UPGMA e a analise de variaveis canonicas. A variabilidade genetica para teores de compostos fenolicos, determinados por meio de taninos polimericos, de polifenois extraiveis totais e de antocianinas totais, existentes em variedades de videira do Banco Ativo de Germoplasma da Embrapa Semiarido permitiu a identificacao de genotipos divergentes com potencial aproveitamento em futuras acoes de melhoramento voltadas para a melhoria das propriedades funcionais.
Accompagnement d'exploitations laitières pour mieux valoriser l'eau d'irrigation dans la plaine du Tadla au Maroc

Une recherche-intervention a ete conduite dans le bassin laitier adosse au perimetre irrigue du Tadla au Maroc. L’objectif initial etait d’evaluer les performances techniques et economiques des exploitations laitieres et la valorisation de l’eau par la production bovine. Il s’agissait ensuite d’identifier des voies d’amelioration de ces performances, en se fondant sur une interaction instrumentee entre agriculteurs et chercheurs. Un appui zootechnique reposant sur l’evaluation en continu du statut productif du cheptel laitier et des ressources fourrageres disponibles a ete instaure aupres d’un echantillon de 10 eleveurs. En parallele, un outil simulant les consequences de nouvelles options de production sur l’evolution des exploitations a ete concu. Dans cette etude, chaque kilo de lait produit a necessite en moyenne 1,8 m 3 d’eau, tandis que 10,6 m 3 d’eau etaient utilises pour produire un kilo de poids vif bovin. La valorisation economique de l’eau etait en moyenne de 0,07 euro/m 3 pour le lait et de 0,24 euro/m 3 pour la viande. Le recours aux calculs de rations equilibrees a permis d’augmenter sensiblement la production laitiere des vaches. Ces travaux montrent que la valorisation d’une eau rare pourrait etre significativement amelioree via la production bovine, par l’amelioration des pratiques agricoles (choix des fourrages et itineraires techniques adaptes, irrigation en goutte-a-goutte, races laitieres specialisees…) et une maitrise accrue du rationnement des vaches. Les conditions de prise en charge de telles demarches d’intervention par des services d’appui aux eleveurs sont discutees, dans le contexte actuel du desengagement des pouvoirs publics.
The respiratory microbiota during health and disease: a paediatric perspective

Recent studies investigating the relationship between the microbiota and disease are demonstrating novel concepts that could significantly alter the way we treat disease and promote health in the future. It is suggested that the microbiota acquired during childhood may shape the microbial community and affect immunological responses for later life, and could therefore be important in the susceptibility towards disease. Several diseases, including asthma, pneumonia, and otitis media, are associated with changes in composition and diversity of the respiratory microbiota. This review summarises current literature, focusing on the composition and development of the respiratory microbiota in children and its relationship with respiratory diseases.
Compatibility and pollinator efficiency tests on Pyrus communis L. cv. ‘Conference’

Summary Effectiveness of pollination was predicted in a ‘Conference’ pear orchard by examining pollen tube growth. This histological technique allows a reliable and rapid estimation of pollination quality. Intra- and inter-cultivar compatibility was tested by hand pollinations with ‘Conference’ or ‘Doyenné’ pollen, respectively. In intra-cultivar pollinated flowers, limited pollen tube growth and large callose plugs were observed. This cultivar was thus considered self-incompatible. As insect pollinators deposit variable quantities and mixtures of intra-cultivar (incompatible) and inter-cultivar (compatible) pollen grains, their relative efficiency can differ greatly. The pollination efficiencies of honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) and of bumblebees (Bombus terrestris L.) were compared by examining pollen deposition and pollen tube growth following single floral visits. Bumblebees deposited higher quantities of more compatible pollen grains per stigma than honeybees; whereas no differences were detected in pollen tube growth. The implications for ‘Conference’ pear production are discussed.
Binding thermodynamics and kinetics guided optimization of potent Keap1–Nrf2 peptide inhibitors

Activation of Nrf2 by directly inhibiting the Keap1–Nrf2 Protein–Protein Interaction (PPI) has gained research interest with regard to developing novel agents for treating inflammatory related diseases. In this study, computational methods were used to guide the rational activity improvement of peptide Keap1–Nrf2 inhibitors and to explore the Keap1 binding cavity. Terminal hydrophobic residues and Tyr residue replacements were introduced into the novel peptides. The experimental values of these peptides further confirmed the potential binding sites explored by the MD simulation. Finally, the most promising, peptide 5 with an intracyclic conformation showed a Kd value of 2.8 nM when binding to Keap1 and an IC50 value of 9.4 nM in the Keap1–Nrf2 PPI fluorescence polarization assay. It proved that the active conformation locking strategy is quite useful in Keap1–Nrf2 PPI inhibitor design. It also provided a useful probe to investigate the Keap1–Nrf2 PPI system.