Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antifreeze protein accumulation in freezing-tolerant cereals

Freezing-tolerant plants withstand extracellular ice formation at subzero temperatures. Previous studies have shown that winter rye (Secale cereale L.) accumulates proteins in the leaf apoplast during cold acclimation that have antifreeze properties and are similar to pathogenesis-related proteins. To determine whether the accumulation of these antifreeze proteins is common among herbaceous plants, we assayed antifreeze activity and total protein content in leaf apoplastic extracts from a number of species grown at low temperature, including both monocotyledons (winter and spring rye, winter and spring wheat, winter barley, spring oats, maize) and dicotyledons (spinach, winter and spring oilseed rape [canola], kale, tobacco). Apoplastic polypeptides were also separated by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotted to determine whether plants generally respond to low temperature by accumulating pathogenesis-related proteins. Our results showed that significant levels of antifreeze activity were present only in the apoplast of freezing-tolerant monocotyledons after cold acclimation at 5/2°C. Moreover, only a closely related group of plants, rye, wheat and barley, accumulated antifreeze proteins similar to pathogenesis-related proteins during cold acclimation. The results indicate that the accumulation of antifreeze proteins is a specific response that may be important in the freezing tolerance of some plants, rather than a general response of all plants to low temperature stress.
The role of parasite diversity in the life of three-spined sticklebacks

Parasite infections containing genetically different parasites of the same species are widespread in nature. The genetic diversity is predicted to influence parasite load, the evolution of virulence and host defence mechanisms. According to kin-selection theory, competition is stronger between individuals of different genotypes than between genetically identical individuals. This leads to a predicted lower parasite load in a diverse infection compared to a uniform infection. I studied the importance of genetically diverse infections for three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) parasitised by the trematode Diplostomum pseudospathaceum. I showed that genetically diverse infections are widespread in natural populations. In experimental infections, I demonstrated that different genotypes infecting one host do indeed suppress each other as predicted by kin-selection theory, leading to a lower total parasite load in a mixed genotype infection compared to single genotype infections.
GADD45α MODULATES DNA METHYLATION INDUCED BY DNA DAMAGE DURING HOMOLOGOUS RECOMBINATION - GADD45α modula la metilación del adn inducido por el daño del adn durante la recombinación homóloga

Homologous recombination is one of the major pathways for repairing DNA double strand breaks, the most deleterious of DNA lesions. Recent studies suggest that DNA methylation events target homologous recombination segments; however, the underlying mechanism of DNA methylation during homologous recombination is not understood. In this work, we show that GADD45α, a protein involved in cell cycle control, growth arrest, and apoptosis, plays some role in the epigenetic of homologous recombination. Specifically, it is suggested that dimerization of GADD45α monomers is required. Several point mutants of GADD45α were constructed and analyzed to show defects in self-association. Among them, the GADD45α mutant, CE83AA, lacked the ability to dimerize or oligomerize, which suppressed DNA methylation at homologous recombination sites in vivo. Based on this, we propose a model in which the dimerization (or oligomerization) of GADD45α is involved in strand specific DNA methylation that attends homologous recombination. Resumen— La recombinacion homologa es una de las principales vias para la reparacion de la ruptura de doble cadena del ADN, la mas grave de las lesiones del ADN. Estudios recientes sugieren que la metilacion del ADN apunta hacia segmentos de recombinacion homologa; sin embargo, el mecanismo de metilacion del ADN durante la recombinacion homologa no es claro. En este estudio, mostramos que GADD45α, una proteina que se encuentra relacionada con el control del ciclo celular, el ceso del crecimiento y la apoptosis, juega un papel en la epigenetica de la recombinacion homologa. Especificamente, se ha sugerido que es requerido un dimero de monomeros de GADD45α. Varios puntos mutantes de GADD45α fueron construidos y analizados para mostrar defectos en la libre asociacion. Entre ellos, el mutante GADD45α, CE83AA, carecia de la habilidad de dimerizacion u oligomerizacion, lo cual suprimio in vivo la metilacion del ADN en los sitios de recombinacion homologa. Con base en esto, proponemos un modelo en el cual la dimerizacion (u oligomerizacion) de GADD45α esta involucrada en la cadena especifica de metilacion del ADN que lleva a la recombinacion homologa.
Spider Monkeys: Diets of wild spider monkeys

Introduction The first comprehensive field study of wild spider monkeys was undertaken in Panama in the early 1930s by C. R. Carpenter. In discussing the diet of Ateles geoffroyi , Carpenter (1935) wrote, “Red spider monkeys have been classed correctly as frugivorous. It is estimated that about 90 percent of their food consists of fruit or nuts” (p. 174). Since that time, field studies of wild Ateles have consistently confirmed Carpenter's early assessment of the highly frugivorous diet of spider monkeys, to the point where they are now treated as a classic example of a frugivorous primate and are often considered to be “ripe fruit specialists” (Cant, 1977; Klein and Klein, 1977; van Roosmalen, 1985; van Roosmalen and Klein, 1988; Cant, 1990; Dew, 2005; Wallace, 2005; Di Fiore and Campbell, 2007). In this chapter, we first review what is known of the diet of wild Ateles , paying particular attention to data from long-term ecological studies. In doing so, we address the physiological and morphological adaptations for frugivory that spider monkeys have evolved, as well as the connections among diet, food resource distribution and foraging behavior that are relevant to understanding the characteristic “fission–fusion” social organization of Ateles . From there, we move on to discussing the interesting variation seen in the diets of spider monkeys across tropical forest sites, and we address in more detail the diets of two populations of white-bellied spider monkeys ( Ateles belzebuth belzebuth ) which we and our colleagues and collaborators have studied over multiple years in Colombia and Ecuador.
Cutting Edge: Murine Dendritic Cells Require IL-15Rα to Prime NK Cells1

NK cells protect hosts against viral pathogens and transformed cells, and dendritic cells (DCs) play important roles in activating NK cells. We now find that murine IL-15Rα-deficient DCs fail to support NK cell cytolytic activity and elaboration of IFN-γ, despite the fact that these DCs express normal levels of costimulatory molecules and IL-12. By contrast, IL-15Rα expression on NK cells is entirely dispensable for their activation by DCs. In addition, blockade with anti-IL-15Rα and anti-IL-2Rβ but not anti-IL-2Rα-specific Abs prevents NK cell activation by wild-type DCs. Finally, presentation of IL-15 by purified IL-15Rα/Fc in trans synergizes with IL-12 to support NK cell priming. These findings suggest that murine DCs require IL-15Rα to present IL-15 in trans to NK cells during NK cell priming.
Synthesis of β‐Ionone in an Aldehyde/Xanthine Oxidase/β‐Carotene System Involving Free Radical Formation

The enzymic cooxidation of β‐carotene (BC) by xanthine oxidase (XO) in aqueous solutions leads to β‐ionone (BI) and derivatives: epoxy‐β‐ionone (EPBI), dihydroactinidiolide, β‐cyclocitral, pseudoionone, etc. We demonstrate, in this article, that this is due to free radical (R⋅) formation during the first hour of stirring and the use of aldehydes as substrate. The bleaching of BC does not occur when the common substrate of XO, xanthine, is used; this proves that the superoxide anion O2⋅‐ alone is not active on BC. BI formation in this case is not observed.
Characterisation of the T cell response to the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and its application towards the development of improved vaccines

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is one of the most important pig diseases worldwide. The causative PRRS virus (PRRSV) is rapidly evolving and there is an urgent need for the development of safer and more efficacious vaccines to improve PRRS control. Immunity to PRRSV is not well understood but there are data suggesting that virus-specific T cell IFN-γ responses play an important role. Therefore, this project focussed on characterising the T cell response PRRSV and applied this knowledge to develop a novel vaccine strategy. The first part of the project aimed to identify the antigenic targets of the T cell response to PRRSV by utilising a proteome-wide synthetic peptide library and a cohort of PRRSV immune animals. The T cell IFN-γ response was directed at a range of viral proteins but the M and NSP5 proteins stood out as major antigens. Further experiments confirmed M and NSP5 as well conserved targets of in many instances dominant T cell responses. Characterisation of the responding T cell populations showed NSP5-specific responders to be CD8 T cells with a predominant CD44highCD62LlowCD27lowCD25- phenotype. The majority of cells were polyfunctional as assessed by co-expression of TNF-α and mobilisation of the cytotoxic degranulation marker CD107a. Both CD8 and CD4 T cells responded to M with a comparable phenotype to that observed for NSP-specific T cells. In addition, conserved antigenic regions of each protein were identified and specificity shown to associate with major histocompatibility complex haplotype, rather than PRRSV strain. Finally, a vaccine study was conducted using M and NSP5 proteins as T cell antigens formulated as a particulate vaccine with a molecular adjuvant. Vaccination primed antigen-specific CD4 but not CD8 T cell responses and did not confer significant protection of animals from viraemia upon challenge infection. Analysis of the lungs during the resolution of infection showed high levels of virus and M/NSP5 specific CD8 T cell IFN-γ responses, suggesting that vaccine priming of a CD8 T cell response is required for protection from PRRSV infection. It is hoped that this work will inform future PRRSV vaccine design, as well as contributing to the wider field of T cell vaccinology.
Variation in rDNA ITS sequences in Glomus mosseae and Gigaspora margarita spores from a permanent pasture

To study the genetic variability in Glomus mosseae and Gigaspora margarita sequence similarities of ITS regions of rDNA were analysed from spores collected from a permanent pasture and from pot cultures. PCR amplification with the primers ITS1 and ITS4 was performed and products were cloned and sequenced. The sequences from single spores of G. mosseae and Gi. margarita confirmed that there is variation in the ITS region in a single spore. Phenetic analysis of sequences from both species supported the morphological identification which placed the species into two separate groups. Through the analysis of these sequences an estimate of genetic diversity was derived which clearly showed that the three field spores of G. mosseae were at least 2–5 times more genetically diverse than one single spore (field) and a pool of spores (pot culture) of Gigaspora margarita. This demonstrates that a high degree of variation exists in this natural population of G. mosseae.
Phyllotaxic diversity in Magnolia flowers

Impermanent initials and thus the shift of the axis in the stochastic meristems are postulated to be responsible for ontogenetic phyllotactic diversity in plants. In the gynoecium of Magnolia acuminata the main Fibonacci pattern develops in much less than 50% of individual generative shoots. There is also an extremely wide spectrum of other patterns, among them even the rarest I, 3, 8, 11 . pattern is present. Regarded sometimes as "impossible", the pattern has been documented in SEM for the first time. Beside the presence of various patterns, frequent ontogenetic transformations of phyllotaxis have been found in Magnolia . These are indicated by dislocations in the periodic distribution of carpel primordia. In other magnolias, exemplified by M. soulangeana , the Fibonacci pattern prevails, but not as much as in coniferous vegetative shoots, where, as demonstrated earlier, it reaches 95%. Other pattern numbers are also different. This suggests the involvement of the genetic factor and may be attributed to the higher frequency of discontinuous phyllotactic transformations in some species. The stochastic character of the meristem is perhaps more pronounced in some plants, which leads in turn to more frequent transitions and greater pattern diversity.
Performance, immune response and carcass characteristics of broilers fed with low crude protein and ideal methionine to lysine ratio diets.

The study was carried out to study the effect of supplementing low crude protein (CP) diet with ideal methionine toratio (IMLR) on the performance, carcass characteristics and immune response against Infectious Bursa Disease (IBD) and Newcastle Disease (ND) viruses in broilers. Ten DietsW ereFormulated: Diet 1 (control diet) contained 23% CP and IMLR of 47%.
A review on recent research results on bio-effects of plant essential oils against major Coleopteran insect pests

Abstract Upfront problems about the use of synthetic insecticides such as damage to the environment and human health and pests’ resistance have brought about interest in natural compounds. In the last few years, more studies have been published for the insecticidal effects of essential oils from several plant families such as Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Cupressaceae, Lamiaceae, Lauraceae, Myrtaceae, Poaceae, Piperaceae, Rutaceae and Zingiberaceae. The present article emphases on the effects of essential oils against Coleopteran insect pests by highlighting on their extraction, chemical insecticidal properties, mode of action on insect, commercialization and safety.
Relative influence of habitat structure, species interactions and rainfall on the post-fire population dynamics of ground-dwelling vertebrates

The long-term impacts of wildfires on animal populations are largely unknown. We used time-series data based on a tracking index, from coastal NSW spanning 28 years after a wildfire, to investigate the relative influence of habitat structure, species interactions and climate on post-fire animal population dynamics. The fire had an immediate impact on habitat structure, reducing and simplifying vegetation cover, which then underwent post-fire successional change including an increase and plateau in tree canopy cover; an increase, stabilization and then decline in shrub cover; and an increase in ground litter cover. Population changes of different animal species were influenced by different components of successional change, but there was also evidence that species interactions were important. For example, bandicoots (Isoodon obesulus and Perameles nasuta combined) increased concurrent with an increase in shrub cover then declined at a faster rate than a direct association with senescing shrub cover would suggest, while the feral cat (Felis catus) population changed with the bandicoot population, suggesting a link between these species. Potoroos (Potorous tridactylus) increased 10 years after the fire concurrent with the closing tree canopy, but there was also evidence of a negative association with feral foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Variation in rainfall did not have significant effects on the population dynamics of any species. Our results suggest that changes in habitat structure play a key role in the post-fire dynamics of many ground-dwelling animals and hence different fire regimes are likely to influence animal dynamics through their effects on habitat structure. However, the role of predator–prey interactions, particularly with feral predators, is less clear and further study will require manipulative experiments of predators in conjunction with fire treatments to determine whether feral predator control should be integrated with fire management to improve outcomes for some native species.
Morfologia e anatomia da semente de Balfourodendron riedelianum (Engler) Engler - Rutaceae

The morphology and anatomy of the seeds of Balfourodendron riedelianum (Engler) Engler were described and ilustrated, emphazing the seed coat and development. The seeds are ellipsoid, black, anatropous, endotestal with reduced inner integument, exarillate and albuminous. The endosperm has a protein grain and lipid storage. The embryo is dominant, axial, and white, with fleshy cotyledons and has short hipocotyl-radicule axis and small plumule.
Adenosine content and growth in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum (Bacillariophyceae): effect of salinity, light, temperature and nitrate

There are many known functions and regulatory mechanisms of the key metabolite adenosine in animal and plant cells, but little is known about its metabolism and how growth conditions affect the adenosine content in microalgae. In this study, we examined the influence of salinity, light intensity, temperature and nitrate concentration on growth rates and adenosine content in batch cultures of the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum Bohlin. A strong negative correlation was found between growth rate, as a function of both salinity and light, and adenosine content. Growth rate as a function of temperature and nitrate did not correlate with adenosine content. In silico and empirical tests revealed an apparent lack of adenosine degradation in P. tricornutum and from these analyses, we suggest that adenosine content reflects the balance between its formation from S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (SAH) hydrolysis and AMP dephosphorylation, and its consumption by phosphorylation to AMP. The high and varying adenosine levels in the growth and stationary phases could be an important physiological adaptation to support the cellular energy charge for the cells to survive in highly fluctuating environments. Adenosine content in microalgae could also be an important parameter to describe physiological responses to different growth conditions when optimizing growth conditions to increase valuable microalgal products, such as lipids for feed in aquaculture or as biofuels.
A procedure to measure the antiradical efficiency of polyphenols

The kinetic behaviour of polyphenols common in fruits as free radical scavengers was studied using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH . ). After addition of different standard concentrations to DPPH . (0.025 g litre -1 ), the percentage of remaining DPPH . was determined at different times from the absorbances at 515 nm. The percentage remaining DPPH . against reaction time followed a multiplicative model equation: ln [DPPH . REM ] = b ln t + ln a. The slopes of these equations may be useful parameters to define the antioxidant capacity. The steeper the slope, the lower the amount of antioxidant necessary to decrease by 50% the initial DPPH . concentration (EC 50 ). This parameter, EC 50 , is widely used to measure antioxidant power, but it does not takes into account the reaction time. Time needed to reach the steady state to the concentration corresponding at EC 50 (T EC50 ) was calculated, and antiradical efficiency (AE) was proposed as a new parameter to characterise the antioxidant compounds where AE = 1/EC 50 T EC50 . It was shown that AE is more discriminatory than EC 50 . AE values are more useful because they also take into account the reaction time. The results have shown that the order of the AE (x 10 -3 ) in the compounds tested was: ascorbic acid(11.44) > caffeic acid (2.75) ≥ gallic acid (2.62) > tannic acid (0.57) ≥ DL-α-tocopherol (0.52) > rutin (0.21) ≥ quercetin (0.19) > ferulic acid (0.12) ≥ 3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole, BHA (0.10) > resveratrol (0.05).
Two Phases of Adipose Tissue Metabolism in Pregnancy: Maternal Adaptations for Fetal Growth1

Maternal hyperphagia and hyperinsulinism characterize the second half of rat gestation. Within this period two distinct metabolic phases have been identified. Initially (day 12), fat storage is enhanced with a 2–fold greater conversion of glucose into adipose tissue triglyceride fatty acids and a diminished release of free fatty acids. Placental and fetal fuel needs are minimal at this stage. After day 12 until term, insulin effectiveness progressively deteriorates, adipose tissue fatty acid formation from glucose declines to 1/3 of control, and maternal fat stores are increasingly mobilized as free fatty acids. These events are closely synchronized with the growth of the feto—placental unit. These results indicate that maternal fat storage is promoted by increases in food intake and plasma insulin at mid—term. Despite continuation of hyperphagia and hyperinsulinism into late gestation, maternal fat storage declines because of diminished tissue responsiveness to insulin. This mechanism is viewed as an ada.
Dark septate endophytes (DSE) of the Phialocephala fortinii s.l. – Acephala applanata species complex in tree roots: classification, population biology, and ecology

Dark septate endophytes (DSE), a diverse group of ascomycetes, are dominant root colonizers in many ecosystems. The most frequent DSE in natural forest ecosystems in the Northern hemisphere belong to the Phialocephala fortinii s.l. – Acephala applanata species complex (PAC). Recently, species rank was assigned to seven cryptic species (CSP) of P. fortinii s.l. : Phialocephala fortinii s. str. C.J.K. Wang & H.E. Wilcox, Phialocephala europaea C.R. Grunig et T.N. Sieber, Phialocephala helvetica C.R. Grunig et T.N. Sieber, Phialocephala letzii C.R. Grunig et T.N. Sieber, Phialocephala subalpina C.R. Grunig et T.N. Sieber, Phialocephala turiciensis C.R. Grunig et T.N. Sieber, and Phialocephala uotolensis C.R. Grunig et T.N. Sieber. PAC species occur on all parts of the root system of trees, from mycorrhizal root tips to the stem base. Up to 80% of fine roots in forest stands can be colonized by them, and up to eight species occur sympatrically. The present work is a mixture of review and reconsideration of pub.
Skeletal indicators of locomotor behavior in living and extinct carnivores

ABSTRACT In this paper, I assess the correspondence between locomotor function (climbing, digging, and running) and skeletal morphology in living carnivores. Published behavioral observations are used to assign fifty-three extant carnivore species to four broad locomotor categories: arboreal, scansorial, terrestrial, and semi-fossorial. Body weight and measurements of claw shape, relative size of fore and hind claws, olecranon size and orientation, astragalar shape, and manus and hindlimb proportions are presented for each species. The correspondence between locomotor type and morphologic indices is examined with bivariate and multivariate (discriminant function) analyses. Results demonstrate that osteological indices are good predictors of locomotor behavior among extant carnivores. Arboreal and scansorial carnivores exhibit relatively more curved claws, longer proximal phalanges, and shorter metatarsals than do terrestrial taxa; semi-fossorial carnivores differ from other locomotor types in having relat.