Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biogeography of the grasses (Poaceae): a phylogenetic approach to reveal evolutionary history in geographical space and geological time

The grasses (Poaceae) are the fifth most diverse family of angiosperms, including 800 genera and more than 10 000 species. Few phylogenetic studies have tried to investigate palaeo-biogeographical and palaeo-ecological scenarios that may have led to present-day distribution and diversity of grasses at the family level. We produced a dated phylogenetic tree based on combined plastid DNA sequences and a comprehensive sample of Poaceae. Furthermore, we produced an additional tree using a supermatrix of morphological and molecular data that included all 800 grass genera so that ancestral biogeography and ecological habitats could be inferred. We used a likelihood-based method, which allows the estimation of ancestral polymorphism in both biogeographical and ecological analyses for large data sets. The origin of Poaceae was retrieved as African and shade adapted. The crown node of the BEP + PACCMAD clade was dated at 57 Mya, in the early Eocene. Grasses dispersed to all continents by approximately 60 million years after their Gondwanan origin in the late Cretaceous. PACCMAD taxa adapted to open habitats as early as the late Eocene, a date consistent with recent phytolith fossil data for North America. C4 photosynthesis first originated in Africa, at least for Chloridoideae in the Eocene at c. 30 Mya. The BEP clade members adapted to open habitats later than PACCMAD members; this was inferred to occur in Eurasia in the Oligocene. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 162, 543–557.
Nodilittorina Nodosa (Gray, 1839) Is a Plastic Morphotype of Nodilittorina Australis (Gray, 1826)

The endemic Western Australian littorinids Nodilit - torina nodosa (Gray, 1839) and N. australis (Gray, 1826) were described on the basis of distinctive shell morphologies: N. nodosa is characterized by distinct orange nodules, whereas N. australis typically has spiral grooves. In some places, intermediate phenotypes occur, and these have been interpreted as pos- sible hybrids. In his 1989 review of the Littorinidae, Reid considered N. nodosa and N. australis to be conspeciﬁc, on the basis of their indistinguishable genital morphologies. However, a ﬁrm decision on their reproductive relationships requires reexamina-tion of the morphological differences that were the basis of the original descriptions. In some places, intermediate phenotypes are common. However, these intermediates generally produce alternative phenotypes at different stages of their growth, suggesting that the differences are not genetically determined. A preliminary translocation experiment conﬁrmed the plasticity of these morphotypes, supporting the interpretation that the two forms are conspeciﬁc. Comparisons of allozymes also revealed no differences between N. nodosa and N. australis , even in areas where the morphotypes are distinct. Furthermore, extremely low levels of geo- graphic variation of allelic frequencies indicate extensive gene ﬂow. Thus, the contrasting shell forms are responses to environmental conditions faced by recruits from a common pool. An unusual feature of this plasticity is that the sculpture of new growth can change abruptly in response to a change in habitat.
Melatonin regulates antioxidative mechanisms in microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (Volvocales, Chlorophyceae)

Abstract: The role of melatonin (MLT) in micro- and macroalgae is the subject of continuous discussion. In eukaryotic unicellular organisms, the physiological role of MLT seems to differ from those of higher plants and mammals. Experimental data on the role of MLT in algae suggest that it acts mainly as an antioxidant. In the present study, the physiological role of MLT in phototrophic organisms was studied by measuring its effects on periodically controlled processes (cell division and HSP70B expression) as well as mechanisms involved in oxidative stress protection (carotenoids, FeSOD and MnSOD expression). The presence of MLT in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was assessed and quantified using analytical thin-layer chromatography followed by fluorescence measurements. These data reveal that photoperiod had a significant influence on the processes and mechanisms studied in C. reinhardtii. Moreover, MLT had the greatest impact on C. reinhardtii under conditions promoting photo-oxidative stress. Addition of MLT to the growth medium down-regulated carotenoid content and the expression of FeSOD and MnSOD. These results support the idea that MLT has a physiological role as a direct and indirect antioxidant agent.
Electromyographic Investigation of Extraocular Muscles in Vestibular Nystagmus Evoked by Caloric Stimulation

EMG of the four extraocular recti muscles was carried out in 9 healthy subjects with vestibular nystagmus evoked by caloric stimulation with water at 30 °C. ENG was performed simultaneously. The pattern of electrical activity during the fast phase, was similar in all the subjects. The nystagmus-antagonist initiated the fast phase; at the same time, the nystagmus-agonist was in complete inhibition. The vertical recti exhibited a relatively small degree of activity during the fast phase, that of the superior rectus being somewhat higher. During the slow phase, the nystagmus-agonist muscle showed continuous moderate to maximal activity, the antagonist markedly less and the vertical recti none. It is considered that the perfect mechanism of excitation-inhibition is additional proof of the central control of the fast phase.
Formation of tissue masses on floral inflorescence in A. thaliana plants that accumulate reduced levels of MT2a mRNA

Abstract Eight independent transgenic lines of Arabidopsis thaliana were generated carrying homozygous insertions of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S RNA promoter driving antisense MT2a ORF or the heat shock-protein 81-1 promoter driving sense MT2a ORF. Six transgenic lines showed lower levels of MT2a mRNA accumulation than the wild type plants and among them, three lines produced abnormal tissue masses at the base of floral stalks at low frequencies. Such structures had never been observed in transgenic plants with wild type levels of MT2a transcript accumulation or in the wild type plants. Moreover, we isolated a line from ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS)-mutagenized 5,000 M2 plants that exhibited abnormal tissue masses at the base of floral stalks at low frequencies. The phenotype was inherited at least for four successive generations. This line was found to accumulate MT2a mRNA at a reduced level in the aerial parts. A MT2a promoter::β-glucuronidase (GUS) gene was introduced into the mutant line and it was found that GUS activity was reduced in the mutant plants, suggesting that the mutation(s) in the line downregulated the MT2a promoter in trans. These results suggest that the reduction in MT2a mRNA accumulation is the cause of the abnormal tissue masses observed. MT2a is likely to be involved in the regulation of tissue formation in A. thaliana and possible mechanisms underlying the effects were discussed.
Marine microplastic-associated biofilms - a review

Environmental context Marine microbial communities, which play a crucial role in all biogeochemical processes in the oceans, could be affected by microplastic pollution. Research is necessary to understand the interactions between marine microbial communities and microplastics, and to explore the potential for microplastics to serve as transport systems for pathogenic microorganisms. Our review summarises first insights into these topics and discusses gaps in our current knowledge. Abstract The accumulation of plastic in the marine environment is a long-known issue, but the potential relevance of this pollution for the ocean has been recognised only recently. Within this context, microplastic fragments (<5mm) represent an emerging topic. Owing to their small size, they are readily ingested by marine wildlife and can accumulate in the food web, along with associated toxins and microorganisms colonising the plastic. We are starting to understand that plastic biofilms are diverse and are, comparably with non-plastic biofilms, driven by a complex network of influences, mainly spatial and seasonal factors, but also polymer type, texture and size of the substratum. Within this context, we should raise the question about the potential of plastic particles to serve as vectors for harmful microorganisms. The main focus of the review is the discussion of first insights and research gaps related to microplastic-associated microbial biofilm communities.
Eating behaviour, social dominance and voluntary intake of silage in group‐fed milking cattle

The relationships between eating behaviour, social dominance and voluntary intake of silage were examined in three experiments. Small groups of Friesian cattle were offered forage as a group in several different situations which caused different degrees of competition for silage. Restriction of the number of mangers available to the cows and of the amount of silage offered encouraged a marked increase in rate of eating silage. In Experiment I when the cows were changed from individual mangers to group feeding their mean eating rate of silage increased from 43 to 71 g silage dry matter min−1. Results from the second experiment provided confirmation. In both experiments submissive cows increased their rate of eating to a greater extent than dominant animals. When group-fed there was no significant correlation between degree of dominance and variation between cows in voluntary intake of silage, but milk yield and live weight were often directly correlated with silage intake. In Experiment 3 cows and heifers ate similar amounts of silage per unit live weight when group-fed.
Unusual Metabolic Reactions and Pathways

Students in graduate drug metabolism courses are usually introduced to the basic reactions in which cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme forms alcohols and epoxides. However, in the field a practicing researcher encounters a wide variety of complex and amazing products formed from drugs and other xenobiotic chemicals, a repertoire which would never be produced in academic efforts. These reactions can be understood by applying the basic chemistry of the CYP and other enzyme systems in a careful, stepwise manner. We have reviewed the unusual CYP reactions in 2001 and 2007 and now focus on some unusual reactions that have been reported since then, including non-CYP oxidations and reductions plus some conjugations and mixtures of oxidation/conjugation. Keywords: cytochrome P450; drug metabolism; rearrangement; oxidations; conjugations; plants
Hydroquinones with Conformationally Constrained Substituents: Synthesis, Characterization, and Evaluation as Calcium-ATPase Inhibitors

 Abstract—Derivatives of the compound 2,5-di-tert-butylhydroquinone (BHQ) are inhibitors of the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA). Previous work identified BHQ analogs with two alkyl substituents composed of four to six carbon atoms as the most potent representatives from this inhibitor class. In this study, we explored the effects of introducing two cycloalkyl substituents on the hydroquinone scaffold. Since these substituents have limited conformational flexibility, the entropy penalty upon binding of these compounds to SERCA was expected to be smaller than for non-cyclic BHQ analogs, potentially conveying higher inhibitory potency. We synthesized a congeneric series of four 2,5-disubstituted BHQ analogs and determined their inhibitory potencies against SERCA in bioassays. Potencies were found in the low micromolar and submicromolar concentration ranges, making the new compounds some of the most potent hydroquinone-based inhibitors to date. Computational docking facilitated a detailed analysis of enzyme/inhibitor interactions at the molecular level and showed that the entropic effect was noticeable but too small to increase potency in a substantial manner.
Electrochemical immobilization of enzymes. Part V. Microelectrodes for the detection of glucose based on glucose oxidase immobilized in a poly(phenol) film

The adsorption of glucose oxidase at a platinum electrode followed by immobilization in an electrochemically polymerized phenol film was found to be a reproducible method for the fabrication of enzyme microelectrodes responsive to glucose. The observed responses were comparable to those predicted on the basis of monolayer coverage of the enzyme. The electrodes were found to be stable for more than 40 d on storage at 4 °C.
Phytochemical prospecting, modulator and antibacterial activity of aminoglycosides of the extract and fractions of the Annona squamosa

The medicinal plants and natural products are products with a great scientific interest due their possible use like phytodrugs. In this context, the phytochemical composition and the antibacterial and antibiotic modulatory activity of the extract and fractions of Annona squamosa against Staphylococus aureus and Escherichia coli were performed. All natural products have not showed clinically relevant antibacterial activity, with MIC ≥ 1024 mg/mL. However, the extract combined with some aminoglycoside showed a synergistic effect against multiresistant strains E. coli 27 and S. aureus 358. Due these results, A. squamosa (Annonaceae) must be more studied to be used as a source of natural products with adjuvant potential to enhance the antibiotic activity, combating by this way the microbial antibiotic resistance.
Low Expression of Flavonoid 3′,5′-Hydroxylase (F3′,5′H) Associated with Cyanidin-based Anthocyanins in Grape Leaf

The aim of this study was to clarify anthocyanin composition and transcription profiles of anthocyanin-synthesis-related genes in grape ( Vitis vinifera L.) leaf during development. Berry skin accumulated both cyanidin-based anthocyanins and delphinidin-based anthocyanins during development and showed up-regulation of flavonoid 3′,5′-hydroxylase gene ( F3 ′, 5 ′ H ) expression. Grape leaf, in contrast, accumulated a large amount of cyanidin-based anthocyanins during development. This result was supported by the low expression of F3 ′, 5 ′ H in developing grape leaf. The low expression of F3 ′, 5 ′ H and the low level of delphinidin-based anthocyanins in grape leaf were consistent in green-yellow-, purple-, and black-colored skin cultivars. Flavonoid 3′-hydroxylase gene ( F3 ′ H ) expression increased in grape leaf during development. Since F3 ′, 5 ′ H regulates the synthesis of delphinidin-based anthocyanins and F3 ′ H regulates the synthesis of cyanidin-based anthocyanins in plants, it is possible that grape leaf accumulates large amount of cyanidin-based anthocyanins through the cyanidin synthesis pathway regulated by F3 ′ H .
The Swimming Performance of the Sea-Anemone Boloceroides

1. Boloceroides can swim orally by repeated aboral-oral flexions of its tentacles which make up over 90% of the weight of the anemone. Tentacles at different distances from the mouth beat slightly out of phase, with more marginal tentacles leading more oral ones. Isolated tentacles occasionally give aboral-oral flexions like those of attached tentacles during swimming. 2. Early in a bout of swimming the stroke frequency is about 1·2 strokes/sec. and the swimming velocity about 1·9 cm. /sec. The stroke frequency is slightly higher in small animals than in large ones. The swimming velocity achieved is independent of animal size. 3. In tethered swimming the maximum forward force developed during a stroke increases with animal size approximately as the square of the diameter of the tentacle crown. About 8o % of the forward impulse produced during the effective portion of the stroke cycle is negated by rearward impulse during the recovery portion of the cycle. The average forward force for the whole cycle is only about 5% of the maximum force.
The Respiratory Exchange of the Desert Locust (Schistocerca Gregaria) before, During and After Flight

The respiratory exchange of mature males of the Desert Locust Schistocerca gregaria (Forskal) has been studied during tethered flight in a small container and compared with the exchange before and after flights of varying duration. All determinations were based on gas analyses, and so the CO2 output and the O2 uptake were determined simultaneously. The accuracy of the analytical procedure has been discussed and the determinations of the R.Q. before and during flight found to be valid. The figures of the oxygen consumption are reduced to N.T. P. 1. During rest at 27-30°C the oxygen consumption amounted to 0.63 l. O2/kg. /hr. , which means that an average male of 1.8 g. consumed 18 cu.mm. O2 per min. During flight, however, the consumption increased fifteen to fifty times, the corresponding figures being 10-30 l. O2/kg. /hr. or 300-900 cu.mm. O2 per min. in an average male. 2. After even a short period (10 min.) of flight in a roundabout or in front of a wind tunnel a distinct ‘oxygen debt’ was demonstrated. After prolonged flight (90-195 min.) the ‘debt’ was nearly doubled. It corresponded to 0.3-0.7 l. O2/kg. or to the oxygen consumption during only 0.5-1.5 min. of flight, so that anaerobic processes could not amount to much. It was characteristic that the recovery lasted at least 1 hr. 3. The R.Q. in resting animals averaged 0.82, and during the first 30 min. of flight the same value was obtained, but during the following 60 min. a statistically significant decrease of the R.Q. could be demonstrated, the average value in this period being 0.75. This unexpected result strongly indicates that, unlike other insects investigated so far, locusts utilize mainly fat as a source of energy during sustained flight. 4. It is suggested that a surplus of ketone bodies caused by the intensive breakdown of fats might explain the prolonged recovery of 1-2 hr. duration in Schistocerca , the recovery after flight in Drosophila which fly on carbohydrate lasting only 2 min. or less in spite of the same relative rate of combustion.
A biomechanical perspective on the use of forelimb length as a measure of sexual selection in frogs

Differences in forelimb length between male and female frogs and between amplexing and non‐amplexing males have been interpreted to be the results of sexual selection on forelimb length. The causal feature of the forelimb that has been posited to cause such selection is the observation that non‐amplexing males attempt to disrupt breeding by prying amplexing males from females. A biomechanical model of forelimb function suggests that total length per se may not be the most appropriate measure to use. There are more functionally significant aspects of forelimb morphology, such as lever arm lengths, that should influence amplexing ability and may make measures of overall forelimb length misleading. This example highlights the relevance of functional analysis to current questions in evolutionary biology that rely on postulated roles for morphological structures under selection.
WATER ALLOCATION TO PROTECT RIVER ECOSYSTEMS

River regulation has attracted considerable attention over the past 20 years. The effects of (i) changes in the seasonal flow regime below dams and reservoirs and (ii) reduction in flow caused by water abstraction and diversion, upon lotic and riparian ecosystems have been demonstrated for rivers in a range of geographical regions. This paper presents an approach to determining ecologically acceptable flow regimes and volumes. The approach is founded on a set of fundamental scientific principles concerning longitudinal connectivity, vertical exchanges, floodplain flows, channel maintenance flows, minimum flows and optimum flows. The need for a policy for allocating water to protect river ecosystems in England and Wales is discussed and the method is illustrated by a case-study of a chalk stream that has been affected by groundwater abstraction. Sixty per cent of the available resource is shown to be required to sustain the river as a trout stream. Several judgemental decisions are needed in setting an ecologically acceptable flow regime and further research is required to improve our capability for modelling the roles of different flows and patterns of flows in sustaining river ecosystems.
GLYCOSPHINGOLIPIDS AND SPHINGOLIPIDS CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH OR CAUSING APOPTOSIS

Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) are ubiquitous membrane components found in all animal cells and most plant cells, including yeasts. GSLs play crucial functional roles in cell-cell recognition, cell adhesion, and modulation of transmembrane signaling [13]. Patterns of GSL expression change dramatically during the processes of ontogenesis, oncogenesis, and differentiation of stem cells into phenotypically terminal stage cells. Our knowledge of GSL distribution and expression was greatly enriched by introduction of the monoclonal antibody approach, and many developmentally-regulated, tumor-associated GSL antigens have been identified on a chemical basis [12, 14]. Apoptosis (programmed cell death) is a fundamental physiological process in all multicellular organisms. It helps control tissue size, shape, and balance of cell number during morphogenesis, and plays an important role in oncogenic progression [2, 31] and in other pathological processes such as reperfusion injury [11] and glomerulonephritis [3]. In view of the well-established changes of GSL expression which occur in conjunction with ontogenesis and oncogenesis, we and others have investigated the relationship between apoptosis and GSL expression patterns. Strong associations have been observed between apoptosis and expression of Leg, LeX, and Gb3Cer in human normal and tumor tissues. Apoptosis can be triggered by exogenous addition of various GSLs (or their degradation products such as ceramides and sphingosines), suggesting that GSL expression changes are a cause, rather than an effect, of apoptosis. Here, we will briefly review our current knowledge of this exciting research area, and point our some remaining problems to be solved. II. Expression of Ley Antigen in Relation to Apoptosis in Epithelial Cells and Tumors Derived Therefrom
Review of sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus L. 1758) (Actinopterygii: Acipenseridae) feeding habits in the River Danube, 1694–852 river km

The aim of this work is to present the variation in the sterlet’s (Acipenser ruthenus L. 1758) diet along the course of the River Danube, from 1694 to 852 river km. The diet of sterlet mostly comprised 12 bottom fauna taxa. Sterlet in the Danube feed mainly on larvae of Trichoptera, Chironomidae (Diptera) and Gammaridae (Amphipoda), with a reduction in food composition variability close to the Djerdap I dam and in the reservoir between the two dams. The other components of the diet were Corophium sp. , Asselus sp. , Mollusca, Oligochaeta, Annelida, Insecta, Nematoda and Hirudinea. The organisms typical of lithorheophilic and psammorheophilic biocoenoses play a considerable role in the diet of the sterlet. Composition of bottom fauna as food items varies due to changes in environmental conditions induced mainly by the construction of two dams: Djerdap I (943 river km, 1970) and Djerdap II (863 river km, 1984).
A revision of the genus Trichoderma. IV. Additional notes on section Longibrachiatum

Trichoderma parceramosum nom.nov. replaces the illegitimate name Trichoderma atroviride Bissett, a later homonym of T. atroviride Karsten. The Trichoderma anamorph of Hypocrea schweinitzii (Fr.:Fr.) Sacc. is described and differentiated from the four other species in section Longibrachiatum.Key words: Trichoderma section Longibrachiatum, taxonomy.