Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Growth and age of the southernmost distributed gecko of the world (Homonota darwini) studied by skeletochronology

Homonota darwini is the southernmost distributed gekkonid species of the world, as it can be found in South America from 35° to 52°S. Age and growth of H. darwini were studied using skeletochronology on diaphyseal femoral cross-sections. Individual ages were assessed after estimating the resorbed rings in relation to snout-vent length (SVL). SVL and age showed a sigmoidal relationship and growth rates showed a shift from premature growth to mature breeding when sexual maturity is achieved. The model indicates that sexual maturity in H. darwini is reached at five years in females and nine in males. Species longevity is estimated to be 17 years, which corresponds to a k-selected trait of late maturity and long life expectancy. Once sexual maturity is achieved, size is a poor indicator of age in this species. These results are discussed in terms of behavioural and physiological adaptations of this species to the strong environmental pressures of the Patagonian steppe. Our results also support the hypothesis that daytime burrow temperatures, which are similar to body temperatures recorded in diurnal lizard species, meet the physiological growth requirements of nocturnal lizard species.
Desert hedgehog-patched 2 expression in peripheral nerves during Wallerian degeneration and regeneration

Hedgehog proteins are important in the development of the nervous system. As Desert hedgehog (Dhh) is involved in the development of peripheral nerves and is expressed in adult nerves, it may play a role in the maintenance of adult nerves and degeneration and regeneration after injury. We firstly investigated the Dhh-receptors, which are expressed in mouse adult nerves. The Dhh receptor patched(ptc)2 was detected in adult sciatic nerves using RT-PCR, however, ptc1 was undetectable under the same experimental condition. Using RT-PCR in purified cultures of mouse Schwann cells and fibroblasts, we found ptc2 mRNA in Schwann cells, and at much lower levels, in fibroblasts. By immunohistochemistry, Ptc2 protein was seen on unmyelinated nerve fibers. Then we induced crush injury to the sciatic nerves of wild-type (WT) and dhh-null mice and the distal stumps of injured nerves were analyzed morphologically at different time points and expression of dhh and related receptors was also measured by RT-PCR in WT mice. In dhh-null mice, degeneration of myelinated fibers was more severe than in WT mice. Furthermore, in regenerated nerves of dhh-null mice, minifascicular formation was even more extensive than in dhh-null intact nerves. Both dhh and ptc2 mRNA levels were down-regulated during the degenerative phase postinjury in WT mice, while levels rose again during the phase of nerve regeneration. These results suggest that the Dhh-Ptc2 signaling pathway may be involved in the maintenance of adult nerves and may be one of the factors that directly or indirectly determines the response of peripheral nerves to injury. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol, 2006
Influence of a Lentic Area on Condition Indices of Corbicula fluminea in the Wolf River, Tennessee

ABSTRACT This study tested the hypothesis that filter-feeding organisms have higher condition indices downstream from a swamp than those upstream at a location not receiving lentic drainage. Sampling was performed monthly in the Wolf River in western Tennessee, USA from February to August, 2002. Condition of the Asian clam, Corbicula fluminea (Müller), was measured as glycogen concentration, tissue percent water content, tissue dry mass: shell mass, tissue dry mass: shell cavity volume, ash-free dry mass: shell mass, and ash-free dry mass: shell cavity volume. All condition indices, except glycogen concentration, were significantly greater (P<0.05) at the downstream location but converged during the summer. Downstream individuals also had significantly heavier shells (P<0.05) for a given cavity volume. The most discriminating condition index was tissue ash-free dry mass: shell cavity volume. The higher condition of individuals immediately downstream from the swamp, compared to upstream individuals, supports the hypothesis that the swamp benefits filter-feeding organisms by exporting seston.
Biosafety of an Experimentally Proven Mosquito Vector Pathogen, Spiroplasma taiwanense

A candidate biocontrol agent of mosquito vectors Spiroplasma taiwanense, was demonstrated not to persist (31 days post‐inoculation) or to reduce body weight of intra‐cerebrally inoculated suckling Swiss mice or suckling Sprague‐Dawley rats. It did not multiply or persist in mouse neuroblastoma 2A cells in vitro, nor did it reduce survival of the domestic honey bee Apis mellifera caucasica (a beneficial insect species). Preparations of this organism used throughout this study were verified for pathogenicity in female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. S. taiwanense, originally isolated from mosquitoes, may thus prove to possess pathogenicity restricted to mosquitoes. S. melliferum was used as a positive control for intra‐cerebral re‐isolation and pathogenicity in mice, rats and mouse neuroblastoma cells.
The effect of daily administration of recombinantly‐derived somatotropic hormone on feed intake, digestibility, milk composition and rumen fermentation in dairy cows1

Zusammenfassung Der Effekt taglicher Injektionen von rekombinantem bovinem Wachstumshormon auf Futteraufnahme, Verdaulichkeit, Milchzusammensetzung und Verdauungsablauf im Pansen von Milchkuhen Der Effekt von rekombinantem bovinem Wachstumshormon (rbSTH) auf Futteraufnahme, Verdaulichkeit, Milchzusammensetzung und den Verdauungsablauf wurde an vier Milchkuhen mit Pansenfisteln untersucht. Der Versuch umfaste sieben Perioden von je 21 Tagen. Die Messungen wurden zwischen dem 15. und 21. Tag durchgefuhrt. In zwei Perioden (42 Tagen) wurde den Tieren taglich rbSTH injiziert. Der Einflus von rbSTH wurde fur jede Kuh und Periode als Differenz zwischen den festgestellten Werten und Kontrollwerten ermittelt. Diese errechneten sich aus Mesperioden vor und nach der Behandlung mit rbSTH. In der ersten Periode der rbSTH-Applikation war die festgestellte Futteraufnahme niedriger als die geschatzten Kontrollwerte und die Verdaulichkeit der organischen Substanz und der Zellwande reduziert. Der Anteil von langkettigen Fettsauren (C16:0 bis C20:4) im Milchfett war negativ korreliert mit der Netto-Energiebilanz (r = -0,69). Die Mittelwerte von fluchtigen Fettsauren und Ammoniak waren in der ersten rbSTH-Periode leicht reduziert. In dieser Periode waren der Gehalt an Organischer Substanz und Zellwandbestandteilen im Pansen reduziert. Die Applikation von rbSTH erhohte die berechnete Resorption von fluchtigen Fettsauren.
The effect of substrate shock on populations of starving aquatic bacteria

The effect of substrate (glucose) shock on starved mixed cultures of aquatic bacteria under conditions resembling the natural aquatic situation has been studied. The prevalent organism in the system was a Pseudomonas sp. , and short-term loss of viability and long-term loss of several biochemical properties of this strain were observed. Glucose uptake rate and cell size of the population increased immediately after the shock and synchronous growth occurred subsequently. The population which became established after the shock exhibited lower glucose uptake rates at low substrate concentrations than the starved population. The relevance to similar phenomena which occur when aquatic bacteria are transferred to cultivation media is discussed.
Inclusion of a commercial poultry by‐product meal as a protein replacement of fish meal in practical diets for African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822)

This study examined the full and partial replacement of the fish meal component of practical diets with commercial poultry by-product meal (PBM) for juvenile African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822). Six test diet formulations were based on a low temperature Norwegian fish meal (LT94) as the reference protein source. Dietary inclusion levels of PBM at 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% substitution of total protein content were compared with the fish meal-based control diet (100% fish meal). All diets were iso-nitrogenous and isocaloric in gross terms. The results showed that there were significant differences (P < 0.05) between the final average weights of fish at the end of a 10-week feeding trial. Growth performance, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio and specific growth rate were all depressed for catfish fed the highest levels of PBM diets compared with the fish meal group. It was inferred that amino acid profile and digestibility of protein were mainly responsible for these effects, together with reduced palatability. PBM may successfully replace up to 40% of the protein component in practical feeds for this species. Histological examination of liver tissue showed alterations in hepatic structure of those fish fed diets with higher levels of PBM.
Black Pine Snake (Pituophis melanoleucus lodingi): Spatial Ecology and Associations between Habitat Use and Prey Dynamics

Abstract As remaining longleaf pine forests become increasingly fragmented, wildlife management becomes a daunting task, especially for rare and relatively unstudied taxa such as the Black Pine Snake (Pituophis melanoleucus lodingi). Appropriate management for P. m. lodingi depends on our understanding of the ecology of this subspecies; consequently, there were two main objectives of this study: to address questions of spatial ecology for P. m. lodingi on a rangewide scale; and to employ small mammal trapping within home ranges of telemetered snakes to investigate the relationship between prey density and spatial ecology. Pituophis melanoleucus lodingi exhibited large home ranges (MCP, Minimum Convex Polygon home ranges, were 92–396 ha), frequently crossed roads, and average (nonzero) movement distance for these snakes was 338 m per location event. Core home ranges of telemetered P. m. lodingi were characterized by significantly greater abundances of hispid cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) and significantly higher total small mammal biomass. By better defining the relationship between spatial ecology and prey dynamics for P. m. lodingi, land managers will be better equipped to manage and conserve remaining populations of this longleaf pine specialist.
Symmetry and sex in Bacillariaceae (Bacillariophyta), with descriptions of three new Nitzschia species

The large diatom genus Nitzschia and the morphologically similar Hantzschia are currently distinguished on the basis of cell symmetry and division. In Hantzschia, the eccentrically placed raphe systems of the two valves are always on the same side of the frustule (‘hantzschioid’ symmetry), never diagonally opposite (‘nitzschioid’ symmetry). Although some Nitzschia species produce hantzschioid cells, it has previously been thought that these cells never breed true but divide to give one nitzschioid daughter and one hantzschioid daughter. Sublittoral marine epipelon from Loch Goil, W Scotland, contained three undescribed species of Bacillariaceae whose cells were always hantzschioid, but which possessed a valve structure (silica flaps on either side of the raphe, no central raphe endings, a slit-like entrance to the raphe canal that narrows towards the poles, and discrete bar-like fibulae) linking them to N. spathulata and the type species of Nitzschia, N. sigmoidea. They also agreed with these species in chloroplast morphology and auxosporulation and are therefore assigned to Nitzschia as N. dicrogramma, N. brachygramma and N. parkii, spp. nov. Consequently the only type of cell division found in all Hantzschia species (in which a hantzschioid parent cell divides to give two hantzschioid daughters) is not unique to Hantzschia but also occurs in at least one lineage of Nitzschia. ‘Core’ Hantzschia species may nevertheless comprise a monophyletic group, characterized by an unusual kind of internal central raphe endings. Four symmetry categories are now known in Hantzschia and Nitzschia: (1) all cells hantzschioid; (2) hantzschioid and nitzschioid cells in a 2 : 1 ratio; (3) hantzschioid and nitzschioid cells in a 1 : 1 ratio; and (4) all cells nitzschioid. The division pattern seems to be constant within species and may therefore be useful as a taxonomic character above the species level. Hantzschia segmentalis is given its first written description.
Contrasting responses of hoverflies and wild bees to habitat structure and land use change in a tropical landscape (southern Yunnan, SW China)

Abstract The response of insects to monoculture plantations has mainly proceeded at the expense of natural forest areas, and is an outstanding and important issue in ecology and conservation biology, with pollination services declined around the world. In this study, species richness and distribution of hoverfly and wild bee communities were investigated in a changing tropical landscape in southern Yunnan, south‐west China by Malaise traps periodically from 2008 to 2009. Species were recorded from the traditional land use types (natural forest, grassland, shrubland and rice field fallows), and from recently established rubber plantations of different ages. Hoverflies (total 53 species) were most common in young successional stages of vegetation, including rice field fallow and shrubland. Species richness was highest in rice field fallows and lowest in forests and showed a highly significant relationship with the number of forb species and ground vegetation cover. In contrast, the highest richness of wild bees (total 44 species) was recorded from the natural forest sites, which showed a discrete bee community composition compared to the remaining habitat types. There was no significant relationship between the bee species richness and the environmental variables, including the numbers of different plant life forms, coverage of canopy and ground vegetation, successional age of vegetation and land use type. At the landscape scale, open land use systems, including young rubber plantations, are assumed to increase the species richness of hoverflies; however, this might decrease wild bee diversity. The present land use change by rubber cultivation can be expected to have negative impacts on the native wild bee communities.
Effect of natural copper chelating compounds on the pro-oxidant activity of ascorbic acid in steam-cooked ground fish

Summary The antioxidative effects of several natural polyphenolic substances on ascorbic acid-induced lipid oxidation, measured as thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) was studied in steam-cooked ground fish. Those natural polyphenolic compounds that were potent antioxidants in the presence of ascorbic acid were also effective inhibitors of copper-induced oxidation of ascorbic acid. the order of potency of the natural products was: tannic acid ∼ ellagic acid > myricetin > n-Propyl gallate > fisetin > quercetin ° luteolin > gallic acid. It is likely that the potent flavonoids inhibited lipid oxidation in ascorbic acid pre-treated cooked ground fish by reducing the rate of copper-induced oxidation of ascorbic acid, thereby decreasing the production of free radicals. Flavonoids are able to exert antioxidative potential due to their free radical scavenging and metal chelating properties.
Cell Cycle Control of Ovarian Granulosa Cells in Tumors and Cysts

Ovarian granulosa cell tumors (GCTs) behave unpredictably. Stage I patients suffer recurrences many years after treatment, and histopathologic evaluation of the primary GCT offers few clues. p21IPl/wafl (Waft), the principle downstream effector of the p53-dependent pathway of growth control, inhibits cyclin-dependent kinases responsible for conversion of GI to S in the cell cycle. This study hypothesizes that immunohistochemistry for these proliferation-related markers will help discern granulosa cell growth control and may predict the GCTs' clinical behavior. Paraffin sections from a surgical series of 43 GCTs (34 primary and 9 recurrent: 19 diffuse and 18 typical adult; 6 juvenile type) and 12 benign cysts (8 follicular and 4 corpora luteal) were immunostained for Waft and p53. Ki67 (MIB-1 clone) proliferation index is the percent of nuclei immunoreactive on a count of at least 400. The 43 GCTs stained as follows: 40% Waft + (11 St = < 10%, 4 S2 = 10-50%, and 2 S3 = > 50% of nuclei) and 28% p53 + (2 W = weak, 8 S 1, 2 S2). All p53 + GCTs stained with Waf 1; the number of immunoreactive nuclei correlated (P < .00001). Juvenile more often than adult type GCTs exhibited Waf 1 (6/6) and p53 staining (5/6) (P < .001). No difference in pS3 or Waft staining was present in primary compared with recurrent GCTs. Ki67 proliferation index for GCTs ranged from 1 to 50% (mean, 13.8%; median, 10.9%) and associated with both p53 and Waft (P < .000 1). The 12 benign cysts stained as follows: 100% Waft + (6 S1, 5 S2, 1 S3) and 75% p53+ (4 W, 4 S1, 1 S2). Of the 43 patients, 41 were available for follow-up study: 15 suffered recurrences after 16-133 (mean 59.3, median 55) months, and 26 were disease-free 21-369 (mean 78.2, median 57.5) months after diagnosis. Waft staining of the primary GCT does not help predict recurrence. All GCTs immunoreactive for p53 produce Waft, suggesting detection of an active wild type p53 rather than overproduction of mutant p53. Waft is produced by granulosa cells in all benign functional cysts, suggesting a physiologic role in the ovulation sequence. Waf t's association with proliferation in GCTs suggests possible physiologic feedback. Proliferation (correlated with histopathologic grading) in GCTs may signify appropriate feedback control; thus it is not a predictor of aggressive clinical behavior.
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS REGARDING THE MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC VIRAL HEPATITIS C IN CHILDREN

Hepatitis C virus infection has reached epidemic proportions worldwide and there is increased interest in its occurrence in children. While there are certain controversies regarding the mechanisms and management of chronic viral hepatitis C in children, in the present study we were interested in comparing, from a biological perspective, the types of responses to two different management options in chronic viral hepatitis C in children: monotherapy with pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) and interferon associated with ribavirin, for a period of one year. The obtained results showed that in almost 49% of the patients that received monotherapy treatment a sustained virological response was present. For the patients that received combined IFN-ribavirin therapy for one year, the sustained virological response was present in almost 50% of them. These findings show that the combination of interferon and ribavirin treatment was effective in children with chronic hepatitis C, however, further studies are needed to identify the optimum management of this pediatric population.
Diurnal Variation in Pigment Content in Porphyra laciniata and Chondrus crispus and its Relation to the Diurnal Changes of Underwater Light Quality and Quantity

Short-term diurnal changes in the pigment content of two red algae, Porphyra laciniata and Chondrus crispus, in their natural environment (Helgoland, North Sea) were detected. Simultaneously, diurnal variations in underwater light quality and quantity were analyzed. A relation between rapid changes in pigment content at twilight and drastic changes in certain wavelength bands: red: far-red, green: red, and blue: red was observed. Through these ratios, which were detected by various photoreceptor systems, the algae were able to modulate the pigment content during the course of the day. Summary Diurnal changes in the total photosynthetic pigment (chlorophyll a and biliprotein) contents and pigment ratios of the red algae Porphyra laciniata growing at 0.5 m and 3.5 m and Chondrus crispus at 2-2.5 m under natural conditions in Helgoland (North Sea) in July 1990 have been observed. The underwater light quality and quantity, the attenuation coefficient (K) in some wavebands, and the ratios: red: far-red (R: FR), green: red (G: R), and blue: red (B: R) throughout the day and at different depths (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2.5, and 3.5 m) were measured at the same time as the pigment contents. At twilight, rapid quality changes were observed. Directly after this period, major pigment changes in Porphyra and Chondrus were detected. Drastic changes in the pigment content in Porphyra laciniata at twilight, immediately after this period, and after noon were observed. The pigment content of plants growing at 0.5 m and plants transplanted to 3.5m were significantly different (P <0.05). Porphyra at 3.5m had higher PE/PC and PE/Chl a ratios than at 0.5 m. The maximum biliprotein level was observed immediately after noon. The algae growing at deeper levels produced more biliprotein in response to a simultaneous decrease in light intensity and an increase in the G: R ratio. In addition, at dawn, an “inverse chromatic adaptation” was observed, since PE/PC and PE/Chl a ratios during this period decreased when G/R increased. In Chondrus crispus, diurnal Chl a variations showed a reverse pattern in relation to biliprotein variations: the biliprotein content increased during daylight, while Chl a decreased. Maximum PE and PC was produced after noon. The biliprotein: Chl a ratio showed a clear circadian rhythm. The changes in R: FR, G: R, and B: R ratios are proposed as being “photomorphogenic signals” which control the pigment content in algae. Because R: FR and G: R ratios increase linearly with depth, the detection of light quantity changes through these ratios is proposed.
BIOCHEMICAL, PHYSIOLOGICAL, AND MOLECULAR ANALYSIS OF SEXUAL ISOLATION IN THE SPECIES COMPLEX CLOSTERIUM PERACEROSUM‐STRIGOSUM‐LITTORALE (CHLOROPHYTA)1

Closterium strains obtained from Japan (NIES‐64 and ‐65)and Nepal (NIES‐67 and ‐68)have been classified as the same taxonomic species; however, they are sexually isolated from each other. When NIES‐64 and ‐65 cells were separately incubated in a medium in which both strains had previously been cultured together, release of protoplasts from both strains was observed. We suggest that factors responsible for the release of protoplasts from cells of both NIES‐64 and ‐65 are produced in a mixed culture of these cells and function during conjugation. These factors, however, had no effect on the release of protoplasts from cells of strains NIFS‐67 or ‐68. Alternatively, a protein that is responsible for the release of protoplasts from cells of NIES‐68, called the protoplast‐release‐inducing protein (PR‐IP),had no effect on the release of protoplasts from cells of strains NIES‐64 or ‐65. When the media obtained from the culture of NIES‐64 and ‐65 cells at various mixing ratios were analyzed by western blotting with antiserum to a 42‐kDa subunit of PR‐IP, no cross reaction was detected. In Southern hybridization analysis, no hybridizing band was observed when genomic DNAs of NIES‐64 and ‐65 cells were probed with cDNAs encoding the two subunits of PR‐IP. We suggest from these results that the factors responsible for the release of protoplasts from NIES‐64 and ‐65 cells are not structurally similar to PR‐IP. It is known that the release of PR‐IP from NIES‐67 cells can be induced by the action of another sex pheromone (PR‐IP inducer)which is released by NIES‐68 cells. In contrast, no protoplast‐release‐inducing activity was observed from either NIES‐64 or ‐65 in a culture medium conditioned by opposite strains. We suggest that the conjugation systems employed by strains NIES‐64/ NIES‐65 and strains NIES‐67 /NIES‐68 differ, and we propose a possible mechanism of sexual isolation between these biological species.