Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Estuarine spawning of the whitemouth croaker Micropogonias furnieri (Pisces : Sciaenidae), in the Río de la Plata, Argentina

Most fishes that take advantage of the high productivity of estuaries exhibit offshore spawning, produce great numbers of small pelagic eggs and recruit to estuaries as larvae or juveniles. The reproductive pattern of Micropogonias furnieri (a planktonic egg spawner) in the Rio de la Plata estuary (36°S,56°W) differs from this. Biological sampling and oceanographic data showed that the spawning area covers a narrow band across the river between Montevideo (34°50´8S,56°10´W) and Punta Piedras (35°25´S,57°10´W) at depths ranging from 6 to 8 m. This area is characterized by strong haloclines, reaching 21.5 units m-1. M. furnieri eggs were present only below the halocline, in salinities of 9.7–27.3, and at 18.5–20.2°C. Spawning occurred in the innermost part of the estuary, near the upstream edge of the salinity wedge and coinciding with the turbidity maximum (up to 150 mg L-1). The regular spawning of pelagic eggs has been reported in estuaries of southern Africa and Australia characterized by intermittent landlocking. The present results show that a large estuary may also provide the opportunity for successful spawning of pelagic eggs. Resumen. La mayoria de los peces que aprovechan la alta productividad de los estuarios efectuan sus desoves en el oceano, producen gran cantidad de pequenos huevos pelagicos, y se reclutan a los estuarios como larvas o juveniles. El patron reproductivo de Micropogonias furnieri (un desovante de huevos planctonicos) en el Rio de la Plata (36°S,56°W), resulta diferente. Muestreos biologicos y datos oceanograficos demuestran que su area de desove cubre una estrecha franja a traves del rio, entre Montevideo (34°50´S,56°10´W) y Punta Piedras (35°25´S,57°10´W), en profundidades de 6 a 8 m. Esta area se caracteriza por fuertes haloclinas, de hasta 21.5 unidades m-1. Los huevos de M. furnieri se encuentran solo debajo de la haloclina, en salinidades de 9.7 a 27.3, y temperaturas de 18.5° a 20.2°C. El desove tiene lugar en la parte mas interna del estuario, cerca del limite rio arriba de la cuna salina, y en coincidencia con el maximo de turbidez (hasta 150 mg L-1). En estuarios del sur de Africa y Australia, caracterizados por el cierre intermitente de su boca, ha sido reportado el desove regular de huevos planctonicos. Nuestros resultados demuestran que un gran estuario tambien puede proveer la oportunidad para el desove exitoso de huevos planctonicos.
The Therapeutic Promise of Pluripotency and its Political use in the Italian Stem Cell Debate

Abstract Stem cell research is considered one of the most promising branches of contemporary biomedicine. The capacity to develop into almost any cell type of the mature organism—pluripotency—is associated with human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and is regarded as having great therapeutic potential. Harvesting stem cells destroys the human embryo, however; so research on embryonic stem cells has provoked controversies. In some countries such as Italy, the use of human embryos for research and therapeutic purposes is strictly forbidden. The Italian restrictive regulation has been explained by structural–cultural factors such as religion, but a better explanation lies in the policy dramaturgies deployed in the Italian debate. It was a struggle between two research trajectories—research on hESCs and on adult stem cells—for monopoly over the most credible therapeutic promise. Each was linked to different views of the Italian social order; each was epistemically legitimized by discourses on pluripotency and on the therapeutic potential of different stem cell types. Catholic actors articulated epistemic discourses on the therapeutic promises of different stem cell sources. The battle to define the social order—between a secular and a confessional view—became a struggle between two research trajectories for monopoly over the most credible therapeutic promise. The restrictive regulatory framework resulted from successfully transforming a policy dramaturgy into a new regulatory order. Thus structural–cultural variables such as religiosity matter only through the agency of institutional actors in local political cultures.
Quantitative resistance to symptomless growth of Leptosphaeria maculans (phoma stem canker) in Brassica napus (oilseed rape)

Quantitative resistance to Leptosphaeria maculans in Brassica napus was investigated in field and controlled environments using cultivars Darmor (with quantitative resistance) and Eurol (without quantitative resistance). In field experiments, numbers of phoma leaf spot lesions in autumn/winter and severity of stem canker the following summer were assessed in three growing seasons. There were no differences between Darmor and Eurol in number of leaf lesions in autumn/winter. However, stem cankers were less severe on Darmor than Eurol at harvest the following summer. In controlled-environment experiments, development of leaf lesions at different temperatures (5–25°C) and wetness durations (12–72 h) was investigated using ascospore inoculum; symptomless growth of L. maculans along leaf petioles towards the stem was quantified using quantitative PCR and visualized using GFP-expressing L. maculans; growth of L. maculans within stem tissues was investigated using GFP-expressing L. maculans. There were more leaf lesions on Darmor than Eurol, although there was no difference between Darmor and Eurol in L. maculans incubation period. There were no differences between Darmor and Eurol in either distance grown by L. maculans along leaf petioles towards the stem or quantity of L. maculans DNA in leaf petioles, but L. maculans colonized stem tissues less extensively on Darmor than Eurol. It was concluded that quantitative resistance to L. maculans operates during colonization of B. napus stems by the pathogen.
The red algal genus Scinaia (Galaxauraceae, Nemaliales) from Australia

Seven species of the genus Scinaia (Nemaliales, Galaxauraceae) are reported from Australia, including three new species (S. aborealis, S. howensis, S. proliferata), one new record (S. caribaea, previously known only from Haiti) and three previously recorded species [S. australis, S. moniliformis, S. tsingalensis (as S. moretonensis)]. Habits, vegetative morphology and reproductive development have been examined in all seven species and compared with taxa of Scinaia from elsewhere. As a result, S. indica (previously known from India) and S. moretonensis are reduced to synonymy with S. moniliformis and S. tsingalensis, respectively. The reproductive development of the seven species is typical of the genus, with the exception of S. aborealis and S. proliferata which produce numerous sterile branches on their hypogynous cells rather than the two sterile branches (one one-celled, one two-celled) uniformly present in other members of the genus. As these two species retain this apparently primitive condition (numerous sterile branches on the hypogynous cell are also found in Gloiophloea, the probable progenitor of Scinaia), it is postulated that they are closely related to the forerunners of the genus. Scinaia proliferata produces cortical utricles of mixed sizes in a manner similar to S. forcellata (the type species of the genus) and probably arose early in the evolutionary line that produced that species and all of those previously included in Pseudoscinaia and Pseudogloiophloea. Scinaia aborealis produces uniformly sized cortical utricles and probably occupies a similar position in the evolutionary line that produced the remaining species of Scinaia.
Convergent evolution of agaonine and sycoecine (Agaonidae, Chalcidoidea) head shape in response to the constraints of host fig morphology

Abstract. Similar morphological adaptations have arisen independently across separate lineages within the fig wasps (Agaonidae, Chalcidoidea, Hymenoptera) in response to the extreme selective pressure provided by the morphological constraints of their host fig trees (Ficus, Moraceae). Evidence is forwarded that supports the convergence of female head shape between two distinct fig wasp lineages, the Agaoninae (pollinators) and Sycoecinae (non-pollinators), utilizing the same host Ficus species (section Gagolychia). In contrast to the vast majority of the non-pollinating fig wasps, that oviposit from the outside of the fig, the Agaoninae and Sycoecinae must negotiate the fig ostiole for internal oviposition, with the result that these independent lineages are simultaneously exposed to the selective pressure imposed by ostiolar morphology. Selection will favour a head shape that facilitates successful penetration of the fig cavity and this has resulted in the evolution of similar head shapes in the two lineages. Female head shape in both subfamilies was found to correlate with fig size, with elongate heads associated with large fig size. Given that ostiole bract arrangement is uniform within section Galoglychia, it appears that ostiole length may be the main factor contributing to head shape determination. The high degree of co-adaptation of head shape suggests that both the Sycoecinae and Agaoninae have coevolved with their host Ficus species.
Long-term changes in fecundity of the Kutum, Rutilus frisii kutum Kamensky, 1901, in the Caspian Sea (Osteichthyes: Cyprinidae)

Changes in length, weight and fecundity of mature females of the Kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum) were compared for the periods 1948–1950, 1974 and 2007 in Iranian waters of the Caspian Sea. The average fork length decreased from 54.1 over 44.7 to 43.9 cm and the average weight from 2181 over 1295 to 1210 g. However, the average condition factor has remained fairly constant and varied between 1.35 and 1.38. The potential fecundity of the Kutum for the three periods also decreased from 106,800 over 74,600 to 64,400 eggs. Size and fecundity of the Caspian Kutum has therefore sharply declined during the last six decades. The reduction of fecundity is apparently the consequence of the shift towards smaller fish size.
The Presence of Sexually Dimorphic Submandibular Glands in Taricha granulosa, the Rough-Skinned Newt (Salamandridae)

We investigate whether Taricha granulosa, the rough-skinned newt, possesses pheromone-producing courtship glands in the submandibular dermis. The hypothesis that these newts have a pheromone-producing mental gland repeatedly appears in the literature based on a small histological study and on courtship behavior in which males press their chins on females' nares. We identify a sexually dimorphic granular gland in the submandibular region of male newts. Its secretion is granular and PAS (periodic acid-Schiff)-positive, in contrast to the PAS-negative secretion of typical granular glands. This gland type is found only in males and only in the anterior submandibular region. Compared to glands evaluated from non-breeding males, the glands from animals collected in the breeding season are hypertrophied. This sexually dimorphic granular gland is distinct from the mental gland found in plethodontid salamanders; the plethodontid mental gland is an aggregate of individual glands, whereas the granular glands in T. granulosa are not clustered together to form a distinct unit. Our results support the hypothesis that males are secreting pheromones from submandibular glands during courtship in T. granulosa.
Methionine and Cystine Requirements of Rainbow Trout

Abstract Methionine and cystine requirements of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) were studied by supplementing a 35% protein semipurified basal diet with these amino acids at graded levels in a factorial design. In experiment 1 (initial average weight of fish, 1.5 g), methionirie levels were 0.30, 0.45, and 0.60% of the diet and cystine levels were 0.04, 0.15, 0.30, 0.45, and 0.60%. In experiment 2 (initial average weight of fish, 8.8 g), methionine levels were 0.55, 0.75, and 0.95% and cystine levels were 0.04, 0.08, 0.12, 0.16, 0.24, and 0.32%. Methionine requirement was estimated to be between 0.55 and 0.75% in the presence of adequate dietary cystine and the cystine requirement was about 0.30% with a diet marginally deficient in methionine. The requirement for both sulfur amino acids was, therefore, between 0.85 and 1.05% of the diet or 2.50 and 3.00% of the protein. Molar efficiency of conversion of dietary methionine to cystine was highest (80%) when the diet was deficient in methionine; this efficie.
The A-layer protein of Aeromonas salmonicida: further characterization and a new isolation procedure

Abstract. The predominant cell surface protein (A-protein) of Aeromonas salmonicida has been purified by a method utilizing a glycine/hydrochloridc extraction from whole cells and HPLC/ion exchanger (DEAE) columns. This procedure yielded two LPS-frec molecules (a 40- and a 50-kDa form) both shown to contain A-protein determinants. The former appears to be a digest product of the latter, as a serine protease produced by A. salmonicida was shown to process the 50-kDa form into a 40-kDa molecule in vitro. The A-layer protein was shown to contain one isoform, although multiple isoelectric forms appeared as preparative artifacts, probably due to deamidation. The A-layer protein and LPS arc the most significant surface antigens recognized by the Atlantic salmon B-lymphocytes or antibodies. Immunological studies of LPS-free and LPS-containing A-protein preparations were undertaken to test whether the two components behave like antigenie competitors or whether the LPS moiety could adjuvant the antibody response against the A-protein. The latter was shown to be the case.
Impact of trichothecenes on Fusarium head blight [Fusarium graminearum] development in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum)

>Fusarium head blight pathogens (Fusarium spp.) produce trichothecenes that have been demonstrated to play a role in the pathogenesis. To test the impact of trichothecenes on a broad range of genotypes, 18 spring wheat lines (Triticum aestivum) were inoculated with two Fusarium graminearum strains, the genetically modified GzT40 strain, which could not produce trichothecene, and the wild parental Gz3639 strain. During 3 weeks of observation, the two fungal strains showed extreme differences in aggressiveness in all but three of wheat genotypes tested. While the GzT40 mutant did not spread into the rachis, the wild-type strain quickly spread in the spike. This work confirms earlier findings that trichothecenes are a principal determinant of F. graminearum aggressiveness on most spring wheat cultivars. Therefore, trichothecenes may serve as a useful screening tool in programs breeding for resistance to Fusarium head blight of wheat.Key words: trichothecenes, deoxynivalenol, mycotoxins, Fusarium head blight, Fusarium graminearum, spring wheat, Triticum aestivum.
The Proteasome α-Subunit XAPC7 Interacts Specifically with Rab7 and Late Endosomes*

Rab7 is a key regulatory protein governing early to late endocytic membrane transport. In this study the proteasome α-subunit XAPC7 (also known as PSMA7, RC6-1, and HSPC in mammals) was identified to interact specifically with Rab7 and was recruited to multivesicular late endosomes through this interaction. The protein interaction domains were localized to the C terminus of XAPC7 and the N terminus of Rab7. XAPC7 was not found on early or recycling endosomes, but could be recruited to recycling endosomes by expression of a Rab7-(1-174)Rab11-(160-202) chimera, establishing a central role for Rab7 in the membrane recruitment of XAPC7. Although XAPC7 could be shown to associate with membranes bearing ubiquitinated cargo, overexpression had no impact on steady-state ubiquitinated protein levels. Most notably, overexpression of XAPC7 was found to impair late endocytic transport of two different membrane proteins, including EGFR known to be highly dependent on ubiquitination and proteasome activity for proper endocytic sorting and lysosomal transport. Decreased late endocytic transport caused by XAPC7 overexpression was partially rescued by coexpression of wild-type Rab7, suggesting a negative regulatory role for XAPC7. Nevertheless, Rab7 itself was not subject to XAPC7-dependent proteasomal degradation. Together the data establish the first direct molecular link between the endocytic trafficking and cytosolic degradative machineries.
Personality and the pace‐of‐life syndrome: variation and selection on exploration, metabolism and locomotor performances

Summary 1. Consistent individual differences in behaviour are seen in numerous animals and could be maintained by life-history trade-offs and integrated within a pace-of-life syndrome involving physiological and locomotor traits. 2. Lizard species are characterized by inter-specific variation in activity and foraging behaviours associated with differences in locomotor performances and metabolic rates. Similar syndromes could exist within species, but have not been investigated so far. 3. We scored the exploratory behaviour of newborn common lizards (Zootoca vivipara) using a neutral arena test and measured concomitantly resting metabolic rate (RMR), maximal sprint speed (MSS) and endurance capacity. Animals were released in outdoor enclosures exposed to avian predation and measured again for the same traits 1 year later. 4. Common lizards displayed consistent individual differences over a week for an exploration score associated with high activity in the neutral arena. Individual differences in three activity scores were also consistent over the first year of life. 5. Correlations among behavioural, metabolic and locomotor traits were weak, except for a marginally significant, positive correlation between exploration score and MSS and endurance at the age of 1 year. 6. Correlational survival selection was found for RMR and exploration score such that newborns with low exploration score and high RMR and newborns with high exploration score and low RMR survived better. Correlational growth selection was also found with faster growth in newborns with low exploration score and high RMR. 7. The results are discussed against recent hypotheses to explain the maintenance of animal temperaments.
Ultrastructural Aspects of the DNA Polymerase α Distribution During the Cell Cycle

We studied the nuclear topography of the replicating enzyme DNA polymerase α in HeLa cells by transmission electron microscopy and field emission in lens scanning electron microscopy. Cells were synchronized at the G1/S-phase boundary and samples of the different phases of the cell cycle were labeled with an anti-DNA polymerase α antibody detected by an immunogold reaction. DNA synthesis was detected by immunogold labeling after bromodeoxyuridine administration. The typical labeling pattern of DNA polymerase α observed in G1 - and S-phase cells was represented by circular structures 80-100 nm in diameter surrounding an electron-dense area. In double labeled samples these circular structures were associated with bromodeoxyuridine-containing DNA replication sites, forming rosette-like structures. Field emission scanning electron microscopy performed on ultrathin cryosections revealed the chromatin fibers underlying DNA polymerase α complexes and showed that the size of the rosette-like structures corresponded to the diameter of chromatin foldings. G2- and M-phase cells showed a spread distribution of DNA polymerase α. The evidence of DNA polymerase α circular arrangement exclusively in G1- and S-phase cells, obtained by such different approaches, allowed us to consider the three-dimensional structures as DNA replication areas.
Comparative morphology, seasonality, and a key to planktonic fish eggs from the Nova Scotian shelf

The pelagic fish egg fauna of the Nova Scotian shelf consists of 16 species plus 5 predominantly slope species that occasionally drift onto the shelf. In 9 of these 21 species there were no morphological characters that could be used to identify early, pre-embryonic eggs. In the remainder, chorion structure, egg diameter, or egg versus oil globule diameter scattergrams could be used to completely or partially diagnose species identities. A key to the 21 species of eggs is presented. On the shelf proper pronounced seasonal variation was observed in presence or absence of oil globules with species having oil globules restricted to the period April to October. Seasonal variation was also observed in egg sizes and adult sizes, with species attaining a large body size producing large eggs in colder months, while smaller species producing smaller eggs (usually with an oil globule) spawned in warmer months. These seasonal patterns are not resolved but appear related to buoyancy requirements, metabolic rates, fir.
Nutrition and the Welfare of Ruminants

Good nutrition is one of the most fundamental requirements for all animals and has been identified by Australian livestock farmers as the biggest contributor to animal welfare on farms. Ruminant livestock utilize their extensive fermentation capacity in their forestomach to digest coarse roughages that could not provide adequate nutrients for the welfare of monogastric animals. They are therefore most often kept on rangelands, with a diverse range of feeds of low quality and characterized by a large seasonal variability in growth and quality. However, the variation in feed quality and quantity can be partly buffered by the ability of domesticated ruminant livestock to store food energy as fat tissue, for example in the hump of Bos indicus cattle and fat tail of sheep, to be utilised when feed availability is low. It is important to determine when ruminant livestock are malnourished so that corrective action can be taken. We propose that this occurs when normal functioning of the animal, including behaviour, physiology and reproduction, is adversely affected by an inadequate supply of nutrients. The sensation of hunger is central to the concept that an animal suffers during malnutrition but is also adaptive to motivate the animal to locate the necessary nutrients. It is concluded that a better understanding of malnutrition in ruminant livestock is essential to maintain high welfare standards.
Surto de aborto por Toxoplasma gondii em caprinos na região Centro-Oeste do Brasil

An outbreak of abortion by Toxoplasma gondii in goats on a farm in the Brazilian Midwest is reported. Gross lesions were not observed in seven aborted fetuses submitted to the Veterinary Pathology Laboratory, Federal University of Mato Grosso, for necropsy investigation. The main histologic lesions were mononuclear cell pneumonia and necrotizing encephalitis in varying degrees of intensity. PCR for Brucella abortus and Neospora caninum and aerobic cultures were negative in all cases. Antibody titles against T. gondii varying from 1:1024 to 1:32.768 were detected in serum samples from four aborted goats. Nested-PCR assay for T. gondii were positive in brain samples of all cases submitted. These findings indicate that T. gondii infection should be considered in the diagnosis of abortion in goats in Midwest Brazil.