Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Ecological Risk Assessment of Hexachlorobutadiene

Hexachlorobutadiene (HCBD) has never been commercially produced in Canada and was imported in the past for use as a solvent. Anthropogenic activity is linked with the entry of this substance into the environment. While current Canadian sources of HCBD involve low-level releases, potentially they can be numerous. Until recently, the most significant point source of HCBD in Canada appeared to be the Cole Drain, which discharges into the St. Clair River at Sarnia, Ontario, and includes outfalls from an industrial landfill and a few industrial companies. HCBD has been detected in Canadian surface waters, sediments, aquatic organisms and, occasionally, air. Considering the properties of the substance, including its persistence and bioaccumulation characteristics, the environmental risk assessment of HCBD was focused on the aquatic environment. The results of a conservative assessment suggest that there is a risk of harmful effects for benthic organisms exposed to sediments contaminated by HCBD in the most contaminated part of the St. Clair River.
The Hemipepsis wasp-pollination system in South Africa: a comparative analysis of trait convergence in a highly specialized plant guild

Pollinator-mediated convergence in floral traits is the fundamental basis for pollination syndromes, but it has seldom been rigorously analysed. Here we synthesize information on a guild of South African plants that are pollinated by functionally similar pompilid wasps in the genus Hemipepsis and investigate the extent of trait convergence in guild members. The guild includes members from three plant families (Apocynaceae, Orchidaceae and Asparagaceae subfamily Scilloideae) and contains remarkably high levels of functional specialization with 18 of the 23 known guild members being pollinated exclusively by Hemipepsis wasps. The distribution of the guild is centred in the moist upland grasslands of eastern South Africa. Qualitative similarities among guild members include dull greenish- or brownish-white flowers, often with purple blotches, mid-summer flowering, sweet spicy scent and exposed nectar. To assess the extent of convergent evolution within the guild, we compared floral traits of guild members with those of congeneric non-wasp-pollinated species. Guild members typically produce moderate volumes (> 4 mL per flower per day) of concentrated (> 50% sugar by weight) sucrose-dominant nectar. The nectar properties of guild members did not, however, differ significantly from those of congeneric species pollinated by other vectors. Non-metric multidimensional scaling of scent data for 15 guild members and 17 congeners (obtained through gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry of headspace samples and supplemented with published data) yielded little evidence for convergent evolution in the overall scent composition of guild members. However, convergence in floral spectral reflectance was evident in the guild members; in particular, loci for colours of guild members were significantly closer to the guild centroid than loci for colours of congeners, and they formed a distinct cluster in the blue to blue‐green region of the hymenopteran colour hexagon. The colours of guild members were also significantly closer to the colour of background vegetation than those of congeneric species, suggesting a role for cryptic colouring in this system. These results confirm convergence in the floral colours of plants that are pollinated by Hemipepsis spider-hunting wasps, but also suggest that other traits, such as nectar properties, do not necessarily evolve during shifts between pollination systems. Identification of particular scent compounds and non-sugar nectar constituents that influence wasp behaviour will be essential for illuminating the extent of biochemical convergence in the guild members. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 168, 278‐299.
Comparative digestion of cell wall components of alfalfa hay cubes between Sika deer (Cervus nippon) and cattle

Four female Sika deer (mean bodyweight, 48 kg) and three male Holstein cattle (mean bodyweight, 209 kg) were offered alfalfa hay cubes at 2% (deer) and 2.5% (cattle) of bodyweight, respectively. The digestibility of the cell walls and cell wall components (rhamnose, arabinose, xylose, mannose, galactose and glucose) in alfalfa and its retention time of the alfalfa in the digestive tract and rumen parameters were determined. Cell walls and xylose were less digestible in the deer than in the cattle (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). The digestibility of galactose in the deer was as high as that in the cattle. The digestibility of the other sugars and total neutral sugars was numerically lower in the deer, but the differences were not significant. In the deer, mannose was most digestible, followed in order by galactose, arabinose, glucose, rhamnose and xylose; whereas, in the cattle, mannose was most digestible, followed in order by arabinose, glucose, galactose, rhamnose and xylose. The retention time in the digestive tract was shorter in the deer than in the cattle. In the deer, the number of ruminal protozoa was somewhat higher, and the concentrations of propionic acid and butyric acid were higher (P < 0.05) than in the cattle. These results indicate that Sika deer might utilize pectic polysaccharides as a carbon source in preference to glucose containing polysaccharides such as cellulose. The lower digestibility of all cell wall components except galactose in the Sika deer might be mainly due to its shorter retention time.
Resting Egg Formation of the Rotifer Brachionus plicatilis Using a Semi-continuous Culture Method.

Mensiana D. Balompapueng,*1 Atsushi Hagiwara,*2,•õl Akifumi Nishi,*3,•õ2 Keinosuke Imaizumi,*3,•õ2 and Kazutsugu Hirayama*2 *1Graduate School of Marine Science & Engineering , Nagasaki University, Bunkyo 1-14, Nagasaki 852, Japan *2Faculty of Fisheries , Nagasaki University, Bunkyo 1-14, Nagasaki 852, Japan *3Kamiura Station , Japan Sea Farming Association, Tsuiura, Kamiura, Minamiamabe, Oita 879-26, Japan
Facilitating Wolbachia invasions

Following the recent transfer of Wolbachia from Drosophila to Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, the wMel Wolbachia infection now has been introduced successfully into natural A. aegypti populations in northern Queensland with likely suppressive effects on the transmission of dengue and other arboviruses. However, the introduction of other Wolbachia strains that might affect the population dynamics of A. aegypti and/or provide almost complete blockage of virus transmission like wMelPop remains challenging given the strong fitness costs of these strains for their hosts. Here, the different approaches that might be followed in facilitating introductions of such strains, including ways to suppress populations prior to release stains, interventions during release to boost the fitness of released strains and timing of releases to provide an initial boost in infection frequencies are reviewed. Suppression of a single mosquito life stage prior to release is likely to have little impact on invasion success, whereas suppression of populations of uninfected mosquitoes at all life stages provides a promising strategy for invasion. Implementation of these approaches requires a detailed understanding of the local ecology of mosquito populations, as well as an understanding of the level of isolation of a local population, particularly when the Wolbachia infection results in population suppression as well as strong blockage of virus transmission.
Parasitism of a pollinator fig wasp: mortalities are higher in figs with more pollinators, but are not related to local densities of figs

Fig trees (Ficus) and their species‐specific pollinators (Agaonidae) represent a remarkable example of a coevolved mutualism. A number of non‐pollinating fig wasps (gallers and parasitoids, NPFW) are also an integral part of the mutualism, but have a negative impact on the reproductive success of the mutualists. Most NPFW belong to subfamilies only associated with figs and clearly have a long association with the plants and their pollinators. In the present study, the costs imposed by an undescribed parasitoid Sycoscapter sp. on its host pollinator Kradibia (= Liporrhopalum) tentacularis of a dioecious fig tree Ficus montana maintained under glasshouse conditions are described. It was asked whether pollinator numbers and sex ratios are changed by the presence or absence of parasitoids within individual figs. The effect of fig densities on parasitism rates at two spatial scales and within the general glasshouse population was also recorded. Parasitoid aggregation in relation to pollinator densities inside figs was also examined. Sycoscapter sp. significantly reduced the numbers of pollinators emerging from the figs, but host sex ratios were not distorted. The parasitoid showed host density independence at both spatial scales of fig densities, but targeted individual figs that contained higher initial densities of pollinators.
Nitrogen Fixation by Native Australian Legumes

Nitrogen fixation was studied by the acetylene-reduction technique in root nodules of 10 native Australian legumes in three habitats in Victoria: low open-forest. sandy heathland and coastal sand dunes. Nodular activity reached a maximum in spring (and in autumn in sand-dune species), declined to a minimum in late summer and continued at a low level throughout winter. Mean nitrogenase activity was 1.73 μmol C2H2 reduced g-1 fresh wt nodules h-1, with spring maxima 8-250 times summer minima. It is suggested that variations in rainfall and temperature were the major factors influencing seasonal variations in nodular activity. Estiniates of minimum acetylene reduction per hectare per year were derived from measurements of seasonal and diurnal variations in acetylene reduction and abundance of nodules per hectare, and were used to derive approximate minimum values for nitrogen fixation of 0.004-0.746 kg ha-1 yr-1. The quantities of nitrogen fixed are compared with other reports and the significance of nitrogen fixation by these native legumes is discussed.
Teores de água no solo e eficácia do herbicida glyphosate no controle de Euphorbia heterophylla

A greenhouse experiment was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of glyphosate in controlling Euphorbia heterophylla growing under different soil moisture levels and to determine the lowest soil moisture level failing to prevent herbicide effectiveness in controlling this weed. The experiments were arranged in a randomized block design in a 6 x 5 factorial scheme, corresponding to six intervals between the last irrigation and herbicide application (0, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hrs) and five glyphosate doses(0, 180, 360, 720, and 1.080 g ha-1). When the plants achieved the 3-leaf pair stage, 10 mm of simulated rain were applied. At the end of the rain simulation period, the herbicide was applied using a pressurized backpack sprayer with CO2, using 120 L ha-1 of spray volume. On days 7, 20, 34 and 41 after application, the control was evaluated by using a visual scale as well plant height (cm) and on day 41, the dry weight of both the root and aerial part was assessed. Satisfactory control levels of E. heterophylla were verified at a dose of 720 g ha-1 glyphosate, regardless of the time interval between the last irrigation and herbicide application. Application of 360 g ha-1 of glyphosate at time intervals shorter than 48 hrs, between the last irrigation and its application and in soils presenting water contents higher than 0.09 cm3 cm-3, did not prevent herbicide efficacy. Application of 180 g ha-1 of glyphosate at intervals shorter than 12 hrs between the last irrigation and its application and in soils presenting water contents higher than 0.14 cm3 cm-3 did not affect herbicide efficacy.
The role of the CCDC26 long noncoding RNA as a tumor suppressor

CCDC26 on chromosome 8q24 is considered to encode a long intergenic noncoding RNA because the short open reading frame within the mRNA transcribed from this gene is not conserved in any other species. Genome-wide analysis has revealed association of CCDC26 with certain tumors, for instance low-level glioma. Moreover, 1.5- to 2-fold amplifications of the whole or part of the CCDC26 genetic locus have been observed in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia patients. The CCDC26 gene is amplified in the HL-60 acute myeloid leukemia cell line, in which double minute chromosomes—abnormal tiny chromosomes—harbor the CCDC26 gene. We examined the function of CCDC26 by gene knock-down (KD) using short hairpin RNAs in K562 human myeloid leukemia cells. In four stable KD clones, CCDC26 expression was suppressed to 1% of its normal level by transcriptional gene suppression, not post-transcriptional suppression. The growth rates of these KD clones were reduced compared with those of control cells in media containing high serum concentrations. In contrast, in media containing much lower serum concentrations, the KD clones exhibited significantly higher growth rates than controls, and increased survival after serum withdrawal. Enhanced expression of a receptor tyrosine kinase, KIT , was detected in the KD clones, and treatment with ISCK03, a KIT inhibitor, eliminated their increased survival in the absence of serum. Therefore, CCDC26 seems to control myeloid leukemia cell growth through regulation of KIT expression. These observations suggest that CCDC26 is a tumor-suppressive long noncoding RNA because it suppresses the KIT oncogene that supports survival of cancer cells in the stem cell state.
Stand density in the last millennium at the upper tree-line ecotone in the Polar Ural Mountains

Significant spatiotemporal changes in the establishment, mortality, and abundance of trees have taken place in the upper tree-line ecotone in the Polar Ural Mountains over the last millennium. Until now, these forests have developed mainly under the influence of natural factors. A large number of well-preserved tree remains can be found up to 6080 m above the current tree line, some dating to as early as a maximum of 1300 years ago. The research reported here extends the work begun by S.G. Shiyatov, who examined evidence of tree growth dynamics along a transect on the eastern slope of the Polar Ural Mountains in the 1960s. For this study, 769 discs from dead trees and 378 increment cores from living trees were collected along an altitudinal transect 860 m long and 80 m wide. The positions of all living trees, fallen dead trees, and wood remains were mapped. Dimensions of each living tree, including saplings and understory plants, were measured: basal diameter, diameter at breast height, crown diameter, a.
COMPARATIVE ANATOMY OF THE TUNICATE TADPOLE, CIONA INTESTINALIS

At 19â€”20 h of age, the Ciona intestinalis ascidian tadpole has six developed organ systems (tunic, epidermis, notochord, tail musculature, adhesive organ, and nervous system) and approximately four organ system rudiments (including: pn mordial pharynx, atrial primordia, gut primordium, and mesodermal pockets). Con temporarylight and electron microscopic descriptions of the anatomy and the his tology of these tissues support the old contention, originated by Kowalevsky in 1866, that the body plans of tunicate tadpole and of vertebrate larvae are homologues.
Developmental- and stress-mediated expression analysis of cinnamoyl-CoA reductase 1 (CCR1) from Hibiscus cannabinus

Cinnamoyl-CoA reductase (CCR, EC 1.2.1.44) is an important enzyme responsible for lignin biosynthesis in plants that belongs to the family of oxidoreductases. We analyzed developmental, tissue specific, and stress-mediated expression of the HcCCR1 (HM151381) gene from Hibiscus cannabinus. Gene expression analysis revealed that HcCCR1 was highly upregulated in mature leaves of 16-week-old plants. The maximum downregulation and upregulation of HcCCR1 was caused by cold and MeJA treatment, respectively. Sequence analysis demonstrated that HcCCR1 protein (ADK24219) contains a conserved NWYCYGK catalytic domain, while bioinformatics prediction indicated the presence of a palmitoylation site in the HcCCR1 protein. Phylogenetic analysis showed that HcCCR1 is more closely related to HcCCR2 (AGJ84130) and AtCCR proteins than CCR-like proteins. Comparative sequence analysis showed presence of significant differences between HcCCR1 and HcCCR2, which are homologs of H. cannabinus. Expression analysis demonstrated that the HcCCR1 gene is modulated by different external stresses.
Composición florística en potreros de Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, México

An inventory of the angiosperm and fern plant species growing in areas deprived of trees in pastures of Los Tuxtlas mountain range is presented. In order to obtain a complete floristic list, sampling was carried out during both the dry and wet seasons of 1992, in pastures of two localities: Balzapote and La Palma. At each locality, five pastures dominated by native grass species (known locally as grama pastures) and five dominated by the introduced African star grass, Cynodon plectostachyus (known as star pastures), were selected. In each pasture ten 2 x 2 m sampling plots were randomly established within one hectare, recording the cover of every species present within each quadrat, in addition vegetation height was measured. A total of 200 angiosperm and 14 fern species, belonging to 55 families, was recorded. The families with 10 or more species were Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae, Poaceae and Leguminosae (sensu lato) . The species with cover greater than 10% of sampled area were C. plectostachyus , Axonopus spp . , Paspalum conjugatum (Poaceae), Hyptis atrorubens (Lamiaceae), and Mimosa pudica (Leguminosae: Mimosaceae). Most species found in pastures were weeds and grasses; however, seedlings of tree and shrub species were also found.
Dengue Virus Type 2 Antagonizes IFN-α but Not IFN-γ Antiviral Effect via Down-Regulating Tyk2-STAT Signaling in the Human Dendritic Cell1

The immunopathogenesis mechanism of dengue virus (DV) infection remains elusive. We previously showed that the target of DV in humans is dendritic cells (DCs), the primary sentinels of immune system. We also observed that despite the significant amount of IFN-α induced; DV particles remain massively produced from infected DCs. It suggests that DV may antagonize the antiviral effect of IFN-α. Recent work in animal studies demonstrated the differential critical roles of antiviral cytokines, namely IFN-α/IFN-β and IFN-γ, in blocking early viral production and in preventing viral-mediated disease, respectively. In this study, we examined the effects of IFN-α and IFN-γ in DV infection of monocyte-derived DCs. We showed that the preinfection treatment with either IFN-α or IFN-γ effectively armed DCs and limited viral production in infected cells. However, after infection, DV developed mechanisms to counteract the protection from lately added IFN-α, but not IFN-γ. Such a selective antagonism on antiviral effect of IFN-α, but not IFN-γ, correlated with down-regulated tyrosine-phosphorylation and DNA-binding activities of STAT1 and STAT3 transcription factors by DV. Furthermore, subsequent studies into the underlying mechanisms revealed that DV attenuated IFN-α-induced tyrosine-phosphorylation of Tyk2, an upstream molecule of STAT activation, but had no effect on expression of both IFN-α receptor 1 and IFN-α receptor 2. Moreover, DV infection by itself could activate STAT1 and STAT3 through IFN-α-dependent and both IFN-α-dependent and IFN-α-independent mechanisms, respectively. These observations provide very useful messages with physiological significance in investigation of the pathogenesis, the defense mechanisms of human hosts and the therapeutic considerations in DV infection.
Rheological Studies on Gelling Behavior of Soy Protein Isolates

The gelling behavior of soy protein isolate (SPI) dispersions with solid contents 0.8-8.8% was studied by a dynamic fluid rheometer. Strain sweep and frequency sweep measurements showed the dispersions were stable and predominantly elastic at room temperature. Elasticity increased sharply when dispersions were heated. Cooling set was found for dispersions of higher solid contents. For solids contents < 3%, cooling set was not as pronounced; and cooling could result in reduced elasticity when the prior heating was milder. Results suggest SPI changed from an aqueous dispersion to a dispersion consisting of particles embedded in heat-soluble protein sol matrix upon heat treatment, and further underwent a transition into a gel consisting of particles embedded in heat-formed protein gel matrix. Thermoreversibility of elasticity was determined by solids content.
Nuevas curvas de calibración para la dosimetría biológica en Cuba

In this paper we show the dose response curves in vitro obtained at first time in Cuba, with several biological indicators for radiation damage: rings in premature chromosome condensation (PCC-R); PCC index and -H2AX foci, all of these in peripheral human lymphocytes. These curves cover an interval of doses between 0.1 Gy to 25 Gy, several radiation qualities and times post-exposition, strengthening the capabilities of the Cuban laboratory to give answer to the radiological emergencies and in the same way increase its contribution to elucidate any radiological abnormal event take place at the region where the main indicator at the present time is the dicentric assay in lymphocytes of peripheral blood.
Binding Models of Polyphenols to Cytochrome P450 2C9: A Molecular Docking Study

Polyphenols are widely presented in plants and dietary supplements. The beneficial effects of these compounds have been demonstrated, including the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, neurogenerative diseases and diabetes. From previous studies, polyphenols showed the inhibitory effect on cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) resulting in clinically significant of herb-drug interactions. CYP2C9 is involved in the biotransformation of various therapeutic drugs, including tolbutamide, phenytoin and warfarin. Co-administration of polyphenols with drugs that are metabolized through CYP2C9 can cause therapeutic failures or adverse events from the co-administered drugs. This study aimed to identify the interactions between polyphenols and CYP2C9 by using molecular docking program, CDOCKER, to calculate binding energy. Ten polyphenols used in this study were naringenin, chrysin, apigenin, luteolin, acacetin, galangin, kaempferol, quercetin, myricetin and isorhamnetin. The results showed that polyphenols can bind to the same binding site as flurbiprofen, which was used as the ligand in the x-ray crystal structure of the CYP2C9-flurbiprofen complex (1R9O) and the amino acid Phe100, Pro101, Glu104, Phe114, Leu208, Gly296, Ala297, Leu366 and Phe476 residues play a key role in the CYP2C9 active binding site.
Imprinting and epigenetics in mouse models and embryogenesis: understanding the requirement for both parental genomes

Twenty years ago, elegant nuclear transplantation studies in the mouse demonstrated that both a maternal and a paternal genome are required to complete normal mammalian development. Since that time, further investigation of parthenogenetic and androgenetic embryos indicates that maternally and paternally expressed genes are required for proper development of both embryonic and extraembryonic lineages. Poor development of uniparental embryos is attributed to misregulation of multiple genes governed by genomic imprinting and imprinted X chromosome inactivation that act synergistically on growth, development, and viability. The most important of these genes likely have roles in cell proliferation and differentiation. Keywords: imprinting; X-inactivation; parthenotes; androgenotes; uniparental; placenta; embryo