Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Post-dispersal seed predation and seed bank persistence

Abstract This study examines whether post-dispersal seed predators could be an important selective force in determining the seed bank strategies of grassland plants. It tests the hypothesis that species with persistent seed banks should sustain proportionally less predation of buried seeds than species which have transient seed banks and that this should be true irrespective of seed size. Results are drawn from a field experiment examining the relative susceptibility of surface versus buried seeds for 19 herbaceous taxa exhibiting different degrees of seed bank persistence. The data were consistent with the hypothesis that seed predators (rodents) influence the seed bank characteristics of seeds. Rodents removed proportionally more large seeds than small seeds and removed a smaller proportion of seeds with persistent rather than transient seed banks, independently of seed size. On average, burial reduced seed removal by almost 50%. The decrease in rates of seed removal following burial was marked for seeds with persistent seed banks but negligible for seeds with transient seed banks. Herbaceous plants with relatively large seeds (seed mass > 1 mg) that form persistent seed banks were either completely avoided or only consumed in small quantities by rodents. In contrast, large-seeded species with transient seed banks suffer high rates of seed predation. Models of life-history evolution predict trade-offs between seed dormancy and seed mass since dormancy and seed size are correlated traits that both reduce risk in variable environments and thus will show patterns of negative covariation. This paper presents an alternative explanation for this trade-off based on experimental evidence of a negative relationship between seed bank persistence and predation risk.
Evaluation of the Toxicity of Benzalkonium Chloride on the Ocular Surface

Abstract Benzalkonium chloride (BAC), the most widely used preservative in ophthalmic solutions, acts on the ocular surface through toxic or im-munoallergic reactions. Due to its surfactant properties, this quaternary ammonium strongly decreases lachrymal fluid stability. It also causes toxic effects to epithelial cells and increases corneal permeability. In vivo, strong histopathological changes are observed after topical treatments with preservatives, including infiltration by inflammatory cells, similar to those induced in humans by long-term topical treatments. We designed a series of in vitro experiments confirming the toxicity of BAC, even at very low concentrations. In vitro, BAC induces cell necrosis at the concentrations found in most eye drops after a few minutes, and apoptosis when applied at lower concentrations. This apoptotic phenomenon is confirmed by 4′,6-diamidimo-2-phenylindole, dilactate (DAPI) coloration and with the use of flow cytometry. A decrease in cell size is observed with BAC at 0.001%% and is confirmed by morphological assay. An overexpression of Apo 2.7 associated with an increase of sub G1 phase cells is also shown. BAC induces irreversible cytotoxic damages with some characteristics of apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner.
Seasonal decline in health status of Great Tit (Parus major) nestlings

Seasonal variation in offspring survival and recruitment rates in birds may be mediated by immune function, as it defines the ability of individuals to protect themselves against parasites and infectious diseases. To investigate the relationship between hatching date and health status of Great Tit (Parus major) nestlings, two blood parameters (leukocyte level and haematocrit) were estimated. Leukocyte level decreased as the season progressed within first but not second broods, while haematocrit showed no seasonal variation within either brood type. However, nestlings from first broods had both higher leukocyte levels and higher haematocrit than nestlings from second broods. Nestling body condition (defined as the residual of body mass on tarsus length calculated from linear regression) was not related to hatching date within brood type, while a significant difference between brood types was found. We suggest that the commonly observed decline in juvenile survival rate as the season progresses may be at le.
Characterization of Na,K‐ATPase α/α Oligomerization

While most structural studies of the Na,K-ATPase support a subunit stoichiometry of one a subunit to one f3 subunit, the exact quaternary structure of the Na,K-ATPase and its relevance to enzyme function are unknown. Our success in expressing different a isoforms in insect cells and the availability of isoform-specific antibodies have provided the unique opportunity to investigate the existence of specific and stable associations among a subunits. Strong evidence of d a oligomerization was provided by the specific coimmunoprecipitation of the rat Na,K-ATPase isoforms ( a l , a2, and a3) expressed in virally infected S’ 9 insect When expressed together in the insect cells, the a subunits specifically and stably associate into oligomeric complexes. Moreover, this same association among a subunit isoforms was demonstrated in native enzyme from rat brain. The highly specific nature of the a/a interaction is demonstrated by the inability of the Na,K-ATPase a subunit to stably associate with the homologous H,K-ATPase a subunit in cells coexpressing both polypeptides. To delineate the domain(s) necessary for a/a assembly, we coexpressed a series of Na,K/H,K a subunit chimeras and a subunit deletion mutants with the full-length a subunit in Sf-9 insect cells and assayed for detergent-resistant association. Using this method we identified a cytoplasmic region of the Na,K-ATPase a subunit that is necessary for stable and specific a/a association.
Optimum Number of Bull Sires In Dairy Cattle Breeding

Abstract In future efficient progeny testing systems based on selection for estimated breeding value, the selected elite sires and their daughters will be used to breed the next generation of bulls. The bull breeding part of the population is then like a dispersed nucleus breeding group and largely determines the genetic response rate in the whole population. The inbreeding rate per generation is approximately 1/(8M e ), where M e is the effective number of bull sires per generation; inbreeding rate is four times that in a conventional four-path progeny testing system. Inbreeding leads to reduction in genetic variance and to inbreeding depression. Methods are given to estimate the effective number of bull sires per generation to maximize the net response in economic merit, the response adjusted for these effects of inbreeding. The optimal number increases with increased inbreeding depression and number of generations considered. The optimum is flat, especially in the use of more sires, and high proportional responses are obtained for a range of two to three times the optimal number. The flexibility afforded by the range may be restricted in practice, for AI breeding industry groups have to maximize their short-term competitive position. For progeny testing systems, a conservative recommendation of a minimum effective number of 10 bull sires per generation for the whole breed is made, as this will allow both high genetic and high net genetic responses and will allay concern about inbreeding.
Nitrogen Nutrition, But Not Potassium, Affects Powdery Mildew Development in Hiemalis Begonia

Abstract For obligate parasites like Erysiphe cichoracearum, manipulation of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) nutrition may provide an alternative control method for powdery mildew in greenhouse crops. Subsequently, Hiemalis begonias “Hilda” and “Renaissance” were grown in separate experiments with a factorial combination of three N (30, 120, 240 mg L−1) and three K (30, 120, 240 mg L−1) rates applied at each irrigation. One‐half the plants in each treatment were inoculated with E. cichoracearum, while the remaining plants were sprayed regularly with the fungicide triadimefon to prevent disease development. Plant growth and powdery mildew incidence in both cultivars were significantly influenced by N fertilization and pathogen inoculation, but relatively unaffected by K fertility. Shoot dry mass in both cultivars increased with increasing N rate up to 120 mg N/L, but decreased from pathogen inoculation. This latter response increased in magnitude with increasing N rate in “Hilda”, but not in “Renaissance”. Pathogen inoculation increased powdery mildew disease severity (PMDS) in both cultivars. Nitrogen fertilization had a positive effect on PMDS, primarily at the later production stages. Total disease epidemic for the entire production time‐course, however, was not affected by N fertilization. Plant N content was positively correlated with PMDS and AUDPC (area under the disease progress curve), although most correlations were generally low. The results suggest that N fertilization at 120 mg N/L could help limit powdery mildew incidence without compromising begonia growth and quality. The data also show that at the traditional rates used today, little if any disease control benefit would be realized from K fertilization.
Analysis and antioxidant capacity of the phenolic compounds from argan fruit (Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels)

Polyphenol composition of the shell, pulp, and roasted and unroasted kernels of the argan fruit was qualitatively and quantitatively determined by HPLC coupled with electrospray negative ionization ion trap MS (HPLC-ESI-MS). Eleven phenolic compounds were identified. Unroasted kernels and shell contained various polyphenols but the pulp was characterized by a very high amount of total polyphenols (75.78 mg of gallic acid equivalent/g). The radical scavenging (DPPH. method) and antioxidant activity (ABTS method) of each fruit part was also determined. Argan fruit pulp showed the highest radical scavenging activity (0.17 ± 0.005 µM Trolox equivalent (TE)/mg) and antioxidant activity (0.375 ± 0.07 µM TE/mg). Therefore, argan fruit polyphenols are good candidates to be exploited as health supplements and nutraceuticals.
Economic threshold for tarnished plant bug (Hemiptera: miridae) in apple orchards

Economic injury levels (ElL) and economic thresholds (ET) for tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois) on apple tree ( Malus sylvestris Mill .) were established with sticky traps and a beating tray. ETs were based on 1987 apple and chemical control costs and assuming that a period of 24 h would be required for control implementation. ElLs ranged from 0.5 to 2.8 cumulative captures per sticky trap and 0.8 to 4.5 cumulative captures per 50 limb taps, depending on the insecticide used and the period of apple tree phenology during which L. lineolaris were captured.
Associations of concern: Declining seagrasses and threatened dependent species

Seagrasses are important marine foundation species that are reported to be declining worldwide, with almost 15% of species considered threatened. Seagrasses are highly productive plants that reconfigure water flow and influence nutrient cycling, as well as provide critical habitat for a wide array of fish and invertebrate species. Yet, many of these seagrass-dependent species, including economically important fishes and invertebrates, are themselves in danger of overexploitation or extinction. In fact, there is on average more than one threatened associated species for every seagrass species across the globe. Links between threatened seagrasses and their dependent communities illustrate the importance of an ecosystem-based management approach that incorporates interdependencies and facilitation among species.
Phenotypic Variation of Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata) from Mississippi Persists in a Common Garden

ABSTRACT Intraspecific phenotypic variation occurs for many different reasons and understanding its basis has applications in taxonomy, ecology, and evolution. Chamaecrista fasciculata (partridge pea) is a widely distributed species with much phenotypic variation and varied interactions with other species in communities where it grows. Botanists have often noted that phenotypic variation in some traits of this species increases from north to south in the eastern United States. In this study, we grew seeds collected from five Mississippi populations in a common greenhouse environment to determine if the observed variation in leaf and stem traits is maintained in this environment. Interpopulation variation in the greenhouse-grown plants was not as extensive as that observed under natural conditions, but significant differences were detected in the number of stems and leaves and shoot height. The number of flowers and final shoot weight of plants did not differ, suggesting that there may be multiple growth strategies for this species to achieve equal fitness. Variation was detected in stem and leaflet trichome density. The population collected at the lowest latitude showed the most distinct morphology, producing shorter plants with many branched stems, more leaves, and a higher degree of leaflet pubescence. Trait variation that has so often been observed in natural populations of this species is maintained in a common environment, suggesting a genetic basis for the observed variation. Phenotypic variation observed in this species may reflect both responses to varied selective pressures from interacting species and adaptation to differing climatic factors.
Computational Paradigm to Elucidate the Effects of Arts-Based Approaches: Art and Music Studies and Implications for Research and Therapy

Art therapy and music therapy, as well as other arts-based approaches and interventions, help to mitigate symptoms in serious and chronic diseases and to improve the well-being and quality of life for both healthy individuals and patients. Artistic creation is also researched and practiced intending to empower and understand individuals, groups, and communities. However, much research is required in order to learn how arts-based approaches operate and to enhance their effectivity. The complex and simultaneous occurrences involving the dynamics of the creation work, the client, and the therapist in a typical arts setting are difficult to grasp, consequently affecting their objective analyses. Here we employ our Computational Paradigm which enables the quantitative and rigorous tracking, analyzing, and documenting of the underlying dynamic processes, and describe its application in recent past and current real-world art and music studies with human participants. We aim to study emergent artistic behaviors of individuals and collectives in response to art and music making. Significant insights obtained include demographic variation factors such as gender and age, empirical behavioral patterns, and quantitative expressiveness and its change. We discuss the implications of the findings for therapy and research, such as causality for behavioral diversification and audio-visual cross-modality, and also offer directions for future applications and technology enhancements.
Regulation of Mammalian Mitochondrial Dynamics: Opportunities and Challenges

Mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles and important for a variety of cellular functions. They constantly undergo fission and fusion events, referred to as mitochondrial dynamics, which affects the shape, size, and number of mitochondria in the cell, as well as mitochondrial subcellular transport, mitochondrial quality control (mitophagy), and programmed cell death (apoptosis). Dysfunctional mitochondrial dynamics is associated with various human diseases. Mitochondrial dynamics is mediated by a set of mitochondria-shaping proteins in both yeast and mammals. In this review, we describe recent insights into the potential molecular mechanisms underlying mitochondrial fusion and fission, particularly highlighting the coordinating roles of different mitochondria-shaping proteins in the processes, as well as the roles of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the actin cytoskeleton and membrane phospholipids in the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics. We particularly focus on emerging roles for the mammalian mitochondrial proteins Fis1, Mff, and MIEFs (MIEF1 and MIEF2) in regulating the recruitment of the cytosolic Drp1 to the surface of mitochondria and how these proteins, especially Fis1, mediate crosstalk between the mitochondrial fission and fusion machineries. In summary, this review provides novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of mammalian mitochondrial dynamics and the involvement of these mechanisms in apoptosis and autophagy.
Prolonged storage of spermatozoa in the genital tract of female Mexican big-eared bats (Corynorhinus mexicanus): the role of lipid peroxidation

The results of this work support the existence of sperm storage in Corynorhinus mexicanus, a vespertilionid bat endemic to Mexico, and evidence is presented that modulation of peroxidative toxicity plays a role in the mechanism of prolonged sperm storage in Chiroptera. Spermatozoa were obtained from C. mexicanus by retrograde perfusion of the cauda epididymis, and from genital washings from previously inseminated females captured during reproductive activity. Ejaculated pig spermatozoa were simultaneously studied as controls. Lipid peroxidation was determined in both the presence and absence of genital secretions obtained from previously inseminated female C. mexicanus by measuring malondialdehyde generated during aerobic incubation of spermatozoa suspensions. The number of spermatozoa recovered from the cauda epididymis decreased steadily from November through January. Corpora lutea were observed in January. None of the female bats captured between October and January were pregnant, but some females capt.
Influence of Oyster Mushroom Waste on Growth Performance, Immunity and Intestinal Morphology Compared With Antibiotics in Broiler Chickens

Oyster mushroom waste (OMW) is a by-product of the agriculture industry with valuable antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, and prebiotic properties. This by-product might be a useful alternative to antibiotic growth stimulators in poultry nutrition. The purpose of this research was to test the impact of OMW on the immune responses and on the morphology of intestine of broiler chickens. Four dietary therapies with five replicas of 15 birds in each, totalling 300 day- Ross 308 broiler chickens, were utilized in this study. Control chickens were fed a mixed diet that included a maize-soybean meal complemented by 1 and 2% OMW in addition to the basal diet. Furthermore, Enramycin (125 g/kg) was added to the control diet as an antibiotic. Throughout this experiment, performance was studied as well as the immune response to the Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) and intestinal morphological traits. A substantial surge was noted in body weight gain (BWG) and feed intake (FI) of chickens after the addition of 1% OMW (p ≤ 0.05). In contrast, feed supplementation with 2% OMW, compared with the control diet, produced no noteworthy increase in BWG or the feed conversion rate (FCR). Antibiotic addition, on the other hand, increased serum cholesterol (p ≤ 0.05). After 42 days, neither OMW nor antibiotic addition affected organ mass. In contrast, antibiotic addition reduced the small intestine percentage, crypt depth and villus height (p ≤ 0.05). The Newcastle disease vaccine (NDV) antibody titer improved after feed supplementation with 1% OMW comparing with the control and antibiotic diet group. Furthermore, OMW supplementation decreased the heterophil-to-lymphocyte H/L ratio (p ≤ 0.05). The use of OMW led to a reduction in the malondialdehyde (MDA) content of the breast and liver and an increase in glutathione peroxidase. It helped to reduce glutathione, glutathione reductase, and glutathione S-transferase. In conclusion, the impact of OMW were dose-dependent, and the use of 1% OMW in broiler diets enhanced their growth and immunity. Nonetheless, supplementation with 2% OMW produced conflicting results.
Locoregional delivery of stem cell–based therapies

Image-guided, minimally invasive procedures target delivery of stem cell–based therapies to regenerate, replace, or repair damaged tissues and organs. Interventional regenerative medicine (IRM) uses image-guided, minimally invasive procedures for the targeted delivery of stem cell–based therapies to regenerate, replace, or repair damaged organs. Although many cellular therapies have shown promise in the preclinical setting, clinical results have been suboptimal. Most intravenously delivered cells become trapped in the lungs and reticuloendothelial system, resulting in little therapy reaching target tissues. IRM aims to increase the efficacy of cell-based therapies by locoregional stem cell delivery via endovascular, endoluminal, or direct injection into tissues. This review highlights routes of delivery, disease states, and mechanisms of action involved in the targeted delivery of stem cells.
High-fat diet-induced obesity and impairment of brain neurotransmitter pool

Abstract Obesity and the brain are linked since the brain can control the weight of the body through its neurotransmitters. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity on brain functioning through the measurement of brain glutamate, dopamine, and serotonin metabolic pools. In the present study, two groups of rats served as subjects. Group 1 was fed a normal diet and named as the lean group. Group 2 was fed an HFD for 4 weeks and named as the obese group. Markers of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde, glutathione, glutathione-s-transferase, and vitamin C), inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-6 and IL-12), and leptin along with a lipid profile (cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein levels) were measured in the serum. Neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin, and glutamate were measured in brain tissue. Fecal samples were collected for observing changes in gut flora. In brain tissue, significantly high levels of dopamine and glutamate as well as significantly low levels of serotonin were found in the obese group compared to those in the lean group (P > 0.001) and were discussed in relation to the biochemical profile in the serum. It was also noted that the HFD affected bacterial gut composition in comparison to the control group with gram-positive cocci dominance in the control group compared to obese. The results of the present study confirm that obesity is linked to inflammation, oxidative stress, dyslipidemic processes, and altered brain neurotransmitter levels that can cause obesity-related neuropsychiatric complications.
NLRP3 Inflammasome Signaling as a Link Between HIV-1 Infection and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease

36.9 million people worldwide are living with HIV-1. The disease remains incurable and HIV-infected patients have increased risk of atherosclerosis. Inflammation is a key driver of atherosclerosis, but no targeted molecular therapies have been developed to reduce cardiovascular risk in people with HIV-1 (PWH). While the mechanism is unknown, there are several important inflammatory signaling events that are implicated in the development of chronic inflammation in PWH and in the inflammatory changes that lead to atherosclerosis. Here we describe the pro-inflammatory state of HIV-1 infection that leads to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, the role of the NLR Family Pyrin Domain Containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in HIV-1 infection, the role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in cardiovascular disease (CVD), and outline a model whereby HIV-1 infection can lead to atherosclerotic disease through NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Our discussion highlights the literature supporting HIV-1 infection as a stimulator of the NLRP3 inflammasome as a driver of atherosclerosis.