Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Glycerol and acetic acid converting yeast cells with improved acetic acid conversion

a) NAD b) one or more nucleotide sequences encoding acetyl -CoA renal hydratase (synthetase) (EC 6.2.1.1); c) glycerol having at least one nucleotide sequence coding for the dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.6); And At least one nucleotide sequence coding for the d) dihydroxyacetone kinase (kinase) (EC 2.7.1.28 or EC 2.7.1.29) , The genetically modified cells containing the oil.
Quantitative variation within a species for traits underpinning C4 photosynthesis

Engineering C4 photosynthesis into C3 crops such as rice or wheat could substantially increase their yield by alleviating photorespiratory losses1,2. This objective is challenging because the C4 pathway involves complex modifications to the biochemistry, cell biology and anatomy of leaves3. Forward genetics has provided limited insight into the mechanistic basis of these characteristics and there have been no reports of significant quantitative intra-specific variation of C4 attributes that would allow trait-mapping4,5. Here we show that accessions of C4 Gynandropsis gynandra collected from locations across Africa and Asia exhibit natural variation in key characteristics of C4 photosynthesis. Variable traits include bundle sheath size and vein density, gas exchange parameters and carbon-isotope discrimination associated with the C4 state, but also abundance of transcripts encoding core enzymes of the C4 cycle. Traits relating to water use showed more quantitative variation than those associated with carbon assimilation. We propose variation in these traits likely adapted the hydraulic system for increased water use efficiency rather than improving carbon fixation, indicating that selection pressure may drive C4 diversity in G. gynandra by acting to modify water use rather than photosynthesis. As these accessions can be easily crossed and produce fertile offspring, our findings indicate that natural variation within a C4 species is sufficiently large to allow genetic-mapping of key anatomical C4 traits and regulators.
Carboxylic acid compound

Disclosed is a compound having a GPR40 agonistic activity and useful for use in a pharmaceutical composition or useful as an insulin secretion promoter or a prophylactic or therapeutic agent for diabetes. Extensive studies have been made on compounds having a GPR40 agonistic activity. As a result, it is found that a compound (I) having a carboxylic acid bound to the second or third ring moiety through a methylene group or having a benzene ring bound to the second or third ring moiety through a group -O-methylene -NH-methylene, wherein the benzene ring has been substituted by a 6-membered monocyclic aromatic ring, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the compound (I) has an excellent GPR40 agonistic activity. It is also found that the compound has an excellent insulin secretion-promoting activity and can prevent the increase in a blood glucose level after glucose tolerance aggressively.
ANÁLISE DOS ASPECTOS CLÍNICOS E MANEJO DA INFECÇÃO PELO VÍRUS CHIKUNGUNYA

Chikungunya fever is an arboviral disease caused by the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), an enzootic RNA virus belonging to the Togaviridae family and the Alphavirus genus, found mainly in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, in the Indian Ocean, South and Southeast Asia It was first isolated in 1952 in Tanzania. Her name means "bent walking. " Her transmission occurs through the female bite of mosquitoes Ae. Aegypti and Ae. Albopictus infected with CHIKV, having an incubation period in humans of, on average, 3 to 7 days, ranging from 1 to 12 days and a viremia period of up to 10 days after the appearance of clinical manifestations. Infection leads to symptomatic forms in up to 70% of those infected, and their clinical forms in symptomatic patients are divided into three phases: acute or febrile, lasting up to ten days; Subacute, which lasts up to three months; And chronic, which can reach years. For a correct clinical management of each stage of the disease, as well as an early diagnosis in order to avoid the evolution to incapacitating forms, the knowledge of the manifestations of this arbovirosis and how to conduct it in its evolution is of paramount importance
The dynamics of preferential host switching: host phylogeny as a key predictor of parasite prevalence and distribution

New parasites commonly arise through host-shifts, where parasites from one host species jump to and become established in a new host species. There is much evidence that the probability of host-shifts decreases with increasing phylogenetic distance between donor and recipient hosts, but the consequences of such preferential host switching remain little explored. We develop a mathematical model to investigate the dynamics of parasite host-shifts in the presence of this phylogenetic distance effect. Host trees evolve under a stochastic birth-death process and parasites co-evolve concurrently on those trees, undergoing host-shifts, co-speciation and extinction. Our model indicates that host trees have a major influence on these dynamics. This applies both to individual trees that evolved under the same stochastic process and to sets of trees that evolved with different macroevolutionary parameters. We predict that trees consisting of a few large clades of host species and those with fast species turnover should harbour more parasites than trees with many small clades and those that diversify more slowly. Within trees, large clades should exhibit a higher infection frequency than small clades. We discuss our results in the light of recent cophylogenetic studies in a wide range of host-parasite systems, including the intracellular bacterium Wolbachia.
Social communication between microbes colonizing the social honey bee Apis mellifera

The European honey bee (Apis mellifera) is a charismatic species that plays a critical role in the pollination of agriculturally important crops and native flora. One emerging field of research is that of the host-associated honey bee microbiome: a group of bacterial phylotypes consistently found within the honey bee, which may play critical roles such as protection from pathogens and nutrient acquisition. In other model systems, host-associated microbial communities are known to participate in a form of bacterial communication known as quorum sensing. This type of communication allows bacteria to sense their environment and respond with changes in gene expression, controlling a number of factors including virulence, biofilm formation, and cell motility. Here, we have investigated the production of a specific quorum sensing molecule by honey bee microbes in vivo and in vitro. We specifically focused on the inter-species signaling molecule, autoinducer-2 (AI-2). We identified the production of AI-2 by both the entire community (using honey bee gut homogenates) and by cultured isolates, using a Vibrio harveyi biosensor. By comparing newly emerged and adult bees, we showed this signal is likely coming from the core microbial community. Finally, using honey bee specific bacterial isolates, we identified changes in biofilm production when isolates are exposed to increased levels of exogenous AI-2. Altogether, these data provide multiple lines of evidence for the presence of quorum sensing inside the honey bee host. The effect of AI-2 on biofilm formation by honey bee specific bacteria identifies one potential avenue for quorum sensing to affect host health. Author summary Microbial communities associate with every animal on the planet and can have dramatic effects on the health of their host. The honey bee is one such animal, home to a characteristic community of bacteria, which may provide various benefits. Here, we show that these microbes are producing quorum sensing molecules which could support interactions between bacterial members and facilitate host colonization.
HABITAT MODELING FOR THE FAMILY OF RHINOCRYPTIDS IN THE RAIN FOREST IN THE SOUTH OF CHILE

ABSTRACT Fragmentation and degradation of forest habitats affects (the susceptibility of several species is high) highly sensitive species, provoking a serious decrease in biodiversity. To deal with this problem it is necessary to consider the conservation level of bioindicator species and the development of a sustainable forest management of the natural resources. Within this framework, the current study poses the statistical binomial logit modeling to identify the potential habitat of endemic birds (Rhinocryptids) in rain forests in the south of Chile, biodiversity “hostpot” worldwide. The research allowed to identify a potential area of habitat of 14619 hectares with high probability presence of the studied birds. This area presented certain habitat constraints both topographic and vegetation factors. The studied birds showed a high selection of habitats associated to mixed forests of Nothofagus species, sites with high stratification and understory presence. The low quantity of Rhinocryptidae family species was associated to exclusive forests of Araucaria araucana, which exist at higher altitudes. The model of potential habitat of bioindicator birdlife (avifauna) within a system of geographic information it is presented as an efficient tool of information among the degree of alteration of ecosystems and for decision-makings in native forest management.
Etude préliminaire évaluant l’impact d’une stratégie anesthésique sans morphinique, sur la reprise du transit, en chirurgie colorectale réglée carcinologique, par voie laparoscopique

Introduction : La prise en charge chirurgicale des patients tend de plus en plus vers une rehabilitation rapide. Les strategies anesthesiques ont donc evoluees vers une epargne morphinique, afin de diminuer leurs effets secondaires, avec une approche excluant l’utilisation d’opioides : l’opioid free anesthesia (OFA). Notre etude preliminaire evalue retrospectivement la faisabilite, la qualite et la securite de l’OFA dans le cadre d’une chirurgie programmee et en cerne les limites. Methode : Cette etude retrospective cas temoin a inclus 7 patients repondant aux criteres d’inclusion ayant beneficies d’une OFA avec utilisation d’un α2 agoniste central, dans le cadre d’une chirurgie colorectale laparoscopique programmee. Un appariement des sujets avec une cohorte temoin (n=14) a eu lieu en deux pour un selon l’âge (±10 ans), le sexe et le type de chirurgie. Le critere de jugement principal etait le delai de reprise du transit evalue en jours. L’ensemble des temoins a beneficie d’une epargne morphinique avec la realisation d’un bloc antalgique selon les recommandations de rehabilitation rapide. Resultats : Il s’agit de patients tres majoritairement masculins âges de 64 (55–73) ans, ASA 2, similaires au groupe temoin. Le delai de reprise du transit dans le groupe OFA etait tres largement raccourci de 1,9 ± 0,9 jours versus 3,4 ± 0,8 jours chez les patients temoin (p=0,003). Les objectifs secondaires comme les nausees vomissements post operatoires, la qualite d’analgesie, et la duree d’hospitalisation n’atteignaient pas un degre de significativite. Le recours a un traitement vasopresseur etait diminue dans le groupe OFA. Conclusion : Le resultat principal de cette etude montre que les patients beneficiant d’une OFA ont une reprise de transit plus precoce, ce qui s’inscrit bien dans la rehabilitation rapide. Cette etude preliminaire encourage a evaluer une strategie anesthesique OFA par des etudes prospectives multicentriques pour trouver sa place dans la prise en charge peri operatoire.
Bioremediation of South Africa’s hypertrophic Hartbeespoort Dam: evaluating its effects by comparative analysis of a decade of MERIS satellite data in six control reservoirs

Abstract Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) satellite data on chlorophyll a (Chl-a, μg L−1) and cyanobacteria (Cyan, %) content in Hartbeespoort Dam (HBPD) and 6 “control” reservoirs between 2002 and 2012 were compared to assess potential effects of a bioremediation project (HMaM) implemented on HBPD in 2008. Planktonic autotrophs showed clear but inconsistent seasonal periodicity in all 7 reservoirs. Neither average (±95% confidence interval) values of Chl-a (172.1 ± 33.3 vs. 189.0 ± 40.3 μg L−1) nor Cyan (45.1% ± 8.6 vs. 45.0% ± 9.0) differed significantly (p ≤ 0.05) in HBPD before and after HMaM, but differed (higher and/or lower) in 3 control systems. Across 3 timespans (overall, before 2008, and after 2008), Mann-Kendall tests for Chl-a and Cyan revealed mixed trends between and within reservoirs with similarly mixed trends in monthly anomaly values (ChlAnom and CyanAnom) that offset confounding effects of interannual variability. Chl-a and ChlAnom, however, declined consistently in all reservoirs after 2008, significantly so for Chl-a in HBPD and 2 controls, and for ChlAnom in HBPD and 5 controls. Although Cyan and CyanAnom trends varied, both were significantly negative in HBPD after 2008. Directionally concordant anomaly trends were provided by parallel 50th quantile regression analysis. Comparable declines in Chl-a and ChlAnom across all reservoirs preclude causal interpretation of the declines in HBPD as direct consequential effects of HMaM intervention alone, giving whole-lake support to published empirical evidence contesting the suitability of biomanipulation for eutrophic reservoir management in the region.
Latitudinal pattern and the driving factors of leaf functional traits in 185 shrub species across eastern China

Aims To explore the pattern of the leaf functional traits of shrub species along a latitudinal gradient in eastern China and determine the driving factors of leaf trait variation at a large scale. Methods We investigated the leaf thickness (LT), leaf area (LA), specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf dry mass content (LDMC) of 185 shrub species from 13 sites across eastern China. The trends of these four-leaf traits were analyzed with respect to latitude, and the differences between different life forms (e.g., evergreen and deciduous) and habitats (e.g., understory and typical) were compared. We quantified the effects of the plant life forms and environmental factors on the leaf traits via mixed-model analyses. Important Findings The LT and LA decreased, whilst and the LDMC increased, as the latitude increased, and significant differences in these traits were observed between the different plant life forms. The LT and LA were smaller, whereas the SLA and LDMC were larger in deciduous shrubs than in evergreen shrubs. Among the different habitats, the LA and SLA were larger, while the LDMC was smaller in understory shrubs than in typical shrub species. These results indicate that typical shrub species are better adapted to drier environments, as indicated by a reduced LT and increased LDMC. Furthermore, general linear models showed that variations in the four-leaf traits with respect to latitude were mainly caused by a shift in plant life forms.
Alien Plant Diversity in Mediterranean Wetlands: A Comparative Study within Valencian, Balearic and Sardinian Floras

Although wetlands provide an important range of environmental, social and economic services, they are increasingly subjected to anthropogenic perturbations, amongst which invasion by alien plants is particularly alarming. This paper focuses on the alien flora of wetlands from three territories belonging to the western Mediterranean area: one continental (Valencian Community) and two insular (Balearic Islands and Sardinia), providing a complete checklist for the three territories and a general comparison. In total, 380 alien taxa from 89 families have been reported, being the Valencian Community the area richer in taxa (312), followed by the Balearic Islands (151) and Sardinia (134). The invasive component includes 77 taxa, of which nine are common to the three territories - and have been recognised as the most invasive ones in Mediterranean islands - and six are considered invasive worldwide ( Ailanthus altissima , Arundo donax , Cortaderia selloana , Oxalis pes-caprae , Ricinus communis and Eichhornia crassipes ). Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) revealed that the three territories do not show statistically relevant differences in relation to the alien species present in wetlands and their characteristics. The information on the characteristics of plants in similar habitats of the same biogeographic region provides a portrait of the current dimensions of the phenomenon in Western Mediterranean wetlands and is especially useful from the management perspective: its predictive value can be applied in establishing a prioritization of control measures of those most invasive species and will help screening new introductions with invasive potential.
Influence of the administration of propolis and bee pollen preparation on the concentration of mercury in the muscles, kidneys and liver of white storks

Mercury is one of the most ubiquitous toxic metals and environmental contaminants. This is because mercury is an element that once it is released even in small amounts into habitats occupied by birds and other wildlife it does not break down, but instead accumulates and becomes a permanent part of the global environment (2, 5, 19). One of the most insidious aspects of mercury pollution is that all forms of mercury, whether in its liquid elemental form or in various compounds, can be biologically transformed into the most toxic form, methylmercury (Me-Hg) (1, 19). This form of mercury has been shown to be extremely hazardous to humans and wildlife animals. Birds in general seem to be especially sensitive to Me-Hg (1, 19). It is biomagnified in the avian food chain and reaches high levels, especially in fish eating birds like the white stork (2). The chemical structure of mercury affects its biological behavior and toxicokinetics. Methyl and dimethyl mercury (organic mercury) usually originate in biological sources, chiefly fresh or salt water fish (14). They are easily absorbed through the gut and accumulate in many tissues, but do not cross the blood-brain barrier as efficiently as elemental mercury; however, on entering the brain they are progressively demethylated to Influence of the administration of propolis and bee pollen preparation on the concentration of mercury in the muscles, kidneys and liver of white storks
Plants population and harvesting times influence in saccharine sorghum BRS 506 production

Saccharine sorghum is an excellent option for ethanol production under industrial and agronomic perspectives, due to high green matter production and succulent stalks with fermentable sugars. The aim of this work was to evaluate the harvesting season and plants population effect over the ethanol and fodder production from sweet sorghum culture BRS 506. The experiment was installed in November 2012, at (CDTCA/UFLA), located in Lavras (MG). The experimental design was in randomized blocks, with 3 repetitions, factorial scheme 4 x 4 (4 populations: 70, 100, 130 and 160 thousand plants ha-1 ; 4 harvesting seasons: flowering (0 days after flowering (DAF), 10 DAF, 20 DAF and physiological maturity at 40 DAF). The variables evaluated at harvesting: green matter weight (GM), dry matter weight (DM), juice volume (JV), total soluble solids (obrix), total reducing sugars (TRS) and brix tonnes per hectare (TBH). The populations increase provided the highest JV and it has not affected other variables. The characteristics were influenced by the harvesting seasons. The harvesting season at 40 DAF provided the highest obrix. The obrix and the TRS showed linear growth with an increase after flowering for plants harvesting. The highest productivities (GM, DM, JV and TBH) were obtained close to 17, 22, 17 and 14 DAF, respectively, favoring higher fodder and ethanol production in these stages.
Cricodon metabolus (cynodontia: Gomphodontia) from the Triassic Ntawere Formation of Northeastern Zambia: Patterns of Tooth replacement and a Systematic Review of the Trirachodontidae

ABSTRACT The partial skull and postcranial skeleton of a subadult Cricodon metabolus is described as the first record of a trirachodontid cynodont from the upper Ntawere Formation of northeastern Zambia. On the basis of features in the type and referred specimen, Cricodon metabolus can be diagnosed by the presence of a posterior cingulum in the lower postcanines that opens labially in a ‘V’-shaped notch between a large basal cuspule and the steeply descending posterior ridge of the principal labial cusp, and by a pair of large foramina on the maxillary shelf. The subadult specimen shows evidence for four series of postcanine teeth, including a wave of small gomphodont teeth being replaced by a younger wave of larger gomphodont teeth. Cladistic analysis of 75 characters in 27 cynodonts recovers Trirachodontidae as a clade that is the sister taxon of Traversodontidae. Trirachodontidae includes four species, with Langbergia modisei as the earliest diverging taxon. Our analysis also recovers ‘Trirachodon’ kannemeyeri as the sister taxon of Cricodon metabolus, leading us to transfer the former species to the genus Cricodon. Trirachodon berryi is determined to be a valid taxon that is sister to Cricodon. Two reputed trirachodontids from China, Sinognathus gracilis and Beishanodon youngi, do not appear as trirachodontids in our analysis but rather resolve as sister taxa within Traversodontidae. Although this hypothesis of relationships is not supported by the current analysis, we suggest that the two Chinese species might be probainognathians that convergently evolved expanded postcanine teeth rather than gomphodontians.
Associations of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Subunits Expressed in the Rat Habenula

The goals of this study were to define the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subtypes expressed in the rat habenula. This was done using three main techniques: single and sequential immunoprecipitation using subunit-specific antibodies, single-point binding with α-conotoxin mII, and saturation binding with [H]-epibatidine and competition binding with nicotine, cytisine, AT-1001, and sazetidine-A. Single immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that every subunit probed was expressed in the habenula in significant quantities. The α5 subunit was expressed in approximately 26% of nAChRs, the α4 subunit was expressed in approximately 40% of receptors, α3 was expressed in approximately 32% of receptors, β2 was expressed in approximately 48% of receptors, and β4 was expressed in approximately 51% of nAChRs in the habenula. Sequential immunoprecipitations demonstrated that every subunit expressed was significantly associated with every other subunit with one notable exception: the α4 and α5 subunits were not discernably associated in the habenula. Additionally, we found that approximately 20% of nAChRs in the habenula contain both the β2 and β4 subunits. Finally, through binding assays with [H]-epibatidine and α-conotoxin MII, we determined that there are no detectable α6-containing nAChRs in the habenula.
Interaction between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and soil microbial populations in the rhizosphere

I ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . IV TABLE OF CONTENTS . V LIST OF FIGURES. VIII LIST OF TABLES . X LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS . XI 1 GENERAL INTRODUCTION . 1 1.1 Fungus-root. 1 1.2 Soil as a living habitat . 4 1.3 Arbuscular mycorrhiza. 6 1.3. 1 Taxonomy and Description . 6 1.3. 2 Distribution. 10 1.3. 3 Reproduction and life cycle. 11 1.3. 4 Symbiotic benefits . 16 1.4 Factors affecting growth of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. 23 1.5 Interaction of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi with ot her soil microorganisms.28 1.5. 1 Interaction with bacteria . 28 1.5. 2 Endosymbiotic bacteria of AM fungi . 33 1.5. 3 Interaction with fungi . 34 1.6 The ecological roles of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi . 36 1.7 Current methods used to study microbial populations and interactions . 40 1.7. 1 Plate counts . 41 1.7. 2 Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and tempera ture-GGE.4 3 1.7. 3 Other molecular techniques. 43 1.8 Motivation for the study . 46 1.9 Hypothesis and Objectives. 46 1.9. 1 Hypothesis. 46 1.9. 2 Objectives. 46