Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
RNA Silencing and its Suppressors in the Plant‐virus Interplay

Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites that need to evade the host defences targeted against them. In plants, activation of ribonucleic acid (RNA) silencing is among the most powerful responses against viruses. To overcome this defence, both deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and RNA plant viruses make use of viral products able to interfere with silencing mechanisms, and known collectively as RNA silencing suppressors (RSSs). RSSs present an extraordinary diversity in modes of action, and therefore, their study is providing valuable information about the different silencing pathways in plants. This article reviews our knowledge on RSSs, including the experimental systems used to identify them, and the mechanisms by which they act. Finally, the additional effects that they cause in the network of silencing pathways, and hence the need of a tight control of their activity, are also considered. Key concepts: Argonaute: Family of proteins that contain certain conserved domains, such as PIWI domain (found in Piwi, or P-element-induced wimpy testis in Drosophila, and related proteins) and PAZ domain (found in Piwi, Argonaute and Zwille proteins). Proteins of this family are the main components of RNA silencing effector complexes. Dicer: Ribonuclease belonging to the RNase III family. Dicer-like enzymes cleave hairpin or double-strand RNA molecules into short RNA duplexes of 20–24 nucleotides with a 2-nucleotides overhang at the 3′ ends, which are key components of the RNA silencing pathways. microRNA (miRNA): Endogenous single-strand RNA of 20–21 nucleotides, which derives from a hairpin precursor. miRNAs are incorporated into RISC, guiding it, by base complementary, to silence endogenous mRNAs. RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP, RDR): Enzyme able to synthesize RNA using RNA as template. These enzymes are involved in amplification steps of RNA silencing. RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC): Multicomponent complex including an Argonaute protein and a short RNA. RISC can silence mRNAs by endonucleolytic cleavage, decay acceleration and translation inhibition. RNA-induced transcriptional silencing complex (RITS): Multicomponent complex including an Argonaute protein and a short RNA that silence gene expression by inhibiting or downregulating the transcription activity. RNA silencing: General term used to describe different events triggered by small RNAs to induce transcriptional or posttranscriptional gene downregulation in a sequence-homology manner. RNA silencing suppressor (RSS): Factor (usually a protein) with the capacity to interfere with the onset of RNA silencing or with its maintenance. The expression of viral RSSs is the most common strategy that plant viruses use to escape from RNA silencing. Short interfering RNA (siRNA): Small RNA of 20–24 nucleotides derived from Dicer-mediated cleavage of a double-stranded RNA precursor. One of the strands of the siRNA is incorporated in RISC or RITS to guide their RNA silencing effector activities. Keywords: RNA silencing; silencing suppression; antiviral resistance; plant defence
Effect of the 1997–1998 ENSO-related drought on hydrology and salinity in a micronesian wetland complex

The potential effects of global climate change on coastal ecosystems have attracted considerable attention, but the impacts of shorter-term climate perturbations such as ENSO (El Niño-Southern Oscillation) are lesser known. In this study, we determined the effects of the 1997–1998 ENSO-related drought on the hydrology and salinity of a Micronesian mangrove ecosystem and an adjacent freshwater swamp. A network of 9 piezometer clusters installed at the study site served as sampling points for continuous and manual measurements of salinity and water level. During the drought period from January through April 1998, mean water table levels in the mangroves and freshwater swamp were approximately 12 and 54 cm lower, respectively, than during May through December when precipitation returned to near normal levels. At the peak of the drought (February 1998), the most dramatic result was a reversal in groundwater flow that sent groundwater from the mangroves upstream toward the freshwater swamp. Flow nets constructed for this period and immediately after illustrate the strong hydrological linkage between the two systems. This linkage was also illustrated by measurements of groundwater salinity in the piezometer network. Ninety-six percent of the salinity measurements taken in the mangroves during the study were at least 10‰ less than the salinity of sea water, indicating that the mangroves were consistently receiving freshwater flows. An analysis of variance of groundwater salinity measurements during and after the drought showed that salinity levels in the 0.5 and 1.0 m depth piezometers were greater during than after the drought. In a comparison of salinity values in 0.5-m wells during low tide, mean salinity was approximately twice as high during the drought than after (14.7‰ versus 6.2‰, respectively). This study demonstrates that short-term climate perturbations such as ENSO can disrupt important coastal processes. Over repeated drought cycles, such perturbations have the potential to affect the structure and function of mangrove forests and upstream ecosystems.
Phytochemical Composition and Antimalarial Activity of Methanol Leaf Extract of Crateva adansonii in Plasmodium berghei Infected Mice.

The need for new compounds active against malaria parasites is made more urgent by the rapid spread of drug-resistance to available antimalarial drugs. The crude methanolic leaf extract of Crateva adansonii was investigated for its antimalarial activity against Plasmodium berghei (NK65) infected mice. A total of 15 mice were intraperitoneally infected with chloroquine sensitive P. berghei strain and divided into 5 equal groups, group 1 served as negative control (untreated), groups 2,3 and 4 were given 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg Crateva adansonii methanolic leaves extract respectively while group 5 served as positive control and was given 5 mg\kg chloroquine for five days. The phytochemical constituents of the plant extract were evaluated to elucidate the possibilities of their antimalarial effects. The extract produced a significant dose dependent decrease in the level of parasitaemia when compared to infected untreated group. Also, the extract at dose of 400 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg produced significant increase in body weight and PCV of the infected mice as compare to mice treated with 200 mg/kg of extract and infected untreated group. Phytochemical screening showed that the leaves extract contains alkaloids, anthraquinones, Original Research Article Tsado et al.; BBJ, 6(4): 165-173, 2015; Article no.BBJ. 2015.039 166 tannins, flavonoids, saponins cardiac glycosides and steroids. It is concluded that Crateva adansonii could serve as a possible source of antimalarial compounds.
Retarded response by macrofauna-size foraminifera to phytodetritus in a deep Norwegian Fjord

Due to the scarcity of information concerning the role that large foraminifera play in deep-sea carbon cycling, the response of a foraminiferal community (>250 pm) to a simulated phytodetritus sedimentation event was assessed over two weeks using sediment cores collected from a deep-fjord environment. Sediment cores were collected from similar to 700 in water depth in the Korsfjorden, western Norway, and incubated ex situ with 1 9 C-org m(2) of labile C-13-labeled Skeletonema costatum for 2, 7, and 14 days. We selectively picked (without prior staining) cytoplasm-containing foraminifera and found the foraminiferal community to be largely dominated (91%) by the deep-dwelling species Globobulimina turgida and Melonis barleeanum, as well as the shallow infaunal species 1 Hyalinea balthica. None of the >250 mu m, cytoplasm-containing fraction was involved in carbon uptake during the first 7 days. After 14 days, 3% of the foraminiferal samples possessed delta C-13 signatures indicative of carbon uptake, but the uptake was confined to the surface-living (0-2 cm) G. turgida. Foraminifera contributed 2.4% to faunal carbon uptake (foraminifera plus macrofauna) after 14 days, despite making up 24% of the combined biomass. Both the dominance of deep-infaunal species, such as G. turgida and M. barleeanum (68%), which are known to prefer degraded over more labile material, together with their large size, which often makes foraminifera respond slower to phytodetritus deposition than the more abundant, smaller-size foraminifera, are possible reasons for the retarded response observed. Overall, results from this investigation highlight that the response of large-size foraminifera to phytodetritus deposition is very slow. In addition, the results presented provide evidence that the foraminiferal response is most likely driven by differences in foraminiferal community composition and structure, with large, deep-infaunal species showing slower reactions to phytodetritus deposition compared to smaller foraminifera, metazoan meiofauna, and macrofauna.
New Labdene Diterpenes from Eupatorium glutinosum

The new diterpene glucoside 3,15-dihydroxy-ent-labd-7-en-17-oic acid 3-O-β-d-glucoside (1) and its aglycone (2) have been isolated from Eupatorium glutinosum. The structures were determined by IR, one- and two-dimensional NMR, high-resolution mass spectrometry, chemical transformations, and comparison of spectroscopic data with closely related diterpenes. Crude extracts showed antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities, but compounds 1 and 2 showed only antimicrobial activity. These results support the vernacular medicinal use of the plant as an antimicrobial.
Effects of alkali treatment on the in‐vitro digestibility of proteins and the release of amino acids

Three protein sources, casein, soya bean and rapeseed concentrates, were subjected to alkali treatment (0.2 M, 60° C) for 2 or 6 h. The impact of these treatments on protein digestibility and on release of amino acids, especially lysinoalanine, was evaluated by an in-vitro enzymic digestion method with simultaneous dialysis of digestion products. The impairment of digestibility was higher for casein and soya bean concentrate than for rapeseed concentrate. Whatever the amount of lysinoalanine produced in each protein, it was poorly released by proteolytic enzymes. The rate of release of other amino acids was reduced by the treatments, but to different levels for each protein. Arginine and lysine were particularly affected. As can be inferred from the release of the target amino acids, the hydrolytic capacity of chymotrypsin was not specifically impaired, in contrast to that of trypsin for casein and of elastase for all protein sources. This technique was useful to evaluate quickly the effects of processing on the digestibility of proteins.
Obtention of tomato seedlings (Solanum lycopersicum L.) from seeds imbibited in different concentrations of gibberellic acid (GA3)

La obtencion de plantulas de tomate vigorosas y en menor tiempo para el trasplante se ha convertido en un factor clave a la hora de iniciar la produccion. Con el fin de disminuir el efecto postrasplante e impulsar el desarrollo vegetativo de las plantulas, se sometieron semillas del hibrido larga vida Daniela a imbibicion (6, 12, 18, 24, 30 y 36 horas) en tres concentraciones de acido giberelico (300, 600 y 900 mg L) y se sembraron en bandejas. Se utilizo un diseno completamente aleatorizado, 18 tratamientos mas un testigo con cuatro repeticiones durante cuatro semanas, primera fase. Luego en segunda fase, se trasplantaron cuatro plantas al azar por tratamiento en bolsas de polietileno, y cuatro semanas despues se evaluaron. El tratamiento de 36 horas de imbibicion y 300 mg L de GA3 mostro diferencias estadisticas en la primera fase para el area foliar, masa fresca de hojas, tallo y raices y longitud de raices, y en la segunda fase en la masa seca de hojas, tallo y raiz y en el area foliar. Semillas de tomate embebidas en 300 mg L de GA3 generan plantulas con mayor vigor. Rapid obtention of vigorous tomato seedlings for transplantation has become a key factor in starting tomato production. In order to diminish post-planting effect and enhance seedling vegetative growth, seeds of long life hybrid Daniela were submitted to imbibition (6, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 hours) in three concentrations of gibberellic acid (300, 600 and 900 mg L) and then planted in trays. In the first phase, under a completely randomized design, 18 treatments and a control experiment, all of them replicated four times each, were carried out during four weeks. In the second phase, four plants out of each treatment were randomly chosen and planted in polyethylene bags, and evaluated after four weeks. During the first phase, the 300 mg L and 36 hour imbibition treatment showed significant statistical differences in leaf area, stem, root and leaf fresh mass and root length; during the second phase, the same treatment showed significant differences in root, stem and leaf dry mass, and in leaf area. Tomato seeds imbibited in a 300 mg L solution of GA3 produce more vigorous plants.
The controls of late dicot embryogenesis and early germination

During seed formation, the embryo appears to be germinable as soon as cell division is completed; however, it continues development on the plant. This review describes the stages of development after cell division and provides a summary of important observations and recent use of molecular markers as they apply to the regulation of dicot seed formation. Genetic evidence suggests that abscisic acid may help initiate late embryogenesis, although no evidence firmly establishes that abscisic acid controls any other aspect of late dicot development. Previous studies utilizing cultured embryos have implicated abscisic acid and water potential as endogenous promoters of late embryogenesis and inhibitors of germination. However, these embryo culture experiments have been misinterpreted. The experiments show that both immature and mature embryos respond to environmental water stress by expressing a developmental program that is normally induced in late embryogenesis by abscission of the vascular connection. This postabscission program probably prepares the embryo for its forthcoming desiccation during normal development and is predicted to be important in protecting the embryo from water stress during germination.
Serological Survey of Hantavirus In Rodents From Prairie Dog Ecosystems In Chihuahua, Mexico

Abstract In northwestern Mexico, studies on hantavirus in rodent hosts are scarce. Our objective was to conduct serological tests to detect antibodies against hantavirus in rodents from the Janos–Nuevo Casas Grandes prairie dog complex (JCGC) in northwestern Mexico. In December 2007 and April 2008, we captured 149 rodents and tested for immunoglobulin G antibodies to New World hantaviruses. Three Peromyscus maniculatus from grassland habitats without prairie dog colonies were antibody positive. This is the first record of hantavirus prevalence in wild rodents from JCGC and from the state of Chihuahua. Further molecular analysis is needed to describe which hantavirus is circulating in this area.
Environmental factors inducing macroptery in the psocid Psoquilla marginepunctata

When subjected to high population densities, Psoquilla marginepunctata (Hagen) produced more macropterous females than males. This sex ratio bias was due to the greater sensitivity of female nymphs to crowding. About 50% of the female nymphs, subjected to crowding up to the end of the 4th instar and later, developed into marcropterous adults. In males, macroptery never reached 50% under the conditions studied. If the nymphs were brought under crowding conditions during one of the six instars only, less than 50% macroptery occurred in both sexes.
Effects of annual fertilization and complete competition control on current annual increment, foliar development, and growth efficiency of different aged Pinus taeda stands

The effects that competing vegetation and nitrogen limitation have on the current annual increment (CAI), leaf biomass, and growth efficiency (GE) of different aged loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) stands planted on a Piedmont and lower Coastal Plain location in Georgia, U.S.A. were determined by measuring stands receiving a factorial combination of complete interspecific competition control and annual nitrogen fertilization. At the Piedmont location, CAI increased with age (5, 10, and 12 years) as well as fertilization (7.3-9.2 Mg·ha -1 ) and competition control (6.8-9.6 Mg·ha -1 ). The effects of fertilization on leaf biomass increased with stand age (no difference at age 5 to 1.5 Mg·ha -1 difference at age 12), while the effects of competition control on leaf biomass decreased with stand age (difference of 2.5 Mg·ha -1 at age 5 to difference of 1.6 Mg·ha -1 at age 12). At the Coastal Plain location, fertilization increased CAI from 10.3 to 14.8 Mg·ha -1 . Leaf biomass increased with competition control (4.9-5.5 Mg·ha -1 ) and fertilization (4.4-6.0 Mg·ha -1 ). Leaf biomass increased with stand age for the fertilized stands (5.3-7.0 Mg·ha -1 between age 7 and 13) and decreased with stand age for nonfertilized stands (4.9-4.0 Mg·ha -1 between age 7 and 13). At the Coastal Plain location, fertiliza- tion increased the GE of the age-7 stands from 2.34 to 2.86 but decreased the GE of the age-13 stands from 2.32 to 2.14. In general, GE decreased as mean tree size increased indicating that changes in GE related to treatments may be confounded with changes in tree size. Results of this experiment emphasize the importance of nutrition on stand growth as fertilization increased leaf biomass and may increase stem production per unit of foliage at early stages of development.
Effect of genistein (GNT) soaking on seed germination and growth of pepper

The effects of genistein(GNT) treatment with different concentrations on seed germination and growth of pepper were studied in the paper.The results showed that 10-20 mg/L GNT soaking had obvious promotion on seed germination of pepper as well as the growth and yield of pepper.Determination of antioxidant enzymes showed that GNT treatment improved the activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalase(CAT),peroxidase(POD) and ascorbic peroxidase (APX). Thus,GNT regulation on pepper growth is related with the increased tolerance against stress.
Variables in the Introduction of the Species, Streptocephalus sealii, Spinytail Fairy Shrimp into a Local Seasonal Wetland

Porterfield, J. Variables in the Introduction of the Species, Streptocephalus sealii, Spinytail Fairy Shrimp into a Local Seasonal Wetland (2015) The research question addressed in this capstone is what factors play a role in the introduction of a wingless aquatic invertebrate to a recently restored mitigation wetland. The motivation for this capstone was the discovery of a fairy shrimp, Streptocephalus sealii in a Rosemount, Minnesota wetland in 2012. This organism was previously recorded from two other sites in Minnesota at least 35 miles from this location. Its appearance in a mitigation wetland generated questions as to whether restoration materials brought in the species or the mitigation created the environment in which the organism could thrive. This study investigates both of these ideas as well as a documentation of the mitigation wetlands history.
Exchange-Rate Volatility and Commodity Trade: The Case of the US and Italy

In recent years, numerous empirical studies have estimated the role of exchange-rate uncertainty on different countries industry-level trade flows. These have tended to find mixed results, with the majority of industries registering no impact, and the rest split between positive and negative effects. This study extends the literature to the case of US-Italian trade, for 145 export industries and 125 import industries. Of those industries, most exhibit significant short-run responses to exchange-rate volatility, but fewer register significant long-run effects. US exports of food and imports of raw materials appear to be particularly affected by risk in the long run, while many manufactures are not.
Critérios para o teste de tetrazólio na estimativa do potencial germinativo em macaúba

Abstract – The objective of this study was to establish criteria for the tetrazolium test in embryos of macaw palm ( Acrocomia aculeata ). To develop the evaluation scheme, anatomical analyses were performed, and staining patterns were identified using a 0.5% 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride solution for four hours, and embryo was cultured in vitro. In one experiment, three prior seed-soaking times in water (for 12 and 24 hours, besides a control without seed pre-conditioning), associated with two color temperatures (35 and 40°C) in two seed lots were evaluated. In another experiment, three concentrations of tetrazolium solution (0.5, 0.75 and 1%), associated with two staining times (two and four hours), were tested in three seed lots. In vitro embryo culture was used to compare the results. An evaluation scheme, with ten staining patterns associated with three classes of vigor, was defined, based on the anatomy of the embryo and on the in vitro seedling development. Pre-soaking is not necessary, and staining for four hours in a solution of tetrazolium salt, at 0.5% and 35oC, should be used.Index terms:
Predicting Al, Cu, and Zn concentrations in the fine roots of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) using bulk and rhizosphere soil properties

We compared the predictions of Al, Cu, and Zn concentrations in fine roots of trees using properties of the bulk and rhizosphere soils to find the best approach to assess the ecological risks of metals to trees. Predictions were made from 18 trembling aspens (Populus tremuloides Michx.) equally distributed on six sampling sites using multiple linear regressions with soil Al, Cu, and Zn speciation data and chemical and microbial properties as explanatory variables. Fine root Al, Cu, and Zn concentrations ranged, respectively, from 2137 to 7480, from 7.03 to 206, and from 41.2 to 360 µg·g dry root mass–1. No significant prediction was obtained for Al. The soil total water-soluble Cu and Zn concentrations better predicted the metal concentrations in fine roots than the concentration of labile metal species. The concentrations of reactive Zn, water-soluble organic C, and NH4+ together with microbial biomass of N were the other significant explanatory variables. The best regression models for Cu and Zn were ob.
KSR-1 Binds to G-protein βγ Subunits and Inhibits βγ-induced Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Activation*

The protein kinase KSR-1 is a recently identified participant in the Ras signaling pathway. The subcellular localization of KSR-1 is variable. In serum-deprived cultured cells, KSR-1 is primarily found in the cytoplasm; in serum-stimulated cells, a significant portion of KSR-1 is found at the plasma membrane. To identify the mechanism that mediates KSR-1 translocation, we performed a yeast two-hybrid screen. Three clones that interacted with KSR-1 were found to encode the full-length γ10 subunit of heterotrimeric G-proteins. KSR-1 also interacted with γ2and γ3 in a two-hybrid assay. Deletion analysis demonstrated that the isolated CA3 domain of KSR-1, which contains a cysteine-rich zinc finger-like domain, interacted with γ subunits. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated that KSR-1 bound to β1γ3 subunits when all three were transfected into cultured cells. Lysophosphatidic acid treatment of cells induced KSR-1 translocation to the plasma membrane from the cytoplasm that was blocked by administration of pertussis toxin but not by dominant-negative Ras. Finally, transfection of wild-type KSR-1 inhibited β1γ3-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in cultured cells. These results demonstrate that KSR-1 translocation to the plasma membrane is mediated, at least in part, by an interaction with βγ and that this interaction may modulate mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling.