Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Desiccation-Tolerance in Lichens: A Review

Abstract Desiccation-tolerance, the ability to revive from the air-dried state, is found in prokaryotes, algae and bryophytes, and occasionally in pteridophytes, but is very rare in the vegetative tissues of angiosperms or in animal tissues. However, the vast majority of lichens are desiccation-tolerant. Under natural conditions, the life of most lichens is characterized by rapidly changing water contents, and correspondingly rapidly changing physiological activity such as respiration and photosynthesis. Taken to the extreme, some lichens can revive after being desiccated under controlled laboratory conditions for many months. As a result of their desiccation-tolerance, lichens are extremophiles and can live in places no higher plant can. They may be the predominant life-form in ecosystems characterized by severe environmental stresses such as Arctic, Antarctic and alpine regions, as well as deserts. This review critically assesses our current knowledge about desiccation-tolerance in lichens, concentrating on mechanisms that protect from desiccation-induced damage. Evidence available from other desiccation-tolerant life-forms suggests that desiccation-tolerance is a multifaceted trait involving a suite of interacting mechanisms. The majority of recent studies on mechanisms of lichen desiccation-tolerance have focused on the scavenging of reactive oxygen species, which therefore forms a major part of this review. It is argued that effective control of reactive oxygen species and mutual up-regulation of protective mechanisms was critically important for the evolution of lichens, facilitating the transition from free-living fungi and green algae or cyanobacteria to the lichenized state. Recently developed tools of molecular biology, particularly from the -omics disciplines, have only just started to be applied to lichens. There remain many unsolved questions as to how lichens survive desiccation and the authors hope to encourage more scientists to investigate this intriguing phenomenon.
Mitochondrial gene rearrangements as phylogenetic characters in the invertebrates: the examination of genome 'morphology'

Mitochondrial gene rearrangements are the latest tool in the arsenal of phylogeneticists for investigating historical relationships. They are complex molecular characters that may provide more reliable evidence of ancestry than comparative molecular data. Here we review the phylogenetic utility of mitochondrial gene rearrangements, and find that despite isolated incidences of convergence, derived gene order appears highly congruent with phylogenies produced from other sources of data. We calculate that the chance of two mitochondrial genomes sharing the same derived genome organisation is only 1/2664, but caution that this ignores the possibility that the (as yet uncharacterised) gene rearrangement mechanism may greatly increase the chance of convergence. Broader taxonomic surveys of mitochondrial genome organisation will lead to a more realistic indication of the historical incidence of convergence in genome organisation.
Interactions between the endocrine system and the gastrointestinal tract

It is well-known that the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is not a mere site for the absorption of nutrients. Several peptides are synthesized and released from neurons and endocrine cells from the stomach and intestines, which makes the gut the largest endocrine organ in the body (1). These substances interact with different systems, and regulate a variety of processes, such as food intake, energy metabolism, and endocrine balance. The relationship between the GIT and the endocrine system is multidirectional, and hormones released by traditional endocrine organs can also regulate GIT function.
Taxonomical, phytogeographical and ecological analysis of the salt marsh flora of Central and Southern Serbia

The floristic studies of salt marshes of Central and Southern Serbia in period 2000-2014 have shown presence of 333 taxa within 176 genera and 46 families. The phytogeographical structure is dominated by taxa with wide distribution (291 or 87.39%). The best represented chorological types are: Eurasian, Holarctic, Mediterranean-submediterranean and cosmopolitan. The analysis of representation of life forms has shown that salt marsh flora in this part of Serbia has therophytic character, with a significant participation of hemicryptophytes. Presence of a high number of threatened taxa, including some listed in “Red Book of Flora of Serbia, 1” as critically endangered (Cr) plant taxa, indicates pronounced importance of these habitats for biodiversity conservation.
Les facteurs de virulence des alphaherpèsvirus

Membres de la famille des herpesvirus, les alphaherpesvirus sont des agents infectieux responsables d‘une large panoplie de pathologies chez l‘homme et chez les animaux. Les facteurs de virulence designent les fonctions qui permettent a ces virus de causer une maladie. Ils repondent a la version moleculaire des postulats de Koch. Les fonctions virales qui permettent la multiplication virale au site d‘entree sont decrites dans la premiere partie de cette revue. Le deuxieme chapitre se focalise sur la neurovirulence, propriete essentielle de la pathogenie des infections a alphaherpesvirus. La relation qui s‘est etablie entre ces virus et leurs hotes immunocompetents est responsable de l‘acquisition par les premiers de strategies d‘echappement aux constituants de la reponse immune des seconds. Dans la description des differentes tactiques d‘echappement au systeme immunitaire, un accent particulier est mis sur le mecanisme de la «latence‐reactivation » qui permet aux alphaherpesvirus de persister a vie chez leurs hotes tout en se disseminant de maniere periodique. Malgre la diversite des agents infectieux envisages et des pathologies qu‘ils entrainent, l‘etude des bases moleculaires de la virulence des alphaherpesvirus constitue la cle de voute de la comprehension de la pathogenie de ces infections. Elle doit ouvrir la voie a la mise au point de traitements cibles ainsi qu‘a la conception de nouveaux vaccins plus surs et plus efficaces.
Beyond the compensatory continuum: environmental resource levels and plant tolerance of herbivory

The impact that herbivore damage has on plant fitness depends on the environmental conditions in which the plant is growing. It has long been assumed that a plant's tolerance of herbivory should be greater in low-stress, resource-rich environments, and this assumption has been formalized in what has become known as the compensatory continuum hypothesis (CCH). Despite the widespread acceptance of the CCH, recently accumulating results from numerous studies relating resource levels to tolerance of herbivory show that the relationship is not as simple as this hypothesis predicts. In fact, plants have often been found to be less tolerant of a given amount of herbivory in resource-rich environments than they are of the same amount of herbivory in resource-poor environments. In this article, we present a new model, the limiting resource model (LRM), that can more reliably explain the range of observed effects of resource levels on tolerance. The main advance of this model is that it specifically considers which factors are limiting plant fitness and which resources are affected by particular herbivores. The LRM is presented in a general and flexible form as a flowchart with seven pathways to three potential outcomes: greater tolerance, equal tolerance, or lower tolerance in low- vs high-resource environments. We then review a specific example to illustrate each of these seven pathways with a study from the published literature. We finish with a description of four general criteria to direct the design of future studies to test the predictions of the LRM.
The microbial basis of the accelerated degradation of atrazine

Accelerated degradation (AD) is the increased breakdown of a pesticide (or homolog) upon its repeated application and has consequences for environmental contamination and pest control. However the depth of microbial analysis into the phenomenon has been limited. Atrazine was selected as a model pesticide as its microbial degradation pathway is well characterised, enabling the microbial capacity for the degradation of atrazine to be traced. Initially a lab study showed that two applications of atrazine, at agriculturally relevant concentrations, to soils naive to s-triazines were sufficient to induce its rapid dissipation. The emergence of AD was affiliated with the detection of the atrazine degrading genes. Six other soils with various physio-chemical properties exhibited a similar pattern of AD with average DT50 values of 28.4 days after the first application of atrazine and 1.9 days after the second. The repertoire of atrazine degrading genes varied between the soils exhibiting AD, although the gene sequences were identical. All six soils that exhibited AD contained at least one atrazine degrading gene. Upon neutralisation of a soil that did not exhibit AD, AD was restored and the atrazine degrading genes became detectable. In addition there was shown to be an effect of soil pH on the sorption of atrazine. To extend the relevance of this study beyond AD the effects of standard methodologies applied in chemical risk assessments on bacterial communities were examined and shown to reduce diversity and cause a shift in community structure. In addition the effect of rarefaction on interpreting microbial community analyses was examined. Overall the AD of atrazine was shown to be affiliated with detection of the atrazine degrading genes which may have been carried by the small portion of taxa associated with atrazine treatment. Therefore future work would focus on functional analyses to link atrazine degradation to specific taxa. In addition OECD guidelines need to consider the effects of the conditions imposed on the microbial community, while rarefaction is recommended for microbial ecology studies in line with other investigations.
Qualidade da maçã "Gala" armazenada em atmosfera controlada associada à absorção e ao controle da síntese e da ação do etileno

This research aimed to evaluate the effect of inhibition the ethylene biosynthesis at the pre-harvest stage, the ethylene action and the absorption from the controlled atmosphere storage room on the quality of 'Gala' apples. The experimental design was entirely randomized, with four replicates and the experimental unit composed by 25 fruits. The treatments were: (1) CA storage only (control); (2) pre-harvest application of AVG; (3) AVG + postharvest treatment with 1-MCP; (4) 1-MCP; (5) AVG + ethylene absorption during the storage period; and (6) ethylene absorption. Fruit quality was evaluated after 8 months of storage (CA; 1.2 kPa O2 + 2.5 kPa CO2 at 0°C) and after 7 days at 20°C. AVG-treated fruits showed lower ACC oxidase activity. AVG + 1-MCP and AVG + ethylene absorption decreased the ethylene production until 5 days of shelf-life and maintained higher flesh firmness. AVG-treated fruits had greener skin color, independently of the postharvest handling, showing that the change in the skin background colour is highly related to the pre-harvest ethylene production. The conclusion of this research is that the pre-harvest treatment of fruits with AVG associated with the absorption of ethylene during the storage is more efficient for controlling the ripening process in 'Gala' apples, nevertheless the application of AVG associated with postharvest application of 1-MCP is also efficient.
Female remating in butterflies: interaction between female genotype and nonfertile sperm

Female mating rate is fundamental to evolutionary biology as it determines the pattern of sexual selection and sexual conflict. Despite its importance, the genetic basis for female remating rate is largely unknown and has only been demonstrated in one species. In paternally investing species there is often a conflict between the sexes over female mating rate, as females remate to obtain male nutrient donations and males try to prevent female remating to ensure high fertilization success. Butterflies produce two types of sperm: fertilizing, eupyrene sperm, and large numbers of nonfertile, apyrene sperm. The function of apyrene sperm in the polyandrous, paternally investing green‐veined white butterfly, Pieris napi, is to fill the female’s sperm storage organ thereby reducing her receptivity. However, there is large variation in number of apyrene sperm stored. Here, I examine the genetic basis to this variation, and if variation in number of apyrene sperm stored is related to females’ remating rate. The number of apyrene sperm stored at the time of remating has a genetic component and is correlated with female remating tendency, whereas no such relationship is found for fertilizing sperm. The duration of the nonreceptivity period in P. napi also has a genetic component and is inversely related to the degree of polyandry. Sexual conflict over female remating rate appears to be present in this species, with males using their apyrene sperm to exploit a female system designed to monitor sperm in storage. Ejaculates with a high proportion of nonfertile sperm may have evolved to induce females to store more of these sperm, thereby reducing remating. As a counter‐adaptation, females have evolved a better detection system to regain control over their remating rate. Sexually antagonistic co‐evolution of apyrene sperm number and female sperm storage may be responsible for ejaculates with predominantly nonfertile sperm in this butterfly.
Courtship and Female Competition in the Majorcan Midwife Toad, Alytes muletensis

The courtship and mating behaviour of A. muletensis are described based on observations of captive toads. Courtship is prolonged and complex, with both sexes participating actively. Either sex can escape from amplexus and may do so if the partner fails to respond appropriately to courtship manoeuvres. Females control the pace and duration of courtship. Females unable to obtain a mate drop their eggs unfertilized. Both sexes produce courtship vocalizations and either sex may initiate courtship, although females were observed to do so only when they were in danger of dropping their eggs. Physical competition in the form of interference and grappling may occur between either males or females, but was observed more frequently between females. The active role played by females during courtship in this species is discussed with regard to sex-role reversal theory and opportunities for mate choice.
Production of Xylose from Sorghum Straw Using Hydrochloric Acid

Abstract Xylose is a hemicellulosic sugar mainly used for its bioconversion to xylitol. Sorghum straw is a raw material for xylose production that has been studied scarcely. The objective of this work was to study the xylose production by hydrolysis of sorghum straw with hydrochloric acid at 122 °C. Several concentrations of HCl (2–6%) and reaction time (0–300 min) were evaluated. Kinetic parameters of mathematical models for predicting the concentration of xylose, glucose, acetic acid and furfural in the hydrolysates were found. Optimal conditions for hydrolysis were 6% HCl at 122 °C for 70 min, which yielded a solution with 16·2 g xylose/L, 3·8 g glucose/L, 2·0 g furfural/L and 1·9 g acetic acid/L.
Long-term variability in the diversity of North Sea zooplankton

Results from the Continuous Plankton Recorder survey were used to study long-term changes in the zooplankton of four regularly sampled areas of the North Sea. The trends in α-diversity are described and analysed. Species associated with inflow of oceanic or mixed waters from the Atlantic or shelf to the west and south of Britain have increased in abundance or frequency of occurrence. Meroplankton have also increased but resident holoplankton and those associated with colder oceanic or mixed waters have declined. These changes have resulted in an increase in the species richness in the areas in the north-western North Sea. There was a period of low diversity in the late 1970s and early 1980s in the most southerly area, furthest from the sources of inflow. The evidence for a long-term trend was stronger than relationships between diversity and either the North Atlantic Oscillation or variation in position of the Gulf Stream in the western Atlantic.
Effects of nutrient loading, temperature regime and grazing pressure on nutrient limitation of periphyton in experimental ponds

SUMMARY 1. We studied nutrient limitation of periphytic algae (henceforth periphyton) in 24 mesocosms simulating shallow lakes with two nutrient levels, enriched (with added nitrogen, N, and phosphorus, P) and unenriched (control), and three temperature scenarios, ambient, A2 from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and A2 + 50%. Periphyton growth (measured as chlorophyll a) was investigated four times in situ using nutrient-diffusing substrata. The effect of grazing was also manipulated using exclusion cages. 2. We found that periphyton responded differently to nutrient addition bioassays (N and P) depending on the background nutrient concentration and warming scenario. Our results indicate that singlenutrient limitation prevailed for periphyton in our experimental temperate shallow lakes. The responses were season sensitive. 3. Periphyton in the unenriched mesocosms were P-limited in early summer in the ambient and A2 scenarios, N-limited in late summer in these two climate scenarios, not nutrient-limited in autumn and P-limited in spring in all climate scenarios. Periphyton in the A2 + 50% scenario showed a positive response to N and P added together in early summer. 4. In contrast, periphyton in the enriched mesocosms showed no clear nutrient limitation, except for short-term periods of P limitation in the warmer systems. Grazers did not affect the quantitative response of periphyton to nutrient addition, and the concentrations of P and N as well as mean monthly temperature were the main environmental factors driving P or N limitation. 5. We conclude that warming in low-productivity lakes affects the seasonality of N limitation and changes the single-nutrient limitation of periphyton into NP co-limitation. This last observation suggests that warming reduces the sensitivity of temperate shallow lakes to bottom-up perturbations.
Treatments for mitochondrial dysfunction associated with autism spectrum disorders

Abstract Mitochondrial disease (MD) and dysfunction are associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and most likely affect a substantial number of children with ASD. The mitochondrion is the powerhouse of the body's cells which supports and is supported by many metabolic systems, so mitochondrial dysfunction can have widespread consequences on cellular metabolism, especially in high energy cells like the brain, gastrointestinal tract and immune system, and especially during critical periods of high energy demand like childhood. This article reviews the treatments for MD as applied to children with ASD. We discuss supportive measures which aim at preventing further damage from occurring due to malfunctioning mitochondria, treatment with high dose vitamins that can support metabolism in light of dysfunctional mitochondria, dietary changes that can be useful in mitochondrial disease, and secondary organ systems to investigate due to mitochondrial dysfunction. We also discuss several treatments that have been reported to be of benefit in children with ASD which are also treatments that are standard of care for MD. This review provides a guide for appropriate treatments for children with ASD/MD and children with ASD that have mitochondrial dysfunction.
Discrimination of Ambrosia artemisiifolia and Artemisia vulgaris by hyperspectral image analysis during the growing season

Summary Ambrosia artemisiifolia (ragweed) is an invasive plant in Europe. An optical detection system for effective monitoring requires differences in the spectral reflectance properties compared with other plant species. A. artemisiifolia often occurs together with Artemisia vulgaris (mugwort). Both plant species are of the Asteraceae family and they are almost indistinguishable in appearance. With the help of hyperspectral image analysis, a method was developed to determine characteristic wavelengths for their classification. High-resolution hyperspectral images (400–1000 nm) were generated indoors. The factors measured were two weed species, two tissue classes (leaf and stem) and three growth stages (rosette growth, inflorescence emergence and fruit development). Only the stems of A. artemisiifolia in the fruit development stage showed different reflectance behaviour compared with its leaves and with the stems and leaves of A. vulgaris. At wavelengths ranging from 550 to 650 nm, the reflectance increased, and then at wavelengths up to 680 nm, the reflectance decreased. The other tissue classes showed constantly decreasing spectral reflectance from 550 to 680 nm. In the two other early growth stages, the reflectance of all four tissue classes decreased similarly. Thus, using two wavelengths of 550 and 650 nm, classification between A. artemisiifolia and A. vulgaris at fruit development was achieved. The findings could be a first step to develop an optical outdoor detection system to identify hot spots of A. artemisiifolia.
NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION AND ANTINUTRITIONAL FACTORS OF LITTLE-KNOWN SPECIES OF VIGNA

The seeds of Vigna trilobata, V. radiata var . sublobata, V. umbellata, V. unguiculata subsp. cylindrica, V. aconitifolia, V. vexillata and V. bourneae were collected from different geographical regions in Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu. They were analyzed for their proximate and mineral composition, vitamins (niacin and ascorbic acids), fatty acid profiles, amino acid profiles of total seed proteins, in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) and certain antinutritional factors. The crude protein ranged from 18.24 to 26.12%, crude lipid 3.18 to 6.48%, total dietary fibre 3.42 to 7.48%, ash 3.10 to 4.12% and carbohydrates 59.44 to 72.06%. Energy values of the seeds were 1584.87 – 1644.34 kJ100g -1 DM, which were comparable to those of other legumes. The fatty acid profiles of all the species of Vigna revealed that the seed lipids contained higher concentrations of palmitic, oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids. The essential amino acid profiles of total seed proteins compared favourably with FAO/WHO (1991) requirements, except that there were deficiencies of sulphur containing amino acids in all the species of Vigna . The IVPD of the different Vigna species ranged from 70.38 to 79.12%. Antinutritional substances like total free phenolics, tannins, L-DOPA (3, 4-dihydroxyphenylalanine), phytic acid, hydrogen cynide, trypsin inhibitor activity, oligosaccharides and phytohaemagglutinating activity were also investigated. The antinutritional factors that were detected were thought to have little nutritional significance if the beans are properly processed.