Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Seasonality of fibrolytic enzyme activity in herbivore microbial ecosystems

Fibre (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) is the most abundant polysaccharide in nature and is hydrolysed by gut micro-organisms of herbivores because they can produce a set of extracellular enzymes. This study examined seasonal changes in the fibrolytic enzyme activity of microbial ecosystems of five herbivores (buffalo, cow, impala, wildebeest and zebra). Crude protein extracts obtained from the aforestated ecosystems were assayed for exocellulase, endocellulase, cellobiase and xylanase by incubating with crystalline cellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, p-nitrophenyl s-1, 4-D-gulcopyranoside and xylan at optimum pH (5.5 to 6.5) for 1, 2, and 48 h, respectively. The specific activities (μg reducing sugar/mg crude protein) of all enzymes varied (p<0.001) among ecosystems and between seasons. Generally, the exocellulase specific activities in all ecosystems increased from summer to winter whilst the specific activities of endocellulase and xylanase decreased. The cellobiase activity decreased for buffalo and impala but increased for the others. It is only the zebra that showed the most superiority to the cow for all enzyme systems. These results suggest that in vitro digestion of fibre would depend on the season the ecosystem is collected and the source of the ecosystem. Microbial ecosystem from the zebra is one with the highest activity that could benefit the ruminant production system. Keywords: Seasonality, herbivores, microbial ecosystems, enzymes
Age and growth, feeding habits, and reproduction of cauque mauleanum Steindachner 1896) (Pisces: Atherinidae) in Southern Chile

Cauque mauleanum from two preandean lakes, a lowland river, and its estuary were studied during one year. The growth period lasts from Oct./Nov. to Febr. /March and fishes reach up to ten years of age. In the lakes, both juveniles and adults feed mainly on plankton while in the estuary benthic prey predominates in the diet. There are at least two independent stocks in this area, a stationary one which reproduces in the lakes and a riverine stock which is assumed to migrate downstream to spawn in the estuary.
Beyond Smoke and Mirrors: a Synthesis of Fire Policy and Science

Abstract: Fire performs many beneficial ecosystem functions in dry forests and rangelands across much of North America. In the last century, however, the role of fire has been dramatically altered by numerous anthropogenic factors acting as root causes of the current fire crisis, including widespread logging, road building, fire suppression, habitat fragmentation, urban development, livestock grazing, and, more recently, climate change. The intensity and extent of fires in the western United States, specifically, have dramatically increased over the past several decades. Such shifts in fire behavior have triggered sweeping policy changes that were intended to prevent or contain fires but that pose significant risks to the integrity of ecosystems and the role fire historically played in shaping them. Here, we provide a social and ecological context for summarizing this special issue on fires, including general guidelines and principles for managers concerned about balancing the risks of inaction against the risks of action over extensive areas. Fundamental to our understanding of fire is the notion that it is extremely variable, has multiple causes, and requires ecological solutions that are sensitive to spatial scale and context. Therefore, forest managers must recognize that different forest types have different fire regimes and require fundamentally different fire‐ management policies. Furthermore, to restore or maintain ecological integrity, including the role of fire, treatments need to be tailored to site‐specific conditions with an adaptive approach. We provide a conceptual framework for prioritizing fuel treatments and restoration activities in the wildlands‐urban intermix versus those in wildland areas farther from human settlement. In general, the science of conservation biology has much to offer in helping to shape wildfire policy direction; however, conservation biologists must become more engaged to better ensure that policy decisions are based on sound science and that ecological risks are incorporated.
Superoxide dismutase in symbiotic, free-living and wild Anabaena and Nostoc (Nostocales, Cyanophyta)

Abstract Symbionts and isolates of Anabaena azollae Strasburger (Cyanophyta) from various Azalia species, an Arthrobacter globiformis Conn et Dimmick isolate, Azolla filiculoides Lamarck plants (Pteridophyta), isolates of Nostoc species from cycad coralloids, and free-living Anabaena and Nostoc from the wild were tested for the presence of iron, manganese and iron-manganese superoxide dismutase. The three isoenzymes were found in symbionts and isolates of Anabaena and Nostoc, and in free-living Nostoc species from the wild. Only iron superoxide dismutase was found in Azolla filiculoides, in Arthrobacter globiformis and in free-living Anabaena from the wild. The presence of similar superoxide dismutase isoenzymes in Anabaena azollae and Nostoc isolates suggests the possibility that the Azalia phycobiont may be a species of Nostoc rather than a species of Anabaena.
Binding of α2-macroglobulin to GRAB (Protein G-related α2-macroglobulin-binding protein), an important virulence factor of group A streptococci, is mediated by two charged motifs in the ΔA region

GRAB (Protein G-related α2M-binding protein) is a surface protein of group A streptococci and exhibits high affinity for α2-macroglobulin (α2M), a broad-range protease inhibitor. It is the sole α2M-binding protein of group A streptococci that has been shown to promote bacterial virulence in a mouse model of skin infection. The binding site for α2M was predicted to be in the N-terminal A domain of GRAB. In the present study, the α2M-binding domain was first narrowed down to 34 amino acids (amino acids 34–67) using variable truncated N-terminal GRAB fusion proteins. The sequence of the identified domain was used to design overlapping synthetic peptides of different sizes, which were then immobilized on a membrane and assayed for their α2M-binding activity. The peptide screening revealed two binding motifs of ten amino acids length, located in the ΔA (N-terminal part of the A domain) region (amino acids 34–67) with the sequences PRIIPNGGTL (amino acids 41–50) and NAPEKLALRN (amino acids 56–65) respectively. These motifs were used for systematic mutational analysis by generating synthetic peptides containing individual amino acid substitutions at every position of the mapped binding regions. The results indicated a critical role for the arginine residue at position 42 in the first binding domain and at position 64 in the second binding region. Validation of arginine residues as the critical amino acids for α2M binding was achieved by site-directed mutagenesis and binding assays. Competitive inhibition assays with GRAB containing amino acid substitutions R42G (Arg42→Gly), R64G and R42G/R64G indicated differential contribution of the arginine residues at positions 42 and 64 to α2M-binding activity and, thus, their involvement in GRAB-induced virulence.
Comparative Review of the Regional Marine Mammal Mitigation Guidelines Implemented During Industrial Seismic Surveys, and Guidance Towards a Worldwide Standard

Marine mammals rely on sound for all of the fundamental biological and ecological aspects of their lives including navigation, prey location and capture, predator avoidance, and communication (including during migration and reproduction). There is increasing concern regarding the potential effects of the airgun sound produced during geophysical seismic surveys on marine mammals. Airgun arrays typically produce high amplitude sound with source levels in the region of 220–248 dB re. 1 μPa @ 1 m. The acoustic output has highest energy at relatively low frequencies of 10–200 Hz, which overlaps extensively with the low frequency sound produced by baleen whales in the 12–500 Hz bandwidth. Airgun arrays may alsoproduce significant high
Pharmacogenomics of Cytochrome P450 Enzymes in Tumours

The field of pharmacogenomics is continuously progressing with the development and availability of molecular biotechnologies such as protein and DNA chips. These applications are pushing forward the frontiers towards individualised medicines and advanced predictions of an individual’s predisposition to diseases such as asthma, cardiovascular disease and cancer. The cytochrome P450s are an essential group of enzymes involved in metabolism of many currently administered drugs as well as foreign compounds and endogenous substrates. Inter-individual variation in response to cancer chemotherapy is often attributed to genetic alterations in this particular group of drug metabolising enzymes. Such alterations can impact on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of anti-cancer drugs, especially those drugs with a narrow therapeutic index. The identification of variations is therefore, key in the areas of drug selection and dosage. Polymorphisms have been identified in many P450s including the CYP2C and CYP3A families, as well as CYP2D6 and CYP1B1. Polymorphisms in CYP2C and CYP3A family members have demonstrated altered cytotoxic drug potential while polymorphisms in CYP1B1 are considered potentially important in the etiology of a range of human cancers. However, the functional significance of P450 variants in tumours is largely unknown. Importantly, the identification of differential cytochrome P450 expression between tumour and corresponding normal tissue are key to the development of novel drugs and therapeutic strategies that can utilise the overexpression of these enzymes to their benefit. It is for these reasons that variants in the cytochrome P450 multigene family have become the focus of current research in
Effect of light condition on the insecticidal activity of BT (Bacillus thuringiensis) formulations to the silkworm, Bombyx mori (L.)

The insecticidal activity of BT (Bacillus thuringiensis) formulations to the silkworm, Bombyx mori, reared under dark conditions was reduced significantly when the insects were reared under two different light conditions (80–120 and 1,500–2,000 lx: 16L–8D). The neonates reared with no illumination showed significantly lower sensitivity (20.7% mortality) than insects reared under the two illuminated conditions (50.3 and 52.1% mortality, respectively) ( p 0.05). The LC50 of BT to insects reared under dark conditions (3.77 mg/g diet) was lower than for insects reared under the two light conditions (2.57 and 2.45 mg/g diet, respectively). These results strongly suggest that a protocol for rearing insects under dark will conditions reduce the insecticidal activity of BT formulations, and it is not appropriate to evaluate natural sensitivity to BT formulation of insects reared under dark conditions.
Reduced plant–soil feedback of plant species expanding their range as compared to natives

1 As a result of global warming, species may spread into previously cool regions. Species that disperse faster than their natural enemies may become released from top‐down control. We investigated whether plants originating from southern Europe and recently established in north‐western Europe experience less soil pathogen effects than native species. 2 We selected three plant species originating from southern Europe that have immigrated into the Netherlands and three similar native Dutch species. All six plant species were grown in sterilized soils with a soil inoculum collected from the rhizospheres of field populations. As a control we grew a series of all six plant species with a sterilized rhizosphere inoculum. 3 We harvested the plants, added the conditioned soil to sterilized soil and grew a second generation of all six plant species in order to test for each plant pair feedback effects from the conditioned soil communities to conspecifics and heterospecifics. 4 The effect of the soil community is dependent on plant species, and is dependent on soil fertility in only one of the three pairs. 5 Soil conditioning caused less biomass reduction to exotic plant species than to native species, suggesting that exotic immigrants are less exposed to soil pathogens than similar native plant species. 6 Our results suggest that plant species that expand their range as a result of climate change may become released from soil pathogenic activity. Whether the exotics are released from soil pathogens, or whether they experience enhanced benefit from mutualistic symbionts remains to be studied. We conclude that range expansion may result in enemy release patterns that are similar to artificially introduced invasive exotic plant species. 7 The escape from enemies through range shifts changes key biotic interactions and complicates predictions of future distribution and dominance.
The importance of phyllosphere microbial populations in nitrogen cycling in the Chaco semi-arid woodland

In tropical rain forest, the interface between leaf surfaces and the atmosphere is a fundamental pathway for nutrient cycling (particulary nitrogen), possibly even more important than the soil–plant interface (Parker 1994, Silver et al. 1996). Most important nutrient exchanges in the phyllosphere–atmosphere interface are mediated by microbial populations. For example, some authors have considered that nitrogen fixation in the phyllosphere is the main mechanism for nitrogen gain in humid tropical ecosystems, because of the substantial nutrient demand resulting from a high plant productivity and the constraint imposed by the generally low nitrogen availability in soil (Ruinen 1974, Salati et al. 1982, Silver et al. 1996).
이팝나무 잎으로부터 항산화 및 항갈변물질의 분리

본 연구는 이팝나무 잎의 용매분획물을 이용하여 DPPH 소거 작용, 환원력과 같은 항산화 활성과 tyrosinase 저해 활성을 실험한 결과 에틸 아세테이트 분획물에서 높은 항산화 및 tyrosinase 저해 활성을 나타내었다. 따라서 silica gel column chromatography와 MPLC를 이용하여 그 활성물질을 분리하였으며, 분리한 화합물은 ¹H, ¹³C-NMR 및 2DNMR을 이용하여 luteolin-4'-O-glucoside로 구조동정을 하였다. 분리한 luteolin-4'-O-glucoside와 기존 항산화제와의 비교실험에서 DPPH 라디칼 소거 활성과 환원력은 시료의 농도가 증가함에 따라 활성이 증가하였다. 순수하게 분리한 luteolin-4'-O-glucoside를 이용하여 tyrosinase 저해 활성도 농도 의존적이었으며, IC50 값은 23.2 ㎍/mL로 나타났다. 그러므로 luteolin-4'-O-glucoside는 식품첨가물로 항산화제로서의 활용도 및 미백효과를 지니는 기능성 화장품원료로서 이용가치가 높을 것으로 생각된다.
Comparison of Six Media for the Cultivation of Flexibacter columnaris

Six media commonly used for cultivation of Flexibacter columnaris were divided into two categories based on the presence or absence of certain salts. Growth was limited in Cytophaga, tryptone yeast extract or tryptone yeast infusion medium, none of which contain salts. Growth responses in Chase, Shieh and Liewes media containing salts provided improved cell yields and the Shieh and Liewes preparations were best. Comparisons of generation time were made between cells grown in Shieh and Liewes media. The generation time of F. columnaris, strain 238 grown in the Shieh broth was 147 min compared to 206 min in the Liewes broth. Glucose, pyruvate and citrate were not required for the cultivation of F. columnaris.
Behaviour, production and health of organically reared fast-growing broilers fed low crude protein diets including different amino acid contents at start

Abstract Only fast-growing broilers are available for organic production in Sweden, and due to organic legislations and long rearing periods feed restriction has to be practised. To evaluate the effect on welfare aspects and health, two diets, low in crude protein content, with (LPA) and without amino acid supplements (LP) were fed to 1400 Ross 308 chickens, divided over eight pens in two chicken houses, with access to outdoor pasture. Behavioural observations were conducted at 2, 6 and 10 weeks. In general, birds fed the LP diet used their outdoor pasture more, and showed a higher frequency of behaviours related to feed search, than the LPA birds. The LPA diet resulted in higher live weight, mortality and more leg problems. However, cannibalism outbreaks which are rarely seen in broiler production occurred in the LP birds. This indicates that new problems were introduced that are not beneficial for animal welfare. Furthermore, the behaviour differences related to feed search, changes between behaviours and preening might have indicated a frustration related to the qualitative feed restriction for the chickens given the LP diet.
Changes in physiological and morphological traits of roots and shoots of wheat in response to different depths of waterlogging

The growth reduction of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) during and after waterlogging stress depends on the depth of water from the soil surface. In a pot experiment with 3-week-old plants, soil was waterlogged for 14 d at the surface, or at 100 or 200 mm below the surface, and pots were then drained to assess recovery. A fully drained treatment kept at field capacity served as control. During waterlogging, the relative growth rate of roots decreased more than that of shoots (by 6-27% for shoots, by 15-74% for roots), and plant growth was reduced proportionally as the water level was increased. Light-saturated net photosynthesis was reduced by 70-80% for the two most severe waterlogging treatments, but was little affected for plants in soil waterlogged at 200 mm below the surface. The number of adventitious roots formed per stem in plants grown in waterlogged soil increased up to 1.5 times, but the number of tillers per plant was reduced by 24-62%. The adventitious roots only penetrated 85-116 mm below the water level in all waterlogging treatments. Adventitious root porosity was enhanced up to 10-fold for plants grown in waterlogged soil, depending on water level and position along the roots. Porosity also increased in basal zones of roots above the water level when the younger tissues had penetrated the waterlogged zone. Fourteen days after draining the pots, growth rates of plants where the soil had been waterlogged at 200 mm below the surface had recovered, while those of plants in the more severely waterlogged treatments had only partially recovered. These findings show that the depth of waterlogging has a large impact on the response of wheat both during and after a waterlogging event so that assessment of recovery is essential in evaluating waterlogging tolerance in crops.
Is the Asian house gecko, Hemidactylus frenatus, really a threat to Australia’s biodiversity?

Abstract. Invasive animals can have a wide range of impacts in natural systems. The introduced Asian house gecko Hemidactylus frenatus has invaded widely in Australia, but is largely restricted to human-altered landscapes. Hoskin (2011) has argued that H. frenatus has the potential to negatively impact Australian ecosystems by invading natural habitats. We examine this contention by reviewing an extensive standardised fauna survey dataset collected in northern and central Queensland during the key period of H. frenatus expansion from the 1990s to 2012. In light of these data we also re-examine data from other areas that suggest H. frenatus is a benign threat and is unlikely to become an environmental pest within Australia. On current evidence, we conclude that H. frenatus is unlikely to spread much beyond areas of human influence.
Diversity and distribution of marine Gastrotricha along the northern beaches of the state of São Paulo (Brazil), with description of a new species of Macrodasys (Macrodasyida, Macrodasyidae)

Forty-three putative species were found in this first-ever survey of the marine gastrotrich fauna of Brazil. Samples from 23 locations and 37 sites along the northern coasts of the state of São Paulo yielded 21 species of Macrodasyida (12 genera and five families) and 22 species of Chaetonotida (seven genera and two families). Based on morphology, 26 species appear to be taxa not previously described and thus far endemic to Brazil, 13 are known species, while one in each of the genera Diplodasys, Paradasys and Tetranchyroderma remains undetermined. The overall high diversity contrasts with the generally low number of species from single locations, averaging 4.3 (SD 3.5) spp. per location; very few species were found in sites characterized by very fine sand sediment loaded with detritus and by high water turbidity (e.g. 1 sp. in praia da Fazenda), whereas a well-diversified gastrotrich community was found in localities characterized by medium or fine sand with little detritus and clear water (e.g. 14 spp. in praia de Castelhanos). The macrodasyidans, Paraturbanella sp. 1, Pseudostomella sp. 1 and Tetranchyroderma sp. 1, and the chaetonotidan Heteroxenotrichula sp. 1 were the most common species, often sympatric and particularly frequent and abundant along the continental shoreline (recorded in 50–65% of these localities); on the other hand, Macrodasys fornerise n. sp. , Ptychostomella sp. 1, Tetranchyroderma sp. 3 and Thaumastoderma sp. 2, while occurring sometimes in very high numbers, exhibited a much narrower range, being encountered only once or twice during the survey. The main morphometric traits are described of the 13 species considered to be cosmopolitan or with at least an amphi-Atlantic distribution, including Chaetonotus apechochaetus and Halichaetonotus marivagus, reported here for the first time from the Americas; of the 26 species thus far endemic to Brazil, Macrodasys fornerise n. sp. , which is characterized by a noticeable 145 µm-long frontal organ, is also described and figured.
EFFECT OF FORMALDEHYDE TREATMENT OF SOYBEAN MEAL ON RATES OF PROTEIN DEGRADATION AND MICROBIAL PROTEIN CONCENTRATION IN THE BOVINE RUMEN

Four rumen-fistulated cows were fed concentrate:corn silage (40: 60) diets in a 4 × 4 latin square design experiment. The diets differed in the soybean meal or soybean meal treated with 0.1, 0.3 or 0.6% (wt/wt) formaldehyde. Rumen contents were collected hourly from 0900 h to 1600 h with an additional sample at half an hour after the 1100 h feeding on 3 days in the second week of each 2-wk experimental period. The maximum ammonia concentration in rumen contents decreased with increasing levels of formaldehyde used to treat the soybean meal. From 1130 to 1200 h the rates of ammonia appearance in the rumen contents were different (P < 0.05) for all four diets. Treatment of soybean meal with between 0.1 and 0.3% (wt/wt) formaldehyde reduced its in vitro degradation by rumen protease by about 50% compared with the untreated control. The rates of in vivo ammonia appearance and in vitro proteolysis were highly correlated (r = 0.966, P < 0.01) between 1130 h and 1200 h. These rates of rumen ammonia appearance re.
River ecology and management : lessons from the Pacific coastal ecoregion

(Sections) River Ecology and Management in the Pacific Coastal Ecoregion * The Physical Environment * The Biotic Environment * Ecosystem Processes * Management * The Future (Chapters) River Ecology and Management in the Pacific Coastal Ecoregion * Channel Processes, Classification, and Response * Hydrology * Stream Quality * Biotic Stream Classification * Microorganisms and Organic Matter Decomposition * Primary Production * Stream Macroinvertebrate Communities * Fish Communities * Riparian Wildlife * Dynamic Landscape Systems * Riparian Forests * Function and Distribution of Large Woody Debris * Nutrient Cycles and Responses to Disturbance * Organic Matter and Trophic Dynamics * The Hyporheic Zone * Biodiversity * Statistical Design and Analysis Considerations for Monitoring and Assessment * Cumulative Watershed Effects and Watershed Analysis * Rivers as Sentinels * Social Organizations and Institutions * River Law * Economic Perspectives * Stream and Watershed Restoration * Nonprofit Organizations and Watershed Management * Watershed Management * Paradigms, Policies, and Prognostications about the Management of Watershed Ecosystems
CULTIVAR VARIATION IN TOTAL NITROGEN UPTAKE IN RAPE

Summer rape (Brassica napus L.) cv. Tower contained higher nitrogen contents in the vegetative plant parts at anthesis and maturity, and higher seed protein than cv. Midas when grown under similar conditions. The high protein trait in cv. Tower was directly associated with its greater ability for the uptake and translocation of nitrogen. The differential nitrogen uptake appeared to be inherited.