Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Taxonomy, status and distribution of the Azorean bat (Nyctalus azoreum)

The taxonomic status of the Azorean bat (Nyctalus azoreum Thomas 1901) was assessed, by a principal components analysis of measurements of the external morphology of the bat, together with specimens of the closest related Nyctalus species from mainland Europe (Nyctalus leisleri). This analysis confirms the recent suggestion, based on a similar analysis of skull morphology, that the Azorean bat represents a good species, distinguished from N. leisleri by its smaller size—forearm lengths for N. azoreum in range 35·7–42·0 mm (n= 14). compared with 42·0−45·8 mm (n = 8) for N. leisleri. The status and distribution of the Azorean bat was assessed by a survey conducted in the islands in September and October 1988. We assessed the presence or absence of bats, in 62(1′ latitude × 1′ longitude) plots at the west end of the island of Sao Miguel. The study area covered 6% of the total land area of the archipelago and contained representative areas of all the major island habitat types. A less intensive survey throughout four other islands, literature review and information from other sources revealed that the bat is probably distributed throughout the entire archipelago, with the possible exception of Flores and Corvo. Bats were active both in the day and at night. At night, bats were mostly active in coastal villages where they were closely associated with street lighting. During the day, most hats were active in the inland areas near to Caldeira lakes. The maximum number of bats observed simultaneously active in the day was six whilst at dusk swarms of up to 55 (± 5) bats were observed together. At night, bats were also active over approximately 1·5 × the area they occupied in the day. By assuming the bat is found throughout the archipelago, and that our study area was representative, we estimated the maximum population to be between 1750 (from daylight activity) and 23,650 (from nocturnal activity). This latter estimate implies a population density throughout the archipelago of around 0·1 bats per hectare.
Evaluation of Grain Filling Rate and Duration in Bread and Durum Wheat, under Heat Stress after Anthesis

Bread and durum wheat genotypes were submitted to heat stress during the grain filling period, and relationships between grain weight and accumulated time from anthesis until maturity, using days after anthesis and growing degree days, were described by cubic polynomials. Maximum grain weight and the duration and rate of grain filling were estimated from the fitted curves. It was found that bread and durum wheat exposure to high temperatures significantly decreased grain weight and hastens physiological maturity (shortening the grain filling period). High temperatures significantly affected the rate (on a growing degree day basis) and duration (on Julian day units) of grain filling. The grain filling rate, on a thermal time basis, was positively associated with the final grain weight and the estimated maximum grain weight. The duration of grain filling does not appear to be a limiting factor for genotype grain weight stability, being mainly fixed by temperature. Grain weight of the controlled plants was positively correlated with the final and maximum grain weight of heat stressed plants. It was concluded that a high grain filling rate and a high potential grain weight are major traits that can be useful to improve heat tolerance of Triticum under Mediterranean environments.
First Fossil Record of Hypnodontopsis (Bryopsida: Rhachitheciaceae) from the Americas

Abstract. A new record of fossil moss in Miocene amber from Chiapas, southern Mexico, is hereby presented. The fossil moss is assigned to the genus Hypnodontopsis Iwatsuki et Noguchi (Family Rhachitheciaceae) and characterized primarily by narrowly lanceolate to linear leaves arranged in rosettes, with erect costae, and short apiculate leaf tips, with upper cells larger than the lower cells. This sample, for which current worldwide distribution consists of at least three disjunct and geographically restricted occurrences, represents the first fossil record of the genus Hypnodontopsis in the Americas. While Hypnodontopsis is represented by five fossil species known from Eocene Baltic and Saxon amber, extant species are known from Asia, Africa and Mexico. The new fossil specimen most closely resembles the extant species Hypnodontopsis mexicana (Thér.) H. Robins, synonymous with the fossil species Hypnodontopsis conferta (Goeppert and Berendt) J.-P. Frahm. from Eocene Baltic amber. Hypnodontopsis mexicana can only be found in central Mexico (America) and in Uganda (Africa). Accordingly, the distribution of current and extinct species of Hypnodontopsis suggests that the genus diversified in both Laurasia and Gondwana and then suffered extinction by the end of the Paleogene in Europe.
Human Parvovirus B19 Nonstructural Protein (NS1) Induces Cell Cycle Arrest at G1 Phase

ABSTRACT Human parvovirus B19 infects predominantly erythroid precursor cells, leading to inhibition of erythropoiesis. This erythroid cell damage is mediated by the viral nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) through an apoptotic mechanism. We previously demonstrated that B19 virus infection induces G2 arrest in erythroid UT7/Epo-S1 cells; however, the role of NS1 in regulating cell cycle arrest is unknown. In this report, by using paclitaxel, a mitotic inhibitor, we show that B19 virus infection induces not only G2 arrest but also G1 arrest. Interestingly, UV-irradiated B19 virus, which has inactivated the expression of NS1, still harbors the ability to induce G2 arrest but not G1 arrest. Furthermore, treatment with caffeine, a G2 checkpoint inhibitor, abrogated the B19 virus-induced G2 arrest despite expression of NS1. These results suggest that the B19 virus-induced G2 arrest is not mediated by NS1 expression. We also found that NS1-transfected UT7/Epo-S1 and 293T cells induced cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase. These results indicate that NS1 expression plays a critical role in G1 arrest induced by B19 virus. Furthermore, NS1 expression significantly increased p21/WAF1 expression, a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor that induces G1 arrest. Thus, G1 arrest mediated by NS1 may be a prerequisite for the apoptotic damage of erythroid progenitor cells upon B19 virus infection.
GENITIC DIVERSITY OF AN ENDEMIC MEDICINAL ORCHID, COELOGYNE NERVOSA A. RICH. FROM SOUTHERN INDIA USING MORPHOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR MARKERS

Genetic diversity of an endemic medicinal orchid, Coelogyne nervosa A. Rich. was investigated by using SDS-PAGE, RAPD markers and morphological characters. C. nervosa is growing as epiphyte as well as lithophytes in Eastern and Western Ghats of India. It is an important medicinal orchid showing antioxidant and anticancer properties. Leaf samples collected from these two reference sites were taken for RAPD and protein profile analysis. The objective of this study is to assess the genetic diversity of endemic orchid C. nervosa distributed in southern India. The six populations collected from these two geographical regions exhibited significant variation in their morphological and molecular characters. The stomata are tetracytic and hypostomatic in distribution. The maximum thickness of cuticle and midrib region in leaf and, extensive lignification in exodermis and endodermis of root were recorded in populations located in Western Ghats as compared to those of Eastern Ghats. It is interpreted to be associated with the conservation of water. RAPD and protein profile data showed the inter population diversity between these two reference sites. This can be attributed to the ecological and climatic conditions prevailing in the Eastern and Western Ghats of India.
The fundamental architecture of the microvasculature of the basal ganglia and changes in senility

The microvascular architecture of the basal ganglia of human brains was studied on diaphanized specimens after intravascular barium injection and vascular stains. Observation by scanning electron microscope was also performed. The putamen and caudate nucieus showed dense capillary networks. Less dense capillary networks were noted in the capsula interna. The capillary network in the globus pallidus was less dense than that in the striatum but denser than that in the capsula interna. The lenticulostriate arteries ran through the putamen, across the internal capsule and reached the caudate nucleus. Though the arterial branches running within the putamen had many small branches, branching was minimal while crossing the capsula interna and began showing rich ramification again when they reached the caudate nucleus. There were retrograde ramifications in the putamen and caudate nucleus. They appeared to play a significant role in the regulation of blood pressure and are considered to play some role in the occurrence of circulatory disturbances which are prone to involve these structures. The fountain‐like ramifications were seen in the putamen and caudate nucleus, but their function is not clear. In the brains of senile patients, intertwining of the arterial blood vessels was noted in the fountain‐like rami. This structure began to appear in the patients over the age of 50. While the etiology of the intertwining of the arteries remains unknown, its increasing frequency with age supports a hypothesis that this represents a phenomenon correlated with aging or concomitant brain atrophy.
Inhibition of Nuclear Accumulation of Phosphorylated ERK by Tropomyosin-1-Mediated Cytoskeletal Reorganization

AIM: Most neoplastic cells express diminished levels of tropomyosin (TM) family of actin-binding proteins, which leads to the formation of poorly organized cytoskeleton. The aberrant cytoskeleton is hypothesized to contribute to the neoplastic phenotype through deregulation of intracellular signaling. The aim of the study is to evaluate whether reorganization of cytoskeleton modulates signaling pathways. METHODS: We have utilized ras-transformed NIH3T3 (DT) cells and those transduced with TM1 (DT/TM1) as a model system. DT cells are highly malignant whereas the DT/TM1 cells contain reorganized cytoskeleton and exhibit revertant phenotype. Activation status of ras oncogene in DT and DT/TM1 cells was measured by GTP loading. Activation status and subcellular localization of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) was measured in total, cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments by immunoblotting and confocal microscopy. RESULTS: Transduction of TM1 does not alter the activation status of oncogenic ras. Both parental DT and DT/TM1 cells exhibit similar levels of activated ERK in total cellular lysates, whereas DT/TM1 cells contain significantly less phosphorylated ERK (pERK) in the nuclear fraction. Disruption of cytosekeletal integrity results in increased nuclear content of pERK, suggesting that tropomyosin-1-induced microfilaments are critical for curtailing the nuclear accumulation of activated ERK, and may contribute to the anti-oncogenic effects of TM1. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that spatiotemporal regulation of ERK by cytoskeleton is an important mechanism. Furthermore, aberrant microfilaments, present in neoplastic cells, fail to restrict nuclear localization of ERK, and hence contribute to deregulated ERK signaling.
Comparing Fruit and Tree Characteristics of Two Peaches and Their Nectarine Mutants

Two peach-to-nectarine mutants were compared with their peach progenitors to quantify physical and biochemical characters associated with this conversion. Both nectarine mutants showed pleiotropic effects that included smaller, rounder, and more-dense fruit with redder skin and altered sugar and organic acid composition relative to those found in their peach progenitors. In addition, one of the nectarine mutants exhibited a later bloom time, a less pronounced change in fruit size, a shorter fruit development period, and an associated capacity to develop red fall leaf color. Nectarines arose as peach mutants, and their inheritance pattern is consistent with the glabrous skin characteristic controlled by a single recessive gene (Blake, 1932). Most aspects of nectarine trees, leaves, and flowers are indistinguishable from those of peach; however, peach researchers have noted differences be- tween peaches and nectarines that extend beyond those of lack of pubescence alone. These differences include fruit size, shape, firmness, external color, aroma, flavor, and disease resistance, although such comparisons have not been quantified or analyzed statistically (Darwin, 1893; De Candolle, 1884; Downing, 1845; Hedrick, 1917; Hesse, 1975; Oberle and Nickolson, 1953). Hesse (1975), hypothesized that nectarine phenotypes such as those associated with ultrastructual differences in surface features (Fogle and Faust, 1975) represent a nonlethal deletion for surface pubes- cence that is closely linked to other genes affecting the fruit traits noted above. It is also possible that the nectarine phenotype may arise as an alteration in a single regulatory gene that controls the expression of other genes. This interpretation is consistent with genetic evidence and molecular characterization of the two known classes of glabrous mutations in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. ((glabrous (g11) and transparent testa glabrous (ttg))) (Koornneef, 1981; Koornneef et al., 1982). A nectarine mutant was identified in 1988 on a limb of a 2-year- old 'TropicBeauty' peach tree in the Univ. of Florida breeding orchard. This mutant (designated TBN) showed evidence of hav- ing a higher chilling requirement and shorter fruit development period relative to its peach progenitor. Changes in such character- istics have not previously been observed in association with peach- to-nectarine mutants. A second nectarine mutant was found on a limb of Fla. M3-1 peach in the same orchard 1 year later. This peach-to-nectarine mutants was designated M3-1N and appeared to be more typical of current commercial nectarines in fruit size and color, as summarized by Hesse (1975). Our objective was to compare the two peach-to-nectarine mutants and contrast them to their peach progenitors. These isogenic materials have provided the first opportunity (beyond the single fruit observation by Oberle and Nicholson, 1953) to define the specific physical and biochemical attributes of peach-to- nectarine mutants.
Effects of Fusaric Acid on Reactive Oxygen Species and Antioxidants in Tomato Cell Cultures

Generation of O - 2 and H 2 O 2 as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase, dehydroascorbate reductase and ascorbate content were studied in tomato cell cultures in response to fusaric acid - a nonspecific toxin of phytopathogenic Fusarium species. Toxin treatment resulted in decreased cell viability which was preceded by culture medium alkalinization up to 0.65 pH unit and enhanced extracellular O - 2 production. The H 2 O 2 level was not significantly affected. In toxin-treated cultures, a transient, significant increase occurred in intracellular superoxide dismutase, catalase, guaiacol peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase activities. Fusaric acid-induced ascorbate turnover modulation led to up to a twofold increase in dehydroascorbic acid accumulation, and a decrease in the associated ascorbate redox ratio. It was concomitant with a significant decrease in dehydroascorbate reductase activity. These results support previous observations that the pro- and anti-oxidant systems are involved in response to fusaric acid treatment although differential response of H 2 O 2 and its metabolism-related enzymes between the whole leaf and cell culture assays was found.
Actividad sanguínea de superóxido dismutasa y glutatión peroxidasa en novillas a pastoreo

The objective of this study dealt with the evaluation of the metabolic nutritional status of Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe and Se in grazing dairy heifers, through the determination of the activity of SOD and GSH-Px in blood. Blood samples (10 mL) were taken from 105 heifers randomly selected in 15 dairy farms in Caldas, Colombia (5°4' N y 75°3' W). Forage samples were also collected to analyze Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn. Mean activity of SOD was 1,390±1,299 U g -1 Hb, and it was related to the content of Cu, Mn, and Fe in the forage. Mean blood activity of GSH-Px was 389±184 U g -1 Hb. The highest frequency of values under the reference was about 9%; animals located over 2,000 m over sea level were the most affected. SOD is useful to determine the nutritional metabolic status of Cu, Mn and Fe, but the relationship with Zn is not clear yet, and requires further investigations. The blood activity of GSH-Px in grazing animals, was under the reference values, indicating Se deficiencies.
Food intake in sheep following intraruminal infusion of extracts from lucerne silage with particular reference to organic acids and products of protein degradation

Summary Sheep were infused intraruminally with iso-osmotic solutions of saline, organic acids or lucerne silage extracts with or without additional acids and products of protein degradation found in silage. The post-ingestive effects of silage constituents on food intake were assessed by measuring the voluntary consumption of high dry matter silage over a 20 h period following feeding. In Expt 1, three different silage extracts each depressed food intake up to 4 h following feeding. In Expt 2, one of these extracts, to which 40 g of γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) was added, depressed intake up to 4 h following feeding; with the further addition cf 10 g α-amino butyric acid (AABA) and 28 g amines to this extract, intake was enhanced within 0·5 h but depressed from 4 to 8 h following feeding. In Expt 3, infusion of organic acids alone did not significantly depress food intake relative to saline, nor was there a discernible effect on food intake when graded levels of nitrogenous constituents from silage were added to the infusates. In Expt 4, infusion of an extract, to which only AABA and four other amines were added, depressed cumulative intake up to 8 h following feeding and had a more pronounced effect on food consumption than infusion of the extract with these constituents together with GABA. It was concluded that soluble constituents in silage can inhibit intake but no single constituent is primarily responsible.
Streptococcus suis is aanwezig in het maagdarmkanaal van biggen op Varkens Innovatie Centrum Sterksel

Onderzocht is welke aanpassingen aan het voer, zowel wat betreft voersamenstelling als voermanagement, bijdragen aan het verminderen van het aantal biggen met klinische verschijnselen van Streptococcus suis. Daartoe is op Varkens Innovatie Centrum Sterksel een voedingsexperiment met gespeende biggen uitgevoerd.
Detection of Helicobacter pylori in human aortic tissue through amplification of the 16S rDNA gen

Helicobacter pylori is a human pathogen, frequently reported as responsible of gastrointestinal affections. During the last years, a causal relationship between chronic infections by several pathogens, among them the Helicobacter pylori, and the genesis and/ or progression of atherosclerosis, has been suggested. Although several studies have been realized, there is no conclusive evidence to assert this association. The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of Helicobacter pylori in aortic tissue samples from patients with clinical diagnosis of annulo-aortic ectasia, through PCR amplification of a gen fragment of the 16S rDNA of this microorganism. Samples of DNA aortic tissue obtained from 20 patients were analyzed. An aortic fragment with apparent atherosclerotic lesion, and another from an apparently healthy region, was examined in each patient. No Helicobacter pylori nucleic acids were detected in any of the analyzed specimens. The results of the study suggest low or null association between Helicobacter pylori and coronary disease in our environment.
An Aβ Sequestration Approach Using Non-Antibody Aβ Binding Agents

Amyloid beta (Abeta) has been considered as a primary cause of Alzheimers disease (AD), and Abeta lowering approaches have been tested. Active immunization against Abeta is one of several promising Abeta-lowering approaches. Two mechanisms have been proposed: enhancement of microglial phagocytosis and Abeta sequestration (also called “peripheral sink”). We hypothesized that Abeta sequestration without immune modulation is sufficient to reduce the brain Abeta load and have demonstrated effective sequestration with Abeta binding agents that do not stimulate an immune reaction. Recent reports from other groups showed two other non-immune related Abeta binding agents, which have no structural relation to compounds we previously tested, reduced brain Abeta after peripheral administration. Congo red is a chemically synthesized small molecule that has binding affinity to Abeta. In the present study, we tested three Congo red derivatives in Abeta plaque-forming mice at an early pathological stage. Unfortunately, peripheral administration for three weeks did not substantially alter brain Abeta load. Optimized Abeta binding agents with high affinity to soluble Abeta are necessary for the sequestration approach.
Spéciation hépatique et distribution tissulaire et sub-cellulaire du mercure: effets sur la toxicité chez les poissons.

We sampled landlocked Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) from four lakes (Small, 9-Mile, North, Amituk) in the Canadian High Arctic which span a gradient of mercury contamination. Metals (Hg, Se, Tl, and Fe) were measured in char tissues to determine their relationships with health indices (condition factor, hepatosomatic index), stable nitrogen isotope ratios, and liver histology. A sub-cellular partitioning procedure was employed to determine how metals were distributed between potentially sensitive and detoxified compartments of Arctic char livers from a lowand high-mercury lake (Small Lake and Amituk Lake, respectively). Differences in health indices and metal concentrations among char populations were likely related to differences in feeding ecology. Concentrations of Hg, Se, and Tl were highest in the livers of Amituk char, while concentrations of Fe were highest in Small and 9-Mile char. At the sub-cellular level we found that although Amituk char had higher concentrations of Tl in whole liver than Small Lake char, they maintained a greater proportion of this metal in detoxified fractions, suggesting an attempt at detoxification. Mercury was found mainly in potentially sensitive fractions of both Small and Amituk Lake char, indicating that Arctic 140 char are not effectively detoxifying this metal. Histological changes in char livers, mainly in the form of melano-macrophage aggregates and hepatic fibrosis, could be a result of the concentrations and sub-cellular distributions of essential or non-essential metals.
Low Molecular Weight Phenolic and Anthocyanin Composition of Grape Skins from cv. Syrah (Vitis vinifera L.) in the Maipo Valley (Chile): Effect of Clusters Thinning and Vineyard Yield

Changes in phenolic composition were determined in cv. Syrah-vines grape skins during ripening for two contrasting yields, resulting from cluster thinning at veraison. Treatments consisted on 16 and eight clusters per plant leading to approximately 8 ton/ha (T1) and 4 ton/ha (T2). In the grape skins of the samples analysed, 11 different low molecular weight phenolic compounds were identified, as well as 15 anthocyanins. Cluster thinning had a minimal effect on ripening time and weight of grape skins, however, clusters from low yield plants resulted in a lower total acidity and slightly higher pH. As for the phenylpropanoid pathway, the flavan-3-ol (+)-catechin, and the flavanols isorhamnetin-3-O-galactoside and isorhamnetin-3- O-glucoside, resulted in a higher concentration in berry skins from low yield plants. It is concluded that cluster thinning may result, from the oenological point of view, in an increased grape quality especially in compounds related to wine colour.