Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Branchipodopsis species — specialists of ephemeral rock pools

The anostracan Branchipodopsis genus is widespread throughout southern Africa and is the second most speciose anostracan taxon in this sub-continent. Branchipodopsis species are particularly dominant in small short-lived and clear rock pools, to the vagaries of which they are extremely well adapted. Such rock pools were studied in the Drakensberg region, in the eastern Free State and in south-eastern Botswana. Common features of Branchipodopsis-inhabited rock pools are the transparency of the water and the very low conductivity values (generally below 50μScm−1, often less than 10μScm−1). These shallow (usually less than 50cm) water bodies with limited buffering capacity show major fluctuations in pH values (often between about pH 4 and 11), depending on the time of the day and the stage in the hydrocycle. Rock pools also closely follow ambient air temperatures with resulting fluctuations of values between 10 and 40°C. Depending on local climatic conditions, small rock pools are usually short-lived and have several wet/dry cycles during one rainy season. Branchipodopsis species are the record-holders in this race against time with maturation usually being reached within the first week after inundation. Broods of resting eggs are generally small (less than 80 eggs) but are produced almost daily. Often (in 30% of cases in south-eastern Botswana), erratic rainfall does not allow sufficient time for successful maturation and reproduction. As a safe-guarding mechanism in B. wolfi in south-eastern Botswana, only some of the eggs hatch on each occasion, depending on environmental conditions, thus extending the chances for successful recruitment. While short-range dispersal of floating eggs by overflows is common, long-range dispersal (e.g. by wind) seems to be rare and to be restricted to shallow pools with little vegetation. Limited effective dispersal may explain the high number of endemic species (e.g. four in the Drakensberg region) and the large morphological variation in some widespread species such as B. wolfi.
Cathelicidin-related Antimicrobial Peptide Contributes to Host Immune Responses Against Pulmonary Infection with Acinetobacter baumannii in Mice

Acinetobacter baumannii is known for its multidrug antibiotic resistance. New approaches to treating drug-resistant bacterial infections are urgently required. Cathelicidin-related antimicrobial peptide (CRAMP) is a murine antimicrobial peptide that exerts diverse immune functions, including both direct bacterial cell killing and immunomodulatory effects. In this study, we sought to identify the role of CRAMP in the host immune response to multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Wild-type (WT) and CRAMP knockout mice were infected intranasally with the bacteria. CRAMP−/− mice exhibited increased bacterial colony-forming units (CFUs) in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid after A. baumannii infection compared to WT mice. The loss of CRAMP expression resulted in a significant decrease in the recruitment of immune cells, primarily neutrophils. The levels of IL-6 and CXCL1 were lower, whereas the levels of IL-10 were significantly higher in the BAL fluid of CRAMP−/− mice compared to WT mice 1 day after infection. In an in vitro assay using thioglycollate-induced peritoneal neutrophils, the ability of bacterial phagocytosis and killing was impaired in CRAMP−/− neutrophils compared to the WT cells. CRAMP was also essential for the production of cytokines and chemokines in response to A. baumannii in neutrophils. In addition, the A. baumannii-induced inhibitor of κB-α degradation and phosphorylation of p38 MAPK were impaired in CRAMP−/− neutrophils, whereas ERK and JNK phosphorylation was upregulated. Our results indicate that CRAMP plays an important role in the host defense against pulmonary infection with A. baumannii by promoting the antibacterial activity of neutrophils and regulating the innate immune responses.
Characterization of a Common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) Population Resistant to ALS- and PPO-Inhibiting Herbicides

Abstract A population of common ragweed from Delaware was not controlled in the field by herbicides that inhibit acetolactate synthase (ALS) or protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO). Research was conducted to ascertain if this population was resistant to these herbicidal modes of action and, if so, to determine the resistance mechanism(s). Resistance was confirmed by dose-response studies on greenhouse-grown plants with multiple ALS- and PPO-inhibiting herbicides. DNA sequence data revealed that resistance to ALS-inhibiting herbicides was due to the previously reported W574L ALS mutation. To assist in determining the mechanism of resistance to PPO-inhibiting herbicides, an F2 population was derived from a cross between the resistant biotype (Del-R) and a sensitive biotype (DV1-S). This population segregated in the ratio of three resistant ∶ one sensitive when treated with fomesafen, indicating that resistance to PPO-inhibiting herbicides was conferred by a single, (incompletely) dominant, nuclear gene. Sequences of the target-site genes, PPX1 and PPX2, for PPO-inhibiting herbicides were obtained through the screening of a common ragweed cDNA library and subsequent cDNA extension (5′-RACE). Molecular marker analysis with the F2 population revealed that the PPX2 gene cosegregated with resistance to PPO-inhibiting herbicides. A mutation substituting an arginine codon for a leucine codon at a conserved location (R98L) of the PPX2 gene was suspected of being responsible for resistance. By using a transgenic Escherichia coli system, it was demonstrated that the R98L mutation was sufficient to confer resistance to PPO-inhibiting herbicides. The level of resistance to acifluorfen conferred by the R98L mutation in the E. coli system was about 31-fold, similar to the level of resistance seen in the whole-plant dose-response study. Last, a DNA-based assay was developed to identify the presence or absence of the common ragweed PPX2 R98L mutation. The R98L PPX2 mutation is the second mechanism identified for evolved resistance to PPO-inhibiting herbicides. Nomenclature: Common ragweed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. AMBEL
Genistein, the phytoestrogen induces heart-and-soul (has) phenotypes in zebrafish embryo

Zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) embryos treated with a small plant molecule, genistein generated a mimic of zebrafish VEGF-A loss of function model. These embryos develop with an enlarged pericardium and major blood vessel deficiencies and their morphological assessment after 48 h post fertilization indicates a nearly complete absence of both axial and intersegmental vasculature with no or reduced numbers of circulating red blood cells resulting in distinctive phenotype of “heart and soul”. Thus, zebrafish provides an excellent vertebrate model system to study developmental process and identify novel genes involved during development.
Sex effects across the lifespan in women with multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune inflammatory demyelinating central nervous system disorder that is more common in women, with onset often during reproductive years. The female:male sex ratio of MS rose in several regions over the last century, suggesting a possible sex by environmental interaction increasing MS risk in women. Since many with MS are in their childbearing years, family planning, including contraceptive and disease-modifying therapy (DMT) counselling, are important aspects of MS care in women. While some DMTs are likely harmful to the developing fetus, others can be used shortly before or until pregnancy is confirmed. Overall, pregnancy decreases risk of MS relapses, whereas relapse risk may increase postpartum, although pregnancy does not appear to be harmful for long-term prognosis of MS. However, ovarian aging may contribute to disability progression in women with MS. Here, we review sex effects across the lifespan in women with MS, including the effect of sex on MS susceptibility, effects of pregnancy on MS disease activity, and management strategies around pregnancy, including risks associated with DMT use before and during pregnancy, and while breastfeeding. We also review reproductive aging and sexual dysfunction in women with MS.
Is marginal emission cost pricing enough to comply with the EU CO2 reduction targets

From transport economic literature it is known that pricing (environmental) externalities can improve the efficiency of a transport system. However, in real-world politics, policy setting often follows so-called ‘backcasting’ approaches where predefined goals are set, and policy measures are implemented to reach those goals. This study presents, for a specific case study, an parametric approach to identify the gap between toll levels derived from environmental damage cost internalization and toll levels from the goal to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector until 2020 by 20% (avoidance cost approach). For this purpose, the damage costs internalization is applied to a real-world scenario of Munich metropolitan area. The results indicate that the desired reduction in CO2 emissions is not reached. This parametric internalization approach with damage cost estimates from the literature yields toll levels that are by a factor of 5 too low in order to reach the predefined goal. When aiming at overall emission cost reductions by 20%, the damage cost estimates are even by a factor of 10 too low. Furthermore, it is shown that the major contribution to the overall emission reduction stems from behavioral changes of (reverse) commuters rather than from urban travelers; under some circumstances, the latter even increase their CO2 emission levels. Finally, the study indicates that there might be conflicting trends for different types of pollutants, i.e. pricing emissions does not necessarily result in a reduction of all pollutant types.
Effect of nucleotide supplementation on lymphocyte DNA damage induced by dietary oxidative stress in pigs

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of nucleotide supplementation on the oxidative stress induced by a high proportion of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids ( PUFAs) in pigs. Twenty-four male growing pigs were penned individually and after an adaptation period divided into three groups. All groups received isocaloric daily rations composed of a basal diet supplemented with either: starch (CONT), linseed oil (LIN) and LIN and nucleotides (LIN + NUC). The experimental period lasted 21 days. Oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring the degree of lymphocyte nuclear DNA damage, the urine malondialdehyde ( MDA) excretion rate, erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase concentration and the total anti-oxidant status of plasma. Malondialdehyde concentrations in the blood and MDA urinary excretion rates were higher ( P P P
Reassignment of Six Polyalthia Species to the New Genus Maasia (Annonaceae): Molecular and Morphological Congruence

Abstract Recently published molecular phylogenies of the Annonaceae have confirmed the long-held hypothesis that the large paleotropical genus Polyalthia is polyphyletic. Species previously assigned to Polyalthia are now known to belong to up to six distinct, generally well-supported clades. Three members of a group of six species previously referred to as the Polyalthia hypoleuca complex form a monophyletic group (with 99% bootstrap support) that is only distantly related to the other species of Polyalthia sampled. Putative morphological synapomorphies are assessed, and justification provided for validating a new generic name, Maasia . Six species names in the Polyalthia hypoleuca complex are accordingly transferred to Maasia: M. discolor, M. glauca, M. hypoleuca, M. multinervis, M. ovalifolia, and M. sumatrana .
Effects of Competition and Predation on the Feeding Rate of the Freshwater Snail, Helisoma trivolvis

Abstract Foraging behavior of snails is affected by competition and risk of predation, both of which can be detected by chemical cues in the water. Freshwater snails are able to detect and respond to kairomones, from predators, and chemical cues, such as alarm cues, from other snails. Invasive species, such as the Chinese mystery snail (Cipangopaludina chinensis), are known to affect native species through competition and predation. This study examines the effects of competition and predation risks on the feeding rate of Helisoma trivolvis. Higher densities of competitors cause the snails to increase their feeding rate compared to no competition and low densities of competitive organisms. Presence of crayfish predators causes the snails to decrease their feeding rate and masks the effects of competitor density and type on the feeding rate. This study found no significant difference in feeding rates for the different treatments between the predation and crushed snails experiments, suggesting kairomones are more influential than alarm cues in altering foraging behavior. Despite the effects of Chinese mystery snails on the feeding rate of H. trivolvis, the invasion of Chinese mystery snails is likely to alter the community structure by consuming more algae and possibly increasing the feeding rate of native snails.
Effects of Photoperiod, Temperature and Asynchrony between Thermoperiod and Photoperiod on Development to Panicle Initiation in Sorghum

Abstract The duration of the vegetative phase (i.e. days from sowing to panicle initiation) in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor(L.) Moench] is affected by photoperiod and temperature. Plants of several contrasting genotypes of sorghum were grown in controlled-environment growth cabinets with either synchronous or asynchronous photoperiods and thermoperiods. Apical development was recorded. Diurnal asynchrony between photoperiod and thermoperiod reduced durations to panicle initiation when the temperature warmed after lights went on and cooled after lights went off, but increased these durations when the temperature warmed before lights went on and cooled before lights went off. These effects were shown in the maturity lines 60M and SM100 and also in the USA cv. RS610 and the Sudanese landrace IS22365, but their magnitude varied with genotype, photothermal regime, and the degree of asynchrony. The greatest effect was detected in IS22365 grown at 30/21 °C (12 h/12 h) with a 12 h d−1photoperiod when the temperature warmed 2.5 h before lights went on and cooled 2.5 h before lights went off, when the duration from sowing to panicle initiation was 69 d compared with 37 d in the control (synchronous photoperiod and thermoperiod in each diurnal cycle). Reciprocal transfers of plants of IS22365 between short and long days revealed that asynchrony principally affected the duration of the photoperiod-insensitive pre-inductive phase of development; i.e. asynchrony affected the time (age) at which the plants were first able to respond to photoperiod. In that investigation in controlled-environment growth chambers, the subsequent photoperiod-sensitive inductive phase continued until panicle initiation. Subsequent reciprocal transfer experiments in controlled-environment glasshouses in four different alternating temperature regimes employed synchronous photoperiods and thermoperiods in short (11 h) days with temperature warming 1.5 h after the beginning of the day in long (12.5 h) days. In those investigations, photoperiod sensitivity ended some time before (2.5–8.1 d, mean 5.7 d) panicle initiation in IS22365, Naga White and Seredo. Moreover, whereas the duration of the photoperiod-insensitive pre-inductive phase was affected by temperature, the durations of the photoperiod-sensitive inductive and the photoperiod-insensitive post-inductive phases were not.
Factors that Influence Evolutionarily Significant Unit Boundaries and Status Assessment in a Highly Polymorphic Species, Oncorhynchus mykiss, in the Columbia Basin

Executive Summary NOAA Fisheries Service (NMFS) listed steelhead, the anadromous life history of Oncorhynchus mykiss, as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) throughout most of the Columbia Basin in the late 1990s. In their original listing decisions, some O. mykiss trout populations, the non-anadromous life history of the species, were included in the Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESUs) along with steelhead, but were not listed. As a result of a recent court decision which found that the federal listing agencies cannot list only part of an ESU, NMFS is now reevaluating their original ESA listing decisions for O. mykiss. This paper reviews information about the relationship between trout and steelhead populations in the Columbia Basin and the relevance of this relationship to ESU determinations and the assessment of extinction risk of entire ESUs if they include both life histories. The definition of Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU) that has been adopted by NMFS provides the specific criteria of reproductive isolation and evolutionary significance for describing ESU boundaries (Waples 1991, 56 FR 58612). Whether or not trout and steelhead populations, which are the two adult life histories of O. mykiss, are in the same ESUs must be evaluated based on these criteria. The biological evidence about the evolutionary relationship between sympatric steelhead and trout in the Columbia Basin indicates that the life histories are not reproductively isolated to the extent that they would constitute separate ESUs. There is evidence for some interbreeding between the life histories within basins, although in most cases it is likely that sympatric trout and steelhead form demographically independent populations within ESUs, similar to those formed by summer and winter steelhead when they both occur in a basin. The evidence for lack of reproductive isolation between the life histories includes similarity at molecular genetic markers that demonstrate population and ESU structure elsewhere in O. mykiss, observations of trout and steelhead spawning on the same redds, and observations and studies that demonstrate both life histories successfully produce offspring that express the alternative life history. The information about the evolutionary relationship between steelhead below artificial barriers and the O. mykiss trout that remain within historic steelhead range above the barriers is weaker but still indicates that the native trout are generally related to the steelhead below the barriers. Populations in the two areas may now be in complete reproductive isolation from each other, although unidirectional gene flow, downstream …
Replacement of fish meal with chemically preserved shrimp head in the diets of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus

A 84 day feeding trial was conducted to assess the effect of replacing fish meal with graded levels of shrimp head silage meal on the growth of African catfish Clarias gariepinus. Shrimp heads were chemically preserved for 14 days at a pH range of 3.6-4.7; and used to replace fish meal at 0%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% (diets 1-6) in 40% crude protein diets. The diets were fed to triplicate groups of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings (12.2±0.05 g) in indoor glass tanks at 4% body weight per day. Results indicated that values of feed digestibility, mean weight gain, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio, and specific growth rate from the fishes fed diets 1-4 were significantly (p 0.05) in fishes fed all the diets. Summary of the findings highlights that fish meal can be replaced with up to 20% of chemically ensiled shrimp head meal in the diets of African catfish.
Effect of different dietary concentrations of brown marine algae (Sargassum dentifebium) prepared by different methods on plasma and yolk lipid profiles, yolk total carotene and lutein plus zeaxanthin of laying hens

The effect of different concentrations (0%, 3% and 6%) of brown marine algae (BMA, Sargassum dentifebium) prepared according to different methods (sun-dried, SBMA; boiled, BBMA; autoclaved, ABMA) on plasma and yolk lipid profiles, carotene, and lutein plus zeaxanthin in egg yolks was studied in hens aged from 23 to 42 weeks (30 hens per treatment). We determined the fatty acid profiles in BMA and in the egg yolk of hens fed different levels of BMA prepared according to different methods. In addition, plasma and yolk lipid profiles, yolk total carotene, and lutein plus zeaxanthin were determined at week 42 of age. Plasma and yolk cholesterol were significantly lower in groups fed diets containing either 3% or 6% BMA than in the control group, but high-density lipoprotein (HDL) significantly decreased as BMA concentration increased. There was a significant similar decline in yolk triglycerides with inclusion of either 3% or 6% BMA in the laying hen diet. Palmitic acid was the main saturated fatty acid (SFA) found in BMA and oleic acid (omega-9) and linoleic acid (omega-6) were the main unsaturated fatty acids (UFA), while there was a significant increase in palmitic acid in egg yolk when BMA was included at 6%. There was a significant increase in oleic acid (omega-9) when feed containing 3% BMA was given compared to the control group, but this decreased with a further increase in BMA. Linoleic acid (omega-6) also significantly decreased with inclusion of either 3% or 6% BMA. There was a significant increase in total carotene and lutein plus zeaxanthin in the laying hen eggs as a result of feeding diets containing 3% and 6% BMA.
Production of Cellulase and Protease from Microorganisms Isolated from Gut of Archachatina marginata (Giant African Snail)

Cellulase and protease producing microorganisms were isolated from the gut of Archachatina marginata (Giant African snail). The microorganisms isolated were Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus casseliflavus, Streptococcus faecalis, Aspergillus flavus, Rhizopus sp, Fusarium sp. and Aspergillus niger. When the isolates were tested on skimmed milk agar (1%) and Carboxymethyl Cellulase, B. subtilis and A. niger were the best producing microorganisms for both cellulase and protease enzyme. For cellulase production, B. subtilis revealed its highest biomass yield after 24 hours of incubation with activity of 0.62mg/ml/secˉ 4 4 and an optimum temperature of 60℃, while A. niger was grown for 7 days and showed highest yield after 6 days with enzymatic activity of 3. 14µg/ml/secˉ4, and an optimum temperature of 50℃. The optimum pH was at 7 and 8 for B. subtilis and A. niger respectively. The results from this study suggest that B. subtilis and A. niger can be harnessed for the production of cellulase and protease.
Management Methods for a Sea Urchin Dive Fishery with Individual Fishing Zones

Abstract Management of the Nova Scotia sea urchin fishery includes several unusual features: one license per fishing zone, fishers increase resource yields over natural levels by controlling the sea urchin-macrophyte cycle, fishers scale fishing effort to market demand, fishers map the resource in their zones, a reference point for good resource management based on a conspicuous habitat feature, an audit of zone management success, and low ongoing input from the management agency. The low mobility of sea urchins and the opportunity for the diver-harvesters to observe the resource directly make this fishery a good candidate for management by fishers. Variable sea urchin growth and reproduction on a small spatial scale and the high cost of stock surveys by diving make the fishery less suitable for government regulation. Fishing zones were allocated based on the length of feeding fronts (i.e., the deep edge of the macrophyte beds where sea urchins aggregate and where most harvesting occurs). Fishers and government jointly developed enhancement techniques to increase the length of feeding fronts. The reference point used to measure a fisher's success at managing the stock was based on the depth of these feeding fronts.