Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Root respiration, growth and nitrogen uptake of Quercus suber seedlings

We tested the influence of two N-sources, NO 3 - and NH 4 + , on root growth and respiration of Quercus suber L. Seedlings were grown on hydroponics with 0.5 mM N as NO 3 - or NH 4 + in a growth chamber. Root relative growth rate (RGR) of NO 3 - -fed seedlings ranged from 9 to 34 mg g -1 day -1 . These values are lower than those described for slow-growing herbaceous and for most woody species. Root respiration and the activity and capacity of the alternative pathway (AP) showed no differences between the two N-sources. Both activity and capacity of the AP were very low and the cytochrome pathway was fully engaged. Specific respiratory costs were calculated for maintenance, 6.3 nmol O 2 g -1 s -1 , for nitrate uptake, 0.99 mol O 2 mol N -1 , and for growth 5.4 mmol O 2 g -1 . These values are similar to those found for slow-growing herbaceous species. The major part of total root respiration, over 64%, was used for maintenance processes, and a much smaller fraction for growth and nitrate uptake.
The Role of Heat Shock Protein 27/60 in Periodontitis and Cardiovascular Disease

When subjected to physiological stress such as heat stress or chemical stimulation, cells produce heat shock proteins (HSPs), which play an important role in coping with the stress and protecting cells from its harmful effects. HSPs act as regulators of apoptosis, either in the FasL or the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. pathway. Apoptosis regulated by HSPs also has an effect on inflammation of periodontal tissues, and many studies have proven that HSPs are closely associated with cardiovascular disease. In recent years, the link between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease has gradually been established. This article reviews the roles of HSPs in apoptosis, periodontitis, and cardiovascular disease.
Comparison of Degradation of Fibrous Materials as Modifiers of In Situ Ruminal Corn Gluten Meal

Degradability of corn gluten meal protein in situ is grossly underestimated compared with in vivo measurements. To study the influence of corn gluten meal mixed with different fibrous sources on in situ ruminal DM and CP degradation, bags containing meal alone or mixed with corn cobs, wheat straw, or sawdust, respectively, were suspended in the rumen of two lactating Holstein cows for 0, 4, 12, 24, 48, 72, or 120 h. The three fibrous sources also were incubated alone to determine their degradation pattern. Cytosine was used as a bacterial marker to correct the in situ residues for bacterial contamination. Sawdust was almost completely resistant to ruminal degradation, and straw was slowly degraded to a final extent of 35.3% of total DM. The DM in corn cobs had a degradable fraction of 63.7% and a rate of disappearance higher than that of corn gluten meal incubated alone. The DM and CP degradation rates of meal were not modified when feed was mixed with corn cobs. Incubation with straw and sawdust increased rate of disappearance of DM and CP of corn gluten meal (2.1 and 1.2%, respectively). Ruminal turnover was assumed to be 6%h, and CP degradabilities of corn gluten meal were 30.6 and 25.1% when the feed was in
Feeding patterns of two sympatric shark predators in coastal ecosystems of an oceanic island

Stomach contents and stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses (δ13C and δ15N) were used to investigate the trophic ecology of two apex predators, tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) and bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas), from Reunion Island to describe their dietary habits at both the population and individual levels. In this oceanic island, the tiger and bull sharks were more piscivorous and teutophagous than noted in previous research from other localities. The δ13C values suggested that bull sharks depended on more neritic organic matter sources than tiger sharks, confirming a coastal habitat preference for bull sharks. Moreover, the total length of the bull shark influenced δ13C values, with smaller individuals being more coastal than larger individuals. All indicators suggest that there is a higher degree of similarity between individual tiger sharks compared with the more heterogeneous bull shark population, which is composed of individuals who specialize on different prey. These results suggest tha.
Etude in vivo de l'effet inhibiteur de certains composants alimentaires sur la métabolisation de l'aflatoxine B1

Certaines substances, susceptibles d'interferer sur la metabolisation de l'aflatoxine B 1 ont ete etudiees dans ce travail. Elles sont, suivant le cas, naturellement presentes dans les aliments (quercetine, β-naphtoflavone) ou bien elles resultent du mode de preparation de ceux-ci (2-aminodipyrido [1,2-a; 3',2'-d] imidazole, norharmane) ou encore sont employees comme additifs alimentaires (butylhydroxytoluene, BHT). L'inhibition de l'excretion urinaire de l'adduit au glutathion est la plus forte pour le Glu-P-2 et le norharmane. Elle est moyenne pour la quercetine et la β-naphtoflavone. Par contre, le BHT injecte en une seule dose ne presente aucun effet sur la formation de cet adduit. Ces memes substances inhibent aussi la formation des adduits aux proteines, le norharmane etant le plus actif. L'inhibition de la formation d'adduits au glutathion est la plus marquee pour la quercetine et la β-naphtoflavone, faible pour le Glu-P-2 et le norharmane et inexistante pour le BHT.
Effect of the reducing agent dithiothreitol on ethanol and acetic acid production by Clostridium strain P11 using simulated biomass-based syngas.

The effect of dithiothreitol (DTT) on enhancing ethanol production from syngas using Clostridium strain P11 was investigated in 250-mL serum bottles. Reducing agents help in regeneration of NADH from NAD+. NADH is utilized in the production of alcohol from aldehydes. Strain P11 was fed with syngas every 24 h and samples were collected to measure pH, cell mass and product concentrations. Various concentrations of DTT were examined. Results showed over fourfold increase in ethanol production in media that contained at least 7.5 g/L of DTT after 360 h of fermentation compared to the control medium (without DTT). Similar pH, cell mass and acetic acid profiles were observed in the control and DTT media. The results suggested that the use of small concentrations of DTT in the broth enhances ethanol production from syngas, which is an important factor towards making gasification-fermentation technology an economically viable process.
Tissue culture of cacti and other succulents: a literature review and a report on micropropagation at Kew

Summary. The literature concerning tissue culture of cacti and other succulents is reviewed, with sections dealing with the major succulent families. The most work has been carried out on the Cactaceae and Crassulaceae, with fewer references to the Agavaceae, Aizoaceae, Aloaceae, Asclepiadaceae and Euphorbiaceae and other families. For each family, species which have been successfully propagated in vitro at Kew are listed.
Histochemical identification of fiber types in canine skeletal muscle.

: Proximal and distal skeletal muscles from pectoral and pelvic limbs were histochemically examined in 18 neuromuscular disease-free dogs. On the basis of the human system of classification and nomenclature and results of standard adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) and glycine-formaldehyde preincubation procedures, the fiber types identified in immature and mature canine skeletal muscles were I, IIA, and IIC.
Hormones and Social Behaviour of Teleost Fish

Hormones and neuroendocrine regulatory mechanisms have been highly conserved across vertebrates, making fish good model species for studies on behavioural neuroendocrinology (e.g., Oliveira et al., 2005b). In te1eosts, as in other vertebrates, the neuroendocrine system is organized in a hierarchical fashion with the hypothalamus controlling the activity of the anterior pituitary gland that, in turn, controls the functioning of the numerous peripheral endocrine glands (gonads, anterior kidney, etc.; see Fig. 3.1). As in other vertebrates, the fish pituitary gland consists of two types of tissue, the adenohypophysis and neurohypophysis, and the secretion of the adenohypophysial hormones is under the control of releasing factors produced by hypothalamic neurons (Schreibman, 1986;
Viabilidad de Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis en la maduración de quesos caprinos y bovinos Viability of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in elaborated goat and bovine milk cheese maturity

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map) es el microorganismo causante de la Paratuberculosis o Enfermedad de Johne, enteritis cronica que afecta a rumiantes y a otros animales domesticos y silvestres. Tambien ha sido vinculado a la enfermedad de Crohn en humanos. Hembras caprinas y bovinas infectadas con Map pueden excretar micobacterias en su leche, que consumida cruda o usada para la elaboracion de quesos sin pasteurizar podria constituir una fuente potencial para la infeccion humana. El objetivo del trabajo fue determinar la viabilidad de Map en quesos elaborados con leche caprina y bovina infectada experimentalmente y sometida o no a tratamiento termico. Durante la maduracion, Map fue aislado solo en los quesos elaborados con leche sin tratamiento termico, manteniendo su viabilidad hasta los 60 dias para los quesos caprinos y hasta los 45 dias en los bovinos. En quesos caprinos los mayores valores de pH se hallaron entre los 30 y 45 dias de maduracion, coincidiendo con los aislamientos mas numerosos de Map; en cambio, en los quesos bovinos no se observo relacion alguna. La maduracion de los quesos contribuiria a disminuir la viabilidad de Map en quesos elaborados con leche sin tratamiento termico y el calentamiento de la leche a 65 oC durante 20 min, seguido por la maduracion de los quesos, resultaria beneficioso ya que eliminaria las micobacterias presentes, mejorando la calidad higienico-sanitaria del alimento.
Comparative analysis of pectate lyase in relation to softening in strawberry fruits

Abstract: Strawberry fruits are perishable due to fruit softening occurring during storage and marketing, but the mechanism by which this occurs is not clear. In this study, the possible mechanism of softening is explored by comparative studies on the changes of fruit firmness, pectate lyase (PL) activities, and relative expression levels of PL genes between two strawberry cultivars. The results indicate that a method for the determination of PL activity in the strawberry fruit was established. The activity of PL was at a low level in the small green fruit to white fruit stage, and maintained at a high level in the ripening and softening stage. The PL gene was specifically expressed in fruit and mainly in the ripening stage. PL expressions were closely correlated with PL activities, and negatively related with the changes in flesh firmness. The full-length cDNA of PL genes from the two cultivars was cloned using the RACE method. Amino acid residues of C terminal sequences of the PL proteins from different species showed significant variations. Those results suggested that the differences in PL activity, gene sequence, and gene expression patterns may lead to the different roles of PL in different fruit textures of strawberries during ripening and softening.
RESPUESTA INMUNITARIA DE OVINOS (Ovis aries) FRENTE A DOS AISLADOS VENEZOLANOS DE Trypanosoma vivax IMMUNE RESPONSE OF SHEEP (Ovis aries) TO TWO VENEZUELAN Trypanosoma vivax ISOLATES

Bovine trypanosomosis caused by Trypanosoma vivax, has a significant negative impact on livestock. Due to the limited information on the immune response against this parasite in ruminants, the present investigation was undertaken with the aim to evaluate and compare the immune response of sheep experimentally infected with two T. vivax isolates. The isolates were obtained from different geographic areas of Venezuela (TvLIEM176 from Trujillo State and TvMT1 from Monagas State). Three sheep were inoculated with each isolate and three others were used as controls for a total of nine animals. Every three days (d), during a period of 60 d, blood and serum samples were taken to determine anti-Trypanosoma spp. antibodies (by iELISA), parasitemia, white blood cell count and a leukocyte profile. TvMT1- inoculated animals showed higher levels of antibodies than TvLIEM176-infected animals, although parasitaemia behaved inversely. The TvLIEM176 isolate produced higher levels of parasitemia than the TvMT1 isolate. In addition, lymphopenia was observed in TvLIEM176-infected sheep from day 12 to 36 post- infection, while lymphopenia was not shown in TvMT1-infected animals. It was demonstrated that the humoral immune response against both T. vivax isolates in sheep was different, which may be related to immunosuppression caused by TvLIEM176 isolate due to production of lymphopenia.
Characterization of thecelBGene Coding for b-Glucosidase from the Hyperthermophilic ArchaeonPyrococcus furiosusand Its Expression and Site-Directed Mutation inEscherichia coli

The celB gene encoding the cellobiose-hydrolyzing enzyme b-glucosidase from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus has been identified, cloned, and sequenced. The transcription and translation initiation sites of thecelBgene have been determined, and archaeal control sequences were identified. ThecelB gene was overexpressed in Escherichia coli, resulting in high-level (up to 20% of total protein) production of b-glucosidase that could be purified by a two-step purification procedure. The b-glucosidase produced byE. coli had kinetic and stability properties similar to those of the b-glucosidase purified from P. furiosus. The deduced amino acid sequence of CelB showed high similarity with those of b-glycosidases that belong to glycosyl hydrolase family 1, implicating a conserved structure. Replacement of the conserved glutamate 372 in theP.furiosus b-glucosidasebyanaspartateoraglutamineledtoahighreductioninspecificactivity(200-or1,000-fold, respectively), indicating that this residue is the active site nucleophile involved in catalysis above 100&C.
A Study on competition between Hydrilla verticillata and Mayaca fluviatilis

Mayaca fluviatilis is an exotic ornamental aquatic introduced to the country via the ornamental aquatic plant industry. The plant is now identified as a potential invasive in the country. The plant morphologically resembles Hydrilla verticillata and, a native aquatic while growing submerged in the water. Hydrilla verticillata has been recorded for its invasive behavior in the Western Province of Sri Lanka while M. fluviatilis is still at its early stages of spread with restricted distribution. Therefore information on M. fluviatilis is lacking as it has only been recently recognized as a problematic plant. The present study was conducted with the objective of evaluating inter-specific competition between M. fluviatillis and H. verticillata . A competition experiment was designed with five treatment combinations viz. terminal shoots of M. fluviatilis only (control), terminal shoots of H. verticillata only (control) and different combinations of M. fluviatilis and H. verticillata . The experimental plots were arranged in Completely Randomized Design and plant growth parameters were recorded after eight weeks of planting. Data were analyzed by using Minitab statistical software (version 16). With the introduction of H. verticillata , all the growth parameters of M. fluviatilis were reduced of which, shoot number root number and root dry weight were significantly (p M. fluviatilis , all the growth parameters of H. verticillata were increased of which, length of newly formed shoots, shoot dry weight and shoot number were significantly (p M. fluviatilis , the growth performances of H. verticillata were increased. Based on the present study, in a situation where H. verticillata and both species coexist, H. verticillata will have a competitive advantage over M. fluviatilis . Hence, the result suggest that despite the similar ecology, H. verticillata may outcompete M. fluviatilis in many situations.
PATTERNS OF ECTOMYCORRHIZAL-FUNGI CONSUMPTION BY

We investigated fungal consumption and resulting patterns of potential spore dispersal by 6 small mammals in old-growth habitat in the Sierra Nevada of the United States, a region in which this ecological interrelationship is poorly understood. Small mammals consumed a wide array of food items, although only feces of northern flying squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus), golden-mantled ground squirrels (Spermophilus lateralis), and Douglas squirrels (Tamiasciurus douglassi) frequently contained spores of hypogeous fungi, whereas those of lodgepole chipmunks (Tamias speciosus), long-eared chipmunks (T. quadrimaculatus), and deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) did so rarely. Feces from the 3 squirrel species also contained a greater number of hypogeous fungal genera per sample than did samples from the latter 3 species. Flying squirrels potentially dispersed the greatest variety of ectomycorrhizal fungi (16 genera): 8 in spring and 15 in autumn. Frequency of occurrence of 9 genera in the feces of flying squirrels differed between spring and autumn. Interspecific differences in patterns of fungal consumption, coupled with differences among these small mammals in habitat use, mobility, and digestive physiology, suggest that these small mammals may disperse fungi in ecologically nonredundant ways and that the integrity of entire small-mammal communities may be important to the maintenance of ectomycorrhizal diversity in coniferous forests.
Vegetation ecology along a trophic gradient on drained pine mires in southern Finland

The study treats the plant communities of sedge pine mires drained for forestry ca. 25 years previously (60 sites) and those of natural mires (10 sites) of the same site types. The plant communities were analysed in relation to the following environmental variables: the tree stand charac teristics, hydrology and nutrient contents of the peat. Canonical corres pondence analysis was used to relate the environmental variables to the plant community data. The species-environment relationships are also shown by means of scatter plots. Because of the problem of multicollin earity, the effects of the individual environmental factors could not be studied in detail. It is evident, however, that the post-drainage vegetation succession has been most rapid in the more fertile site types, due to the tree stand development and the higher nutrient levels. In fact, sites drained at about the same time, represent different stages of succession. The results show, however, that the post-drainage plant communities can be used in site classification. The distinction between the site classes is better in the
Prevalence of Agglutinating Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in Striped Skunks (Mephitis mephitis), Opossums (Didelphis virginiana), and Raccoons (Procyon lotoi)

The prevalence of agglutinating antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii was examined in striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), opossums (Didelphis virginiana), and raccoons (Procyon lotor) from 8 cities in Connecticut. Ten (42%) of the 24 striped skunks, 2 of 7 (29%) opos- sums, and 12 of 12 (100%) raccoons were positive at dilutions of 1:50 or greater. These results suggest that T. gondii is prevalent in the en- vironment, or prey items, or both, of these omnivores in Connecticut. Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis, and all warm-blooded vertebrates are potentially susceptible to infection with this parasite. Oocysts excreted by domestic cats and other felines, as well as tissue cysts in prey, are sources of Toxoplasma gondii for domestic and wild animals. We are interested in the transmission of T. gondii in wild animals that are in contact with humans in urban areas (Hancock et al., 2005). The prev- alence of antibodies to T. gondii in omnivores collected in urban areas should reflect the presence of oocysts in the environment and tissue cysts in food items of these animals. Little is known about the prevalence of T. gondii in striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) or opossums (Didelphis virginiana). Toxoplasma gondii genotype III was isolated from 3 of 6 asymptomatic striped skunks from Mississippi (Dubey, Parnell et al., 2004). Two of the 3 isolated from these skunks were mouse pathogens even though they Table I. Prevalence of agglutinating antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in striped skunks from 6 cities in Connecticut.
Effect of ethanol on yeast film formation

In this study, we have investigated the influence of ethanol on yeast film formation and cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH). A yeast strain (P3) previously isolated from film yeast was grown in a medium containing increasing ethanol concentration ranging from 0 to 14 p. cent (v/v). It results from this study that up to 10 p. cent ethanol, the greater was the ethanol concentration, the greater was the growth of film. Using two different techniques (phase partition method, magnobead assay), we have shown that ethanol altered the CSH of the yeast. The measured hydrophobicity (p. cent) of cells grown without ethanol was 65 p. cent compared with 81 p. cent with 14 p. cent (v/v) ethanol. Taking into account the increase in CSH with increasing ethanol concentration which leads to greater film development, it seems likely that CSH alteration constitutes an adaptation mechanism which allows the cell to rise to the surface where growth conditions are favoured i.e oxydative metabolism. The role of CSH on yeast film formation was sustained by using a wine strain (3079) enable to form a film on the liquid surface, thus we have shown that this yeast possess a lower CSH (50 p. cent) compared to P3 strain (80 p. cent). However, CSH is not the only determinant for film formation since a respiratory deficient mutant (P3 rho-) with high cell surface hydrophobicity (80 p. cent) could not form a film. Treatment of cells with lyticase which dramatically reduced CSH of P3 strain from 80 to 15 p. cent points out the protein or glycoprotein nature of the component responsible for CSH.
Assemblage of termites in a fragment of cerrado on the coast of Paraíba state, northeast Brazil (Isoptera)

The fauna of termites was investigated in a fragment of cerrado (an open tree-dominated savannah-like vegetation) in a preservation area of the Reserva BiolOgica Guaribas (RBG), in the municipality of Mamanguape, State of Paraiba. A standardized sampling protocol was applied, made up of six transects of 65 m x 2 m, each one with five plots of 5 m x 2 m, with a distance of 10 m between each other, totalling 30 plots in an overall study area of 300 m 2 . Fourteen species of termites were found in the transects and six additional species were collected by chance, all of them belonging to the family Termitidae. The conspicuous nest builders found were Constrictotermes cyphergaster and Nasutitermes coxipoensis. The majority of the species were wood feeders, but humus feeders were the most frequent in the transects. The species richness here determined was the lowest ever reported in a Brazilian cerrado vegetation and one of the lowest reported in the Neotropical region. The size and the isolation time of the fragment and its distance from larger cerrado areas in the central region of Brazil may explain the low species richness. The taxonomic structure of the termite fauna was made up of species often found in other Brazilian biomes, like in the caatinga and in the Amazonian and Atlantic forests; however, five species seem to be endemic to areas of cerrado.