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Mechanical stretching is experienced ubiquitously by human tissues and their constituent cells and impacts biochemical and (mechano)biological processes relevant to health and disease. Numerous cell-stretching devices (CSDs) have been developed and used to apply mechanical strain to cells and tissues in in vitro settings, however, few have shown compatibility with live-cell microscopy. In most microscopy-compatible CSDs, imaging is performed post-mechanical stretching while live-cell imaging during cyclic stretching is very rarely shown, especially at high stretching frequencies and for long experiments (i.e., hours long). Live-cell imaging during cell stretching has revealed distinct time-dependent biomechanical features of cells, such as cell fluidization at high amplitudes or frequencies, or cracking followed by recovery of cell monolayers. Basic human functions such as breathing and digestion require mechanical stretching of cells and tissues. However, when it comes to laboratory experiments, the mechanical stretching that cells experience in the body is not often replicated, limiting the biomimetic nature of the studies and the relevance of results. Herein, we establish the importance of mechanical stretching during in vitro investigations by reviewing seminal works performed using cell-stretching platforms, highlighting important outcomes of these works as well as the engineering characteristics of the platforms used. Emphasis is placed on the compatibility of cell-stretching devices (CSDs) with live-cell imaging as well as their limitations and on the research advancements that could arise from live-cell imaging performed during cell stretching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasticity-led evolution is central to evolutionary theory. Although challenging to study in nature, this process may be particularly apparent in novel environments such as cities. We document abundant evidence of plastic behavioral changes in urban animals, including learning, contextual, developmental, and transgenerational plasticities. Using behavioral drive as a conceptual framework, our analysis of notable case studies suggests that plastic behaviors, such as altered habitat use, migration, diurnal and seasonal activity, and courtship, can have faciliatory and cascading effects on urban evolution via spatial, temporal, and mate-choice mechanisms. Our findings highlight (i) the need to incorporate behavioral plasticity more formally into urban evolutionary research and (ii) the opportunity provided by urban environments to study behavioral mechanisms of plasticity-led processes. Urbanization elicits diverse plastic behavioral responses in animals, which may lead to rapid evolutionary changes. Behavioral shifts in city-living animals can drive evolutionary divergence in populations at different scales through several spatial, temporal, and mate-choice mechanisms. Behavioral drivers of divergence are present in adaptive, neutral, and maladaptive contexts. Divergence may occur at urban-nonurban, within-city, and across-city scales. Cities provide biologists with a unique opportunity to enhance understanding of how plastic behaviors can precede and guide evolutionary change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • H-bond strength influences the nature of phase transitions in 1-NH 2 -OH and 1-OH-ADM. • There are three transitions between various plastic crystal (PC) phases in 1-NH 2 -OH. • Only one transition between PC and ordinary crystal phases occurs in 1-OH-ADM. • Compression has a strong impact on phase transitions in both examined compounds. In this paper, several experimental techniques, i.e., differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, Raman, and broadband dielectric spectroscopy were applied to study the nature of the phase transitions in 1-adamantylamine (1-NH 2 -ADM, C 10 H 17 N) and 1-adamantanol (1-OH-ADM, C 10 H 16 O). Calorimetric measurements showed one and three endothermic peaks in thermograms for the latter and the former substance, respectively. Indeed, results of spectroscopic investigations indicated that the observed thermal events in 1-NH 2 -ADM correspond to transitions between various plastic crystal (PC) phases (I, II, III, IV), while the endothermic process in 1-OH-ADM can be assigned to a phase transition between the PC and the ordinary crystal (OC). Especially interesting were the outcomes of dielectric studies carried out both at ambient and high-pressure conditions, during heating and cooling cycles. They showed: i) noticeable changes in the frequency dependencies of the imaginary ( ε ' ' ) and real ( ε ') parts of the complex dielectric permittivity that occurred around temperatures of the characteristic endothermic events detected by the calorimetry, and ii) significant fluctuations of ε ' ' and ε ' at pressures attributed to the respective phase transitions. Moreover, the pressure coefficients of the phase transition temperatures were estimated to be approximately equal to 0.2 K/MPa for both compounds. In turn, volume variation (Δ V) at the PC (II)-PC (III) and PC (III)-PC (IV) transition temperatures for 1-NH 2 -ADM was essentially different than Δ V for the PC-OC transition in 1-OH-ADM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first documented dinosaur footprints from Southeast Asia were theropod footprints found in Thailand at Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary. Since then, Mesozoic vertebrate footprints have been discovered in twelve different localities in Thailand. In 2000, dinosaur footprints were found in Phu Kao National Park in Northeastern Thailand, however, they have never been studied in detail. The following study presents the first map, the complete measurements, the geology, and stratigraphy of the site and surrounding area. The study discusses the nature of the trackmaker and the digitigrade character of the footprints. This discovery represents the first documented occurrence of dinosaur footprints inside the Early Cretaceous Sao Khua Formation from Thailand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This study shows the dynamics of accidents caused by venomous animals in the Northeast region of Brazil, using statistical and spatial methods. • The spatio-temporal scan showed the occurrence of high-risk clusters mainly in the states of Bahia (P1), Alagoas and Pernambuco (P2 and P3). • Spatial analysis showed an increasing number of municipalities that had high incidence rates over the periods. • The study demonstrates the effectiveness of spatial tools for identifying areas for the analysis of venomous animals for the analysis of venomous animals. Accidents with venomous animals correspond to the second cause of epidemiological notification in Brazil, with around 140 thousand cases registered in recent years, which constitutes a serious public health problem. This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological profile and the spatial and spatio-temporal patterns of the incidence of accidents by venomous animals in the Northeast region of Brazil, from 2008 to 2017. We carried out an epidemiological and observational study of an ecological nature, with tools for spatial analysis. To do so, we calculated the incidence rate of cases. The occurrence of spatial autocorrelation was verified and the spatial KullDorff statistics were used to identify risk clusters. A total of 486,001 cases were reported, of which 50.1% (244,122) of those affected were female, the age group most affected by accidents was >60 years, 70.6% (343,295) of accidents were caused by scorpions and 14.7% (71,620) by snakes. The state of Bahia had the highest number of accidents, followed by Pernambuco and Alagoas. The highest incidence rates are observed mainly in the states of Alagoas, Pernambuco, Maranhão and Bahia. There was an increase in accidents in the period studied. In addition, this study shows that the use of space tools collaborate positively to identify locations with a high incidence of accidents by venomous animals. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A method for analyzing mangrove changes was proposed by combining time series and land cover data. • EVI is more suitable for mangrove time series analysis. • Economic development is the main cause of mangrove degradation. Mangrove forests have important social, ecological, and economic value in coastal ecosystems. However, they are one of the most vulnerable ecosystems in the world and are widely threatened due to their unique location along the land-sea interface. Thus, mangrove conservation based on scientific and effective monitoring methods is essential. In this study, a method for analyzing the spatio-temporal changes in mangrove forests was proposed in Qinglangang Nature Reserve, Hainan Province, China. This method combined multiple time series analysis (including Theil-Sen median trend analysis, Mann-Kendall test, and Hurst exponent) with land cover data from Landsat and Sentinel-1/2 to provide a clearer geographic explanation for changes in mangrove forests. The study showed that high-resolution data performs better than low-resolution data, optical indices are more ideal than SAR indices, and EVI is more advantageous than NDVI for mangrove time series analysis. The results revealed that mangroves in Qinglangang have experienced a severe degradation stage (1987–2003), a slow improvement stage (2003–2013), and a coexistence of improvement and degradation stage (2013–2020). In all stages, the main causes of mangrove degradation are anthropogenic factors, such as development of aquaculture ponds and building land, and natural factors caused by typhoons and sea-level rise. The anthropogenic factors have a broader and longer impact and should be a focus of future studies. The improvement in mangrove forests is due to habitat quality restoration and artificial planting, which is shown to be quite effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In an age of triage, we must prioritize species for conservation effort. Species more isolated on the tree of life are candidates for increased attention. The rockfish genus Sebastes is speciose (>100 spp.), morphologically and ecologically diverse and many species are heavily fished. We used a complete Sebastes phylogeny to calculate a measure of evolutionary isolation for each species and compared this to their morphology and imperilment. We found that evolutionarily isolated species in the northeast Pacific are both larger-bodied and, independent of body size, morphologically more distinctive. We examined extinction risk within rockfish using a compound measure of each species’ intrinsic vulnerability to overfishing and categorizing species as commercially fished or not. Evolutionarily isolated species in the northeast Pacific are more likely to be fished, and, due to their larger sizes and to life history traits such as long lifespan and slow maturation rate, they are also intrinsically more vulnerable to overfishing. Finally, the set of northeast Pacific species that are both fished and most intrinsically vulnerable to fishing are among the most evolutionarily distinctive. These findings suggest that, at least for this clade, extra attention should be paid to evolutionary distinctiveness when prioritizing species for conservation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

During 1911–1914, using the resources of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, Louis I. Dublin conducted two national studies into the survival of those surviving episodes of typhoid fever or scarlet fever. He identified an elevated risk of such mortality, associated with specific causes of death, among those having had typhoid fever but not among the scarlet fever survivors. The studies were methodologically sophisticated, resembling those conducted three to four decades later. The studies appear to have been accepted by the medical and public health communities. However, the absence of modern data processing technology and the lack of financial support for such studies by other investigators precluded the further development of modern epidemiology until World War II. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Many conservation biologists believe the best ethical basis for conserving natural entities is their claimed intrinsic value, not their instrumental value for humans. But there is significant confusion about what intrinsic value is and how it could govern conservation decision making. After examining what intrinsic value is supposed to be, we argue that it cannot guide the decision making conservation requires. An adequate ethical basis for conservation must do this, and instrumental value does it best. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Caesalpinia echinata (brazilwood) is a threatened tree endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic forest with a global importance as it is worldwide used to manufacture the most desirable bows for violins, violas, and cellos. Although there is an international initiative for its conservation, there is a lack of studies on the reproductive biology of the species, as for the genus, a fundamental understanding for the conservation of any species. In this paper, we investigated the phenology, pollination, and breeding system of C. echinata, presenting some conservation guidelines for the species, together with a review of studies on the reproductive biology in Caesalpinia s.l. The genus has a complex taxonomic history with recent attempts to reassign its limits. Pending a final resolution of the placing of some species (including C. echinata) our revision covers the traditional Caesalpinia s.l. and includes annotations indicating to which segregate genus each species is now considered to belong, as well as the appropriate combination where this has already been published. Field work was undertaken from October/2004 to December/2006 at the Tapacurá Ecological Station, northeastern Brazil. Flowering occurred mainly in the dry season and the peak of seed dispersal was at the beginning of the wet season. Anthesis is diurnal, lasting 1 day. The flowers are zygomorphic, yellow, sweet-scented, and the effective pollinators were mainly medium-sized to large bees of the genera Centris and Xylocopa, together with the introduced Apis mellifera. Nectar volume and sugar concentration averaged 2.9±1.0μL and 29.5±9.4%, respectively. The ovary has 1–4 ovules (2.35±0.58) and the pollen/ovule ratio was 5631.2; pollen viability was high (95.9±4.8%). Natural fruit set was low (9.2%) with mature fruits averaging 1.7±0.9 seeds. Results of the controlled pollinations and analysis of pollen tube growth revealed C. echinata presents late-acting self-incompatibility. The pollination biology and breeding system of C. echinata are discussed, together with available data on its genetics and physiology, in terms of best conservation practice for this endangered species. Data on the reproductive biology of the genus are scarce, revealing the predominance of bee pollination and SI system, with the occurrence of late-acting self-incompatibility mechanisms in some species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Biodiversity science is unusual in that an emerging paradigm is not based on a specific process, but rather depends largely on stochastic elements, perceived as neutral forces. Here I suggest that these forces, which have been justified, in part, by the concepts of symmetry and equalizing mechanisms, have application to the understanding of stochastic models but do not constitute forces that operate in nature. Another process now regularly classified as a neutral force, limited dispersal, represents a fundamental demographic process that is not neutral with respect to species differences, but rather differs among species in important ways. Finally, I suggest that the dramatic shift in ecological research to focus on neutrality could have a cost in terms of scientific understanding and relevance to real biodiversity threats. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: To describe the natural history and progression of visual loss in eyes with untreated neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Participants: Four thousand three hundred sixty-two untreated neovascular AMD patients from published interventional studies. Methods: A systematic review of the literature from 1980 to August 2005 was performed. Studies reporting disease progression outcomes for untreated patients with neovascular AMD were included. Outcome measures were summarized using simple counts and means. Random effects meta-analyses were conducted and tests of heterogeneity were performed where appropriate. Main Outcome Measures: Changes in visual acuity (VA) loss, development of comorbidities, and fellow eye involvement. Results: Fifty-three primary studies were included. Nearly half of the studies (28) were randomized clinical trials. The quality of the studies was high, with over 80% providing level I or II evidence. Mean baseline VA among study patients was 0.64 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) (∼20/87 Snellen). The mean VA change in logMAR progressed from 0.1 (1 line lost) at 3 months to 0.3 (2.7 lines lost) after 12 months and 0.4 (4 lines lost) after 24 months. The proportion of patients who developed severe vision loss (>6 lines) from baseline increased from 21.3% at 6 months to 41.9% by 3 years. The proportion of patients with VA worse than logMAR 1.0 (20/200 Snellen) increased from 19.7% at baseline to 75.7% by 3 years. Neovascular AMD developed in the fellow eye in 12.2% of patients by 12 months and in 26.8% by 4 years. Meta-analyses of vision outcome by subtype of neovascular AMD were not possible. Conclusions: A doubling of the visual angle of presenting VA may be expected to occur in the year after initial presentation in eyes with untreated neovascular AMD. No conclusions can be drawn as to the differences in rates of disease progression by neovascular AMD subtype. The diversity of reporting formats, paucity of long-term natural history data, and heterogeneity among the reported clinical studies impose limits to the clear understanding of long-term prognosis for visual function in neovascular AMD. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Isoflavones are a group of phytoestrogens found in many plants, and daidzein is one of their major metabolites. Previous studies have shown that daidzein affects growth of rumen bacteria and intestinal microflora. This study investigated effects of daidzein on rumen microbial fermentation. Substrate containing ground Chinese wildrye hay (7g/L), corn grain powder (2.1g/L) and soybean meal (0.9g/L) was fermented in vitro by mixed rumen microorganisms and substrate containing rice straw (8g/L) by rumen anaerobic fungi from four rumen fistulated male goats. Results with mixed rumen microorganisms showed that daidzein treatment had no effect on the total VFA, but maximized propionate at about 10mg/L (quadratic P<0.01). As a result, the ratio of acetate to propionate was minimized at 10mg/L (quadratic P<0.05). Daidzein treatment also minimized NH3-N at 10mg/L (quadratic P<0.01), but had no effect on microbial crude protein. The fermentation time-course study showed that the effect of daidzein at 10mg/L on production of acetate and propionate became significant after 1h of fermentation, while the effect on NH3-N content became evident after 5h. In a culture of the rumen anaerobic fungus Neocallimastix sp., daidzein maximized cumulative gas production and specific growth rate to half of the gas pool at 10–50mg/L, but had no effect on dry matter loss. Results indicate potential regulating effects of daidzein on rumen microorganisms that could be useful in the rumen function. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The aim of this study was to continuously monitor rumen pH of loose-housed dairy cattle as affected by feeding pattern and live yeast supplementation. Three multiparous lactating rumen-cannulated cows receiving the same basal ration once daily were supplemented with 5g/d (equivalent to 1010 CFU/d) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain CNCM I-1077 (Levucell SC2, Lallemand, Toulouse, France) alternately for periods of 2 weeks following a cross-over design. The three cows were maintained in loose-house conditions and milked with a robotic milking system. Cows consumed a fraction of their ration in the feed bunk as a mixed ration and about 3kg/d of concentrate during milking at the robotic milking unit. During the last 8d of each period, rumen pH was monitored every 15min. However, the rumen was accessed only once every 3 days. These pH measurements were recorded with a pH meter capable of storing pH values automatically that was placed inside a custom-made polyvinyl cylinder with about 300g of lead to ensure that the device remained in the ventral part of the rumen throughout all readings. Individual feed intake and feeding patterns were also recorded. The data were analyzed using a mixed-effects model with repeated measures. Average rumen pH was greater (P<0.01) when yeast was supplemented than when no yeast was provided. Ruminal pH decreased (P<0.001) as time since last basal ration bout increased, and this decrease was more (P<0.05) pronounced when no yeast was supplemented. Yeast-supplemented cows had a greater (P<0.05) meal frequency than the unsupplemented cows. The results indicate that live yeasts have a beneficial effect on ruminal pH of cows kept in loose-house conditions. Furthermore, yeast effects on rumen pH may be evident starting 1 week after supplementation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Effects of a docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-edible algae product, Aquagrow-DHA, on lipolysis and biohydrogenation of linoleic acid (C18:2 n-6) was studied in 24h in vitro incubations with buffer (20ml), sheep rumen contents (5ml), hay (0.4g) and sunflower oil (20mg). Four Aquagrow-DHA levels (0, 20.8, 41.6, 83.3mg) were tested and addition of lard ensured that the total fat content was constant. Increasing Aquagrow-DHA proportionally inhibited hydrogenation of C18:2 n-6, provoking an accumulation of C18:1 trans fatty acids (mainly C18:1 t10+t11). Analogous incubations for 6 and 24h with linseed oil (20mg) instead of sunflower oil, resulted in the accumulation of C18:2 t11c15 and, to a lower extent, C18:1 t10+t11 and showed that Aquagrow-DHA reduced the rate of lipolysis of linolenic acid (C18:3 n-3). Comparison of these results with incubations with the individual constituents of Aquagrow-DHA and whole algae biomass revealed that the observed effects were related to the presence of DHA. Finally, incubations under a 50:50 H2:CO2 atmosphere suggested a direct inhibitory effect of unesterified DHA on hydrogenating bacteria involved in the conversion of C18:2 t11c15 and C18:1 trans isomers, rather than on H2 availability. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Different levels of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or ammonia bicarbonate (NH4HCO3) were applied to rice straws to investigate the effects on histological dynamic change of stem epidermis before and after in sacco degradation using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and a transmission electron microscope (TEM). The papillae, wart-like structures and micro-hairs on the cuticle layer of stem epidermis were crimped by treatment with NaOH above 30g/kg straw dry matter, but were not crimped in NH4HCO3-treated stems. A part of the cuticle wax and silica layer was breached at high dosages of NH4HCO3. Epidermis was degraded in NaOH-treated stem, but was still observed in untreated or NH4HCO3-treated stems, even after rumen incubation for 48h. Degradation was observed more clearly under TEM than under SEM. Micro-hairs of both untreated and treated stems were not degraded or detached from the epidermis earlier than other epidermal structures. Results indicate that the cuticle wax silica layer of rice stem epidermis is an important barrier to rumen degradation, but pretreatment with NaOH or NH4HCO3 may dissolve (NaOH) or crack off (NH4HCO3) this layer, and that changes increase in a dose-dependent manner. With the dissolving of the cuticle wax layer, the epidermis in the NaOH-treated stems could be degraded by rumen microorganisms, whereas only the breach of the cuticle layer in NH4HCO3-treated stems did not result in degradation of epidermis leading to a lesser positive improvement on rumen digestion versus NaOH treatment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In arid zones of North Africa, hays formerly harvested from native range forages such as Alfa (Stipa tenacissima), can provide alternative diets for livestock during periods of forage scarcity. However, they usually constitute low-quality forages. Soaking Alfa hay in alkaline solutions prepared from dung ash, with the addition of urea, was evaluated as a potential economic treatment for improving rumen digestibility. A digestion trial was conducted using 3-year-old male goats to compare digestibility of untreated Alfa hay with a treatment containing a 200g/L solution of dung ash from dromedary, and 30g/kg urea. A second experiment was conducted in order to evaluate the effectiveness of dung ash source (dromedary or goat), concentration of dung ash solution (0, 100, 200 or 300g/L) and urea (0 or 30g/kg) on in vitro digestibility of Alfa amongst goats. Results of digestion trials showed that treated Alfa hay had higher (P<0.01) digestion coefficients for dry matter (0.483 versus 0.420), organic matter (0.558 versus 0.487), neutral detergent fiber (0.664 versus 0.531) and acid detergent fiber (0.620 versus 0.545) than untreated hay. Crude protein apparent digestibility presented no significant different values (P>0.05) between untreated and treated hay (0.356 versus 0.402). Daily dry matter intake ranged from 40.8 to 46.2g/kgBW0.75 for untreated and treated hay, respectively (P<0.05). This resulted in an increase of the daily digestible dry matter intake of about 31% for treated hay as compared with the untreated hay. Results of the second experiment showed that in vitro organic matter digestibility coefficient (IVOMD) raised from 0.271 for untreated hay to 0.499 for Alfa hay treated with a 300g/L solution of dung ash from goats and with 30g/kg urea. Dung ash from goats appeared to have a higher effect than those from dromedary. Meanwhile, IVOMD of Alfa hay only treated with 30g/L urea was intermediary (0.403). It is concluded that treating Alfa hay with a 200g/L solution of dung ashes and 30g/kg urea can provide an average quality forage which meets the nutritional maintenance requirements of livestock. The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to feeding management strategies for low-input livestock systems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Effects of ethanol treatment on ruminal in situ degradation kinetics of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) of soybean meal (SBM) were determined. Soybean meal samples were soaked in 500, 600 or 700ml/l ethanol solutions for 2h. Duplicate nylon bags of untreated or treated SBM were suspended in the rumen of four non-lactating Holstein cows for up to 48h, and resulting data were fitted to non-linear degradation model to calculate degradation parameters of DM and CP. Intestinal CP digestibility was measured using the mobile nylon bag technique. Proteins of untreated and treated bag residues were fractionated by gel electrophoresis. There were differences (P<0.05) for DM and CP degradation parameters between untreated and ethanol treated SBM. Regardless of the concentration, ethanol treatments applied to SBM decreased the washout fraction, the estimated rate of CP degradation, and the effective protein degradation (EPD) compared to untreated SBM. The lowest estimated rate of CP degradation and the calculated EPD were observed when SBM was treated with 600ml/l ethanol solution. Extending the ethanol concentration over 600ml/l to SBM was considered excessive. Ethanol treatments increased (P<0.05) the intestinal mobile bag digestibility of ruminally undegraded CP. At concentration of 500, 600 and 700ml/l, digestibility of CP increased by 4, 12 and 13% compared to untreated SBM, respectively. Electrophoretic analyses of untreated, 500, 600 and 700ml/l ethanol treated SBM revealed that two of the subunits of β-conglycinin (ά and α) had been degraded completely after 2, 6, 8 and 8h, whereas the β subunit of this protein has been degraded after 4, 8, 12 and 12h, respectively. In untreated SBM, the acidic and basic subunits of glycinin had been degraded in 8 and 12h of incubation, but in treated SBM had not been degraded even after 48h of incubation. Based upon these results, treatment of SBM with 600ml/l ethanol solution had the greatest potential to increase rumen undegradable protein. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study investigated the potential of the goat''s ruminal adaptation to reduce the negative effect of tannins on in vitro fermentation. Rumen fluid was obtained from goats fed a mixture of tannin-containing tree fruits (adapted rumen fluid) or tannin-free commercial protein supplements (unadapted rumen fluid) for 85 days. Dry, mature fruits of Acacia nilotica, Acacia erubescens, Acacia erioloba, Dichrostachys cinerea and Piliostigma thonningii were used as substrates for the in vitro fermentation. The effectiveness of adapted rumen fluid to ferment tannin-containing substrates was compared to the extent of fermentation when tannins were inactivated with polyethylene glycol (PEG), a known tannin-binding agent. Adapted rumen fluid (P<0.05) increased gas production from all five substrates between 15.8% and 73.7%. In A. nilotica, D. cinerea and P. thonningii, this increase was less than that obtained through PEG treatment. When PEG was added to adapted rumen fluid a further improvement in extent of fermentation was observed in four out of the five fruit samples. The largest PEG effect when incubated with adapted rumen fluid was observed in A. nilotica (43.1%) and D. cinerea (42.9%) fruits. It is concluded that some tannin-rich feedstuffs may still benefit from treatment even when these are offered to adapted animals. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Due to its favorable agronomic traits, Acacia saligna has the potential to be used as a perennial forage crop in the agricultural regions of southern Australia. The feed quality of populations from across the natural range of A. saligna was examined using in vitro and spectroscopic methods. The mean feed quality of A. saligna was found to be low in comparison to other forage species commonly used in southern Australia, this was due primarily to low dry matter digestibility (DMD) and high protein precipitable tannin (PPT) levels. The content of crude protein (CP) and fibre were both moderate, and the content of essential minerals was found to meet the basic requirements for sheep, with the exception of phosphorus. There was a significant level of variation in fodder quality between the sampled populations. The feed qualities of some populations were found to approach or exceed what is desirable for a livestock feed. The results showed that A. saligna has the potential to produce feed of an acceptable quality. Further development of the species as a crop requires the detailed characterisation of the variation. Some of the variation in feed quality was correlated with genetic variation in the species, and was poorly correlated with known environmental variation. It may therefore be genetically controlled, suggesting that the feed quality of A. saligna could be improved through selection and breeding. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A feeding trial was conducted for 60 days to determine the effect of dietary tannin on growth and health status of Labeo rohita fingerlings. One hundred and eighty fingerlings (average weight 3.2g) were randomly distributed into six treatment groups with three replicates each. Six isonitrogenous (crude protein 339.8–351.1g/kgfeed) and isocaloric (16.51–16.65MJDE/kg) practical diets were prepared with graded levels of tannin, viz. control, T1 (2.5g/kg), T2 (5g/kg), T3 (10g/kg), T4 (15g/kg) and T5 (20g/kg). Addition of tannin up to 20g/kg did not affect the weight gain (%), specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio, and apparent net protein utilization of fingerings significantly (P>0.05). The hepato somatic index value of control group was lowest than the other experimental groups. The muscle cholesterol level and haemoglobin count in the different treatments was significantly increased compared with the control. The immunological parameters like total leucocyte count and respiratory burst activity was significantly increased in tannin-fed groups. Based on the results of the present study, it is concluded that short-term feeding for 60 days of hydrolysable tannin has no adverse effect on growth of L. rohita fingerlings. Hence feeding of hydrolysable tannin on a long-term basis needs further study. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In 24h in vitro incubations with 25ml of buffered rumen fluid, four doses (0, 20.8, 41.6 and 83.3mg) of a DHA-edible algae product, Aquagrow-DHA, were examined in combination with sunflower (20mg) or linseed oil (20mg). One treatment contained no Aquagrow-DHA, linseed or sunflower oil and one was supplemented with Aquagrow-DHA (166.6mg) only. Addition of lard ensured that total fat content was constant among incubations. Increasing amounts of Aquagrow-DHA progressively inhibited CH4 to a maximum of 80% (P<0.001). Increased CH4 inhibition was accompanied by decreased acetate (P<0.001) and butyrate (P<0.001), and increased propionate (P<0.001) proportions, but also by depression of the short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production by 30% at the highest Aquagrow-DHA level (P<0.001). However, SCFA inhibition only occurred when the Aquagrow-DHA dose exceeded 41.6mg and CH4 production was reduced by about 30% (P<0.05) at this dose. Inhibitory effects were linked to the amount of unesterified polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic acid. Incubations under partial H2 atmosphere suggested that a direct toxic effect to rumen methanogens was caused by higher amounts of unesterified DHA (>41.6mgAquagrow-DHA/incubation) only, whereas suppression of rumen methanogenesis at lower doses seemed to be indirect through a lack of substrate. This indicates bacteria providing H2 to the rumen methanogens to be more sensitive to unesterified DHA than rumen methanogens. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Previously, combining docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) with linoleic acid in rumen cultures enhanced vaccenic acid (VA) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) accumulations. The objective of this experiment was to examine the effect of two pH levels and two polyunsaturated C18 fatty acid (FA) sources on VA and CLA accumulations in rumen cultures incubated with DHA. High pH culture treatments consisted of 10mg DHA+20mg linoleic acid (LOH), or 10mg DHA+20mg linolenic acid (LNH). Low pH culture treatments consisted of 10mg DHA+20mg linoleic acid (LOL), or 10mg DHA+20mg linolenic acid (LNL). Treatments were incubated in triplicate in 125ml flasks containing 500mg finely ground TMR, 10ml strained ruminal fluid, 40ml media, and 2ml reducing solution. Ruminal fluid was collected from fermenters fed high forage (pH 6.7) or high grain diets (pH 5.4). A 5-ml sample of culture contents was taken at 0 and 24h for fatty acid analysis by gas liquid chromatography. After 24h of incubation, VA was the predominant trans C18:1 FA isomer in the high pH cultures and its concentration was greater with LOH (20.9mg/culture) than with LNH (9.3mg/culture). Similarly, t10 C18:1 was the predominant trans C18:1 FA isomer in the low pH cultures and its concentration was greater with LOL (12.8mg/culture) than with LNL (4.5mg/culture). The c9t11 CLA (0.74mg/culture) and tt CLA (0.67mg/culture) were the predominant CLA isomers in the LOH cultures, while t10c12 CLA (1.47mg/culture) and tt CLA (1.27mg/culture) were the predominant CLA isomers in the LOL cultures. The t11t13 CLA increased in linolenic acid cultures, particularly when linolenic acid incubated under low pH condition (0.95mg/culture). Additions of linolenic acid to rumen cultures caused a dramatic increase in the concentration of t11c15 C18:2 (9.84 and 8.45mg/culture, for treatments LNH and LNL, respectively). The concentrations of VA and c9t11 CLA in rumen cultures were greatest when DHA was incubated with linoleic acid at high pH. In contrast, t10 C18:1 replaced VA and c9t11 CLA disappeared when linoleic and linolenic acids were incubated under the low pH condition. This study shows that the best approach to increase ruminal VA production, and potentially c9t11 CLA levels in ruminant food products, is by combining a DHA source (such as fish oil or algae) and linoleic acid source under high ruminal pH condition. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The effective degradability (ED) and the intestinal effective digestibility (IED) of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) of a green Italian rye-grass (GRG) crop and its silage (ERG) were determined using in situ and particle passage techniques on three wethers, cannulated in rumen and duodenum. Two rumen incubations with duplicate bags filled with 3g of freeze-dried samples were performed for each feed at times of 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 48 and 72h. On each incubation, one series of bags was used to determine rumen degradation and the other was freeze-dried and pooled for each incubation time. Then two sub-samples (0.2g) were incubated into mobile nylon bags through the entire intestine of each animal. The microbial contamination of rumen incubated residues (determined with 15N techniques) was fitted to an exponential function. The asymptotic values (m) for DM contamination showed that silage particle reached a greater colonisation (P=0.006) but with a slower rate of microbe accumulation (P=0.03). Values of m for CP also showed that the undegradable CP fraction was mainly of microbial origin (0.745 and 0.870 for GRG and ERG, respectively). Two different ED estimates were established: EDp, considering the particle rumen outflow rate (k p) of the ERG, and EDc,p, considering additionally the fractional rate of conminution and mixing (k c) of these particles. Mean values (and S.E.) of both rates were: 0.0497±0.0113 and 0.181±0.0165 (h−1), respectively. The microbial contamination implied an under-evaluation of EDp and EDc,p for CP: 12.7 and 13.5% in GRG and 11.0 and 12.4% in ERG, respectively. These errors were higher for the associated values of undegraded CP. Thus, a proportion of 0.380 and 0.490 in GRG and 0.429 and 0.538 in ERG of these estimates will be really of microbial origin. No differences for EDp or EDc,p values were shown between CP and total analysed amino acids (assumed as representative of true protein). The interference of microbial contamination of feeds in the rumen was also evident in intestinal disappearance values, which showed an irregular and inconsistent evolution with the increase of the rumen residence time. Ensiling reduced the ED and IED of DM as well as the protein undegraded fraction and its IED. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Changes in the ruminal environment of cattle supplemented with corn silage (CS) before alfalfa grazing, in relation to the occurrence of frothy bloat, were evaluated. Six ruminally fistulated heifers were used in a crossover design experiment for in situ determinations and as a source of rumen fluid for in vitro measurements. Alfalfa pasture was grazed at the vegetative stage in a rotational grazing system. Treatments were—C: no supplement; CS: 0.5kg of CS dry matter/100kg body weight. CS supplementation reduced (P<0.05) the frequency and severity of frothy bloat. From the sixth hour until the end of the incubation at 12h, in vitro microbial gas production using alfalfa leaflets as substrate was lower in rumen fluids from CS supplemented heifers. Bacterial mass in the liquid phase of ruminal contents, and in situ microbial colonization of particles entering the rumen did not differ. Only at 4h post-grazing was proteolysis reduced (P<0.05) for both treatments. The anti-bloat mechanisms of CS were not completely identified, however we confirmed that CS supplementation before alfalfa grazing is a reliable management practice to reduce frothy bloat. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We focus on the key results from a 3-year intensive investigation of soil protozoan diversity sponsored by the Natural Environment Research Council (UK). The investigation enabled us to study simultaneously all major protozoan groups at a single site—the 1ha area of upland grassland at the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute''s Sourhope Research Station in Southern Scotland. A total of 365 protozoan species were recorded, in four broad taxonomic groups—ciliates, testate amoebae, naked amoebae and flagellates. We explored the natural history of these groups, recording species richness, growth rates, and absolute abundance, as well as community structures within the context of the fractal character of the soil. We developed methods for estimating the abundance and growth potential of the soil protozoan community, plus seasonal variation in protozoan abundance within taxonomic groups. We isolated new species, re-described others, and produced a guide to the identification of testate amoebae in soil. We produced evidence for the ubiquitous random dispersal of soil protozoa, and we found no evidence for geographically restricted distributions at spatial scales ranging from 4m2 to global. Roughly one quarter of global free-living protozoan diversity was recorded from this 1ha site. Local and global abundances were correlated—i.e. species that are locally rare tend to be globally rare, and those that are locally abundant tend to be globally abundant. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study reviews the evidence on the effects of nature in the study environment on well-being, academic outcomes, and outcomes related to possible explanatory pathways among students in secondary and tertiary education. The protocol was preregistered at Prospero (CRD42019126718). A systematic search of two databases yielded 3410 articles, of which 37 studies were included in the review. Most studies had a high risk of bias and there were heterogeneous outcome and exposure measures. Hence, no firm conclusions could be drawn. However, potentially promising leads were found on the associations between campus green space and improved quality of life, perceived restoration, lower outdoor temperature, and between indoor nature and improved indoor climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This article proposes the Combretum vendae complex be split into two varieties based on extensive field work which revealed two distinct forms occurring on the Soutpansberg and Blouberg. The typical form is confined to the eastern Soutpansberg and a glabrous form occurs towards the west. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Community change characteristics of Abies faxoniana was studied. • With the change of relative basal area value (RBAV) of A. faxoniana , dominant trees changed markedly. • Tree diversity was significant negatively correlated with RBAV of A. faxoniana. • Betula albosinensis was significant negatively correlated with A. faxoniana in basal area. • Studying changes of RBAVs of dominant trees centered on target species is feasible. To detect the community change characteristics of Abies faxoniana , we carried out a field survey in a forest where A. faxoniana was present in the Wanglang Nature Reserve, Sichuan Province, China. We used the quadrat method to collect the data, and studied the composition and changes of dominant tree species, changes of tree diversity and community structure centered on A. faxoniana , as well as the interspecific correlation and population structure related to this species. The results indicated that in different communities, A. faxoniana had different relative basal area values (RBAVs). With the increase of the RBAV of A. faxoniana , the community was changed from non-dominant A. faxoniana , to mixed community of A. faxoniana and other species, to single dominant community of A. faxoniana ; the tree diversity showed a trend of decrease, but the community structure had no obvious change. Betula albosinensis had a significantly negative correlation relationship with A. faxoniana in basal area. A. faxoniana in the area we sampled was a growing type population in general. We summarized the community change process of A. faxoniana as the substitution process of dominant tree species in community and decline in tree diversity. Based on this study, the method of studying the changes of RBAVs of dominant trees in different plots centered on the target species is feasible in studying the community change characteristics. This study could provide a basis for revealing community dynamic which is important for forest restoration practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traumatic experience can be overwhelming, thus erasing associated memories is desirable. Although exposure-based and reconsolidation methods have been developed for recently acquired associations, treatments to modify more distant memories are rare. Focusing on HDAC2 inhibition during reconsolidation, Gräff and colleagues recently demonstrated an epigenetic means to attenuate remote fear memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Several factors are changing the landscape of cervical cancer control, including a better understanding of the natural history of human papillomavirus (HPV), reliable assays for detecting high-risk HPV infections, and a soon to be available HPV-16/18 vaccine. There are important differences in the relevant policy questions for different settings. By synthesizing and integrating the best available data, the use of modeling in a decision analytic framework can identify those factors most likely to influence outcomes, can guide the design of future clinical studies and operational research, can provide insight into the cost-effectiveness of different strategies, and can assist in early decision-making when considered with criteria such as equity, public preferences, and political and cultural constraints. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]