134 research outputs found
Dispersal and establishment of Huon pine (Lagarostrobos franklinii)
Huon pine had a mast year in 1989 resulting in massive seedfall. It was found that Huon pine had extremely limited lateral seed dispersal by wind, although the chances of dispersal by water appear extremely good, due to its flotation capabilities. Green rosellas (Platycercus caledonicus Gmelin) were observed feeding on the seed and may play some role both as predators and dispersers of seed. A low percentage of successful germination was achieved and germination rate was slow. Seedlings appear to establish mostly on soil substrates but also occur
on logs and trunks. Colonisation, even downstream, can take a considerable period of time and may partly explain the restricted distribution of Huon pine. The implications of these results for conservation and management are discussed
Development and characterization of microsatellite loci for Ocotea species (Lauraceae) threatened with extinction
The Atlantic rainforest species Ocotea catharinensis, Ocotea odorifera, and Ocotea porosa have been extensively harvested in the past for timber and oil extraction and are currently listed as threatened due to overexploitation. To investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of these species, we developed 8 polymorphic microsatellite markers for O. odorifera from an enriched microsatellite
library by using 2 dinucleotide repeats. The microsatellite markers were tested for cross-amplification in O. catharinensis and O. porosa. The average number of alleles per locus was 10.2, considering all
loci over 2 populations of O. odorifera. Observed and expected heterozygosities for O. odorifera ranged from 0.39 to 0.93 and 0.41 to 0.92 across populations, respectively. Cross-amplification of all loci
was successfully observed in O. catharinensis and O. porosa except 1 locus that was found to lack polymorphism in O. porosa. Combined probabilities of identity in the studied Ocotea species were very low ranging from 1.0 x 10-24 to 7.7 x 10-24. The probability of exclusion over all loci estimated for O. odorifera indicated a 99.9% chance of correctly excluding a random nonparent individual. The microsatellite markers described in this study have high information content and will be useful
for further investigations on genetic diversity within these species and for subsequent conservation purposes13351385142COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPESsem informaçã
PGC-1alpha Down-Regulation Affects the Antioxidant Response in Friedreich's Ataxia
BACKGROUND: Cells from individuals with Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) show reduced activities of antioxidant enzymes and cannot up-regulate their expression when exposed to oxidative stress. This blunted antioxidant response may play a central role in the pathogenesis. We previously reported that Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor Gamma (PPARgamma) Coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1alpha), a transcriptional master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis and antioxidant responses, is down-regulated in most cell types from FRDA patients and animal models. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We used primary fibroblasts from FRDA patients and the knock in-knock out animal model for the disease (KIKO mouse) to determine basal superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) levels and the response to oxidative stress induced by the addition of hydrogen peroxide. We measured the same parameters after pharmacological stimulation of PGC-1alpha. Compared to control cells, PGC-1alpha and SOD2 levels were decreased in FRDA cells and did not change after addition of hydrogen peroxide. PGC-1alpha direct silencing with siRNA in control fibroblasts led to a similar loss of SOD2 response to oxidative stress as observed in FRDA fibroblasts. PGC-1alpha activation with the PPARgamma agonist (Pioglitazone) or with a cAMP-dependent protein kinase (AMPK) agonist (AICAR) restored normal SOD2 induction. Treatment of the KIKO mice with Pioglitazone significantly up-regulates SOD2 in cerebellum and spinal cord. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: PGC-1alpha down-regulation is likely to contribute to the blunted antioxidant response observed in cells from FRDA patients. This response can be restored by AMPK and PPARgamma agonists, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach for FRDA.Journal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tSCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe
Conservation genetics of rare and threatened Romnalda (Xanthorrhoeaceae) from Australia and Papua New Guinea
No abstract available
Novel microsatellite markers for conservation of Australian native Samadera bidwillii
Ashwath, N ORCiD: 0000-0002-4032-4507; Naik, VM ORCiD: 0000-0002-6223-5484Microsatellite markers were developed for Samadera bidwillii, a nationally listed vulnerable shrub or small tree, to enable investigation of its genetic structure and diversity within and among populations from its known distribution throughout coastal areas mainly in fragmented and disturbed lands from Mackay to Gympie, Queensland, Australia. The loci were tested for cross-amplification in related Samadera species. Ten polymorphic microsatellite markers were isolated and characterised from an enriched library of S. bidwillii, which exhibited di- and trinucleotide repeats. The mean number of alleles per locus ranged from 1.3 to 2.5 and mean expected and observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.06 to 0.33 and from 0.03 to 0.26, respectively in five populations. All loci successfully amplified in six other closely associated Samadera species also reported from Australia. Developed loci can be used in genetic diversity, population structure and gene flow studies with an emphasis on the conservation of S. bidwillii and related species
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Who Is Benefiting from Your Fitness Data? A Privacy Analysis of Smartwatches
Over the last decade, smartwatches have become prevalent, and the market is estimated to grow, reaching a value of $80.1 billion by 2028 [1]. The increase in the market share was primarily due to the attractive personal features related to fitness, which could fulfil the three basic psychological needs: autonomy, competence and relatedness [2]. As a result, user uptake increased rapidly. However, fitness data is also very personal. While many users share their fitness data, they do not want it to be used or shared without their consent. Data protection is required by law, but if users need to learn how their data is used and whether or not the operations follow the privacy policies, how do they know that their data is protected? Our research analyses the agreements between each party involved around the end users of smartwatches and looks at how the smartwatch vendors and application developers handle data. As our case studies, we analyse how privacy could be violated using four of the biggest market share holders, namely Apple, Fitbit, Samsung and Garmin
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