Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Contact toxicity of Azadirachta indica (Adr. Juss.), Eucalyptus camaldulensis (Dehn.) and Laurus nobilis (L.) essential oils on mortality cotton aphids, Aphis gossypii Glover (Hem.: Aphididae)

Essential oils from three species of plants comprising three plant families were obtained by Clevenger-type water distillation. The major compounds in these essential oils were identified with GC-MS and their insecticidal activity against adult cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover tested with dosage-mortality bioassays. We examined mortality only for viviparous adults because sizeable aphid populations on cucumber (Cucurbitaceae) hosts are largely produced by these wingless, parthenogenic females. Three of the oils were directly applied to aphid females in randomised blocks at 25 ± 2 °C and 60 ± 5% R.H. and under a L16:D8 photoperiod. Essential oils were mixed with a non-toxic emulsifying agent, Tween 80. Results show adverse contact effects of essential oils studied in the control of cotton aphid. Probit analysis and LC50 at concentrations at different exposures showed aphids were incapacitated and killed by aliphatic aldehydes, phenols and monocyclic terpenes contained in Azadirachta indica, Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Laurus nobilis. LC50 on cotton aphid, for azadirachtin eucalyptus and laurel essential oils were respectively 5389, 9515 and 13730 ppm. In the current study, efficacy in respect to the contact toxicity (LC50) followed the order: A. indica > E. camaldulensis > L. nobilis after 24 h treatment. Our results show quantitative and qualitative differences in the chemical composition and insecticidal activities of our essential oils. All oils became insect toxic as concentration increased. According to the results, essential oils of all the three plants have the potential to be employed in the pest management programmes that can be used in protection of greenhouse conditions against cotton aphid.
Glucose and Insulin Synergistically Activate Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase to Trigger Oscillations of Phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-Trisphosphate in β-Cells*

In insulin-secreting β-cells, activation of phosphatidylinositol 3′-OH-kinase with resulting formation of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP3) has been implicated in the regulation of ion channels, insulin secretion, and gene transcription as well as in cell growth and survival, but the kinetics of PIP3 signals following physiological stimulation of insulin secretion is unknown. Using evanescent wave microscopy and a green fluorescent protein-tagged PIP3-binding protein domain for real-time monitoring of plasma membrane PIP3 concentration in single MIN6 β-cells, we now demonstrate that glucose stimulation of insulin secretion results in pronounced PIP3 oscillations via autocrine stimulation of insulin receptors. Glucose lacked effect when insulin secretion was prevented with the hyperpolarizing agent diazoxide, but the sugar dose dependently enhanced the PIP3 response to maximal insulin stimulation without affecting the rate of PIP3 degradation. We conclude that glucose is an important co-activator of phosphatidylinositol-3′-OH-kinase and that the plasma membrane PIP3 concentration in β-cells undergoes oscillations due to pulsatile release of insulin.
Higher carbon sequestration potential and stability for deep soil compared to surface soil regardless of nitrogen addition in a subtropical forest

Background Labile carbon input could stimulate soil organic carbon (SOC) mineralization through priming effect, resulting in soil carbon (C) loss. Meanwhile, labile C could also be transformed by microorganisms in soil as the processes of new C sequestration and stabilization. Previous studies showed the magnitude of priming effect could be affected by soil depth and nitrogen (N). However, it remains unknown how the soil depth and N availability affect the amount and stability of the new sequestrated C, which complicates the prediction of C dynamics. Methods A 20-day incubation experiment was conducted by adding 13C labeled glucose and NH4NO3 to study the effects of soil depth and nitrogen addition on the net C sequestration. SOC was fractioned into seven fractions and grouped into three functional C pools to assess the stabilization of the new sequestrated C. Results Our results showed that glucose addition caused positive priming in both soil depths, and N addition significantly reduced the priming effect. After 20 days of incubation, deep soil had a higher C sequestration potential (48% glucose-C) than surface soil (43% glucose-C). The C sequestration potential was not affected by N addition in both soil depths. Positive net C sequestration was observed with higher amount of retained glucose-C than that of stimulated mineralized SOC for both soil depths. The distribution of new sequestrated C in the seven fractions was significantly affected by soil depth, but not N addition. Compared to deep soil, the new C in surface soil was more distributed in the non-protected C pool (including water extracted organic C, light fraction and sand fraction) and less distributed in the clay fraction. These results suggested that the new C in deep soil was more stable than that in surface soil. Compared to the native SOC for both soil depths, the new sequestrated C was more distributed in non-protected C pool and less distributed in biochemically protected C pool (non-hydrolyzable silt and clay fractions). The higher carbon sequestration potential and stability in deep soil suggested that deep soil has a greater role on C sequestration in forest ecosystems.
Possible storage of Coccinella undecimpunctata (Col., Coccinellidae) under low temperature and its effect on some biological characteristics

Developmental stages of Coccinella undecimpunctata L. were stored at 6.0°C for various storage periods in a refrigerator. Egg hatching was 65.0% after 7 days of storage. However, no egg hatching were observed after 15, 30, 45 and 60 days of storage. The survival of the third and fourth instar larvae was higher than the first and second instar. The survival of larvae declined sharply after 15 days. No larvae survived after 30 or 60 days of storage. Emergence percentage of adults from stored pupae varied from 85.0 to 25.0% after storage for 7 up to 30 days. The survival percentage of adults differed and appeared to depend on prior feeding before storage. From the present results, it appears that the adult stage may be better able to survive extended periods of storage than the other developmental stages. In addition, it was found that prior feeding of adult stage affected the longevity, fecundity and consumption rate.
An Assessment of the Recreational and Commercial Skiboat Fishery in the Transkei

A survey of the recreational and commercial skiboat linefishery in the Transkei was conducted from March 1997 to April 1999. Effort by commercial skiboats was substantially higher than by recreational skiboats, and catch rates on commercial boats were much higher than rates on recreational boats. Catch rates in the region were not greater than those in the adjoining provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, but the mean size of fish caught on commercial skiboats in the southern Transkei was larger than that in either KwaZulu-Natal or the Eastern Cape. Total annual commercial catches estimated for the Transkei were substantially greater than those based on returns submitted by skippers to the National Marine Linefish System. Catches in the northern Transkei were more diverse than in the south, and catches from both regions contained a large number of endemic species. Northern Transkei catches were characterized by subtropical species, whereas those from the southern Transkei contained more warm-temperate species. In the northern region, subtropical species replaced warm-temperate ones during winter. Knowledge of fishing regulations by fishers was reasonable, but compliance was poor, mainly as a result of the low level of enforcement of regulations in this region, which needs to be improved if catches are to be sustained. Among other recommendations, the establishment of an effective marine reserve in the area is a priority; it would assist with the conservation of several species of endemic linefish.
Salinity and the small-scale distribution of three barrier island shrubs

The importance of salinity to small-scale distribution patterns was examined for three shrubs common on barrier islands of the southeastern United States. Field measurements focused on the salt marsh – upland interface zone on Hog Island, Virginia, where Myrica cerifera, Baccharis halimifolia, and Iva frutescens form distinct distributional zones. Although considerable variation in salinity occurred throughout the growth season (June through October), total soil chlorides and groundwater salinity were lowest for M. cerifera, intermediate for B. halimifolia, and highest for I. frutescens. All three species showed similar diurnal and seasonal patterns in stomatal conductance and leaf xylem pressure potential, despite the differences in salinity. However, a laboratory experiment revealed interspecific differences in water relations when the three shrubs were exposed to identical salinity regimes. The field data and water relations experiment indicated M. cerifera is least tolerant to salinity, I. frutescens .
No Evidence That Articulatory Rehearsal Improves Complex Span Performance

It is usually assumed that articulatory rehearsal improves verbal working memory. Complex span is the most used paradigm to assess working memory functioning; yet, we still lack knowledge about how participants rehearse in this task, and whether these rehearsals are beneficial. In Experiment 1, we investigated the patterns of naturally occurring overt rehearsals in a complex span task requiring processing of a non-verbal distractor task. For comparison, another group of participants completed a matched simple span task with an unfilled delay in between the memoranda. Time permitting, participants rehearsed the memory list in forward serial order, a strategy known as cumulative rehearsal. The degree of cumulative rehearsal was correlated with recall accuracy in both span tasks. Rehearsal frequency was, however, reduced in complex span compared to simple span. To assess the causal role of rehearsal in complex span, we trained a group of participants in a cumulative rehearsal strategy in Experiment 2. This instruction substantially increased the prevalence of cumulative rehearsals compared to a control group. However, the increase in cumulative rehearsal did not translate into an increase in recall accuracy. Our results provide further evidence that rehearsal does not benefit working memory performance.
Crop Production Factors Associated with Fusarium Head Blight in Spring Wheat in Eastern Saskatchewan

Fusarium head blight (FHB) has been increasing in western regions of the Canadian Prairies. The objective of this 4-yr study was to identify crop production factors (CPF), associated with FHB development in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). From 1999 to 2002, 659 crops were sampled in eastern Saskatchewan for FHB levels, and information gathered on agronomic practices used on these fields. In 2000 and 2001, percent Fusarium-damaged kernels (FDK) was also determined. Differences in the FHB index among years indicated that environment was the most important factor affecting disease development. The effects of CPFs on FHB were lower in years with high (2001) and low (1999 and 2002) disease pressure, compared with a year with moderate (2000) disease pressure. Previous application of glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] formulations (GF) within tillage system, tillage system, previously grown crop, and cultivar susceptibility were the only CPFs that affected FHB. GF application in the previous 18 mo within tillage system was significantly associated with higher FHB levels every year; it was the only CPF in 1999, and one of two CPFs in 2002, that affected FHB, suggesting that its effect was not influenced as much by environmental conditions as that of other CPFs. Percentage FDK was also higher in fields previously treated with GF in 2000 and 2001. Because of the nature of this study, we could not determine if the association between previous GF use and FHB development was a cause-effect relationship. Thus, further research is needed to elucidate the nature of this association and the underlying mechanisms.
Reactions of Plant Phenolics with Food Proteins and Enzymes under Special Consideration of Covalent Bonds

Secondary plant metabolites are important native food components, which are becoming more and more interesting due to their physiological effects on human beings. One of the largest groups of these compounds is represented by plant phenols. This review summarizes the structure, classification and distribution of the phenolic compounds in plant foods, their chemistry and signification with regard to food processing and -storage as well as their physiological effects. This work focuses mainly on such reactions of the phenolic substances with proteins and enzymes that lead to covalent bonds. The derivatives formed have been characterized in terms of changes in their physicochemical and structural properties. The effect on the proteolytic in vitro digestion has been also illustrated. Further aspects reported include the influence on enzyme activity and -kinetic parameters. The different aspects of the nutritional-physiological consequences of such reactions in food and body, especially considering their significance to food science and technology are discussed.
The Cerebral β‐Amyloid Angiopathies: Hereditary and Sporadic

We review the clinical, radiologic, and neuropathologic features of the hereditary and sporadic forms of cerebral amyloid angiopathy (Caa) associated with vascular deposition of the β‐amyloid peptide. amino acid substitutions at 4 sites in the β‐amyloid precursor protein, all situated within the β‐amyloid peptide sequence itself, have been shown to cause heritable forms of Caa. the vascular diseases caused by these mutations are associated primarily with cerebral hemorrhages, white matter lesions, and cognitive impairment, and only variable extents of the plaque and neurofibrillary pathologies characteristic of alzheimer disease. sporadic Caa typically presents 20 or more years later than hereditary Caa, but is otherwise characterized by a comparable constellation of recurrent cerebral hemorrhages, white matter lesions, and cognitive impairment the clinical, radiologic and pathologic similarities between hereditary and sporadic Caa suggest that important lessons for this common age‐related process can be learned from the mechanisms by which mutation makes β‐amyloid tropic or toxic to vessels.
Long Noncoding RNA DLGAP1-AS1 Promotes the Aggressive Behavior of Gastric Cancer by Acting as a ceRNA for microRNA-628-5p and Raising Astrocyte Elevated Gene 1 Expression

Purpose The long noncoding RNA DLGAP1 antisense RNA 1 (DLGAP1-AS1) plays well-defined roles in the malignant progression of hepatocellular carcinoma. The purpose of this study was to determine whether DLGAP1-AS1 affects the aggressive behavior of gastric cancer (GC). Methods DLGAP1-AS1 expression in GC tissue samples and cell lines was determined by reverse-transcription quantitative PCR. GC cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and tumor growth in vitro as well as in vivo were examined by the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, flow-cytometric analysis, transwell migration and invasion assays, and xenograft model experiments, respectively. Results DLGAP1-AS1 was overexpressed in GC tissue samples and cell lines. Among patients with GC, the increased level of DLGAP1-AS1 correlated with tumor size, TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, and shorter overall survival. The knockdown of DLGAP1-AS1 suppressed GC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro, as well as promoted cell apoptosis and hindered tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, DLGAP1-AS1 functioned as a competing endogenous RNA for microRNA-628-5p (miR-628-5p) in GC cells, thereby increasing the expression of the miR-628-5p target astrocyte elevated gene 1 (AEG-1). Functionally, the recovery of the miR-628-5p/AEG-1 axis output attenuated the effects of DLGAP1-AS1 knockdown in GC cells. Conclusion DLGAP1-AS1 is a pleiotropic oncogenic lncRNA in GC. DLGAP1-AS1 plays a pivotal part in the oncogenicity of GC in vitro and in vivo by regulating the miR-628-5p/AEG-1 axis. DLGAP1-AS1, miR-628-5p, and AEG-1 form a regulatory pathway to facilitate GC progression, suggesting this pathway as an effective target for the treatment of GC.
Redescription of Imajimaea draculai—a rare syllid polychaete associated with the sea pen Funiculina quadrangularis

We redescribe Imajimaea draculai based on newly collected specimens from the Swedish west coast and describe for the first time its association with the sea pen Funiculina quadrangularis. We assess the phylogenetic position of I. draculai within Autolytinae using nuclear 18SrDNA, together with mitochondrial COI and 16SrDNA, and we estimate its intraspecific variation using nuclear ITS and mitochondrial COI. Our molecular data unequivocally show that I. draculai belongs to the tribe Procerini in a clade consisting of Procerastea, Virchowia and Imajimaea that is separated from all other Procerini taxa for which molecular data are available. No intraspecific variation is found in I. draculai for the sequenced molecular markers.
Multiple Mating, Sperm Utilization, and Social Evolution

Allozyme data show that multiply inseminated honey bee queens utilize the sperm of at least three males at any given time and that the sperm are, to some extent, mixing in the spermatheca. Statistical arguments based on the expected variance in brood viability among queens in a population, as a consequence of the genetic load imposed by the sex determination system of honey bees, suggest that queens are using the sperm of at least five or six males at a time, resulting in an average relatedness among siblings that approaches r̄ = 1/4. Ad hoc assumptions of sperm clumping and high proportions of "full sisters," leading to elevated relatedness values, are not justifiable. Polyandry does not introduce any special difficulties to the theory of social evolution by kin selection unless it is found to be more common in haplodiploid species than in diploids; or if both are found to have a low average relatedness among colony nestmates. This is especially true for incipient social species. Kin selection still relaxes the constraints imposed upon the evolution of altruism by individual selection, even with multiple insemination of females. Polyandry appears to be widespread in the Hymenoptera and may have evolved as a consequence of a sex determination mechanism that leads to the production of inviable or sterile diploid males. Polyandry results in a reduced variance in diploid male production among females and may be selected for or against, in different populations, depending upon population structure and life history strategy. However, the data for polyandry in the Hymenoptera are not systematic and do not provide an adequate test of this hypothesis.
Nematode parasites of bark beetles (Scolytidae) in southern Manitoba, with descriptions of three new species of Sulphuretylenchus Rühm (Nematoda: Allantonematidae)

Thirty-one species of bark beetles were collected from nine genera of host plants at 29 locations in southern Manitoba during 1980–1983. Of these bark beetle species, 21 were infected by as many as 56 species of nematodes, based on examination of adult and juvenile stages. There were 30 species of allantonematids, all recovered from the hosts' haemocoel. Fourteen rhabditid species were recovered from the alimentary tract of 15 host species. Twelve aphelenchoids were found in both the haemocoel (of 10 host species) and the Malpighian tubules (of 2 host species). Three new species of Sulphuretylenchus are described. Sulphuretylenchus pseudoundulatus sp.nov. parasitized Polygraphus rufipennis (Kirby) collected in the Whiteshell Provincial Forest. Sulphuretylenchus nopimingi sp.nov. parasitized Pityokteines sparsus (LeConte) collected in Nopiming Provincial Park. Sulphuretylenchus posteruteri sp.nov. parasitized Ips perroti Swaine in the Belair Provincial Forest.
ONTOGENY OF STOMATA IN SOME CRUCIFERAE

The ontogeny of stomata was investigated in 12 species of Cruciferae. The three subsidiary cells as well as the guard cells originate from the same protodermal cell and thus the ontogeny conforms to the syndetocheilic type. The mature stomata are anisocytic. Sometimes, the subsidiary cells undergo a transverse and (or) vertical division and the mature stoma shows four to five subsidiary cells.
Case-Based Learning as an Effective Tool in Teaching Pharmacology to Undergraduate Medical Students in a Large Group Setting

Background: The need for case-based learning in basic subjects is being recognized world over. Early clinical illustrations and actual clinical exposure enable students to associate basic science and real patient situations, probably increasing their retention of knowledge. The study was conducted to introduce an alternate method of teaching-learning in pharmacology in a large classroom setting to integrate pharmacology into clinical setting for better learning and understanding of the subject. Methods: Ninety-four students of second professional MBBS of a medical college in Punjab were divided into 2 groups and were taught a 2-hour topic in pharmacology using case-based learning (CBL) method and didactic lecture (DL) method using a crossover design. Their attendance and written test score at the end of teaching session were compared. Feedback from students and faculty was taken by prestructured questionnaires. Results: There was an increase in students’ attendance (P = .008) in CBL sessions but insignificant difference in their performance (P = .98) in the tests. Most (84%) of the students felt that CBL is a better method of teaching-learning than traditional DL. The teaching faculty felt that the students looked more interested and were themselves more motivated for the newer method of teaching. Conclusions: Case-based learning led to improvement in student motivation, satisfaction, and engagement. Most students and faculty accepted that CBL was an effective learning tool for pharmacology teaching in a large group setting and supported the incorporation of CBL into traditional DL teaching.
Comparison of the COVID-2019 (SARS-CoV-2) pathogenesis with SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV infections

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was first identified in several patients who traveled to Wuhan or went to a seafood wholesale market in Wuhan. The phylogenetic tree showed that SARS-CoV-2 was 96.2% identical to bat β-coronaviruses from lineage B. Also, several studies reported that SARS-CoV-2 uses the SARS-CoV receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, for entry to target cells. Lung alveolar and small intestine are potential targets for SARS-CoV-2 due to the high expression of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor. In this review, we focused on the zoonotic β-coronaviruses and given there is no specific drug or vaccine for coronavirus disease 2019, we reviewed the literature on the therapy options for SARS and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection, in order to discover their possible use in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infections.