Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Disappearance of body fat in normal rats induced by adenovirus-mediated leptin gene therapy

Sustained hyperleptinemia of 8 ngyml was induced for 28 days in normal Wistar rats by infusing a recombinant adenovirus containing the rat leptin cDNA (AdCMV-leptin). Hyperleptinemic rats exhibited a 30-50% reduction in food intake and gained only 22 g over the experimental period versus 115-132 g in control animals that received saline infusions or a recombinant virus con- taining the b-galactosidase gene (AdCMV-bGal). Body fat was absent in hyperleptinemic rats, whereas control rats pair-fedtothehyperleptinemicratsretained '50%bodyfat. Further, plasma triglycerides and insulin levels were sig- nificantlylowerinhyperleptinemicversuspair-fedcontrols, while fatty acid and glucose levels were similar in the two groups, suggestive of enhanced insulin sensitivity in the hyperleptinemic animals. Thus, despite equivalent reduc- tions in food intake and weight gain in hyperleptinemic and pair-fed animals, identifiable fat tissue was completely ablated only in the former group, raising the possibility of a specific lipoatrophic activity for leptin. The obesity of obyob mice is the result of leptin deficiency caused by a mutation in the ob gene (1), and it responds dramatically to injection therapy with recombinant leptin administered intraperitoneally (2-4). In normal lean rats the effect of high levels of leptin is less clear; large doses of the hormone were reported to reduce food intake and body weight, but the effect was less striking than in leptin-deficient obyobmice (2, 4). To obtain a more complete assessment of the effects of chronichyperleptinemiainnormalanimals,wehaveexamined food intake and body weight in normal rats in which sustained 6- to 10-fold increases in plasma leptin levels were induced by recombinant adenovirus-mediated gene delivery. In hyperlep- tinemic rats studied for 28 days, we observed a 30% reduction in food intake and a virtual cessation of body weight gain, accompanied by disappearance of grossly identifiable adipose tissue. In marked contrast, only partial reduction of fat depots occurredinpair-fedcontrolsdespiteasimilardegreeofweight loss.
Screening of Okra Varieties Against Okra Shoot and Fruit Borer, Earias Vittella (Fab.) in West Bengal.

An experiment was conducted at Central Research farm, Gayeshpur, West Bengal during pre-kharif 2012 and 2013 taken to know the infestation of okra shoot and fruit borer, Earias vittella (Fab.) on okra. Fifteen okra varieties viz. VNR Green, Sungro -319,PAN-2128, JKOH- 7315, Purna, Golden 2436, NS 819, Pankaj, Jaya, Mahyco- 64, Shakti F1 Hybrid, Parbhani Kranti, AROH-10, Avantika and Arka Anamika were screened to know their response on the basis of fruit damage scale. Only one variety showed tolerant, ten moderately resistance and four highly resistance in 2012, while during 2013 only single variety showed susceptible while two tolerant, nine moderately resistance and three highly resistance. During 2012 and 2013, VNR Green showed highest no. of fruit damage fruit weight damage and exhibited lowest healthy fruit yield. PAN-2128 showed lowest no. of fruit damage fruit weight damage.
Non-thermal Production of Natural betalain Colorant Concentrate from Red Beet Extract by Using the Osmotic Distillation

Background and Objectives: Red beet extract concentrate can be used as a natural colorant in food products; however, destructive effects of thermal methods to produce juice concentrate decrease nutritional value in the final product. Materials and Methods: In this study, red beet extract was concentrated using osmotic distillation method, and the best pretreatment was evaluated to increase the efficiency of the concentration process. Also changes in some physicochemical properties such as betacyanins and betaxanthins contents, total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of red beet juice were evaluated by both the membrane and thermal concentration methods. Results: The results showed that the best concentration efficiency was obtained after pretreatment of the fresh juice with centrifugation at 1699 G for 17 min. Evaluation of the effect of both the membrane and thermal concentration processes on the physicochemical properties of juice showed that the membrane method did not change betacyanin and betaxanthin contents, total phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity of the red beet extract. However, these properties decreased with the thermal concentration method by 26, 15, 11 and 13%, respectively. Conclusions: According to the results, osmotic distillation can produce red beet concentrate with more nutritional value than the concentrate produced with thermal method.
Larval dorsal shield morphology is highly correlated with gall type in the enigmatic gall-forming fly, Fergusonina Malloch (Diptera : Fergusoninidae)

Abstract. The gall-forming fly family Fergusoninidae, in association with a mutualist nematode, induces galls on Myrtaceae. Traditionally, each fly species has been thought to be host-specific and targets a particular site on its host plant. One host species may be host to as many as four fly species, each with different oviposition sites, giving rise to a range of gall types. Third-instar fly larvae possess a distinctive sclerotised ‘dorsal shield’ of unknown function that varies morphologically across the genus. We use a phylogenetic approach to examine the relationship of the dorsal shield morphology to other elements of this complex system. A phylogeny of 41 species, estimated using Bayesian analysis of mtCOI sequences, indicated a strong correlation between dorsal shield morphology and the gall type associated with the larva. We discuss possible functions of the dorsal shield, and other factors that may have led to their phylogenetic distribution. In addition, we have identified cases where fly species have formed galls on more than one host species. In some instances it is possible that these associations are an opportunistic response to artificial tree plantings.
CO2 evasion from a steep, high gradient stream network: importance of seasonal and diurnal variation in aquatic pCO2 and gas transfer

Surface waters contribute substantially to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to the atmosphere. However, global estimates remain uncertain due to methodological difficulties, such as in precisely estimating gas transfer in steep upland streams. Here, we addressed the question of what drives CO2 evasion from steep mountainous stream network of the European Alps by assessing the spatial and temporal variation of partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) for 148 streams and the gas transfer coefficient for CO2 (kCO2) for 88 locations within this 254 km2 watershed. Results show that log kCO2 can be predicted reasonably well (r2 = 0.71, p<0.001, n = 88) using a statistical model based on slope, average width, flow velocity and stream discharge. Also, most sites were supersaturated in CO2 with significant variation in pCO2 due to season (September vs. December) and time of day (day vs. night), but not stream order. Resulting median CO2 evasion rates were 145, 119, 46, 43, and 50 mg C m−2 h−1 at 1st to 5th order streams, respectively. CO2 evasion was dependent on season and time of day, with the highest evasion (184.0 kg C h−1) during growing season at nighttime, followed by 124.6 kg C h−1 during daytime. Dormant season nighttime evasion was 30.9 kg C h−1 and daytime evasion only 17.1 kg C h−1. Overall we conclude that CO2 evasion of steep mountainous streams depends on seasonal and diurnal variation in pCO2 and reach‐specific variability in kCO2. These controls strongly alter landscape‐scale CO2 evasion estimates, with implications for regional to global carbon budgets.
Weed species composition of conventional soyabean crops in Hungary is determined by environmental, cultural, weed management and site variables

Summary The goal of this study was to identify factors determining weed species composition in soyabean crops in Hungary, where its expanding production faces difficult weed problems. The abundance of weed flora was measured in 262 fields across the country, along with 38 background variables. Using a minimal adequate model containing 24 terms with significant net effects, 21.6% of the total variation in weed species data could be explained. Plot location (edge vs core position, the single site variable in our analysis) was found to be the most important explanatory variable that was followed by a set of environmental (temperature, precipitation, altitude, soil texture, pH, Ca, K, Na and humus content), cultural (cultivar maturity, organic manure, fertiliser P and N, row spacing) and weed management (flumioxazin, pendimethalin, dimethenamid, propaquizafop, bentazone, quizalofop-p-ethyl, quizalofop-p-tefuril, linuron, thifensulfuron) factors. Variation partitioning revealed that environmental variables accounted for about four times more variance than cultural and about two and half times more than weed management variables. Chenopodium album, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Hibiscus trionum, Echinochloa crus-galli and Convolvulus arvensis were the most dominant and frequent weeds, but their abundance was influenced by different factors. The responses of weed species to the studied variables provide new information about their ecological behaviour, and our findings also can be used to develop better weed management strategies.
Postharvest: An Introduction to the Physiology and Handling of Fruit, Vegetables and Ornamentals

Effective postharvest handling is critical in maintaining the quality and freshness of crops from the time when they are harvested to when they are sold to the consumer. Presented in a new larger format with an expanded colour section, this broad-based introductory level textbook covers the key concepts and practical technologies to slow the inevitable deterioration of harvested produce, including handling, packaging, transport, temperature management and the control of pests and diseases. The 5th edition is updated with current industry developments and practices.
Histological Response of Broilers Immune Related Organs to Feeding Different Direct Fed Microbials

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of feeding different commercial preparations of direct-fed microbials (DFM) used as growth promoters on weight and histology of immune related organs (bursa, thymus and spleen) in broilers. Two hundred unsexed 10 days old Cobb broiler chicks were individually weighed and divided into 4 groups (5 replicates of 10 chicks, each) and fed 4 different experimental diets. A mixture of Enterococcus faecium (Protexin , DFM1), a mixture of Bacillus subtilis ® (Clostat , DFM2) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cells with its fermentation metabolites (Diamond , ® ® DFM3) were supplemented to broiler diets and compared with the basal diet which served as control. Bursa, thymus and spleen were taken from birds at 36 days of age. The results showed significant (P<0.01) increase in spleen and bursa weight (relative to live body weight) in birds fed DFM supplemented diets compared with those fed the control diet of no supplement. Addition of DFM enhanced the activity of bursal follicles and may improve the bursa activity and caused improvement in thymus and spleen structure compared with the control. In conclusion, DFM supplemental levels have stimulated some histological change in the immune related organs which may result in improvement of chick immunity.
Studies on effect of mulching materials on floral attributes of rose (Rosa spp.) cv. Lahar under tarai condition of Uttarakhand state, India

An investigation was carried out to accessthe impact of mulching materials on improving the floral attributes of rosecv. Lahar. The experiment was conducted at Modal Floriculture Centre, G. B. P. U. A. & T. , Pantnagar during winter and spring seasons of the years 2011–12 and 2012–13. The treatments comprised 50, 100 and 200 μ thickness black and transparent polyethylene films, paddy straw and control. Each treatment was replicated thrice in a completely randomized block design. The results obtained from the investigation showed that during both the seasons i. e. winter and spring, minimum days taken to flowering (32.14 and 31.64 days, respectively) were observed of plants grown under the plots covered with 100 μ thick black polyethylene mulch which were statistically at par with 200 μ thick black polyethylene film (33.46 and 32.50 days). In both the seasons, maximum duration of flowering (5.49 and 5.01 days, respectively), flower longevity (11.55 and 10.73 days, respectively), flower diameter (8.62 and 6.54 cm), stem length (30.45 and 29.55 cm, respectively), number of flowers per plant (25.90 and 36.20, respectively), vase life (8.59 and 8.55 days, respectively) and water uptake (22.45 and 21.15 ml, respectively) were recorded from the plants grown under the plots mulched with 100 μ thick black polyethylene film. The results also revealed that plants grown under the plots covered with 200 μ thick black polyethene mulch also significantly improved the floral characters of the plants.
Nitzschia albicostalis: an apochloritic diatom worthy of ecological consideration

La diatomee heterotrophique Nitzschia albicostalis, a ete isolee de la surface de Fucus serratus entre octobre 1991 et avril 1992 mais n'a pas ete decelee dans les echantillons recoltes entre avril et aout 1992. Ceci laisse supposer que les diatomees etaient numeriquement significatives seulement pendant les mois d'hiver quand leur moyenne etait de l'ordre de 10.8 cellules par cm 2 de surface algale. Des pics d'abondance jusqu'a 35.4 cellules par cm 2 ont ete deceles en mars. Ces diatomees apochloritiques, en competition avec les bacteries pour le carbone et les elements nutritifs, montrent donc des taux d'accroissement et de production reduits quand elles sont cultivees avec des bacteries (.)
Physico-chemical characteristics of casein micelles from buffalo milk in different ionic environments : a comparison with cow milk

Casein micelles from buffalo milk are not well described in term of structure and stability as a function of ionic environments used for different dairy technologies like membrane separation, cheese making and milk enrichment in minerals. In this work, the mineral contents (calcium and phosphate), size, charge and hydration of casein micelles suspensions from buffalo and cow milks were compared in three dispersing phases (water, 0.1M NaCl and their respective ultrafiltrates) at similar concentration of caseins (23.5±1 g.kg -1 ). In these suspensions, the concentrations of micellar calcium and micellar inorganic phosphate were higher for buffalo milk than cow milk. Compared to water, the presence of NaCI induced an increase in the diffusible calcium concentration and micellar hydration and as well a reduction in the zeta potential of casein micelles. Compared to water, the dispersion of casein micelles in ultrafiltrates induced a binding of calcium to the micellar phase with an increase of the micellar size and a decrease of the zeta potential. The influence of the nature of the dispersing phases on the mineral equilibrium and on some micellar properties were very similar for both species.
Role of Therapeutic Interventional Radiology in ChronicCholecystitis Management

Citation: Maher Abdulrahim Ghazawi. , et al. “Role of Therapeutic Interventional Radiology in Chronic Cholecystitis Management”. EC Microbiology 16.10 (2020): 138-143. Background: Biliary system is a network of ducts within the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas that flow into the small intestine. When bile is not completely drained from the gallbladder, it can precipitate as sludge, and can turn into gallstones. Interventional radiology defined as a medical specialization that including performing a group of imaging procedures to obtain images of the inside of the body. Advances in methods and technology have enhanced patient treatment by offering minimally invasive procedures including percutaneous drainage, biopsy, and stone removal. Interventional radiology has an established and expanding role in the diagnosis and management of patients with both benign and malignant biliary disease. Aim: In this review, we will look into role of therapeutic interventional radiology in Gallbladder and biliary tree disease management. Conclusion: Interventional radiology tends to play a vitally important role in treating patients with gallbladder and bile duct disease. Future studies should be conducted to assist identifying role of therapeutic radiology in patients with gallbladder and biliary tree disease.
Mycotoxins in organically versus conventionally produced cereal grains and some other crops in temperate regions

This paper presents peer-reviewed studies comparing the content of deoxynivalenol (DON), HT-2+T-2 toxins, zearalenone (ZEA), nivalenol (NIV), ochratoxin A (OTA) and fumonisins in cereal grains, and patulin (PAT) in apple and apple-based products, produced in organically and conventionally grown crops in temperate regions. Some of the studies are based on data from controlled field trials, however, most are farm surveys and some are food basket surveys. Almost half of the studies focused on DON in cereals. The majority of these studies found no significant difference in DON content in grain from the two farming systems, but several studies showed lower DON content in organically than in conventionally produced cereals. A number of the investigations reported low DON levels in grain, far below the EU limits for food. Many authors suggested that weather conditions, years, locations, tillage practice and crop rotation are more important for the development of DON than the type of farming. Organically produced.
Plant litter mixture partly mitigates the negative effects of extended drought on soil biota and litter decomposition in a Mediterranean oak forest

A major challenge of current ecological research is to determine the responses of plant and animal communities and ecosystem processes to future environmental conditions. Ecosystems respond to climate change in complex ways, and the outcome may significantly depend on biodiversity. We studied the relative effects of enhanced drought and of plant species mixture on soil biota and on litter decomposition in a Mediterranean oak forest. We experimentally reduced precipitation, accounting for seasonal precipitation variability, and created a single‐species litter (Quercus pubescens), a two‐species litter mixture (Q. pubescens + Acer monspessulanum) and a three‐species litter mixture (Q. pubescens + A. monspessulanum + Cotinus coggygria). In general, drier conditions affected decomposers negatively, directly by reducing fungal biomass and detritivorous mesofauna, and also indirectly by increasing the predation pressure on detritivorous mesofauna by predatory mesofauna. This is reflected under drier conditions in that Collembola abundance decreased more strongly than Acari abundance. One Collembola group (i.e. Neelipleona) even disappeared completely. Increased drought strongly decreased litter decomposition rates. Mixed litter with two and three plant species positively affected soil biota communities and led to a more efficient litter decomposition process, probably through a greater litter quality. Faster decomposition in mixed litter can thus compensate slower decomposition rates under drier condition. Synthesis. Our results highlight that, within our study system, drier climate strongly impacts on soil biodiversity and hence litter decomposition. Species‐rich litter may mitigate such a decline in decomposition rates. Diverse plant communities should hence be maintained to reduce shifts in ecosystem functioning under climate change.
Phylogenetic Relationships in Calyptranthes (Myrtaceae) with Particular Emphasis on Its Monophyly Relative to Myrcia s. l.

Abstract Calyptranthes is the largest clade of Myrcia s. l. , and is a group of considerable diversity in the threatened Atlantic forest biome of Brazil, as well as in the Amazon, Caribbean, and Cerrado. Here an expanded, geographically and morphologically representative sample of Calyptranthes is tested for monophyly; the majority of species are shown to emerge as a monophyletic clade embedded within Myrcia s. l. A single species, Calyptranthes multiflora, emerges in an independent clade, suggesting wider non-monophyly. Patterns of relationships within the group are detected, and these correlate more closely with geography than with morphology, and suggest that the oldest lineages of Calyptranthes are from what is now the Amazon forest, with later radiations to the Caribbean, Atlantic forest, and Cerrado biomes.
Differentiation among insular and continental populations of Coccothrinax argentata (Arecaceae) : evidence from DNA markers and a common garden experiment

The palm Coccothrinax argentata occurs on both the southern Florida mainland and the Florida Keys, but the populations are morphologically distinct. The mainland populations tend to be shorter in stature than the insular populations. We tested the hypothesis that differences in stature were the result of genotypic selection because of different environmental conditions between the mainland and the Keys. We used a combined approach of morphological data gathered from a long-term common garden experiment and ISSR molecular data. After eleven years, the common garden plants are exhibiting differences in stature, but the differences are not associated with provenance. In addition, plants from different source populations have differences in ISSR profiles. We reject the hypothesis that differences in stature are solely the result of differences in environment. Morphological and molecular data do not exhibit clearly defined discontinuities that could be used to distinguish the populations as separate taxa. This study is the first common garden experiment with palms, which are long-lived and slow-growing, and the first to examine genetic differences between plant populations from mainland Florida and Florida Keys.
High-energy diets and Diabetes Mellitus: a threat for male fertility

97 Introduction . 97 Material and Methods . 98 Chemicals. 98 Animals . 98 Experimental animal procedure . 99 Glucose tolerance and Insulin resistance tests . 99 Testosterone and 17β-estradiol determination . 99 Primary Sertoli cell cultures . 99 Experimental groups . 100 NMR spectroscopy . 100 Glycogen content . 100 Western Blot . 101 Enzymatic activities . 101 Analysis of adenine nucleotides content . 101 Statistical Analysis . 102 Results . 102 High-energy fed animals developed PreD, while those administered with streptozotocin developed T2DM, exhibiting progressively lower testicular testosterone levels . 102 Testosterone deficiency is critical for the glycolytic flux on Sertoli cells . 102 T deficiency progressively affects LDH expression and activity in Sertoli cells . 103
Response of cool-season grain legumes to waterlogging at flowering

Abstract: Soil flooding and submergence, collectively termed waterlogging, are major abiotic stresses that severely constrain crop growth and productivity in many regions. Cool-season grain legumes can be exposed to submersion both at the vegetative and reproductive stages. Limited research has been carried out on these crops with waterlogging imposed at flowering. We evaluated how waterlogging periods of 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 d at flowering affected seed yield, biomass of shoots, roots and nodules, and N uptake of faba bean (Vicia faba L. var. minor), pea (Pisum sativum L.), and white lupin (Lupinus albus L.). Faba bean tolerated submersion better than pea and white lupin. Pea and white lupin plants did not survive 10 d of submersion, and after 5 d the seed yield, shoot and root biomass, and N uptake had more than halved. Faba bean survived 20 d of waterlogging, although seed and biomass production and total N uptake were severely reduced. Shoot dry weight and seed yield decreased linearly with the duration of waterlogging, which negatively affected seed more than the vegetative plant part weight. In all three crops waterlogging at flowering led to damage, which could not be recovered during seed filling.