Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Biosorption of Cadmium (II) from Aqueous Solution, by Bacillus Sp and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

Heavy metal contamination of various water resources is of great concern because of the toxic effect on human being, other animals and plants in the environment. Concern over this problem has led to the development of alternative technologies for effecting the removal of these pollutants from aqueous effluents. Biosorption of cadmium (II) ions from aqueous solutions has been studied in a batch system by using a Bacillus sp. AEJ-89 (gram-positive) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (gram-negative). Langmuir equation was based on the maximum rate of uptake of Cd (II) in Bacillus and Pseudomonas. The effects of various physicochemical factors on Cd (II) biosorption such as initial metal concentration, pH, and contact time were studied. This study has shown Cd (II) biosorption, equilibrium time of about 5 minutes for Pseudomonas and Bacillus about 10 minutes, respectively and the adsorption equilibrium data were well described by Langmuir equation. The maximum capacity has been extrapolated to 0/45, 0/85 mmol/g for Bacillus and Pseudomonas respectively. The gram positive bacterium showed more cadmium biosorption compared to the Gram-negative bacterium.
PURE ENDOSCOPIC ENDONASAL APPROACH FOR PITUITARY ADENOMAS: EARLY SURGICAL RESULTS IN 200 PATIENTS AND COMPARISON WITH PREVIOUS MICROSURGICAL SERIES

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to report the results of a consecutive series of patients undergoing pituitary surgery using a pure endoscopic endonasal approach and to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODSWe reviewed 200 consecutive patients with pituitary adenoma who underwent purely endoscopic transsphenoidal resection of their lesions. The patients' clinical outcomes, including remission rates, degrees of tumor removal, and complications, were evaluated and compared with a previous microscopic series. RESULTSThere were 111 nonfunctioning adenomas and 34 growth hormone-secreting, 27 adrenocorticotropin hormone-secreting, 25 prolactin-secreting, and 3 thyroid-stimulating hormone-secreting adenomas. The degree of gross total removal for tumors with suprasellar or parasellar extension and without cavernous sinus involvement was 96% and for intrasellar lesions was 98%. After a median follow-up period of 19 months, the remission results for patients with functioning adenomas were 71% for growth hormone-secreting, 81% for adrenocorticotropin hormone-secreting, and 88% for prolactin-secreting adenomas, with no recurrence at the time of the last follow-up. This compares with similar results reported from series using a standard microsurgical approach (growth hormone-secreting adenomas, 67%; adrenocorticotropin hormone-secreting adenomas, 78%; and prolactin-secreting adenomas, 62%). Endoscopic surgery for recurrent or residual nonfunctioning adenomas that had been previously treated using a microscopic approach revealed in the majority of cases a more limited exposure during the initial surgery, frequently with incomplete tumor removal. Complication rates have been low, and the average length of hospital stay was reduced. CONCLUSIONA purely endoscopic approach for pituitary adenoma treatment is a safe and effective alternative to the traditional microscopic procedure. Although our results reveal excellent tumor-removal rates, comparable remission rates in functioning tumors, and a very low rate of complications, additional studies with longer follow-up periods are required to confirm whether this approach should be considered the preferred procedure for pituitary surgery.
Copepods act as a switch between alternative trophic cascades in marine pelagic food webs

A recent meta-analysis indicates that trophic cascades (indirect effects of predators on plants via herbivores) are weak in marine plankton in striking contrast to freshwater plankton (Shurin et al. 2002, Ecol. Lett., 5, 785–791). Here we show that in a marine plankton community consisting of jellyfish, calanoid copepods and algae, jellyfish predation consistently reduced copepods but produced two distinct, opposite responses of algal biomass. Calanoid copepods act as a switch between alternative trophic cascades along food chains of different length and with counteracting effects on algal biomass. Copepods reduced large algae but simultaneously promoted small algae by feeding on ciliates. The net effect of jellyfish on total algal biomass was positive when large algae were initially abundant in the phytoplankton, negative when small algae were dominant, but zero when experiments were analysed in combination. In contrast to marine systems, major pathways of energy flow in Daphnia-dominated freshwater systems are of similar chain length. Thus, differences in the length of alternative, parallel food chains may explain the apparent discrepancy in trophic cascade strength between freshwater and marine planktonic systems.
The costs of reproduction to males and females of a paternal mouthbrooding cardinalfish Apogon notatus

In the cardinalfish Apogon notatus, starving males mouthbrood the eggs, and females are more active than males in courtship and in attacks against conspecific intruders upon their breeding territory, but sexual ornaments are developed in males. Condition factor, hepatosomatic index and fat body-somatic index declined in both sexes during the breeding season. The deterioration of somatic condition was more severe in females, suggesting that the overall energetic costs were larger for females which produced more than twice as many clutches as males brooded in a season. Selective mortality of females could be due primarily to the depletion of their energy reserves. The increased mortality in females is a possible mechanism for the male-biased operational sex ratio which may provide the potential for sexual selection on males.
β → α → δ Pancreatic Islet Cellular Perfusion in Dogs

Intraislet communication between β-, α-, and δ-cells and their secretory products may theoretically occur via the paracrine (interstitial) and/or vascular routes. Recently, we have shown that there is a directed microvascular circulation in the rat islet with a cellular order of perfusion of β → α → δ. The direction of microvascular perfusion of cells within the dog islet has been controversial. Anterograde (arterial) perfusion and retrograde (reversed or venous) perfusion of a segment of isolated dog pancreas with potent insulin antibodies yielded results similar to those found in the rat pancreas (anterograde, 158 ±44% increase in glucagon and 65 ± 20% increase in somatostatin; retrograde, no change in glucagon or somatostatin). Anterograde infusion of glucagon antibody (no change in insulin, −33.5 ± 3% decrease in somatostatin) or somatostatin antibody (no change in insulin or glucagon) also yielded the same results as in the rat pancreas. Anterograde infusion of 500 pg/ml glucagon caused a larger increase in insulin secretion (245 ± 10%) than retrograde infusion (45 ± 4%), whereas somatostatin was stimulated more retrogradely (339 ± 17%) than anterogradely (121 ± 9%). Anterograde infusion of somatostatin produced a larger decrease in insulin and glucagon than did retrograde perfusion (P < .0001 for both comparisons). The retrograde infusion of 0.3 mU/ml insulin caused a decrease in glucagon but was without effect anterogradely. The results from the infusion of exogenous hormones suggest that the sensitivity of the α-, β-, and δ-cells to insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin is determined by the β → α → δ order of perfusion. The antibody studies indicate that directed microvascular perfusion is central to intraislet regulation of insular secretions in dogs.
Species diversity and productivity: why do results of diversity‐manipulation experiments differ from natural patterns?

1 Experiments that directly manipulate species diversity often report a positive diversity effect on productivity, whereas observations of natural communities reveal various productivity–diversity relationships and nutrient addition to natural plant communities generally results in negative productivity–diversity relationships. 2 We hypothesize that this apparent paradox may be potentially explained by the reduced roles of complementarity and positive selection effects, and the increased importance of competitive exclusion in natural communities compared to diversity‐manipulation experiments. This hypothesis arises from the difference in species distribution and abundance patterns between immature synthetically assembled communities in diversity‐manipulation experiments and more mature natural communities. 3 Our hypothesis applies best to small‐scale studies within homogenous habitats and complements the environmental heterogeneity hypothesis that explains diversity–productivity patterns across heterogeneous habitats. 4 Synthesis. Our analysis highlights important differences between synthetic communities in diversity‐manipulation experiments and natural communities that may translate into different diversity–productivity patterns, and cautions against indiscriminate extrapolations of results of diversity‐manipulation experiments to natural communities.
(Z)-3-hexenyl acetate and 1-undecanol increase male attraction to sex pheromone trap in Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

The effects of host-plant volatiles (HPVs) on male oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), and response to sex pheromone trap were studied in a pear orchard. Two HPVs compounds, (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate and 1-undecanol, combined with sex pheromone of G. molesta in traps were tested. The results showed that most of the male moths were captured in the traps baited with the sex pheromone combined with these two HPVs compounds than by the pheromone alone. Also, more males were captured by the trap containing pheromone plus (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate than by the one containing 1-undecanol. It appeared that these HPVs act as sex pheromone synergists to enhance the attraction of male G. molestato pheromone traps, since males were not captured in the traps baited only with (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate and/or 1-undecanol.
Chemical composition of fruits of some important chestnut cultivars

In this study, chemical compositions of the fruits of some important domestic chestnut types and cultivars were investigated. They contained (g/100g dry matter basis) total carbohydrates 75.32 - 86.31, total sugar 10.32 - 22.79, invert sugar 0.08 - 1.25, starch 54.45 - 69.70, sucrose 8.86 - 21.28, ash 1.02 - 3.22, crude cellulose 3.58 - 5.96, total fat 0.49 - 2.01, total protein 4.88 - 10.87. Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, P, Na and K contents were (mg/100g) 43 - 230, 70 - 160, 0.4 - 5.7, 0.7 - 5.5, 0.6 - 3.8, 1.8 - 9.1, 107 - 191, 6 - 41, 761 - 1271, respectively.
Thermal biology of the meadow grasshopper, Chorthippus parallelus, and the implications for resistance to disease

Abstract. 1. The thermal biology of the meadow grasshopper, Chorthippus parallelus, a common, habitat generalist acridid species found in the U.K., was characterised and the influence of thermoregulatory behaviour for resistance against a temperate (Beauveria bassiana) and tropical (Metarhizium anisopliae var. acridum) fungal pathogen was determined.
Validating Ctenophore Pleurobrachia pileus as an indicator to harmful algal blooms (HABs) and trace metal pollution in Kuwait Bay

Trace metal levels were high in five Kuwait Bay sites (I-V) during harmful algal blooms (HABs) enrichment following an abundance of Ctenophore, Pleurobrachia pileus. Observations during HABs revealed higher trace metal levels in P. pileus and in seawater than during the non-existence of HABs. High trace metal levels in P. pileus were observed during winter (November-March) rather than in summer (April-September) validating the non-usage of trace metals by the primary producers as a result of low photosynthetic activity during winter. Trace metal levels in seawater and in P. pileus were observed high in Site-III followed by Site-IV > Site-V > Site-II > Site-I irrespective of the two seasons signifying the degree of trace metal pollution in Kuwait Bay sites. Furthermore, high abundance of Ctenophore and HABs on one hand significantly evidenced altercation of phytoplankton species diversity recorded earlier in Kuwait Bay sites; and on the other hand it evidenced a temporary depletion of nutrient levels. Therefore, it is evident that the abundance of P. pileus could label HABs enrichment, trace metals and nutrient levels in Kuwait Bay which is an outcome of anthropogenic inputs discharges, local industrialization and altered hydrological variables.
Variation of the Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus) Body Condition and Haematological Parameters in Relation to Sex, Age and Season

The body condition and haematological parameters of birds are influenced by a multitude of factors. Here we investigated body mass, fat scores, ratio of heterophils and lymphocytes (H/L), red blood cell count (RBC) of reed buntings (Emberiza schoeniclus), expecting differences between spring and summer (different physiological states/energy demands in breeding/post-breeding periods), sexes (different parental duties) and age groups (different experience/social status). Fat scores and size-corrected body mass were similar in all the groups. Adults in spring had higher H/L than in summer, which may have been due to reproduction-related stress or the seasonal elevation of glucocorticoids. The lower RBC and H/L in adults in summer were associated with their complete moult. Lower H/L in adults in summer compared to immatures may have resulted from their lower stress level (greater experience/higher social status) or a complete moult. The H/L ratio was similar in both sexes, despite their different parental duties.
Response of rice (Oryza sativa L. ) under elevated temperature at early growth stage: physiological markers

A reliable and rapid assessment technique, for evaluation of cultivars having potential to combat harsh environmental conditions is imperative. This experiment was carried out to screen 8 local (Pakistan) accessions of rice at early growth stage (germination and seedling) at control and heat shock for different time periods (24, 48, 72 h). Heat stress indices, including promptness index (P.I.) and germination stress index (G.S.I.), were used to explore thermotolerance at germination stage. At seedling stage, relative membrane permeability (RMP) were assessed through measurement of electrolyte leakage (EC), melondialdehyde (MDA) and production of hydrogen peroxide. It is observed that heat stress delayed germination and decreased germination percentage at germination stage. However cultivars showed significantly different response. Among all, "Kanwal-95" showed more thermotolerance in terms of maximum number of germination as well as in speediness to germination. Physiological indicators manifested, increased electrolyte leakage is associated with increased level of lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide. It can be concluded that antioxidants enzymes could play major role in thermotolerance by scavenging free radicals to protect lipid peroxidation consequently improve cell membrane thermostability. Results analysis revealed that these indicators were simple and accurate selection criteria to assess heat stress effect and can be adopted to save resources and time of formers.
Physicochemical characterization of phage adsorption to Lactobacillus helveticus ATCC 15807 cells

Characterization of the adsorption process by the phages hv and ATCC 15807‐B1 to Lactobacillus helveticus ATCC 15807 was carried out. For this purpose, the influence of Ca2+ ions, temperature and physiological cell state were studied. The ability of several saccharides and related compounds to inactivate the phages hv and ATCC 15807‐B1 was determined to investigate their potential role as phage receptors. Furthermore, several chemical treatments on the sensitive strain cells were carried out to study their influence on phage adsorption. Cell lysis and plaque formation were independent of Ca2+ ions for phage hv, but the cation was indispensable for completion of the lytic cycle of phage ATCC 15807‐B1. However, for this phage, Ca2+ was not necessary for the adsorption process. The adsorption rates were almost normal for both phages within the temperature range examined (0 – 50 °C) and the adsorption kinetics were practically identical on viable and non‐viable cells. The saccharides and related compounds used did not produce inactivation of the phages, suggesting that they were not essential components of phage receptor structures. Lactobacillus helveticus ATCC 15807 cells treated with SDS 1%, SDS 0·5% ‐EDTA 50 mmol l−1 or NaOH 50 mmol l−1 exhibited reduced adsorption of the phages, indicating possible damage or extraction of receptors from the cell wall. Phage adsorption presents an extremely attractive target for interfering in the lytic cycle of phages.
Do Trends in Population Levels of Blood Pressure and Other Cardiovascular Risk Factors Explain Trends in Stroke Event Rates?: Comparisons of 15 Populations in 9 Countries Within the WHO MONICA Stroke Project

Background and Purpose— Previous studies have indicated a reasonably strong relationship between secular trends in classic cardiovascular risk factors and stroke incidence within single populations. To what extent variations in stroke trends between populations can be attributed to differences in classic cardiovascular risk factor trends is unknown. Methods— In the World Health Organization Monitoring of Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular Disease (WHO MONICA) Project, repeated population surveys of cardiovascular risk factors and continuous monitoring of stroke events have been conducted in 35- to 64-year-old people over a 7- to 13-year period in 15 populations in 9 countries. Stroke trends were compared with trends in individual risk factors and their combinations. A 3- to 4-year time lag between changes in risk factors and change in stroke rates was considered. Results— Population-level trends in systolic blood pressure showed a strong association with stroke event trends in women, but there was no association in men. In women, 38% of the variation in stroke event trends was explained by changes in systolic blood pressure when the 3- to 4-year time lag was taken into account. Combining trends in systolic blood pressure, daily cigarette smoking, serum cholesterol, and body mass index into a risk score explained only a small fraction of the variation in stroke event trends. Conclusions— In this study, it appears that variations in stroke trends between populations can be explained only in part by changes in classic cardiovascular risk factors. The associations between risk factor trends and stroke trends are stronger for women than for men.
OXYTOCIC ACTIVITY AND TOXIC EFFECTS OF GLOBULINS OF ABRUS SEEDS (SCARLET VARIETY) IN RABBITS

SUMMARY: Seeds of Abrus precatorius L (scarlet variety) were investigated for the isolation and for the oxytocic effects of water insoluble protein (globulin) on sequester rabbit uterus. Powdered seeds were macerated with 5% (w/v) aqueous sodium chloride solution and the protein was subsequently precipitated by saturated solution of ammonium sulphate. Oxytocic activity was confirmed by correlating with a standard oxytocic drug. Other pharmacological effects such as toxicity, on the ovarian tissues and its hormones were also explored. Globulin injected to the animals for 24 hours altered the cyclic rhythm of the ovaries. It lowered the plasma level of oestradiol, while the plasma level of progesterone remained unaltered. It was also responsible for the hemorrhage of the ovarian follicles. It has been concluded that the oxytocic component interferes with the cyclic rhythm of the female rabbit either through modifying the steroidal metabolism of the ovaries or through its toxicity on the ovarian tissues.
Nitrate movement and removal along a shallow groundwater flow path in a riparian wetland within a sheep‐grazed pastoral catchment: Results of a tracer study

Abstract The movement and removal of nitrate (NO3 ‐) along a groundwater flow path within a riparian wetland was investigated during a 24‐day period in late autumn‐early winter, using a lithium bromide (LiBr)‐potassium nitrate (KNO3) tracer solution containing 19 200 mg/litre as Br‐ and 193.8 mg/litre as NO3‐N. The tracer solution was added as an instantaneous dose of tracer solution at a depth of 10–20 cm to four injection wells in two 1 m2 plots within a sheep‐grazed pastoral catchment at the Whatawhata Agricultural Research Centre near Hamilton, New Zealand. Bromide and NO3‐N concentrations were measured periodically in: (1) wetland groundwater samples from piezometers installed at 15 and 30 cm depths and located at 30, 60, and 100 cm down gradient from the injection wells; and (2) surface flow samples. Peak concentrations of 50–250 mg/litre of Br‐ and 0.2–1.1 mg/litre of NO3‐N were reached within 1–2 days after application at most piezometers. Nitrate concentrations decreased thereafter more sharply than did those of Br‐, resulting in decreased NO3‐N/Br‐ ratios from Days 2 through 7. More than 99% of groundwater samples collected after the tracer application had NO3‐N/Br‐ less than the value in the tracer solution indicating removal of NO3‐N during transport. Mass flux estimates indicated removal of >90% of added NO3‐N along the 100 cm flow path from the injection, with essentially all of the NO3 ‐ removed within the first 30 cm of transport. On Days 10 and 24, just after rain events, surface flow from the experimental plots had greatly elevated NO3‐N concentrations that were not accompanied by correspondingly elevated Br‐ concentrations, indicating that NO3‐N originating from the surrounding catchment was transported over the wetland surface with little penetration or mixing with wetland groundwater. Despite a significant capacity for NO3‐N removal from shallow groundwater equivalent to an annualised value of 50 kg/ha in these wetland study plots, large amounts of NO3‐N from the catchment are likely to move over the wetland surface during rain events without adequate soil contact time for efficient denitrification and retention.
Conservation of Vertebrate Fauna Using Hollows in Forests of South-West Western Australia: Strategic Risk Assessment in Relation to Ecology, Policy, Planning, and Operations Management

Forty-two vertebrate species use hollows in live standing trees in the forests of south-west Westem Australia. We determined the reliance of each of these species on hollows in standing trees, assessed the relative frequency of occurrence of suitable hollows (based on the size of hollow and hollow entry), and further categorized species by the size of their home range and their current dependence on publicly-owned forest. No species was identified as being at high or immediate risk of decline. Eight species (6 bird, 2 mammal) were identified as excellent candidates for monitoring, with one species (Trichosurus vulpecula) most likely to provide the earliest indication of any critical reduction in the long-term supply of large hollows at small spatial scales. Past impacts of Aborigines and Europeans on populations of the larger species are likely to have been substantial, as these were hunted for food and trapped for fur. Hollow-using species are considered at present to be adequately safeguarded by: extensive areas of forest reserved from logging; science-based prescriptions mandating the retention of trees in Jarrah Eucalyptus marginata forest available for timber harvesting; a forest-wide baiting program to reduce predation by the introduced Red fox Vulpes vulpes; and a 70 year tradition of adaptive forest management. The recovery of populations of medium-sized mammal species following control of foxes will provide an opportunity to re-assess the adequacy of current hollow-management strategies. Future research should include modelling of stand structure, determining the home range of priority species, and assessing the extent of overlap of home ranges. Monitoring of indicator hollow-using species should take place at landscape scales.