Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Seroprevalence of HIV & HCV coinfection among patients in a rural tertiary care centre in North India

Objective: Viral hepatitis C infection is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Chronic HCV infection can cause a wide spectrum of liver disease, potentially leading to severe liver damage, including cirrhosis, organ failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. It accounts for nearly 12– 32% of all cases of liver cancer and 10- 20% cases of cirrhosis of liver, both of which have high treatment costs and poor outcomes. As route of infection of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is same, People with HIV infection are at more risk of acquiring Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection. The co-infection of Hepatitis C virus with HIV accelerates disease progression and also has an effect on the management of patients infected with HIV. The prevalence of HIV co-infection with Hepatitis C virus varies widely. This study is planned to evaluate the prevalence of HIV co-infection with Hepatitis C viruses in North India. Materials and Methods: A total of 25443 patients enrolled in the microbiology lab were retrospectively analyzed for the presence of HCV and HIV infection on the basis of the presence of anti-HCV and anti HIV markers. Results: In patients infected with HIV, the prevalence of co-infection with HCV was 0.07%. The mean age of the study group was 28.7 years. Discussion: The prevalence rate of HCV are increasing in patients infected with HIV. Having acquired the knowledge about the importance of such a co-infection, it is essential that all the patients infected with HIV be screened for HCV co-infection.
Percnon gibbesi (H. Milne Edwards, 1853) and Callinectes sapidus (Rathbun, 1896) in the Ligurian Sea: two additional invasive species detections made in collaboration with local fishermen

The non-indigenous crabs Percnon gibbesi (H. Milne Edwards, 1853) and Callinectes sapidus (Rathbun, 1896) (Crustacea, Decapoda, Portunidae) are reported from Genoa and La Spezia, respectively, in the Ligurian Sea at the northern rim of the Mediterranean Sea. Both specimens were collected by fishermen who then brought them to the attention of professional scientists. This illustrates the importance of engaging local communities in detecting non-indigenous species and monitoring
Association Between Cytochrome 1B1*3 Polymorphism and the Breast Cancer in a Group of Iranian Women

Background: Asahormone-dependentcancer,estrogenisinvolvedinthedevelopmentof breastcancer. CYP1B1 belongstotheP450 superfamily of enzymes and is involved in the metabolism of estrogen. The present study investigates the relationship between CYP1B1*3 rs1056836 polymorphism and breast cancer in Iranian women. Methods: Thepresentcase-controlstudywasconductedon79womenwithbreastcancerand79healthywomenadmittedtoShoha-daye Tajrish hospital in Tehran. Blood samples were taken from all the participants and their leukocyte DNA was extracted. The PCR-RFLP method was used for genotyping the participants based on the size of the pieces on the gel. Based on Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium model, the frequency of alleles was calculated. Results: The mean age of participants was 48 ± 8 years old in the cancer group and 43 ± 6 years old in the control group. After counting the genotypes, their percentages were calculated as 30.38% for the GG genotype, 37.97% for the GC/CG and 31.65% for the CC in the cancer group and as 32.91% for the GG genotype, 53.16% for the GC/CG and 13.93% for the CC in the control group. Based on Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium model, the frequency of the G allele and C allele was 49.37% and 50.63 in the cancer group, and about 59.49% and 40.51% in the control group. A statistically signiﬁcant diﬀerence was observed between the two groups in terms of the CC homozygotes (P = 0.008). Conclusions: Theresultsobtainedshowedpossibilityof asigniﬁcantrelationshipbetween CYP1B1 rs1056836polymorphismandthe riskof developingbreastcancer,andthepolymorphismcan,therefore,besaidtobeinvolvedinthedevelopmentof thiscondition.
Taxonomic groups with lower movement capacity may present higher beta diversity

A analise da diversidade por particao e uma abordagem empregada para tentar compreender como as comunidades se estruturam espacialmente e os fatores que operam na geracao e manutencao dos padroes de distribuicao das especies. Nos examinamos a estrutura espacial da diversidade de especies referente a quatro grupos taxonomicos com diferentes capacidades de dispersao, em 16 fragmentos florestais localizados no sul do Estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Especificamente, testamos: i) se a similaridade na composicao de especies estaria relacionada negativamente com a distância geografica entre os fragmentos e ii) se a diversidade beta apresentada por cada grupo poderia ser negativamente relacionada com as respectivas capacidades de dispersao. Tanto a diversidade alfa quanto a similaridade composicional entre as localidades foram baixas. A diversidade beta nao esteve correlacionada com a distância para nenhum dos grupos. Os primatas, seguidos das aves, apresentaram maior tendencia em formar agrupamentos de similaridade, embora de maneira independente da distância entre os fragmentos, bem como os menores valores relativos de diversidade beta. Ja espermatofitas e anfibios nao definiram agrupamentos e apresentaram relativamente os maiores valores de diversidade beta. Interpretamos tais resultados como indicacoes de que grupos com maior capacidade de dispersao (primatas e aves) tendem a alcancar, em media, localidades mais distantes e, portanto, a definir agrupamentos mais similares (i.e. baixa diversidade beta). Ja os grupos com menor capacidade de dispersao (espermatofitas e anfibios) apresentaram a tendencia oposta. Apesar da maioria das especies terem apresentado ocorrencia restrita a poucas localidades, contribuindo para a baixa similaridade, as altas diversidades beta e gama demonstraram o quanto as localidades sao distintas e complementares entre si em termos de composicao de especies. Tais caracteristicas reforcam e justificam futuras iniciativas de conservacao, tanto em âmbito local quanto regional.
Synthesis and Investigation of Antibacterial activity of Some Schiff bases

Eight Schiff bases were synthesized from 4-amino benzoic acid and were characterized by IR and NMR spectral analysis. In all 8 compounds were synthesized viz. (1) 4-[(4-Methoxy-benzylidene)-imino]benzoic acid, (2) 4-(Benzylidene-imino)-benzoic acid, (3) 4-[(2-chloro-benzylidene)-imino]-benzoic acid, (4) 4-[(Furan-2-ylmethylene)-imino]-benzoic acid, (5) 4-(3-Phenyl-allylideneimino)-benzoic acid, (6) 4[(2-Hydroxy-benzylidene)-imino] -benzoic acid, (7) 4-[(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzylidene)-imino]benzoic acid and (8) 4-[(3-Nitro-benzylidene)-imino]-benzoic acid. Antibacterial activities of these synthesized Schiff bases have been tested against six bacterial strains. The studied bacterial strains are S. aureus ATCC 25923, B. cereus ATCC 11778, P. mirabilis NCIM 2241, P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853, S. typhimurium ATCC 23564 and A. fecalis ATCC 8750. The antibacterial activity was done by Agar Ditch method. The solvents used for studying antibacterial activity were 1, 4-dioxan (non-polar) and DMF (polar, Dimethylformamide). A differential effect of the compounds was found in the bacterial strains investigated and the solvents used, suggesting once again that the antibacterial activity is dependent on the molecular structure of the compound, solvent used and the bacterial strains under consideration.
ACTIVITY OF Azotobacter AND Azospirillum IN THE RHIZOSPHERE OF ONION PLANT

This study was carried out to evaluate the influence of inoculation with nitrogen fixing bacteria (Azotobacter and Azospirillum) that were isolated from onion rhizosphere. The isolates were applied in field experiment to investigate the effect of inoculation with Azotobacter and Azospirillum, on Nitrogenase activity . Isolation and enumeration of Azotobacter and Azospirillum from the soil of onion plants were studied and determination of the enzymatic activities of nitrogen fixing bacteria (nitrogenase) that were isolated from the soil of onion plant during the growing periods at 0, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 days after sowing and selected active isolate of Azotobacter and Azospirillum. The obtained results revealed increases in Azotobacter and Azospirillum numbers as well as nitrogenase activity in rhizosphere onion regions. Also these activities reflect on onion plant productivity. This study recommended the application of Azotobacter and Azospirillum as inoculants in onion plant productivity.
Huperzia continentalis (Lycopodiaceae), a New Species of Gemmiferous Firmoss Separated from Huperzia haleakalae

Abstract A new species of gemmiferous clubmoss, Huperzia continentalis, is described. This species is most abundant in northwestern North America, but also occurs in Greenland, northern Europe, and northeastern Siberia. Material of this species was previously treated as Huperzia haleakalae, but detailed morphological study shows that the species differ by color, leaf size and shape, and gemma distribution. With the recognition of Huperzia continentalis, H. haleakalae is only known from the type, collected on Maui in 1840, and is likely extinct. Huperzia continentalis is also compared to similar species of Huperzia with which it co-occurs; it is readily distinguished from these taxa by plant size, leaf dimensions, and the size and distribution of gemmae. Hybrids between H. continentalis and four other Huperzia species are discussed.
Effects of substitution of Bermuda grass hay with Trichoderma fermented rice straw on growth, blood, and rumen fluid parameters in Barbados sheep

ABSTRACT The study was to ascertain the feasibility of using rice straw fermented by Trichoderma as ruminant roughage. Three species or three strains of Trichoderma (NTLg-Te S5-1, NTLg-Te S9-1, and Tien Chung Ca6-1) were used to inoculate hot water-sterilized rice straw. Result showed that rice straw fermented with Trichoderma NTLg-Te S5-1 had the highest cellulase and xylanase activity. Antioxidant ferulic acid content of water extract was improved after fermentation. Eighteen Barbados sheep were randomly distributed into one of three dietary groups. Ration of Bermuda hay group (BER) is 90% Bermuda hay with 10% concentrate. Unfermented rice straw (RS) group and fermented rice straw (FRS) group substituted 25% of Bermuda hay with rice straw or fermented rice straw. Dry matter intake, daily weight gain, blood analysis, and feed conversion ratio were not significantly different among groups after 4 weeks of trial. Dry matter digestibility of BER was the highest, and of FRS was significantly higher than RS. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content in serum of FRS and BER was lower than RS. These results indicated that 25% substitution of Bermuda hay with Trichoderma-fermented rice straw in the diet of Barbados sheep could increase digestibility and inhibit lipid oxidation when compared to unfermented rice straw.
Agro-physiological and biochemical responses of faba bean (Vicia faba L. var. ‘minor’) genotypes to water deficit stress

Description of the subject. Drought is one of the major abiotic factors affecting growth and productivity of plants by imposing certain morphological, physiological and biochemical changes at different growth stages. Objectives. The objective of this work is to study key morphological, physiological and biochemical responses of faba bean (Vicia faba L. var. ‘minor’) to soil water deficit stress and to assess the contribution of genetic factors in improving faba bean tolerance to water deficit. Method. Plants of 11 faba bean cultivars were grown in the greenhouse and subjected to three levels of water deficit (90, 50 and 30% of field capacity [FC]) in a simple randomized design for 20 days. Water deficit effects on plant growth, relative water content (RWC), gas exchange, chlorophyll a (Chla) and chlorophyll b (Chlb) content, osmoprotectant accumulations (such as proline and soluble sugars), antioxidant enzyme activities and grain yield were determined. Results. Soil water deficit stress reduced growth and affected physiological parameters, especially antioxidant enzyme activities. Water deficit also increased proline, soluble sugars and protein contents. The studied cultivars significantly differed in their responses to water deficit stress. Photosynthetic parameters were less affected in the ‘Hara’ cultivar. Furthermore, this cultivar produced the highest value of grain yield at 30% FC, and showed higher antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT, GPX and APX), osmoprotectant accumulations, Chlb and RWC. The ‘Hara’ cultivar was found to be more tolerant to water deficit stress than the other cultivars. Conclusions. Our methodology can be used for assessing the response of faba bean genetic resources to soil water deficit. The identified tolerant cultivar can be utilized as a source for water stress tolerance in faba bean breeding programs aimed at improving drought tolerance.
A comparison and phylogenetic analysis of the pyrenoid ultrastructure of three Oocystis species (Oocystaceae, Trebouxiophyceae, Chlorophyta)

The 18S rRNA gene sequences of three Oocystis species were determined and subjected to two different phylogenetic analysis algorithms. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that they all belong to Oocystaceae. However, the three strains were not members of a monophyletic cluster. New evidence that the genus Oocystis is paraphyletic is provided in this work. The pyrenoid ultrastructure of the three strains was studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Different morphologies of pyrenoids can be distinguished as three types. Oocystis sp. had one pyrenoid surrounded by a sheath of starch consisting of four to six starch plates. The pyrenoid matrix was traversed by several tubular thylakoids. O. nephrocytioides contained two pyrenoids, with each pyrenoid being homogenous and surrounded by a thick, ring-like starch sheath. The thylakoids extend the length of the chloroplast but never traverse the pyrenoid matrix. No starch sheath pyrenoid has been found in Oocystis sp. FACHB 1429, which was traversed by two tubular thylakoids. These results suggest that different morphological features of the pyrenoids, including their associated starch sheath, are speciesspecific.
Wild felid species richness affected by a corridor in the Lacandona forest, Mexico

espanolLos felidos silvestres se encuentran entre las especies mas vulnerables ante la perdida de habitat causada por la fragmentacion de los ecosistemas. Se analizo el efecto de la presencia de un corredor estructural, definido como una franja de vegetacion que conecta dos fragmentos de habitat, sobre la riqueza y ocupacion de felidos en tres sitios de Marques de Comillas, en Chiapas: uno comprende dos fragmentos de bosque aislados, otro presenta un corredor estructural y el ultimo se encuentra dentro de la reserva de la biosfera Montes Azules. Se encontraron cuatro especies en el interior de la Reserva, cinco en el corredor estructural y unicamente dos (L. pardalis y H. yagouaroundi) en los fragmentos de bosque aislados. La presencia del corredor no afecto de forma significativa la ocupacion, pero debido a la baja tasa de deteccion, se necesita seguir investigando para descartar diferencias. Nuestros resultados resaltan la necesidad de manejar la conectividad del habitat en los bosques remanentes para lograr la conservacion de la comunidad de felidos en Marques de Comillas, en Chiapas, Mexico. EnglishWild felids are one of the most vulnerable species due to habitat loss caused by fragmentation of ecosystems. We analyzed the effect of a structural corridor, defined as a strip of vegetation connecting two habitat patches, on the richness and habitat occupancy of felids on three sites in Marques de Comillas, Chiapas, one with two isolated forest patches, the second with a structural corridor, and the third inside the Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve. We found only two species (L. pardalis and H. yagouaroundi) in the isolated forest patches, five species in the structural corridor, and four species inside the Reserve. The corridor did not significantly affect occupancy, but due to the low detection rates, further investigation is needed to rule out differences. Our results highlight the need to manage habitat connectivity in the remaining forests in order to preserve the felid community of Marques de Comillas, Chiapas, Mexico.
Interaction of lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase with lipid surfaces and apolipoprotein A-I derived peptides: implications for the cofactor mechanism of apolipoprotein A-I

Lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) is an enzyme responsible for the formation of cholesteryl esters from cholesterol (CHOL) and phospholipid (PL) molecules in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles that play a crucial role in the reverse cholesterol transport and the development of coronary heart disease (CHD). However, it is poorly understood how LCAT interacts with lipoprotein surfaces and how apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) activates it. Thus, here we have studied the interactions between LCAT and lipids through extensive atomistic and coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations to reveal mechanistic details behind the cholesterol esterification process catalyzed by LCAT. In addition, we studied the binding of LCAT to apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) derived peptides, and their effect on LCAT lipid association utilizing experimental surface sensitive biophysical methods. Our simulations show that LCAT anchors itself to lipoprotein surfaces by utilizing non-polar amino acids located in the membrane-binding domain and the active site tunnel opening. Meanwhile, the membrane anchoring hydrophobic amino acids attract cholesterol molecules next to them. The results also highlight the role of the lid-loop in the lipid binding and conformation of LCAT with respect to the lipid surface. The apoA-I derived peptides from the LCAT activating region bind to LCAT and promote its lipid surface interactions, although some of these peptides do not bind lipids individually. By means of free-energy calculations we provided a hypothetical explanation for this mechanism. We also found that the transfer free-energy of PL to the active site is consistent with the activation energy of LCAT. Furthermore, the entry of CHOL molecules into the active site becomes highly favorable by the acylation of SER181. The results provide substantial mechanistic insights concerning the activity of LCAT that may lead to the development of novel pharmacological agents preventing CHD in the future.
Replacement of Fish Meal by Poultry By-product Meal with Lysine, Methionine and Threonine Supplementation to Practical Diets for Nile Tilapia Fry (Oreochromis niloticus)

In this study, the possibility of replacing commercial fishmeal by poultry by-product meal (PBM) with lysine (Lys), methionine (Met) and threonine (Thr) supplementation to practical diets for Nile tilapia fry, Oreochromis niloticus (initial wt 0.879±0.09 g) was investigated. Triplicate groups of 20 fish were fed to apparent satiation three times daily each of five isonitrogenous (34% crude protein), isolipidic (9% crude lipid) and isoenergetic (3570 DE kcal/kg) diets with 0% (control), 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of the fish meal protein replaced by PBM protein for 12 weeks in 65 l glass aquariums. Lys, Met and Thr were supplemented diets PBM25 (without Lys), PBM50, PBM75 and PBM100 in order to match the amino acid profiles of the control diets. Results demonstrated that fish growth increased with increasing PBM up to 50%, which was produced the highest growth of the treatments. At the replacement levels of 75% and 100%, however, there was a severe decrease in growth performance, protein efficiency ratio and poor feed conversion ratio. Whole body composition, survival rate, CF, HIS and VSI among all groups at the end of the experiment were not significantly affected by the dietary treatments (P>0.05). Protein, lipid and energy digestibility coefficients of the diets decreased with increasing dietary PBM, were significant differences among dietary treatments (P<0.05) and the best values for digestibility were observed in fish fed with 50% PBM diet. The results indicated that up to 50% of fishmeal protein can be replaced by PBM protein with Lys, Met and Thr supplementation in diets for Nile tilapia fry without adverse effects on growth, feed utilization, body composition and digestibility of nutrients.
Spatial diversity of absorption of EU Assistance funds and the level of socio-economic development in Poland

The article presents the level and spatial structure of the absorption of EU funds within Cohesion Policy and Common Agricultural Policy during the 2007–2013 EU financial framework in Poland. The data analysed include all of the payments from European programmes, divided into two groups: the support dedicated for the development of agriculture and rural areas, and the cohesion policy. It has been demonstrated that the level and structure of delivery of these funds is spatially diversified. The index of the absorption of EU funds per capita is negatively correlated with the level of socio-economic development, which results from the allocation of payments dedicated for development of agriculture and rural areas. The distribution of cohesion funds is not correlated with the level of socio-economic development in poviats.
Moringa protects against nicotine-induced morphological and oxidative damage in the frontal cortex of Wistar rats

The use of nicotine-containing substances has been implicated in oxidative-induced neuronal damage in several neurological dysfunctions.This study assessed the antioxidant potentials of Moringa tea on the frontal cortex of Wistar rats. Twenty female Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups of 5 animals each. Group A (control) received normal saline, Group B received 5.71 mg/kg of Moringa tea, Group C was treated with 13.76 mg/kg nicotine, while Group D received 5.71 mg/kg of Moringa tea and 13.76 mg/kg nicotine, for 21 days. Homogenate of excised frontal cortex of rats obtained on day 22 was used to assess the level of malondialdehyde,catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. Histological sections were stained with heamatoxylin and eosin. Results showed increased activities of malondialdehyde and catalase in group C and a slight increase in group D compared with the control, while the activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase was reduced. The histological sections showed a normal architecture of the frontal cortex of rats treated with Moringa tea, but disrupted morphology in the group treated with Moringa tea and nicotineand further distortion in those that received nicotine only, when compared with the control group. These results suggest that Moringa tea may reduce the oxidative stress associated with nicotine consumption and limitthe extent of structural damage in the frontal cortex of Wistar rats.
Effect of Acoustic Signaling, Metabolic Rate, and Size on Territoriality in Male Cyphoderris monstrosa (Orthoptera: Haglidae)

ii Acknowledgements . iii Table of
Grazing strategies for reducing contaminant losses to water from forage crop fields grazed by cattle during winter

ABSTRACT A paired catchment study quantified fluxes of Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), sediment and Escherichia coli (E. coli) in flow from fields where cattle were wintered on swede (Brassica napus) and kale (Brassica oleracea) crops. The effectiveness of a strategic grazing approach that protected critical source areas was evaluated to determine if these fluxes could be reduced. Reduced soil infiltration caused by cattle treading was a contributing factor to overland flow events that mostly occurred in the six to eight weeks following crop grazing. Estimated annual fluxes of contaminants in overland flow ranged up to 27, 3.8 and 3740 kg ha−1 for N, P and sediment, respectively, and up to 4.3 × 1010 MPN ha−1 for E. coli. Strategic grazing significantly reduced overland flow volumes compared to standard grazing practice, reducing contaminant fluxes to levels similar to those observed when the catchments were returned to pasture and lightly grazed by sheep.