Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Study on Morphological Variations of Fissures and Lobes of Human Lungs with its Clinical Significance

Background: Fissures of lungs facilitate the movement of lobes which helps in expansion of lungs during breathing. The fissures may be complete, incomplete or absence. Sometime the accessory fissures may also present. Awareness of variations is essential during segmental resections as well as during radiological interpretation of lungs. Hence, the present study was aimed to study the morphological variations in fissures and lobes. Material and Methods: This study was consisted of sixty nine human lungs with irrespective of sex which were available in the department of anatomy of various medical colleges. All lung specimens were carefully observed and recorded for the presence of any variations in fissures and lobes. Results: The present study revealed that the absence of horizontal fissure was observed in 7.89%, while no specimen showed absence of oblique fissure on both sides. 35.48% of left lungs had incomplete oblique fissure compared to 28.95% of the right lungs. In addition, 22.58% of right lungs and 23.68% of left lungs showed presence of accessory fissure and lobes. From above, the incomplete and absent horizontal fissure was the most common abnormalities observed in this study. The accessory fissures were more common in lower lobe of right lung whereas in left lungs it was more common in upper lobe. Conclusion: The present study showed the wide range of variations in fissures and lobes of lungs. The knowledge of variations in morphology of lungs would be helpful for clinical diagnosis and pulmonary surgical procedures.
Interactive effects of elevated CO2, P availability and legume presence on calcareous grassland: results of a glasshouse experiment

1, We investigated the interactive effects of elevated CO2, supply of phosphorus (P) and legume presence in model communities of calcareous grassland. Half of the communities contained six graminoids and eight nan-legume forb species, In the other half, four non-legume forbs were replaced by legumes. 2, Ecosystem responses. Above-ground phytomass ( 0.001). Below-ground community dry matter was stimulated by elevated CO2 alone by + 36% (P > 0.01), but was only + 20% (P > 0.05) when legumes were present and P was added, At the final (late season) harvest the mean effect of elevated CO2 on total above- and below-ground phytomass was + 23% (P > 0.001) and revealed no significant interactions among treatment combinations, because above- and belowground effects of CO2 enrichment had opposite directions. 3, Functional group responses. When legumes were absent, graminoids increased their total above- and below-ground phytomass in elevated CO2 by 60% (P > 0.001) but there was no increase when legumes were present. The response of forbs to CO2 was nor significant, irrespective of co-treatment. Legumes. however, were significantly stimulated by P supply and their CO2 response was much larger when P was added (+ 55%, P > 0.01 vs + 25%, NS). 4, Species responses. CO2 effects on species ranged from highly positive (+ 143%) to moderately negative (- 43%). 5, Our results demonstrate that the effect of CO2 enrichment in such natural grassland communities will be low on above-ground phytomass and largely below-ground if no additional nutrients are provided. N-2-fixing legumes appear to be crucial for the community response to elevated CO2 but legume responsiveness is largely controlled by P availability.
Antibacterial activity of Mangifera indica L. seeds against some human pathogenic bacterial strains

Antibacterial activity of methanol extract of Mangifera indica L. seeds was done against 41 clinically isolated and 20 standard bacterial strains. Clinical bacterial strains were isolated from different specimens like blood, urine, catheter, stool and pus. Antibacterial activity was done by agar disc diffusion method at two different concentrations (600 and 1200 µg/disc). Preliminary qualitative phytochemical study was carried out for the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, cardiac glycosides, steroids and saponins. Total phenol content and flavonoid content were also measured. The extract showed potent antibacterial activity against all the clinically isolated bacterial strains and most of the standard bacterial strains which was comparable with that of standard antibiotics studied. Phenols were present in higher amount than flavonoids. The qualitative analysis showed only presence of tannins. It can be stated that the antibacterial activity may be due to the presence of tannin and higher amount of total phenol content. The present study supports the folkloric use of M. indica and it can be an effective potential candidate for the development of new strategies to treat bacterial infections.
in Narcissus papyraceus (Amaryllidaceae): do pollinators matter?

Aim The geographic clinal variation of traits in organisms can indicate the possible causes of phenotypic evolution. We studied the correlates of flower trait variation in populations of a style-dimorphic plant, Narcissus papyraceus Ker-Gawl. , within a region of high biogeographical significance, the Strait of Gibraltar. This species shows a geographic gradient in the style-morph ratio, suggested to be driven by pollinator shifts. We tested whether parallel geographic variation of perianth traits also exists, concomitant with vegetative trait variation or genetic similarity of plant populations. Location The Strait of Gibraltar region (SG hereafter, including both southwestern Iberian Peninsula and north-western Morocco). Methods We used univariate and multivariate analyses of flower and vegetative traits in 23 populations. We applied Mantel tests and partial Mantel correlations on vegetative and flower traits and geographic locations of populations to test for spatial effects. We used Moran’s autocorrelation analyses to explore the spatial structure within the range, and performed the analyses with and without the Moroccan samples to test for the effects of the SG on spatial patterns. Amplified fragment length polymorphism data were used to estimate the genetic distance between populations and to ascertain its relationship with morphometric distance. Results There was high variation between and within populations in both flower and vegetative traits. Mantel correlations between geographic and morphometric distances were not significant, but the exclusion of Moroccan populations revealed some distance effect. Partial Mantel correlation did not detect a significant correlation between flower and vegetative morphometric distances after controlling for geographic distance. There were opposite trends in spatial autocorrelograms of flower and vegetative traits. The genetic distance between pairs of populations was directly correlated with geographic distance; however, flower morphometric and genetic distances were not significantly correlated. Main conclusions The SG had some influence on phenotypes, although the causes remain to be determined. The opposite trend of variation in flower and vegetative traits, and the lack of correlation between genetic distance and dissimilarity of flower phenotypes favour the hypothesis of pollinator-mediated selection on flower morphology, although this may affect only particular traits and populations rather than overall phenotypes. Although stochastic population processes may have a small effect, other factors may account for the high flower variation within and between populations.
Individual Signature in a Lekking Species: Visual and Acoustic Courtship Parameters May Help Discriminating Conspecifics in the Houbara Bustard

Selection pressures acting on both intrasexual competition and intersexual relationships may lead to the emphasis of individual variation and might thus lead to the expression of individual signature. This is particularly true in lek mating systems, where providing information on identity and/or quality to potential mates or congeners of the same sex can be essential for individuals to optimize their reproductive success. Visual and acoustic signals produced during the courtship of the lekking North African Houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata undulata), based on field data from wild birds, are investigated here for the first time. Results show that the vocal signals, called booms, are characterized by a very low frequency, a rare phenomenon in birds which should allow booms to propagate over long distances. Results also show that both visual and acoustic signals are individualized and stereotyped between males. Using three methods of analysis, we highlight the acoustic parameters likely to support vocal individual signature and show that such information mainly relies on frequency parameters.
Effects of insulin on amino acid uptake by the mammary gland of the pasture-fed lactating ruminant

Twelve lactating ewes housed indoors were allocated to one of two treatment groups (hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamp (HEC) or control) in a randomised block design experiment. Mammary amino acid uptake from plasma and utilisation for milk protein synthesis was measured during the fourth day of the HEC using the arterio-venous concentration difference (A-V) technique. There was no change in milk protein output during the HEC (P>0.05). The HEC induced a significant decrease in arterial concentrations of all essential amino acids (EAA) except for histidine and an increase in the extraction efficiency of isoleucine (HEC, 61 ± 3% vs. control, 52 ± 3%, P<0.05) and leucine (HEC, 64 ± 3% vs. control, 53 ± 3%, P<0.05). There was no significant change in extraction efficiency of other EAA or mammary blood flow. The ratio of amino acid uptake from plasma to output in milk protein suggested deficits in uptake for some EAA in both treatments, especially histidine. These results indicate that the mammary gland can adapt to a changing arterial supply of amino acids to maintain milk protein output by increasing extraction efficiency and/or a greater reliance on amino acids supplied by erythrocytes and/or plasma peptides.
Whole body elemental and proximate composition of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) during the life cycle

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) raised under production conditions were sampled periodically during their life cycle, in fresh and salt water, to determine their proximate and elemental composition. The parameters changed in relation to life cycle stage and fish size, and were influenced by whether the fish were in salt or freshwater. Measurements presented can be used to assist in the formulation of feeds, and to determine the health and nutritional status of commercially reared Atlantic salmon.
Classification of strains of Fusarium oxysporum on the basis of vegetative compatibility.

Twenty-one strains of Fusarium oxysporum were classified on the basis of vegetative compatibility or the ability to form hetcrokaryons. Heterokaryon formation was demonstrated by pairing mutants that were unable to reduce nitrate. These "nit mutants" could be recovered without mutagen treatment from selective media containing KClO3. On Czapek's minimal medium the nit mutants had a radial growth rate like that of wild type, but their colonies were very thin. Two genetically different nit mutants were recovered in each of the 21 strains and paired in all combinations on minimal medium. Heterokaryon formation was indicated by dense growth where the two mutant colonies touched. As a result, 16 vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs) were defined such that only strains in the same VCG were vegetatively compatible. In no case was a strain assignable to more than one VCG. There was some evidence for a correlation between VCG and forma specialis. An evolutionary model to explain this correlation is proposed. Veget.
Catchability in snakes: consequences for estimates of breeding frequency

Estimates of breeding frequencies in wild populations occupy a central place in life-history studies, but they remain hard to obtain in snakes. Capture–recapture procedures were carried out during 27 periods over 3 years in a large population of female asp vipers, Vipera aspis (317 marked individuals). Catchability was greater in reproductive females (2.64 ± 1.74 (SD) captures/year) than in nonreproductive females (1.76 ± 1.02). Three different methods were used to estimate breeding frequency: (i) the proportion of reproductive to nonreproductive females for each period (noncorrected estimates, NC) was measured; (ii) the ratio of the number of reproductive females to the total number of females was estimated using the CAPTURE program (catchability-corrected estimates, CE); (iii) breeding frequencies of marked individuals were observed in the field for 3 years (observed breeding frequency, OF). The results obtained with the three methods were different. The NC procedure indicated that 63% of females breed .
Molecular mechanisms for the anticancer activity of the carotenoid lycopene

There is extensive and consistent evidence that high intake of fruit and vegetables is associated with decreased risk of many types of cancers. Thus, it is widely accepted that diet changes are a powerful tool for cancer prevention and for inhibition of cancer progression. The growing interest in the role of the tomato carotenoid, lycopene, in cancer prevention and treatment, combined with the hypothesis that a single micronutrient cannot replace the power of a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, are the basis for this review. The mechanism of lycopene function in cancer cells involves interference in the mitogenic pathway of IGF‐I and slowdown of cell cycle progression. The recent observation that high plasma IGF‐I levels is an important risk factor for breast and prostate cancer, similar to the role of cholesterol in cardiovascular diseases, further places dietary intervention in the focus of anticancer research. Moreover, as suggested by our studies and those of others, it is possible that derivatives of lycopene and other carotenoids, not only the native molecules themselves, are the active compounds, since it was found that such derivatives can interact with members of the nuclear receptor family. If an active lycopene derivative will be identified by this approach, it can be used as a parent compound for the development of a new series of potent anticancer drugs based on natural dietary ingredients. Drug Dev. Res. 50:448–456, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Protective effects of Launaea procumbens against KBrO 3 -induced hepatic serum marker enzymes

Launaea procumbens (LP) traditionally has been used in hepatic disorders. In this study, protective effects of methanol extract (LP) were evaluated in male Sprague Dawley rats biweekly for 4 weeks against KBrO 3. KBrO 3 induced elevation of liver serum marker enzymes (alanine transaminase (ALT), amino transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)) as well as the alteration of cholesterol profile total cholesterol, triglycerides low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL). The results showed that the administration of LP significantly lowered the KBrO 3-induced serum level of hepatic marker enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP and LDH), total cholesterol, triglycerides low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL). These results suggest that LP could protect liver against the KBrO 3-induced oxidative damage in rats.
A comparative analysis of five medicinal floras

ABSTRACf.We report a striking similarity in the selection of medicinal plants by widely separated non-western peoples. People across the northern hemisphere (in Chiapas, North America, Korea and Kashmir) have selected similar plant species members of the same plant families for medicinal usc; the sunflower family (Asteraceae), for example, ranks first in 3 of 4 regions and second in the fourth. Only 9 plant families are needed 10 delineate the 5 most important medicinal plant families in these 4 regions. Likewise, there is striking similarity in theplants neglected for uS(' as medicine: the grass family (poaceae) ranks last in 3 of 4 regions and se<ond in the fourth. These patterns may be due to the relatedness of the northern floras and to the cultural transmission of knowledge throu.gh time and space; they may demonstrate the existence of a global pattern of human knowledge.
Viability, Growth, and Fertility of Knotweed Cytotypes in North America

Abstract Hybridization between two introduced plant species can influence the invasion capabilities of the exotic taxa, but the role of hybridization will likely differ in different invasions, even of the same species. Until now, studies concerning the ploidy of Japanese knotweed, giant knotweed, and their hybrids have been conducted in Europe or native ranges in Asia. Here, we assess the role of hybridization and ploidy in a U.S. invasion. We use flow cytometry to characterize DNA content in (1) established families in a common garden, (2) seedlings grown from common garden parents, and (3) wild populations. We also measured fertility in the garden and the field and vegetative growth traits in the garden. Although the majority of our parental and hybrid samples had ploidy levels previously documented in Europe (4X and 8X for parental species; 6X for hybrids), we found a wider range of knotweed cytotypes established in our garden (4X, 6X, 7X, 8X, 9X, and 10X) and additionally detected 5X, 11X, 12X, and possibly 14X ploidy levels in progeny from garden seed parents. The unexpected cytotypes were not confined to the greenhouse or common garden, in that all < 11X ploidy levels were also found in field populations in Massachusetts. In several cases, these data contradicted our expectations on the basis of morphological and molecular analysis, suggesting both significant introgression and the introduction of multiple cytotypes from Asia. With one exception (14X), we found all cytotypes were capable of strong vegetative growth, seed set, and the production of viable pollen. Without barriers to sexual reproduction, introgression is expected to progress, creating a progressively more diverse swarm of invasive genotypes. Nomenclature: Japanese knotweed, Fallopia japonica (Houtt.) Ronse Decraene giant knotweed, Fallopia sachalinensis (F. Schmidt ex Maxim.) Ronse Decraenep; Fallopia × bohemica (Chrtek & Chrtková) J. P. Bailey
Genetic Gain and Diversity Caused by Genetic Thinning in a Clonal Seed Orchard of Pinus densiflora

Estimates of genetic gain (in volume growth) and diversity (expressed as status number, N s ) were determined after the application of genetic thinning in a Pinus densiflora clonal seed orchard. The genetic thinning was based on: 1) clonal breeding values (represented by general combining ability, GCA) obtained from progeny tests, 2) clonal fertility estimated by strobilus production, and 3) clonal size variation determined by the ramet numbers per clone. Genetic gain and diversity estimates were determined under assumptions of 30% pollen contamination and inferior genetic value of contaminating pollen. Thinning 45% of seed orchard (from 67.5 to 41.9 ramets/clone) raised genetic gain to 6.3% in volume growth and reduced the status number to 28.1% of the census number. Further volume growth gain of 11.6% and diversity reduction (N s = 29.2%) were attained after 70% thinning (from 41.9 to 24.8 ramets/clone). The orchard clones were grouped into 10 GCA groups to allow for the linear deployment of clones (i.e., clones were deployed in proportions that reflect their gain estimated), which was implemented for the six top groups. Some ramets from lower groups were intentionally left or removed to avoid the creation of wide gaps or clumps. The effect of pollen contamination on the genetic gain and the consequence of genetic thinning for seed production in the clonal seed orchard were also discussed.
Red List of liverworts and hornworts for Réunion (Mascarene archipelago)

A preliminary regional IUCN Red List for liverworts and hornworts is provided for Reunion (Mascarene archipelago), in accordance with the IUCN Red List criteria 3.1. A total of 327 species were assessed of which one species ( Bryopteris gaudichaudii Gottsche) is considered to be regionally extinct (RE), fourteen species categorised as critically endangered (CR), eight species are endangered (EN), nine species are vulnerable (VU), eight species are considered Near Threatened (NT), and 177 species are at Least Concern (LC). Thirty-one species of liverworts reported on the island are threatened (CR, EN, VU), no hornwort are considered threatened. We divided the category “Data Deficient” into two categories: DDt (data deficient for taxonomy) and DDd (data deficient for distribution) to facilitate future assessment when data would be available. The current species threat analysis, which has generated the first regional Red List of bryophytes for Africa is hoped to promote future studies on the conservation of African bryophytes.
NITROGEN FIXATION BY LICHENS IN SCOTLAND

SUMMARY Of thirty-six species of metabolically active lichens taken mainly from Scottish coastal habitats, eight showed a capacity to reduce acetylene to ethylene. These were species of Collema Web. , Lichina C. Ag. , Peltigera Willd. and Placopsis Nyl. and all contained a blue-green alga as the primary or secondary phycobiont. Acetylene reduction rates were sometimes high in the field and showed marked diurnal and seasonal variations. Nitrogenase activity was higher in vegetative than in fruiting thalli of Peltigera rufescens, and in P. canina was higher nearer the apices of the thalli than in older parts. Of the environmental factors affecting fixation, desiccation was the most important, temperature was less important and the lichens, while requiring light, could continue to fix nitrogen in the dark for up to 18 hours (Lichina confinis) and 26 hours (Peltigera rufescens). The average percentage nitrogen contents of nitrogen-fixing lichens (2·20%) was significantly higher than the non-nitrogen-fixing lichens (0·83%). The maximum and mean rates of nitrogen fixation by P. rufescens were 38·1 and 4·1 μg N (mg N)-1 day-1 respectively. The corresponding values for Lichina confinis were 29·4 and 0·4.
Zooplankton community structure in arctic ponds: Shifts related to pond size

A multi-year experiment in which zooplankton species were manipulated in 12 ponds indicated that the presence of the carnivorous copepod Heterocope septentrionalis eliminated Daphnia pulex whenever H. septentrionalis became established. In contrast, the congener D. middendorffiana was able to persist only in ponds where H. septentrionalis became established. The fact that Daphnia middendorffiana could not successfully colonize ponds that did not contain H. septentrionalis indicates that this predator was necessary for D. middendorffiana to thrive. These results suggest that D. pulex is able to outcompete D. middendorffiana when H. septentrionalis is absent. Pond size was a key determinant of colonization success, in that H. septentrionalis and D. middendorffiana were able to persist only in ponds with volumes greater than 10 m3. Results of these investigations support the pattern of zooplankton community composition observed in ponds in the western Nearctic and provide insight into the mechanisms responsible for these observations.