Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Requirement for Neutrophil Glycosaminoglycans in Chemokine:Receptor Interactions Is Revealed by the Streptococcal Protease SpyCEP

Key Points SpyCEP-cleaved CXCL8 is unable to bind and activate CXCL8 receptors. Neutrophil glycosaminoglycans are required for migration along a CXCL8 gradient. To evade the immune system, the lethal human pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes produces SpyCEP, an enzyme that cleaves the C-terminal α-helix of CXCL8, resulting in markedly impaired recruitment of neutrophils to sites of invasive infection. The basis for chemokine inactivation by SpyCEP is, however, poorly understood, as the core domain of CXCL8 known to interact with CXCL8 receptors is unaffected by enzymatic cleavage. We examined the in vitro migration of human neutrophils and observed that their ability to efficiently navigate a CXCL8 gradient was compromised following CXCL8 cleavage by SpyCEP. SpyCEP-mediated cleavage of CXCL8 also impaired CXCL8-induced migration of transfectants expressing the human chemokine receptors CXCR1 or CXCR2. Despite possessing an intact N terminus and preserved disulfide bonds, SpyCEP-cleaved CXCL8 had impaired binding to both CXCR1 and CXCR2, pointing to a requirement for the C-terminal α-helix. SpyCEP-cleaved CXCL8 had similarly impaired binding to the glycosaminoglycan heparin. Enzymatic removal of neutrophil glycosaminoglycans was observed to ablate neutrophil navigation of a CXCL8 gradient, whereas navigation of an fMLF gradient remained largely intact. We conclude, therefore, that SpyCEP cleavage of CXCL8 results in chemokine inactivation because of a requirement for glycosaminoglycan binding in productive chemokine:receptor interactions. This may inform strategies to inhibit the activity of SpyCEP, but may also influence future approaches to inhibit unwanted chemokine-induced inflammation.
Acute and Subacute Oral Toxicity Evaluation of Commiphora Campestris Methanolic Stem Bark Extract (CASBMCE) In Mice and Rats

Commiphora campestris stem barks are used by the Pare tribe for treatment of several ailments such as diarrhea, coughs and wounds. Therefore, this study aimed on evaluating toxicity profile of CASBMCE using acute toxicity study in mice and subacute study in a rat model. Medicinal plants prepared using African knowledge have played a significant role in provision of health care services for many years even before the introduction of orthodox conventional medicines in African countries. The number of herbal products imported in the country has also increased in recent years. For instance in 2005, 2006 and 2014, Tanzania Food and Drug Authority (TFDA) registered 13, 13 and 8 herbal products in Tanzania, respectively [1,2]. The growing demand for herbal products necessitates the provision of evidence on the efficacy, safety and quality of herbal medicines [3]. It is in this vein that medicinal plants used for management of microbial infections and non infectious diseases in Tanzania are being evaluated for their antimicrobial and efficacy properties by Natural Products Research (NPR) in Tanzania. One of such plants is Commiphora campestris also called “Msighe” in the Pare language; it has been used for many years by Pare communities for the management of coughs, wounds, diarrhoea, gastrointestinal infections and has recently found its way to the markets. Godfrey [4] established that the latex from the chopped stem bark inhibits the growth of Klebsiella oxytoca (clinical isolate), Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC700603), Salmonella kisarawe (clinical isolate), Proteus mirabilis (NCTC 1075), Salmonella typhi (NCTC 8385), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 29953), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Cryptococcus neuformans (clinical isolate) and Candida albicans (ATCC90028).
GROWTH AND FLOWERING OF ENDEMIC WILD LIBYAN GEOPHYTE, CYCLAMEN ROHLFSIANUM ASCHER, WITH A HIGH ORNAMENTAL VALUE

Seeds of Cyclamen rohlfsianum showed high germination percentage (88 ± 4%), followed by a rapid development of the fat hypocotyl during 29-35 days of growth and the lastly, one leafy cotyledon emerged from the seed coat. In the present study we measured the annual increments of leaves and tuber size in seedlings of the common geophyte ornamental perennial endemic Libyan, C. rohlfsianum, predicted by shrubs in their native habitat, over 6-year growing period. The results showed that the tuber fresh weight and diameter varied with the age of the plants, depending on the leaf number and area. These slowly increased for the first 3 years, then at a more rapid rate for the following 2 years with the highest reached at 6 years. Flowering did not occur until number of leaves and total leaf area were at least 3 and 49 cm, respectively. The vegetative tuber size of 6.15 g fresh weight and 2.8 cm diameter, (4-year-old plants) were probably large enough to produce, in the next year (5 year of growing period), three or more flowers (3.5 ± 0.9) and thereafter, more than three leaves emerged (3.76) whereas, 79 ± 3.5% of plants flowered. However, flowering tuber size sharply increased to 21.27 g and 5.49 cm, respectively for 6year-old plants, which were associated with increases in flowering percentage (98 ± 7%), number of flowers (4.3 ± 0.4) and total leaf area (111.78 cm).
Diet of Trachemys scripta (Red-eared Slider) and Graptemys geographica (Common Map Turtle) in an Urban Landscape

Urban environments present many challenges for aquatic turtle species. Here, we investigated whether the diets of Trachemys scripta (Red-eared Slider) and Graptemys geographica (Common Map Turtle) may help explain the spatial ecology of these 2 species in a pair of constructed aquatic habitats in Indianapolis, IN, USA. We conducted stomach flushings on 43 turtles from 2 sites (Central Canal, n = 33; IMA Lake, n = 10). Common Map Turtles from the Central Canal (n = 27) consumed mostly mollusks and crayfish, which comprised ~86% of the volume of stomach contents. We captured no adult Common Map Turtles at IMA Lake, likely due to the lack of mollusks within this habitat. There was considerable variability in the diet of Red-eared Sliders between the 2 habitats, with 98.8% of the diet contents comprised of plant material in the Central Canal (n = 6) and only 67% plant material in IMA Lake (n = 10). This difference in diet may have been due to the lower abundance of vegetation found in IMA Lake compared to the Central Canal, or possibly a diversification of diet in response to decreased interspecific competition in IMA Lake. Diet comparison between species in the Central Canal shows almost no overlap, which may partially explain habitat association and movement differences between the 2 species documented in a previous study. The descriptions of Red-eared Slider and Common Map Turtle diets presented here are the first to be described from an explicitly urban landscape. Further understanding of the ecology of these species in urban habitats can aid city planners and managers with the goal of maintaining species diversity in urban landscapes.
Effect of plant growth promoting bacteria on seed germination, seedling vigor and growth of Cucumis sativus L.

This scrutiny was conducted to ascertain the effect of plant growth-promoting bacteria on seed germination, seedling vigor and growth of Cucumis sativus L. was conducted during Kharif season of 2018-2019, 2019-20 at the University Farm, University College of Agriculture, Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda (Punjab). The experiment was laid out in RBD design with three replications. The crops were sown in poly-bags with a capacity of 10 kg which is filled with mixture formaldehyde sterilized coarse sandy loam soil and poly-bags are arranged according to the treatments and at a recommended spacing of crops. Different strains of bacteria, Serratia marcescens MTCC 10241 + Bacillus subtilis MTCC7611 + Bacillus subtilis MTCC8141, were used alone, mixer as a bio-priming agent with RDF 50% and 100% in the field conditions. A total of seven treatments are crafted included control (water-soaked) treatment. The treatment RDF 50% + Serratia marcescens MTCC 10241 + Bacillus subtilis MTCC7611 + Bacillus subtilis MTCC8141 significantly affects the seed germination percentage, seedling vigor, vine length, number of nodes on the main axis, number of leaves, leaf area and days to first fruit set in cucumber crop from other treatments. The highest number of primary branches per vine in cucumber obtained from RDF 100% + Serratia marcescens MTCC 10241 + Bacillus subtilis MTCC7611 + Bacillus subtilis MTCC8141 treatment as compared to that of the other treatments. It was concluded from study that PGPR with 50% RDF significantly improved the seed germination percentage, seedling vigor and growth parameters of cucumber crop.
Who is susceptible to perceive higher smog-induced health risk? Comparative analysis between physical and mental health dimensions

Abstract Smog pollution can significantly affect the health of skilled workers. This paper explores the concept, structure and characteristics of smog-induced health risk perception. Based on face-to-face interviews with 30 skilled workers in a smog pollution area of China and quantitative analysis, we determined the dimensions of smog-induced health risk perception. The different effects of demographic variables on the dimensions of smog-induced health risk perception were investigated through 715 questionnaires distributed to skilled workers living in areas polluted by smog. The results showed that smog-induced health risk perception is a two-dimensional concept. We found that 86.3% of skilled workers perceived that physical health risk level was higher than mental health risk level. One-third of the population in most groups perceived higher degree of physical health risk than that of mental health risk, but the difference between physical and mental health risk for them was small. Moreover, skilled workers with a high level of smog-induced health risk perception were distributed mainly in groups of long employment duration, older skilled workers and skilled workers living in areas severely polluted by smog. Based on our results, we propose practical suggestions to help government, enterprises and skilled workers improve physical and mental health of skilled workers.
Temperature dependent studies on nutritional, total polyphenols, flavonoids content and antioxidant activities of Aframomum citratum (C.Pereira) K.Schum and Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schum. & Thonn.) Taub. fruits

Description. Hard shelled fruits, Tetrapleura tetraptera and Aframomum citratum nonwood forest products are used as spices and for many medicinal recipes. Mostly used together, they undergo heat treatment before being milled when cooking Mbongo Tchobi, a black spicy stew from central and coastal regions in Cameroon. Objectives. Evaluate the impact of roasting these spices on the physicochemical properties (dry matter, ash, raw protein, total sugar, raw fibre, pH, aw, total energy, total fat), phytochemical content (total polyphenol, total flavonoids) and the antioxidant activities (total antioxidant activity, FRAP, DPPH and lipid peroxidation inhibition assays) of their aqueous extracts in a home food consumption context. Method. Tetrapleura tetraptera and Aframomum citratum fruits from Ngola locality in Yokadouma (east region in Cameroon) locality were collected, sorted, cleaned and dried (72 h, 45 °C) in an oven. Cut into small pieces, a part was heated using roasting parameters deduced from preliminary tests (140 °C/10 min; 180 °C/20 min and 150 °C/12 min respectively for T. tetraptera, A. citratum and a formulation 95/5 of the two spices). The heated and unheated spices were ground and an infusion was prepared from boiling water in the proportion of 1/5 (g·ml-1) for both types of spices. Physicochemical and phytochemical characteristics (dry matter, total ash, fat, sugar, crude fibre and energy contents, pH, aw, total flavonoids and polyphenols) as well as the antioxidant activities of the aqueous extracts of the two spices and a mix of the two spices were evaluated before and after the heat treatment. Results. Heat treatment significantly (p < 0.05) reduces fat and total sugars contents but improves raw fiber contents for all spices. Phenolic content is more important for heated spices and percentage differences before and after heat treatment are between 8.0 and 23.2% for both spices. Extracts obtained with heated spices possess the best antioxidant potential. Strong significant positive correlations have been established between the phenolic compounds and the reductive antioxidant activities and negative correlations with the antiradical antioxidant activities as they are expressed as IC50 (mg·ml-1). Conclusions. In most of the features studied, the heated formulation (95/5) possesses the highest characteristics studied. The choice of heating these spices under the roasting parameters identified should be guided by the desire of improving their antioxidant potential because of the nutritional losses observed after heat treatment.
Predictive and prognostic value of classification by immunohistochemical phenotypes in localised breast cancer treated with dose-dense adriamycin/cyclophosphamide

Spain Abstract Introduction: Histopathologic subtyping according to the St. Gallen classification is predictive of response in women with breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT). Our aim was to confirm its predictive role when dose-dense (DD) chemotherapy is administered. Methods: A prospective study was performed in stage II-III breast cancer treated with four cycles of doxorubicin-cyclophosphamide every two weeks, followed by 4 cycles of docetaxel every 3weeks. Tumours were grouped into 4 subtypes. Simple and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association between pathologic complete response (pCR), according to the Miller & Payne classification and tumour subtype. In addition survival analysis was performed. Results: 71 patients were included. By phenotypic classification, 11.3% were Luminal A, 59.2% Luminal B, 8.5% pure HER2 and 21.1% TN. Following the administration of DD NCT, a pCR rate of 25.4% was achieved. There was a significant association between the pCR rate and the different immune phenotypes (p  0.05). The pCR rate was 46.7% for the TN patients and 19.6% for the others (p  0.046). At 30 months’ follow up, the rate of disease-free survival (DFS) was 71.8% for the TN patients and 93.3% for all others. The difference was also significant for overall survival (p  0.006), with 100% of the non-TN patients alive vs 85.7% of the TN patients. Within the TN subtype, the patients who achieved pCR had a better DFS (p  0.04) and a better rate of overall survival. Conclusions: Tumour classification according to the St. Gallen phenotypes is useful in predicting response and survival in breast cancer patients
Morphological and Ecophysiological Indicators for Coriander Under Irrigation Depths and Nitrogen Levels

Nitrogen fertilization and supplying of water are crucial factors for quality and quantity produces of coriander. The objective of this study was to evaluate morphological and ecophysiological characteristics for coriander under five irrigation depths and two doses of nitrogen (N). Experimental layout was completely randomized design in a split plot scheme with five replications. The irrigation depths (plot) was 25, 50, 75, 100 and 125% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc). The doses of N (subplot) corresponded to 35 and 70 kg ha-1. The cultivation of coriander (“Vedete”) was in a protected environment. The ratio between the aerial part and roots linearly increased with the increment of the irrigation depths and was highest under 70 kg ha-1 of nitrogen. The leaf area index linearly increased with the increment of the irrigation depths at both doses of N. The leaf index of chlorophyll “a” was highest under irrigation depths of 87 and 75% of ETc for 35 and 70 kg ha-1 of N, respectively. The leaf index of chlorophyll “b” decrease linearly with the increase of irrigation depths in both doses of N. The nitrogen use efficiency was maximized with high soil moisture conditions. The water use efficiency decreases linearly with increasing of irrigation depth. The best irrigation depth and nitrogen dose obtained in this study was 125% of ETc and 70 kg/ha. The leaf index of chlorophyll “a” and “b” are important indicators of hydric stress. The leaf index of chlorophyll “b” are negatively correlated with leaf area index. N supply increase the water use efficiency.
Synthesis, Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles Using Nigella sativa Seeds and Study Their Effects on the Serum Lipid Profile and DNA Damage on the Rats’ Blood Treated with Hydrogen Peroxide

This study aimed to produce silver nanoparticles using aqueous extract of Nigella sativa, also to investigate the effects of green synthesized Nigella sativa seeds silver nanoparticles on dyslipidemia and DNA fragmentation in hydrogen peroxide-exposed rats. The produced Nigella sativa seeds silver nanoparticles were characterized through Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) style, and Scanning Electron microscope, and the morphology and size of these synthesized nanoparticles were investigated. Forty adults male rats were randomly and equally divided into five groups, which had been inspected daily for two months as followings: G1 group (Control), G2 group received tap water containing 1% H2O2, animals in G3 and G4 groups were injected IP with the nanoparticles in a dose of 25 and 50 mg/kg BW, respectively, and also received ordinary tap water containing 1% H2O2 , and in G5 group, the animals were injected IP with Nigella sativa seeds extract in 50 mg/kg BW and received ordinary tap water containing 1% H2O2. Blood samples were collected after one and two months of the experiment from each animal for DNA fragmentation measurements and serum lipid estimation. The results reported a case of dyslipidemia, as well significant elevation in DNA damage in G4 and G2 groups. The results also confirmed the hypolipidemic and cytoprotective effect of Nigella sativa seeds extract (G5 group) and silver nanoparticles, and group G3 clarified the correction between dyslipidemia, and the significant alleviation in DNA damage. In conclusion, the current study shows the effects of high doses of Nigella sativa seeds silver nanoparticles, and documents the ameliorative effect of these seeds extract and their silver nanoparticles on lipid profile and DNA damage.
Resistance to pyrethroid and oxadiazine insecticides in Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) populations in Brazil

Resistance to pyrethroid and oxadiazine insecticides in Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) populations in Brazil Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) was officially reported in Brazil in 2013 causing serious damage to several crops, especially soybean and cotton crops. Because of this severe damage and also because H. armigera is more tolerant to insecticides in compare to other lepidopteran pests in Brazil, there was a significant increase of selection pressure with insecticides in the field. Many cases of insecticide resistance, especially to pyrethroids, have been reported in some countries of the Old World. The main objective of the present study was to characterize the susceptibility of H. armigera and to investigate the mechanisms of its resistance to pyrethroids and indoxacarb in Brazilian populations. Mortality of H. armigera populations was less than 50% when treated with the highest dose of 10 μg a.i./3rd-instar larva of fenvalerate and deltamethrin. Field populations of H. armigera monitored from 2013 to 2016 growing seasons showed mean mortalities of 10 to 40% at the diagnostic dose of 10 μg a.i./3rdinstar larva. The resistance ratio to pyrethroid was 780-fold. The frequency of the chimeric P450 CYP337B3 gene was above 0.95 in all 33 populations screened. The genetic basis of H. armigera resistance to pyrethroids was also investigated. The dominance degree varied from 0.66 to 0.92, i.e., incompletely to completely dominant, and resistance was characterized as autosomal and polygenic. Possible mutations in the sodium channel were investigated, as well as the expression of other P450 genes via RT-qPCR. Two non-synonymous mutations, V937G and Q960H were found, and the genes CYP6AB10, CYP301A, CYP4S13 and CYP321A5 were up-regulated in the Brazilian pyrethroid-resistant strain compared to the susceptible strain. The susceptibility of H. armigera populations to indoxacarb was characterized with a diet overlay bioassay in 3rd-instar larvae. LC50 values ranged from 0.22 (0.16–0.28) μg a.i./cm2 to 0.57 (0.41–0.82) μg a.i./cm2, varying 2.6-fold. The populations were monitored through the 2013– 2017 growing seasons, with the diagnostic dose of 6.1 μg a.i./cm2; during the period, the susceptibility to indoxacarb decreased. An indoxacarb-resistant strain was selected under laboratory conditions and showed a resistance ratio of 297.5-fold. These results will contribute to decision-making and implementation of insect resistance-management (IRM) programs in Brazil and other recently invaded countries in Brazil.
Description of a new species of Haminoea (Gastropoda: Cephalaspidea) from India, with an account of the diversity of the genus in the Indo-West Pacific

In this paper current knowledge on the diversity of the gastropod cephalaspidean genus Haminoea from India is revised. A comprehensive literature review was undertaken and novel specimens were collected. Specimens from India were DNA barcoded using the gene cytochrome c oxidase sub-unit I and a Bayesian gene tree together with an Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD) species delimitation analysis were inferred to compare Indian samples with species from the Indo-West Pacific. The most comprehensive DNA data set to date of the genus Haminoea is included and new morpho-anatomical features of Indo-West Pacific species were generated through fine anatomical work and scanning electron microscopy. A critical appraisal of previous records of the country is included and a new species, Haminoea aptei sp. nov., is described from the Andaman Islands and Lakshadweep Islands, India. www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:90C191A9-5CA6-4BC6-84E3-B1A26674FA1B
Estimation of the size of tax evasion in Greece

The purpose of this paper is to estimate the extent of tax evasion in Greece for the period 1980-2018. For this estimation we have chosen to apply an indirect method of approach to the issue, as developed by Tanzi, based on the assumption that estimating the size of the shadow economy can lead us to a safe measurement of the extent of tax evasion. More precisely, through the Currency Demand approach which is based on the basic assumption that activities under the shadow economy constitute a direct response of taxpayers to the increased tax burden and also that cash is mainly used to conduct such transactions and of the wealth derived from them, the size of the shadow economy was determined using the method of the University of Leicester research team and then the level of tax evasion was assessed by imposing an annual tax rate on it as a ratio of total tax revenue to Gross Domestic Product. The results showed a significant increase of the size of tax evasion during the period considered, while the model estimation showed that most of the tax evasion came from direct taxation.