Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Etude du cycle gonotrophique d' Anopheles gambiae ( Diptera , Culicidae ) (Giles, 1902) en zone de forêt dégradée d'Afrique centrale

STUDY OF THE GONOTROPHIC YCLE OF ANOPHELES GAMBIAE (GILES, 1902) (DIPTERA : CULICIDAD IN A DEGRADED FOREST AREA OF CENTRAL AFRICA The study of the gonotrophic cycle of Anopheles gambiae was done during the last months of the rainy season in Djountouna (R.P. Congo) wltic/1 acts as the usual control village of our epidemiological analysis of human malaria transmission in the degraded forest area which lies on the southern part of Brazzaville. A pregravid stage was noticed in niost of nulliparous females (70-7.5 X) which, therefore, laid usually the Jrst batch of eggs about 4 davs after their emergence. Before their second blood meal the nulliparous females suffered from an overmortality which affected about 40 % of them. The extent of contraction of follicular stalk of parous females, caught on human baits during the night, showed that most of thetn have their blood meal soon after they deposited eggs. SUC~ a behaviour appeared to be related to the accessibility of human houses from breeding sites, the farther the houses are from the sites, the longer the return. The maturation of follicles was studied in maintaining wild well blood fed females in laboratory, under constant conditions (temperature, relative humidity, complete darkness.). Complete maturation was thus achieved in 35-40 heurs. According to the relative importance qf vitellus and of follicle we characterised 8 developmental stages and we formulated the maturation of the follicle according to its (I degree ofj? lling » by the vitellus and to the time elapsing from blood ingestion. Seven mark-release-recaptures were made and they showed that an usual 2 days delay lasts between two successive blood meals on men and the sac-like stage of follicular relies of marked females recaptured during the second night showed that the oviposition is usually made soon after eggs are completely matured (88 %J But some females (12 %) had an usually 24 hours retention of eggs and therefore a three days gonotrophic cycle. According to these behaviour before and after egg laying we elaborated a new formula which allowed an estimation of tlze daily biting rate of anopheline fi( L H). In Djoumouna this parameter was calculated (L = 0,40) and its inverse gave the average gonotrophic cycle of A. gambiae parous female which was estimated to last about 2,4 days.
Individuals with chronic pain have the same response to placebo analgesia as healthy controls in terms of magnitude and reproducibility.

It is unclear whether a diagnosis of chronic pain is associated with an increase or decrease in the placebo response. The aim of this study was to use an experimental placebo conditioning paradigm to test if expectancy for pain relief impacts on acute pain perception in individuals with a chronic pain diagnosis of osteoarthritis (OA) or fibromyalgia (FM), compared to healthy individuals (HI). An inert cream was applied to the dominant forearm of participants (60 OA, 79 FM and 98 HI), randomly assigned to either a placebo or control group. In both groups an inactive cream was applied to the dominant forearm. The placebo group was told this may or may not be a local anaesthetic cream, while the control group was told the cream was inactive. Laser pain was delivered, and numerical pain intensity ratings collected before, during and after cream application, along with expectation of pain relief and anxiety. The procedure was repeated two weeks later to assess reproducibility. There was a significant reduction in pain in the placebo group, independent of clinical diagnosis. Diagnostic groups (OA,FM,HI) did not differ in their magnitude of placebo analgesia or expectancy of pain relief. The results were similar in the repeat session. The results demonstrate that individuals with chronic pain respond to experimental placebo analgesia in a similar and reproducible manner as healthy individuals, despite higher levels of psychological co-morbidity. This has implications for utilising placebo analgesia in the treatment of chronic pain.
The Prolyl Hydroxylase Inhibitor Dimethyl Oxalyl Glycine Decreases Early Gastrointestinal GVHD in Experimental Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

Background. Prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors (PHI) promote stabilization of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha and affect signaling cascades of inflammation and cell death. Their beneficial use in experimental models of ulcerative colitis and lung allograft rejection led us to test the effect of the PHI dimethyl oxalyl glycine (DMOG) in the pathophysiology of graft versus host disease (GVHD). Methods. Acute GVHD was induced in lethally irradiated BALB/c mice. DMOG was administered intraperitoneally on alternate days for the first 2-weeks posttransplant, and then twice a week till day +50, while controls received vehicle only. Animals were monitored for clinical GVHD and analyzed at day +7 and at day +50. Results. DMOG treatment of allogeneic recipients improved survival by day +50, which was associated with decreased early gut injury and serum tumor necrosis factor-α compared with allogeneic controls. DMOG treatment of allogeneic recipients resulted in increased hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha expression and reduced apoptosis in the terminal ileum via Fas-associated protein with death domain protein repression along with decreased T-cell infiltration. Reduced pathology in colon after DMOG treatment associates with intestinal epithelium integrity and reduced damage caused by diminished recruitment of neutrophils. Conclusions. Taken together, we show protective effects of DMOG on early gut GVHD and improved survival in a model of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation, providing the rationale for further evaluation of PHIs, in the prevention and treatment of acute GVHD.
Atypical Genotypes for Canine Agouti Signaling Protein Suggest Novel Chromosomal Rearrangement

Canine coat color is a readily observed phenotype of great interest to dog enthusiasts; it is also an excellent avenue to explore the mechanisms of genetics and inheritance. As such, multiple commercial testing laboratories include basic color alleles in their popular screening panels, allowing for the creation of genotyped datasets at a scale not before appreciated in canine genetic research. These vast datasets have revealed rare genotype anomalies that encourage further exploration of color and pattern inheritance. We previously reported the simultaneous presence of greater than two allele variants at the Agouti Signaling Protein (ASIP) locus in a commercial genotype cohort of 11,790 canids. Here we present additional data to characterize the occurrence of anomalous ASIP genotypes. We document the detection of combinations of three or four ASIP allele variants in 17 dog breeds and Dingoes, at within-breed frequencies of 1.32–63.34%. We analyze the potential impact on phenotype that these allele combinations present, and propose mechanisms that could account for the findings, including: gene recombination, duplication, and incorrect causal variant identification. These findings speak to the accuracy of industry-wide protocols for commercial ASIP genotyping and imply that ASIP should be analyzed via haplotype, rather than using only the existing allele hierarchy, in the future.
Spatial Analysis of the Canopy of Kiwifruit Vines as it Relates to the Physical, Chemical and Postharvest Attributes of the Fruit

The position of individual fruit on kiwifruit vines (Actinidia deliciosa var. deliciosa) grown on a horizontal trellis (pergola) and on a T-bar trellis was determined using a theodolite. The physical, chemical, and postharvest attributes of the fruit were related to their position on the vine during development. Fruit from the pergola vines were more numerous, of lesser weight, with lower concentrations of most mineral nutrients, but greater concentrations of soluble solids, and similar flesh firmness after 12 weeks of storage at 0 °C, than fruit from the T-bar vines. The position on the vine accounted for most of the variation in the attributes of the fruit. Differences between fruit on a single lateral accounted for 43-56% of the variation. Variation between vines was relatively small (< 4% of the total variance). The heavier fruit were located at the apical ends of the laterals, while greater concentrations of soluble solids were associated with fruit located closer to the cordon. The larger fruit from the pergola vines developed from the early opening flowers. A similar relationship existed initially for the T-bar vines, but a reduction in growth of fruit from the early opening flowers 8 weeks after anthesis resulted in a more even distribution of fruit size at harvest. The strongest relationship between mineral composition and postharvest attributes of the fruit was with soluble solids concentration (29-46% of the variance). The relationship with flesh firmness was weak (r = -0·14 to -0·32). Individual elements could not be considered in isolation but rather in groups of elements. Nitrogen was grouped strongly with phosphorus, sulphur, potassium, and copper, while calcium was linked with a second group which included manganese and zinc. These two groups were negatively related to one another. The greatest proportion of fruit with superior characteristics was located in the denser parts of the canopy. Fruit with less desirable attributes were from the extremities of the canopy where the leaf area index was low.
Parenting Attitudes in People with Obsessive-compulsive Disorder and Emotional Symptoms in Their Children

espanolRESUMEN Este estudio pretende delimitar las actitudes parentales distintivas en personas con trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo (TOC), los sintomas emocionales especificos en sus hijos y la asociacion entre ambos. Cuarenta padres con TOC y sus hijos fueron comparados con 37 padres con trastornos adaptativos y sus hijos mediante el uso de cuestionarios clinicos estandarizados. Los hijos de padres con TOC manifestaron significativamente mas sintomas emocionales (nivel subclinico) en comparacion con los hijos de padres con trastornos adaptativos. Tras controlar el efecto de los sintomas de depresion y ansiedad de los padres y los ninos, los padres con TOC indicaban actitudes parentales significativamente peores que las de los padres con trastornos adaptativos. La presencia de obsesiones sexuales/somaticas en los padres con TOC predecia la severidad de los sintomas de ansiedad en sus hijos, si bien dichas relaciones estaban mediadas por el nivel de implicacion parental. Estos hallazgos indican la importancia de abordar y tratar las actitudes parentales distintivas de las personas con TOC y su influencia en la sintomatologia emocional de sus hijos EnglishABSTRACT This study sought to delineate distinctive parenting attitudes in people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), specific emotional symptoms in their children, and the association between them. Forty OCD parents and their children were compared with 37 parents with adjustment disorders and their children by using standardized clinical questionnaires. Children of OCD parents exhibited significantly greater (subclinical) emotional symptoms when compared with children of non-OCD parents. After controlling for parents' and children's depression and anxiety symptoms, OCD parents reported significantly poorer parenting attitudes overall relative to non-OCD parents. The presence of sexual/somatic obsessions in OCD parents predicted anxiety symptom severity among their children, but both relationships were mediated by parental involvement. These findings indicate the importance of addressing and treating the distinctive parenting attitudes among people with OCD and its influence on their children's emotional symptoms.
Effect of dietary components on the growth and body composition of broiler chickens

Zusammenfassung Der Einflus der Rationszusammensetzung auf das Wachstum und die Korperzusammensetzung von Broilern Vier Broiler-Gruppen erhielten vier Rationen mit unterschiedlichem Protein-Energie-Verhaltnis. Die Aufnahme an ME lag in allen Gruppen gleich hoch. Dabei wurden zwei verschiedene Proteingehalte mit zwei unterschiedlichen Fettzulagen gepruft. Aus den Untersuchungen geht hervor, das der Proteingehalt in der Ration die Futteraufnahme und den Gewichtszuwachs beeinflust. Steigende Proteingehalte fuhrten zu einem hoheren Protein- und zu einem niedrigeren Fettansatz im Schlachtkorper. Die Zufuhr in Form von Fett forderte die Fetteinlagerung.
Migration aspirations of European youth in times of crisis

ABSTRACT In recent years, the European Union (EU) passed through a significant economic crisis. All across Europe, European young people are among the groups which are hit hardest, with youth unemployment rates rising to over 50% in member states such as Greece and Spain. In the classical migration literature, it is suggested that such unfavourable economic climate would make people more likely to move abroad. Whereas in press releases we are regularly confronted with stories about South European young adults with tertiary education working in bars in Northern European cities, limited empirical evidence exists as such on the relationship between the recent Euro-crisis and migration aspirations. This paper addresses this gap in the academic literature. Using data from Flash Eurobarometer 395, I investigate which micro- and macro-level characteristics influence migration aspirations of young people across the member states of the EU. The results reveal the importance of individual characteristics and feelings of discontent with the current climate in explaining migration aspirations. Furthermore, I detect a negative relationship of relative welfare levels with migration aspirations, and a positive relationship of the youth unemployment ratio. Together, the results suggest that potential young intra-EU movers are positively selected from the population.
Bacterial pathogens in semen culture and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern in vitro

Background: Bacterial infections have been recognized with infertility, bacteria are capable of agglutinating and immobilizing spermatozoa. The aim of present study was to determine bacterial pathogens in semen culture from infertile men and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern in vitro. Method: Semen samples were collected for routine culture and antibiotic susceptibility test and were processed according to the standard microbiology techniques. Results: A total of 347 semen specimens were cultured, of which 62 (17.8%) showed significant bacterial growth. Eight different species of bacterial organisms were isolated out of them 37% isolates were gram positive and 62.9% isolates were gram negative. The commonest isolates were Escherichia coli (41.9%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (17.7%), Streptococcus faecalis (11.2%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (9.6%), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (8%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (4.8%). The maximum numbers of culture positive cases (46.7%) were found in patients 31-40 year age group. Both gram positive and gram negative organisms were sensitive to nitrofurantoin (91.5%) and (71.7%) followed by ampicillin- sulbactam (73.9%) and (58.9%), levofloxacin (56.5%) and (71.7%) and gentamycin (56.5%) and (53.8%) respectively. E. coli was found susceptible to nitrofurantoin (76.9%), followed by levofloxacin (69.2%), ampicillin sulbactam (57.6%) and gentamycin (61.5%) and co-trimoxazole (50%). Staphylococcus aureus was found 81.83% sensitive to nitrofurantoin followed by lavofloxacin (63.6%) and gentamycin (54.5%). Conclusion: For empirical treatment nitrofurantion seems to be drug of choice followed by lavofloxacin and ampicillin sulbactam. The regular screening of bacterial pathogen in infertile man seems necessary because it affects infertility in several ways.
Permocoleus, New Genus, the First Permian Beetle (Coleoptera) from North America

Abstract Permocoleus wellingtonensis, new genus and new species, is based on an elytron from the Permian Wellington Formation of Oklahoma and is the only Paleozoic record of the order Coleoptera from North America and the oldest record for the New World. Until now, Permian Coleoptera were known only from Europe, Australia, southern Africa, and South America but were conspicuously absent from North America, despite the Wellington Formation being among the most diverse deposits of Permian insects. Permocoleus provides evidence that early beetles were globally distributed.
FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF ETHAMBUTOL POLYMERIC NANOPARTICLES

Objective: Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis which most commonly affects the lungs. TB has the highest mortality rate than any other infectious disease occurs worldwide. The main objective of the present investigation was to develop polymeric nanoparticles based drug delivery system to sustain the ethambutol (ETB) release by reducing the dose frequency. Methods: The Preformulation studies of drug ETB were done by physical characterization, melting point determination, and UV spectrophotometric analysis. The ETB loaded nanoparticles were prepared by double-emulsion (W/O/W) solvent evaporation/diffusion technique. The prepared polymeric nanoparticles were evaluated for particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, drug entrapment efficiency, drug loading, drugpolymer compatibility study, surface morphology, in vitro drug release, and release kinetics. Results: Based on the result obtained from the prepared formulations, F11 showed the best result and was selected as the optimized formulation. Optimized batch (F11) showed better entrapment efficiency (73.3%), good drug loading capacity (13.21%), optimum particle size (136.1 nm), and zeta potential (25.2 mV) with % cumulative drug release of 79.08% at the end of 24 h. Conclusion: These results attributed that developed polymeric nanoparticles could be effective in sustaining the ETB release over 24 h. Moreover, the developed nanoparticles could be an alternate method for ETB delivery with a prolonged drug release profile and a better therapeutic effect can be achieved for the treatment of tuberculosis.
Routine extraction of DNA from grapevine (Vitis ssp.) canes and roots for variety identification by RAPD-PCR

Distinguishing grapevine varieties from wooden canes is particularly difficult. Traditional ampelographic methods, based on morphological characters of leaves and shoot tips, cannot be applied. On the other hand, DNA extraction from wooden canes for analysis with methods like RAPD-PCR, is difficult because of the presence of polyphenols and polysaccharides. Therefore, it is not usually used on a routine basis. Another problem is the variety determination of grafted rootstocks, where only roots can be sampled. A particular problem in this regard is the presence of VA mycorrhiza in most roots, which can yield additional bands. The aim of this study was to develop a routine technique for DNA extraction from roots and wooden canes of grapevines. DNA yield and the reproducibility of various extraction methods were compared. A modified method, described by Lodhi et al. (1994) proved to be most reliable and easy to use. The amount of DNA obtained was up to 230μg/g from wooden canes, with a purity of 2.0 to 1.8. Pure grapevine DNA could also be extracted from roots by the same method, if the roots were surface sterilised before extraction. The described method provides a simple, reliable protocol for the routine extraction of DNA. Over 50 samples per day could be processed by this method. DNA extracted in this way was further used for molecular genetic studies: 36 rootstock varieties can be routinely distinguished by RAPD-PCR with a single primer.
Nitrate Nutrition of Grasses from Steady-State Supplies in Flowing Solution Culture following Nitrate Deprivation and/or Defoliation I RECOVERY OF UPTAKE AND GROWTH AND THEIR INTERACTIONS

We describe an experiment in which two Lolium genotypes were grown in flowing solution culture with steady-state nutrient supply to examine the interactions between the effects of an extended period of NO 3 - deprivation and defoliation on subsequent net uptake of NO 3 - and shoot and root growth. As well as providing information on the physiological processes involved in the control of nutrient inflow into whole plants, particularly during their recovery from stress, the results have implications when attempting to improve the efficiency of N utilization in agricultural systems
Screening of Methanol and Acetone Extracts of Fourteen Indian Medicinal Plants for Antimicrobial Activity

The methanol and acetone extracts of 14 plants belonging to different families were evaluated for antimicrobial activity against five Gram-positive bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus flavus; seven Gram-negative bacteria: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Proteus vulgaris, Salmonella typhimurium, Citrobacter freundii; and three fungi: Candida tropicalis, Cryptococcus luteolus and Candida albicans. The in vitro antimicrobial activity was performed by agar disc diffusion method. The extractive yield was more in methanol than in acetone. The methanol extracts showed more antibacterial activity than acetone extracts. The most susceptible bacterium was K. pneumoniae and the most resistant were P. vulgaris, S. typhimurium, P. aeruginosa and E. coli. Preliminary phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tannins, cardiac glycosides, steroids and saponins. Among the plant species screened, the best antimicrobial activity was shown by Aristolochia indica; hence, this plant can be further subjected to isolation of the therapeutic antimicrobials and to further pharmacological evaluation.
Targeting the Microenvironment in MDS: The Final Frontier

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of malignant disorders of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC), mainly characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis leading to peripheral cytopenias and progressive bone marrow failure. While clonal dominance is nearly universal at diagnosis, most genetic mutations identified in patients with MDS do not provide a conspicuous advantage to the malignant cells. In this context, malignant cells alter their adjacent bone marrow microenvironment (BME) and rely on cell extrinsic factors to maintain clonal dominance. The profoundly disturbed BME favors the myelodysplastic cells and, most importantly is detrimental to normal hematopoietic cells. Thus, the MDS microenvironment not only contributes to the observed cytopenias seen in these patients but could also negatively impact the engraftment of normal, allogeneic HSPCs in patients with MDS undergoing bone marrow transplant. Therefore, successful therapies in MDS should not only target the malignant cells but also reprogram their bone marrow microenvironment. Here, we will provide a synopsis of how drugs currently used or on the verge of being approved for the treatment of MDS may achieve this goal.