Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
OSTEOLOGIA DO BOTO CINZA, Sotalia fluviatilis GERVAIS, 1853, DA COSTA DO ESTADO DO CEARÁ, BRASIL

The osteology of the gray dolphin ( Sotalia fluviatilis Gervais 1853) was described with details and emphasis on the main characteristics of the Family Delphinidae. A total of 32 skeletons from the osteologic collection of the Research and Preservation of Aquatics Ecossistems Association (AQUASIS), were used in this study. Morphometric data were collected to establish the growing relationships for the species. Based on the characteristics of the individuals studied and on the variation on some osteologic structure, a model of ontogenetic classification was proposed. The skeletons were grouped in four different classes defined by size difference. A modelo of osteologic identification was developed for the marine population of S. fluviatilis .
Soxhlet versus cold maceration: Which method gives better antimicrobial activity to licorice extract against Streptococcus mutans?

Purpose: Licorice is called “grandfather of herbs” and is being used for wide various ailments since time immemorial. However, its use in dentistry has been recently. Soxhlet and Cold maceration are the two commonly employed methods for extraction of drug from raw products. But which of two is gives better antibacterial property to licorice root remains unanswered. Hence, the present study has been planned with an aim to compare antibacterial activity of licorice root extracts obtained from two methods (Soxhlet and cold maceration) against Streptococcus mutans. It is an in vitro study. Methodology: Licorice roots were authenticated from recognized taxonomist. They were washed, dried completely, and coarsely powdered. The weighed powder was mixed with ethanol (100 mg in 500 ml). Two such mixtures were made. One was used for cold maceration procedure and the other was used for Soxhlet method. Extracts so obtained were assessed for their minimum inhibitory concentration against S. mutans ATCC 25175 in triplicates using broth dilution and disc diffusion method. Extracts were also compared for their phytochemical components. Descriptive analysis and unpaired t-test were performed. Results: Cold maceration extract at concentration of 1.95 mg/ml and Soxhlet method at 3.906 mg/ml showed inhibition of S. mutans. Both of them possessed the same phytochemical components. Conclusion: Licorice root extract obtained through cold maceration had significantly better antimicrobial activity against S. mutans than licorice extract obtained through Soxhlet method. Cold maceration method is relatively simple and does not involve complex instruments and yet yields better extract.
Patient Perspective of Cognitive Symptoms in Major Depressive Disorder: Retrospective Database and Prospective Survey Analyses

Background Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common and burdensome condition. The clinical understanding of MDD is shaped by current research, which lacks insight into the patient perspective. Objective This two-part study aimed to generate data from PatientsLikeMe, an online patient network, on the perception of cognitive symptoms and their prioritization in MDD. Methods A retrospective data analysis (study 1) was used to analyze data from the PatientsLikeMe community with self-reported MDD. Information on patient demographics, comorbidities, self-rated severity of MDD, treatment effectiveness, and specific symptoms of MDD was analyzed. A prospective electronic survey (study 2) was emailed to longstanding and recently active members of the PatientsLikeMe MDD community. Study 1 analysis informed the objectives of the study 2 survey, which were to determine symptom perception and prioritization, cognitive symptoms of MDD, residual symptoms, and medication effectiveness. Results In study 1 (N=17,166), cognitive symptoms were frequently reported, including “severe” difficulty in concentrating (28%). Difficulty in concentrating was reported even among patients with no/mild depression (80%) and those who considered their treatment successful (17%). In study 2 (N=2525), 23% (118/508) of patients cited cognitive symptoms as a treatment priority. Cognitive symptoms correlated with depression severity, including difficulty in making decisions, concentrating, and thinking clearly (rs=0.32, 0.36, and 0.34, respectively). Cognitive symptoms interfered with meaningful relationships and daily life tasks and had a profound impact on patients’ ability to work and recover from depression. Conclusions Patients acknowledge that cognitive dysfunction in MDD limits their ability to recover fully and return to a normal level of social and occupational functioning. Further clinical understanding and characterization of MDD for symptom prioritization and relapse risk due to residual cognitive impairment are required to help patients return to normal cognitive function and aid their overall recovery.
Production de microtubercules de pomme de terre "in vitro": effet de la durée de culture

La production de microtubercules in vitro s'effectue en plusieurs etapes: croissance de la microplante, initiation des stolons et formation des tubercules (ou tuberisation). Durant la phase de tuberisation, il est possible de developper des microtubercules de qualite en termes de poids et de taille. L'essai decrit ici montre que la qualite du materiel produit est encore meilleure lorsque la duree de tuberisation se prolonge au-dela de 16 semaines de culture in vitro
The Expression and Effect of Myoferlin Depletion in Breast Cancer Cells

ii Dedication . v Acknowledgments. vi Vita . viii List of Tables . xi List of Figures . xii List of Abbreviations . xv Chapter 1: Breast Cancer . 1 1.
Biochemical basis of insect resistance in winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolbus) : characterisation of insecticidal proteins and their encoding genes

Many pulses and beans grown for human comsumption are susceptible to insect attack. Winged bean, a high protein crop of the tropics, yield seeds which appear to be immune to infestation by the storage bruchid Callosobruchus maculatus. In this thesis the biochemical basis of this resisitance was investigated. Insect bio-assays were carried out in which protein fractions from seeds of winged bean were incorporated at a range of concentrations into artificial seeds, and their effects upon the development of C.maculatus determined. Both albumin and globulin fractions were toxic to the developing larvae and their toxicity correlated with their haemagglutination activity. Assay of psophocarpin fractions A, B and C found the fraction psophocarpin B to be most insecticidal. On further purification this fraction yielded two lectin fractions and a protease inhibitor fraction. Purified basic lectin was highly insecticidal to C. maculatus larvae with an LC(_50) value of 0.35%. The physiological level of this protein in winged bean seeds is sufficient to account for their resistance to attack by C maculatus. Winged bean trypsin inhibitor was also purified and tested in artificial seeds against C maculatus. However, even at concentrations in excess of twice the physiological concentration it had no deleterious effects upon development. Winged bean protein fractions, incorporated in artificial diets, proved toxic to the Lepidopteran pests Heliothis virescens and Spodoptera littoralis in bio-assays, but it appeared that the basic lectin was not responsible for toxicity towards these insects. Attempts to clone the gene encoding the winged bean basic lectin were made by constructing cDNA and genomic libraries, and heterologous lectin genes from soybean and Phaseolus were investigated as possible probes for the basic lectin gene. Purification of the basic lectin B3 and sequencing of 44% of its primary protein structure, along with comparisons with other legume lectin sequences allowed the synthesis of oligonucleotide primers for use in polymerase chain reaction experiments. However, all the PGR products obtained were shown to be the result of non-specific amplification. Further work needed to obtain the basic lectin gene is discussed.
Systematics of the Lichen Family Verrucariaceae and Evolution of the Rock-inhabiting Habit within a Group of Ecologically Diverse Fungi (Chaetothyriomycetidae, Ascomycota)

SYSTEMATICS OF THE LICHEN FAMILY VERRUCARIACEAE AND EVOLUTION OF THE ROCK-INHABITING HABIT WITHIN A GROUP OF ECOLOGICALLY DIVERSE FUNGI (CHAETOTHYRIOMYCETIDAE, ASCOMYCOTA) by Cécile Gueidan Department of Biology Duke University Date: _____________________ Approved: __________________________ François Lutzoni, Supervisor __________________________ Richard C. Harris __________________________ Paul Manos __________________________ Jonathan Shaw __________________________ Rytas Vilgalys An abstract of a dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Biology in the Graduate School of Duke University
Phylogenetic relationships of Artemisia subg. Dracunculus (Asteraceae) based on ribosomal and chloroplast DNA sequences

Molecular-phylogenetic analyses of a large sampling of Artemisia subg. Dracunculus were carried out under Bayesian and maximum parsimony criteria to circumscribe the subgenus and explore the relationships between the species in the core of the subgenus. The Dracunculus complex was resolved into two main clades: one core clade including most of the Eurasian representatives plus a few closely related North American endemic species, and a second, small clade including A. salsoloides and A. tanaitica. Segregation of the latter two species is proposed in order to keep the subgenus monophyletic. Within the core clade, the existence of different lineages such as the A. dracunculus or A. campestris complexes, as well as the relationships of Mausolea, Neopallasia and Turaniphytum, are scrutinized. Discordances between the molecular data and previous morphological taxonomic treatments are noted. The occurrence of polyploidy in the subgenus is explored using previously published and newly generated genome size data.
The Methuselah family of G protein-coupled receptors in Drosophila development

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are one of the largest class of transmembrane signaling proteins that regulate essential developmental and physiological processes in a cell. GPCR success is illustrated by their abundance across both invertebrate and vertebrate genomes. Phylogenetic analyses show that GPCR families have undergone a lot of gene gain and loss during insect evolution. In Drosophila melanogaster, the fifteen Methuselah/Methuselah-like (Mth/Mthl) genes are in fact an insect specific family of GPCRs. In our study, we conducted a phylogenetic analysis using receptor sequences from five Drosophila species and two related insects, including Tribolium and Anopheles to examine the evolution of this gene family. Clearly Mthl1, 5, and 14 form their own separate clades. The remaining Drosophila genes along with a single gene in Tribolium form a fourth clade defined by the presence of the Mth ectodomain. Expression patterns of the Tribolium gene and all Drosophila paralogs were determined by in situ hybridization. The Tribolium Mthl gene is expressed in the hindgut and mesodermal crystal cells of the embryo which is divided between Drosophila Mthl9 and Mthl10. Mthl10 also evolves other more specific expression patterns in both the embryo third instar larvae which is divided between the other Mthl genes. In summary, six genes (Mthl 1, 5, 9, 11, 13 and 14) are expressed in the embryo, four (Mthl3, 4, 6 and 8) in the larval CNS and imaginal discs and two (Mthl10 and Mth) in both embryos and larvae. We further show Mthl5 expression in the cardiac mesoderm of stage 11 embryos and later restricted to cardioblast cells of the aorta. Loss of mthl5 decreases pericardial-cardial cell association necessary to maintain cardiac intergrity. We show that mthl5 genetically interacts with Goa to increase the loss of cell-cell adhesion in the Drosophila aorta. Together these data clearly show the expansion of the Mth/Mthl family in insects and the evolution of novel gene functions required for organ morphogenesis.
Population dynamics of spodoptera litura on castor, Ricinus communis

Population dynamics of leaf eating caterpillar, Spodoptera litura Fabricius (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera) on castor, Ricinus communis L. cultivated in middle Gujarat agroclimatic conditions. The higher eggs and larval populations as well as leaf damage caused by S. litura to castor plants was found in the third and fourth week of November, whereas the lower population and leaf damage was observed in the first and second week of October. Among the various abiotic factors minimum temperature, vapour pressure (morning & evening) and RH (evening) were found most influencing factors showed negative effect on oviposition behaviour andiarval development of S. litura. The maximum temperature showed significant negative influence on oviposition by S. litura.
A Self-Diagnosis Medical Chatbot Using Artificial Intelligence

To lead a good life healthcare is very much important. But it is very difficult to obtain the consultation with the doctor in case of any health issues. The proposed idea is to create a medical chatbot using Artificial Intelligence that can diagnose the disease and provide basic details about the disease before consulting a doctor . To reduce the healthcare costs and improve accessibility to medical knowledge the medical chatbot is built. Certain chatbots acts as a medical reference books, which helps the patient know more about their disease and helps to improve their health. The user can achieve the real benefit of a chatbot only when it can diagnose all kind of disease and provide necessary information. A text-to-text diagnosis bot engages patients in conversation about their medical issues and provides a personalized diagnosis based on their symptoms. Hence, people will have an idea about their health and have the right protection.
Evaluation of pear lmillet (Pennisetum glaucum) and mothbean (Vigna acconitifolia) intercropping systems in hyper arid partially irrigated north-western plains zone

A field experiment was conducted during kharif 2008 to evaluate different row ratio of pearl millet + mothbean in the arid region of Rajasthan. The treatments comprised three sole pearl millet at 30, 40 and 60 cm spacing, one sole mothbean and eleven pearl millet + mothbean treatments [1:3, 1:7, 2:2, 2:6, 3:1, 3:5, 4:4, 5:3, 6:2, 7:1 and 2:1 (check) row ratio]. The intercropping of pearl millet + mothbean in 1:7 row ratio closely followed by 4:4, 2:6 and 3:5 row ratio, produced maximum pearl millet equivalent yield (PMEY), LER and net returns and also better nutrient uptake by these treatments compared to sole and other intercropping treatments. Aggressivity values showed that intercrop mothbean did not offer any competition to pearl millet in different row ratio, while RCC values indicated that there was a yield disadvantage in mothbean in all the intercropping system except 1:7 row ratio. Competition ratio indicated that row ratios such as 3:1 and 2:1 which offer less space to mothbean (intercrop) that leads to lower yield of intercrop as component crop (pearl millet) offer greater competition for mothbean in these row ratios.
Eating behavior of schizophrenic patients

Objective To assess the eating behavior, food practices, nutritional and metabolic profiles of patients with schizophrenia undergoing treatment. Cross-sectional exploratory descriptive qualitative study used a semi-structured questionnaire on the eating behavior, food practices, and perception of changes after the initiation of drug therapy and a quantitative method using anthropometric and body composition measurements, metabolic parameters, and 5-day dietary records to analyze nutrient ingestion of patients with schizophrenia in an outpatient clinic at a tertiary hospital (n=33). The qualitative data were analyzed and coded by three researchers and quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive exploratory statistics. The results of this study showed that schizophrenic patients presented high prevalence of excess weight (71.0%), metabolic syndrome (42.0%), dyslipidemia (62.0%), changes in appetite (76.0%), and increase in energy intake (74.2%), associated with important irregularities in eating behavior and food practices (such as irregularity of meals, emotional intake, high carbohydrate and fat intake, and low energy expenditure) and lifestyle (changes in social and work routines). This eating profile may interact synergistically with psychotropic drugs to contribute to weight gain and metabolic changes in schizophrenia. Nutrition education may prevent and monitor the risk of metabolic and nutrition problems, irrespective of the medications used.
Genetic Variation of Asian Tapir

For the geneLic managemeni or capt.ive Asian tapir, geneLic variation of captive indjviduals was investigated using mitochondrial cytochrorno b scquencing. We t'ound two genetic lines/ the Indonesian captiviLy and Malay Peninsu[a captivity lines, This finding indicates that the Asian tapir rnight have difi/erentiated into two geogi'aphic groups, name! y, the Sumatra Island and Malay Peninsula groups, This biogeograpbic diff{/rent.iation is also observed in other maminals iri
Effects of 1-methylcyclopropene on apricot fruit quality, decay, and on physiological and biochemical metabolism during shelf-life following long-term cold storage

Summary Mature green apricot (Prunus armeniaca L. ‘Shanhuangxing’) fruit were exposed to 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) at 0, 0.5, 1.0, or 5.0 µl l−1 for 12 h, or treated with 1.0 µl l−1 1-MCP for 0, 6, 12, or 24 h, stored at 0µC and 85 – 95% RH for 4 weeks, then transferred to a shelf-life simulation at 23µC and 80 – 90% RH. The shelf-life of apricots was effectively extended for > 2 d by pre-storage 1-MCP treatment at 1.0 or 5.0 µl l−1 for 6 h and/or 12 h. The decline in firmness, colour change, and the incidence of fruit decay were substantially inhibited by 1-MCP at 1.0 or 5.0 µl l–1 for 6 h and/or 12 h during cold storage and subsequent shelf-life. Increases in soluble pectin contents and decreases in ascorbic acid contents were delayed, but the levels of total phenolic compounds and flavonoids increased in 1-MCP-treated fruit during shelf-life. 1-MCP treatment enhanced the peroxidase activity of apricot fruit for 3 d during shelf-life, but inhibited ethylene production in harvested apricot fruit. These results support an effective application of 1-MCP to maintain apricot fruit quality and to extend the time for marketing.
Starvation percentages in field caught Sardina pilchardus larvae off southern Portugal

Starvation has been proposed as a major event only in small larvae that are learning to feed on planktonic prey. However, there are few comparisons of percentages of starving larvae either among locations, times or phases of lar- val development. The percentage of starvation of Sardina pilchardus larvae of different lengths was analysed in four dis- tinct areas off southern Portugal. A highly sensitive fluorometric method for RNA/DNA quantification was applied to field caught S. pilchardus larvae during April and May 1992. Using in situ determination of critical RNA/DNA ratio (1.3), we classified as starving only a small percentage (2.22%) of first-feeding (<8 mm) sardine larvae, but bigger larvae appeared to be more vulnerable to starvation. We concluded that sardine larvae analysed were generally in good condition (total per- centage of starving larvae - 4.64%), but with some variation within each region.
Composição e estrutura das infracomunidades endoparasitárias de Gymnotus spp. (Pisces: Gymnotidae) do rio Baía, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil - DOI: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v26i4.1527

Parasites of 111 specimens of the Gymnotus genus were analyzed. The fishes were captured in bolters and gill nets. Sixteen parasite species were recorded, being 93.7% of the species found in larval stages. Significant positive association and correlation between abundances of twenty pairs of species occurred. All the analyzed parasite species had a clumped pattern in host sample. No dominance was reported among the parasite species. Diversity of the infracommunities of male and female hosts were not different, but influence of hosts' sex in the prevalence and abundance of Tylodelphys sp. and Spiroxys sp. were observed. Significant positive correlation between hosts' total length and prevalence and abundance of Nomimoscolex chubbi, Contracaecum sp. 2 and Quadrigyrus machadoi was observed. The reproductive cycle of hosts was correlated with the Herpetodiplostomum sp. 1, Herpetodiplostomum sp. 3, Neodiplostomum sp. and Tylodelphys sp. prevalences
An Examination of the Bystander Effect in Multiple Models: from Cell Line to In-vivo Exposure

In recent years there has been a paradigm shift in radiobiology, to one which includes non-targeted effects, such as the bystander effect and genomic instability. The bystander effect has been defined as effects seen in cells that although never exposed to radiation, display similar effects to those that have, due to some form of communication with directly hit cells. This investigation aims to further the current understanding of this effect using three different models, cell lines, primary explant cultures and whole animals. Multiple cell lines were used to determine the relative importance of bystander signal production versus the response in the exposed cell line. In the case of responding cell lines, the signal generated from the cells exposed to direct radiation determined the magnitude of the response in the bystander cell. A primary tissue culture model, in conjunction with a cell line reporter system was used to investigate the bystander effect generated by epithelial tissue in-vitro. Apoptosis related protein expression was determined over a range of doses for both direct radiation and bystander signal exposure. The signal generated from tissue cultured in-vitro induced protein expression changes in the exposed tissue and a reduction in cell survival. To further examine signal production in tissue, mice on an antioxidant diet were used for both in-vitro and in-vivo exposures using the tissue culture / reporter cell line system to measure effects. While there were significant differences between normal and anti-oxidant mice, the most interesting result of this study was in the differences between in-vitro and in-vivo exposure, and the male and female mice. These results indicate that while much valuable information about the bystander effect may be gained from various types of in-vitro models, it is important that more in-vivo models are developed, while they are ultimately more complex, they are also a more accurate reflection of the true nature of this phenomenon.
Evaluation of the rate of hydrolysis of slowly biodegradable COD (SBCOD) using starch as substrate under anaerobic, anoxic and aerobic conditions

In the Activated Sludge Model No. 1 proposed by an IAWPRC Task Group, the possible differences of the hydrolysis rate for the slowly biodegradable organic compounds (SBCOD) under aerobic, anoxic and anaerobic conditions are accounted for by the introduction of a correction factor ηh. In the present study, this factor ηh was experimentally evaluated using starch as organic substrate to represent SBCOD. It was found that after the activated sludge had been well acclimatized with starch, the hydrolysis rate is insignificantly affected by the condition of the final electron acceptor. The value of ηh approaches unity. Results also suggested that biomass concentration has no significant influence on hydrolysis rate of starch.