Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fertigation With Agro-residue-Based Paper Mill Effluent on a High-Yield Spinach Variety

Disposal of paper mill effluent is a problem. A study was undertaken to determine the potential of an agro-residue-based paper mill effluent as an alternative of irrigation water on spinach (Spinacia oleracea L), var. Hybrid-7. The study was conducted during the rainy (July to October) and winter (November to February) seasons of 2011 and 2012. Doses of paper mill effluent of 5%, 10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% were used along with bore well water (control). Paper mill effluent increased electrical conductivity (EC), pH, organic carbon (OC), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), calcium (Ca2+), iron (Fe2+), potassium (K+), magnesium (Mg2+), sodium (Na+), phosphate (PO43−), sulfate (SO42−), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) of soil in both seasons. There were no changes in soil water-holding capacity and bulk density due to fertigation. Agronomic performance of S. oleracea increased due to treatment with 5% to 25% paper mill effluent and decreased due to treatment with 50 to 100% paper mill effluent compared to the control in both seasons. Crude proteins, crude fiber, and total carbohydrates were highest due to treatment with 25% paper mill effluent in both seasons. Heavy metal concentrations increased due to treatment with all concentrations of paper mill effluent in both seasons. The order of contamination factor of heavy metals was Cr > Cd > Mn = Cu = Zn for soil and Cr = Cd ≥ Mn > Cu = Zn for S. oleracea averaged over seasons after fertigation. Paper mill effluent can be used as a biofertigant after appropriate dilution to improve yield of S. oleracea.
Darapladib

Importance of the field: Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory-immune mediated disease process. Plaque rupture is responsible for the clinical events of ischemic death, myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndromes and ischemic strokes. Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) seems to play a major role in the development of such high-risk lesions, in both the coronary and carotid arteries. Darapladib is a selective inhibitor of Lp-PLA2. Areas covered in this review: An overview of darapladib by reviewing the studies (1990 – 2009) that have provided the rationale for the development of darapladib; and a discussion of its potential merit as a new therapeutic drug to target high-risk atherosclerosis. What the reader will gain: The reader should gain an understanding of the importance of inflammation during atherogenesis as well as of the biology of Lp-PLA2 and its proatherogenic role. Additional insights will be gained into the role of selective inhibitors of Lp-PLA2 as new therapeutic agents. Take home message: Darapladib is a selective inhibitor of Lp-PLA2 and represents a new class of therapeutic agents that target inflammation to treat high-risk atherosclerosis.
Personifying Public Housing Estates: Evidence from Singapore

Abstract Adopting the concept of brand personality, this paper aims to determine the personalities of three public housing estates in Singapore, specifically Jurong East, Pasir Ris and Sengkang housing estates. These three housing estates have distinctive personalities, but also share certain traits. This research provides an avenue for town planners, town councillors, as well as estate managers to measure and position the brand personalities of their housing estates, as well as meeting the needs of the residents living in the housing estates.
Senecio madagascariensis Poir. (Asteraceae): uma nova causa de seneciose em bovinos no Sul do Rio Grande do Sul

Two outbreaks of Senecio madagascariensis poisoning in cattle occurred in October 2013 in southern Brazil. Morbidity rate ranged were 3.2% and 6.1%, and lethality rate was 100%. A third case of poisoning occurred on a property in which out of 54 cattle one died with clinical signs of intoxication. In all cases, the cattle were in areas highly infested by S. madagascariensis that was in bloom. The clinical signs were diarrhea, tenesmus, opisthotonus, and progressive weight loss. Death occurred between 10 and 15 days after the onset of clinical signs. At necropsy, lesions were edema in the mesentery, in the wall of the rumen and abomasum, and in the walls of the gall bladder; the liver was firm with marbled aspect. Histologically, the liver had proliferation of fibrous connective tissue, especially in portal areas, hepatomegalocytosis, and bile duct hyperplasia. The observation of large number of S. madagascariensis in several farms in the counties of Arroio Grande, Pedro Osorio and Capao do Leao reinforces that this plant is in the process of adaptation and dissemination in this region and that other outbreaks may occur in coming years. The cases reported here apparently resulted from the consumption of the plant during the fall/winter of 2013, when it was in bloom. The quantification of alkaloids in S. madagascariensis revealed the presence of 500µg/g and 4000µg/g of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the dry plant from two properties. It is believed that the large amount of the plant in the areas where the animals were and the amount of pyrrolizidine alkaloids found were factors that contributed to the occurrence of outbreaks.
Physiological responses and expression of arginine vasotocin receptor, prolactin and prolactin receptor mRNA in olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus during osmotic stress

We cloned complementary DNA (cDNA) encoding the arginine vasotocin receptor (AVT-R) from the kidney of olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). Olive flounder AVT-R cDNA consists of 1155 bp, and encodes a protein of 384 amino acids. To investigate the stress responses and osmoregulatory abilities of olive flounder in changing salinities (35, 17.5, 8.75, 4, and 0 psu), we examined the expression of AVT-R, prolactin (PRL), and PRL receptor (PRL-R) messenger RNA (mRNA) in osmoregulatory organs using quantitative real time PCR (QPCR). AVT-R and PRL-R were expressed in the gill, kidney, and intestine, whereas PRL mRNA was expressed only in the pituitary gland. In addition, we measured the levels of plasma glucose, cortisol, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). The mRNA expression and plasma parameters increased in hypoosmotic environments. Furthermore, osmolality decreased significantly according to salinity concentration decreased. These results suggest that AVT-R, PRL, and PRL-R mRNA play important roles in the hormonal regulation of osmoregulatory organs, thereby improving the osmoregulatory ability of olive flounder in hypoosmotic environments.
Somatic embryogenesis of selected spruce species (Picea abies, P. omorika, P. pungens 'Glauca' and P. breweriana)

Somatic embryogenesis was studied in four spruce species ( Picea abies , P. omorika , P. pungens 'Glauca' and P. brewenana ) to determine if this method can be used for in vitro propagation of coniferous trees. The highest frequency of initiation of embryogenic tissue was obtained when mature zygotic embryos were used as explants. It ranged then from 10.8% ( P. brewenana ) to 23.75% ( P. omorika and P. pungens 'Glauca'). The frequency of embryogenic tissue initiation was strongly affected by medium composition, i.e. addition of appropriate auxins (2,4-D, NAA, Picloram) and sucrose concentration (10-20 g -1 "1). A lower frequency was obtained in Picea omorika (10%) when megagametophytes (endosperms with immature zygotic embryos) were used as explants. No emryogenic tissue was produced from hypocotyls, cotyledons and needles. A satisfactory frequency was achieved with the use of somatic embryos of Picea abies (30%). The proliferation of embryogenic cell lines of spruces was affected by medium type. The experiments resulted in production of somatic plantlets of P. abies and P. omorika . This enables the application of this method of spruce micropropagation for genetic and breeding research or for nursery production.
Mecobalamin

Background: Mecobalamin, one of the coenzyme forms of vitamin B12, acts as an important cofactor in the activities of B12-dependent methyltransferases. Since the discovery of mecobalamin, it has been applied mainly in the treatment of hyperhomocysteinaemia and peripheral neuropathy. However, there is still lack of a systemic review on the clinical administration of mecobalamin and its potential mechanism. Objective: To review the mechanism, clinical efficacy and safety of mecobalamin in the treatment of hyperhomocysteinaemia and peripheral neuropathy. Methods: First, the potential mechanism, pharmacokinetics and metabolism of mecobalamin were clarified. In addition, the clinical administration including efficacy, safety and tolerability of mecobalamin as monotherapy or combined therapy in the treatment of hyperhomocysteinaemia and peripheral neuropathy were also detailed. Results/conclusions: Although both monotherapy and combined therapy can lower plasma/serum homocysteine levels and improve the neuropathic symptoms, combined therapy with other B vitamins seems to be more effective. However, more precise, double-blind and randomised control studies are necessary to confirm the efficacy of mecobalamin on hyperhomocysteinaemia, peripheral neuropathy interaction, and cardiovascular, neurological and osteoporotic mortality or morbidity.
Field resistance to Argentine stem weevil (Listronotus bonariensis) in different ryegrass cultivars infected with an endophyte deficient in lolitrem B

Abstract A spaced plant trial, a small plot trial, and a field trial evaluated an endophyte (Acremonium spp.) (AR6) which does not produce lolitrem B in the tetraploid cultivars Grasslands Moata (Lolium multiflorum) and Grasslands Greenstone (L. multiflorum × perenne), and in the perennial cultivars (L. perenne) Grasslands Pacific and Grasslands Nui. The endophyte was compared to three lolitrem‐producing isolates viz. AR41, Waiau, and the wildtype. In all trials Argentine stem weevil (ASW) (Listronotus bonariensis) adult feeding, oviposition, and larval damage were recorded at regular intervals between October and March. ASW attack was highest on the tetraploid cultivars, Greenstone and Moata. In most instances, all endophytes reduced adult ASW feeding and oviposition in the different cultivars compared with their respective endophyte‐free (E‐) controls. Feeding and oviposition on endophyte‐infected (E+) Moata and Greenstone was in some instances similar to, or higher than, that on E‐ Nui or Pacific. All .
Exercise–related muscle lactate metabolism in zebrafish juveniles: The effect of early life temperature

Abstract The accumulation of lactate in fish muscles during exercise and particularly its decomposition rate afterwards is a process of great importance, as it significantly influences swimming capacity. In the present study, zebrafish juveniles were reared at different water temperatures (22°C, 25°C, 28°C and 31°C) and before being subjected to the swimming trials (according to Brett's method) they were acclimated to a common intermediate temperature of 26.5°C for 45 days. Muscle lactate concentration was estimated on 35 specimens per temperature origin, which were sampled at the following time periods: at rest, after full exhaustion due to swimming and after recovery for thirty minutes, one hour, three hours, six hours and nine hours. Lactate analysis revealed that in all cases, lactate metabolism follows that previously described for other species patterns, since its concentration rises during exercise and decreases during the recovery time. It was also shown that developmental temperature affects not only the initial and final lactate concentration (at rest and at full exhaustion respectively), but its decomposition rate during recovery as well since the 22°C-reared fish require considerably more time than the others in order to fully recover and the 31°C-reared fish present the fastest recovery among all. Developmental temperature during the early life stages is once again proven to play an important role in the subsequent life of the fish.
Short Communication: Vgl Orthology in the Direct Developing Frog, Syrrhophus Cystignathoides Campi

Syrrhophus cystignathoides campi is a direct developing frog species that matures without passing through a larval (tadpole) stage. We have cloned and sequenced the Syrrhophus cDNA orthologous to the Xenopus Vgl cDNA. The Syrrhophus Vgl (sVgl) cDNA spans 1323 nucleotides and encodes a predicted protein of 345 amino acids which is 81% identical at its carboxyl terminal end to Xenopus Vgl. In addition, it contains seven conserved cysteine residues present in all Vgl related proteins. Despite this high degree of similarity it is apparently missing a conserved N-linked glycosylation site and has an altered proteolytic processing sequence. Interestingly it is also missing a nine nucleotide sequence in its 3′ UTR believed to be important for mRNA localization in Xenopus and Drosophila. These sequence variations could alter the functional expression and localization of the protein.
Larger eggs in resident brown trout living in sympatry with anadromous brown trout

Freshwater resident brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) in the stream Jorlandaan (southwestern Sweden) had larger eggs (range of actual mean egg wet weights, 65.9-108.5 mg) than both sympatric migratory trout (76.8-84.2 mg) and trout from five other Swedish str
Annual cycle of the microzooplankton communities in the waters surrounding the Palm Island Nature Reserve (north Lebanon), with special attention to tintinnids

The distribution, abundance and annual cycle of microzooplankton communities have been studied monthly at five sampling stations in the north Lebanon, covering both neritic and oceanic waters in the vicinity of small islands situated 5 km offshore.In general, the density of microprotozoans, except for ciliates, increased from the coastal towards the offshore area, with stations situated near the islands being similar to the offshore rather than to the coastal ones. The microprotozoan species showed their highest numbers in late autumn and early winter. Foraminifera abundance ranged from 20 to 3390 inds.m -3 (mean= 549) whereas Acantharia abundance was highest in spring and ranged from 0 to 2608 inds.m -3 (mean 259). The Polycistina had their highest numbers in late winter, which ranged from 0 to 6024 inds.m -3 (mean= 740). The Heliozoa were abundant in late autumn with numbers ranging from 0 to 5165 inds.m -3 (mean= 555). The annual cycle of Tintinnids at all the stations was bimodal with a principal peak in October-November and another one in May, while minimum numbers were recorded in August-September. A succession of populations was observed all year round with a density ranging between 344 and 38986 inds.m -3 (mean = 10878). Ninety different species of Tintinnids were recorded. The diversity index varied between 0.19 and 4.15. It was concluded that there was a large-scale gradient in seasonal diversity which could be related to the annual average sea surface temperature and to the development of the vertical thermic structure.
Reduction of Yield Depressions in High Frequency Potato Cropping Soil after Seed Tuber Treatments with Antagonistic Fluorescent Pseudomonas spp.

Severe yield depressions observed in high frequency potato cropping caused by microbial factors other than eelworms or known pathogens (narrow rotation effect) were reproduced in pot experiments. Total plant weight in a soil continuously cropped with potatoes was only 69% of that in a similar soil continuously cropped with wheat. Tuber weight in potato-soil was only 13 % and number of tubers only 10% of that in wheat-soil. Seed tuber treatment with cell suspensions of fluorescent antagonistic pseudomonads in carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) raised tuber yield in potato-soil up to 70% (550 % increase), number of tubers up to 93% (934 % increase) and total plant weight up to 90% (31 % increase) as compared with CMC-treatment in wheat-soil. Antagonistic fluorescent Pseudomonas isolates WCS 365, WCS 358 and WCS 374 producing mainly siderophores, with little or no production of other inhibitory substances, were more effective in diminishing the narrow rotation effect than the isolates that produced mainly inhibitory substances of different nature.
Screening, isolation and characterization of protease producing moderately halophilic microorganism Halomonas meridiana associated with coral mucus

Proteases constitute an important component of global enzyme sales, and a relevant part of this market consists of bacterial proteases. Proteases constitute one of the important groups of industrial enzymes. The use of alkaline proteases in a variety of processes involving detergents, food, leather and silk has increased markedly. Marine bacteria producing metalloproteases are involved in cleavage of connective tissues paracellular perturbation, swarming and adhesion or detachment to mucus. In the present study, attempts were made to compare production of protease from the bacteria associated with coral mucus and characterize enzymatic activity. Among 4 protease producers one of the isolates obtained from Acropora sp. , in southeast coast of India, was selected for further experimental studies. This isolate was identified as Halomonas meridiana RA001 based on partial sequencing of 16S rRNA. Protease production by this H. meridiana in skim milk medium cultures reached a maximum at 24 hr. Starch and beef extract were the best substrates for enzyme production. Studies on enzymatic characterization revealed that crude protease showed maximal activity at pH 7 and 37°C, which indicates the enzyme to be normal or moderately alkaline.
HIV Lymphoma and Burkitts Lymphoma

Abstract Despite widely available antiretroviral therapy, lymphoma remains the leading cause of death for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–infected persons in economically developed countries. Even a few months of drug interruptions can lead to drops in the CD4 cell count, HIV viremia, and an increased risk of lymphoma. Currently, good HIV control facilitates intensive therapies appropriate to the lymphoma, including autologous and even allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Nonetheless, HIV-related lymphomas have unique aspects, including pathogenetic differences driven by the presence of HIV and often coinfection with oncogenic viruses. Future therapies might exploit these differences. Lymphoma subtypes also differ in the HIV-infected population, and the disease has a higher propensity for advanced-stage, aggressive presentation and extranodal disease. Other unique aspects include the need to avoid potential interactions between antiretroviral therapy and chemotherapeutic agents and the need for HIV-specific supportive care such as infection prophylaxis. Overall, the care of these patients has progressed sufficiently that recent guidelines from the American Society of Clinical Oncology advocate the inclusion of HIV-infected patients alongside HIV-negative patients in cancer clinical trials when appropriate. This article examines HIV lymphoma and includes Burkitt lymphoma in the general population.
Oxidation of Amino Acids, Peptides and Proteins by Ozone: A Review

The kinetics and products of the reaction of ozone with specific amino acids, peptides, and proteins are reviewed based on studies reported in the literature. Ozone reacts mainly with the unprotonated amino group of the acids and the second-order ozone rate constants for these reactions, except for cysteine, methionine, and tryptophan, vary by about two-orders from 2.6 × 104 to 4.4 × 106 M−1s−1. The site of attack on cysteine and methionine by O3 is at the sulfhydryl rather than the amino group to give sequential O-atom addition products. The order of reactivity for the oxidation of amino acids by O3 at pH 8 is cysteine > tryptophan ≈ methionine > phenylalanine ≈ histidine > others, with half-lives mostly in the range of milliseconds to tens of seconds (1 mg L-1 O3 dose). Reactions of O3 with aliphatic amino acids form nitrate, ammonia, and one or two carbon atom-containing carbonyl and carboxylic byproducts. In the ozonolysis of peptides and proteins, oxidation by O3 occurs at the tyrosine, tryptophan, histidine, cysteine, and methionine residues. Oxidation of proteins results in changes in their folding ability and tertiary structures.
A Revision of the Panulirus Homarus-Group of Spiny Lobsters (Decapoda, Palinuridae)

Des echantillons importants de Panulirus homarus ont ete obtenus des cotes sud-est d'Afrique et de Madagascar; ils ont ete compares a des echantillons plus reduits provenant de diverses localites a l'interieur de l'aire de distribution, a travers l'ocean Indien et l'ocean Pacifique occidental. Trois formes ont pu etre reconnues d'apres la couleur et les sculptures de l'abdomen: une forme megasculpta meridionale, des cotes sud-est d'Afrique et de Madagascar, une forme megasculpta septentrionale, du nord-ouest de l'ocean Indien et une forme microsculpta, dominante dans l'est et le nord de l'ocean Indien, mais largement dispersee et presente en petit nombre a travers l'ocean Indien occidental et dans le Pacifique occidental. Les affinites possibles entre les trois formes sont discutees et un rang subspecifique a ete attribue a chacune.
Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of the Essential Oil of the Oriental Tobacco Yaka

Abstract A study of the chemical composition of essential oil of the oriental tobacco Yaka was performed using GC and GC/MS. The major constituents in oil were solanone (29.5%) and neophytadiene (23.0%). The antimicrobial activity of the oil was investigated in vitro by the disc diffusion method. The oil showed noticeable activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudonumas aeruginosa.
Aluminum, manganese, and iron tolerance improves performance of wheat genotypes in waterlogged acidic soils

Waterlogging results in high shoot concentrations of iron (Fe), aluminum (Al), and manganese (Mn) in wheat grown in acidic soil. The verification of this observation in several acidic soils, development of screening techniques, and identification of genotypes differing in tolerance made it possible to test whether tolerance of ion toxicities improves performance of wheat in waterlogged acid soils. Six wheat varieties selected for tolerance/intolerance of Al, Mn, and Fe were grown in three acidic soils (pH CaCl2 4.1-4.3) with or without waterlogging for 40 d. In terms of relative shoot dry weight, Al-, Mn-, and Fe-tolerant genotypes tolerated waterlogging better, out-performing intolerant genotypes by 35%, 53%, and 32%, respectively, across the soils. The Al-tolerant genotype had up to 1.8-fold better root growth than the intolerant genotype under waterlogging. Waterlogging increased DTPA-extractable soil Mn (71%) and Fe (89%), and increased shoot Fe (up to 7.6-fold) and Al (up to 5.9-fold) for different genotypes and soils. The Al-tolerant genotype maintained lower tissue concentrations of Al as compared to intolerant genotypes during waterlogging. Waterlogging delayed crop development but distinctly less so in the tolerant than in the intolerant genotypes, thus jeopardizing the capacity of intolerant genotypes to produce yield in Mediterranean climates with dry finish of the season. Pyramiding multiple ion tolerances into current wheat varieties with desirable agronomic and quality characteristics to enhance their performance under waterlogged acid soils should be considered.