Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reduction in hypercholesterolemia and risk of cardiovascular diseases by mixtures of plant food extract: a study on plasma lipid profile, oxidative stress and testosterone in rats

The present study was postulated to prepare and evaluate the influence of two plant food extract mixtures on plasma lipid profile, oxidative stress and testosterone levels in rats fed a hypercholesterolemic diet. The safety of the studied extract mixtures was evaluated through the determination of liver and kidney functions. The total phenolic contents, tocopherols, fatty acids and unsaponifiable matter (UNSAP) in the extract mixtures were determined. Rats fed a hypercholesterolemic diet were given a daily oral dose (300 mg/kg rat body weight) of either mixture I or II for a month and compared with a control hypercholesterolemic group and a normal control group. Results showed that α-tocopherol was 0.750 and 4.017 mg, γ-tocopherol was 0.564 mg and 0 and δ-tocopherol was 15.23mg and 0.634mg/100g for mixtures I and II, respectively. The phenolic contents in mixtures I and II were 36.74 and 23.72 g gallic acid equivalent/100g mixture, respectively. The GLC investigation of UNSAP revealed that stigmasterol and b-sitosterol were the major phytosterols in mixtures I and II, respectively followed by campesterol in both. The GLC analysis of the fatty acids showed that oleic acid was the major fatty acid in both extract mixtures. Results from the animal experiment showed that feeding a hypercholesterolemic diet produced a significant increase in total lipids, total cholesterol (T-Ch), triglycerides (TGs), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLCh), T-Ch/HDL-Ch, TGs/HDL-Ch and malondialdehyde (MDA) and a significant reduction in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-Ch), vitamin E, b-carotene and testosterone. Rats fed a hypercholesterolemic diet and given mixture I or II showed significant improvements in plasma lipid profile compared to the hypercholesterolemic control group. This improvement was associated with a significant reduction in oxidative stress reflected by an elevation in plasma levels of antioxidants (vitamin E and b-carotene) and a reduction in plasma MDA levels. The plasma level of testosterone increased significantly in the rats fed the hypercholesterolemic diet and given mixture I or II compared to the hypercholesterolemic control. Plasma testosterone showed a significant negative correlation with plasma TGs and TGs/HDL-Ch in the hypercholesterolemic control rats. The studied extract mixtures showed complete safety towards liver and kidney functions. In conclusion the tested extract mixtures showed an improvement in the plasma lipid profile, a significant increase in testosterone and a decrease in oxidative stress with promising prevention of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. The antiatherogenic effect of the extract mixtures may be due to the presence of phenolic compounds, phytosterols, tocopherols and unsaturated fatty acids.
Reproductive patterns of queen conch, Strombus gigas (Mollusca, Gastropoda), across the Wider Caribbean Region

Queen conch, Strombus gigas (Linnaeus, 1758), is a species of significant economic importance in the Caribbean Sea, exploited mainly for consumption by a ravenous export market in the USA and French West Indies. Because populations have been depleted throughout the Caribbean region by overfishing, present conservation efforts are focused on regional harmonization of conch management to improve its sustainability. In the present study, we compare the reproductive cycle of S. gigas from eight sites (Florida Keys, Alacranes Reef, Chinchorro Bank, San Pedro, San Andres Archipelago, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Barbados) to consider the biological rationale for a harmonized closed fishing season. A framework recognizing four reproductive stages for males and females is proposed for use in future studies. Significant differences were found in the timing and intensity of reproductively active stages between conch from western and eastern sites in the Wider Caribbean Region. Two distinct reproductive strategies were observed: (1) continuous and low level of reproduction throughout the year (Alacranes Reef, San Pedro, and San Andres Archipelago); and (2) a discrete and intense reproductive period with rapid gametogenesis (Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Barbados). Queen conch required a temperature of >=27.7 °C to initiate gametogenesis; and were found in the resting stage below 27.5 °C. Based on a comparison of spawning seasons across the reproductive strategies observed, we suggest that the most "biologically meaningful" period for a closed season for the entire western central Atlantic would need to incorporate the months of June to September, at a minimum, to offer regional protection for spawners.
Biological aspects of Mithraculus forceps (Brachyura: Mithracidae) from Anchieta Island, Ubatuba, Brazil

The population structure of Mithraculus forceps sampled monthly on Anchieta Island from January 1999 to December 2000 was studied. A total of 68 individuals were collected by SCUBA diving. The population presented normal and unimodal distribution, and the total sex ratio was 1·4:1·0 in favour of males. Ovigerous females were captured during all seasons. The pattern observed for the M. forceps population in Anchieta Island indicated the strategy favoured by environmental characteristics of the island and by coexistence with other decapod crustaceans in the studied area.
Influência do estádio de maturação da flor na produção de sementes de pimentão com polinização manual

INFLUENCE OF FLOWER STAGE MATURATION IN SWEET PEPPER SEED YIELD The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate the influence of flower development stage on sweet pepper seed yield in manual pollination. The trial was set up in a randomized complete block design, with five treatments, six replications and ten plants/plot. The treatments were manual pollination soon after flower emasculation; manual pollination one, two and three days after emasculation (always with flower emasculation one day before anthesis) and a control (natural pollination). Higher seed yields (weight and number), per fruit and per pollination, were obtained with pollination either one day before anthesis or at anthesis, treatments that did not differ from natural pollination.
Overwintered brood comb honey: colony exposure to pesticide residues

Summary To address beekeeper concerns about pesticide residues in overwintered honey, paired samples were obtained from the extracted supers and the brood chamber of the same colony. Only eight residues were detected: coumaphos, fluvalinate, boscalid, dimethoate, atrazine, bentazon, dichlorobenzene and thymol. Honey from extracted supers was significantly less likely to contain pesticide residues than honey from brood comb. Fluvalinate was detected only in overwintered brood comb honey, and coumaphos was found at significantly higher levels in the overwintered samples from the brood comb-honey super pairs. Pesticide residues in honey, while low in comparison to other substrates in the hive, contribute to the overall pesticide exposure of honey bees, with overwintered brood comb honey contributing more than honey stored in other locations in the hive.
VA SURVEY OF BARLEY YELLOW DWARF VIRUS IN S.24 PERENNIAL RYEGRASS IN ENGLAND AND WALES, 1966

SUMMARY A survey of barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) in S.24 perennial ryegrass in England and Wales was carried out between January and March 1966. Of the 112 samples tested, 104 were infected and this included many samples which appeared healthy. Many of the virus isolates were severe strains and these were mainly transmitted by Rhopalosiphum padi, the most efficient vector. There was no evidence of regional distribution of the virus.
MicroRNA-based molecular markers: a novel PCR-based genotyping technique in Brassica species

DNA-based molecular markers play a significant role in gene mapping, genetic diversity analysis, germplasm evaluation and molecular marker-assisted selection. A combination of desirable marker characteristics such as abundant polymorphism, good stability, ease of production and high efficiency is difficult to achieve when utilizing traditional molecular marker systems. MicroRNAs are a type of endogenous non-coding RNAs prevalent in the genomes of many organisms. The high conservation of miRNA and pre-miRNA sequences provides an opportunity to develop a novel molecular marker type. We downloaded 82 miRNA sequences from the Brassica miRBase database and designed 46 single miRNA-based primers which could be randomly combined to generate primer pairs. A proportion of these primer pairs were validated for transferability and polymorphism using DNA from 16 varieties of six Brassica species. The percentage of polymorphic primer pairs were 28.1%, and the average polymorphism information content (PIC) value for the 34 primer pairs was 0.43. Good transferability was verified across species. These results indicate that miRNA-based markers provide a novel genotyping technique with low costs, high efficiency, stability and good transferability.
ANGIOSPERMIC FLORA OF RUNCTIA SAL FOREST, BANGLADESH. I. LILIOPSIDA (MONOCOTS)

This paper presents 49 plant species belonging to 38 genera and 13 families of the division Liliopsida (monocots) from Runctia sal forest in Sherpur district, Bangladesh. The update nomenclature, habit, habitat and representative specimen have been provided for each species. Important synonyms and local names have also been furnished, wherever available. Keywords: Angiosperm; Monocots; Runctia sal forest. DOI: 10.3329/bjpt.v16i1. 2750 Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 16 (1): 83-90, 2009 (June)
The impact of aphicide drenches on Micromus tasmaniae (Walker) (Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae) and the implications for pest control in lettuce crops

The recent arrival of lettuce aphid (Nasonovia ribis-nigri (Mosley) ) in Australia has resulted in a pesticide-based protection program based upon seedling drenches of imidacloprid being promoted by many advisory agencies and accepted by growers as the only option available. This has caused concern about potential for incompatibility with existing integrated pest management programs for other pests in lettuce. Two neonicotinoid insecticides, imidacloprid (Confidor 200SC) and thiamethoxam (Actara), were applied to lettuce seedlings by drenching. A model aphid (Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas) ), used because N. ribis-nigri was not present in mainland Australia at that time, was periodically released onto the seedlings over 10 weeks. The effects of imidacloprid and thiamethoxam on larvae of predatory brown lacewings (Micromus tasmaniae (Walker) ) which fed on the aphids were measured over 10 weeks by bioassay. Imidacloprid applied at a rate of 11 mL active ingredient (ai) per 1000 seedlings and thiamethoxam applied at 0.5 g ai per 1000 seedlings were highly toxic to M. tasmaniae that consumed aphids from the seedlings for up to 4 weeks after application. A 1/10 rate of imidacloprid (1.1 mL ai per 1000 seedlings) caused moderate toxicity for 3 weeks, and was then harmless to M. tasmaniae. Thiamethoxam and the high rate of imidacloprid caused almost complete mortality of aphids for about 6 weeks after application, and the low rate of imidacloprid displayed similarly high activity for about 3 weeks.
Effects of piscivore‐mediated habitat use on growth, diet and zooplankton consumption of roach: an individual‐based modelling approach

1. We used an individual based modelling approach for roach to (i) simulate observed diel habitat shifts between the pelagic and littoral zone of a mesotrophic lake; (ii) analyse the relevance of these habitat shifts for the diet, activity costs and growth of roach; and (iii) quantify the effects of a hypothetical piscivore-mediated (presence of pikeperch) confinement of roach to the littoral zone on roach diet, activity costs and growth. 2. The model suggests that in the presence of pikeperch, roach shifts from zooplankton as the primary diet to increased consumption of less nutritious food items such as macrophytes, filamentous algae and detritus. 3. The growth of roach between May and October was predicted to be significantly higher in the absence of pikeperch, although the net activity costs were about 60% higher compared with the scenario where pikeperch were present. 4. These modelling results provide quantitative information for interpreting diel horizontal migrations of roach as a result from a trade-off between food availability and predation risk in different habitats of a lake. 5. Altering the habitat selection mode of planktivorous roach by piscivore stocking has the potential to reduce zooplankton consumption by fish substantially, and could therefore be used as a biomanipulation technique complementing the reduction of zooplanktivorous fish.
Brain size and ecology in small mammals

Relative brain size (measured as gross brain size after body size effects are removed) differs systematically between families of rodents, insectivores and lagomorphs. The Sciuridae have the largest relative brain size, the Soricidae and Bathyergidae the smallest. These results are discussed and compared with previous analyses of relative brain sizes among primates and bats. These differences complicate comparisons between relative brain size across phylogenetically diverse species and attempts to relate differences in relative brain size to ecological variables. To overcome these problems, best fit relationships were estimated for each family, and values for each genus were expressed as deviations from the lines of best fit. We refer to these values as Comparative Brain Size (CBS). Differences in CBS are related to differences in habitat type (forest-dwelling genera have larger CBS' than grassland forms), in diet (folivores have smaller CBS' than generalists or insectivores, frugivores and granivores), in zonation (arboreal genera have larger CBS' than terrestrial ones) and in activity timing (nocturnal genera have larger CBS' than dirurnal ones). However, these ecological categories are interrelated and, when the effects of other ecological differences are taken into account using analyses of variance, only the differences associated with diet, and possibly habitat remain.
Prospects for the utilization of genetically modified crops in Africa

Abstract Plant diseases not found in many other parts of the world can be found in Africa. These diseases severely hinder crop production, potentially resulting in a lack of food security. Many of the disease problems are amenable to both classical and modern breeding solutions. However, some are challenging diseases that require the use of genetic modification. This paper discusses some of the diseases whereby genetically modified crops (GMO) can provide a solution. They include maize resistant to the endemic African Maize streak virus, cassava resistant to Cassava mosaic virus, and bananas resistant to bacterial wilt. In addition, other traits of value to farmers in Africa may include maize resistant to insects, post-harvest fungi and to weeds, drought-tolerant maize and vitamin-enriched crops. Consideration is given to some of the concerns preventing governments from approving the commercialization of these crops, including food and safety issues.
Root browning in Pinus banksiana Lamb. and Eucalyptus pilularis Sm. 1: Anatomy and permeability of the white and tannin zones

Growing tree roots are characteristically brown with white tips. The browning process, which occurs as the white region matures, has often been attributed to the deposition of suberin in various tissues. However, in pouch-grown tree seedlings of jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus pilularis Sm.), browning was not linked to suberization but was caused by the deposition of condensed tannins in the walls of all cells external to the stele. Therefore, we propose using the term “tannin zone” to refer to this region of the root. Vitality tests indicated that the cells of the epidermis and cortex were alive in white regions but were dead in brown regions. Following sequential treatment with berberine hemisulfate and potassium thiocyanate, the cortical walls external to the endodermal Casparian band were full of berberine thiocyanate crystals, indicating that they were permeable to berberine. These walls should also be permeable to water and ions, which have smaller molecular dimensions than the tracer dye. Based on the anatomy and permeability of the tannin zone, we predict that its capacity for ion uptake would be reduced compared to the white zone because of a reduced absorptive plasmalemma surface area. In jack pine, some uptake could be effected by the passage cells of the endodermis. The tannin zone should be even less absorptive in eucalyptus because the exodermis remains an apoplastic barrier and the endodermis lacks passage cells. It is difficult to predict the difference between the tannin and white zones with respect to water uptake. Death of the cells external to the endodermis would reduce the resistance of the root to water movement, but deposition of tannins would increase it. The deposition of suberin lamellae in increasing numbers of endodermal cells may also retard water flow. The anatomy and physiological properties of the tannin zone are unique from those of the distal, white zone and the proximal, cork-clad zone.
Interaction between a nucleopolyhedrovirus and the braconid parasitoid Meteorus pulchricornis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in the larvae of Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

We investigated the survival and development of the braconid parasitoid Meteorus pulchricornis in nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV)-infected Spodoptera litura larvae. The first and second molting stages of the larvae were parasitized by M. pulchricornis and were exposed to a 95% lethal concentration (LC95) and 10× the LC95 of S. litura NPV (SpltNPV) on the first, third, and fifth day post-parasitization (dpp). Infection of the larvae with SpltNPV was deleterious to the survival and development of M. pulchricornis. The survival of M. pulchricornis in SpltNPV-infected S. litura larvae was dependent on the interval between parasitization and viral infection, as well as on the inoculation dose of SpltNPV; few parasitoid larvae emerged from infected hosts when host larvae were exposed to 10× the LC95 of SpltNPV on 1 and 3 dpp. The fecundity of M. pulchricornis that emerged from SpltNPV-infected hosts was not affected, and these parasitoids did not transmit the virus to other hosts. The number of eggs laid by M. pulchricornis females was not significantly different between the SpltNPV-infected and non-infected larvae during the first 4 d post-infection (dpi). On the other hand, at 5 dpi, M. pulchricornis females laid significantly more eggs in non-infected larvae than in SpltNPV-infected larvae.
TGF-β Superfamily Signaling and Left-Right Asymmetry

Despite an outwardly bilaterally symmetrical appearance, most internal organs of vertebrates display considerable left-right (LR) asymmetry in their anatomy and physiology. The orientation of LR asymmetry with respect to the dorsoventral and anteroposterior body axes is invariant such that fewer than 1 in 10,000 individuals exhibit organ reversals. The stereotypic orientation of LR asymmetry is ensured by distinct left- and right-side signal transduction pathways that are initiated by divergent members of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily of secreted proteins. During early embryogenesis, the TGF-β-like protein Nodal (or a Nodal-related ortholog) is expressed by the left lateral plate mesoderm and provides essential LR cues to the developing organs. In chick embryos at least, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling is active on the right side of the embryo and must be inhibited on the left in order for Nodal to be expressed. Thus, at a key point in the determination of LR asymmetry, left-sided signaling is mediated by the transcription factors Smad2 and Smad3 (regulated by Nodal), whereas signaling on the right depends on Smad1 and Smad5 (which are regulated by BMP). This review summarizes the considerable progress that has been made in recent years in understanding the complex network of feedback and feedforward circuitry that regulates both the left- and right-sided pathways. Also discussed is the problem of how signal transduction mediated by the Smad proteins can pattern LR asymmetry without interfering with coincident dorsoventral patterning, which relies on the same Smad proteins. The invariant left-right asymmetry of visceral organs in higher chordates depends on signal transduction initiated by the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily of secreted proteins during early embryogenesis. TGF-β proteins are well known for their roles in numerous other developmental processes, including the specification of dorsoventral pattern. This review discusses current knowledge of the regulatory hierarchies that ensure invariant left-right asymmetry as well as the potential mechanisms that permit a common set of signaling proteins to specify pattern along both the left-right and dorsoventral body axes.
Metabolism of the Melatonin Metabolite N1-Acetyl-N2-formyl-5-methoxykynuramine in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In yeast, melatonin had previously been shown to be formed and to be metabolized to other 5-methoxylated indoles. We now demonstrate that an alternate melatonin metabolite, N1-acetyl-N2-formyl-5-methoxykynuramine (AFMK), is converted by S. cerevisiae to N1-acetyl-5-methoxykynuramine (AMK), which is subsequently released to the culture medium. By means of an NO donor, PAPA-NONOate, AMK extracted from the medium is nitrosated to 3-acetamidomethyl-6-methoxycinnolinone (AMMC). The deformylation of AFMK was enhanced by aspartate or glutamine. This is not a general phenomenon of providing nitrogen sources, since asparagine and arginine were slightly, and guanidine strongly inhibitory, whereas addition of ammonium caused only small increases. Experiments with glutamine or high ammonium indicate the formation of another metabolite, N-[2-(6-methoxyquinazolin-4-yl)-ethyl]-acetamide (MQA).
Coffee Yield and Microenvironmental Factors in a Native Tree Agroforestry System in Southeast Minas Gerais, Brazil

In Minas Gerais State, Brazil, some shade coffee production systems presented extremely low yield and have become economically unsustainable for family coffee farmers. In this study, coffee yield and microenvironmental factors in the agroforestry system were associated with tree species and the number of trees at different distances from the coffee shrubs. Forty coffee shrubs were marked, and concentric circles were established around each shrub at distances of 3 m, 5 m, and 7 m. The shade, litterfall, soil moisture, soil P content, and soil K content were determined near the coffee shrubs. Data were analyzed by path coefficient analyses. The number of individual Schizolobium parahyba trees between 0 and 3 m was positively correlated with soil P content, but this species was negatively correlated with coffee yield at all distances. The number of individual of Senna macranthera trees between 3 and 5 m was positively correlated with shading, which was positively correlated with soil moisture and, in turn, positively correlated with coffee yield. The results of this study suggested that growing individual S. macranthera trees between 3 and 5 m from coffee shrubs enhances coffee yield due to shading, which maintains soil moisture longer during the dry season.