Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transcriptome-wide profiling of the neonatal monocyte response to E. coli and S. epidermidis

Preterm infants are extremely vulnerable to life-threatening invasive infections (particularly with Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli) however our understanding of their innate immune defences is limited. Furthermore, prenatal exposure to histologic chorioamnionitis (HCA) complicates 40–70% of preterm births and is known to modulate the risk for sepsis, yet the impact of HCA on the development of innate immunity is largely unknown. We hypothesised that inadequate monocyte activation by neonatal pathogens results in impaired innate immune responses thereby increasing preterm infants’ susceptibility to invasive infection, and that prenatal exposure to HCA overrides these impairments. Cell sorting and bacterial stimulation methodologies were developed and optimised specifically for working with human infant cord blood samples. RNA-sequencing was performed on purified cord blood monocytes from very preterm (≤31 weeks gestational age (GA)) and term infants (37–40 weeks GA) following challenge with live S. epidermidis or E. coli to identify gene/pathway differences specific to the preterm infant. Protein levels of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines were measured in paired monocyte culture supernatants. Preterm infants displayed a quantitative monocyte deficiency compared to term infants, manifesting as reduced frequencies of classical monocytes with significantly reduced CD14 expression. However monocytes from preterm infants did not exhibit an intrinsically deficient transcriptional or protein response to stimulation with either pathogen. Prenatal exposure to HCA resulted in the transcriptional reprograming of a subset of genes towards a hyporesponsive phenotype in response to S. epidermidis, but not E. coli. The major transcriptional changes induced by either pathogen were highly conserved across infant groups and between stimuli, highlighting a conserved neonatal monocyte response to infection that was largely mediated by pattern recognition receptor/NF-kB signalling. In addition, we observed an interferon/anti-viral immune signature that was specific to monocyte stimulation with E. coli. This is the first transcriptome-wide analysis of the neonatal monocyte response to E. coli and S. epidermidis. This data provides novel insights into the functionality of preterm and term infant monocytes and confirms that exposure to HCA may impact on the development on neonatal immunity.
High prevalence of pulmonary diffusion abnormalities without interstitial changes in long‐term survivors of liver transplantation

Abnormalities in lung function are frequent findings in patients with terminal stage chronic liver disease. While spirometric parameters improve early after liver transplantation, a reduction in diffusion capacity has been reported up to 15 months after transplantation. It is unknown to what extent this disturbance in gas exchange occurs among long term survivors after liver transplantation. We assessed lung function in terms of spirometry, and gas exchange as well as pulmonary morphology by high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in 40 patients 38 months (median, range 20–147 months) after liver transplantation. The prevalence of restrictive or obstructive changes was not different from predicted values. For the whole group of long‐term survivors the carbon monoxide transfer coefficient (KCO) was reduced to 71.3 + 12.0% predicted (P < 0.05). HRCT revealed interstitial changes in only 2/40 (5.0%), emphysematous bullae in 2/40 (5.0%) and pleural thickening in 9/40 (22,5 %). Diffusion abnormalities are prevalent in the majority of patients after liver transplantation, whereas spirometric abnormalities are absent also in the long term. The high prevalence of impaired gas exchange and the absence of interstitial lesions imply that changes in pulmonary blood vessels are the most likely cause.
A STUDY ON ADOPTION OF MOBILE BANKING IN PUNE CITY

In today’s dynamic banking environment, use of information technology has become an integral part. Banks today attempt to use new strategies that help facilitate online transactions and sharing of information. In order to link the banking business to the mobile devices like cell phones and I-pads, use of mobile apps is one such strategy. Through mobile banking it is easy for customers to get interactive banking services at their convenient time and locations, which initiates great value for them (Mallat et al., 2004). Moreover, mobile banking adoption significantly impacts reduction of costs and facilitates change in retail banking. There are limitations which need to be encountered like the lack of infrastructure and poor internet connectivity. Bandopadhyay (2010), state that developing countries have also adopted mobile banking services.
Insecticidal effects of different application techniques for silica dusts in plant protection on Phaedon cochleariae Fab. and Pieris brassicae L.

Since the 1900s, diatomaceous earth (DE) has been used as an alternative to chemical insecticides in stored product protection. New silica and DE formulations offer expanded possibilities for use in horticultural crops. However, many crop pests are found on the leaf underside and this is especially challenging when using silica because the substance must have direct contact with the insect to be effective. We tested three application techniques with three formulations of silica to evaluate their efficacy against different developmental stages of mustard leaf beetle (Phaedon cochleariae Fab.) and the cabbage worm of the large white butterfly (Pieris brassicae L.) on the host plant species pak choi (Brassica rapa ssp. chinensis L.). Formulations were applied manually with a powder blower, with an electrostatic spray gun, and in a closed chamber also working with electrostatic forces. The silica formulations used in the biotests were Fossil Shield 90.0s®, AE R974®, and a formulation developed at Humboldt University Berlin called AL-06-109. All formulations contained at least 60% silicon dioxide. Significant differences in efficacy were detected with different application methods and/or silica formulations. AL-06-109 electrostatic cabin-applied was the most effective combination. All formulations, if applied electrostatically, resulted in good coverage and in high plant protection against insect pests. Dusts applied manually were unevenly distributed and easily removed by wind from leaf surfaces. Electrostatic application with a spray gun resulted in even particle distribution on plants, but overspray was high. To accomplish even coverage without wasting so much active material, an enclosed mobile chamber with an electrostatic spray system and an attached exhaust system was developed.
Research on dynamic change of tobacco soil microbes in Dali

Tobacco rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere microbes,s dynamic changes were studied using microbial culture plate at six different tobacco planting regions in Dali in order to identify change trends of soil microbes in flue-cured tobacco growing season.Soil nourishing ingredients were also analyzed.Results showed that little bacteria and fungi in rosette stage were observed in both rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil,but the number of bacteria reached peak at maturity or late-curing stage,while fungi reach peak at rapid-growth or maturity stage.The largest number of actinomycosis appeared in rosette-stage,and the number of rhizosphere soil actinomycosis was slightly greater than that of non-rhizosphere soil.The number of actinomycetes quantity was significantly correlated to organic matter and available nitrogen in rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil,especially correlation between organic matter and actinomycetes.There was significant negative correlation between rhizosphere soil bacteria and available nitrogen,available phosphorus and potassium.Therefore,it is beneficial to keep proper nutrition in soil for controling bacterial diseases.
ON SOME NEW OR INTERESTING EAST AFRICAN AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES

SUMMARY Description of a new frog tentatively assigned to the genus Hildebrandtia [Hildebrandtia (? ) largeni n.sp. from Garoe, N Somalia] and of five new geckos of the genus Hemidactylus: H. arnoldi n.sp. from NW Somalia, H. bavazzanoi n.sp. from SW Somalia, H. granchii n.sp. from central Somalia, H. yerburyi pauciporosus n.subsp. from N Somalia and H. funaiolii n.sp. from Archer's Post, central Kenya. Notes on the frogs Hemisus marmoratus marmoratus (Peters, 1854), genus new to Somalia, Hyperolius argus Peters, 1854, Hyperolius nasutus (Gunther, 1864), Hyperolius pusillus (Cope, 1862), three species new to Somalia, Phrynomerus bifasciatus bifasciatus (Smith, 1847), subspecies new to Somalia, and on some interesting Somalian amphibians [Hyperolius viridiflavus (Dumeril & Bibron, 1841)] and reptiles: the lizards Hemidactylus parkeri Loveridge, 1936, which substitutes H. turcicus (Linnaeus, 1758) in eastern Africa, Hemidactylus macropholis Boulenger, 1896, Hemidactylus sinaitus Boulenger, 1885, Hemidactylus.
Sarcoptic mange and the demography of the red fox, Vulpes vulpes

Vertebrate species are managed for many reasons, including their role as economically important predators or as carriers of disease. Successful management depends on the ability to predict the outcome of management actions on a species’ population dynamics. However, uncertainty in the models used to make such predictions can arise from multiple sources, including sampling error in vital rates, intraspecific demographic variation and unknown interspecific interactions. The red fox Vulpes vulpes provides a useful model organism for exploring such uncertainty, because management of this important predator and disease host is often ineffective, despite substantial sampling effort. By explicitly accounting for sampling error in survival and fecundity, confidence intervals for population growth rates were derived from published point estimates of red fox demographic data. Uncertainty in population growth rates was found to be high, requiring a quadrupling of sampling effort to halve the confidence intervals. Given the often poor justification for the choice of distribution used to model litter size, the influence of probability distributions on population model outcomes was tested. In this first comprehensive evaluation, estimates of quasi-extinction and disease control probabilities for three Canid species were found to be robust to litter size distribution choice. Demographic analyses of the red fox revealed a medium to fast life history speed and significant survival and fecundity contributions from juveniles to population growth. Intraspecific variation was detected within these spectra of demographic metrics: the first such demonstration for carnivores. Simulated data substitution between fox populations revealed that geographic proximity and similar levels of anthropogenic disturbance did not infer demographic similarity. Considering the sampling effort expended on the red fox, the species appears well-studied; yet, substantial limitations in data collection were identified. Compartment modelling of a sarcoptic mange outbreak in an urban fox population in Bristol, UK, revealed that disease transmission was frequency-dependent, consistent with contact rates being determined by social interactions rather than by population density. Individual-based modelling suggested that indirect transmission, genetic resistance and long-distance recolonisation were required to replicate the observed rapid spread of mange and subsequent population recovery. Thus, this first attempt to model mange dynamics in this canid provided novel insight into previously uncertain epidemiological and behavioural processes in the transmission of sarcoptic mange in the red fox.
A Whole-Basin Diatom Accumulation Rate for a Small Eutrophic Lake in Northern Ireland and its Palaeoecological Implications

(1) Twelve cores from a lake affected by creamery effluent disposal (Lough Augher, Co. Tyrone, N. Ireland) were analysed for diatom stratigraphy. Cores were dated by biostratigraphic correlation to a 2 0Pb-dated master core. Diatom accumulation rates were estimated for individual cores, and for the average of all cores. (2) The plankton diatom succession caused by the creamery effluent disposal represents a simple eutrophication sequence, and agrees well with that hypothesized by culture studies of diatom responses to changing Si: P ratios. (3) Relative frequency stratigraphies in deep-water cores are clearly repeatable. However, diatom accumulation rates for individual cores are variable, and no single core is strictly representative of the mean accumulation rate for the whole lake, because of a complex pattern of diatom deposition. (4) A mean accumulation rate was calculated for the whole lake. The maximum, approximately 18 x 106 cells cm-2 year1, occurs between 1940 and 1957, suggesting that this was the most productive diatom period. In contrast, maximum Stephanodiscusparvus percentages, a diatom commonly assumed to indicate lake eutrophy, occur between 1964 and 1974. This later period relates, perhaps, to maximum whole-lake productivity with greater contributions from non-siliceous algae. (5) Percentage data and accumulation rates in individual cores under-estimate the importance of the periphyton; their mean accumulation rate c. 1900-80 for the whole lake (10-12 x 106 cells cm-2 year1) is greater than that of the plankton (1-5-6 x 106 cells cm-2 year-1). This has significant palaeoecological implications for the assessment of diatom responses to eutrophication. (6) The contrasting palaeoecological interpretations of the different data types are discussed. The different conclusions are reconcilable in terms of the variable nutrient requirements and sources of the plankton and periphyton.
Changes in leaf photosynthesis with plant ontogeny and relationships with yield per ear in wheat cultivars and 120 progeny

Six wheat cultivars, and 120 random progeny derived from composite crosses among these cultivars and 10 others, were grown in a glasshouse and changes in photosynthesis of the main-shoot leaves determined throughout ontogeny. Photosynthetic rates for each leaf generally showed a short-term rise after ligule emergence, a plateau, and then a linear decline as the leaf aged. Both peak photosynthesis, and the rates of reduction in photosynthesis with aging, increased with successive leaves, and then either stabilized or declined in the upper leaf positions. Leaves also increased in area in a power progression with plant ontogeny. The combined effect of these factors was that successive leaves fixed progressively more carbon during their lives. Leaf emergence was essentially linear with time. Fast leaf emergence was linked with small leaves and a greater final leaf number. Whilst there was a negative correlation between area per leaf and photosynthetic rate, in terms of carbon fixation per leaf the benefits of larger leaves far outweighed the negative effects of reduced rates. Rates of aging of leaves and areas of leaves accounted for the major differences in carbon fixation per leaf among cultivars. There was no correlation between peak photosynthetic rates of leaf 3 and the flag leaf so that any screening for high rates could not be done on seedling leaves. In any event, this could be of doubtful benefit because yield per ear was unrelated to peak photosynthetic rates of the flag leaf. However, yield per ear was correlated with flag leaf area (P<0.05), rate of decline of flag leaf photosynthesis with age (P<0.001, inverse), and most closely with cumulative carbon production by the flag leaf during its life (P<0.001).
Performance, carcasses, cholesterol and beta-carotene of rabbit meat fed with concentrate and carrot (Daucus carota) leaves

This study aims to observe the effect of concentrated levels in carrot leaf based feeds to improve performance, carcass and β-carotene content in local rabbit meat at 8 weeks. This study used a feed experiment using 120 local 8-week-old male rabbits divided four group treatments and 6 replications. The four group treatments were rabbits fed on carrot leaf based rations with supplementation: 0% concentrate as a control (A), 10% (B); 20% (C); and 30% (D), respectively. Each treatment consisted of six replication cages with five rabbits per cage. The results showed that feed consumption, final body weight, weight gain, carcass weight, and percentage of carcasses in Groups B, C and D, were significantly (P<0.05) higher than Group A. The lowest cholesterol content was found in rabbits group A (P<0.05). In contrast, the highest beta-carotene levels of meat (P<0.05) were found in group A. It was concluded that supplementation of 10-20% concentrate in carrot leaf based rations could increase live weight gains, carcass weight, carcass percentage, and feed efficiency in local rabbits up to 8 weeks old. The highest content of β-carotene in rabbit meat was found in feeding 100% of carrot leaves.
Strength of HLA‐A, HLA‐B, and HLA‐DR mismatches in relation to short‐ and long‐term kidney graft survival

The separate influence of HLA‐A, HLA‐B, and HLA‐DR mismatches on short‐ and long‐term kidney graft survival was analyzed in a series of over 40,000 recipients of first cadaver kidney transplants. As expected, during the early posttransplant period, HLA‐DR mismatches had a stronger influence on graft survival than HLA‐B mismatches, and HLA‐A mismatches had a very small influence. Surprisingly, during the period from 6 months to 5 years post transplantation, all three HLA loci had approximately the same influence. When the graft survival computation was started at 100 % at 6 months, the difference between grafts with zero or two mismatches at the end of 5 years was 6 %, regardless of whether HLA‐A, HLA‐B, or HLA‐DR antigens were analyzed. The influence of the three loci was additive so that the survival rate difference between transplants with zero or six mismatches for HLA‐A, ‐B, ‐DR was 17 % at 5 years. We concluded that, although the HLA‐A locus exerts only a weak influence during the early posttransplant course, its influence on long‐term survival is comparable to that of HLA‐B and HLA‐DR. In order to obtain optimal long‐term survival, all three loci must be considered in the donor‐recipient matching procedure.
Density of birds in Eucalypt woodland affected to varying degrees by dieback

Birds were censused in four sites near Armidale, NSW. One area of healthy eucalypt woodland had twenty-three and twenty-one birds per hectare in censuses during July-September 1978 and August-December 1979. One site, suffering a moderate degree of 'eucalypt dieback', had about ten buds per hectare. Another site with severe dieback had just over two birds per hectare, and open grassland less than one bird per hectare. These three sites were censused in 1979. The estimated energy requirements of the buds were similar in healthy and moderately affected sites but reduced to forty and ten per cent of those in the healthy site in severely affected woodland, and grassland. Small insectivorous birds disappeared most rapidly as trees declined in health whereas larger birds were less severely affected. Australian Magpies and Eastern Rosellas were most abundant in the moderately and severely affected sites. Loss of cover specially in the understorey, which resulted in greater exposure of the nests of small birds to predation and weather, was probably the main reason for losses of small insectivorous birds. To establish diverse bird communities and probably healthy woodland on the New England Tablelands, areas ought to be fenced to prevent grazing and to allow a shrub layer to develop.
Effects of Sublethal Dosage of Imidacloprid on the Growth,Development and Population Parameter of Two Color Morphs of Pea Aphid

To further understand the effects of sublethal dosage of imidacloprid on the growth,development and population parameter of red and green morphs of pea aphid(Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris)(Hemiptera.Aphidiae),both color morphs were treated by imidacloprid of different concentrations in the laboratory using life table method,respectively.The results showed that the fecundities of red and green morphs treated by imidacloprid(LC_20,LC_10and LC_5) were significantly lower than that of control(P0.05). The mean longevities of both color morphs treated by imidacloprid(LC_20) were significantly lower than that of control(P0.05). The minimum mean longevities and fecundities of red and green morph adults treated by imidacloprid(LC_20)were 16.82,21.44 and 2.84,3.60 d,respectively.However,mean longevity was no significant difference between color morphs treated by imidacloprid(LC_10 and LC_5) and control.The developmental durations of F_1 generations of both color morph adults treated by imidacloprid(LC_20) had no significant difference compared with that of control,while the mean longevities were significantly shorter than that of control(P0.05) and the survival rates were higher than that treated by imidacloprid(LC_10). The average fecundities of F_1 generations of both red and green morphs treated by imidacloprid(LC_10) reached the maximum values of 81.95 and 72.27. The reproductive peaks of F_1 generations differed between both color morphs,the reproductive peak of green morph was 3 to 7 d,and that of red morph was later than green morph.The population parameters of F_1 generations of red and green morphs treated by imidacloprid had no significant difference compared with that of control,whereas the net reproductive rates(R_0)(44.22) and mean generation times(T)(11.29) of F_1 generations of green morph treated by imidacloprid(LC_20) were significantly different compared with that of control(P0.05). The study indicated that the mean longevities and fecundities of both red and green morph adults decreased and the red morph was more sensitive to different sublethal concentrations of imidacloprid than green morph,while the influences of imidacloprid on the F_1 generations of red and green morph were improved with the sublethal concentrations of imidacloprid increasing.
Notropis panarcys, n. sp., and N. proserpinus, Cyprinid Fishes of Subgenus Cyprinella, Each Inhabiting a Discrete Section of the Rio Grande Complex

The two distinctive species herein treated exemplify the disjunct distribution of fishes in local areas within the Rio Grande complex. They are members of the Notropis lutrensis group (subgenus Cyprinella), which is notably characterized by such discrete distributions. N. panarcys occupies the Rio Conchos basin and N. proserpinus (Girard), seemingly its closest relative, occupies three adjacent tributaries of Rio Grande in Texas, Pecos and Devils rivers and Las Moras Creek, and one stream, Rio San Carlos, on the Mexican side.
Nutrients composition of calyces and seeds of three Roselle ( Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) ecotypes from Niger

The chemical composition of calyces and seeds of three ecotypes of Roselle from Niger was compared. The results indicate that calcium (Ca), potassium (K), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg) and protein contents in calyces are significantly different (P<0.005) among ecotypes. The highest concentrations of K, Na, Mg and protein in calyces were recorded for ecotype E7 (35.66, 3.40, 6.01 and 101 mg/g d.w., respectively). Ecotype E9 had the highest Ca content in calyces (34.41 mg/g d.w.); while E3 and E7 had similar and lower contents. The protein content in calyces for E9 (52 mg/g d.w.) was approximately halved compared to those of E3 and E7. For all ecotypes, the concentrations of Ca, K, Mn, Na and Fe in the calyces were higher compared to those in the seeds. In contrast, P content was higher in seeds. The highest K, Na, Mg and P concentrations in seeds were registered for E7 and the lowest ones for E9. Ecotypes E3 and E9 recorded higher and similar Cu, Fe and Mn contents in calyces and in seeds compared to E7. The highest Zn concentrations in seeds were obtained for E3 and E7. Keywords : Niger, Roselle, seeds, calyces, protein, composition, micronutrients, macronutrients African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(26), pp. 4174-4178