Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sublethal effects of pyriproxyfen, a juvenile hormone analogue, on Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae): life table study

The sublethal effects of pyriproxyfen (PYR, a juvenile hormone analogue) were investigated for two consecutive generations on life-history parameters, such as developmental time, pupal weight, fecundity, fertility and longevity of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae). After topical application bioassay of third instar larvae, the LC25 and LC50 values (as sublethal doses) were determined to be 1.49 and 2.01 μg/μl, respectively. The results showed that the egg incubation period, larval and pupal duration times and oviposition period were increased in treated groups compared with the control (treated with distilled water). Pupal weight, adult longevity, fecundity and fertility were significantly reduced in the treatment groups compared with the control. Using the age-stage, two-sex life table analysis, we found that the intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), gross reproduction rate (GRR) and net reproductive rate (R 0) significantly decreased while the mean generation time (T) and doubling time (DT) increased in two treatment groups compared with the control. In addition, administration of PYR induced morphogenetic abnormalities including untanned pupae, larval–pupal intermediates and various defective adults. The LC50 value was more effective on all of the above biological characteristics than the LC25 for both generations, although parents were more affected than the offspring. In general, our results revealed that PYR was highly effective against P. xylostella in the laboratory both directly (causing mortality) and indirectly (disruption of normal growth and development). We conclude that PYR is an excellent candidate for suppressing populations of P. xylostella through its sublethal effects.
The isolation and identification of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) recovered from Los Angeles potable water, a possible source of infection in AIDS patients

Los Angeles water was investigated as a possible source of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection in patients with AIDS. MAC consists of M. avium (MA), M. intracellulare (MI) and Mycobacterium X (MX) (positive for MAC by DNA probe but not MA or MI). The study included 13 reservoirs supplying 90% of the water to the City of Los Angeles, ten major hospitals and 58 dwellings. Water samples were filtered through 0.45 μm Millipore filters and decontaminated with either sodium hydroxide and/or oxalic acid and cetylpyridinium chloride. The decontaminated filters were placed on selective Middlebrook 7H10 medium and observed for growth at three and eight weeks. Coccobacillary acid‐fast bacilli were subcultured; Tween and nitrate negative isolates were identified by DNA hybridization probes. Eight morphotypes were observed and nontubercu‐lous mycobacteria (NTM) were recovered from 12 (92%) reservoirs, 54 (95%) homes, and ten (100%) hospitals. Twenty‐six (34%) of the NTM were probe positive for MAC. MA was isol.
Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation and myogenic differentiation are induced by cholesterol depletion

Myogenic differentiation is a multistep process that begins with the commitment of mononucleated precursors that withdraw from cell cycle. These myoblasts elongate while aligning to each other, guided by the recognition between their membranes. This step is followed by cell fusion and the formation of long and striated multinucleated myotubes. We have recently shown that cholesterol depletion by methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD) induces myogenic differentiation by enhancing myoblast recognition and fusion. Here, we further studied the signaling pathways responsible for early steps of myogenesis. As it is known that Wnt plays a role in muscle differentiation, we used the chemical MβCD to deplete membrane cholesterol and investigate the involvement of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway during myogenesis. We show that cholesterol depletion promoted a significant increase in expression of β-catenin, its nuclear translocation and activation of the Wnt pathway. Moreover, we show that the activation of the Wnt pathway after cholesterol depletion can be inhibited by the soluble protein Frzb-1. Our data suggest that membrane cholesterol is involved in Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the early steps of myogenic differentiation.
Virulence, proteolytic and lipolytic activities of Brazilian Beauveria bassiana s.l. isolates (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) to Rhipicephalus microplus ticks (Acari: Ixodidae)

ABSTRACT Beauveria bassiana s.l. is a cosmopolitan fungus used in the control of different species of arthropods. The current study explored the virulence for ticks, proteolytic and lipolytic activities of 10 Brazilian B. bassiana s.l. isolates. For this purpose, Rhipicephalus microplus biological parameters was evaluated after immersion of the engorged females in fungal suspension (108 conidia mL−1) and the enzymatic activities were performed posteriorly the fungal growth in minimal medium. After the biological assays, five isolates changed all parameters analysed with highest efficacy of approximately 61% (CG 206) and 66% (CG 481). However, we observed that the most virulent isolates did not show the highest enzymatic activities. Interestingly, CG 500, considered an isolate of intermediate efficacy, demonstrated higher enzymatic activities than the other isolates in four of five analyses (total protease, Pr1, Pr2 and lipase; p < .05). Based on these data, it seems reasonable to suggest that these enzymatic activities should not be used as markers of virulence for these fungal isolates. It is noteworthy that complementary studies regarding chitinase analyses, gene expression, production of toxins and hydrophobicity of conidia can be used in the selection of pathogenic isolates.
Sensitivity to sodium fluoroacetate (1080) of native animals from north-western Australia

The sensitivity to sodium monofluoroacetate (1080) of 9 species of native animals from north-western Australia was assessed using the increasing dose procedure to determine the Approximate Lethal Dose for each species. Granivorous birds from this region (e.g. ducks, corellas) were generally more sensitive to 1080 than their counterparts from southern Australia, and would be theoretically at risk from primary poisoning during 1080 grainbased baiting programs. However, the tolerance to 1080 of birds of prey from these areas is sufficient that these species face little risk of secondary poisoning during pest-control programs aimed at rodents or rabbits. The risk of primary poisoning to raptors from meat baits containing 6 mg 1080 per bait or less also appears to be low. The coexistence of brown falcons and barn owls with fluoroacetate-bearing vegetation over parts of their range has probably contributed to their development of tolerance to fluoroacetate.
Anatomical changes induced by triazoles in wheat seedlings

The triazoles triadimefon and S-3307, applied as seed treatments at two concentrations each (0.1 and 1.0, and 0.001 and 0.01 g active ingredient/kg of seed, respectively), increased epicuticular wax and reduced the length but increased the width and thickness of wheat leaves (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Glenlea). Mesophyll cells of treated leaves were thicker than those of controls and there were more layers of cells around the median and lateral vascular bundles of leaves treated with the higher concentration of S-3307. The length of epidermal cells was reduced and the width was increased by both triazoles; the depth of epidermal cells was increased by the higher concentration of triadimefon only. S-3307 increased the number of vascular bundles, whereas triadimefon at the higher concentration increased their diameter. Both concentrations of S-3307 reduced the length of trichomes. The two triazoles increased chloroplast size along both the long and short axes. Compared with those of controls, the stomata in .
Importance of food plants in the prevention and treatment of diabetes in Cameroon.

Background Diabetes is a metabolic pathology that affects the human body's capacity to adequately produce and use insulin. Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes accounts for 5-10 % of diabetic patients. In Type 2 diabetes the insulin produced by the pancreatic islets is not properly used by cells due to insulin resistance. Gestational diabetes sometimes occurs in pregnant women and affects about 18 % of all pregnancies.Diabetes is one of the most important multifactorial metabolic chronic diseases with fatal complications. According to the International Diabetes Federation's estimations in 2015, 415 million people had diabetes and there will be an increase to 642 million people by 2040. Although many ethnopharmacological surveys have been carried out in several parts of the world, no ethnomedical and ethnopharmacological surveys have been done to identify plants used for the prevention and treatment of diabetes. Objective This study aimed to collect and document information on food plants' remedies consumed for the prevention and treatment of diabetes in Cameroon. Methods Ethnomedical and ethnopharmacological thorough preparations were conducted with 1131 interviewees from 58 tribes, following a random distribution. Diabetic patients recorded among this sample signed the informed consent and allowed us to evaluate the effectiveness of 10 identified food plants usually used for self-medication. They were divided into two groups: Group 1 comprised of 42 diabetic patients who regularly consume certain of these food plants, and Group 2 included 58 patients who were town-dwellers and did not regularly eat these identified food plants. Results It was recorded that the onset of diabetes in patients were at about 70 years and 45 years for Group 1 and Group 2 respectively. Hence, a relationship was demonstrated between the onset of diabetes and the consumption of food plants. They contributed to the prevention and/or the delay in clinical manifestations. Conclusion Further investigations and/or clinical trials involving a large number of both type 1 and type 2 diabetics are needed to describe the therapeutic action of many food plants against diabetes. However, this study provides scientific support for the use of herbal medicines in the management of diabetes.
Gα14 and Gαq Mediate the Response to Trypsin in Xenopus Oocytes*

Xenopus oocytes respond to trypsin with a characteristic chloride current, virtually indistinguishable from responses mediated by a large number of native and expressed G protein-coupled receptors. We studied the involvement of G proteins of the Gαq family as possible mediators of this and other G protein-coupled receptor-mediated responses in Xenopusoocytes. We have cloned the third member of the Gαqfamily, Xenopus Gα14, in addition to the previously cloned Xenopus Gαq and Gα11 (Shapira, H., Way, J., Lipinsky, D., Oron, Y., and Battey, J. F. (1994) FEBS Lett. 348, 89–92). Amphibian Gα14 is 354 amino acids long and is 93% identical to its mammalian counterpart. Based on the Gα14cDNA sequence, we designed a specific antisense DNA oligonucleotide (antiGα14) that, together with antiGαq and antiGα11, was used in antisense depletion experiments. 24 h after injection into oocytes, either antiGαq or antiGα14 reduced the response to 1 μg/ml trypsin by 70%, whereas antiGα11 had no effect. A mixture of antiGαq and antiGα14 virtually abolished the response. These data strongly suggest that Gαq and Gα14 are the exclusive mediators of the trypsin-evoked response in Xenopus oocytes. Similar experiments with the expressed gastrin-releasing peptide receptor and muscarinic m1 receptor revealed the coupling of Gαq and Gα11, but not Gα14, to these receptors in oocytes. These results confirm the hypothesis that endogenous members of the Gαq family discriminate among different native receptors in vivo.
Antiaggregant and toxic properties of different solutions on hemocytes of three freshwater bivalves

Hemocytes are main blood components of bivalves playing important roles in toxicological and immune responses. Consequently, a study on these cells may be useful to understand the invertebrate immunological systems. The aim of the present study was to find the best antiaggregant solution, based on its capacity of preserving the natural morphology and viability of hemocytes from the freshwater bivalves, Anodonta cygnea, Unio delphinus, and Corbicula fluminea. Hemocytes from the three species were collected and maintained in different antiaggregant solutions, i.e., ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), EDTA-citrate, modified Alsever solution (MAS), N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), NEM-NaCl, and heparin. The cell morphology and viability were analyzed periodically with light microscopy techniques. Between these assays with various antiaggregant solutions, the best results were obtained with NEM at a concentration of 0.05 mol·L−1. It is also shown that, as expected, the osmolarity of the antiaggregant solutions plays a very important role in cell viability. Based on this study, NEM at 0.05 mol·L−1 was considered an adequate antiaggregant solution for future research on immunological and toxicological responses and other physiological studies of freshwater bivalve hemocytes.
Trading Narratives

This paper is not particularly about trade in goods, nor specifically about trade in the different forms of money that allow us to purchase those goods. Rather, it examines trade in those derivatives of goods and money that attract and enable the activities of three types of traders: hedgers, speculators and arbitrageurs. And it is in these traders themselves that the paper shows greatest interest. Hedgers apparently use derivatives markets to avoid exposure to an adverse movement in the price of an asset that they hold or expect to hold; speculators to take a position in the market that effectively constitutes a bet (that the market will go up or down); whilst arbitrageurs seek to profit from price differentials between two markets in which the entities that are being traded are, in the light of the arbitrage opportunity, mispriced relative to one another. For hedgers and speculators particularly, that which is being traded is seemingly ‘risk’, with the former selling and latter buying. But what does the buying and selling of risk do to those who engage in it? Who makes the markets in which risk can be traded? How do those who construct and trade in markets for risk make sense of themselves and their activities? And who pays the price when things go wrong? These then are the ambitious questions the paper seeks to address. It does so through consideration of accounts by and of traders themselves and by those limited numbers of scholars who have conducted ethnographic study of them. For the subjectivities of those who construct, trade and inhabit the markets for risk are, in an increasingly interconnected financial world, central to the fortunes of those of us who inhabit the more pedestrian economy. From the perspective of the pedestrian economy, the world of high finance and its inhabitants appear as other, whilst we, with our pedestrian concerns, seem other to it and those that live there. And thus we attempt to bring back tales of and by the natives of those strange lands of risk so that you can see what living there is like.
Second Diapause in Spruce Budworm from Eastern Canada

In eastern Canada larvae of the spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.), complete their development in one year, undergoing only one period of winter diapause in the second instar, whereas in certain parts of British Columbia, at high altitudes, two years are normally required for development, the larvae spending a second period of winter diapause in the fourth instar (3, 9). Among laboratory-reared eastern budworm there are a few individuals that enter a similar second diapause (7). The low incidence and somewhat irregular occurrence of this second diapause in eastern budworm, even in laboratory rearings, have hitherto made detailed studies almost impossible, but unusual storage times and treatments used recently in rearing experiments had the unexpected effect of increasing the incidence of this tvpe of behaviour to a level where experimental analysis became possible. This paper describes these larvae and their behaviour; an account of the effects of various conditions upon the incidence of second diapause will be presented later.
Discards from the artisanal shrimp fishery in a tropical coastal lagoon of Mexico: spatio‐temporal patterns and fishing gear effects

Variability in community (richness, diversity and evenness) and population (size structure) attributes of discards was evaluated in a shrimp fishery in Celestun Lagoon, Mexico, in different climatic seasons and hydrological zones. Sampling was conducted using two bottom nets with different mesh size codends: 1.3 cm (used in the fishery) and 2.5 cm. Although the shrimp:discard ratio was 1:1 in both cases, total biomass and abundance with the 1.3-cm mesh size were, respectively, 4.6 and 1.8 times higher than with the 2.5-cm mesh size. This result was consistent in time and space. Discards were dominated by fishes (60% in 1.3-cm mesh size and 96% in 2.5-cm mesh size, mainly Cichlasoma urophthalmus (Gunther), Eucinostomus gula (Quoy & Gaimard) and Lucania parva (Baird & Girard)) and shellfishes (40% in 1.3-cm mesh size and 4% in 2.5-cm mesh size, mainly Palaemonetes spp. and Callinectes spp.). The highest discards were registered the nortes season with both mesh sizes. The 1.3-cm mesh size retained significantly smaller sizes than the 2.5-cm mesh size in six of the eight most important species. An increase in mesh size, together with a fishery closure during the nortes season, are suggested to mitigate the impact of the fishery on the discarded fauna.
REVIEW OF THE SYSTEMATICS AND GLOBAL DIVERSITY OF FRESHWATER MUSSEL SPECIES (BIVALVIA: UNIONOIDA)

Freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionoida) are interesting because of their unique life cycles, global aggregate distribution and ancient origin. They are also of practical importance due to their worldwide, imperiled status. Of utmost utility for their continued study are a modern assessment of global and regional species diversity and a natural classification that reflects phylogenetic patterns. The freshwater malacological community has taken steps toward satisfying the latter of these requirements, but a consensus census of mussel species has not been published since Fritz Haas’s revisions of the late 1960s. We set out to describe the species-level diversity of the Unionoida by reviewing the secondary literature and developing a comprehensive taxonomic database. Each valid species was assigned to one or more geographical regions (i.e. Nearctica, Neotropica, Afrotropica, Palearctica, Indotropica and Australasia) and one or more subregions, and each valid genus was assigned to the lowest possible level in a classification derived from our own, recent phylogenetic analyses. Based upon a consensus of numerous regional works, our global estimate of freshwater mussel diversity is 840 species. Regional diversity was determined as follows: Nearctica: 302 spp. , Neotropica: 172, Afrotropica: 85, Palearctica: 45, Indotropica: 219 and Australasia: 33. The largest family is the Unionidae, with 674 species. However, the classification of that taxon is currently in flux, and many genera (corresponding to 225 spp.) were assigned to incertae sedis geographical assemblages. Diversity patterns are discussed, and it is suggested that reevaluation of these faunas with modern methods will likely increase recognized species diversity, especially on the southern continents. Our checklist and classification of freshwater mussel species is included as an appendix and mirrored on the MUSSEL Project Web Site (http:// www.mussel-project.net/).
Assessment of tolerance for reducing yield losses in field pea caused by Aphanomyces root rot

Conner, R. L. , Chang, K. F. , Hwang, S. F. , Warkentin, T. D. and McRae, K. B. 2013. Assessment of tolerance for reducing yield losses in field pea caused by Aphanomyces root rot. Can. J. Plant Sci. 93: 473-482. Aphanomyces root rot, caused by Aphanomyces euteiches Drechs. , is a serious disease of peas (Pisum sativum) that can severely reduce seed yield, and few effective control measures are available. The development of pea cultivars with tolerance or partial resistance to Aphanomyces root rot is generally considered to be one of the best options to reduce yield loss. A 4-yr field study was conducted at disease-free sites and at an Aphanomyces root rot site to compare the responses of cultivars and lines in the presence and absence of Aphanomyces root rot, identify breeding lines with tolerance and to evaluate the effects of tolerance on plant growth, disease severity and yield. At the Aphanomyces root rot site, a second test was established in which the phosphite fungicide Phostrol™ was applied as a soil drench treatment to the pea cultivars and lines. Aphanomyces root rot reduced seedling emergence, biomass production and yield in the susceptible pea genotypes. However, line 00-2067 consistently produced relatively high yields at all the field sites. At the Aphanomyces root rot site, yield was closely associated with plant vigour and shoot weight. Small, but significant, differences (P<0.05) in disease severity were observed between susceptible cultivars and tolerant lines indicating that the lines producing high yields at the Aphanomyces root rot site are tolerant rather than partially resistant. The root/shoot weight ratio was very low in the tolerant lines, indicating that even though their root systems were reduced and severely damaged by root rot, they were still able to produce high yields under favourable conditions for the disease. Drench application of the fungicide Phostrol™ did not significantly reduce root rot severity or improve the performance of any of the pea cultivars or lines.
Palynological contribution to the systematics of Rindera and the allied genera Paracaryum and Solenanthus (Boraginaceae-Cynoglosseae)

Abstract Bigazzi, M. , Nardi, E. & Selvi, F. : Palynological contribution to the systematics of Rindera and the allied genera Paracaryum and Solenanthus (Boraginaceae-Cynoglosseae). — Willdenowia 36 (Special Issue): 37–46. — ISSN 0511-9618; © 2006 BGBM Berlin-Dahlem. doi:10.3372/wi.36. 36103 (available via http://dx.doi.org/) The pollen of thirteen species of Rindera, ten of Solenanthus and eight of Paracaryum was examined by light and scanning electron microscopy. Two main pollen types are recognised, one typical of most Rindera species (Rindera tetraspis type) and one occurring in all but one species examined of Paracaryum and Solenanthus (Cynoglossum officinale type). Deviations from the Rindera tetraspis type in Rindera were observed in R. tianschanica, which is characterised by the Cynoglossum officinale pollen type, and R. gymnandra, which shows the Pardoglossum atlanticum type as already published. Within Paracaryum and Solenanthus the only remarkable deviation from the Cynoglossum officinale type was found in Solenanthus hupehensis from China. In the constricted shape and the lack of an ectocingulus, the pollen of this species approaches the Myosotis arvensis type, which is rarely found in the tribe Cynoglosseae. Combined with other morphological peculiarities, pollen characters support the placement of S. hupehensis in a subgenus of its own, S. subg. Silvestria, named after the discoverer of this species.