Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Role of Lectins in Finfish: A Review

Abstract The immune system of vertebrates involves both innate and acquired immune responses. The innate immunity is more generalized with robust response whereas the other has a highly specific response to infectious pathogens. Because of the lack of specialized lymphatic organs, innate immunity is an important mode of defense in fishes. The less specific innate immune system acts mainly through complement pathway which depends on pattern-based recognition of “self” and “non-self” targets by host lectins and associated proteins. This ultimately results in the clearance of target cells. Lectins are glycoproteins which possess at least one carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) that specifically and reversibly binds to a carbohydrate which is widely distributed in bacteria, fungi and viruses, and thus activates the innate immune system. Lectins are involved in many biological functions including cell adhesion, phagocytosis, complement activation and innate immunity. Fish lectins have also an important role in fertilization, embryogenesis and morphogenesis. Based on the structure, binding specificities and calcium dependency, lectins are classified into different families like C-type lectins, F-type lectins, galectins, intelectins, rhamnose binding lectins, I-type lectins, Lily-type lectins etc. Lectins such as ficolins, galectins, calnexin, pentraxin, F-type lectins, intelectins, mannose-binding proteins (MBPs) are known to play an important role in innate immunity and disease resistance. The skin forms an important immune structure in fish and the skin mucus is reported to have lectins, as well as stomach, intestine, liver, gills, eggs, skin, serum, and plasma of different families of fish. In addition to their important role in cellular recognition as pattern recognition receptors, the interaction of lectins with carbohydrates has been explored in various fields of research where saccharide specificity is essential. These proteins are invaluable tools for the study of simple or complex carbohydrates, in solution or on cell surface, as well as for cell characterization. The action of the innate immune system in recognition of a pathogen is initiated by pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs). This can detect and respond to the pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). PRRs also detect death-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) which are endogenous molecules released by damaged or stressed cells. Lectins belong to the humoral component of innate immune system and are involved in recognition of PAMPs effecting in agglutination and neutralization of potential microbial pathogens or activation of complement components. Taken together, various study reports suggest that fin fish lectins plays a major role in immune recognition of microbial pathogens and facilitate their clearance by phagocytosis. The present review discusses the occurrence and biological role of lectins in finfish.
Methods and Model Systems Used to Study Pregnant Human Uterine Smooth Muscle

Successful pregnancy necessitates that the human uterus is maintained in a relaxed, qui- escent state for the majority pregnancy, before ultimately transforming to a contractile phenotype capable of powerful, coordinated contractions to facilitate parturition. The exact mechanisms that regulate this transition are yet to be fully understood, and as such, we still do not understand the molecular mechanisms that trigger the onset of human labor. This is in large part due to the ethical considerations associated with human pregnancy, which, outside of clinical trials, primarily limits human studies to in vitro investigations on cell lines and biopsied tissues. Researchers have therefore devised numerous model systems for investigating pregnant human uterine smooth muscle, which have played vital roles in elucidating the fundamental biology and key regulatory pathways that underpin the transition from quiescence to contractility. This chapter describes in detail, those methods and model systems used to study pregnant human uterine smooth muscle, and explores the challenges associated with these model systems. pieces are enzymatically digested down to single cells (collagenase XI, collagenase IA). Myometrial cells are then purified using a cell sieve and plated into culture plates containing smooth muscle medium (95% O 2 /5% CO 2 /37°C). The cultured myometrial cells are then subjected to desired treatments or experimental conditions, after which cells can be snap frozen or preserved for subsequent analyses.
Fungi associated with postharvest quality deterioration of strawberry at green markets of Lahore

Strawberry ( Fragaria ananassa Duch.) enters in fruit markets of Lahore from December and stays till the start of summer. Major supply of strawberry comes from adjacent areas of Lahore city. Being highly perishable crop, strawberries are marketed very wisely by the stakeholders. Because of fluctuation in temperature and unpredictable rains, deterioration by postharvest fungi is accelerated in summer season. In the present study, series of surveys at fortnight interval were conducted in markets and retailer shops during the months of March to May. Quality deterioration in strawberry was assessed by association of postharvest pathogens expressed as % lesion area fruit surface and sensory parameters. Regular sampling from the available markets exhibited inconstant intensity of fungal flora associated with postharvest losses in strawberry. Potential causal agents from fruit surface and pulp were transferred to potato dextrose agar using different isolation techniques and incubated at 25±2 °C. Isolated pathogens were characterized into surface and pulp contaminants on the basis of their association. A total of 5 fungi M. fragalis , M. genevensis A. niger and A. fumigatus and one unknown were isolated from rotting strawberries. Among isolated fungi, four were grouped under surface adherents and one as pulp contaminant. Surface associated fungi had high occurrence frequency (80%) as compared to fungi isolated from pulp (20%). Identification was performed by macro- and microscopic observation of colonies characters growing on malt extract agar medium. Pure cultures of isolated fungi were identified with the help of key developed by Barent and Hunter and submitted to Fungal Culture Bank of Pakistan. It was first report of postharvest fungi associated with strawberry available in Lahore markets.
In vitro antiglycation and hypoglycaemic effects of Syzygium cumini leaf extracts

Glycation is a prime mechanism responsible for chronic diabetic complications, a process which is enhanced under hyperglycaemia. Natural inhibitors of protein glycation and those which can lower postprandial blood glucose elevation are of utmost importance in minimising the damage caused by diabetes. One objective of this study was to assess the in vitro inhibitory effects of Syzygium cumini (SC) leaf extracts on protein glycation and α-glucosidase activity. The other objective was to identify the type of inhibition on α-amylase activity. SC leaf powder was sequentially extracted with hexane (H), ethyl acetate (E), methanol (M) and water (W). In vitro inhibitory effects of extracts on protein glycation, α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes were measured. M and W were the major fractions recovered [50.74 and 27.94 % (w/w), respectively] while H was the smallest fraction [7.35 % (w/w)] out of total yield. All extracts inhibited fructosamine formation, protein glycation and protein crosslinking at 2 mgmL-1. At 0.05 mgmL-1, fructosamine formation was inhibited in the presence of E, M and W while there was no significant inhibition with H. At 0.1 mgmL-1, antiglycation effect of the H extract was negligible while other extracts retained their effects. IC50 values of H, E, M and W extracts against α-glucosidase were 7.89, 3.11, 0.86 and 0.69 μgmL-1, respectively. A mixed type inhibitory effect was observed on α-amylase with E, M and W extracts. H extract did not inhibit α-amylase. In conclusion, the results provide evidence for antiglycation and hypoglycaemic effects of SC leaf extracts demonstrating better activities in E, M and W extracts.
A Review of Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services in sub-Saharan African Countries: Progress with Private Sector Involvement

Agricultural extension and advisory services in Africa have significant impact on food security as well as economic and social development. Recent moves towards a pluralistic delivery system, including the emergence of private-sector led initiatives in many countries are subject of policy and academic discourse. Our study used an adapted, fit-for-purpose market systems development framework to review available research in extension and advisory services in selected sub-Sahara Africa countries. Using a literature survey methodology, we report evidence of multiple actors in extension delivery, findings that point towards evolution towards mixed delivery as well as objectives. While there are significant uptake of cost-recovery approaches among commercially-oriented farmers, many smallholder farmers still depended on donor-funded services. Our review adds to existing knowledge through incorporating a market systems development framework, which extends the often-used willingness to pay approach, and highlights the need for merger of the public and private-sector objectives to achieve developmental outcomes.
Magnetron sputtered copper bismuth oxide photocathodes for solar water reduction

There is an urgent need for new materials that can catalyze or drive the photoelectrochemical (PEC) conversion of solar energy into chemical energy, i.e. solar fuels. Copper bismuth oxide (CBO) is a promising photocathode material for the photochemical reduction of water. Here, we systematically control the stoichiometry of CBO thin films prepared by reactive, direct-current magnetron co-sputtering from metallic Bi and Cu targets. The intrinsic photophysical and PEC material properties are investigated and evaluated in order to determine the optimum composition for hydrogen formation. Changing the stoichiometry of the films reveals a dramatic change in the optical band gap and crystal structure of CBO. The largest photocurrent density was achieved for a copper-to-bismuth ion ratio of 0.53, close to the CuBi2O4 stoichiometry, which yielded Jph = − 0.48 mA cm−2 at 0 VRHE (RHE = reversible hydrogen electrode). This is the highest value to date for the photochemical reduction of water with CuBi2O4 without an externally applied bias. The absorbed photon-to-current efficiency and the photostability of the films in neutral and alkaline electrolytes were also investigated.
Regulations of ureide biosynthesis genes in tropical legume root nodules

A soybean {Glycine max) cDNA clone, encoding glutamine phosphoribosylpyrophosphate amidotransferase (PRAT) which is the first enzyme of the de novo purine biosynthesis pathway, was isolated from nodule-specific cDNA library. The amino acid sequence deduced from soybean clone showed > 85% similarity to the PRAT sequence of mothbean and 33 to 47% similarity to those of bacteria, yeast, chicken, rat and human. The soybean clone encodes a protein with an N-terminal sequence resembling a plastid-targeting peptide. Downstream from this peptide is a sequence similar to the 11-amino acid propeptide found in the Bacillus subtilis, chicken, rat and human PRAT proteins. The soybean clone encodes characteristic cysteine residues that are known to be involved in the assembly of a [Fe-S] cluster near the Cterminus of this protein. Levels of PRAT roRNA in mothbean nodules were found to increase steadily as the nodules matured from 13 days to 23 days. PRAT mRNA was not detectable in uninfected root tissue but a low level of transcript was detected in leaves. Treatment of uninfected root with L-glutamine induced the PRAT mRNA transcript 38 suggesting that glutamine produced as a result of assimilation of fixed nitrogen controls the expression of this pathway in root nodules. Intrgduttion Symbiotically reduced nitrogen in legume root nodules is assimilated via the incorporation of NH4+ into the amide position of glutamine in a reaction catalyzed by glutamine synthetase(GS). In temperate legumes, the assimilated nitrogen is transported from the nodules in the form of amides (glutamine and asparagine) whereas nodules of tropical legumes export ureides (allantoin and allantoic acid) that are produced by oxidative catabolism of purine nucleotides suggested to be synthesized de novo (Atkins, 1991). Accordingly, synthesis of purines is highly induced in nodules following commencement of nitrogen fixation (Schubert, 1981). Our imderstanding of the de novo purine biosynthesis and its regulation is derived largely from the characterization of the pathways in bacterial and animal systems (Ebbole and Zalkin, 1987; Henikoff, 1987; Neuhard and Nygaard, 1987; Rolfes and Zalkin, 1988; Zhou et a i, 1990). In all organisms thus far characterized, ten enzymatic reactions convert the activated ribose precursor, 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate (PRPP), to the purine nucleotide, inosine 5'-monophosphate (IMP). The first step in this pathway, involving the synthesis of 5-phosphoribosyl-1-amine from PRPP and glutamine, is catalyzed by glutamine PRPP amidotransferase (PRAT). End-product inhibition of this enzyme in bacteria (Messenger and Zalkin, 1979; Meyer and Switzer, 1979) and animals (Caskey et al., 1964; Holmes et al., 1973) as well as in plants (Reynolds et al., 1984) is thought to play a key role in regulating the metabolic flux of carbon and nitrogen through this pathway and in controlling the level of purine synthesis.
Silymarin increases the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to doxorubicin in doxorubicin-induced MCF-7 cells by inhibiting breast cancer resistance protein expression

The efflux transporter breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) is typically overexpressed in cancer cells with reduced doxorubicin sensitivity. Silymarin is known to exert inhibitory effects against BCRP; therefore, the exposure of doxorubicin-resistant breast cancer cells to silymarin is expected to increase their sensitivity to doxorubicin. Here, we examined the effect of silymarin addition on the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to doxorubicin. MCF-7 breast cancer cells were exposed to doxorubicin for 14 days. Subsequently, the cells were treated with different concentrations of silymarin (10, 25, 50, or 100 μM) with or without doxorubicin. On days 3 and 7 following the treatment, cells were analyzed for viability and BCRP mRNA expression. MCF-7 cells exposed to doxorubicin for 14 days showed reduced sensitivity to doxorubicin, as indicated by the 9.5-fold shift in cytotoxicity concentration and the 9.7-fold increase in BCRP mRNA expression. Treatment with the combination of different concentrations of silymarin and doxorubicin significantly decreased the percent cell viability and reduced BCRP mRNA expression on days 3 and 7. The combination of doxorubicin and silymarin increased the sensitivity of MCF-7 cells to doxorubicin through the inhibition of BCRP mRNA expressions by silymarin.
NÚMERO CROMOSÓMICO DE UNA POBLACIÓN DE ALSTROEMERIA PELEGRINA L. (ALSTROEMERIACEAE), ESPECIE ENDÉMICA DE CHILE

There are previous cytological studies in Alstroemeria pelegrina, an endemic species of Chile, but none of them clearly indicates the location of the material studied. A population of Alstroemeria pelegrina, collected from Los Molles (Region of Valparaiso), was analyzed cytotaxonomically. It was found that this population presents a 2n = 16 chromosomes and a caryotypic haploid formula 3m + 1sm + 2st + 2t. By comparing the biometric data and asymmetry indices of the karyotype of this population with previously published data, it is concluded that it is definitely the same species.
In vitro digestibility and immunoreactivity of thermally processed peanut

ABSTRACT Food processing affects the bioavailability and immunoreactivity of allergens. However, there was a lack of the combined study of the influence of the processing and gastrointestinal digestion on peanut matrix. Digestibility of peanut matrices was assessed by using an in vitro digestion model and monitored by SDS-PAGE, immunoblotting with polyclonal antibody and serum from peanut-allergic patients. The IgE-binding ability of digested samples will be assessed by immunoassay. Peanut proteins were digested by pepsin after only 2 min which was accompanied by a loss of high molecular weight proteins and enrichment in polypeptides with molecular weight lower than 10 kDa. Ara h 1 and Ara h 3 were partly proteolysis, and Ara h 2/6 containing a digestion-resistant fragment. All soluble fractions after 120 min gastric digestion reduced a higher IgE-binding ability than that after 10 min. Our findings provide a more realistic picture, considering the role of food processing and food matrix.
ICSrank: a security assessment framework for Industrial Control Systems (ICS)

This thesis joins a lively dialogue in the technological arena on the issue of cybersecurity and specifically, the issue of infrastructure cybersecurity as related to Industrial Control Systems. Infrastructure cybersecurity is concerned with issues on the security of the critical infrastructure that have significant value to the physical infrastructure of a country, and infrastructure that is heavily reliant on IT and the security of such technology. It is an undeniable fact that key infrastructure such as the electricity grid, gas, air and rail transport control, and even water and sewerage services rely heavily on technology. Threats to such infrastructure have never been as serious as they are today. The most sensitive of them is the reliance on infrastructure that requires cybersecurity in the energy sector. The call to smart technology and automation is happening nowadays. The Internet is witnessing an increase number of connected industrial control system (ICS). Many of which don’t follow security guidelines. Privacy and sensitive data are also an issue. Sensitive leaked information is being manipulated by adversaries to accomplish certain agendas. Open Source intelligence (OSINT) is adopted by defenders to improve protection and safeguard data. This research presented in thesis, proposes “ICSrank” a novel security risk assessment for ICS devices based on OSINT. ICSrank ranks the risk level of online and offline ICS devices. This framework categorizes, assesses and ranks OSINT data using ICSrank framework. ICSrank provides an additional layer of defence and mitigation in ICS security, by identification of risky OSINT and devices. Security best practices always begin with identification of risk as a first step prior to security implementation. Risk is evaluated using mathematical algorithms to assess the OSINT data. The subsequent results achieved during the assessment and ranking process were informative and realistic. ICSrank framework proved that security and risk levels were more accurate and informative than traditional existing methods.
A STUDY ON INDIA’S BILATERAL TRADE WITH JAPAN

Purpose of the study: India and Japan share strong cultural and economic ties. The economic relationship between the two Asian giants strengthened with the signing of the CECA agreement during the year 2011. The current research would focus on assessing the bilateral trade relations between both the countries and attempts to identify the commodity trade potential to enhance the future trade between them. Methodology: The study is based on secondary sources of data collected through the United Nations Conference for Trade and Development, WTO, IMF, RBI, and the Japanese Trade Databases. The annual data for the period 2005 to the year 2016 has been used to analyse the Intensity Indices and the Gravity Coefficient values between India and Japan. Similarly, the annual data from the year 2008 to 2015 is used to calculate the RCA and RID index values and finally, the average RCA and RID (2008-2016) are used for analysis to identify the commodity trade potential between both the countries. Main Findings: The study concludes that the trade share of Japan in India’s overall trade has been falling significantly over the years which could be seen through the declining Export Intensity and Import Intensity Indices of India with Japan. However, the overall analysis presents that 28 commodities were feasible for trade between India and Japan from the 56 commodities computed for the study which exhibits a strong potential for enhancing future bilateral trade relations between both the countries. Applications of this study: India had made a strategic move with its Look East Policy during the year 1991 to accelerate its trade relations with the East Asian countries and later with its success the same was transformed into Act East Policy during the year 2014. The current study would prove to be useful in shaping the policy changes in this direction. Novelty/Originality of this study: The study focuses on the bilateral trade relations between the two important Asian giants, India, and Japan during the post comprehensive economic cooperation agreement between the two. Further, the study identifies the areas of commodity trade potential which paves the direction for new trade between the countries to tap the untapped trade potential.
Dynamically reconfigurable magnonic crystal composed of artificial magnetic skyrmion lattice

Skyrmion-based magnonic crystal (MC) provides the dynamic tunability of manipulating magnonic band structure, and this brings obvious advantages over geometry or material-modulated MCs with a static band. But the existence of stable skyrmion usually requires strong Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction (DMI) in combination with an external magnetic field under specific strength, and all these features limit the experimental realization and practical designing of the skyrmion-based MC. Here, we introduce the concept of artificial magnetic skyrmion-based MC. The artificial skyrmion lattice is realized by patterning an array of magnetic nanodisks on a thin film. The coupling between nanodisks and thin film generates an array of skyrmions possessing the same period as the nanodisk array. Via applying the pulsed magnetic field, one can turn on and off the skyrmion lattice, which allows switching between two very different magnonic band structures. Furthermore, via a honeycomb lattice, we extend this design to the dynamic on and off for chiral magnon edge state. The on and off switching is fast and in the range of nanoseconds. Considering that the coupling from nanodisks can greatly enhance the stability of skyrmions, no matter whether the DMI or magnetic field exists or not, our design points to a simple realization of dynamic skyrmion MC and topological magnonic devices.