Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Growth and development of Cardiochiles nigriceps viereck (hymenoptera, braconidae) larvae and their synchronization with some changes of the hemolymph composition of their host, Heliothis virescens (F.) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae)

Larval development of the parasitoid Cardiochiles nigriceps Viereck occurs in the last instar larva of its host, Heliothis virescens (F.). This allows the parasitoid to exploit the nutritional increase in the biosynthetic activity occurring in the host in preparation for metamorphosis. To understand the biochemical basis of this host parasitoid developmental synchrony, we undertook host ligation studies and analyzed host hemolymph for proteins and glycerol esters. Parasitization affected the biochemical profile of the host. The hemolymph protein concentration of parasitized last instar H. virescens larvae increased through time, whereas unparasitized (control) larvae were characterized by a decrease in the protein titer when they reached the prepupal stage. The effect of parasitism on glyceride titers of host hemolymph was not as pronounced as the effect on proteins. Ligation conducted on 5th instar hosts, which were parasitized as 4th instars, affected parasitoid development in a time-dependent way. The percentage of successfully developing C. nigriceps larvae increased with the increase of the time interval between parasitization and ligation. Ligation performed before day 2 of the 5th larval instar of H. virescens completely inhibited parasitoid development. Ligations that disrupted parasitoid developmentwere associated with a low host hernolymph protein concentration. Parasitoid development was successful when hernolymph protein titer was high, as occurred when ligations were performed after day 3 of the 5th host instar in both control and parasitized larvae. Ligations in both situations resulted in a slight increase in glyceride titers. The results suggest that host proteins and/or some factor(s) associated with them may play a role in parasitoid growth and development. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A perspective on genetically modified food crops

Genetic modification is the alteration of genetic material that would not occur naturally. It can be used as a tool to improve the quality of foods. Through genetic modification foods can be produced in larger quantities by increasing its resistance to pests and adverse weather conditions. Their protein and vitamin content may also be increased thus making them more nutritious. There are also claims of potential risks such as possible allergic reactions to modified proteins. To date, no international consensus has been reached for evaluation of the safety of genetically modified plants for consumption. Over the last decade, the safety of genetically modified crops in animal feed or foods for human consumption has been routinely tested in some countries. Protein- and DNA-based methods have been developed for detection of genetically modified organisms. Worldwide legislation now faces questions on the use and labeling requirements of genetically modified crops and their derivatives. Still, there are concerns about the safety of genetically modified crops. Also, genetically modified crops could contain toxic substances or larger amounts of heavy metals and the crops might not be substantially equivalent in genome, proteome, and metabolome to unmodified crops. An additional concern is that contrary to expectations, genetically modified crops may be less nutritious; for example, they might contain lower amounts of essential phytoestrogens, needed to protect against heart disease and cancer. This review will focus on perspectives of the genetically modified food crops. Key words: Food crops, genetic modification, transgenic, biotechnology-derived crops
Cassava Root Meal for Poultry

Abstract This paper reviews the characteristics of cassava root meal and the problems and considerations involved when using it in poultry diets. A high starch content and a low percentage of protein and amino acids are cassava's main nutritional traits. However, when cassava root meal is used in poultry diets, other factors should be taken into consideration, including cyanogenic content, high level of potassium and silica, lack of carotenoids, and dustiness. Cassava's normal rate of inclusion in poultry diets in the European Union is about 25%. The inclusion of cassava root meal in poultry feeds will depend on the price and availability of energy and protein sources, synthetic amino acids, and pigments.
Dual Ion-Selective Membrane Deposited Ion-Sensitive Field-Effect Transistor (DISM-ISFET) Integrating Whole Blood Processing Microchamber for In Situ Blood Ion Testing

Blood ion testing is one of the methods that is commonly used as of monitoring immune status and providing lots of physiological information for disease diagnosis. We proposed a microfluidic device integrating dual ion-selective membranes and dual-gate ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (DISM-ISFET) for whole blood processing and blood ion concentrations monitoring. In this system, the Anti-D-coated trench array and filter membrane embedded microchamber greatly shorten the serum extraction time to 4 min. Besides, the DISM-ISFET array sensor enables simultaneous Na+ and K+ ion sensing in 10 min. The above features make this fully integrated and portable system a rapid and sensitive tool for in situ blood ion concentration diagnosis.
Akdeniz Bitki Coğrafyası Bölgesinde Yayılış Gösteren Bazı Çalı Türlerinde Nitrat Redüktaz Aktivitesi (NRA)

Ozet Bu calýþmada, Akdeniz bitki ortusunun egemen olduðu alanlardan toplanan 14 adet calý turunun [Arbutus unedo L. (Ericaceae), Paliurus spina-christi Miller (Rhamnaceae), Pistacia terebinthus L. (Anacardiaceae), Quercus cerris L. , Q. coccifera L. , Q. robur L. , Q. trojana T.B. Vebb. (Fagaceae), Jasminum fruticans L. , Phillyrea latifolia L. Olea europeae L. (Oleaceae), Cistus creticus, C. laurifolius (Cistaceae), Pyrus amygdaliformis (Rosaceae), Ailanthus altissima Miller (Simaroubaceae)] yaprak, genc surgun ve ureme organlarý( cicek-meyve) Nitrat Reduktaz Aktivitesi (NRA) araþtýrýldý. Bitki organlarýndaki NRA deðerlerine gore turler arasýnda anlamlý fark tespit edildi (P 0.05) genc surgun ve cicek-meyve kýsýmlarýnýn NRA'sý ile topraktaki nitrat iceriði arasýnda anlamlý pozitif iliþki tespit edilmiþtir (P<0.05). Anahtar Kelimeler: Akdeniz, calý, mineral N, Nitrat Reduktaz Aktivitesi (NRA). Nitrate Reductase Activity (NRA) in Some Shrub Species from Mediterranean Environment
Overview of distribution and diversity of Wolbachia endosymbiont among the different geographical populations of Indian Uzifly, Exorista sorbillans (Diptera: Tachinidae)

Microorganisms are unique life forms having great impact on functioning and perpetuation of biosphere. Among them, Wolbachia is ubiquitous gram negative rickettsial endosymbiont taking its shelter in somatic and reproductive tissues of class insecta. Wolbachia induces variety of phenotypes within insects from reproductive parasitism to mutualism. Due to the infection dynamics of Wolbachia and its ability to induce reproductive anomalies in their hosts, it has been touted as the most effective bio-control agent for management of insect pests and vectors. However, for implementation of any Wolbachia based bio-control strategies it is essential to know its distribution, diversity and interactions with their hosts. Wolbachia interactions in Uzi fly Exorista sorbillans are well documented and are proposed as agents for management of this pest. However, their distribution and diversity across the entire Indian sub-continent is left void. In the current study 31 populations of Uzi fly collected from the Mulberry Silkworm belts of India have been screened and characterized. 213 samples were screened and infection dynamics in the individuals have been documented. The findings suggest high prevalence of AB Wolbachia super infections in field populations of Uzi fly. This important update on the infection status and diversity of Wolbachia is of greater significance for implementation of the previously proposed Wolbachia based biocontrol strategies of Uzi fly in India.
Effect of the stem borer Eldana saccharina (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) on the yield of maize

Field experiments were conducted in the dry season of 1985–86 and the first and second rainy seasons of 1986 at Ibadan, Nigeria, to assess the level of damage and yield reductions caused by Eldana saccharina Walker to maize. Grain weight per plant in artificially infested plots was up to 36% lower than grain weight per plant in insecticide-protected plots. Artificially infested plots had significantly lower 100-grain weight than insecticide-protected ones. The regression coefficient obtained from covariance analysis revealed that 100-grain weight decreased by 0.125 g for each unit increase in the percentage of the stem tunnelled. Infestations of E. saccharina were found to increase significantly the incidence and severity of stalk rots.
Species Richness Estimation and Rarefaction of Fish Assemblages in a Small Watershed

Abstract Many investigators sample a site or watershed only once and use that sample to characterize the location (e.g., indices of biotic integrity studies). Using real-world fish assemblages, we investigated the adequacy of using a single sample, site, or season to characterize the fish community at a site or watershed. We sampled twelve sites from the Little Choctawhatchee River watershed (416 km2) by electrofishing six times at each location over 18 months (n = 72). We estimated species richness at each site during each season and for the entire watershed using the Chao 2 estimator. We used these estimates to determine how many samples at the local level and how many sites at the watershed level were needed. Additionally, we determined the proportion of species found after 1–6 samples. Our results showed that to observe 80–100% of species, 5.6–47.4 samples, respectively, were needed at the local level over six seasons, 8.4–86.9 sites, respectively, were needed at the watershed level over a single season, and 9–70 samples, respectively, were needed for the entire watershed over six seasons. At the local level, we found a mean of 50–83% of the estimated species with 1–6 samples over six seasons. At the watershed level, we found a mean of 37% (SD = 3) with one sample and 76% (SD = 6) after six samples over one season. Our results indicate that in general a minimum of 5 samples is needed to detect at least 80% of the species present at the local (site) level, and a minimum of 8 sites is needed in watersheds of approximately 400–450 km2.
Biological activity of Rubia cordifolia and isolation of an active principle

The present study deals with the isolation of mollugin, furomollugin and dehydro-a-lapchone from the chloroform fraction of Rubia cordifolia (Linn.) roots. Mollugin showed inhibition of passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) and protection of mast cell degranulation in rats. It also exhibited considerable activity against lymphoid leukemia (P338) in mice. Furomollugin and dehydro-a-lapchone were obtained for the first time from R. cordifolia.
Hydrological and biogeochemical controls on the timing and magnitude of nitrous oxide flux across an agricultural landscape

Anticipated increases in precipitation intensity due to climate change may affect hydrological controls on soil N2O fluxes, resulting in a feedback between climate change and soil greenhouse gas emissions. We evaluated soil hydrologic controls on N2O emissions during experimental water table fluctuations in large, intact soil columns amended with 100 kg ha−1 KNO3‐N. Soil columns were collected from three landscape positions that vary in hydrological and biogeochemical properties (N= 12 columns). We flooded columns from bottom to surface to simulate water table fluctuations that are typical for this site, and expected to increase given future climate change scenarios. After the soil was saturated to the surface, we allowed the columns to drain freely while monitoring volumetric soil water content, matric potential and N2O emissions over 96 h. Across all landscape positions and replicate soil columns, there was a positive linear relationship between total soil N and the log of cumulative N2O emissions (r2= 0.47; P= 0.013). Within individual soil columns, N2O flux was a Gaussian function of water‐filled pore space (WFPS) during drainage (mean r2= 0.90). However, instantaneous maximum N2O flux rates did not occur at a consistent WFPS, ranging from 63% to 98% WFPS across landscape positions and replicate soil columns. In contrast, instantaneous maximum N2O flux rates occurred within a narrow range (−1.88 to −4.48 kPa) of soil matric potential that approximated field capacity. The relatively consistent relationship between maximum N2O flux rates and matric potential indicates that water filled pore size is an important factor affecting soil N2O fluxes. These data demonstrate that matric potential is the strongest predictor of the timing of N2O fluxes across soils that differ in texture, structure and bulk density.
ENVIRONMENTAL MODULATION OF αv, α2AND β1INTEGRIN SUBUNIT EXPRESSION IN HUMAN OESOPHAGEAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMAS

Integrins are cell adhesion molecules pivotal in regulating normal cell behaviour. Ectopic expression of integrins, characteristic of transformed cells, is instrumental in differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, matrix degradation and migration. Oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has a propensity to metastasize and hence an extremely poor prognosis. It is shown here that oesophageal SCCs express αvstrongly and that normal oesophageal tissue does not express αv. This makes αva significant indicator of the transformed phenotype. α2and β1integrin subunits are down‐regulated in oesophageal SCCs compared to normal oesophagus. Dominance of the α2β1heterodimer is symptomatic of potential loss of other β1binding integrins in oesophageal SCCs. These results suggest a decrease in rigid cell adhesion possibly increasing migratory potential, whilst simultaneously permitting the adhesion and migration of SCC cells on a large repertoire of ligands due to de novo αvexpression.
Plants are least suppressed by their frequent neighbours: the relationship between competitive ability and spatial aggregation patterns

Previous studies have concluded that spatial aggregation of conspecifics should benefit weak competitors and put stronger competitors at a disadvantage, thus promoting plant species coexistence. However, if competitive ability is viewed as a behavioural trait, it becomes evident that traits determining spatial patterns and competitive ability could co‐evolve, resulting in greater dispersal in stronger competitors and reduced competitive ability in spatially aggregated species. To test this prediction, we combined spatial data from a field survey of seven temperate grassland communities with the results of a common‐garden competition experiment involving 28 focal species. We found that species exhibiting strong conspecific aggregation and infrequent heterospecific encounters in the field maintained greater growth in competition with conspecifics than with heterospecifics. In contrast, species that mostly encountered heterospecific neighbours in the field achieved greater growth when surrounded by heterospecific than conspecific neighbours, indicating greater competitive ability. The observed patterns of conspecific aggregation were related to variation in clonal dispersal characteristics and there was a direct positive relationship between clonal dispersal distance and competitive ability. Synthesis. Our study demonstrates that viewing competitive ability as a behavioural trait that imposes different costs and benefits on an individual depending on the identity of its neighbours can provide new insights into the long‐debated topic of mechanisms promoting plant species coexistence.
Importance of Logic Locking Attacks in Hardware Security

A rise in the number and devastating capability of hardware-based assaults has brought attention to the necessity of protecting the hardware root of trust alongside improvements in power, cost, performance, and reliability. The whole design of an integrated circuit can be concealed from a suspect foundry or end- user via a key-based circuit obfuscation or logic-locking approach. The method is based on introducing "key" input bits into the circuit to introduce ambiguity within the original circuit, rendering the circuit unreadable without the proper secret key. The present level of knowledge in this developing area is reviewed in this study, which also includes a threat model classification such as hardware Trojans, re verse engineering (RE) and side channel analysis. Moreover, the traditional and strong logic locking techniques and its efficiency in terms of area, power, delay is reviewed in hardware-based attacks.
Hemograma e bioquímica sérica de tartarugas cabeçudas (Caretta caretta) de vida livre e mantidas em cativeiro, no litoral norte da Bahia

Com o objetivo de se obter dados que auxiliem na rotina clinica de tartarugas marinhas, realizou-se o hemograma e a determinacao de alguns parâmetros bioquimicos sericos de femeas de tartarugas cabecudas (Caretta caretta) de vida livre (n = 22), animais que desovam no Litoral Norte da Bahia, e em cativeiro (n = 5), animais mantidos no Centro de Visitantes do Projeto Tamar-ICMBio, na Praia do Forte, Brasil. Os valores obtidos para os dois grupos foram comparados, onde se observou diferenca estatistica significativa (p<0,05) para as contagens relativas e absolutas de eosinofilos e contagem relativa de monocitos dentre as variaveis do hemograma e, para a proteina total, globulina, glicose, colesterol e aspartato aminotransferase. Possivelmente, diferencas nas condicoes ambientais, nutricionais e reprodutivas, as quais estes animais foram submetidos, influenciaram nos resultados.
The effects of health education program on knowledge and attitudes of people suffering from hypertention

Introduction: There are substantial evidences that unhealthy behaviors regarding hypertension disease could result in consequences of the disease and increased mortality rate. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of health education program to improve knowledge and attitudes of patients regarding due self cares. Material and method: This is a before and after interventional trial that was undertaken among hypertension patients who referred to health centers in south Tehran, Iran. Totally, 60 eligible patients were randomly selected for them a designed educational program was accomplished. Then knowledge, attitudes of participants regarding hypertension was assessed before and after intervention through a self administered questionnaire. Results: The results of this study showed mean scores of knowledge and attitudes were significantly improved after intervention (67.6±18.8 vs 92.0 ± 5.4 for knowledge and 55.3 ± 15.4 vs 87.8 ± 8.6 for attitude) (all P value< 0.0001). Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that the designed educational program is an effective intervention and could play an important role in improving knowledge and attitudes of hypertension disease.
Phenotypic and multi-omics characterization of Escherichia coli K-12 adapted to quaternary ammonium compounds identifies lipid A and cell envelope alterations regulated by mar-sox-rob and stress inducible pathways

Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) benzalkonium (BZK) and cetrimide (CET) are common disinfectants used to inhibit or eradicate Gram-negative bacteria in clinical and agricultural products. QAC tolerance in Escherichia coli and other Enterobacterales species can confer cross-resistance to various clinically used antibiotics, making it important to understand mechanisms of QAC tolerance in greater depth. QAC adaptation by E. coli is hypothesized to alter MarRAB regulated genes that converge on the outer membrane, specifically, lipid A biosynthesis and transport genes, porins, and efflux pump systems. To test this, we performed a ‘multi’-omics and phenotypic characterization of E. coli K-12 adapted to BZK and CET, to assess how QACs alter cell growth, genomics, and proteomics. E. coli adapted to either BZK and CET resulted in strains with stable QAC tolerance when either drug was omitted, elongated and narrower cell morphologies by scanning electron microscopy, and reduced growth fitness when compared to un-adapted E. coli. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed that QAC adaptation increased E. coli tolerance by ≥4-fold to BZK, CET, and other QACs but no antibiotic cross-resistance. Single nucleotide variants identified by whole genome sequencing and differentially accumulated proteins by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry identified alterations to various QAC-adapted E. coli genes and proteins belonging to: lipid A biosynthesis and transport (lpxLM, msbA, mla), the mar-sox-rob regulatory pathway (marR, rob), DNA/protein translation (gyrA, rpsA, rpoB, rapA). These alterations validate the hypothesis that mar-sox-rob network plays a role in QAC tolerance and identifies additional stress inducible genetic and protein QAC tolerant biomarkers. Importance Bacterial tolerance mechanisms associated with disinfectant QAC adaptation is hypothesized to overlap with the mar-sox-rob multiple antimicrobial resistance pathway but has not been directly shown. Here, we generate QAC tolerant E. coli strains and identify phenotypic changes associated with protein and genetic alterations caused by prolonged QAC exposure. We identified genes that overlap with known antibiotic resistance mechanisms as well as distinct genes and proteins specific to QAC adaptation that are useful for future bacterial disinfectant tolerance mechanism studies. However, these altered genes and proteins implicate MarR and Rob pathways specifically in QAC tolerance but, surprisingly, the involvement of mar-sox-rob pathways did not increase antibiotic cross-resistance. Many altered genes we identified were essential genes in lipid A biosynthesis/transport, DNA and RNA transcription, and protein regulation systems potentially explaining why only QAC cross-tolerance was observed and why we observed greater cell fitness costs despite MarR and Rob pathway involvement.
Improving vaccine efficacy based on non-covalent photoinactivation of microorganisms - sources vaccine antigens (MSVA)

One of the most promising methods for non-covalent inactivation of vaccine-producing microorganisms is the use of photoinactivation using riboflavin derivatives. The study used a dynamic combinatorial derivative of riboflavin - succinyl-maleinyl riboflavin. Corpuscular vaccines are divided into the following groups: from 2AB to 5AB - bacteria were inactivated by riboflavin derivative and blue light, and groups from 6AB to 9AB were inactivated by formalin (0.1% formalin in 9 log CFU was kept for 2 weeks in an thermostat and then sterility was determined - bacterial growth was not observed). A dynamic derivative of riboflavin at a final concentration of 0.02% can photo inactivate 6 time more bacteria P. Aeruginosa and E. coli than riboflavin. The minimum effective blue light emitter power (450 nm) for the photodynamic inactivation of both P. aeruginosa and E. coli is 1024.2 mW / cm2. In groups of mice pre-vaccinated intraperitoneally with corpuscular photo inactivated vaccines based on suspensions of and E. coli at doses of 0.5-1.0 ml 4 log (CFU) / mL, 100% survival of all animals was observed, whereas in control group with the same type of vaccines but formalin-treated vaccines, it failed to achieve a 100% protective effect.