Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Airborne microfungi in Oncology Service of Medical School Hospital of Trakya University

This study was performed in six different stations – drug preparation, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and three different patient rooms – in Oncology Service of Trakya University Medical Hospital in Edirne. Indoor air samples of equal volumes of 100 L were taken twice a month during the six-month study period. The analysis of samples showed that 8540 microfungi colonies were present in a total of 7.2 m3 air sample. November and April were found to be the months during which the highest numbers of fungal spores were isolated with 2570 CFU/m3 and 2060 CFU/m3, respectively, while the lowest spore counts were isolated during January (730 CFU/m3). Penicillium was found to be the most commonly isolated fungal genus with 2950 CFU/m3/spore followed by Cladosporium with 2110 CFU/m3. The other fungal genera isolated during the study are Aspergillus (640 CFU/m3), Alternaria (200 CFU/m3), Trichoderma (70 CFU/m3) and Rhizopus (40 CFU/m3). Among the most frequently isolated fungal species, Penicillium brevicompactum was the most common species with 960 CFU/m3 followed by Cladosporium cladosporioides with 930 CFU/m3. Aspergillus fumigatus, the fungal species of paramount importance in terms of human health, was also reported with a 410 CFU/m3. Statistical analyses were performed in order to reveal the relationship between microfungal colony numbers isolated and station temperature and relative humidity.
Comparison of reproductive traits between two salt-marsh wolf spiders (Araneae, Lycosidae) under different habitat suitability conditions

Salt-marsh invasions by the grass Elymus athericus (Poaceae) recently transformed usual areas dominated by Atriplex portulacoides (Chenopodiaceae) into homogeneous meadows. Two wolf spider species, Pardosa purbeckensis and Arctosa fulvolineata, show contrasting densities and habitat preferences in salt marshes (respectively dominant and co-dominant ground-living spiders) and oppositely respond to the grass invasion. This allowed us to test whether invasive species that alter habitat structure affect reproduction in addition to previously recorded changes in density. Reproductive traits (female mass, cocoon mass, number and volume of eggs, hatched cocoon as a proxy of reproduction date) were studied in both invaded and natural salt marshes during 2007 and 2008 in the Mont St-Michel Bay (France). In both species, reproductive outputs (cocoon mass) were higher in optimal habitats and volume of eggs was found to be independent from female mass, whereas the latter significantly influenced the number of eggs. In A. fulvolineata, lower reproductive outputs due to less numerous although larger eggs were found in suboptimal habitats whereas the opposite pattern was found in optimal habitats, showing the existence of plastic phenotypic trade-offs in habitats of different qualities. In P. purbeckensis, despite differences in population size among habitats, no reproductive trade-off was found. This study thus shows that two sympatric species belonging to the same family can differ in reproductive strategies and phenotypic plasticity under changes in habitat suitability. © Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2011.
Blood chemistry profile of Surubim hybrid fish (Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum X P. corruscans) raised in different stocking densities

Massive production, such as fish growing in water recirculation system, imposes challenges to animals capable of altering their homeostatic balance, and is able to affect their physiological performance. Therefore, the levels of ions and serum enzymes can be used as indicators of fish health. This study aimed to analyze the blood biochemistry profile of hybrid surubim (P. reticulatum X P. corruscans) submitted to different stocking densities in water recirculation system, in two distinct stages of production, from 150 to 400 g (first trial), and 400 to 1000 g (second trial). In the first trial, the five stocking rates were: 27.5, 47.5, 67.5, 87.5 and 107.5 fish/m3 of water. To obtain these densities, it was used 11, 19, 27, 35 and 43 fish per tank, respectively. In the second trial, five stocking rates were: 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 fish/m3 of water. To obtain these densities we used 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 fish per tank, respectively. The concentrations of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), calcium, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium were obtained. Only urea concentrations in first trial and ALP and AST concentrations in second trial were influenced by stocking density, presenting a significant difference between groups. Thus, in both trials the hybrid fish studied maintained homeostasis when reared in different stocking densities.
LIVEWEIGHT, PROTEIN DEPOSITION AND DIGESTIBILITY RESPONSES IN GROWING PIGS EXPOSED TO LOW TEMPERATURE

Two groups of eight individually caged female pigs, averaging 45 kg liveweight, were exposed alternately for 15-day periods to 21 and 6 °C for four consecutive periods. Four pigs in each group were restricted to 100 g of feed per unit of metabolic body weight and four were fed ad libitum. From regressions of liveweight vs. time for the last 10 days of each period, low temperature (6 °C) was found to reduce average daily gain by 2.3% per degree Centigrade below the rate of 792 g/day measured at 21 °C. Also, transitory liveweight changes were measured during the 5 days after each temperature changeover. With each temperature decrease (21 – 6 °C), there was a mean temporary loss in liveweight of 4% and with each temperature increase (6 – 21 °C), this temporary loss of 4% of liveweight was regained, at a constant level of feeding. While exposed to 6 °C, the digestibility of ration dry matter, energy and nitrogen (78.2%, 77.0% and 74.7%, respectively) was significantly lower than when pigs were exposed to 21 °.
Xanthine oxidase inhibition and antioxidant effects of Peaganum harmala seed extracts.

In the present study, seeds of Peaganum harmala were extracted with solvent of varying polarity allowed their separation into four subfractions. Total polyphenols and flavonoids contents of Peaganum harmala seeds extracts (PHSE) were determined as gallic acid equivalent and Quercetin equivalent and were in the following order: chloroform extract (CHE)>ethyl acetate extract (EAE)>crude extract (CE). The superoxide radical scavenging properties of PHSE were determined by either production of uric acid and reduction of Cytochrom c (Cyt c). The inhibition ratios of the Xanthine Oxidase (XO) by CHE and EAE were effective followed by CE. Results for the Cyt c assay were in the same order. The antioxidant potential was confirmed with the non enzymatic methods. The highest DPPH radical scavenging activity was observed with CE followed by EAE and CHE. The β-carotene/linoleic acid bleaching assay revealed that PHSE have a very important antioxidant activity. Results showed that EAE has the highest antioxidant activity (94.21%), followed by CE and CHE respectively. Ferrous ion chelating capacity assay showed that CE, EAE and CE are very active with IC 50 of 0.088, 2.256 and 5.286 mg/ml, respectively. Peaganum harmala extracts have strong free radicals scavenging and antioxidant activities and may prove to be of potential health benefit. In addition, the ability of PHSE to inhibit XO can be of great use in some diseases where XO is incriminated. Research Article
Intraspecific variation in reproductive mode within the scincid lizard Saiphos equalis

Although viviparity (live-bearing) has evolved from oviparity (egg-laying) more frequently in squamate reptiles than in any other vertebrate lineage, there are few well-documented cases of taxa that either (i) exhibit a ‘transitional’ reproductive state (i.e. with a reproductive mode intermediate between ‘normal’ oviparity and viviparity) or (ii) contain both oviparous and viviparous populations within the same species. Although rare, such taxa offer exceptional opportunities to test hypotheses concerning the evolution of viviparity in reptiles. Our data show that the scincid lizard Saiphos equalis displays both of the characteristics listed above. These small semi-fossorial skinks from south-eastern Australia exhibit geographic variation in reproductive mode, and some populations show an ‘intermediate’ mode. We examined the reproductive mode of Saiphos equalis over the geographic range of the species using preserved museum specimens, and we gathered detailed information on reproductive output of captive lizards collected from a high-elevation site (Riamukka, in the northern highlands of New South Wales) and from a coastal area (Sydney, southern New South Wales). Lizards from Riamukka were viviparous (i.e. they produced fully formed young enclosed in membranous sacs), whereas Sydney lizards produced incompletely developed embryos inside partially calcified eggshells. Incubation periods of the eggs from Sydney lizards were very brief (5.5 1.7 days v. >35 days in sympatric oviparous skinks), indicating that oviparous S. equalis represent a true evolutionary intermediate between ‘normal’ oviparity and viviparity.
Factors influencing molehill construction by the coast mole (Scapanus orarius True)

Une comparaison entre des endroits avec et sans taupinieres a montro que les taupes creusent surtout dans des sols lagers et humides. Le nombre de taupinieres est corrgle avec le poids total des vers et le poids sec du sol par unito de volume (p < 0.01), et avec le poids moyen des vers, la proportion d'eau dans le sol, et le pH (p < 0.01). Une analyse de la variation saisonniere du nombre de taupinieres et de quelques facteurs ambiants a montro que le nombre de taupinieres est en relation avec le poids sec de sol par unite de volume, en toutes saisons excepto Fhiver.
Ultrastructure of the tegument of Prosorhynchoides arcuatus (Linton, 1900) Bray, 1984 (Trematoda, Bucephalidae).

The tegument of the adult form of Prosorhynchoides arcuatus (Linton, 1900) (Trematoda, Bucephalidae) from the intestine of Pomatomus saltator (L.) from the Atlantic coast of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil was studied by transmission electron microscopy. The tegument consists of two layers: an external, constituted by a syncytium, containing spines, unicilliated papillae, inclusion bodies and mitochondria and an internal, consisting of a muscular layer and mononucleated tegumental cells.
Molecular and Taxonomic Diversity of Cotton Leafhopper,Amrasca biguttula biguttula(Ishida) in Major Cotton Growing Districts of Karnataka

Cotton leafhopper, Amrasca biguttula biguttula (Ishida) is an alarming pest causing both quantitative and qualitative losses on Bt cotton. Taxonomic identification results revealed that composite sample of adult cotton leafhopper population collected from Dharwad, Belgaum, Haveri, Mysore, Raichur, Yadgir districts was Amrasca biguttula biguttula (Ishida). Fragment of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene was amplified and sequenced from the cotton leafhoppers collected from six districts. COI gene sequences of A. biguttula of Belgaum, Haveri and Mysore districts showed 99 per cent similarity with NCBI published sequence of A. biguttula COI gene (HQ113231.1), while those from Raichur and Yadgir districts showed 98 per cent similarity. Population from Dharwad district showed 96 per cent similarity. Sequence analysis showed high similarity among the leafhopper population of major cotton growing districts of Karnataka.
Imaging of Rat Head under Ischemic Conditions by Near-Infrared Computed Tomography.

Light in the near-infrared range (700-1, 200nm) penetrates living tissues including the skull. Oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin contents in living tissue can be measured from the absorbance in this range. Myoglobin and cytochrome oxidase also have their absorbance in this range. Therefore, we carried out near-infrared computed tomography by a modification of the method for X-ray CT for humans. Three semiconductor lasers were used as light sources with a laser beam scanner. The transmitted light was measured with a linear detector equipped with 25 photomultipliers. With this device, we constructed images of the heads of anesthetized rats from the differences between the absorbance data at 780 and 805nm. The brightness of the head images increased in rats with ischemia induced by occlusion of four vessels (carotid). The ischemic area in the central part of the head was shown on exchange transfusion of the blood with perfluorochemical emulsion.
A Phylogenetic Analysis of the Coneflower Genera (Asteraceae: Heliantheae)

The coneflowers include the genera Dracopis, Echinacea, Ratibida, and Rudbeckia, with Rudbeckia being divided into sects. Rudbeckia, Macrocline and Laciniata. As part of a monographic study of Rudbeckia sects. Macrocline and Laciniata, relationships to other nearby Heliantheae needed to be assessed. Stuessy grouped the four coneflower genera together within the subtribe Helian- thinae. Later, Robinson erected the subtribe Rudbeckiinae to include Dracopis, Ratibida, and Rudbeckia. He removed Echinacea to the subtribe Ecliptinae on the bases of chromosome number and anatomical features and suggested a probable relationship to the genera Balsamorhiza, Helianthella, and Wyethia. In the current work, twenty-eight qualitative characters were chosen for cladistic analysis performed by the Branch and Bound algorithm in PAUP, which guarantees discovery of the most parsimonious tree. This analysis supports the historical placement of Echinacea with the coneflowers. The resulting cladogram presents the Rudbeckiinae as a monophyletic taxon with the genera of the Ecliptinae forming a group distinct from the coneflowers. The clade of the sister taxa, Dracopis and Ratibida, is related to a clade containing two distinct groups, one of Echinacea and Rudbeckia sect. Macrocline and the other of Rudbeckia sect. Rudbeckia and sect. Laciniata. Historically, Linnaeus (1753) placed the cone- flowers in the genus Rudbeckia L. At present, the coneflowers consist of approximately 35 species distributed among the genera Dracopis Cass. , Echinacea Moench, Ratibida Raf. , and Rudbeckia. Echinacea is a North American genus with nine species (McGregor 1968), and Ratibida, with sev- en species, occurs from southern Canada to
Dynamical analysis of the Indian Ocean climate network and its correlation with Australian Millennium Drought

During the period between the mid-1990s and late 2000s Australia had suffered one of the worst droughts on record. Severe rainfall deficits affected great part of southeast Australia, causing widespread drought conditions and catastrophic bushfires. The “Millennium Drought”, as it was called, was unusual in terms of its severity, duration and extent, leaving important environmental and financial damages.
ISOLAMENTO DE Staphylococcus aureus NO TRATO RESPIRATÓRIO INFERIOR DE RATO WISTAR

Neste trabalho, identificamos a presenca do Staphylococcus aureus isolado de um rato macho da linhagem Wistar, e verificamos se este microrganismo foi o agente causador da dificuldade respiratoria encontrada no animal em estudo. A bacteria Staphylococcus aureus foi encontrada no trato respiratorio do rato estudado, causando-lhe consequentemente problemas respiratorios, sendo o lavado traqueobronquial o metodo mais indicado para a deteccao da bacteria residente. O resultado observado contribui para a constatacao de que a utilizacao de animais de experimentacao portadores de agentes oportunistas, como Staphylococcus aureus , inviabiliza a pesquisa ja que os mesmos podem desenvolver doencas ao longo da experimentacao. Portanto, conclui-se que a utilizacao de animais de padrao sanitario adequado e a melhor maneira de se obter resultados mais precisos na experimentacao animal, pois a instalacao deste tipo de area necessita de um maior numero de barreiras sanitarias garantindo melhores condicoes de criacao.
Essential Oil of Diplolophium africanum Turcz.

ABSTRACT The leaf oil of Diplolophium africanum Turcz. from the Koumonde region of northern Togo was analyzed using both Kovats indices and GC/MS. We identified 24 compounds including α-pinene (38%) and β-pinene (20%) as the major components followed by p-mentha-1,3,8-triene (11%). Except for a substantial decrease in the amount of the latter compound in one sample, the composition of the oil varied only slightly with the collection period. The oil exhibits insecticidal activity against the bruchids Callosobruchus maculatus Fab. and Callosobruchus subinnotatus Pic.
Energetic Definition of Fitness? Yes, But Not That One

Brown, Marquet, and Taper (BMT hereafter) have endeavored to derive the distribution of animal sizes from bioenergetic onsiderations (Brown et al. 1993). After some remarks about the field itself, I shall discuss my reservations concerning BMT's measure of fitness, which assumes that it is optimal to maximize the production rate; their use of a two-step reaction model of resource conversion, neglecting animal behavior; and the legitimacy of BMT's predictions of size distribution. An energetic measure of fitness should be related to Darwinian fitness, defined as lifetime reproductive success. In a broad range of ecological situations, this success can be expressed as lifetime offspring production (Houston and McNamara 1992; Kawecki and Stearns 1993; Kozlowski 1993). To convert offspring production to energy units, it is enough to assume constant energy content of offspring. Then the parameters leading to maximization of lifetime energy allocation to reproduction can be found. This problem has been studied by many authors through models of optimal allocation of resources to growth and reproduction (see Kozlowski 1992; Roff 1992; Stearns 1992; Perrin and Sibly 1993 for review). At first glance, it seems reasonable that the body size that maximizes reproductive power (production rate during reproduction) is optimal. Unfortunately, this would be true only for immortal organisms. In other cases, this assumption is fallacious (see Perrin and Sibly 1993 for review). It takes time to grow to a given size, and death can occur during both growth, when the reproductive machinery is being built, and mature life, when the reproductive machinery is used. A given calorie should be allocated to growth as long as the increase of body size resulting from this calorie elevates the expected energy content of future offspring by more than 1 cal. Otherwise, it is better to allocate this calorie directly to reproduction. Expected offspring production (in energy units) is the product of the production rate, or reproductive power in BMT's terminology, ahd the expected period of reproductive allocation. Under size-independent mortality, it is optimal to grow, as long as the derivative of the production rate with respect to body size times life expectancy is greater than one. If the dependence of the production rate on body size is humped, the optimal size is always located to the left of peak production. This is because the gain in the production rate lessens as the size yielding maximum production is approached; for some size, the product of this gain and life expectancy is smaller than one, unless the animals live forever.
The Role of Connexins in Carcinogenesis: Review of Current Knowledge

Gap junctional intercellular communication is a mechanism for direct cell-to-cell signaling and is mediated by gap junctions, which consist of transmembrane proteins called connexins. Many physiological roles have been proposed for gap junctions such as maintenance of tissue homeostasis, regulation of tissue development, electrical and metabolic coupling as well as regulation of cellular growth, differentiation and apoptosis. Signaling is especially altered via gap junctions in cancer. Furthermore, these membrane channels are believed to be engaged in metastasis. Involvement of aber- rant gap junctional intercellular communication in carcinogenesis and tumor suppressing role of connexin genes has been well documented. However, clear explanation is required for the role of connexins that are localized in intracellular com- partment of cancerous cells and participate in apoptosis and metastasis as well. The present review is confined to role of connexins in a cell signaling during carcinogenesis, regulation of apoptosis and involvement in metastasis. Potential role of gap junctions and connexins in therapy of cancers was analyzed, too.
In Vitro Target Cell Lysis Mediated by Normal Human Lymphocytes (K Cells) or Monocytes

Guinea pig IgG1 or IgG2 anti‐dinitrophenyl (DNP) antibody preparations were used for induction of target cell lysis by normal human lymphocytes (K cells) or monocytes. Target cells were DNP‐coated 51Cr‐labeled chicken erythrocytes. Antibody concentrations were assayed by an ammonium sulphate precipitation technique. When antiserum was obtained by immunization with the antigen in Freund's incomplete adjuvant (FCA), IgG2 antibodies predominated and were significantly more efficient inducers of K‐cell‐mediated lysis than IgG1 antibodies. The lowest activity in K‐cell‐mediated lysis was teen with IgG1 from antiserum obtained by immunization with antigen in Freund's incomplete adjuvant. When these antibody fractions were tested in monocyte‐mediated crythrotysis, the two IgG1 fractions were as active as the IgG2 antibodies raised with antigen incorporated in FCA. The results suggest that the Fc receptors of mature human blood monocytes axe different from those on the effector cells in the K‐cell preparations.
Low Microsatellite Variation in Spotted Seal (Phoca largha) Shows a Decrease in Population Size in the Liaodong Gulf Colony

We report the first investigation of nuclear genetic variability in the colony of the spotted seal (Phoca largha) in the Liaodong Gulf, China, where the estimated population size was under 1000 individuals during the study period (2005–2008). A total of 29 microsatellite loci from five pinniped species were employed in 176 spotted seals. Only 15 were polymorphic, with a maximum of 4 alleles detected in samples, with the mean number of alleles per locus being 2.73. Estimates of expected heterozygosity He for the polymorphic loci ranged from 0.24 (± 0.05 SD) to 0.72 (± 0.02 SD), with a mean He per polymorphic locus of 0.51 (± 0.05 SD). No deviation from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was detected for any of the loci. No differences were detected for either genic or genotypic frequencies of seals from the different sampling sites and years. Several statistical methods were applied to detect the population reduction and compare it with that in other seal species. The result indicated that the population of the Liaodong Gulf spotted seal has suffered a decrease in genetic variability and population reduction over the last several decades. The present study supports a notion that a decrease in population size is the main factor accounting for the low levels of variability observed. These research results provide useful data for the conservation and management of the Liaodong Gulf colony.