Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of different extracts of Fattaka fruits (Pergularia tomentosa L.) on controlling the Dengue Fever vector (Aedes aegypti) larvae under laboratory conditions

This study was conducted as a pilot study to evaluate the toxicity of three different extracts (water, ethanol and acetone) from Fattaka fruits, Pergularia tomentosa L. (Asclepiadaceae), at five different concentrations against the fourth instar larvae of the Dengue Fever mosquito vector Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae). Results showed that the ethanolic extract caused a higher mortality of A. aegypti larvae compared with other solvents. In the ethanolic extract treatment, the percentage mortalities of the A. aegypti larvae ranged between 16.25% at the lowest concentration and 97.5% at the highest concentration after 24 hours. Also, toxicological parameters including LC50 and LC95, toxicological index and Slope of the log-dose-probit lines showed that the ethanolic extract of this plant was more effective for controlling A. aegypti, showing LC50 of 0.06 ppm and LC95 of 2.37 ppm. This was not greatly different at 48 hours in which the mortalities of A. aegypti ranged between 32.5% and 98.75%, and the LC50 was 0.025 ppm and the LC95 was 1.668 ppm. Overall, this study suggests that more studies on the chemistry of P. tomentosa and its bioassays are required before confirming its use to biocontrol mosquitoes. Keywords: Pergularia tomentosa, Fattaka, Dengue fever vector, Botanical pesticides, Aedes aegypti control.
Distribution of "Attached" Salmonella typhimurium Cells Between Poultry Skin and a Surface Film Following Water Immersion.

Poultry skin was immersed in a saline solution (0.85%) containing 108 Salmonella typhimurium /ml. After 0.25 min, 95% of the water uptake was in a surface film and 5% in the skin. After immersion for 30 and 60 min, a significant increase in total water uptake occurred at each immersion time. A significant increase in the surface film occurred after 30 min of immersion, but not from 30 to 60 min. After 0.25 min of immersion, 94% of bacterial cells was entrapped in the water film and 6% was on the skin. As immersion time increased, the percentage of bacteria in the surface film decreased, whereas the percentage on the skin increased. After 60 min of immersion, about 39% of bacterial cells was in the surface film and 61% was on the skin. These data indicate a possible transfer of water and bacteria from surface film to skin during prolonged water immersion. Preventing the formation of the surface film by altering surface tension may reduce carcass contamination during immersion processes.
Genetic and morphological differences between Sebastes vulpes and S. zonatus (Teleostei: Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae)

The taxonomic status of Sebastes vulpes and S. zonatus were clarified by comprehensive genetic (amplif ied fragment length polymorphisms [AFLP] and mitochondrial DNA [mtDNA] variation) and morphological analyses on a total of 65 specimens collected from a single locality. A principal coordinate analysis based on 364 AFLP loci separated the specimens completely into two genetically distinct groups that corresponded to S. vulpes and S. zonatus according to body coloration and that indicated that they are reproductively isolated species. Significant morphological differences were also evident between the two groups; 1) separation by principal component analysis based on 31 measurements, and 2)separation according to differences in counts of gill rakers and dorsal-fin spines without basal scales, and in the frequencies of specimens with small scales on the lower jaw. Restriction of gene flow between the two groups was also indicated by the pairwise ΦST values estimated from variations in partial sequences from the mtDNA control region, although the minimum spanning network did not result in separation into distinct clades. The latter was likely due to incomplete lineage sorting between S. vulpes and S. zonatus owing to their recent speciation.
Rapid responses to a strong experimental selection for heat hardening in the invasive whitefly Bemisia tabaci MEAM 1

Adaptation to new environments is an important issue for invasive species as colonization depends on evolvability in their new distribution range. Here, we considered the case of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci MEAM 1 (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), a pest that has recently invaded Colombia and where thermal adaptation has been proposed to explain its colonizing ability. An experimental evolution study was conducted to assess the evolutionary potential of B. tabaci in relation to its upper thermal limits, to explain its rapid adaptation during post‐invasion periods. Selection for hardening capacity was conducted in four whitefly populations. We measured thermal responses in relation to fitness components (survival, fecundity, and viability) for 5–7 generations under a strong selection regime. Heat hardening responded rapidly in both sexes. This was expressed as an increase in survival, but not in fecundity or viability. These results suggest that thermal responses for heat hardening are not correlated and evolve independently. Increased survival after few generations of selection points to high adaptive potential in this insect, which leads to rapid post‐invasion adaptation. Our study can help to predict population responses to environmental change and explain the colonizing ability of this pest.
Détection de mutations associées à la résistance aux antifongiques chez Candida spp. par pyroséquençage haut débit

L’utilisation croissante des antifongiques azoles et des echinocandines dans la prevention et le traitement des candidoses invasives a conduit a l’emergence d’isolats resistants parfois associes a des echecs cliniques. Le but de cette etude etait l’application d’une technologie de sequencage nouvelle generation (NGS), le pyrosequencage haut debit, a la detection des mutations impliquees dans la resistance aux antifongiques chez Candida spp. Plusieurs genes impliques dans la resistance aux antifongiques ont ete sequences simultanement pour un meme isolat, plusieurs isolats et plusieurs especes de Candida spp. , avec une grande fiabilite, grâce a la plateforme GS Junior® (Roche Diagnostics). La strategie experimentale utilisee est adaptee a la detection de mutations associees a la resistance aux echinocandines. Plusieurs mutations inedites ont ete identifiees lors de l’analyse des genes impliques dans la resistance aux azoles. Le sequencage d’isolats sequentiels preleves avant et apres traitement antifongique chez des patients colonises ou infectes par C. albicans, C. glabrata ou C. parapsilosis n’a cependant pas permis de mettre en evidence d’apparition ou de disparition de mutations au cours du temps. Le sequencage d’autres genes et isolats permettra de detecter de nouvelles mutations et de mieux comprendre le developpement de la resistance chez Candida spp. Cette technologie pourrait aussi etre appliquee a l’etude de la resistance aux antifongiques chez d’autres pathogenes comme Aspergillus spp. Enfin, l’utilisation du NGS en pratique clinique permettrait de detecter precocement des isolats a risque d’evolution vers la resistance phenotypique ou l’echec clinique.
The role of egg cannibalism for the Calanus succession in the Disko Bay, Western Greenland

The present study is the first to describe egg cannibalism in the key Arctic copepod species Calanus finmarchicus, Calanus glacialis, and Calanus hyperboreus. Initially, a series of staining experiments evaluated the application of Neutral Red for staining Calanus eggs. The method was effective and applied in subsequent feeding experiments, where adult females were incubated in bottles with their own eggs. The results showed that all Calanus spp. ingested C. finmarchicus and C. glacialis eggs. However, consumers showed a slight preference for C. finmarchicus eggs when incubated with those of both species. The addition of phytoplankton even at high concentrations did not decrease clearance rates for eggs, suggesting that the presence of alternative food does not afford eggs any protection from cannibalism. To evaluate the potential impact of egg cannibalism on the succession of the three species, we calculated and compared field egg mortality rates with potential egg clearance rates for the Calanus complex based on rates from the experiments. Our results show that in Disko Bay cannibalism by Calanus spp. , even at its highest level just before the spring bloom, could only account for about 10% of observed in situ egg mortality, and much less for most of the season.
Predicting the phenotype of Mendelian disease missense mutations using amino acid conservation and protein stability change

Many Mendelian diseases are caused by recessive, loss-of-function missense mutations. On a gene-by-gene basis, it has been demonstrated that missense mutations cause, among other defects, protein misfolding, protein instability, protein mistransport, which strongly suggests that pathogenic missense mutations do not occur at random positions. Based on those observations, we predicted that Mendelian disease missense mutations are enriched in evolutionarily-conserved amino acids. In a pilot set of 260 Mendelian diseases genes affecting cellular organelles we show that missense mutations indeed occur in amino acids that are significantly more conserved than the average amino acid in the protein based on three different scoring methods (Jensen Shannon Divergence p = 7.78E-03, Shannon Entropy p = 1.68E-13, Sum of Pairs p = 1.55E-17). In order to understand how these results might be related to clinical phenotypes in humans or preclinical phenotypes in model organisms, we calculated the protein stability change upon mutation (ΔΔGu) using EASE-MM and found that, on average, pathogenic mutations cause a stability change of greater magnitude than benign mutations (p = 4.414428E-23). Finally, we performed a computational case study on NPC1, the gene responsible for 95% of diagnosed cases of the lysosomal storage disorder Niemann-Pick Type C using a set of 411 missense mutations from the Exome Aggregation Consortium.
Vitamin C Content of Dehydrated Vegetables

The changes in the vitamin C content in vegetables due to solar drying were measured in green sweet pepper broccoli and Japanese radish. Compared with content per edible portion vitamin C content in all vegetables increased after drying. However compared with content per dry matter vitamin C content in all of vegetables decreased after drying. Ascorbic acid is oxidized to dehydroascorbic acid by enzymatic or non‑enzymatic reactions. The quantitative ratio of dehydroascorbic acid increased in all vegetables by drying. The increase in the quantitative ratio of DHAA shows that the freshness of vegetables is lowered.
Gaining access to the site of exocytosis in bovine adrenal medullary cells.

: 1. A new technique is described for gaining access to the intracellular site at which exocytosis is controlled. By exposing isolated cells to high electric fields of brief duration, it is possible to create "leaky" cells in which the plasma membrane has been by-passed without impairing the ability of the cells to undergo exocytosis. 2. In the presence of EGTA and an ionized Ca of less than 10(-8) M, "leaky" cells lose less than 1% of their total catecholamine. When exposed to 10 microM ionized Ca they lose up to 30% of their catecholamine together with dopamine-beta-hydroxylase but no lactate dehydrogenase. The time course of release of both catecholamine and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase are identical, suggesting that release must involve exocytosis. Exocytosis in these "leaky" cells has the following properties: A) It is half maximal in the presence of a buffered ionized Ca of approximately 1 microM. Millimolar concentrations of Mg reduce both the affinity for Ca and also the total amount of catecholamine released at high calcium concentrations. B) It has a specific requirement for Mg ATP. C) It is inhibited by a variety of anions. The most potent inhibitor is SCN, and the least glutamate and acetate. D) It is inhibited by the anti-psychotic drug trifluoperazine.
ON THE EVOLUTION OF GARRULAX (TIMALIINAE), WITH COMPARATIVE STUDIES OF THE SPECIES FOUND AT THE CENTER AND THOSE IN THE PERIPHERY OF THE DISTRIBUTIONAL RANGE OF THE GENUS

In the genus Garrulax (babblers), there are, as far as known at present, 46 species, of which 33 occur in China. Of the 33 species, 26 have been recorded from the western parts of Sichuan and Yunnan, i.e., the meridional Himalayas see Tabd. 1, occupying about 80% of the total number of species of Garrulax found in China. This locality is marked by the much varied types of vegetation and ecological conditions, and also noted for its high degree of endemism. Henee it seems reasonable to propose that the meridional Himalayas may probably be the place where the genus Garrulax may have its origin.As to the phylogenetic relationships of the different species of the genus in question, we have adopted the following criteria to ascertain their respective positions in the process of evolution.It is worthy of note that the species with the number of " + " below 10 are mostly found in the peripheral region, whereas nearly all of the species with 10 or more "+" are distributed in the proposed place of origin of the said genus (see Tab. 2). Traditionally speaking, zoologists used to take species of a low level of development in the process of evolution as a more or less reliable indicator of the center of dispersal of the genus. Our conclusion is just the opposite. The species of a comparatively lower level are found not at the center but are all excluded to the peripheral region of the distributional range of the genus. This competitive exclusion principle is in complete accord with the core of Darwin's theory advocating the survival of the fittest (or the more fitted), and is thus considered not only as a supporting evidence of Darwin's theory of evolution but also as a supplement of scientific significance to Darwinism.
Study on hydrological behaviour of a natural spring

In the middle and greater Himalaya, natural springs are the main source of domestic water consumption, but their discharge does not remain constant with time. Erratic rainfall directly affects the recharging of the spring catchment. In this communication, the behaviour of a perennial spring with rainfall variation is analysed from eight years' data recorded daily. It is concluded that the time required for the water from the remotest part of the feeding catchment of the spring to reach the outlet (time of concentration) is equal to 57 days.
Microbial Diversity in the Hypersaline Dabuxun Lake in Qaidam Basin,China

Microbial diversity in the water and sediment of the hypersaline Dabuxun Lake was investigated by using culture-dependent and-independent techniques including cultivation,quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR),and 16SrRNA gene fragment 454 pyrosequencing.The qPCR results showed that in the water of the Dabuxun Lake the bacterial and archaeal 16SrRNA gene abundances were 3.27×107 and 4.35×104 copies/mL,respectively.The cultivation-based phylogenetic analysis showed that bacterial isolates were classified as Pseudomonas and Bacillus,and archaeal isolates were affiliated with three haloarchaeal genera:Haloarcula,Halorubrum,and Halorhabdus.The 454 pyrosequencing-based phylogenetic results showed that the major bacterial phyla were Actinobacteria,Bacteroidetes,Proteobacteria,and Verrucomicrobia,with each accounting for 53.0%,25.8%,14.1% and 1.6% of the total sequence reads,respectively.The dominant archaeal reads belong to Halobacteriaceae,accounting for 5.5% of total reads.Our results gave a thorough understanding of the microbial composition in the hypersaline Dabuxun Lake.
Establishing Representative No‐Take Areas in the Great Barrier Reef: Large‐Scale Implementation of Theory on Marine Protected Areas

Abstract: The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, an area almost the size of Japan, has a new network of no‐take areas that significantly improves the protection of biodiversity. The new marine park zoning implements, in a quantitative manner, many of the theoretical design principles discussed in the literature. For example, the new network of no‐take areas has at least 20% protection per “bioregion,” minimum levels of protection for all known habitats and special or unique features, and minimum sizes for no‐take areas of at least 10 or 20 km across at the smallest diameter. Overall, more than 33% of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is now in no‐take areas (previously 4.5%). The steps taken leading to this outcome were to clarify to the interested public why the existing level of protection was inadequate; detail the conservation objectives of establishing new no‐take areas; work with relevant and independent experts to define, and contribute to, the best scientific process to deliver on the objectives; describe the biodiversity (e.g., map bioregions); define operational principles needed to achieve the objectives; invite community input on all of the above; gather and layer the data gathered in round‐table discussions; report the degree of achievement of principles for various options of no‐take areas; and determine how to address negative impacts. Some of the key success factors in this case have global relevance and include focusing initial communication on the problem to be addressed; applying the precautionary principle; using independent experts; facilitating input to decision making; conducting extensive and participatory consultation; having an existing marine park that encompassed much of the ecosystem; having legislative power under federal law; developing high‐level support; ensuring agency priority and ownership; and being able to address the issue of displaced fishers.
The characterization of adaptor protein homologues in Plasmodium falciparum

Plasmodium Jalciparum is becoming increasingly more resistant to regular antimalarial drugs, making it necessary to identify novel drug candidates and drug targets. Components of the endocytic and secretory pathway in asexual stage parasites are attractive targets because they playa fundamental role in the normal processes of parasite metabolism. Adaptor protein complexes are components of protein coats that associate with transport vesicles of the endocytic and secretory pathways in mammalian cells. Homologues of several adaptor protein subunits are encoded by the parasite genome. The presence of these genes suggests that the parasite experiences clathrin-mediated transport processes. This study reports the cloning and characterization of selected malarial homologues of these adaptor proteins, namely three medium (Il) chain adaptin homologues and two sigma (0') chains. The malaria gene sequences were amplified by RT-PCR and expressed in E. coli. The recombinant proteins, as well as synthetic peptides derived from the 0' proteins, were used to generate antisera. Monospecificity of the antisera was confirmed by Western blotting of parasite lysates. The antisera were used in immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy assays to determine the subcellular localization of the adaptor protein homologues in the parasite. The III and 112 adaptins co-localize to a ribbonlike structure in the parasite cytosol which appears as tubulovesicular profiles under electron microscopy and is morphologically suggestive of a secretory compartment such as the Golgi. This conclusion is further supported by the extensive colocalization of III and Pftab6, an acknowledged Golgi marker in the parasite. In contrast, the 114 adaptin homologue is associated with the plasma membrane and digestive vacuole. The plasma membrane localization is co-incident with that of the parasite clathrin heavy chain. These results suggest that III and 112 form part of parasite adaptor complexes that are analogous to mammalian AP-3 and AP-4 which mediate clathrin-independent secretion from the Golgi. In turn, 114 may be part of a parasite adaptor complex, similar to mammalian AP-2, involved in clathrin-mediated Un ive rsi ty of Ca pe To wn Abstract iii endocytosis from the plasma membrane and trafficking at the digestive vacuole. Further Western blotting and co-localization experiments suggest that the III and 114 adaptins are complexed with the smaller al and a4 adaptins respectively, in a complex that does not dissociate under standard SDS-PAGE conditions. In addition to coat recruitment, adaptor proteins select protein cargo for inclusion into transport vesicles in mammalian cells. The results presented here constitute the first evidence that endocytosis in parasites may be mediated by clathrin-associated adaptor complexes, while selective targeting of proteins in the secretory pathway may proceed via adaptor protein cargo selection.
Real-time observation of replicative helicase assembly onto single-stranded DNA

Replicative helicases load onto DNA at the start of replication, and play a vital role by driving the replication fork forward. These helicases assemble into closed multimeric rings that need to encircle single-stranded (ss)DNA to be activated. Though helicase loading on substrates with accessible free ends has been well characterized for the T7 gp4 helicase, a model system for superfamily IV replicative helicases, the physiologically more relevant loading onto exposed ssDNA without free ends remains less well understood. Here, using a label-free assay that exploits changes in the DNA hairpin hopping dynamics to detect gp4 binding and activity, we characterize loading and activation of gp4 on exposed ssDNA without free ends, and find clear evidence of stepwise assembly of the helicase at the fork at physiologically relevant concentrations. The gradual loading onto ssDNA, rather than pre-forming in solution followed by spontaneous ring opening which appears favored at higher concentrations, suggests a new paradigm of stepwise assembly for the helicases in superfamily IV that do not require a separate loading enzyme.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Genetic Polymorphisms and Intermediary Metabolism Alterations

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a multifactorial disease characterized by airflow obstruction that is usually progressive and associated with an abnormal inflammatory response of the lungs to noxious particles and gases. Cigarette smoke (CS) is the main risk factor, but only a small proportion of smokers (15-20%) develop symptomatic disease, this suggests that there are individual susceptibility factors involved in disease onset and progression. Considering the impact of environmental and genetic risk factors in COPD, this dissertation sought to uncover genetic susceptibility biomarkers in a population affected by COPD and explore tissue metabolic alterations induced by chronic CS exposure in a mouse model. A case-control study was carried on in a COPD population, aiming to investigate whether polymorphisms of microsomal epoxide hydrolase (EPHX1) gene, and related phenotypes, had any bearing on individual susceptibility to COPD onset and severity. DNA of COPD patients and controls was genotyped for functional polymorphisms of EPHX1 gene (exon 3 Tyr113His, exon 4 His139Arg), and haplotype analysis was performed using PCR-RFLP and PCR-RT techniques. The statistical analysis did not show any significant result about the potential relationship between analyzed SNPs, related phenotypes, and COPD risk and severity. Stable isotope-resolved metabolomics approach was used to study glycolytic pathway alterations induced by chronic CS exposure in lung and liver tissue of an emphysema mouse model. C57BL/6J mice, after CS exposure, were injected via IP injection with glucose tracer containing carbon stable isotope - 13C6-glucose – then, tissues were collected and the incorporation of 13C into metabolites was monitored by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spettroscopy. Lung tissue analyses did not reveal any significant alteration in lung tissue glycolysis of mice exposed to CS. On the other hand, CS may contribute to dysregulated glycolysis, PPP, glycogen synthesis and utilization, in emphysema mouse model liver tissue.