bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bioactive plant products in the food industry
Authors: Stanojevic Ljiljana P , Stanojevic Jelena S , Cakić Milorad D
Published: April 2024

Plant bioactive products, known as natural isolates or natural biochemicals, have been increasingly used in food production. New aspects of traditional plant materials application are examined, as well as extensive phytochemical tests are conducted in order to discover some new active principles from natural sources. Raw plant materials are a source of various secondary metabolites that mostly show a wide range of positive biological properties. There is a growing interest of scientists, food producers and consumers in the usage of plant extracts as functional ingredients in food and beverages and development of new food products that positively affect health. Plant extracts are also recognized as a source of the compounds which exhibit the potential of various diseases prevention and risks reduction. In the same time, there are growing remarks from consumers to the extensive utilization of synthetic additives in food industry due to their undesired side effects. The usage of raw plant materials and bioactive plant isolates is significant in food industry as spices, aromas and flavor correctors, preservatives, antioxidants, phytonutrients, antimicrobial agents, nutrients, emulsifiers, food thickeners, in meat industry, alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages production, as well as in the confectionery and bakery industry. Generally, the usage of bioactive products of plant origin is a new trend in food industry creating a wide technological potential for new products development.
Plant protection and resistance of harmful organisms
Authors: Janjić Vaskrsija , Mitrić Siniša , Marčić Dejan , Stević Milan
Published: April 2024

Cultivated plants are attacked and used as food by about 67.000 species of harmful organisms. Of that number, 900 species are insects and mites, 50.000 species are pathogenic microorganisms and 8.000 species are weed plants. In the countries with the intensive agricultural production it is considered that phytopathogenic microorganisms, harmful insects and weed decrease the yield for about 30%, whereas this reduction is more than 50% in countries with extensive production. Every year harmful organisms decrease the production of food which would be sufficient for nutrition of almost billion of people or the same amount of food which would be necessary to overcome the hunger in the world. The modern agrotechnical operations which are used in intensive production such as: monoculture, perfect preparation of the soil for planting, irrigation, fertilization, pruning, cultivating the high-yield species, cultivating in the inner space, mechanical harvesting and picking, storage in silos and many other measures and procedures which are used at cultivating of some species contribute greatly to creation of conditions for the optimal development of the harmful organisms. Nowadays, great and current problem has been the resistance of many harmful biological agents which regularly occur and which have been treated for decades by the same pesticide preparations they are now resistant to. Resistance of harmful organisms to the pesticides causes the wide range of problems and some of them are the following ones: for destruction of resistant biotypes of particular harmful organisms depending on the degree of resistance it is necessary to use multiple larger amounts of the pesticides than it is necessary when this phenomenon is not developed, because of use of the pesticides in the larger amounts per the area unit there is greater contamination of the environment and more expressive harmful consequences for the natural balance and at the end the increased use of pesticides per area unit due to achieving satisfactory efficiency causes the price increase of the production and reduction of the economical profitability of the pesticide use. This problem is not obvious only in our country, but it is present as even larger problem in the countries with the intensive agricultural production. Due to the massive resistance and decreased efficiency of existing and already used pesticides it is necessary to find out new pesticides with specific and different mechanism of impact and huge resources, special chemicals and highly educated staff is necessary for their discovery, synthesis, testing, semiindustrial and industrial production. Mankind faced this problem in its sharp form during the last decades of the last century particularly in the developed countries.
Experience transforms crossmodal object representations in the anterior temporal lobes
Authors: Li Aedan Yue , Ladyka-Wojcik Natalia , Qazilbash Heba , Golestani Ali , Walther Dirk B , Martin Chris B , Barense Morgan D
Published: April 2024

Combining information from multiple senses is essential to object recognition, core to the ability to learn concepts, make new inferences, and generalize across distinct entities. Yet how the mind combines sensory input into coherent crossmodal representations – the crossmodal binding problem – remains poorly understood. Here, we applied multi-echo fMRI across a 4-day paradigm, in which participants learned three-dimensional crossmodal representations created from well-characterized unimodal visual shape and sound features. Our novel paradigm decoupled the learned crossmodal object representations from their baseline unimodal shapes and sounds, thus allowing us to track the emergence of crossmodal object representations as they were learned by healthy adults. Critically, we found that two anterior temporal lobe structures – temporal pole and perirhinal cortex – differentiated learned from non-learned crossmodal objects, even when controlling for the unimodal features that composed those objects. These results provide evidence for integrated crossmodal object representations in the anterior temporal lobes that were different from the representations for the unimodal features. Furthermore, we found that perirhinal cortex representations were by default biased toward visual shape, but this initial visual bias was attenuated by crossmodal learning. Thus, crossmodal learning transformed perirhinal representations such that they were no longer predominantly grounded in the visual modality, which may be a mechanism by which object concepts gain their abstraction.
Warming and altered precipitation independently and interactively suppress alpine soil microbial growth in a decadal-long experiment
Authors: Ruan Yang , Ling Ning , Jiang Shengjing , Jing Xin , He Jin-Sheng , Shen Qirong , Nan Zhibiao
Published: April 2024

Warming and precipitation anomalies affect terrestrial carbon balance partly through altering microbial eco-physiological processes (e.g., growth and death) in soil. However, little is known about how such processes responds to simultaneous regime shifts in temperature and precipitation. We used the 18O-water quantitative stable isotope probing approach to estimate bacterial growth in alpine meadow soils of the Tibetan Plateau after a decade of warming and altered precipitation manipulation. Our results showed that the growth of major taxa was suppressed by the single and combined effects of temperature and precipitation, eliciting 40–90% of growth reduction of whole community. The antagonistic interactions of warming and altered precipitation on population growth were common (~70% taxa), represented by the weak antagonistic interactions of warming and drought, and the neutralizing effects of warming and wet. The members in Solirubrobacter and Pseudonocardia genera had high growth rates under changed climate regimes. These results are important to understand and predict the soil microbial dynamics in alpine meadow ecosystems suffering from multiple climate change factors.
Convergent epigenetic evolution drives relapse in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Nuno Kevin , Azizi Armon , Koehnke Thomas , Lareau Caleb , Ediriwickrema Asiri , Corces M Ryan , Satpathy Ansuman T , Majeti Ravindra
Published: April 2024

Relapse of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is highly aggressive and often treatment refractory. We analyzed previously published AML relapse cohorts and found that 40% of relapses occur without changes in driver mutations, suggesting that non-genetic mechanisms drive relapse in a large proportion of cases. We therefore characterized epigenetic patterns of AML relapse using 26 matched diagnosis-relapse samples with ATAC-seq. This analysis identified a relapse-specific chromatin accessibility signature for mutationally stable AML, suggesting that AML undergoes epigenetic evolution at relapse independent of mutational changes. Analysis of leukemia stem cell (LSC) chromatin changes at relapse indicated that this leukemic compartment underwent significantly less epigenetic evolution than non-LSCs, while epigenetic changes in non-LSCs reflected overall evolution of the bulk leukemia. Finally, we used single-cell ATAC-seq paired with mitochondrial sequencing (mtscATAC) to map clones from diagnosis into relapse along with their epigenetic features. We found that distinct mitochondrially-defined clones exhibit more similar chromatin accessibility at relapse relative to diagnosis, demonstrating convergent epigenetic evolution in relapsed AML. These results demonstrate that epigenetic evolution is a feature of relapsed AML and that convergent epigenetic evolution can occur following treatment with induction chemotherapy.
Dual Targeting of Histone Deacetylases and MYC as Potential Treatment Strategy for H3-K27M Pediatric Gliomas
Authors: Algranati Danielle , Oren Roni , Dassa Bareket , Fellus-Alyagor Liat , Plotnikov Alexander , Barr Haim , Harmelin Alon , London Nir , Ron Guy , Furth Noa , Shema Efrat
Published: April 2024

Diffuse midline gliomas (DMG) are aggressive and fatal pediatric tumors of the central nervous system that are highly resistant to treatments. Lysine to methionine substitution of residue 27 on histone H3 (H3-K27M) is a driver mutation in DMGs, reshaping the epigenetic landscape of these cells to promote tumorigenesis. H3-K27M gliomas are characterized by deregulation of histone acetylation and methylation pathways, as well as the oncogenic MYC pathway. In search of effective treatment, we examined the therapeutic potential of dual targeting of histone deacetylases (HDACs) and MYC in these tumors. Treatment of H3-K27M patient-derived cells with Sulfopin, an inhibitor shown to block MYC-driven tumors
in-vivo
, in combination with the HDAC inhibitor Vorinostat, resulted in substantial decrease in cell viability. Moreover, transcriptome and epigenome profiling revealed synergistic effect of this drug combination in downregulation of prominent oncogenic pathways such as mTOR. Finally,
in-vivo
studies of patient-derived orthotopic xenograft models showed significant tumor growth reduction in mice treated with the drug combination. These results highlight the combined treatment with PIN1 and HDAC inhibitors as a promising therapeutic approach for these aggressive tumors.
The co-receptor Tetraspanin12 directly captures Norrin to promote ligand-specific β-catenin signaling
Authors: Bruguera Elise S , Mahoney Jacob P , Weis William I
Published: April 2024

Wnt/β-catenin signaling directs animal development and tissue renewal in a tightly controlled, cell- and tissue-specific manner. In the mammalian central nervous system, the atypical ligand Norrin controls angiogenesis and maintenance of the blood-brain barrier and blood-retina barrier through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Like Wnt, Norrin activates signaling by binding and heterodimerizing the receptors Frizzled (Fzd) and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 or 6 (LRP5/6), leading to membrane recruitment of the intracellular transducer Dishevelled (Dvl) and ultimately stabilizing the transcriptional coactivator β-catenin. Unlike Wnt, the cystine knot ligand Norrin only signals through Fzd4 and additionally requires the co-receptor Tetraspanin12 (Tspan12); however, the mechanism underlying Tspan12-mediated signal enhancement is unclear. It has been proposed that Tspan12 integrates into the Norrin-Fzd4 complex to enhance Norrin-Fzd4 affinity or otherwise allosterically modulate Fzd4 signaling. Here, we measure direct, high-affinity binding between purified Norrin and Tspan12 in a lipid environment and use AlphaFold models to interrogate this interaction interface. We find that Tspan12 and Fzd4 can simultaneously bind Norrin and that a pre-formed Tspan12/Fzd4 heterodimer, as well as cells co-expressing Tspan12 and Fzd4, more efficiently capture low concentrations of Norrin than Fzd4 alone. We also show that Tspan12 competes with both heparan sulfate proteoglycans and LRP6 for Norrin binding and that Tspan12 does not impact Fzd4-Dvl affinity in the presence or absence of Norrin. Our findings suggest that Tspan12 does not allosterically enhance Fzd4 binding to Norrin or Dvl, but instead functions to directly capture Norrin upstream of signaling.
The co-receptor Tspan12 directly captures Norrin to promote ligand-specific β-catenin signaling
Authors: Bruguera Elise S. , Mahoney Jacob P. , Weis William I.
Published: April 2024

Wnt/
β
-catenin signaling directs animal development and tissue renewal in a tightly controlled, cell- and tissue-specific manner. In the central nervous system, the atypical ligand Norrin controls angiogenesis and maintenance of the blood-brain barrier and blood-retina barrier through the Wnt/
β
-catenin pathway. Like Wnt, Norrin activates signaling by binding and heterodimerizing the receptors Frizzled (Fzd) and Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 or 6 (LRP5/6), leading to membrane recruitment of the intracellular transducer Dishevelled (Dvl); this ultimately results in the stabilization of the transcriptional coactivator
β
-catenin. Unlike Wnt, the cysteine-knot ligand Norrin only signals through Fzd4 and additionally requires the co-receptor Tspan12; however, the mechanism underlying Tspan12-mediated signal enhancement is unclear. It has been proposed that Tspan12 integrates into the Norrin-Fzd4 complex to enhance Norrin-Fzd4 affinity or otherwise allosterically modulate Fzd4 signaling. Here, we measure direct, high-affinity binding between purified Norrin and Tspan12 in a lipid environment and use AlphaFold models to interrogate this interaction interface. We find that Tspan12 and Fzd4 can simultaneously bind Norrin and that a pre-formed Tspan12/Fzd4 heterodimer, as well as cells co-expressing Tspan12 and Fzd4, more efficiently capture low concentrations of Norrin than Fzd4 alone. We also show that Tspan12 competes with both heparan sulfate proteoglycans and LRP6 for Norrin binding and that Tspan12 does not impact Fzd4-Dvl affinity in the presence or absence of Norrin. Our findings suggest that Tspan12 does not allosterically enhance Fzd4 binding to Norrin or Dvl, but instead functions to directly capture Norrin upstream of signaling.
Motor neurons are dispensable for the assembly of a sensorimotor circuit for gaze stabilization
Authors: Goldblatt Dena , Rosti Başak , Hamling Kyla R. , Leary Paige , Panchal Harsh , Li Marlyn , Gelnaw Hannah , Huang Stephanie , Quainoo Cheryl , Schoppik David
Published: April 2024

Sensorimotor reflex circuits engage distinct neuronal subtypes, defined by precise connectivity, to transform sensation into compensatory behavior. Whether and how motor neuron populations specify the subtype fate and/or sensory connectivity of their pre-motor partners remains controversial. Here, we discovered that motor neurons are dispensable for proper connectivity in the vestibular reflex circuit that stabilizes gaze. We first measured activity following vestibular sensation in premotor projection neurons after constitutive loss of their extraocular motor neuron partners. We observed normal responses and topography indicative of unchanged functional connectivity between sensory neurons and projection neurons. Next, we show that projection neurons remain anatomically and molecularly poised to connect appropriately with their downstream partners. Lastly, we show that the transcriptional signatures that typify projection neurons develop independently of motor partners. Our findings comprehensively overturn a long-standing model: that connectivity in the circuit for gaze stabilization is retrogradely determined by motor partner-derived signals. By defining the contribution of motor neurons to specification of an archetypal sensorimotor circuit, our work speaks to comparable processes in the spinal cord and advances our understanding of general principles of neural development.
SIRT2-Mediated ACSS2 K271 Deacetylation Suppresses Lipogenesis Under Nutrient Stress
Authors: Karim Rezwana , Teng Wendi , Behram Cameron , Lin Hening
Published: April 2024

De novo lipogenesis is associated with the development of human diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and obesity. At the core of lipogenesis lies acetyl coenzyme A (CoA), a metabolite that plays a crucial role in fatty acid synthesis. One of the pathways contributing to the production of cytosolic acetyl-CoA is mediated by acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACSS2). Here, we reveal that when cells encounter nutrient stress, particularly a deficiency in amino acids, Sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) catalyzes the deacetylation of ACSS2 at the lysine residue K271. This results in K271 ubiquitination and subsequently proteasomal degradation of ACSS2. Substitution of K271 leads to decreased ubiquitination of ACSS2, increased ACSS2 protein level, and thus increased lipogenesis. Our study uncovers a mechanism that cells employ to efficiently manage lipogenesis during periods of nutrient stress.
SIRT2-Mediated ACSS2 K271 Deacetylation Suppresses Lipogenesis Under Nutrient Stress
Authors: Karim Rezwana , Teng Wendi , Lin Hening
Published: April 2024

De novo lipogenesis is associated with the development of human diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and obesity. At the core of lipogenesis lies acetyl coenzyme A (CoA), a metabolite that plays a crucial role in fatty acid synthesis. One of the pathways contributing to the production of cytosolic acetyl-CoA is mediated by acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACSS2). Here, we reveal that when cells encounter nutrient stress, particularly a deficiency in amino acids, Sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) catalyzes the deacetylation of ACSS2 at the lysine residue K271. This results in K271 ubiquitination and subsequently proteasomal degradation of ACSS2. Substitution of K271 leads to decreased ubiquitination of ACSS2, increased ACSS2 protein level, and thus increased lipogenesis. Our study uncovers a mechanism that cells employ to efficiently manage lipogenesis during periods of nutrient stress.
Modelling the effects of emotional engagement and peer interaction on the continuous intention to use asynchronous e-learning
Authors: Alshammari Sultan Hammad , Alshammari Mohammed Habib
Published: April 2024

Even though asynchronous e-learning has become popular among universities, few studies have examined how students intend to continue using it for their learning. This study proposed a theoretical model that aims to examine the effects of external factors—emotional engagement and peer interaction—and two constructs of technology acceptance model (TAM) on students’ continuous intention to use asynchronous e-learning. A total of 259 students participated in a survey. The data were analysed using two steps in SEM AMOS. confirmatory factor analysis was conducted for assessing model measurement, and structural equation modelling was applied for assessing relationships among constructs and testing hypothesis. The results showed that emotional engagement had a significant effect on students’ continuous intention to use asynchronous e-learning through the perceived ease of use of asynchronous e-learning and not through its perceived usefulness. Furthermore, peer interaction had a significant effect on students’ continuous intention to use asynchronous e-learning. Moreover, the constructs of the technology acceptance model—perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness—had direct and significant effects on students’ continuous intention to use asynchronous e-learning. Several implications and suggestions were discussed.
Incidence and risk factors of systemic lupus erythematosus in patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhou En-min , Shen Heping , Wang Di , Xu Weiqun
Published: April 2024

Background

Immune disorders and autoantibodies has been noted in both primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Whether the two disorders are correlated is unclear. The lack of evidence on the incidence of and risk factors for SLE in primary ITP patients poses a challenge for prediction in clinical practice. Therefore, we conducted this study.

Methods

The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023403665). Web of Science, Cochrane, PubMed, and EMBASE were searched for articles published from inception to 30 September 2023 on patients who were first diagnosed with primary ITP and subsequently developed into SLE. Furthermore, the risk factors were analyzed. Study quality was estimated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The statistical process was implemented using the R language.

Results

This systematic review included eight articles. The incidence of SLE during the follow-up after ITP diagnosis was 2.7% (95% CI [1.3–4.4%]), with an incidence of 4.6% (95% CI [1.6–8.6%]) in females and 0 (95% CI [0.00–0.4%]) in males. Older age (OR = 6.31; 95% CI [1.11–34.91]), positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) (OR = 6.64; 95% CI [1.40–31.50]), hypocomplementemia (OR = 8.33; 95% CI [1.62–42.91]), chronic ITP (OR = 24.67; 95% CI [3.14–100.00]), organ bleeding (OR = 13.67; 95% CI [2.44–76.69]), and female (OR = 20.50; 95% CI [4.94–84.90]) were risk factors for subsequent SLE in ITP patients.

Conclusion

Patients with primary ITP are at higher risk of SLE. Specific follow-up and prevention strategies should be tailored especially for older females with positive ANA, hypocomplementemia, or chronic ITP. In subsequent studies, we need to further investigate the risk factors and try to construct corresponding risk prediction models to develop specific prediction strategies for SLE.
Estudio comparativo de modelos específicos de mandibula de Huemúl patagónico basado en el comportamiento biomecánico computacional de piezas óseas
Authors:   , Morales Schneider Daniela Paz
Published: April 2024

Esta investigación utiliza el análisis de elementos finitos para comprender el comportamiento biomecánico de la mandíbula del huemul, un animal en peligro de extinción, y su relación con distintos factores de su logar de origen. Se emplean imágenes médicas para simular su geometría, fuerzas musculares y condiciones de borde. Se describen la anatomía y biomecánica de la mandíbula, se proporciona información sobre la metodología y propiedades mecánicas del hueso, necesarias para el análisis de elementos finitos, considerando que los valores numéricos obtenidos deben ser usados para comparaciones y no como valores absolutos. Se mencionan las herramientas utilizadas, como software de procesamiento de imágenes médicas y de análisis de elementos finitos. Se identifican patrones de distribución de esfuerzos diferentes según la dirección en la cual se aplican las fuerzas, además, al ser estas aplicadas verticalmente, se revelaron diferencias de la distribución entre mandíbulas izquierdas y derechas, generando incertidumbre respecto a la causa de este fenómeno. Al aplicar fuerzas de forma vertical, los máximos esfuerzos equivalentes varían entre 0,16 MPa y 0,23 MPa, mientras que alaplicar fuerzas en 45°, estas varían entre 0,28 MPa y 0,56 MPa. Se encontraron diferencias en los esfuerzos equivalentes de hasta un 77% mayor, y variaciones porcentuales de 1,5% en los ciclos hasta la fractura por fática, siguiendo el criterio de la curva S-N. Además, se encuentran correlaciones entre las propiedades mecánicas de la mandíbula y características como el peso del cráneo, la altura, el grosor de la sección cortical, la edad,el origen y el sexo del huemul. Mediante este método de estudio se podría llegar a un mayor estudio sobre el riesgo de extinción por causas óseas.
Comprehensively Strengthen Financial Supervision and Effectively Forestall and Defuse Financial Risks: Book Review on Research on the Formation and Prevention of Systemic Risks in the Banking Industry from the Perspective of Platform Finance
Authors: Song Rongrong
Published: April 2024

The book Research on the Formation and Prevention of Systemic Risks in the Banking Industry from the Perspective of Platform Finance is an in-depth discussion of the formation mechanism, characteristics, transmission paths and prevention of systemic risks in the banking industry from the perspective of platform finance. By combining theory and practice, this book not only provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of systemic risks in the banking industry, but also provides practical strategies and suggestions for banking industry risk management and supervision.
The Trypsin Inhibitory Activity of Vigna unguiculata ssp. Sesquipedalis (Hawari Mae) Seeds Grown in Sri Lanka was Evaluated
Authors: Wickramaratne YN , Peiris SAADSD , Doranegoda DMHSK , Ampemohotti AALT , Pillay FASS , Kumari KDKP , Silva ARN
Published: April 2024

Aims: This study aimed to screen the entire seed sample of Vigna unguiculata ssp sesquipedalis (Hawari mae) for serine protease inhibitory activity. Additionally, the study explored the impact of various factors such as temperature, pH, metal ions, detergent, oxidizing and reducing agents on the inhibitory activity.
Methodology: A batch of Hawari Mae seeds was obtained from the Plant Genetic Resources Center in Sri Lanka. A concentration gradient of aqueous seed extracts was tested for Serine Inhibitory Activity (SIA). To carry out the SIA assay, seed extracts were mixed with trypsin in phosphoric acid buffer (pH 7.6) and casein was added as the substrate. The samples were then incubated at 37°C and trichloroacetic acid was used to stop the reaction. The supernatants were checked for absorbance at 280 nm and the percentage of serine inhibitory activity (SIA%) was calculated. All experiments were conducted three times to ensure accuracy. The inhibitory activities were tested under various conditions, including different temperatures, pH levels, metal ions, detergents, and oxidizing and reducing agents.
Results: The crude extract containing 10% of the substance showed the highest level of trypsin inhibitory activity at 96.03±0.005%. This particular extract was selected for further analysis. The study revealed that the enzyme inhibition activity was highest at a temperature of 37°C (95.42±0.006%) and a pH of 7.6 (95.71±0.003%). It was observed that all tested metal ions, except Cu2+, significantly reduced (P<0.05) the trypsin inhibitory activity in Hawari mae. The presence of the detergent Triton X-100 did not significantly affect (P>0.05) the trypsin inhibitory activity of Hawari mae. However, the presence of DMSO and dithiothreitol significantly (P<0.05) reduced its activity.
Conclusion: Significant trypsin inhibitory activity was observed in the seed extract of Hawari mae. Further studies on the effects of various physio-chemical parameters can aid in the purification and isolation of trypsin inhibitors.
Development of Regenerative Tea Cultivation Models through Dual Approach of Soil and Plant Health Management towards Crop Sustainability, Soil Quality Development, Pesticide Reduction and Climate Change Mitigation: A Case Study from Lakhipara Tea Estate, Dooars, West Bengal, India (PART-II)
Authors: Bera R.  , Datta A  , Bose S.  , Barik A.K.  , Asthana A.  , Seal A.
Published: April 2024

The first part of this research article documents the impact of the studied Regenerative Agriculture models in tea in respect of crop sustainability, pesticide load reduction and reduction of pest management cost. The findings indicated an increase (78 kg/ha) in crop productivity in the project area as against crop loss of 118 kg/ha in the non- project area during the same period. The finding also indicated a 52 to 77% reduction in the accumulated toxicity potential of the applied pesticides, improvement of soil quality indices and a 6.72% increase in the soil organic carbon stock. Most importantly, carbon assessment in terms of kg CO2 equivalent/ kg made tea (using ACFA version 1.0) indicated approximately 65 to 70 % lower footprint in the project area. The lowering of carbon footprint was due to a 20 to 30 % reduction in the chemical fertilizers along with improvement in carbon sequestration potential of the soil due to quality compost application and reduction of herbicides. The study indicated that Inhana Rational Farming (IRF) Technology can serve as an effective tool towards development of resource based Regenerative Agriculture Models that can ensure safe and low carbon tea cultivation without compromising crop yield and without increasing the cost of cultivation.
Streptococcus pneumoniae Nasopharyngeal Colonization and Antibiogram of Isolates from Paediatric Population in Enugu, South East Nigeria
Authors: Eleazar Clara Idara , Udoh Iniekong Philip , Madaukor Uzomaka Charity , Emenuga Veronica Ngozi , Nweke Rita Ngozi
Published: April 2024

Aims: This research aimed to evaluate and identify Streptococcus pneumoniae from nasopharynx samples of children and carry out antibiotic susceptibility assay on the isolates; being that pneumococci is well noted as a significant cause of invasive pneumonia in infants with the challenge of antibiotic resistance, which may worsen due to the emergence of such strains among children population.
Methodology: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted between March and September 2023 in the Nsukka area of Enugu. Samples were collected from 100 children population using sterile swab sticks. These were inoculated unto blood and chocolate agar and then incubated at 37o C, morphological and biochemical characteristics were used for identification. An antimicrobial susceptibility test using the disk diffusion method was performed on isolates. The multi-discs used were pefloxacin 10ug, Gentamicin 10ug, Ampiclox 30ug, Cefuroxime 20ug, Amoxacillin 30ug, Ceftriazone 25ug, Ciprofloxacin 10ug, and Streptomycin 30ug, Co-tirmoxazole 30ug, and, Erythromycin 10ug.
Results: The results identified 8.0% of pediatric with pneumococcal carriage. Males were 10.0% while females were 5.0%. The age distributions were as follows: 0-5 years 4(8.7%), 6-10                    years 1(3.1%), 11-15 years, 3(13.6%). There was no significant difference in the age range distribution of the pneumococci colonization (p=0.074). There was 66.7% sensitivity rate of S. pneumonia. The resistant rates were 75% each to Ampiclox and Amoxicillin. Cefuroxime was 87.5% resistant.
Status, Diversity and Species Composition of Wetland Birds on Vaduvoor Bird Sanctuary, Tiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: N Satheesh , Baranidharan K. , Krishnamoorthi S. , Vijayabhama M. , Mugilan S.
Published: April 2024

Birds serve as the best indicators of wetland function and as measures of success in wetland management, restoration, and creation. This study was conducted from 2022 to 2024 in the Vaduvoor Bird Sanctuary of Tiruvarur district, employing the total count method to estimate the population of wetland birds. Year-wise species diversity, richness, relative diversity, evenness, density, and relative abundance were calculated. A total of 147 bird species belonging to 48 families and 18 orders were recorded. The maximum diversity and evenness were observed in 2024 (3.05 and 0.37), while the minimum values were recorded in 2023 (2.11 and 0.21). The total density was highest in 2023 (162.68/ha) and lowest in 2024 (27.82/ha), and species richness peaked in 2022 (117) and was lowest in 2024 (84). This sanctuary complex supports three IUCN Red-listed, four Near Threatened species: Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea), Spot-billed Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis), Black-headed Ibis (Threskiornis melanosephalus), and Oriental Darter (Anhinga melanogaster), two vulnerable species: Yellow-throated Bulbul (Pycnonotus xantholaemus) and River Tern (Sterna hirundo), and one Endangered species – Lesser Sand Plover (Charadrius mongolus). This paper provides an overview of the current status and the IUCN status of wetland birds within the study area.
Design of a Circular Micro-strip Patch Antenna for Improved Directivity and Gain of Mobile Communication Base Station
Authors: Okoh Simon , Okhaifoh J. E.
Published: April 2024

This study presents the design of Circular Micro-strip Patch Antenna (CMPA) for improved directivity and gain of mobile communication base station. The design incorporates a Rogger/5880 substrate material with a permittivity of 2.2, tangent angle of 0.00009 and a substrate height (thickness) of 0.98μm at a frequency of 1.65THz.  Diversity Antenna Array Processing (DAAP) and Chebyshev Antenna Array (CAA) methods were used in the design. AutoCAD software and 2D data plotter were used for the diagrams and charts while Maple software was used for simulation. For angles of 0o, 30o, 60o, 90o, 120o, 150o and 180o, the array factors are 7.84dB, 7.85dB, 7.87dB, 7.88dB, 7.87dB, 7.85dB and 7.84db respectively. The results from the design demonstrated a remarkably low side lobe level of 0.01dB, indicating excellent suppression of unwanted radiation in undesired directions. Additionally, the antenna exhibits a Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) of unity, ensuring maximum power transfer efficiency from the source to the load. Furthermore, the antenna shows a high directivity and gain of approximately 9dB, which enhances the signal strength and coverage range. The Half Power Beam-width (HPBW) and First Null Beam-width (FNBW) was measured as 300 and 600 respectively.  These parameters depict the angular width of the main radiation beam and the sharpness of the beam pattern’s nulls. In all, the designed CMPA with its CAA based antenna array holds great potential for communication networks and for mobile communication base station, offering enhanced performance in terms of radiation characteristics and signal quality.
Lilium: A High-Value Cut Flower Production Guide for Lucrative Return
Authors: Samantaray Prachurjya , Nayak Aradhana , Pradhan Itishree , Pattanaik Akanshya , Sahoo Reshma , Mohanty Sukirti
Published: April 2024

Lilium sp. is cultivated worldwide and is one of the most important generators cut flower and pot plant. In terms of the production and marketing of its cut flowers on the global cut flower market, this genus is quite important economically. The majority of the monocot perennial species in the genus Lilium are vegetatively propagated and are among the most significant flower bulbs in terms of economic impact. They are native to Asia, Europe, and North America.  Asiatic and Oriental hybrid lilies are the most important groups and are derived from interspecific crosses of the Sinomartagon and Archelirion sections, respectively. Seed, bulb division, bulb scales, stem bulblets, stem bulbils (in some species), and tissue culture are all methods of multiplying lilies. The primary means of propagating Lilium are bulbs. Six to eight weeks after the parent bulbs begin to produce flowers, the small bulbs are removed. In the north Indian environment, mid-September to mid-December is the ideal period to plant hybrid lilies. October through November is a good season to grow Asiatic lilies in the Northern Plains, whereas March through April is a good time to plant in the hills. After 90 to 120 days of sowing, flowers are ready for harvesting. Cutting the flowers in the morning is ideal. The flower stalk should be clipped 8–10 cm above the ground as soon as the first blossom begins to take on color.
Electron Temperature Measurement of Argon Capacitive Coupling Plasma by Optical-Emission Spectroscopy
Authors: Aljawadi Yasir
Published: April 2024

The study of electron interaction with the electric field in low temperature plasmas is a current area of research with various practical applications. Specifically, in the context of low pressure (< 1 mtorr), electrons can travel distances comparable to the size of the reactor without experiencing collisions. The primary objective of this work is to investigate the basic physics of electron behaviors in an argon discharge at low pressure regime. The main aim of the current study is the investigation the electron temperature (Te). Optical emission spectroscopy was used as diagnostic tool to find the electron temperature based on line ratio method. The link between the fundamental plasma parameter (Te) and its spatial dynamics is analyzed. The study also looks into how the Te is affected by the input plasma radio frequency power throughout the electrode distance.
Escherichia coliLactose Operon
Authors: Ullmann Agnes
Published: March 2009

The study ofEscherichia colilactose operon laid the foundation of modern molecular biology. It contributed to the elaboration of the concept of genetic regulation, proposed by Jacob and Monod almost 50 years ago, a model which survives essentially unchanged. The operon structure, consisting of structural and regulatory genes has been elaborated and their regulatory response to small molecules, such as inducer, glucose and cyclic AMP, have been elucidated. Gene regulation of the lactose operon led to the discovery of messengerribonucleic acid(mRNA), to the identification of the Lac repressor and to the development of the theory of allostery. The lactose genes and its derivatives provide tools to a wide range of current applications in many fields of biology; they are the most commonly used reporter genes in the analysis of developmentally regulated systems, in the study of mutation frequencies and in functional genomics.
Major Histocompatibility Complex: Disease Associations
Authors: Alper Chester A
Published: March 2009

Human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) alleles can be used as markers for a wide variety of autoimmune and other disorders. The interpretation of and possible bases for these associations can be considered in relation to conserved extended MHC haplotypes (CEHs). The latter are fixed stretches of up to several million base pairs of genomic
deoxyribonucleic acid
(DNA). CEHs constitute at least a third of normal European Caucasian MHC haplotypes and contribute most of the MHC disease susceptibility genetic markers. Whereas this has facilitated the detection of MHC gene‐disease association, it paradoxically makes the identification of true susceptibility genetic loci (as distinguished from genetic markers) more difficult. It is likely that the great majority of true susceptibility genes for MHC‐associated diseases are yet to be discovered. It may take new methods and new approaches to identify the true MHC susceptibility genes and their relation to many of the polygenic MHC‐associated diseases.
Segments (Phytomers)
Authors: Bossinger Gerd
Published: March 2009

The structure of higher plants can be interpreted as being derived from a repetition of morphogenetic units called phytomers consisting of a leaf, a section of the stem, a lateral bud and – in grasses – adventitious roots. Such repetitive units of growth occur along the plant axis in a variety of forms with the potential for various phytomer components to be reduced, suppressed or modified. Particular phytomer variants are required, for example, to form specialized reproductive structures. The occurrence of phytomer variants that are typical for one part of a plant in other parts is called homoeosis and the study of such perturbations to the body plan of mutant plants provides promise for attempts to use molecular tools to trace the phytomer.
Vavilov Institute of General Genetics
Authors: Sorokina Marina Yu
Published: March 2009

The article presents the origin, institutional and scientific development, structure and staff of the Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, the Russian Academy of Sciences. It focuses on the tragic fate of genetics in the Soviet Union during Staline's regime and on efforts of the Institute's founder – academician Nikolai Ivanovich Vavilov (1887–1943) and his followers to promote an international level genetic studies within the Institute.
Genetic Analysis of Hybrid Incompatibilities inDrosophila
Authors: Gérard Pierre R , Presgraves Daven C
Published: March 2009

New species evolve when previously interbreeding populations diverge from one another and, as an incidental byproduct, accumulate reproductive barriers such as hybrid sterility and inviability. Fine‐scale genetic analyses show that the X‐chromosome plays a special role in the evolution of hybrid sterility, and molecular analyses show that the genes causing hybrid sterility and inviability usually diverge between species by positive natural selection.
Phototrophic Purple Bacteria
Authors: Imhoff Johannes F
Published: March 2009

Phototrophic purple bacteria are Proteobacteria which synthesize a photosynthetic apparatus, located in internal membrane systems and the cytoplasmic membrane. They thrive in all kinds of aquatic habitats and sediments that receive sufficient light and provide oxygen deficient and anoxic conditions. They occur widely distributed in nature. Metabolically specialized species live in specific ecological niches, metabolically versatile species have adapted to a wide range of habitats. Phototrophic purple sulfur bacteria, the Chromatiaceae and the Ectothiorhodospiraceae families, are Gammaproteobacteria. Genera of the purple nonsulfur bacteria are Alpha‐ and Betaproteobacteria phylogenetically closely related to purely chemotrophic bacteria.
Magnaporthe and Its Relatives
Authors: Besi Maria I , Tucker Sara L , Sesma Ane
Published: March 2009

The ascomycetous family Magnaporthaceae includes plant pathogenic fungi that cause diseases on members of the Poaceae worldwide, affecting the turfgrass industry and staple food crops such as rice, wheat, millet and maize. The economically significant turfgrass root pathogenMagnaporthe poaebelongs to this family. Two of the most damaging fungal pathogens of wheat and rice also belong to this family: the intractable root‐infecting fungus and causal agent of take‐all disease,Gaeumannomyces graminisand the blast fungusMagnaporthe grisea.M. griseahas emerged as a paradigm for the understanding of fungal aerial attack. Interestingly,M. griseacan also infect roots and is far more amenable to transformation thanG. graminisandM. poae. Consequently,M. griseaconstitutes an excellent fungal model system for the dissection of genetic determinants required for infection on underground tissues, and for comparative analysis of the distinct tissue‐specific pathogenic mechanisms observed during leaf and root colonization.

Key concepts

Appressorium: Infection structure formed by fungal hypha that mediates attachment and penetration in aerial plant tissues. This term is also used for penetration structures produced by symbiotic fungi on roots.

Clade: Phylogenetic group which comprises a single common ancestor and all the descendants of that ancestor.

EST (expressed sequenced tags): Short cDNA (complementary deoxyribonucleic acid) sequences, generally obtained from cDNA libraries generated under different nutrient conditions and/or tissues.

Hyphopodium: Specialized structure produced at the tip of the hyphae that mediate fungal penetration into root tissue.G. graminiscan produce simple or lobed hyphopodia.

QTL (quantitative trait locus): Region of DNA associated with a certain quantitative phenotypic trait. The molecular identification of QTLs usually enables the identification and sequencing of genes that are responsible for such a phenotypic trait.
Using p
H
luorins to Investigate Synaptic Function
Authors: Grubb Matthew S , Burrone Juan
Published: March 2009

Genetically encoded probes are becoming increasingly powerful for measuring neuronal activity

in vitro

and

in vivo

. pHluorins, such as synaptopHluorin (spH), are genetically encoded reporters whose fluorescence depends on the pH of their biological environment. Because there are large differences in pH between synaptic vesicles and the extracellular medium, spH can be used to monitor presynaptic vesicle cycling, with various experimental manipulations allowing the study of specific exo‐ or endocytosis dynamics. pHluorins can also be used to study the turnover of neurotransmitter receptors on the postsynaptic membrane, and are being used with great effect to study the activity of neurons in a variety of

in vivo

systems.

Key concepts

pH‐sensitive probes can be used to measure important aspects of synaptic function, including presynaptic vesicle cycling and postsynaptic receptor turnover.

SynaptopHluorin (spH) can be co mbined with other experimental manipulations to provide detailed information about specific presynaptic vesicle cycling processes.

Whereas synaptopHluorin possesses many advantages as an indicator of presynaptic vesicle cycling, it also possesses numerous drawbacks. These must be considered when interpreting spH studies.

The sensitivity of spH is not particularly good. However, presynaptic vesicle cycling can be followed with greater sensitivity using different pHluorin‐based probes.

pHluorins can provide useful information about neuronal activity

in vivo

.
Frontal Lobe Disorders
Authors: Espay Alberto J
Published: March 2009

The frontal lobes are the largest and likely most complex structure in the brain. Among other functions, it allows the expression of personality and language, the planning and sequencing of desired movements or actions as well as inhibition of unwanted or undesirable ones. Given the regional distribution of function, lesions or dysfunction in the frontal lobes may lead to such range of personal and social disruptions as aphasia, perseveration, disinhibition, personality changes and acquired sociopathy. Besides trauma, tumours, infections and toxins, abnormal disorders of tau and ubiquitin proteins may lead to neurodegenerative diseases that predominantly affect the frontal lobes. These so‐called frontotemporal dementias or frontotemporal lobar degenerations have become the most active and exciting field of research in the frontal lobes.

Key Concepts

These are the most salient functions and dysfunctions of the frontal lobes discussed here:

Function

Frontal lobe‐specific dysfunction

Recognition

Language

Expressive aphasia (Broca's aphasia)

Impairment in fluency, naming and ability to repeat. No problems comprehending

Executive function

Executive dysfunction

Perseverative behaviours with inability to sequence goal‐directed movements

Personality changes

Apathetic personality (dorsolateral)

Either abulic/apathetic or disinhibited personality

‘Orbital’ personality (orbitofrontal)
Molecular Genetics of Susceptibility to Coronary Heart Disease
Authors: Kullo Iftikhar J , Ding Keyue
Published: March 2009

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide and delineating the molecular genetics of susceptibility to CHD is an urgent task. Traditional approaches such as genome‐wide linkage scans and candidate‐gene‐based association studies, yielded frustratingly little progress in identifying genetic determinants of ‘complex’ diseases. However, the completion of the Human Genome Project and the International HapMap Project set the stage for genome‐wide association (GWA) studies, resulting in significant advances in ‘complex disease’ genetics. In this review, we provide an update on the molecular genetics of CHD and its risk factors, most of which are heritable and also significantly influenced by genetic factors. We also summarize recent advances including GWA studies for CHD and its risk factors. Increased knowledge of the molecular genetics of CHD susceptibility will enable more accurate cardiovascular risk stratification and the development of new therapies.