The Effect of Exposure of Cigarette Smoke With Herb Additives on Leukocyte and Lung Histopathology of Mice (Mus musculus)

Smoking habits have been around since ancient times, but nowadays this habit is considered to be detrimental, especially to health. The impact that is often felt by smokers is difficulty in breathing because the lungs are exposed to cigarette smoke. Cigarette smoke contains about 1015-1017 oxidants or free radicals, as well as 4700 harmful chemicals, including aldehydes / carbonyls, NO2, and SO2. Herbal cigarettes are tobacco cigarettes with added ingredients from plants. Gurah terapi sin cigarettes are herbal cigarettes that are sold commercially. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of gurah cigarette smoking on the leukocytes and lung histology of mice. This study used a comparative method consisting of 3 groups, namely the control was not exposed to cigarette smoke, treatment 1 was exposed to commercial cigarette smoke and treatment 2 was exposed to cigarette smoke with herbal ingredients and each group consisted of 10 replications. The results showed that there were significant differences (p <0.05) regarding the number of cell necrosis, type II pneumocytes, inflammatory cell infiltration, hemorrhage, and alveolar dilation. While the results of the analysis of the number of leukocytes showed no significant difference where p > 0.05. The results showed that there was no significant difference in the number of leukocytes in the control group, treatment 1 and treatment 2 (p > 0.05). herbs containing various kinds of antioxidants cause a tendency for differences in the number of leukocytes where there is a decrease in the number of lymphocytes and neutrophils and an improvement in the histopathological structure of the lung against type I pneumocyte cell necrosis, hemorrhage, alveolar dilation, type II pneumocyte cell proliferation, and inflammatory cell infiltration in exposed mice. commercial cigarette smoke without herbal ingredients.Kebiasaan merokok sudah ada sejak jaman dahulu, tetapi dewasa ini kebiasaan tersebut dianggap sebagai hal yang merugikan terutama bagi kesehatan. Dampak yang sering dirasakan oleh para perokok adalah kesulitan dalam bernafas. Asap rokok mengandung sekitar 1015-1017 oksidan atau radikal bebas, serta 4700 bahan kimia yang berbahaya, termasuk aldehid/carbonyls, NO2, dan SO2. Rokok herbal adalah rokok tembakau yang ditambahkan beberapa bahan dari tumbuhan. Rokok gurah herbal terapi sin merupakan rokok herbal yang dijual secara komersil. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui pengaruh rokok gurah terapi sin terhadap leukosit dan histologi paru-paru mencit. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode Komparatif yang terdiri atas 3 kelompok yaitu kontrol tidak dipaparkan asap rokok, perlakuan 1 dipaparkan asap rokok komersil dan perlakuan 2 dipaparkan asap rokok dengan kandungan herbal serta masing-masing kelompok terdiri dari 10 ulangan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa terdapat perbedaan nyata ( p <0,05) mengenai jumlah nekrosis sel, sel pneumosit tipe II, infiltrasi sel radang, hemoragi, dan pelebaran alveolus. Sedangkan hasil analisis mengenai jumlah leukosit menunjukkan perbedaan yang tidak nyata dimana p > 0,05  Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa tidak ada perbedaan nyata pada jumlah leukosit kelompok kontrol, perlakuan 1 dan perlakuan 2 (p > 0,05), Disimpulkan penggunaan rokok dengan tambahan bahan herbal yang mengandung berbagai macam antioksidan menyebabkan terjadinya kecenderungan perbedaan jumlah leukosit dimana terjadi penurunan jumlah limfosit serta neutrophil.  Rokok dengan tambahan berbagai macam herbal menunjukka perbaikan struktur histopatologis paru terhadap nekrosis sel pneumosit tipe I, hemoragi, pelebaran alveolus, proliferasi sel pneumosit tipe II, dan infiltrasi sel radang  dibandingkan pada mencit yang terpapar asap rokok komersil tanpa bahan herbal

Origin of the large phonon band-gap in SrTiO3 and the vibrational signatures of ferroelectricity in ATiO3 perovskite: First principles lattice dynamics and inelastic neutron scattering of PbTiO3, BaTiO3 and SrTiO3

We report first principles density functional perturbation theory calculations and inelastic neutron scattering measurements of the phonon density of states, dispersion relations and electromechanical response of PbTiO3, BaTiO3 and SrTiO3. The phonon density-of-states of the quantum paraelectric SrTiO3 is found to be fundamentally distinct from that of ferroelectric PbTiO3 and BaTiO3 with a large 70-90 meV phonon band-gap. The phonon dispersion and electromechanical response of PbTiO3 reveal giant anisotropies. The interplay of covalent bonding and ferroelectricity, strongly modulates the electromechanical response and give rise to spectacular signatures in the phonon spectra. The computed charge densities have been used to study the bonding in these perovskites. Distinct bonding characteristics in the ferroelectric and paraelectric phases give rise to spectacular vibrational signatures. While a large phonon band-gap in ATiO3 perovskites seems a characteristic of quantum paraelectrics, anisotropy of the phonon spectra correlates well with ferroelectric strength. These correlations between the phonon spectra and ferroelectricity, can guide future efforts at custom designing still more effective piezoelectrics for applications. These results suggest that vibrational spectroscopy can help design novel materials.Comment: 11 pages, 4 color figures and 2 Table

Predicting the potential geographical distribution of the sugarcane woolly aphid using GARP and DIVA-GIS

Management of newly emerging pests and diseases has often been limited by the lack of forecasting systems that could predict the route(s) of spread and potential geographical distribution of the species. While the importance of the patterns of spread of invasive organisms has always been realized, the necessary analytical tools for making reasonably robust predictions are limited. In recent years however, availability of ecological and climatologic data,computational abilities to process huge data sets, and development of suitable algorithms have helped in a better understanding of the patterns of spread of the invasive species. For instance, algorithms such as Genetic Algorithm for Rule Set Prediction (GARP) and DIVA-GIS, are being successfully employed in a wide range of situations for predicting the spread of invasive species1–4. Here, we explore these two modelling approaches to predict the potential geographical distribution of a newly emerging insect pest, the sugarcane woolly aphid that has played havoc with crops in parts of Maharashtra and Karnataka5

Commonly collected thermal performance data can inform species distributions in a data‑limited invader

Predicting potential distributions of species in new areas is challenging. Physiological data can improve interpretation of predicted distributions and can be used in directed distribution models. Nonnative species provide useful case studies. Panther chameleons (Furcifer pardalis) are native to Madagascar and have established populations in Florida, USA, but standard correlative distribution modeling predicts no suitable habitat for F. pardalis there. We evaluated commonly collected thermal traits– thermal performance, tolerance, and preference—of F. pardalis and the acclimatization potential of these traits during exposure to naturally-occurring environmental conditions in North Central Florida. Though we observed temperature-dependent thermal performance, chameleons maintained similar thermal limits, performance, and preferences across seasons, despite long-term exposure to cool temperatures. Using the physiological data collected, we developed distribution models that varied in restriction: time-dependent exposure near and below critical thermal minima, predicted activity windows, and predicted performance thresholds. Our application of commonly collected physiological data improved interpretations on potential distributions of F. pardalis, compared with correlative distribution modeling approaches that predicted no suitable area in Florida. These straightforward approaches can be applied to other species with existing physiological data or after brief experiments on a limited number of individuals, as demonstrated here

Prevalence and incrimination of Anopheles fluviatilis species S (Diptera: Culicidae) in a malaria endemic forest area of Chhattisgarh state, central India

BACKGROUND: Chhattisgarh state in central India is highly endemic for malaria and contributes about 13% of annually reported malaria cases in the country with predominance of P. falciparum. Entomological investigations were carried out in a tribal forested area of district Bastar located in the southern part of Chhattisgarh state to record the prevalence of sibling species of Anopheles fluviatilis and An. culicifacies complexes. The vector species complexes were investigated at sibling species level for their biology in terms of resting and feeding behavior and malaria transmission potential. METHODS: Indoor resting vector mosquitoes collected during 2010–2011 were identified to sibling species by cytotaxonomy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. The blood meal source analysis and incrimination studies were done at sibling species level by counter current immunoelectrophoresis and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) respectively. RESULTS: Analysis of sibling species composition revealed predominance of An. fluviatilis species S in the study area, which was found to be highly anthropophagic and rested in human dwellings whereas the sympatric species T was primarily zoophagic. Incrimination studies showed high sporozoite rate in species S, thereby confirming its vectorial efficiency. An. culicifacies was encountered in low numbers and comprised species B and C in almost equal proportion. Both these species were found to be exclusively zoophagic. CONCLUSION: The observations made strongly suggest that species S of Fluviatilis Complex is the principal vector of malaria in certain forest areas of district Bastar, Chhattisgarh state and should be the target species for vector control operation. Vector control strategies based on biological characteristics of Fluviatilis S will lead to substantial decline in malaria incidence in such areas

Acknowledging uncertainty in evolutionary reconstructions of ecological niches

Reconstructing ecological niche evolution can provide insight into the biogeography and diversification of evolving lineages. However, comparative phylogenetic methods may infer the history of ecological niche evolution inaccurately because (a) species' niches are often poorly characterized; and (b) phylogenetic comparative methods rely on niche summary statistics rather than full estimates of species' environmental tolerances. Here, we propose a new framework for coding ecological niches and reconstructing their evolution that explicitly acknowledges and incorporates the uncertainty introduced by incomplete niche characterization. Then, we modify existing ancestral state inference methods to leverage full estimates of environmental tolerances. We provide a worked empirical example of our method, investigating ecological niche evolution in the New World orioles (Aves: Passeriformes: Icterus spp.). Temperature and precipitation tolerances were generally broad and conserved among orioles, with niche reduction and specialization limited to a few terminal branches. Tools for performing these reconstructions are available in a new R package called nichevol

Acknowledging uncertainty in evolutionary reconstructions of ecological niches

Reconstructing ecological niche evolution can provide insight into the biogeography and diversification of evolving lineages. However, comparative phylogenetic methods may infer the history of ecological niche evolution inaccurately because (a) species' niches are often poorly characterized; and (b) phylogenetic comparative methods rely on niche summary statistics rather than full estimates of species' environmental tolerances. Here, we propose a new framework for coding ecological niches and reconstructing their evolution that explicitly acknowledges and incorporates the uncertainty introduced by incomplete niche characterization. Then, we modify existing ancestral state inference methods to leverage full estimates of environmental tolerances. We provide a worked empirical example of our method, investigating ecological niche evolution in the New World orioles (Aves: Passeriformes: Icterus spp.). Temperature and precipitation tolerances were generally broad and conserved among orioles, with niche reduction and specialization limited to a few terminal branches. Tools for performing these reconstructions are available in a new R package called nichevol

Methods for broad-scale plant phenology assessments using citizen scientists’ photographs

© 2020 Barve et al. Applications in Plant Sciences is published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the Botanical Society of America Premise: Citizen science platforms for sharing photographed digital vouchers, such as iNaturalist, are a promising source of phenology data, but methods and best practices for use have not been developed. Here we introduce methods using Yucca flowering phenology as a case study, because drivers of Yucca phenology are not well understood despite the need to synchronize flowering with obligate pollinators. There is also evidence of recent anomalous winter flowering events, but with unknown spatiotemporal extents. Methods: We collaboratively developed a rigorous, consensus-based approach for annotating and sharing whole plant and flower presence data from iNaturalist and applied it to Yucca records. We compared spatiotemporal flowering coverage from our annotations with other broad-scale monitoring networks (e.g., the National Phenology Network) in order to determine the unique value of photograph-based citizen science resources. Results: Annotations from iNaturalist were uniquely able to delineate extents of unusual flowering events in Yucca. These events, which occurred in two different regions of the Desert Southwest, did not appear to disrupt the typical-period flowering. Discussion: Our work demonstrates that best practice approaches to scoring iNaturalist records provide fine-scale delimitation of phenological events. This approach can be applied to other plant groups to better understand how phenology responds to changing climate

Ab initio linear response and frozen phonons for the relaxor PMN (PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3)

We report first principles density functional studies using plane wave basis sets and pseudopotentials and all electron linear augmented plane wave (LAPW) of the relative stability of various ferroelectric and antiferroelectric supercells of PMN for 1:2 chemical ordering along [111] and [001]. We used linear response with density functional perturbation theory (DFPT) as implemented in the code ABINIT to compute the Born effective charges, electronic dielectric tensors, long wavelength phonon frequencies and LO-TO splittings. The polar response is different for supercells ordered along [111] and [001]. Several polar phonon modes show significant coupling with the macroscopic electric field giving giant LO-TO splittings. For [111] ordering, a polar transverse optic (TO) mode with E symmetry is found to be unstable in the ferroelectric P3m1 structure and the ground state is found to be triclinic. Multiple phonon instabilities of polar modes and their mode couplings provide the pathway for polarization rotation. The Born effective charges in PMN are highly anisotropic and this anisotropy contributes to the observed huge electromechanical coupling in PMN solid solutions.Comment: 34 pages, 6 figures. to appear in PR

Geometric frustration in compositionally modulated ferroelectrics

Geometric frustration is a broad phenomenon that results from an intrinsic incompatibility between some fundamental interactions and the underlying lattice geometry1-7. Geometric frustration gives rise to new fundamental phenomena and is known to yield intriguing effects, such as the formation of exotic states like spin ice, spin liquids and spin glasses1-7. It has also led to interesting findings of fractional charge quantization and magnetic monopoles5,6. Geometric frustration related mechanisms have been proposed to understand the origins of relaxor behavior in some multiferroics, colossal magnetocapacitive coupling and unusual and novel mechanisms of high Tc superconductivity1-5. Although geometric frustration has been particularly well studied in magnetic systems in the last 20 years or so, its manifestation in the important class formed by ferroelectric materials (that are compounds exhibiting electric rather than magnetic dipoles) is basically unknown. Here, we show, via the use of a first-principles-based technique, that compositionally graded ferroelectrics possess the characteristic "fingerprints" associated with geometric frustration. These systems have a highly degenerate energy surface and exhibit original critical phenomena. They further reveal exotic orderings with novel stripe phases involving complex spatial organization. These stripes display spiral states, topological defects and curvature. Compositionally graded ferroelectrics can thus be considered as the "missing" link that brings ferroelectrics into the broad category of materials able to exhibit geometric frustration. Our ab-initio calculations allow a deep microscopic insight into this novel geometrically frustrated system.Comment: 14 pages, 5 Figures; http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v470/n7335/full/nature09752.htm