Browse Our Biology and Life Sciences Journals
Biology is a study of living objects and their life processes. It examines all aspects of living organisms such as their occurrence, classification, internal and external structure, nutrition, reproduction, inheritance, etc. The term “biology” is commonly replaced by the terms “life sciences” and “biological sciences.” There are dozens of branches of biology. Some of the major ones include:
Biology and Life Sciences
Moroccan oases host a rich array of date palm varieties, renowned for the traditional expertise in crafting local products from dates. Date juice, a quintessential local product with significant heritage value, is facing a decline in appreciation. This study delves into indigenous knowledge surrounding date juice processing. Surveys involving one hundred women from the Alnif and Tata oases in Morocco’s pre-Saharan regions were conducted. Results reveal the use of 56 medicinal and aromatic plants from 33 families and 53 genera in date juice preparation, with Lamiaceae and Asteraceae families most prevalent. Noteworthy species include Corrigiola telephiifolia Pourr. (85 citations), Cynara humilis L. (66), Cyperus longus L. (65), and Alpinia officinarum Hance (64). Date juice holds significance in traditional medicine, prized for its sensory qualities and therapeutic benefits resulting from blending date fruit with aromatic and medicinal plants. The study sheds light on traditional manufacturing processes, including palm variety selection and plant choices. It also offers insights into therapeutic applications aligning with medicinal practices. These findings enrich understanding of cultural traditions and provide essential information for their preservation and propagation.
Ecological restoration requires large-scale reintroductions of plants, but their genetic basis is a controversial issue. Formerly, non-local seed sourcing of naturally occurring herbaceous species was common practice. Here we test whether the genetic pattern of the earlier introduction of non-local seeds of Leucanthemum vulgare agg. (ox-eye daisy) can still be detected several years after the application and whether it differs from that of the regional gene pool. We collected leaf material of the ox-eye daisy in Central Germany on sites of indigenous populations (I) and those formerly restored with non-local seed sources (R). Genome sizes and population genetic pattern (AFLP) were analysed. Genome size estimates of most of the individuals studied suggest, that most ox-eye daisies in the region have similar genome sizes regardless of their origin, while individuals from two indigenous populations from the most northwestern part of the study area had lower 1C values. All populations were genetically diverse and the former use of non-local geno-types of the species could not be detected up to more than 8 years after the establishment of the populations. The results shows that a recommendation for restoration purposes is unequivocal, it can only be concluded that it will be best to use seeds that are local and/or similar to the sites intended for sowing.
The new species Verrucaria aptrootii sp. nov. is described from Darel Valley, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. A comparative morpho-anatomical, chemical study and ITS-based molecular analyses confirmed the position of this new species within the genus Verrucaria. Verrucaria aptrootii sp. nov. is closely related to V. squamulosa and characterized by a not squamulose thallus, plane to concave areoles, excipulum of 25–40 µm, simple, branched periphyses, ascospores of 27–35 × 10–15 µm and calcareous rock substrate.
Abstract
Introduction
This study was conducted to determine the specific features of the mutual influence of the immune and haemostatic systems in immunohaemostasis, the role of immune reactions in the regulation of blood coagulation, and the efficacy of modern methods of treating thrombosis and bleeding.
Methods
The study analysed relevant scientific sources on immunology and haematology and identified the specific features of the blood clotting process and the role of immune reactions in it.
Results
The study found that the immune system influences the haematological system through the interaction of blood clotting factors, platelets, plasminogen, endothelial cells with immune cells. The haemostatic system influences the immune system through mechanisms to maintain immune tolerance and immune memory and the properties of clotting factors to activate the stimulation and migration of immune cells to the site of infection. Immune reactions regulate blood coagulation by activating platelets, regulating blood coagulation factors, affecting fibrinolysis, and immune tolerance. The process of platelet activation involves immune cells, immune complexes, and microbial components. The regulation of blood coagulation factors is influenced by the ability of immune cells to produce activators and inhibitors of these factors and to stimulate or slow down fibrinolysis. The immune system's maintenance of immune tolerance to blood components is regulated by mechanisms of immune response suppression, partial immune ignoring of certain blood elements, inhibition of activation of certain immune cells, apoptosis, and selection of immature T-lymphocytes. Treatment methods for patients at risk of thrombosis and bleeding include anticoagulation, antiplatelet, dual antiplatelet therapy, thrombectomy, endovascular methods, medical prophylaxis of bleeding, and coagulation monitoring.
Conclusions
The findings of this study suggest the significance of immune responses in the regulation of blood coagulation processes, and therefore they can be used in the development of immunotherapy methods for the treatment of thrombosis and bleeding.
Abstract
Using efficient and safe preservation technologies to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables is always an important research topic. Among numerous preservation technologies, ultrasound is one of the most available and pollution-free methods that improve the storage quality of fruits and vegetables. The paper summarises the application of ultrasound and its combined treatment in fruit and vegetable storage in recent years, including the cleaning effect, passivation of enzymes, sterilisation, and the impact on quality indicators. In addition, the limitations of ultrasound technology in fruit and vegetable preservation are also detailed. Only under the appropriate conditions can ultrasound treatment extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. However, ultrasound combined with other technologies usually can get better preservation effects, providing a broader application prospect for ultrasound technology.
Abstract
Bio-waste (51.54% of total weight) was obtained from the head and shell of giant red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea), and comparison with the fatty acid profiles of shrimp meat revealed a higher total polyunsaturated fatty acids content in bio-waste. The study then investigated the effect of six solvents of different polarities (hexane, acetone, chloroform, methanol, ethanol, and isopropyl alcohol) on astaxanthin yield, antioxidant activity, and colour a* values (redness) of the bio-waste using ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE). As a result, hexane showed the highest astaxanthin yield with a linear correlation observed between astaxanthin yield, antioxidant activity, and colour a* values. In contrast, methanol, ethanol, and acetone exhibited the lowest quality values. These findings underline the effectiveness of low polarity solvents in achieving maximum astaxanthin yield.
Abstract
Barbershops are important venues for men to get their hair and beards done and hence, play an important role in men's social life. But barbershops can also be a source of infections. The barber's profession brings the barber into direct contact with customers who may carry pathogens, and contaminated instruments or skin-to-skin contacts might transmit infectious agents. Since barbers work with non-sterile and reusable sharp objects, a simple nick might facilitate blood-borne infections. In our review article we summarize current knowledge regarding barbershop-acquired infections including transmission routes and preventive measures. In fact, shaving in barbershops, particularly when reusing non-disinfected razor blades increases the transmission risk for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B or C viruses. Furthermore, distinct bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus, fungi (in particular dermatophytic Trichophyton species) as well as ectoparasitic lice could be identified upon screening of the barbers' equipment and working places. However, knowledge regarding and compliance in hygiene practices varied considerably among barbers. Notably, since in certain countries barbershops are venues to contact sex workers, sexually transmitted diseases might also be acquired in barbershops. In conclusion, improving hygiene standards including disinfection of reusable equipment, and surveillance of the preventive measures would reduce the risk for barbershop-acquired infections.
Abstract
Nowadays, drone imagery is a common way to quickly obtain information on the state of vegetation, as well as a method for taking orthophotos and terrain models. For terrain modelling, aerial photographs are required to have at least 60% overlap between adjacent images. Typically, the inadequate overlap is only discovered later, during post-processing. In our previous work we have presented a method we developed to determine on the spot, whether the in-flight images are suitable for producing the terrain model or whether it is necessary to re-render a part of the area, which can be done under the same conditions (weather, ionosphere, satellite geometry). Our proposed method for calculating the overlap is different from the usual procedure. Using VBA-based calculations, we computed the overlap between the images based on the position of the centre of the images, the altitude of the flight and the rotation angle of the images. The method was tested in practice, but we felt it necessary to verify our calculations. During the verification, we checked the VBA-based calculations using a Python script. The test showed that the results obtained with a previous midpoint calculation method were 92.2 percent identical to the calculations performed with Python. The Python program is accurate and fast; therefore, the use is recommended on the field.
