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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
Abstract
In this study, 25–25 milk samples (25 colostral and 25 mature) collected at different lactational stages were used to analyse the fatty acid composition of breast milk. A gas-chromatographic method was used to perform and analyse the transmethylation of total milk lipid extracts. The milk samples contained 20 different fatty acids. Palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:0), myristic acid (C14:0), oleic acid (C18:1n-9), and linoleic acid (LA, C18:2n-6) were the major components of total lipid, phospholipid (PL), and triacylglycerol (TAG) fractions. Colostrum had a lower percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), a higher percentage of saturated fatty acids (SFAs), and a lower level of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5 n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6 n-3) in total lipid than mature milk. Triacylglycerol and PL fractions between colostrum and mature milk samples did not differ statistically.
Abstract
Measurement of phenolics, colour parameters, and volatile compounds in wines were made from two varieties of table grapes (‘Zaoheibao’ and ‘Summer Black’) using five pretreatment methods (cold maceration, freezing grapes, lower maturity, fermenting grape juice without skin, and adding tartaric acid) and a control treatment. The effect of the pretreatment methods on the quality of wines was assessed using oenological parameters analysis and volatile compounds analysis. The results indicated that the freezing grape and cold maceration pretreatments improved the colour and increased the contents of phenolic and volatile compounds compared with the control, and freezing was considered to be the most suitable pretreatment method for ‘Zaoheibao’ wine. With respect to ‘Summer Black’ wines, cold maceration and lower maturity were considered to be suitable. Cold maceration enhanced the contents of phenolic and volatile compounds, while lower maturity increased the contents of volatile compounds and total acid. Our results provide new insights into the use of table grapes to make different styles of wine.
Az azbesztszálak kimutatására szolgáló vizsgálatok középpontjában a levegőszennyezettségi értékek álltak, de a 21. században felmerült az igény a problémakör kiterjesztésére. Az elmúlt években megjelent nemzetközi tudományos szakirodalmak megcáfolták az évtizedeken át fennálló feltételezést, miszerint az azbeszt csupán a levegőterheltség révén vált ki kockázatot. Vízminőségi és talajminőségi kutatások által teret nyert az azbesztszálak, különösen a krizotilszálak alternatív transzportútjainak vizsgálatát célzó kutatásterület. Annak ellenére, hogy mind a települési, mind pedig a mezőgazdasági vízgazdálkodás potenciálisan érintett a krizotil-azbeszt jelenléte kapcsán, nincs nemzetközi szinten egységes és elfogadott módszer vagy küszöbérték az egyes vízforrások biztonságára vonatkozóan. A kutatások nyilvánvaló korlátja, hogy csekély mennyiségű és minőségű tudás érhető el. Az azbesztszálak megjelenése az egyes vízbázisokban jelentősen megváltoztatja mind a mezőgazdasági, mind a települési vízgazdálkodás környezeti hatásoknak való kitettségéről alkotott eddigi ismereteinket. Az öntözővizzel és a gyűjtött csapadékkal kijuttatott azbesztszálak hatásainak palettája mára túlhaladta a humán- és állategészségügyi hatásokat, immár figyelmet kell fordítani a vegetációs hatásokra is. Annak érdekében, hogy nagyobb betekintést nyerjünk az azbeszttoxicitás növényekre gyakorolt hatásaiba, sokkal több tudományos eredményre van szükség.
Jelen összefoglaló tanulmányban bemutatjuk az azbeszt, különös tekintettel a krizotil azbeszt legfontosabb tulajdonságait, humán-, állat- és növényegészségügyi kockázatait. Rávilágítunk arra, hogy ismereteink rendkívül hiányosak, valamint felhívjuk a figyelmet a települési és mezőgazdasági vízgazdálkodás érintettségének egyes faktoraira, közvetlen és közvetett kockázati tényezőire, valamint arra, hogy ezek miként hatnak az élőlényekre, kiemelt tekintettel a növényekre.
Abstract
Oxygen plays a crucial role in all stages of wine production. The aim of this study was to quantify dissolved oxygen in filtered wines trained on fine lees during different technological operations such as racking, coarse filtration, stabilisation of thermolabile proteins, and sterile filtration and bottling. The most significant oxygenation of wine occurs during filtration (1.9–3.57 mg L−1) and during bottling (2.99–4.12 mg L−1). At the same time, oxygen affects the phenolic composition, antioxidant activity and sulphur dioxide.
Understanding and being able to use oxygen correctly during wine production can lead to a reduction in the doses of sulphur dioxide used. It has been shown that wines trained on fine lees are more able to withstand oxygen and, therefore, the sulphur dioxide doses can be reduced substantially. The experiment, in which two different winemaking technologies were observed, was carried out on the Welschriesling variety using both stainless steel tanks and oak barrels.
Abstract
This work explored the impact of mixed flow spray drying on the physical and functional properties of whey powder without any subsequently added drying agent to increase whey utilisation. Spray drying was performed on a pilot scale using a mixed flow spray dryer. The effects of the inlet air temperature (150–210 °C) and feed flow rate (2–7 L h−1) on several responses such as moisture content, yield, dispersibility, bulk density, and outlet air temperature were investigated using response surface methodology. In addition, with the optimised parameters, Carr index, Hausner ratio, solubility, wettability, hygroscopicity, degree of caking, crystallinity, and morphology of the obtained whey powder were determined. The investigation revealed that feed flow rate is the main parameter influencing all responses. The inlet air temperature significantly affected the bulk, tapped density, and outlet air temperature. The optimal inlet air temperature and feed flow rate for the production of whey powder were 182 °C and 3.2 L h−1, respectively. Under these parameters the moisture content, yield, bulk density, hygroscopicity, and degree of caking of the obtained product were 28.6, 1.80%, 0.24 g cm−3, 16.10 g H2O/g powder, and 85.56%, respectively.
Abstract
This paper reviews of the recent progress in the acarological researches and knowledge on mites occurring in the canopy of ornamental trees and shrubs. The inventory of Acari includes 444 mite species belonging to 33 families which were recorded from 283 hardwood tree and shrub species of 45 plant families. The highest number of mite families and species were reported from the families Rosaceae (21 mite families), Salicaceae (20) and Oleaceae (17), and Salicaceae (99 mite species), Rosaceae (98) and Fagaceae (63), respectively. The most diverse acarine fauna was found on Acer campestre (37 mite species), Prunus spinosa (37), Acer pseudoplatanus (33), Tilia cordata (33) and Salix alba (31). The most frequently occurring mite species were Euseius finlandicus (on 78 host species), Tydeus californicus (64) and Zetzellia mali (60).
Abstract
All known trachyuropodid mites (Acari: Uropodina: Trachyuropodidae) are listed together with diagnoses of the family Trachyuropodidae and trachyuropodid genera. A new illustrated key to trachyuropodid genera is also presented. The second species of the genus Trachyibana (T. kozari sp. nov.) is described and illustrated from Singapore. Forty eight new combinations are also presented: Arculatatrachys darwini (Kontschán and Starý, 2013) comb. nov.; Arculatatrachys newtoni (Kontschán, 2010) comb. nov.; Bostocktrachys berlesesellnickia (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; B. extremica (Kontschán and Starý, 2013) comb. nov.; B. kiewensis (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; B. myrmecophila (Wiśniewski and Hirschmann, 1992) comb. nov.; B. plagiata (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; B. zicsii (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; Castritrachys quadriauricularia (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; Cristicepstrachys sinuata (Berlese, 1904) comb. nov.; Cephalojanetia multituberculata (Hirschmann, 1976) comb nov.; C. tuberosa (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; C. dentata (Kontschán, 2007) comb. nov.; Cephalouropoda alapaducta (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; Excavatatrachys auricularia (Costa, 1962) comb. nov.; E. longicornuta (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; E. longicornutasimilis (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; E. poppi (Hirschmann and Zirngiebl-Nicol, 1969) comb. nov.; E. quadricornuta (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; E. sellnicki (Hirschmann and Zirngiebl-Nicol, 1969) comb. nov.; Graecatrachys bali (Kontschán and Starý, 2013) comb. nov.; G. endrodyi (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; G. ghanaensis (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; G. mesofovea (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; G. mesofoveasimilis (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; G. represa (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; G. rufipes (Hirschmann, 1976) comb nov.; Magnatrachys dacica (Huţu, 1973) comb. nov.; M. imperforata (Berlese, 1904) comb. nov.; M. mexicana (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; M. pecinai (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; M. schusteri (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; M. schusterisimilis (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; Trogulotrachys ablesi (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; T. celtica (Halbert, 1907) comb. nov.; T. hirschmanni (Pecina, 1980) comb. nov.; T. kinsella (Kontschán et al., 2010) comb. nov.; T. michaeli (Ewing, 1909) comb. nov.; T. wasmanniana (Berlese, 1903) comb. nov.; T. willmanni (Hirschmann and Zirngiebl-Nicol, 1969) comb. nov.; Urojanetia baloghi (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; U. baloghisimilis (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; U. belunensis (Lombardini, 1962) comb. nov.; U. hexaspinosa (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; U. mahunkai (Hirschmann, 1976) comb. nov.; U. similicoccinea (Hiramatsu, 1979) comb. nov.; Urotrachytes formicariasimilis (Hirschmann, 1975) comb. nov.; and Ur. ponticuli (Karg, 1989) comb. nov.
Abstract
Membrane filtration has a promising advantage in the processing of egg products. In this study, liquid egg whites (LEW) were separately concentrated by using reverse osmosis (RO) and ultrafiltration (UF) techniques. The first aim of this research was to determine the effects of the concentration pre-treatments on the physico-chemical quality criteria (pH, relative whipping capacity, foaming stability, water holding capacity-WHC, colour) and the rheological behaviour (viscosity, oscillation) of LEW samples. The second aim of this research was to investigate the impact of the membrane pre-treatment on meringue's functional quality attributes such as meringue batter density and meringue batter colour values (L*, a*, b*). The average dry matter of LEW was increased from 12% to 23% by the concentration pre-treatment process (RO and UF), and water was removed from the LEW. In addition, the batter density of meringue cookie samples was 0.37 ± 0.01 g mL−1 in UF and RO. The differences between the pH and dry matter values of the ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis treated groups were found to be statistically similar, and it was observed that the elastic modulus (G′) increased with the increase in frequency in the rheological measurements. It has been determined that G′ is higher than G″ in all samples. An elastic/solid-like (G′ > G″) structural behaviour was determined while increasing the frequency value. It was determined that the WHC of LEW treated with RO was higher than of the group treated with UF. The results of the study showed that while reducing transportation and storage costs, the water content of >80% of LEW (raw material-the treated liquid egg white) removed by UF and RO applications can be suitable to produce meringue batter cookies (semi-finished product).
Abstract
For a long time, olive oil has been considered for formulation of biopharmaceuticals and received a prestigious place in cuisine for its unique organoleptic and nutritional properties. Nevertheless, oxidation of fatty acids in olive oil provides short shelf-life and undesirable organoleptic properties. Thus, microencapsulation of olive oil is a considerable promising approach to maintain its quality and biological activities. The objective of this investigation was to prepare extra virgin olive oil microcapsule by sequential technologies, such as water emulsification of olive oil with wall material (matrix) and freeze drying of emulsion. The effect of wall material composition was examined to prepare microcapsule of extra virgin olive oil. Different ratios of wall materials such as maltodextrin (MD), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and gum arabic (GA) were used. Furthermore, effects of emulsification technologies, such as homogenisation with rotor–stator homogeniser (RSH) and cross-flow membrane emulsification (CFME) were investigated. The stability of emulsion was higher when emulsion was prepared by RSH; however, the droplet mean diameter (D32) was lower in case of RSH compared to CFME. The highest encapsulation efficiency (EE) was found as 68.96 ± 2.6% when CFME was adopted and composition of wall materials was 15 g MD, 15 g GA, and 5 g CMC.
Abstract
Rye is an important raw material of bread due to tradition and its favourable nutritional and technological qualities. Despite the beneficial fibre composition, a special group of short-chain carbohydrates, the so called FODMAPs (fermentable oligo-, di-, monosaccharides and polyols) may cause problems for patients with irritable bowel syndrome. The aim of our work was to investigate the non-starch carbohydrate (dietary fibre compounds, short-chain carbohydrates) composition of rye varieties, and of their novel milling fractions obtained from industrial milling trials and test loaves made from them. Regarding fibre and short chain carbohydrate composition, rye varieties did not show significant differences. In new subfractions, fibre and FODMAP composition were described, among profiles most of them differ from commonly used flours, independently from variety. The yeast fermentation and baking caused a decrease in water-extractable arabinoxylan content, at the same time increased the substitution pattern of water-extractable arabinoxylans. Furthermore, breadmaking process decreased the fructan content, and therefore increased the fructose level, thus modifying the short-chain carbohydrate composition. Based on our knowledge, this research is among the first ones investigating the fibre and short-chain composition of rye from the seeds to the consumable final products.
Abstract
Coatings of rice flour (RF), reinforced or not with rosemary essential oil (ROS), were used to evaluate changes in the internal quality of quail eggs stored at room temperature. Quality parameters [egg weight loss (EWL, %), Haugh unit (HU), yolk index (YI), albumen and yolk pH], microbiological (counts of total aerobic mesophilic bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae) and sensory (colour, aroma, odour, texture, taste, and general acceptability) parameters were evaluated during the experiment. Compared to the number of total aerobic mesophilic bacteria on the shell of uncoated eggs (2.02 ± 0.49; 1.78 ± 0.20 log10 CFU mL−1), RF/ROS exhibited significant inhibition effects for these bacteria on 0. (1.16 ± 0.25 log10 CFU mL−1) and 21. (0.84 ± 0.11 log10 CFU mL−1) days of storage at room temperature. On days 7, 14, and 21, RF had no effect on HU (P > 0.05), but eggs coated with RF/ROS had significantly higher HU (P < 0.05) than uncoated eggs from day 14, maintaining grade AA (73.88 ± 2.67) on day 21, while uncoated eggs had grade A (68.90 ± 1.55) at that time. The RF coating reinforced with ROS was a bioactive, efficient, and safe formulation for application based on internal quality, microbiological and sensorial aspects of quail eggs.
Abstract
Flagellation is one of the major virulence factors of Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni), enabling bacterial cells to swarm in rather high viscous fluids. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the surrounding viscosity on the expression of motility related genes of C. jejuni. Therefore, bacterial RNA was extracted from liquid cultures as well as from bacterial cells recovered from the edge and the center of a swarming halo from high viscous media. The expression pattern of selected flagellar and chemotaxis related genes was investigated by RT-PCR. Higher mRNA levels of class 1 and lower levels of class 2 and 3 flagellar assembly genes were detected in cells derived from the edge of a swarming halo than in cells from the center. This indicates different growth states at both locations within the swarming halo. Furthermore, higher mRNA levels for energy taxis and motor complex monomer genes were detected in high viscous media compared to liquid culture, indicating higher demand of energy if C. jejuni cells were cultivated in high viscous media. The impact of the surrounding viscosity should be considered in future studies regarding motility related questions.
Abstract
Pectobacteriaceae are plant pathogens responsible for serious diseases on many crops of interest including potato. Currently, regarding the several disadvantages of conventional control by chemicals, the application of bio-agents as alternatives is increasingly being explored. The present investigation was conducted in order to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the fungal strain Trichoderma asperellum T34 as an antagonist against phytopathogen Dickeya solani on tubers of three potato varieties (Agata, Monalisa, and Picobello). For this, half-tubers were inoculated by T34 suspension with concentrations of 103 and 105 cells mL−1 at 6, 9, and 12 h before bacterial infection (D. solani at concentrations of 107 and 108 cfu mL−1). The results of infection assays without the antagonist indicated that Picobello variety was the least sensitive to soft rot, Monalisa and Agata varieties showed medium and high sensitivity, respectively. The antagonism assays revealed strong antibacterial activities, manifested by the regression of softened tissues gradually with the time of preincubation with T34, leading to a complete disappearance of disease symptoms using 12 h. Hence, the application of antagonistic Trichoderma strains as antimicrobial agents in the control of harmful plant pathogens is a subject of great interest and can be considered a promising strategy to handle soft rot diseases.
Abstract
Germalus kozari sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Lygaeoidea: Geocoridae) is now described. Comparative notes, keys, diagnoses, and distribution data to allied Indomalayan species is provided. Germalus greeni is reported for the first time from outside of India and Sri Lanka.
Abstract
Nemoura kozari sp. n. is described on the basis of morphology of male adults collected in the Eastern Carpathians. The new species is classified as a member of the Nemoura marginata species group. It was found in medium elevations of the Krasna Mts, Ukraine, and the Rodna Mts, Romania, inhabiting slowly flowing, small brooks. New diagnosis of the marginata group and enumeration of its members are provided.
The categorisation of plant species according to their life form has a long history in plant ecology. The most popular system worldwide and also in Hungary is Raunkiaer’s categorisation according to the position of buds (meristems) surviving the adverse season. The original system contains only seven categories, resulting in high diversity within each category. Therefore, different refinements are suggested. This paper aims to apply an internationally accepted refinement of Raunkiaer’s categorisation, the Ellenberg and Mueller-Dombois system, to the Hungarian flora.
As part of the PADAPT project, the authors compiled the invasion biological database of the alien vascular flora of Hungary, which contains the nativeness, residence time, introduc- tion mode and invasion status of 878 alien or cryptogenic taxa. In the absence of adequate evidence, the classification of some species was only possible into uncertain, transitional cat- egories. The definitions of most categories are compatible with several international termi- nologies, but are primarily based on Central European traditions. Of the 560 taxa that have already been naturalised in Hungary, 85 are invasive, and 22 of them are transformer alien vascular plants. Only 5 of these transformers are included in the European list of Invasive Alien Species of Union concern (Ailanthus altissima, Asclepias syriaca, Elodea nuttallii, Heracleum mantegazzianum and H. sosnowskyi), which require uniform preventive interventions and treatments throughout the continent, while the rest of transformers in Hungary (e.g., Robinia pseudoacacia, Fallopia × bohemica and Solidago gigantea) draw attention to the unique, local and/ or regional invasion biological situation of the Pannonian Basin and Central Europe.
The Teucrium genus is an important source of essential oil-bearing plants. The essential oils of this genus are endowed with important phytochemical diversity, exert widespread biological properties, and have several uses in traditional medicine. Teucrium takoumitense is an endemic aromatic and medicinal plant, grown in a very limited area in southeastern Morocco. To the best of our knowledge, there is no published report on the phytochemical or biological studies of Teucrium takoumitense essential oil (EO) harvested from the Errachidia region in Southeast Morocco. GC/MS analysis, total phenolic compounds, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial tests on the EO of this plant were carried out in this study. The results of GC/MS analysis showed that β-ocimene (10.12%), δ-bisabolene (8.35%), linalool (8.16%), β-eudesmol (8.05%), and δ-cadinene (7.89%) are the major compounds in the EO. Important antioxidant activity (IC50 DPPH = 2.4 mg/mL, IC50 ABTS = 1.58 mg/mL, IC50 FRAP = 0.71 mg/mL, and TAC value = 230.72 AAE mg/g EO) and potent anti-inflammatory effect evaluated by phenol induced inflammation in rat ears were induced by the volatile oil. Moreover, the volatile oil induced antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. In conclusion, Teucrium takoumitense EO was found to be rich in volatile compounds and exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. More studies are recommended to be evaluated on the extracts of this plant and conservation interventions need to be carried out to maintain its sustainability.
Genus Barbilophozia is reported and described as a new generic record for India from union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, Western Himalaya. Two species, namely Barbilophozia lycopodioides and Barbilophozia barbata are described in the present communication.
Eighteen species of foliicolous lichens have been mentioned earlier from the Fiji Islands in various literature sources and based on collections since 1860. Current records originate from the collections of Göran Thor from 1985 and Sarolta and Tamás Pócs from 2003. G. Thor visited lowland rainforests of Island Viti Levu, S. and T. Pócs collected also in higher elevations (up to ca 1,000 m) in submontane, montane and montane mossy (cloud) forests on Kadavu, Taveuni and Viti Levu Islands. These relatively small collections (of ca 300 and 150 leaves, respectively) resulted in 78 species of the 85 lichen species known today, among them 67 species are new for the foliicolous lichen flora of the area in this publication. New taxa described are Phylloblastia taveuniensis Farkas, Porina kadavuensis Farkas, furthermore the genus Tamasia Farkas (Ramalinaceae) and species Tamasia fijiensis Farkas containing cyanobacterial photobiont.
Abstract
Scale insect (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) fauna on imported tropical and subtropical fruits collected between 2013 and 2021 was investigated. The study revealed two armored scale insect (Diaspididae) species new to the fauna of Hungary (namely Aonidiella citrina (Coquillett) and Lepidosaphes pinnaeformis (Bouché)). Number of species of the Hungarian scale insect fauna increased to 279, while number of species collected on imported tropical and subtropical fruits changed to 16.
During the study on flora of Hyrcanian forests and collecting specimens in order to plant in Hyrcanian habitat of National Botanical Garden of Iran, among the collected specimens, some specimens of the Quercus castaneifolia (Chestnut leaved oak) from south of Sari city in Mazandaran Province in North of Iran seemed to be interesting and were different from the other known subspecies of Q. castaneifolia. Results of morphological study of the species showed that there are clear differences between shape of the cupule and some micro-morphology traits of the leaf trichomes and pollen. Thus, based on the botanical traits of the new taxon and according to summarised data from the obtained results of the other subspecies and variety of the Q. castaneifolia, this taxon was identified as a new subspecies and named: Quercus castaneifolia subsp. recurvatus Zare et Panahi which is described here. The new taxon is related to Quercus castaneifolia subsp. castaneifolia var. castaneifolia and well characterised by having different shape and arrangement of the involucral bracts on the acorn cupule comparing with the others.
Following the work of Tatár (1939), no new revised and detailed list was made of endemic plants of the Pannonicum phytogeographical region, which takes into account the latest research results. A survey of vascular plants endemic and subendemic to the Pannonicum is presented here based on a critical revision of published and sometimes unpublished data on contemporary taxonomic and chorological knowledge. For this, it was necessary to review the delineation of Pannonicum and the problem of drawing the boundaries. I would also like to draw the attention to the Pannonian flora islands outside the Carpathians, which descend along the sandy alluvium of the Danube. The research covers 11 countries: Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and a small part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ukraine and Bulgaria (flora islands). The final evaluation of endemic status was made for 225 taxa of vascular plants, including 143 taxa confirmed as endemic or subendemic to the Pannonicum, 5 narrowly distributed taxa shared endemic of the Pannonicum and western part of the Carpaticum and 77 taxa are not endemic according to current taxonomic and phytogeographical knowledge (the list does not include hybrids). The final list of endemic and subendemic taxa includes 42 species, 29 subspecies and 73 apomictic species (including 47 taxa of Sorbus and 23 taxa of Taraxacum). Tatár mentions 55 taxa (without apomicts) of which only 29 (53%) are still considered endemic today. In terms of habitat preferences for (sub)endemic taxa most plants (excluding apomictic taxa) occur in rocky or sandy habitats.
Thymus saturejoides is an endemic species of the Lamiaceae family, native to Morocco and Algeria with a restricted distribution to the High Atlas, Middle Atlas, Anti-Atlas, Middle Atlantic Morocco, and the Saharan Atlas regions of Morocco, and the Aures Mountains in Algeria. This research focused on taxonomy, ethnobotany, chemical compounds, and biological and pharmacological actions of T. saturejoides. Folk medicine has documented continued use of this plant species. The review summarises the scientific literature and experimental research from the databases including Google Scholar, Semantic Scholar, ResearchGate, Academia.edu, PubMed, and PubFacts. Finally, we have provided a complete document on ethnobotany, phytochemistry, and biological properties fields of T. saturejoides.
Abstract
During survey from 2013 to 2018, Cynodon dactylon at Shahjahnapur, Azamagarh, Oplismenus burmannii at Shahjahnapur, Arundo donax at Deoria and Ocimum cannum at Gorakhpur were observed with phytoplasma suspected symptoms. The maximum disease incidence (34%) was recorded at Deoria District in case of A. donax plant with witches' broom symptom. The nested PCR using universal primer pairs (R16F2n/R16R2) confirmed the phytoplasma association with all the suspected samples. Further BLASTn and phylogenetic analysis of the sequences revealed the association of 16SrXIV-A subgroups phytoplasma with C. dactylon, O. burmannii and phytoplasma belonging to 16SrI-B subgroups with A. donax and O. cannum plants in the present study.
Abstract
Anauchen (?) kozari n. sp. is described from Luang Prabang province, central Laos. This new species is temporarily placed in the genus Anauchen due to the similarity of its apertural barriers to those of A. messageri (Bavay & Dautzenberg, 1904). Boysidia gereti Bavay & Dautzenberg, 1904 is a junior synonym of Anauchen rochebruni (Mabille, 1887) (originally described as Hypselostoma).
Abstract
We report on a 38-year-old male patient with disseminated gonococcal infection. Preceding the discharge diagnosis, the patient was treated regarding rheumatoid arthritis, which resulted in the deterioration of the patient's medical condition due to the immunomodulatory nature of the applied medication. The causative agent was identified by culturing joint puncture fluid inoculated into blood culture vials. Primary infection with the pathogen could not be pinpointed in terms of time, but on further questioning, the patient reported intimate contacts with a number of different male partners, which may be assumed to have included the infection source. The case hereby demonstrates the impact that an early misdiagnosis and a limited anamnesis can have on the progress of a patient's disease. Furthermore, this case has helped us to propose possible improvements in both clinical and microbiological diagnostic approaches.
Abstract
Effects of Pseudomonas putida and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) alone and in combination was observed in plants grown with bacterized seeds with Rhizobium leguminosarum for the management of Meloidogyne incognita and Pseudomonas syringae pv. pisi on pea (Pisum sativum). Inoculation of M. incognita and P. syringae pv. pisi alone and both together reduced plant growth, chlorophyll and carotenoid content over uninoculated control. Use of P. putida and ZnO NPs 0.10 ml−1 (foliar spray/seed priming) alone and in combination resulted in a significant increase in plant growth, chlorophyll, and carotenoid in pathogen-inoculated plants. Seed priming with ZnO NPs was better than NPs foliar spray in increasing plant growth, chlorophyll and carotenoid content of plants with pathogens. Use of P. putida plus NPs seed priming was better than its use with foliar spray in increasing plant growth, chlorophyll, and carotenoid. Bacterization with R. leguminosarum caused sufficient root nodulation and nodulation was better in plants with P. putida than in plants with ZnO NPs. Both test pathogens had adverse effect on root nodulation. Blight disease indices, galling, and nematode population were also greatly reduced when P. putida was used with ZnO NPs seed priming.
Abstract
The present study evaluated the effect of winemaking technologies on the concentration of different biogenic amines in Chardonnay wines. Wines produced from sedimented, inoculated must with active dry yeast without malolactic fermentation were compared with wine produced from nonsedimented must spontaneously fermented with malolactic fermentation. Histamine and putrescine concentrations were not significantly different in either variant. The highest concentration of histamine was 0.055 mg L−1, and the highest concentration of putrescine was 1.6 mg L−1 in both variants. Statistically significantly higher values of cadaverine (from 0.06 to 0.07 mg L−1), spermidine (from 0.8 to 1.4 mg L−1), spermine (from 0.15 to 0.25 mg L−1), and isoamylamine (from 0.40 to 0.46 mg L−1) were found in the variant made from nonsedimented must, in which spontaneous malolactic fermentation was performed. The higher concentration of biogenic amines in this variant may be due to the different composition of lactic bacteria during the spontaneous malolactic fermentation. A simplified, unpublished HILIC method of chromatographic separation of biogenic amines without prior deprivation with MS-MS detection was used to determine individual biogenic amines.
Abstract
To explore the effect of sesamol on the cognition of APP/PS1 mice, 8-week-old APP/PS1 and wild-type male mice were divided into AD model group, AD + sesamol (50 mg kg−1 bw) group, and Control group. Sesamol was orally administered once a day for 5 months. Morris water maze was used to evaluate the learning and memory ability of mice. The number of synapses in the hippocampal neurons was detected by Golgi staining. Nissl staining was used to observe the changes of Nissl bodies in CA1 and CA3 regions of the hippocampus. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of Aβ, SIRT1, BDNF, and p-CREB/CREB in the hippocampus and cortex. Compared with the model group, sesamol decreased the latency period of APP/PS1 mice (P < 0.05) and increased the total number of neuronal dendritic spines in the hippocampal CA3 region, as well as increased the number of Nissl bodies (P < 0.05). Western blotting results showed that sesamol significantly reduced Aβ protein expression in the hippocampus and cortex, increased SIRT1 expression in the cortex, and increased BDNF expression in the hippocampus (P < 0.05). Sesamol improved the learning and memory abilities of APP/PS1 mice probably through increasing the density of neuronal dendritic spines and upregulating the levels of SIRT1 and BDNF.
Abstract
The rapid technological development that is still taking place today, with increasingly interconnected IT tools, is introducing dramatic changes. The development of computer programs is rapidly transforming traditional processes and the systems that support them. It is therefore natural that the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0) and its impact on Hungarian companies is one of the key topics of our time. We conducted an exploratory quantitative survey, asking 140 managers of Hungarian small, medium and large enterprises about their current situation in the context of Industry 4.0. We sought to find out to what extent the specific R&D and innovation potential of Industry 4.0 is accepted, and whether it has already been introduced in the companies. On a qualitative side, 2 case studies and 3 interviews were conducted, in which structured interviews were used to further explore the issue. We aimed to find out where SMEs stood in terms of digital preparedness and what advantages, possible disadvantages, and goals they managed to identify. Our research showed that an increasing number of companies have already decided to take the first steps towards industrial digitalisation, which will completely transform their internal processes.
Abstract
Production and consumption of chicken meat has increased considerably with the increasing world population, and will continue to increase, due to its health benefits and its economic value. Chicken meat is a sensitive food due to its characteristics and microbiological load. Traceability is very important to increase food safety and biosecurity. Freshness indicators are often used to monitor the presence of metabolites produced by microorganisms, mostly functioning through the colour change of the indicator. A developed natural, edible, biodegradable, purple coloured pH sensitive sensory pad was put inside a chicken meat package to observe the chicken meat spoilage with colour change due to pH changes in the meat.
Abstract
In the present study, antibiotic resistance profiles and biofilm forming abilities of 9 Listeria monocytogenes isolates obtained from out of 30 retail meat samples were determined, and the effect of commercial white vinegar on these virulence factors in isolates exposed to subMIC concentrations were investigated. All isolates were found to be resistant to cefotixin and oxacillin, 8 isolates (26.6%) to clindamycin, 1 isolate (3.3%) to rifampicin, and 1 (3.3%) isolate was found to show intermediate resistance against clindamycin. Biofilm formation was determined for all the isolates at 22 °C and 37 °C (24 h, 48 h and 72 h). MIC values of white vinegar samples were determined at 3.12% for all isolates. MIC/2 and MIC/4 concentrations of white vinegar increased the biofilm forming capacity of the isolates by 21.2% and 17.1%, respectively. After exposure to MIC/2 concentration of white vinegar for seven days, the antibiotic resistance status of the isolates to tetracycline, rifampicin, and clindamycin changed, and the biofilm forming abilities significantly decreased at 4 °C and 37 °C for 48 h and at 37 °C for 72 h (P < 0.05). The results showed that the use of subMIC concentrations of white vinegar should be avoided in routine sanitation applications.
Abstract
Present study aimed to optimise stabiliser concentration and swelling time of oat in the production of oat milk using response surface methodology. The effects of independent variables (stabiliser concentration, swelling time) on dependent variables (rheological and sensory properties) were studied using a central composite rotatable design of experiments. Physico-chemical properties and colour values of samples were not significantly (P > 0.05) correlated to stabiliser concentration and swelling time. While stabiliser concentration affected the consistency index (P < 0.05), swelling time had no effect on the rheological properties. The stabiliser ratio affected the sensory texture of samples (P < 0.05). The sensory scores did not increase with increasing K value, on the contrary, the samples with the highest K value had lower sensory scores (P < 0.05). Considering the K value and sensory scores, the optimum stabiliser concentration and swelling time were determined as 0.102%, and 51.2 min, respectively.
Abstract
The aims of the present study were to detect Escherichia coli in chicken distributed in Birjand, to investigate the prevalence of ESBL and AmpC beta-lactamases producers among them, and to identify their antibiotic resistance patterns. The study was conducted on 150 chicken samples, and the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns were determined by the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method. Phenotypic identification of ESBL and AmpC was performed by the combined disk test (CDT). The specific genes of ESBL and AmpC beta-lactamases were detected using two multiplex PCR (m-PCR) assays. According to our results, 116 out of 150 chicken samples were contaminated with E. coli. Moreover, the highest resistance of E. coli isolates was observed to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (46%), ampicillin (40%), and amoxicillin (29.33%). In the molecular confirmation step, among 17 (11.33%) beta-lactamase producers, five samples contained the bla CTX-M14 gene (3.33%), two samples contained bla DHA (1.33%) and bla CTX-M3 gene (1.33%), and just one sample carried bla CMY-2 gene (0.66%). The bla SHV and bla TEM genes were not detected in any strains isolated from the chicken samples. This study showed the contamination of chicken with antibiotic-resistant E. coli. Therefore, it is recommended that veterinarians be more precautious in prescribing antibiotics.
Abstract
Turkish red pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) is an important tree species that grows widely in Türkiye. In this study, Box-Behnken experimental design was created and optimised for ultrasound assisted extraction of bioactive components of Turkish red pine waste bark. Extraction yield, total phenolic content (TPC), total concentrated tannin (TCT), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and 2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) were determined at experimental points. As a result of the optimisation process, optimum parameter values were found at 34.8 °C temperature, 6.5 min time and 116.3 W ultrasonic power. Under optimum conditions, the extraction efficiency was 13.16%, TPC 103.09 mg GAE/g, TCT 13.29 mg CE/g, FRAP 602.14 mg TEAC/g, and ABTS 624.51 mg TEAC/g activity results were obtained. The extracts obtained showed low in vitro toxicity against healthy cell lines (HEK-293, human embryonic kidney), proliferation of CaCo-2 (human colorectal adenocarcinoma) and MIA PaCa-2 (human pancreatic adenocarcinoma) cancer cells was significantly reduced. It was also determined that this extract has lower activity against Alzheimer's disease (AD)-associated AChE (acetylcholinesterase)-BChE (butyrylcholinesterase) than diabetes disease associated ɑ-glucosidase and ɑ-amylase. The extracts also showed significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Escherichia coli.
Abstract
Intermittent fasting (IF) is a dietary strategy that involves alternating periods of abstention from calorie consumption with periods of ad libitum food intake and has been shown to have beneficial effects in many ways. Recent studies have shown that IF attenuates neurodegeneration and improves cognitive decline, enhances functional recovery after stroke as well as attenuates the pathological and clinical features of epilepsy in animal models. Furthermore, IF induced several molecular and cellular adaptations in neurons that overall enhanced cellular stress resistance, synaptic plasticity, and neurogenesis. In this review, the beneficial effects of IF on central neurological disorders are discussed. The information summarised in this review can be used to help contextualise existing research and better guide the development of future IF interventions.
Abstract
Nattokinase (NK) is effective in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Cucumber is rich in nutrients with low sugar content and is safe for consumption. The aim of this study was to construct a therapeutic cucumber that can express NK, which can prevent and alleviate cardiovascular diseases by consumption. Because the Bitter fruit (Bt) gene contributes to bitter taste but has no obvious effect on the growth and development of cucumber, so the NK-producing cucumber was constructed by replacing the Bt gene with NK by using CRISPR/Cas9. The pZHY988-Cas9-sgRNA and pX6-LHA-U6-NK-T-RHA vectors were constructed and transformed into Agrobacterium tumefaciens EHA105, which was transformed into cucumber by floral dip method. The crude extract of NK-producing cucumber had significant thrombolytic activity in vitro. In addition, treatment with the crude extract significantly delayed thrombus tail appearance, and the thrombin time of mice was much longer than that of normal mice. The degrees of coagulation and blood viscosity as well as hemorheological properties improved significantly after crude extract treatment. These findings show that NK-producing cucumber can effectively alleviate thrombosis and improve blood biochemical parameters, providing a new direction for diet therapy against cardiovascular diseases.
Abstract
In this paper, fresh Muzao (Zizyphus jujuba cv. Muzao) at full-red and white-ripe periods were used as raw materials to brew low-alcohol jujube wines directly without cooking or extraction. The results showed that the contents of total acid, total phenolics, and total tannin of white-ripe jujube wines (WRJW) were significantly higher than that of full-red jujube wines (FRJW) under the same ratio of jujube fruit/water (P < 0.05). When the ratio of jujube fruit to water increased from 1:1 to 1:5, the total esters contents of WRJW increased from 2261.56 μg L−1 to 3671.51 μg L−1, but decreased in FRJW. Especially, the contents of ethyl octanoate, ethyl decanoate, and isoamyl caprylate in WRJW (1:5) were significantly higher than in other wine samples (P < 0.05). These three esters with a variety of aroma description characteristics can give jujube wine a more complex flavour. The sensory evaluation also showed that the WRJW (1:5) had the highest score. This wine had the following characteristics: clear and transparent, light yellow, pure elegant fruit and wine aroma, pleasant fragrance, harmonious wine body, fresh taste, sweet and sour, with typical characteristics of jujube wine. The research results can provide a theoretical basis and technical reference for the industrial production of high-quality jujube wine.
Abstract
Proper gluten quantitation is essential for providing safe gluten-free food for patients living with celiac disease (CD). However, gluten quantitation faces several challenges: the lack of a reference method and certified reference materials, the variability of methods and the effects of genetic and environmental factors on gluten. Among all these challenges our research group focuses on gluten reference material development. Gluten content is determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods to obtain comparable data for the selection of cultivars used in our reference material development efforts. As ELISA methods are developed for determining low gluten concentrations, application for these special research purposes requires a 10,000-fold dilution. The formerly performed process was a post-extraction liquid dilution that proved to be sufficient for wheat samples. However, gluten contents of rye and barley samples were found to be overestimated by ELISA methods. One of the suggested reasons is the structural and solubility changes of gluten proteins during the dilution process. Therefore, our present study focuses on the comparison of the original dilution method and a revised version using solid-phase dilution in a gluten-free matrix.
Abstract
Jerusalem artichoke tuber extracts (JAE) bioactivity including anticancer, antimicrobial, and digestion-inhibiting properties were investigated. The findings showed that the extracts were able to inhibit cancer growth in the HT-29 colon cancer cell line (HT-29 cc cell line) in a dose-dependent form. The suppression of cell proliferation rose to about 78.05 ± 3.9 percent at a dose of 250 μg mL−1. The Annexin V assay showed dose-dependent DNA fragmentation and detected late apoptotic induction in the HT-29 cc cell line. Depending on the concentration, the extract was able to stop the cell cycle in the HT-29 cc cell line at the G1 phase. Also, JAE prevented the HT-29 cc cell line growth, which resulted in programmed cell death. Additionally, the extracts are potential antibacterial agents and may inhibit lipase and α-amylase.
Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum) production is growing worldwide so the treatment and utilization of Rambutan by-products has become a concern of manufacturers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential application of rhizobacteria to decompose Rambutan peel for organic fertilizer production. After the rhizospheric soil samples were selectively proliferated and preadded on agar medium containing only Rambutan peel, the rhizobacterial colony isolates were screened based on their ability to grow on this agar medium and then to degrade cellulose in Rambutan peel. The LD7.3 isolate from the Rambutan rhizosphere showed the highest efficiency in degrading Rambutan peel with 5.6% degraded cellulose content and was identified by the MALDI-TOF technique as belonging to Klebsiella. Klebsiella sp. LD7.3 grew well and maintained the same degrading activity after three times of subculturing in liquid medium. Notably, the supplementation of grinded Rambutan fruit peel to the liquid medium had a positive effect on the growth and the degrading activity of Klebsiella sp. LD7.3. This was the primary report on the application of rhizobacteria to degrade Rambutan peel and the results showed that this was a potential approach to reuse this waste source.
The experiment was conducted within a framework of a two-factor long-term trial at the Research Institute for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Irrigation, in Szarvas, Hungary. This was a special field experiment, in which lysimeters have been installed in the middle of 32 m2 field plots. The main factor was the water supply with 4 levels: i1: non-irrigated control; i2: irrigated with one third of the optimal water supply; i3: irrigated with two thirds of the optimal water supply; i4: optimum irrigated plot, according to the requirement of sweet corn test plant. The amount of released irrigation water was 0, 54, 106 and 158 mm per year on average over 5 years. Within every water supply treatment there were 4 nutrient supply rates (N): N1, N2, N3, N4 = 100, 200, 300 and 400 kg ha−1 NPK fertiliser substance in ratio 2:1:1. The number of replications was 4, and the experiment was arranged in split-plot design. In the studied years, the amount of precipitation varied between 92 and 264 mm from sowing to harvesting.
The effect of fertiliser was less in the non-irrigated treatments compared to that of the irrigated ones, and the yield was increased only up to 200 kg ha−1 NPK treatment level. The NPK dose of 300 kg ha−1 proved to be optimal in the irrigated treatments in which the utilization of fertilizer doses increased parallel to the improving water supply. In addition, the ratio of first class products (cobs longer than 20 cm) increased to a greater extent than the yield as a result of irrigation and fertilization. Water requirement of sweet corn proved to be between 400–450 mm resulting in an average yield of 20–24 t ha−1, of which 18–20 t ha−1 came from marketable cobs. The amount of evapotranspiration fluctuated between 270–440 mm during the five years, depending on the quantity of water supply, but it changed to a lesser extent than the amount of the yield. Increasing the fertilizer dose practically did not affect ET in non-irrigated plants, but increased it by 20–30 mm in irrigated ones. The change was not significant.
The productivity of ET was only 30–45 kg ha−1 mm−1 in the non-irrigated treatment, while it was 50–55 kg ha−1 mm−1 in the irrigated treatments, with higher values at the higher fertiliser rates. The productivity of irrigation water exceeded far over the productivity of ET at adequate nutrient supply. The yield increase per 1 mm of irrigation water was on average 60 kg ha−1 mm−1, which was considerably higher than the productivity of ET of non-irrigated plants (39 kg ha−1 mm−1). There was a positive correlation between the yield and ET, and a negative correlation between the yield and specific water consumption. Irrigation and fertilization increased the average yield to a greater extent than evapotranspiration, so as the average yield increased, the ET per unit of yield decreased, i.e. the productivity of evapotranspirated water increased.
Abstract
It is necessary to estimate the number of animals slaughtered outside slaughterhouses in countries like Türkiye, where slaughterings in non-slaughterhouses are relatively high. This paper presents the estimation of red meat production including all slaughterings both in slaughterhouses and in non-slaughterhouses by using a re-established model based on change in the inventory of animals including imported and exported animals, slaughtering rate for the slaughtered animals raised domestically in Türkiye, and total red meat consumption per capita per year in Türkiye. Total red meat production in Türkiye was estimated as 1 million 952 thousand 38 tonnes, bovine meat production was estimated as 1 million 471 thousand 550 tonnes, sheep and goats meat production was estimated as 480 thousand 488 tonnes in 2021. Total red meat human consumption per capita in Türkiye was estimated as 23 kg carcass weight per capita per year and 17 kg retail weight per capita per year. 17 kg of total red meat human consumption came from bovine meat, and 6 kg came from sheep and goats meat. According to the result of cluster analysis of European countries, Türkiye was clustered in the group of lowest total red meat consumption with Albania, Ukraine, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republic of Moldova, North Macedonia, Czech Republic, and Serbia.
Abstract
The research aim was to evaluate the Portuguese honey consumers’ profile, their attitudes, perceptions, and trends towards the product, production, and consumption, to allow the development of marketing strategies. With this purpose, a questionnaire was developed in accordance with the Ajzen's Planned Behaviour Theory and was then completed by 784 interviewees to retrieve quantitative and qualitative data. These included demographic, consumption pattern, and behavioural pattern variables collected in a Likert scale. Spearman correlations were performed between ordinal and continuous variables, and chi-squared tests of independency applied to contingency tables between nominal variables. A positive correlation was found between age and frequency of purchasing. Men consume honey more frequently than women. Portuguese honey has a good reputation, and it is preferred in relation to imported honey. The Portuguese consumer is not completely aware of the different floral characteristics of honey, other hive products, and positive externalities associated with beekeeping. By filling the marketing gap identified, production and consumption of honey could be increased in Portugal. Marketing campaigns promoting the health benefits of honey and other hive products, as well as the externalities of beekeeping may be advantageous.
Abstract
Reducing sugars are known to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), mainly by means of the glycation reaction. The hydroxyl radical, a prominent entity of ROS, is known to alter cellular DNA and induces damage to DNA, and plays a role in diseases such as diabetes mellitus. In this study, the oxidative damage of DNA induced by the lysine/Fe3+/MG reaction was investigated. Silybum marianum seeds extract (SlyE), standard silymarin (Sly), and vitamin B6 derivatives, pyridoxal-5-phosphate (PLP), pyridoxamine (PM), and pyridoxine (P) in reversing glycation-induced damage in DNA were evaluated. In addition, different sugars and sugar phosphates were incubated with plasmid pBR 322 DNA to control and compare their harmful effects. Our results revealed that SlyE protected lysine/Fe3+/MG induced oxidative DNA damage more effectively than Sly. Vitamins, on the other hand, prevented this DNA damage in the order of PLP>P>PM. The DNA altering and damaging intensity of sugars and sugar phosphates tested increased considerably in the following order: Ribose-5-phosphate > fructose-6-phosphate > ribose > fructose > fructose-1,6 biphosphate > glucose-6 phosphate > glucose. The results show that the lysine/Fe3+/MG glycation reaction can cause oxidative damage of DNA through a mechanism involving hydroxyl radicals. It also provides evidence that ribose-5-phosphate and fructose and its phosphate metabolites can alter DNA more rapidly in vitro than glucose and its phosphate metabolites.
Abstract
In this study, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) was used to identify bacteria from environmental matrices. The aim of this work was to determine the efficacy of this rapid technique and the bacterial community of agricultural samples. Environmental samples included the collection of irrigation waters and manures, and bacteria from the surface of vegetables were also investigated. From food safety point of view, the investigation of these microbial communities is inevitable considering their potential hazardous impact on the food production chain. Altogether 235 bacterial isolates were identified with the most frequent genera being Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Acinetobacter and Aeromonas. Our results indicated that MALDI-TOF MS can be used to identify causative agents of foodborne illnesses, food spoilage and common plant pathogens. However, limitations of the rapid identification technique were also encountered as we obtained correct identification at species level for 30.2% and at genus level for 69.8% of the isolates.