Infection Density Dynamics and Phylogeny of Wolbachia Associated with Coconut Hispine Beetle, Brontispa longissima (Gestro) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), by Multilocus Sequence Type (MLST) Genotyping

( Habib Ali ),( Abrar Muhammad ),( Youming Hou ) 한국미생물생명공학회(구 한국산업미생물학회) 2018 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.28 No.5

The intracellular bacterium Wolbachia pipientis is widespread in arthropods. Recently, possibilities of novel Wolbachia-mediated hosts, their distribution, and natural rate have been anticipated, and the coconut leaf beetle Brontispa longissima (Gestro) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), which has garnered attention as a serious pest of palms, was subjected to this interrogation. By adopting Wolbachia surface protein (wsp) and multilocus sequence type (MLST) genotypic systems, we determined the Wolbachia infection density within host developmental stages, body parts, and tissues, and the results revealed that all the tested samples of B. longissima were infected with the same Wolbachia strain (wLog), suggesting complete vertical transmission. The MLST profile elucidated two new alleles (ftsZ-234 and coxA-266) that define a new sequence type (ST-483), which indicates the particular genotypic association of B. longissima and Wolbachia. The quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed a higher infection density in the eggs and adult stage, followed by the abdomen and reproductive tissues, respectively. However, no significant differences were observed in the infection density between sexes. Moreover, the wsp and concatenated MLST alignment analysis of this study with other known Wolbachia-mediated arthropods revealed similar clustering with distinct monophyletic supergroup B. This is the first comprehensive report on the prevalence, infection dynamics, and phylogeny of the Wolbachia endosymbiont in B. longissima, which demonstrated that Wolbachia is ubiquitous across all developmental stages and distributed in the entire body of B. longissima. Understanding the Wolbachia infection dynamics would provide useful insight to build a framework for future investigations, understand its impacts on host physiology, and exploit it as a potential biocontrol agent.

Braking performance and noise in excessive worn brake discs coated with HVOF thermal spray process

Ali Öz,Habib Gürbüz,Ali Kemal Yakut,Selami Sağiroğlu 대한기계학회 2017 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.31 No.2

In this paper, two excessive worn brake discs of a light commercial vehicle were coated with High velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) thermal spray process for reuse. The coated discs were compared with uncoated Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) D1 disc in terms of braking performance and noise. The D2 disc was coated with tungsten-carbide-cobalt (88 %WC-12 %Co) powder and NiCr (80/20) binder, and 500 µm thick coating was obtained. The D3 disc was coated with Colmonoy-88 (Ni-W-Cr-B-Si) powder and NiCr (80/20) binder and 600 µm thick coating was obtained. Several test procedures (e.g. bedding, vibration, and structural-strength tests) was applied to three discs using inertia brake dynamometer. Results showed that coated D2 disc with tungsten carbide cobalt provided lower brake noise and higher brake performance compared with OEM disc. Considering the coefficient of friction and temperature, coated D3 disc has approximately equal braking performance with OEM D1 disc despite the high braking noise value.

Ranking Sensitive Calibrating Parameters of UBC Watershed Model

Usman Ali Naeem,Habib-ur-Rehman,Hashim Nisar Hashmi,Abdul Sattar Shakir,Abdul Razzaq Ghumman,Muhammad Ali Shamim 대한토목학회 2015 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.19 No.5

Almost in all hydrological models, calibrating parameters are tuned to best match the simulated results with the observed. In the present study sensitivity analysis was carried on the fifteen calibrating parameters of University of British Columbia Watershed Model (UBCWM). The study focuses to impart information to the modelers while calibrating UBCWM. To achieve the objectives of the study, UBC Watershed Model was applied on Chitral watershed in Pakistan. UBC Watershed Model is a semi distributed Hydrological model which divides the entire watershed in several elevation bands. The model was calibrated for the year 2006 with the coefficient of efficiency as well as the coefficient of determination equal to 0.94. The numerical values of the calibrating parameters were changed by increasing 20% and then by decreasing 20% of the standard calibrated values one by one. Sensitivity of the model was evaluated by computing the Absolute Sensitivity Index for each parameter. The sensitivity analysis results showed that the P0SREPO as the most sensitive parameter with 3.31525 Absolute Sensitivity Index (ASI) whereas C0IMPA found to be least sensitive giving a value of 0.0452 as Absolute Sensitivity Index (ASI). The logical trends in the results of sensitivity analysis show the robustness of the model.

In-vitro assessment of food consumption, utilization indices and losses promises of leafworm, Spodoptera litura (Fab.), on okra crop

Ahmad Nawaz,Habib Ali,Muhammad Sufyan,Muhammad Dildar Gogi,Muhammad Jalal Arif,Abid Ali,Muhammad Qasim,Waqar Islam,Noman Ali,Imran Bodla,Madiha Zaynab,Khalid Ali Khan,Hamed A. Ghramh 한국응용곤충학회 2020 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.23 No.1

The lepidopteran insect pests have significant importance in vegetable production. The present study was performed to investigate the baseline studies about the assessment of feeding and consumption potential, utilization indices and losses promises of leafworm, Spodoptera litura (Fab.) on Okra. The data regarding feeding potential, food utilization and consumption indices as well as losses of different larval instars were recorded and subjected to appropriate statistical analysis. The results showed that, in the beginning, the approximate digestibility of various instars was increase, e.g. third instar (51.36%–64.03%), fourth instar (63.42%–69.45%) and fifth instar (70.25%–76.10%). However, after a certain period, the digestibility was decreased and efficiency to convert the ingested food into biomass varied significantly. The consumption index values increased with an increase in time but the consumption and growth rate was declined of fourth instar larvae. The ingestion and digestion increased of third (10.01–13.06, 8.32–11.91 mg), fourth (11.27–17.28, 10.96–14.03 mg) and fifth (12.60–19.40, 11.93–15.28 mg) larval instars. The corrected weight of consumed leaves increased with a gain in body weight. However, in the third instar, a decline was observed on the last day of feeding. Maximum leaf area was consumed by fifth instar larvae (44.66 cm 2 ) followed by fourth (35.41 cm 2 ) and third (27.98 cm 2 ) instars. In conclusion, all the dependent parameters, including food utilization potential, consumption indices and losses were higher for fifth instar larvae than others. These results emphasized the re-establishment of fundamental (economic threshold level: ETL, economic injury level: EIL) integrated pest management concepts.

Effect of Cyclic Pre-straining on the Dynamic Behavior of Very Dense Sand

Habib Shahnazari,Ali Akbar Heshmati,Hossein Sarbaz 대한토목학회 2015 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.19 No.1

Earthquakes, including the main shock, fore-shocks and after-shocks, are among the most devastating natural disasters. Mostbuilding structures that are damaged due to a main shock then experience more damage when they are subjected to aftershocks. Anystrong shock may decrease the strength of a steel or concrete structure. However, depending on its magnitude, a foreshock may eitherincrease or decrease the shear strength of an earth-fill structure. A loose granular specimen usually gains some shear strength whensubjected to pre-loading. This behavior is mainly due to an increase in relative density and experience of shear history. For a verydense granular material, it is unclear whether fore-shocks and main shocks increase or decrease its shear strength. However, theanswer to this uncertainty is vital when evaluating the safety factor of a well-compacted granular earth-fill dam after an earthquake. The objective of this study is to study the effects of cyclic pre-straining on the dynamic behavior of saturated and very dense sandspecimens. The major findings from the laboratory study are the following: (a) under small pre-strain, the microstructure remainsessentially unchanged, but an increase in density leads to an increase in the soil strength; and (b) under large pre-strain, themicrostructure is completely altered to a new form. In this case, if the loading amplitude is identical to the one in the previous prestrain,the soil strength increases; however, if the loading amplitude is less than the previous pre-strain, the strength decreases in thenext stage. Such a decrease occurs even though the relative density increases.

Effect of temperature on life table parameters of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) on two brassicaceous host plants

Ali Golizadeh,Karim Kamali,Yaghoub Fathipour,Habib Abbasipour 한국응용곤충학회 2009 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.12 No.4

Life table parameters of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), were studied at seven constant temperatures (10, 15, 20, 25, 28, 30, and 35 °C) on two brassicaceous host plants, cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) and cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata). Survival, longevity and reproduction were examined and used to construct a life table. The survival at immature stages varied from 53.0 to 84.1% on cauliflower and from 58.3 to 86.2% on cabbage at 10–30 °C. P. xylostella did not survive at 35 °C. The female adult longevity ranged from 12.9 days at 30 °C to 30.4 days at 10 °C on cauliflower and 9.7 days at 30 °C to 40.0 days at 15 °C on cabbage. The net reproductive rate (R0) increased with increasing temperature, while generation time (T) decreased. This caused the intrinsic rate of increase (rm) to increase from 0.038 to 0.340 on cauliflower and 0.033 to 0.315 on cabbage from 10 to 28 °C. The significant decrease in R0 caused a decrease in rm at 30 °C. The rm values on cauliflower were significantly higher than cabbage at 15, 20, 28 and 30 °C. Life table parameters of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), were studied at seven constant temperatures (10, 15, 20, 25, 28, 30, and 35 °C) on two brassicaceous host plants, cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) and cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata). Survival, longevity and reproduction were examined and used to construct a life table. The survival at immature stages varied from 53.0 to 84.1% on cauliflower and from 58.3 to 86.2% on cabbage at 10–30 °C. P. xylostella did not survive at 35 °C. The female adult longevity ranged from 12.9 days at 30 °C to 30.4 days at 10 °C on cauliflower and 9.7 days at 30 °C to 40.0 days at 15 °C on cabbage. The net reproductive rate (R0) increased with increasing temperature, while generation time (T) decreased. This caused the intrinsic rate of increase (rm) to increase from 0.038 to 0.340 on cauliflower and 0.033 to 0.315 on cabbage from 10 to 28 °C. The significant decrease in R0 caused a decrease in rm at 30 °C. The rm values on cauliflower were significantly higher than cabbage at 15, 20, 28 and 30 °C.

Crocin Improves Oxidative Stress by Potentiating Intrinsic Anti-Oxidant Defense Systems in Pancreatic Cells During Uncontrolled Hyperglycemia

Habib Yaribeygi,Ali Noroozadeh,Mohammad Taghi Mohammadi,Thomas P. Johnston,Amirhossein Sahebkar 대한약침학회 2019 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.22 No.2

Introduction: Oxidative stress (OS) during uncontrolled hyperglycemia has a pivotal role in pancreatic dysfunction. Our study aimed to demonstrate that crocin can potentiate anti-oxidant defense systems of pancreatic cells to improve oxidative stress. Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided randomly into four groups: a normal group, a normal-treated group, a diabetic group and a diabetic-treated group (n = 6 rats per group). Diabetes was induced by a single dose of streptozotocin (45 mg/kg/IV). The treated groups received crocin daily for 8 weeks (40 mg/kg/IP). At the end of the experiment, rats were sacrificed and pancreas tissue was obtained. Subsequently, the concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitrate and glutathione as well as the enzymatic activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined in all animals. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA with appropriate post hoc testing and a probability value of P < 0.05was considered to represent a statistically significant difference in mean values. Results: Uncontrolled hyperglycemia weakened the anti-oxidant system by decreasing SOD and catalase enzyme activity in pancreatic tissues and induced OS by increasing the MDA content in diabetic non-treated animals. Crocin potentiated the anti-oxidant defense system by increasing the activity of both SOD and catalase, and improved OS by diminishing MDA production in pancreatic cells of rats contained in the diabetic-treated group. Conclusion: Based on our results, it is concluded that uncontrolled hyperglycemia can weaken the anti-oxidant defense system and cause the development of OS. Also, crocin can improve OS in pancreatic cells by potentiating the anti-oxidant defense system.

Novel Secure Hybrid Image Steganography Technique Based on Pattern Matching

( Ali Hamza ),( Danish Shehzad ),( Muhammad Shahzad Sarfraz ),( Usman Habib ),( Numan Shafi ) 한국인터넷정보학회 2021 KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Syst Vol.15 No.3

The secure communication of information is a major concern over the internet. The information must be protected before transmitting over a communication channel to avoid security violations. In this paper, a new hybrid method called compressed encrypted data embedding (CEDE) is proposed. In CEDE, the secret information is first compressed with Lempel Ziv Welch (LZW) compression algorithm. Then, the compressed secret information is encrypted using the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) symmetric block cipher. In the last step, the encrypted information is embedded into an image of size 512 × 512 pixels by using image steganography. In the steganographic technique, the compressed and encrypted secret data bits are divided into pairs of two bits and pixels of the cover image are also arranged in four pairs. The four pairs of secret data are compared with the respective four pairs of each cover pixel which leads to sixteen possibilities of matching in between secret data pairs and pairs of cover pixels. The least significant bits (LSBs) of current and imminent pixels are modified according to the matching case number. The proposed technique provides double-folded security and the results show that stego image carries a high capacity of secret data with adequate peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR) and lower mean square error (MSE) when compared with existing methods in the literature.

Epidemiology of Breast Cancer among Females in Basrah

Habib, Omran S,Hameed, Lamis A,Ajeel, Narjis A,Al-Hawaz, Mazin H,Al-Faddagh, Zaki A,Nasr, Ghalib N,Al-Sodani, Ali H,Khalaf, Asaad A,Hasson, Hasson M,Abdul-Samad, Aida A Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.no.sup3

Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer in females. Its incidence is higher in developed countries than in developing ones partly due to variation in risk exposure and partly due to better detection methods. Scattered evidence in Basrah, Iraq, suggests that breast cancer has been increasing at a significant pace in recent years. This study aimed to measure the current level of risk of breast cancer among females in Basrah and to describe the time trend over almost a decade of years. Data on breast cancer cases from all sources of cancer registration in Basrah governorate were compiled for the years 2005-2012. The data for each year were first checked separately for duplicate reporting of cases among various sources. Then the eight files were pooled together and checked again for any duplicate cases among years of registration. The final set of data contained 2,284 cases of breast cancer (2,213 female cases and 71 male cases). All patients were inhabitants of Basrah governorate at the time of diagnosis. Figures on the Basrah population were obtained from various sources including the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Planning and Developmental Collaboration and local household surveys. It was possible to have total population estimates for each year and by age and sex. The data were imported into SPSS (version 17) software. Age specific and year specific incidence rates were calculated. The age standardized incidence rate was also calculated using world population as the standard population to be 34.9 per 100,000 females. Age-wise, no case was reported among children aged less than 15 years and the incidence increased with advancing age reaching a peak of 123.8/100,000 females at the age range of 50-54 years. The time trend of the crude incidence rate showed only modest increased risk with passage of years and no age shift could be documented in this study. Breast cancer in females in Basrah is a significant health problem. The current incidence rate (crude, 23.7/100,000, age-standardized, 34.9/100,000) is high and justifies intensive efforts to improve early detection of cases, provide better treatment amenities and introduce long term preventive measures. Using the age standardized incidence rate as reported in this paper, it is possible to put the risk in Basrah within a regional and international context.

Anti-cancer Effect of Hyoscyamus muticus Extract via Its Activation of Fas/FasL-ASK1-p38 Pathway

Amer Ali Abd El-Hafeez,Hala Mohamed M. Marzouk,Mohamed A. A. Abdelhamid,Hazim O. Khalifa,Tamer H. A. Hasanin,Ahmed G. K. Habib,Fatma Mahmoud Abdelwahed,Fatma M. Barakat,Eslam M. Bastawy,Eman M. B. Abd 한국생물공학회 2022 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.27 No.5

Hyoscyamus muticus L. is a traditional medicine used as antispasmodic and sedative. Herein, we aimed to determine the phytochemical constituents and for the first time its anti-cancer activities. The phytochemical constituents of the different extracts were evaluated by calorimetric methods. The anti-cancer activities of the extracts were tested against leukemia, breast, renal, and prostate cancers cell lines. 4, 6-Diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining, flow cytometric analysis, knockdown of ASK1, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were evaluated to clarify the mechanism of action. Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of wide range of phytoconstituents. Hyoscyamus muticus methanolic extracts (HMME) showed the highest anti-cancer activities against leukemia, breast, renal, and prostate cancers as compared to ethanol and aqueous extracts. Specifically, HMME exerted cytotoxic effect against the MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines with IC50 values of 8.75 and 7.25 μg/mL, respectively. Mechanistically, DAPI staining and flow cytometric analysis revealed that HMME induces apoptosis via the death receptor, FAS, but not the mitochondrial pathway. Moreover, ASK1 and p38 were rapidly activated in response to HMME, and knockdown of ASK1 by a small interference of RNA specific to Ask1 attenuated p38 and caspase-3 activation and suppressed apoptosis, implying that HMME-induced apoptosis relies on the ASK1-p38-caspase-3 pathway. Furthermore, we confirmed that cellular ROS generation was a critical mediator in HMME-induced apoptosis because the ROSscavenger N-acetyl cysteine significantly decreased the phosphorylation of ASK1 and HMME-induced apoptosis. Our results confirmed HMME cytotoxic effects in TNBCs via ROS-dependent activation of the Fas/FasL-ASK1-p38 axis.