Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Physicochemical and technological properties of common bean cultivars (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) grown in Brazil and their starch characteristics

: A great diversity of bean cultivars is developed each year, but, to our knowledge, there is a dearth of information regarding the physicochemical and technological properties of the grains, as well as its starch characteristics. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the physicochemical and technological properties of five cultivars from the carioca bean group and five cultivars from the black bean group as freshly harvested grains. Moreover, the physicochemical, crystallinity and pasting properties of isolated starch were also determined. The results showed differences in all of the studied properties as a function of genotype. High grain thickness and low seed coat percentage were associated with the low cooking time. The highest protein and starch content were exhibited by grains from the “Pérola” and “Estilo” cultivars, respectively. Similar crystalline structure was observed in all starches, but the relative crystallinity and the physicochemical and pasting properties were dependent on the cultivar.
A review on Listeria monocytogenes in food: prevalence, pathogenicity, survivability and antibiotic resistance

Email: jyhtang@unisza.edu. my eISSN: 2550-2166 / © 2019 The Authors. Published by Rynnye Lyan Resources Food Research 4 (1) : 20 27 (February 2020) Journal homepage: http://www.myfoodresearch. com M IN I R E V IE W A review on Listeria monocytogenes in food: prevalence, pathogenicity, survivability and antibiotic resistance Wai, G.Y. , 1, *Tang, J.Y. H. , New, C.Y. and Son, R. Faculty of Bioresources and Food Industry, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (Besut Campus), 22200 Besut, Terengganu. Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
Comparing sessile benthos on shallow artificial versus natural hard substrates in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea

Artificial structures cover a considerable part of the Mediterranean coasts. In the Aegean Sea, most studies related to artificial structures have focused in vagile fauna on harbors and marinas but little attention has been given to the sessile biota on coastal defense structures. The aim of this work was to describe for the first time the shallow sublittoral sessile benthos on coastal defense structures in Crete (Eastern Mediterranean Sea) in order to identify potential differences in comparison to natural rocky substrates, adopting both a taxonomic and functional (i.e. macroalgal structural complexity) approach. Three shallow (1-3 m) localities were studied in the north coast and three in the south coast of the island (six localities in total). At each locality, two types of hard substrate were selected: an artificial coastal defense structure (rip-rap) and the nearest natural rocky substrates. The percent cover of sessile taxa was calculated using random points counts over photoquadrats (20 x 20 cm). The structure of the assemblage differed between artificial and natural habitats. Values of Shannon-Wiener’s diversity index and number of taxa were higher in natural substrates. In addition, cover of arborescent macroalgae was lower on artificial substrates. In conclusion, rip-raps do not function as surrogates of natural hard substrates in the study area since their shallow subtidal assemblages differ in terms of community structure, diversity and functionality. The deficient performance of such artificial structures could be attributed to the combined effects of abiotic factors and biotic processes, including substrate nature and roughness as well as differential grazing pressure.
Effects of hydroperiod on growth, development, survival and immune defences in a temperate amphibian

The many and varied effects of human‐induced environmental change have the potential to threaten animal biodiversity and species abundance. Importantly, human land use and global climate change are predicted to reduce water availability, which might have negative consequences for freshwater organisms. In this study, we tested for an effect of a shortened hydroperiod on larval growth and development, and post‐metamorphic survival and immune function in a temperate frog, Rana pipiens. Animals developing under pond drying conditions metamorphosed at a smaller size and had lower survival after metamorphosis. We found sex‐specific differences in larval period in our fastest drying treatment, with males metamorphosing more quickly than females. Individuals that developed under drying conditions also showed reduced skin swelling after phytohaemagglutinin injection, indicating a compromised immune response. We found support for trade‐offs between growth, development and post‐metamorphic immune function across hydroperiod treatments. Whole blood from animals with shorter larval periods had lower bacterial killing ability, and small‐bodied juveniles had lower antibody titres. Overall, our results indicate that a shortened hydroperiod can affect the rate of larval amphibian growth and development, and might negatively impact the condition of species that rely on freshwater for development. Our work improves understanding of the complex impacts that environmental stressors might have on the health of animal populations. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Species‐specific effects of phosphorus addition on tropical tree seedling response to elevated CO
 2

Tropical forest productivity is often thought to be limited by soil phosphorus (P) availability. Phosphorus availability might therefore constrain potential increases in growth as the atmospheric CO₂ concentration increases, yet there is little experimental evidence with which to evaluate this hypothesis. We hypothesized that while all species would respond more strongly to elevated CO₂ when supplied with extra P, the responses of individual species would also depend on their habitat associations with either high‐ or low‐P soils. We further hypothesized that this effect would be exacerbated by a reduction in transpiration rate under elevated CO₂, as transpiration may aid in P acquisition. We used a pot experiment to test the effects of P addition on the physiological and growth response to elevated CO₂ of eight tropical tree species with contrasting distributions across a soil P gradient in Panamanian lowland forests. Seedlings were grown in an ambient (400 ppm) or elevated (800 ppm) CO₂‐controlled glasshouse in either a high‐ or low‐P treatment to quantify the effects of P limitation on relative growth rate (RGR), transpiration, maximum photosynthetic rate and foliar nutrients. We found evidence of limitation by P and CO₂ on growth, photosynthesis, foliar nutrients and transpiration. However, the affinity of a species for P, defined as the species distribution relative to P availability, was not correlated with RGR or transpiration responses to elevated CO₂ in either the low‐P or high‐P treatments. Transpiration rates decreased under elevated CO₂, but foliar P was greater for some species under elevated CO₂, suggesting a greater capacity for upregulation of P acquisition in species associated with low‐P soils. Our results show that tropical forest responses to elevated CO₂ will be species‐specific and not necessarily explained by P affinities based on distribution, which poses challenges for predictions of community‐wide responses. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Prevalence of aflatoxin contamination in groundnuts in Pune city

Background: Aflatoxin contamination in groundnuts is caused by the fungi Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. In this study, the prevalence of aflatoxin B1 in groundnuts has been assessed. Aflatoxins are highly carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic. They are known to cause hepatocellular toxicity. The aim of the study is to estimate prevalence of aflatoxin contamination in groundnuts sold in the city of Pune and to assess the awareness about aflatoxin contamination amongst shopkeepers of selected shops/vendors.Methods: Sampling of groundnuts was conducted in 17 out of 144 administrative wards of Pune city. Hundred samples weighing 250g each were purchased from the randomly selected stores and transported in black polythene bags to The State Public Health Laboratory, Pune. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) was used by the laboratory to determine levels of aflatoxin B1. A pre-structured questionnaire was used for assessment of knowledge of aflatoxin contamination amongst vendors.Results: Out of 100 samples, four samples were contaminated with aflatoxin. However the maximum contamination was 0.6 parts per billion, which is well within the permissible limit of 30 parts per billion. Awareness of aflatoxin contamination amongst vendors was six percent. Ninety four percent of vendors were unaware of the concept of aflatoxin contamination.Conclusions: It is necessary to educate vendors, suppliers and handlers about the health hazards caused by this toxic fungus for the benefit of the average consumer.
Fusarium Species from Sorghum in Thailand

Sorghum is the fifth most important cereal worldwide, spreading from Africa throughout the world. It is particularly important in the semi-arid tropics due to its drought tolerance, and when cultivated in Southeast Asia commonly occurs as a second crop during the dry season. We recovered Fusarium from sorghum in Thailand and found F. proliferatum, F. thapsinum and F. verticillioides most frequently, and intermittent isolates of F. sacchari and F. beomiforme. The relatively high frequencies of F. proliferatum and F. verticillioides, suggest mycotoxin contamination, particularly fumonisins and moniliformin, should be evaluated. Genetic variation within the three commonly recovered species was characterized with vegetative compatibility, mating type, Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLPs), and female fertility. Effective population number (Ne) was highest for F. verticillioides and lowest for F. thapsinum with values based on mating type allele frequencies higher than those based on female fertility. Based on AFLP genetic variation, the F. thapsinum populations were the most closely related, the F. verticillioides populations were the most distantly related, and the F. proliferatum populations were in an intermediate position. The genetic variation observed could result if F. thapsinum is introduced primarily with seed, while F. proliferatum and F. verticillioides could arrive with seed or be carried over from previous crops, e.g., rice or maize, which sorghum is following. Confirmation of species transmission patterns is needed to understand the agricultural systems in which sorghum is grown in Southeast Asia, which are quite different from the systems found in Africa, Australia, India and the Americas.
Methylsulfonylmethane alone or in combination with thiocolchicoside modulate autoimmune disease in rats with adjuvant arthritis

Many active anti-arthritic natural substances are revealed into the past years. The aim of study was to assess the combined efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) with thiocolchicoside (Th) (compound MTh) and MSM alone against adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA) in rats. In the first experiment 30 rats and in the second - 21 ratswere randomly divided into 6 groups: I gr. - AA + MSM (77 mg/kg), II and V gr. - AA + diclofenac (DF), III and VI gr. - the control AA groups without treatment, IV gr. - MTh (38 mg/kg). DF (1 mg/kg) in both experiments was used as a reference drug. 6 rats were as the healthy control group. AA rats were treated from day 0 to 17. All preparations were suspended in 0.5 ml of 1℅ starch gel and injected orally 5 days a week. Body weight and joint swelling were monitored 3 times a week. Development of polyarthritis, blood indices, pro-/antioxidant activity and pro-inflammatory cytokines in blood serum, and histopathology of the liver and paw were assessed at the end of experiment. MSM significantly decreased joint swelling on days 3 and 13. MTh in twice lower dose more markedly suppressed joint swelling and also significantly reduced the changes in soft periarticular tissues, synovium and cartilage as compared to the control AA group. Both preparations alleviated infiltration with inflammatory cells and synovial proliferation, as well as protected cartilage destruction and decreased pannus formation. MSM and MTh improved the blood indices and insignificantly suppressed IL-17. They markedly decreased the level of malondialdehyde (MDA). Some anti-oxidant activity of preparations was also confirmed. No toxic effects on the liver were revealed. MSM and MTh attenuated the development of AA in rats. Combination therapy was more effective than single MSM and required the twice lower doses to receive the beneficial anti-arthritic effect. Both preparations could be the potential preventive or therapeutic candidates for the treatment of autoimmune processes in combination with other drugs.
ROS Generation and Antioxidant Defense Systems in Normal and Malignant Cells

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are by-products of normal cell activity. They are produced in many cellular compartments and play a major role in signaling pathways. Overproduction of ROS is associated with the development of various human diseases (including cancer, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and metabolic disorders), inflammation, and aging. Tumors continuously generate ROS at increased levels that have a dual role in their development. Oxidative stress can promote tumor initiation, progression, and resistance to therapy through DNA damage, leading to the accumulation of mutations and genome instability, as well as reprogramming cell metabolism and signaling. On the contrary, elevated ROS levels can induce tumor cell death. This review covers the current data on the mechanisms of ROS generation and existing antioxidant systems balancing the redox state in mammalian cells that can also be related to tumors.
Variação cariotípica de Astyanax bimaculatus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Pisces: Characidae) nas bacias costeiras do Brasil

FAVA, Lucioni, M. Sc. , Universidade Federal de Viçosa, March 2008. Karyotypic variation of Astyanax bimaculatus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Pisces: Characidae) in the coastal basins of Brazil. Adviser: Jorge Abdala Dergam dos Santos. Co-Advisers: Renato Neves Feio, Gisele Mendes Lessa Del Giudice. The genus Astyanax comprises 90 species considered together with most of the old Tetragonopterinae as incertae sedis within the family Characidae. Most of the Astyanax are small, were classified in an artificial taxonomic system and therefore their taxonomic boundaries are poorly defined. Seven coastal populations of one of these species, Astyanax bimaculatus were studied cyotgenetically with conventional (Giemsa) stain, heterochromatin was evidenced with C-banding, nucleolar organizing regions and associated guanine-cytosine-rich regions were evidenced with silver nitrate and chromomycine A3. All populations are from southeastern Brazil: one in Pardo River, five in the Doce basin including four Quaternary lakes and a population in the headwaters of the Piranga River and one population from the Carangola River in the Paraíba do Sul basin. All populations shared the same 2n=50 diploid number and chromosome morphology comprising 6 metacentric, 20 submetacentric , 18 subtelocentric and 6 telocentric chromosomes, and one pair of NORs located in a pair of subtelocentrics. However, populations were characterized by high levels of variation of heterochromatic regions. All these character states were shared with Astyanax lacustris from the São Francisco River. This karyotypic stability stands in sharp contrast with the one reported in populations of this species complex in the Upper Paraná, today described as Astyanax altiparanae. It is suggested that the observed patterns are due to the relative geographic isolation of the coastal populations and that at least part of the high karyotypic variability that characterizes A. altiparanae may be explained by secondary contact between Upper Paraná and coastal populations. Finally, variation of heterochromatic blocks suggests that Quaternary isolation has not favored chromosomal speciation.
ASSESSMENT OF SOME AGRO-MORPHOLOGICAL TRAITS IN GENOTYPES OF EGYPTIAN FABA BEAN (VICIA FABA L.).

This investigation aimed to evaluate of some faba bean genotypes for some morphological and agronomic traits in order to determine the promissing genotypes which can be used in breeding program for improving faba bean. The study carried out at El-Gemmeiza Agricultural Research Station in two successive seasons; 2016/2017and 2017/2018. 50 different landraces collected by the National Gene Bank (from different region of Egypt) and one commercial cultivar (Giza716) used as a check were used. Data analysis showed that there were highly significant differences in all studied characters among genotypes and replications except days to 50% flowering, plant height and number of branches per plant for replicates only. This indicates that there is wide diversity among genotypes which will enrich plant breeding programs to get high new commercial varieties and adapted to climate change of faba bean. The data for genetic parameters showed that the extent of phenotypic and genotypic variances diversed from one character to another according to result data from broad sense heritability (h2) estimates clears that there was graduation for all of studied characters with values from ranged 73.92 % to 95.03 %. which indicate that the effects of environment were lower than genetic effects inheritance of studied traits. In addition, high estimates of heritability could be successful for improving faba bean. Results of mean performance note that although commercial cultivar Giza 716 was outweigh for days to flowering and maturity traits, L47 recorded the highest mean values for 100-seed weight and seed yield/plant. In addition, L39 recorded the highest mean values for number of pods and num ber of seeds/plant. So lines 39 and 47 may be used in breeding programs for improving the performance of seed yield characters. The results of correlation coefficient showed that there were thirteen significant and highly significant positive phenotypic correlation in addition, four significant and highly significant negative phenotypic correlation. The direct contribution of 100- seed weight per plant had highest mean values followed by number of seeds per plant. Number of seeds per plant had the highest indirect effect via number of pods per plant, and number of branches per plant via number of seeds per plant. In addition, 100 seeds weight via number of branches per plant, 100-seed weight also had an appreciable indirect effect via leaflet width and number of branches per plant. Cluster analysis for investigated traits showed diversity among investigated fifty-one faba bean genotypes. All genotypes divided into two groups at a distance of 5.924. The first group contain line 47. The second group contains other genotypes. 100-seed weight and seed yield per plant are valuable in splitting the studied genotypes into two groups high value included the first group, however low vale included the second group.
Transcriptome association studies of neuropsychiatric traits in African Americans implicate PRMT7 in schizophrenia

In the past fifteen years, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have provided novel insight into the genetic architecture of various complex traits; however, this insight has been primarily focused on populations of European descent. This emphasis on European populations has led to individuals of recent African descent being grossly underrepresented in the study of genetics. With African Americans making up less than two percent of participants in neuropsychiatric GWAS, this discrepancy is magnified in diseases such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. In this study, we performed GWAS and the gene-based association method PrediXcan for schizophrenia (n=2,256) and bipolar disorder (n=1,019) in African American cohorts. In our PrediXcan analyses, we identified PRMT7 (P = 5.5 × 10−6, local false sign rate = 0.12) as significantly associated with schizophrenia following an adaptive shrinkage multiple testing adjustment. This association with schizophrenia was confirmed in the much larger, predominantly European, Psychiatric Genomics Consortium. In addition to the PRMT7 association with schizophrenia, we identified rs10168049 (P = 1.0 × 10−6) as a potential candidate locus for bipolar disorder with highly divergent allele frequencies across populations, highlighting the need for diversity in genetic studies.
The Dynamics of Sugarcane and Sugar Yields in Florida: 1950–2018

Florida is the largest producer of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) in the United States. Since 1911, the University of Florida continues to develop new sugarcane cultivars that are better adapted to the Florida environment. We use piecewise regression to determine the growth in both Florida sugarcane and sugar yields, and how new sugarcane cultivars have positively affected yields. We use breakpoints for periods between 1950 and 2018: Scenario 1 (1950–2018), Scenario 2 (1950–1980 and 1981–2018), Scenario 3 (1950–1980, 1981–2000, and 2001–2018), and Scenario 4 (1950–1968, 1969–2000, and 2001–2018). In most scenarios, new sugarcane cultivars have significantly increased sugarcane and sugar yield, as well as sugar content. For 1950 to 2018, sugarcane yield increased by 21.3 Mg ha⁻¹ (30%, P < 0.01) and sugar yield increased by 5.1 Mg ha⁻¹ (78%, P < 0.01). Sugar content also increased significantly (P < 0.01). Before 1980, sugarcane yield significantly decreased (P < 0.05), whereas sugar yield showed neither a significant increase nor decrease. For 1980 to 2018, both sugarcane and sugar yields significantly increased (P < 0.01). Sugar yield decreased from 0.16 Mg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ for 1950 to 1980 to 0.10 Mg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ for 1981 to 2000. Sugarcane yield had the same rate of increase for 1980 to 2000 (0.66 Mg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) and for 2001 to 2018 (0.69 Mg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹). There was neither a significant increase nor decrease in sugarcane and sugar yields before 1968. For 1969 to 2000, the increase in sugarcane yield (0.29 Mg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) was less than the increase in sugar yield (0.09 Mg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹).
24-hour multi-omics analysis of residential sewage reflects human activity and informs public health

High-throughput molecular analysis of sewage is a promising tool for precision public health. Here, we combine sewer network and demographic data to identify a residential catchment for sampling, and explore the potential of applying untargeted genomics and metabolomics to sewage to collect actionable public health data. We find that wastewater sampled upstream in a residential catchment is representative of the human microbiome and metabolome, and we are able to identify glucuronidated compounds indicative of direct human excretion, which are typically degraded too quickly to be detected at treatment plants. We show that diurnal variations during 24-hour sampling can be leveraged to discriminate between biomarkers in sewage that are associated with human activity from those related to the environmental background. Finally, we putatively annotate a suite of human-associated metabolites, including pharmaceuticals, food metabolites, and biomarkers of human health and activity, suggesting that mining untargeted data derived from residential sewage can expand currently-used biomarkers with direct public health or policy relevance.