Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Indexing of leaf and seed samples of tomato and bell pepper for tobamoviruses

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) and bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) are the major commercial vegetable crops. Tomato mosaic tobamovirus (ToMV) and Tobacco mosaic tobamovirus (TMV) cause significant yield loss and reduce fruit quality in tomato and bell pepper (3,15,7). ToMV and TMV are extremely stable and easily transmitted mechanically from seeds to seedlings during transplantation (3,14). In India, incidence of TMV in tomato (13) and pepper (12) has been reported based on indicator plant test. Cherian and Muniyappa (5) indexed tomato seed samples for TMV by indicator plant (Nicotiana glutinosa) test and ELISA. So far occurrence of ToMV and TMV in commercial seed samples of tomato and bell pepper has not been reported. Further, the bell pepper fields are not indexed for the presence of TMV. This paper distinguishes the tobamoviruses infection in leaf and seed samples. Seed samples collected from seed companies were also indexed for ToMV/ TMV. Tomato and bell pepper crops were surveyed during 1993-1996 in Karnataka. 153 locations covering an area of 156 ha of tomato and 40 locations representing 19 ha of bell pepper were surveyed. For each field of one hectare, five randomly selected rows were counted for healthy
Captivity affects diversity, abundance, and functional pathways of gut microbiota in the northern grass lizard Takydromus septentrionalis

Animals in captivity undergo a range of environmental changes from wild animals. An increasing number of studies show that captivity significantly affects the abundance and community structure of gut microbiota. The northern grass lizard (Takydromus septentrionalis) is an extensively studied lacertid lizard and has a distributional range covering the central and southeastern parts of China. Nonetheless, little is known about the gut microbiota of this species, which may play a certain role in nutrient and energy metabolism as well as immune homeostasis. Here, we examined the differences in the gut microbiota between two groups (wild and captive) of lizards through 16S rRNA sequencing using the Illumina HiSeq platform. The results demonstrated that the dominant microbial components in both groups consisted of Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Tenericutes. The two groups did not differ in the abundance of these three phyla. Citrobacter was the most dominant genus in wild lizards, while Morganella was the most dominant genus in captive lizards. Moreover, gene function predictions showed that genes at the KEGG pathway levels2 were more abundant in wild lizards than in captive lizards but, at the KEGG pathway levels1, the differences in gene abundances between wild and captive lizards were not significant. In summary, captivity exerted a significant impact on the gut microbial community structure and diversity in T. septentrionalis, and future work could usefully investigate the causes of these changes using a comparative approach.
Phytochemical Composition and In Vitro Biological Activity of Iris spp. (Iridaceae): A New Source of Bioactive Constituents for the Inhibition of Oral Bacterial Biofilms

The inhibition and eradication of oral biofilms is increasingly focused on the use of plant extracts as mouthwashes and toothpastes adjuvants. Here, we report on the chemical composition and the antibiofilm activity of 15 methanolic extracts of Iris species against both mono-(Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus) and multi-species oral biofilms (Streptococcus gordonii, Veillonella parvula, Fusobacterium nucleatum subsp. nucleatum, and Actinomyces naeslundii). The phytochemical profiles of Iris pallida s.l. , Iris versicolor L. , Iris lactea Pall. , Iris carthaliniae Fomin, and Iris germanica were determined by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution tandem mass spectroscopy (UHPLC-HRMS/MS) analysis, and a total of 180 compounds were identified among Iris species with (iso)flavonoid dominancy. I. pallida, I. versicolor, and I. germanica inhibited both the quorum sensing and adhesion during biofilm formation in a concentration-dependent manner. However, the extracts were less active against maturated biofilms. Of the five tested species, Iris pallida s.l. was the most effective at both inhibiting biofilm formation and disrupting existing biofilms, and the leaf extract exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect compared to the root and rhizome extracts. The cytotoxicity of the extracts was excluded in human fibroblasts. The inhibition of bacterial adhesion significantly correlated with myristic acid content, and quorum sensing inhibition correlated with the 7-β-hydroxystigmast-4-en-3-one content. These findings could be useful for establishing an effective tool for the control of oral biofilms and thus dental diseases.
Comprehensive Review of Hybrid Collagen and Silk Fibroin for Cutaneous Wound Healing

The use of hybridisation strategy in biomaterials technology provides a powerful synergistic effect as a functional matrix. Silk fibroin (SF) has been widely used for drug delivery, and collagen (Col) resembles the extracellular matrix (ECM). This systematic review was performed to scrutinise the outcome of hybrid Col and SF for cutaneous wound healing. This paper reviewed the progress of related research based on in vitro and in vivo studies and the influence of the physicochemical properties of the hybrid in wound healing. The results indicated the positive outcome of hybridising Col and SF for cutaneous wound healing. The hybridisation of these biomaterials exhibits an excellent moisturising property, perfectly interconnected structure, excellent water absorption and retention capacity, an acceptable range of biodegradability, and synergistic effects in cell viability. The in vitro and in vivo studies clearly showed a promising outcome in the acceleration of cutaneous wound healing using an SF and Col hybrid scaffold. The review of this study can be used to design an appropriate hybrid scaffold for cutaneous wound healing. Therefore, this systematic review recapitulated that the hybridisation of Col and SF promoted rapid cutaneous healing through immediate wound closure and reepithelisation, with no sign of adverse events. This paper concludes on the need for further investigations of the hybrid SF and Col in the future to ensure that the hybrid biomaterials are well-suited for human skin.
End-of-Life Care Among Patients With Bipolar Disorder and Cancer: A Nationwide Cohort Study

Supplemental digital content is available in the text. ABSTRACT Objective This study aimed to describe end-of-life (EOL) care in individuals with bipolar disorder (BD) who died of cancer compared with mentally healthy individuals. Methods This was a nationwide cohort study of all adult individuals who died of cancer in hospitals in France between 2013 and 2016. Outcomes were compared between individuals with BD and mentally healthy individuals in the last month of life including palliative care and high-intensity EOL care (chemotherapy, artificial nutrition, and other interventions). A subanalysis explored differences between patients with BD and patients with schizophrenia. Results The study included 2015 individuals with BD and 222,477 mentally healthy controls. Compared with the controls, individuals with BD died 5 years earlier, more often had comorbidities and thoracic cancer, and had fewer metastases, but did not have shorter delays from cancer diagnosis to death. After matching and adjustment for covariates, individuals with BD more often received palliative care in the last 3 days of life (25% versus 13%, p < .001) and less high-intensity care (e.g., chemotherapy 12% versus 15%, p = .004), but more artificial nutrition (6% versus 4.6%, p = .003). Compared with the schizophrenia comparison group, chemotherapy was received more by individuals with BD in the last 14 days of life (12.5% for BD versus 9.4%, p < .001). Conclusions Individuals with BD were more likely to receive palliative care and less likely to receive high-intensity EOL care, except for artificial nutrition. These results may not be specific to BD, as no difference was found between patients with BD and schizophrenia except for chemotherapy.
Sympatric Anadromous-Resident Pairs of Threespine Stickleback Species in Young Lakes and Streams at Bering Glacier, Alaska

1. Resident freshwater and anadromous pairs of threespine stickleback species (Gasterosteus aculeatus species complex) have been reported from only a few lakes. 2. We discovered such pairs in four lakes and four streams, including recently deglaciated terrain, near the Bering Glacier, Alaska. 3. Bering Glacier surges are accompanied and ended by massive glacial outburst floods, which create unmatched dynamics in the surrounding lakes and streams. 4. This is the first report of a stickleback species pair in a proglacial lake (Vitus), which did not exist 100 years ago. 5. These species pairs may have arisen through sympatric speciation from an anadromous ancestor, double invasion of anadromous stickleback, or independent colonization by resident and anadromous forms.
Phylogeny and Systematics of Prunus (Rosaceae) as Determined by Sequence Analysis of ITS and the Chloroplast trnL-trnF Spacer DNA

Abstract Phylogenetic relationships among 48 species of Prunus were investigated by means of maximum parsimony analysis of sequence polymorphism from nuclear ITS and chloroplast trnL-trnF spacer DNA. Several genera that have been implicated as close relatives of Prunus in previous studies were utilized as outgroups. The objective of this study was to reconstruct the phylogeny of Prunus with the purpose of reviewing previously described taxonomic relationships and providing a basis for studies of morphological evolution in the genus. Variability and homoplasy are higher in ITS than in trnL-trnF. Parsimony analysis of both markers, separately and in combination, supported a close relationship among Exochorda, Oemleria, and Prinsepia but did not support a sister relationship of this clade with Prunus. Prunus is monophyletic and divided into two groups. The first is a strongly supported clade composed of subgenera Padus, Laurocerasus, and Cerasus. None of these subgenera is monophyletic and the trait used to characterize Padus and Laurocerasus, flowers arranged in racemes, can be more broadly interpreted as a synapomorphy for the clade. The second group included the subgenera Amygdalus and Prunus, and sections Microcerasus (subgenus Cerasus), and Penarmeniaca, which has never been assigned to a subgenus. The exclusively North American subgenus Emplectocladus may be an early diverging taxon sister to the second group. Sections Prunus and Armeniaca are monophyletic with low bootstrap support. Section Penarmeniaca, from southwestern US, and P. besseyi (section Microcerasus) are sister taxa. A Eurasian origin of Prunus is supported. Communicating Editor: Richard Jensen
Sleep Duration and Behaviours: A Descriptive Analysis of a Cohort of Dogs up to 12 Months of Age

Simple Summary Sleep in dogs is a rarely studied but important behaviour. Changes in the pattern and duration of a dog’s sleep can reflect a dog’s wakeful experiences and how comfortable they are in their own environment. Little is known about normal sleep behaviours in dogs under 12 months of age. This study aimed to describe patterns of sleep and sleep-related behaviours (such as where the dog slept, how the dog was settled to sleep, sleep positions, and snoring) based on reports from owners of dogs aged 16 weeks and 12 months. For the statistical analysis, only dogs with data regarding sleep duration at both timepoints were used. Dogs aged 16 weeks slept for significantly longer during the day and in total over a 24 h period, but for less time during the night than dogs at 12 months. At both timepoints, owners most commonly settled dogs to sleep by leaving the dog in a room/area without human company. However, of dogs that did have access to people during the night, more than 86% chose to be around people. Puppies aged 16 weeks were most commonly reported to sleep in a kennel/crate, but dogs aged 12 months most often slept in a dog bed. More research is needed to better understand how the sleep duration and behaviours of dogs change as they age, and how sleep can affect dog health and wellbeing. Abstract Sleep is a vital behaviour that can reflect an animal’s adaptation to the environment and their welfare. However, a better understanding of normal age-specific sleep patterns is crucial. This study aims to provide population norms and descriptions of sleep-related behaviours for 16-week-old puppies and 12-month-old dogs living in domestic environments. Participants recruited to a longitudinal study answered questions relating to their dogs’ sleep behaviours in surveys issued to them when their dogs reached 16 weeks (n = 2332) and 12 months of age (n = 1091). For the statistical analysis, subpopulations of dogs with data regarding sleep duration at both timepoints were used. Owners of 16-week-old puppies perceived their dogs to sleep longer during the day and over a 24 h period, but for less time during the night than owners of 12-month-old dogs. At both timepoints, dogs were most commonly settled to sleep by being left in a room/area without human company. However, of dogs that had access to people overnight, 86.7% and 86.8% chose to be around people at 16 weeks and 12 months of age, respectively. The most common sleeping place was in a kennel/crate at 16 weeks (49.1%), and a dog bed at 12 months (31.7%). Future research within this longitudinal study will investigate how sleep duration and behaviours change with age and impact on a dog’s health and behaviour.
Evolution of Regulated Transcription

The genomes of all organisms abound with various cis-regulatory elements, which control gene activity. Transcriptional enhancers are a key group of such elements in eukaryotes and are DNA regions that form physical contacts with gene promoters and precisely orchestrate gene expression programs. Here, we follow gradual evolution of this regulatory system and discuss its features in different organisms. In eubacteria, an enhancer-like element is often a single regulatory element, is usually proximal to the core promoter, and is occupied by one or a few activators. Activation of gene expression in archaea is accompanied by the recruitment of an activator to several enhancer-like sites in the upstream promoter region. In eukaryotes, activation of expression is accompanied by the recruitment of activators to multiple enhancers, which may be distant from the core promoter, and the activators act through coactivators. The role of the general DNA architecture in transcription control increases in evolution. As a whole, it can be seen that enhancers of multicellular eukaryotes evolved from the corresponding prototypic enhancer-like regulatory elements with the gradually increasing genome size of organisms.
The ins and outs of inhibitory synaptic plasticity: Neuron types, molecular mechanisms and functional roles

GABAergic interneurons are highly diverse, and their synaptic outputs express various forms of plasticity. Compelling evidence indicates that activity‐dependent changes of inhibitory synaptic transmission play a significant role in regulating neural circuits critically involved in learning and memory and circuit refinement. Here, we provide an updated overview of inhibitory synaptic plasticity with a focus on the hippocampus and neocortex. To illustrate the diversity of inhibitory interneurons, we discuss the case of two highly divergent interneuron types, parvalbumin‐expressing basket cells and neurogliaform cells, which support unique roles on circuit dynamics. We also present recent progress on the molecular mechanisms underlying long‐term, activity‐dependent plasticity of fast inhibitory transmission. Lastly, we discuss the role of inhibitory synaptic plasticity in neuronal circuits’ function. The emerging picture is that inhibitory synaptic transmission in the CNS is extremely diverse, undergoes various mechanistically distinct forms of plasticity and contributes to a much more refined computational role than initially thought. Both the remarkable diversity of inhibitory interneurons and the various forms of plasticity expressed by GABAergic synapses provide an amazingly rich inhibitory repertoire that is central to a variety of complex neural circuit functions, including memory.
Morphological, pathological and molecular variability among Alternaria macrospora isolates causing leaf blight of cotton

Variability in ten isolates of Alternaria macrospora differ with each other in respect of morphological, pathogical and molecular basis. The average mycelial width of isolates ranged from 3.0 to 3.40 μm. The size of conidia ranged from 20.81- 56.23 x 9.2- 27.10 μm with 1 to 6 transverse and 0 to 4 longitudinal septa. Isolates I1, I2 and I3 were found highly virulent than all other isolates. The amount of genetic variation on molecular basis was evaluated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification with a set of ten random operon primers. All the primers showed the polymorphism in the range of 64-92 per cent, however maximum polymorphism was observed by OPB-9 primer. The Jaccard similarity coefficient values among ten isolates of A. macrospora ranged from 0.25 to 0.70. The UPGMA based dendrogram separated these isolates into two major clusters. There was no evidence for similarity between geographical clustering and UPGMA based clustering of isolates of A. macrospora.
QUANTITATIVE EVALUATION OF WATER BUFFALO CANNON BONES

The objective of this study was to evaluate different variables of the left and right metacarpal and metatarsal bones, especially with respect to the length of their lateral and medial parts. Measurements were done on forty cannon bones of 10 male water buffaloes by direct anatomical measurements. There were signifi cant differences between the mean values of the greatest length of the lateral part (LL) and the greatest length of the medial part (ML) in the metacarpal bone and the metatarsal bone (p < 0.001). In the metatarsal bones, the LL and ML were longer than those of the metacarpal bones (p < 0.001). The metacarpal bones, the mean value of LL in 75% (15/20) was greater by 2.17 mm than the ML, in 10% (2/20) of specimens the LL and ML were the same, and in 15% (3/20), specimens the ML were longer. In all metatarsal bones, the mean value of LL was greater by 6.08 mm than the ML. In conclusion, the length asymmetry of water buffalo cannon bones might not affect on the development of digital and claw diseases, while this anatomical difference plays an important role in bovine lameness. This might be related to the natural habits of water buffalo and the type of environment. This study provides additional and important information as reference value in order to discriminate between complete or broken limb skeleton elements of water buffalo and other artiodactyla species in archaeozoological assemblages.
Coping strategies adopted by Iranian families of children with Down syndrome

Abstract Down syndrome (DS) is the leading cause of intellectual disability. Previous quantitative studies have examined the effects of DS on families of children with DS. This study explored the coping strategies adopted by the families of children with DS. This was a qualitative content analysis study, in which the participants were selected using purposive sampling from the families of children with DS. Semi-structured interviews were performed and collected data were analyzed. A total of 20 family members (10 mothers, 6 fathers, 2 brothers, and 2 sisters) were interviewed. Six categories were extracted in this study, namely “searching for information,” “paying attention to children's healthcare needs,” “concentration on spirituality,” “teaching socially appropriate behavioral skills,” “efforts to increase self-reliance in children,” and “development of family support circle. ” The participating families were able to use positive adaptive mechanisms and cope well with the problems associated with having a child with DS. However, they still needed more support from healthcare providers and support organizations. Receiving more support from healthcare providers, such as nurses, can help them in better management of their children.
Cancer-protective effect of a synbiotic combination between Lactobacillus gasseri 505 and a Cudrania tricuspidata leaf extract on colitis-associated colorectal cancer

ABSTRACT Previously, a synbiotic combination of probiotic Lactobacillus gasseri 505 (LG) and a new prebiotic, Cudrania tricuspidata leaf extract (CT) in fermented milk, designated FCT, showed an in vitro immunomodulatory effect and antioxidant activity. Although synbiotic combination might have cancer-protective effects, these activities have not been fully validated in vivo. Ten-week treatment of LG, CT, or FCT to azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC) mouse model reduced both the incidence of colonic tumors and damage to the colonic mucosa effectively, suggesting a cancer-protective effect. To understand these, biomarkers associated with inflammation, colon barrier, apoptosis, and cancer cell proliferation were monitored in AOM/DSS group versus LG/CT/FCT groups. A synbiotic combination (FCT) down-regulated pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, and IL-6) and inflammation-associated enzymes (iNOS and COX-2), and up-regulated anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10). In addition, colon barrier experiment revealed that biomarkers of mucus layer (MUC-2 and TFF3) and tight junction (occludin and ZO-1) were up-regulated. Subsequent apoptosis experiment showed that pro-apoptotic factors (p53, p21, and Bax) were up-regulated and anti-apoptotic factors (Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL) were down-regulated. Furthermore, comparative metagenome analysis of gut microbiota revealed that Staphylococcus decreased but Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Akkermansia increased, supporting their protective effects, accompanied by increased short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Taken together, the FCT administration showed cancer-protective effects by reducing the risk of colitis-associated colon cancer via regulation of inflammation, carcinogenesis, and compositional change of gut microbiota. Consequently, the synbiotic combination (FCT) could be a novel potential health-protective natural agent against CAC.
Activity Patterns of Red Hills Salamanders (Phaeognathus hubrichti) at Their Burrow Entrances

Abstract The Red Hills salamander (Phaeognathus hubrichti), a large fossorial plethodontid endemic to south-central Alabama, was listed as federally threatened in 1976. To determine the seasonal and daily activity patterns of this species, I counted the number of salamanders present at burrow entrances, recorded the amount of time individual salamanders spent at entrances, and measured five abiotic variables to determine how they correlated with the number of salamanders at burrow entrances. Red Hills salamanders were present at burrow entrances all months of the year, displayed a unimodal daily activity pattern, and spent a mean of 12.3 continuous hours at an entrance each day. Regardless of season, time spent at an entrance remained relatively constant. Air temperature had the highest correlation with the number of salamanders present at entrances. Burrow entrances play a prominent role in the lives of these salamanders. When estimating population size for conservation efforts, surveys should be conducted at night and at multiple times and dates during the warmer months of the year because not all salamanders are present at entrances at any one time.