Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genomic Analysis of the Snn1 Locus on Wheat Chromosome Arm 1BS and the Identification of Candidate Genes

The pathogen Stagonospora nodorum produces multiple host‐selective toxins (HSTs) that induce cell death and necrosis in sensitive wheat (Triticum sp.) genotypes. One such HST is SnTox1, which interacts with the host gene Snn1 on wheat chromosome arm 1BS to cause necrosis leading to disease susceptibility. Toward the positional cloning of Snn1, we developed saturated and high‐resolution maps of the Snn1 locus and evaluated colinearity of the region with rice (Oryza sativa L.). An F2 population of 120 individuals derived from ‘Chinese Spring’ (CS) and the CS–T. dicoccoides chromosome 1B disomic substitution line was used to map 54 markers consisting of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs), simple sequence repeats, and bin mapped expressed sequence tags (ESTs). Colinearity between wheat 1BS and rice was determined by aligning EST and RFLP probe sequences to the rice genome. Overall, colinearity was poorly conserved due to numerous complex chromosomal rearrangements, and of 48 wheat EST‐RFLP sequences mapped, 30 had significant similarity to sequences on nine different rice chromosomes. However, 12 of the wheat sequences had similarity to sequences on rice chromosome 5 and were in a colinear arrangement with only a few exceptions, including an inversion of the markers flanking Snn1. High‐resolution mapping of the Snn1 locus in 8510 gametes delineated the gene to a 0.46‐cM interval. Two EST‐derived markers that cosegregated with Snn1 were found to share homology to nucleotide binding site–leucine rich repeat–like genes and are considered potential candidates for Snn1.
Betanin purification from red beetroots and evaluation of its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity on LPS-activated microglial cells

Microglial activation can release free radicals and various pro-inflammatory cytokines, which implicates the progress of a neurodegenerative disease. Therefore suppression of microglial activation can be an appropriate strategy for combating neurodegenerative diseases. Betanin is a red food dye that acts as free radical scavenger and can be a promising candidate for this purpose. In this study, purification of betanin from red beetroots was carried out by normal phase colum chromatography, yielding 500 mg of betanin from 100 g of red beetroot. The purified betanin was evaluated by TLC, UV-visible, HPLC, ESI-MASS, FT-IR spectroscopy. Investigation on the inhibitory effect of betanin on activated microglia was performed using primary microglial culture. The results showed that betanin significantly inhibited lipopolysaccharide induced microglial function including the production of nitric oxide free radicals, reactive oxygen species, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β). Moreover, betanin modulated mitochondrial membrane potential, lysosomal membrane permeabilization and adenosine triphosphate. We further investigated the interaction of betanin with TNF-α, IL-6 and Nitric oxide synthase (iNOS or NOS2) using in silico molecular docking analysis. The docking results demonstrated that betanin have significant negative binding energy against active sites of TNF-α, IL-6 and iNOS.
Structure–Activity Relationship Study Reveals the Molecular Basis for Specific Sensing of Hydrophobic Amino Acids by the Campylobacter jejuni Chemoreceptor Tlp3

Chemotaxis is an important virulence factor of the foodborne pathogen Campylobacter jejuni. Inactivation of chemoreceptor Tlp3 reduces the ability of C. jejuni to invade human and chicken cells and to colonise the jejunal mucosa of mice. Knowledge of the structure of the ligand-binding domain (LBD) of Tlp3 in complex with its ligands is essential for a full understanding of the molecular recognition underpinning chemotaxis. To date, the only structure in complex with a signal molecule is Tlp3 LBD bound to isoleucine. Here, we used in vitro and in silico screening to identify eight additional small molecules that signal through Tlp3 as attractants by directly binding to its LBD, and determined the crystal structures of their complexes. All new ligands (leucine, valine, α-amino-N-valeric acid, 4-methylisoleucine, β-methylnorleucine, 3-methylisoleucine, alanine, and phenylalanine) are nonpolar amino acids chemically and structurally similar to isoleucine. X-ray crystallographic analysis revealed the hydrophobic side-chain binding pocket and conserved protein residues that interact with the ammonium and carboxylate groups of the ligands determine the specificity of this chemoreceptor. The uptake of hydrophobic amino acids plays an important role in intestinal colonisation by C. jejuni, and our study suggests that C. jejuni seeks out hydrophobic amino acids using chemotaxis.
Effect of Tillage System on the Spontaneous Regeneration of Two Annual Medics (Medicago Spp.) After Wheat in North Syria

Summary Four tillage treatments were applied to soil on which wheat was to be sown in 1988/89 after pastures of two annual medics, Medicago rigidula and M. polymorpha, had been established in 1987/88. Germination of the medics was monitored in the following year (1989/90) when halfof each plot was sprayed to prevent further seed set. M. polymorpha produced more seed in 1987/88 and three times more regenerated seedlings in 1989/90 than M. rigidula. Regeneration and winter herbage yields of both medic species were least after deep ploughing. Seedling numbers were less in 1990/91 than in the previous year but seedling numbers of M. polymorpha were sufficient to sustain the cereal-pasture rotation except after deep ploughing. Both medics germinated promptly soon after the first effective rains in December 1989, but the first germination in 1990/91 was on 24 November, with three subsequent germinations, the last in early February. About half (40 to 50%) of pods remained in the top 5 cm of soil, except after deep ploughing when only 28% remained near the top. The seeds in the top layer lost their hard-seededness more rapidly than those buried more deeply. M. polymorpha was softer seeded than M. rigidula. The results suggest that deep ploughing, as commonly used in west Asia and north Africa, is unsatisfactory for cereal-pasture rotations. Regeneración de alfalfa en Siria
Basic symptoms and gray matter volumes of patients at clinical high risk for psychosis

Abstract Background Clinical high-risk (CHR) for psychosis is indicated by ultra-high risk (UHR) and basic symptom (BS) criteria; however, conversion rates are highest when both UHR and BS criteria are fulfilled (UHR&BS). While BSs are considered the most immediate expression of neurobiological aberrations underlying the development of psychosis, research on neurobiological correlates of BS is scarce. Methods We investigated gray matter volumes (GMV) of 20 regions of interest (ROI) previously associated with UHR criteria in 90 patients from the Bern early detection service: clinical controls (CC), first-episode psychosis (FEP), UHR, BS and UHR&BS. We expected lowest GMV in FEP and UHR&BS, and highest volume in CC with UHR and BS in-between. Results Significantly, lower GMV was detected in FEP and UHR&BS patients relative to CC with no other significant between-group differences. When ROIs were analyzed separately, seven showed a significant group effect (FDR corrected), with five (inferior parietal, medial orbitofrontal, lateral occipital, middle temporal, precuneus) showing significantly lower GM volume in the FEP and/or UHR&BS groups than in the CC group (Bonferroni corrected). In the CHR group, only COGDIS scores correlated negatively with cortical volumes. Conclusions This is the first study to demonstrate that patients who fulfill both UHR and BS criteria – a population that has been associated with higher conversion rates – exhibit more severe GMV reductions relative to those who satisfy BS or UHR criteria alone. This result was mediated by the BS in the UHR&BS group, as only the severity of BS was linked to GMV reductions.
Effect of κ-Casein Polymorphism on Milk Composition in the Orobica Goat

Abstract The aim of this work was to study the effects of isoelectrofocusing (IEF) milk protein variants on milk composition in the Italian Orobica goat breed, which is characterized by a rather high frequency of the κ -casein ( CSN3 ) B IEF allele. Significant associations were found between the IEF phenotype and protein and casein percentages. A favorable effect of the CSN3 B IEF variant was found for both protein and casein percentages, with a codominance trend for the 3 phenotypes: BB>AB>AA. Depending on the selection purpose, emphasis could be given to different κ -casein variants in breeding. The high frequency of B IEF could be exploited in breeding strategies to improve the protein and casein percentages when cheese making is a selection objective.
Influences of UGT2B7 rs7439366 and rs12233719 Polymorphisms on Fentanyl Sensitivity in Chinese Gynecologic Patients

Background This study discussed potential influences of UDP glucuronosyltransferase family 2 member B7 (UGT2B7) rs7439366 and rs12233719 polymorphisms on fentanyl sensitivity among Chinese gynecologic patients. Material/Methods UGT2B7 polymorphisms were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing. Before surgery, baseline latency to pain perception (PPLpre) and pain perception latency of the dominant hand (PPLpost) at 3 minutes after injecting fentanyl were measured by cold pressor-induced pain test. Perioperative fentanyl adoption referred to the total of fentanyl administration during and after operation. Intensity of spontaneous pain was appraised adopting 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS). Factorial analysis was performed by Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis H test. Results Significant differences of PPLpost (CC/CT/TT, P=0.038) and preoperative analgesic effect (CC/CT/TT, P=0.028) were discovered between the rs7439366 genotypes. PPLpost was significantly different between the CT and TT groups (P=0.009) and the CC+CT and TT groups (P=0.026). Preoperative analgesic effect was significantly different between the CT and TT groups (P=0.007) and the CC+CT and TT groups (P=0.009). All of the clinical features studied had no close association with rs12233719 SNP. Conclusions Gynecologic patients with rs7439366 TT genotype had significantly lower fentanyl sensitivity than the other 2 genotype carriers.
A Systematic Review of Literature on User Behavior in Video Game Live Streaming

Video game live streaming is a kind of real-time video social media that integrates traditional broadcasting and online gaming. With the rapid popularity of video game live streaming in the past decade, researchers have started to investigate the relationship between the use of video game live streaming and various psychological variables. In order to fully understand the factors that affected user participation (streamers and audiences) in video game live streaming and provide a reference to the mental health issues of Internet addiction, this paper summarizes the relevant literature on user behavior in video game live streaming. First, we comprehensively searched literature in six social science databases and thus obtained 24 papers that meet our inclusion criteria. Second, the above literature was presented in table form for classification and we found that the effect factors of user behavior in video game live streaming mainly include user demands and platform impact. Based on Use and Satisfaction theory, this paper reviewed the following four aspects: streamer demand, audience demand, interaction behavior and platform impact, then a relevant theoretical framework was constructed. Finally, this paper looks forward to possible future research topics based on the research platform, research data and research content and so on, hoping to provide a foundation and new ideas for future research.
Components of variation in nuptial calls of the least sandpiper (Calidris minutilla; Aves, Scolopacidae)

Unpaired male least sandpipers (Calidris minutilla) emitted three main kinds of calls to attract mates and in sexual or agonistic interactions. The call types varied slightly across the nesting range (samples from British Columbia, Yukon Territory, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia). One call type, analyzed in most detail, was given in long rhythmic series during aerial displays. Tape recordings of 2,250 calls from 80 males were analyzed using four measurements on tem- poral characteristics and eight on frequency. Most of the variance (59-82% for the 12 characters) was attributable to variation among males, less to cells (13-41%), and least to locality (0-9%); only one variable differed significantly among geographic samples. Temporal characteristics varied more than frequency characteristics, with coefficients of variation (Vs) averaging 4 to 9% for the former and 2 to 3% for the latter. Vs were significantly heterogeneous across characters for each locality but variability profiles were very similar among localities. No Vs differed significantly among geographic samples. The extreme geographic uniformity in call structure, univariate and multivariate variation, variance components, and correlational relationships among call variables was unexpected. Comparative studies using similar quantitative techniques are needed to assess the generality of the findings. (Bioacoustics; vocalization; geographic variation; character analysis; quantitative ethology; Scolopacidae; shorebird; least sandpiper; Calidris minu- tilla.)
COVID-19: Learning from Lessons To Guide Treatment and Prevention Interventions

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the novel coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and first emerged in December 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. Since then, the virus has rapidly spread to many countries. While the outbreak in China appears to be in decline, the disease has spread across the world, with a daily increase in the number of confirmed cases and infection-related deaths. Here, we highlight (i) the lessons that have been learnt so far and how they will benefit reducing the impact of COVID-19 disease and (ii) an update on the status of drug treatment and vaccine development to prevent COVID-19 and potential future related pandemics. ABSTRACT Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the novel coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and first emerged in December 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. Since then, the virus has rapidly spread to many countries. While the outbreak in China appears to be in decline, the disease has spread across the world, with a daily increase in the number of confirmed cases and infection-related deaths. Here, we highlight (i) the lessons that have been learnt so far and how they will benefit reducing the impact of COVID-19 disease and (ii) an update on the status of drug treatment and vaccine development to prevent COVID-19 and potential future related pandemics. Although the mortality rate is clearly higher than for influenza, the rate does seem to vary from country to country, possibly reflecting differences in how rapidly local health authorities respond to isolate and effectively care for the affected population. Drugs are urgently needed for both prophylaxis and the treatment of severely ill patients; however, no proven effective therapies for SARS-CoV-2 currently exist. A number of drugs that have been approved for other diseases are being tested for the treatment of COVID-19 patients, but there is an absence of data from appropriately designed clinical trials showing that these drugs, either alone or in combination, will prove effective. There is also a global urgency to develop a vaccine against COVID-19, but development and appropriate testing will take at least a year before such a vaccine will be globally available. This review summarizes the lessons learnt so far from the COVID-19 pandemic, examines the evidence regarding the drugs that are being tested for the treatment of COVID19, and describes the progress made in efforts to develop an effective vaccine.
Seedling Growth and Morphology of the Deciduous Tree Cornus controversa in Simulated Forest Gap Light Environments in Subtropical China

Seedling growth and morphology of the deciduous tree Cornus controversa from subtropical China were studied in four simulated forest gap light environments: 100%, 55%, 33% and 18% full sunlight. The best performance was in 33% full sunlight. Overall, Cornus seedlings grew taller than those of five broad-leaved evergreen species from the same area. In terms of total plant mass only Cinnamomum camphora seedlings grew bigger than Cornus seedlings. Cornus seedlings needed relatively small biomass investments to become tall and to produce a great total length of axes. Growth of Cornus seedlings was probably enhanced by their comparatively ‘cheap’ leaves in terms of weight per area, which resulted in large total leaf area per unit plant weight. The results provide ecophysiological support of Cornus' competitive strength in forest gaps amidst mostly evergreens.
Micromorphology and anatomy of three Symphytum (Boraginaceae) taxa from Turkey

Symphytum asperum Lepechin, S. ibericum Steven and S. sylvaticum Boiss. were examined morphologically, micromorphologically and anatomically. Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine leaf surface and trichomes of these species. These species had bifacial and hypostomatous leaf types. Epidermal cells of leaves were usually polygonal or irregular in form. The pattern of anticlinical cells may vary in different species and between the upper and lower epidermis of the same species. Stomata are anisocytic and anomocytic in three species. Stomata index is 27.5 for S. sylvaticum, 24.65 for S. ibericum and 21.86 for S. asperum glandular trichomes are capitate in forms and more dense on the lower epidermis than upper epidermis. Eglandular trichomes are simple, short or long, unicellular or multicellular and thin or thick. Key words: Micromorphology, Anatomy, Symphytum DOI = 10.3329/bjb.v36i2. 1496 Bangladesh J. Bot. 36(2): 93-103, 2007 (December) Â Â
DNA flowerstructure co-localizes with human pathogens in infected macrophages

Abstract Herein, we characterize the cellular uptake of a DNA structure generated by rolling circle DNA amplification. The structure, termed nanoflower, was fluorescently labeled by incorporation of ATTO488-dUTP allowing the intracellular localization to be followed. The nanoflower had a hydrodynamic diameter of approximately 300 nanometer and was non-toxic for all mammalian cell lines tested. It was internalized specifically by mammalian macrophages by phagocytosis within a few hours resulting in specific compartmentalization in phagolysosomes. Maximum uptake was observed after eight hours and the nanoflower remained stable in the phagolysosomes with a half-life of 12 h. Interestingly, the nanoflower co-localized with both Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Leishmania infantum within infected macrophages although these pathogens escape lysosomal degradation by affecting the phagocytotic pathway in very different manners. These results suggest an intriguing and overlooked potential application of DNA structures in targeted treatment of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and leishmaniasis that are caused by pathogens that escape the human immune system by modifying macrophage biology.
Computed tomography angiography lightbulb sign: Characteristic enhancement pattern on neck computed tomography angiography in differentiating paraganglioma from schwannoma of the carotid space

It is important to correctly distinguish paragangliomas from other tumors such as schwannomas in the preoperative assessment of head and neck tumors because paragangliomas have a propensity to bleed profusely during surgery. Therefore, preoperative embolization is often required while with schwannomas preoperative embolization is generally not required. Occasionally, schwannomas can mimic paragangliomas on routine computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the neck. In this study, we retrospectively evaluated the computed tomography angiography of the neck of 10 patients with carotid space tumors. Seven patients had pathologically proven paraganglioma while three patients had schwannomas. We describe the “computed tomography angiography lightbulb sign” as avid homogeneous enhancement in the arterial phase which can accurately distinguish these entities.
The role of wheat flour pentosans in baking. II.—Effect of added flour pentosans and other gums on gluten‐starch loaves

Loaves made from gluten and starch alone were inferior in volume and texture to loaves made with the addition of flour solubles. The effect of flour solubles was destroyed by enzymes which degrade polysaccharides but was unaffected by an active protease. Other viscous gums were tested for effectiveness in improving the volume of gluten-starch loaves. A wide range was effective, but some had no effect.
Ketones can become the major fuel source for the heart but do not increase cardiac efficiency.

AIMS Ketones have been proposed to be a "thrifty" fuel for the heart and increasing cardiac ketone oxidation can be cardioprotective. However, it is unclear how much ketone oxidation can contribute to energy production in the heart, nor whether increasing ketone oxidation increases cardiac efficiency. Therefore, our goal was to determine to what extent high levels of the ketone body, β-hydroxybutyrate (βOHB), contributes to cardiac energy production, and whether this influences cardiac efficiency. METHODS AND RESULTS Isolated working mice hearts were aerobically perfused with palmitate (0.8mM or 1.2mM), glucose (5mM) and increasing concentrations of βOHB (0, 0.6, 2.0mM). Subsequently, oxidation of these substrates, cardiac function and cardiac efficiency were assessed. Increasing βOHB concentrations increased myocardial ketone oxidation rates without affecting glucose or fatty acid oxidation rates where normal physiological levels of glucose (5mM) and fatty acid (0.8mM) are present. Notably, ketones became the major fuel source for the heart at 2.0mM βOHB (at both low or high fatty acid concentrations), with the elevated ketone oxidation rates markedly increasing TCA cycle activity, producing a large amount of reducing equivalents and finally, increasing myocardial oxygen consumption. However, the marked increase in ketone oxidation at high concentrations of βOHB was not accompanied by an increase in cardiac work, suggesting that a mismatch between excess reduced equivalents production from ketone oxidation and cardiac ATP production. Consequently, cardiac efficiency decreased when the heart was exposed to higher ketone levels. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate that while ketones can become the major fuel source for the heart, they do not increase cardiac efficiency, which also underscores the importance of recognizing ketones as a major fuel source for the heart in times of starvation, consumption of a ketogenic diet or poorly controlled diabetes. TRANSLATIONAL PERSPECTIVE Recent clinical interest has focused on ketones as a potential fuel source for the failing heart, primarily because ketones have been popularized as a "thrifty" fuel that may increase cardiac efficiency. However, we have directly assessed cardiac ketone oxidation rates alongside their competing energy substrates and found that: not only can ketones become the major fuel of the heart with no inhibitory effect on cardiac glucose oxidation, but they can provide the healthy heart with an excess energy supply, with no changes to cardiac function, resulting in a mismatch between reducing equivalents supply and cardiac ATP production, ultimately contributing to a decrease in cardiac efficiency.