Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic Diversity and Distribution of Grapevine leafroll-associated virus in California

Grapevine leafroll disease, caused by different species of Grapevine leafroll-associated viruses (GLRaV, Family Closteroviridae), has detrimental economic impacts on vineyards by decreasing the quality and quantity of the crop. Studies of infected vineyards continue to find new species and strains of GLRaV, but the genetic diversity of each these species is not well understood. This study identifies the species and strains which are present in Amador, El Dorado, San Luis Obispo and Lodi, California. I used a total of 548 samples collected from 24 vineyards and extracted high quality RNA from each isolate followed by RT-PCR for virus detection. The isolates identified as a single infection of GLRaV-3 were sequenced and compared with sequences in GenBank and, along with control isolates, aligned to create a phylogenetic tree. Six species of GLRaV and five clades of GLRaV-3 were present within the 24 vineyards. GLRaV-2 and GLRaV-3 were the most common species of virus infecting vineyards in these regions of California. The genetic distance between clades and individual samples in the phylogenetic tree support a large divergence between strains of GLRaV-3. The genetic information I identified will help researchers find the conserved viral sequences for GLRaV, which will improve future studies of the virus, and will help vineyard managers understand the spread of the virus.
Persistence of heavy metal tolerance of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices under different cultivation regimes.

The difference in development of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis of maize with various Glomus intraradices strains isolated from Mn-contaminated (BEG140), Pb-contaminated (PH5) or non-polluted (BEG75) soils was studied in polluted substrates from waste disposal sites to test persistence of heavy metal (HM) tolerance. Four inoculation treatments were established in HM-contaminated soils and in sand as an inert control: (i) non-inoculated plants, (ii) plants inoculated with the reference isolate BEG75, (iii) plants inoculated with the lineage of the indigenous isolate (PH5 or BEG140) maintained for a long term in the original contaminated soils, (iv) plants inoculated with the lineage of the indigenous isolate maintained in the inert substrate. In both HM-contaminated soils, lineages of both indigenous isolates maintained in original soils developed much better than the reference isolate, while all isolates developed similarly in sand. Moreover, the lineage of the BEG140 isolate maintained in inert substrate for almost 5 years showed a loss of HM tolerance when returned to the original polluted soil. In contrast, no such differences were observed between both lineages of the isolate from Pb-contaminated soil. These results suggest that continuous cultivation of indigenous isolates from contaminated soil under HM stress should be recommended to maintain their HM tolerance.
IPO Underpricing: A Meta-Analysis and Research Synthesis

Initial public offerings (IPOs) have been a prominent focus of academic and popular press attention, especially in recent years. Much of this attention can be attributed to the increase in IPO activity as a function of the “dot com” phenomenon. Of particular interest to both academics and practitioners is IPO underpricing. Review of existing research suggests little consensus regarding those factors associated with underpricing. We provide a meta-analysis of published studies. Our findings reveal a number of significant relationships, many of which are opposite that predicted by signaling theory. Implications of these findings for practice and future research are discussed.
Effect-based identification of hazardous antibiotic transformation products after water chlorination.

Antibiotic transformation products (TPs) generated during water treatment can be considered of environmental concern, since they can retain part of the bioactivity of the parent compound. Effect-directed analysis (EDA) was applied for the identification of bioactive intermediates of azithromycin (AZI) and ciprofloxacin (CFC) after water chlorination. Fractionation of samples allowed the identification of bioactive intermediates by measuring the antibiotic activity and acute toxicity, combined with an automated suspect screening approach for chemical analysis. While the removal of AZI was in line with the decrease of bioactivity in chlorinated samples, an increase of bioactivity after complete removal of CFC was observed (at > 0.5 mgCl2/L). Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that some of the CFC intermediates could contribute to the overall toxicity of the chlorinated samples. Fractionation of bioactive samples identified that the chlorinated TP296 (generated from the destruction of the CFC piperazine ring) maintained 41%, 44% and 30% of the antibiotic activity of the parent compound in chlorinated samples at 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 mgCl2/L, respectively. These results indicate the spectrum of antibacterial activity can be altered by controlling the chemical substituents and configuration of CFC structure with chlorine. On the other hand, the potential presence of volatile DBPs and fractionation losses do not allow to tentatively confirm the main intermediates contributing to the acute toxic effects measured in chlorinated samples. Our results encourage further development of new and advanced methodologies to study the bioactivity of isolated unknown TPs to understand their hazardous effects in treated effluents.
PHYTOCHEMICAL AND ANTI MICROBIAL STUDIES ON VERNONIA BLUMEOIDES HOOK. FIL. (ASTERACEAE) ETHANOL EXTRACT

Vernonia blumeoides of the family Asteraceae is an erect little-branched pithy-stemmed under-shrub of 2-4 ft. high. Crude ethanol extract of the whole plant powder was evaluated for its phytochemical constituents and possible antimicrobial activities by respectively using standard methods of phytochemical screening and the cup-plate agar diffusion method on different microbial isolates. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, steroids/triterpenes and cardiac glycosides with a concentration-dependent activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Candida albicans and Penicillium citrinum. It however showed no activity against Proteus vulgaris, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli. The observed antimicrobial effects might be related to its various phytochemical constituents and thus suggests a possible therapeutic usefulness of the plant.
Evolution of Anopheles gambiae in Relation to Humans and Malaria

The closely related and morphologically indistinguishable mosquito species in the Afrotropical Anopheles gambiae complex differ dramatically in their contribution to malaria transmission, ranging from major vectors through minor or locally important vectors and nonvectors. Radiation of the A. gambiae complex and ongoing diversification within its nominal species appears to be a product of recent and rapid adaptation to environmental heterogeneities, notably those of anthropogenic origin. Polytene chromosome and genomic analyses suggest that paracentric chromosomal inversions and possibly other low-recombination regions have played instrumental roles in this process by facilitating ecotypic differentiation both within and across semipermeable species boundaries. Forthcoming complete genome sequences from several members of the A. gambiae complex will provide powerful tools to accelerate ongoing investigation of how genetic diversification of populations and species has shaped behavioral and physiological t.
Roosting habitat use and selection by northern spotted owls during natal dispersal

We studied habitat selection by northern spotted owls (Strix occidentalis caurina) during natal dispersal in Washington State, USA, at both the roost site and landscape scales. We used logistic regression to obtain parameters for an exponential resource selectionfunction based onvegetation attributesin roost and random plotsin76forest standsthatwereused forroosting.Weused asimilar analysistoevaluateselectionof landscape habitat attributes based on 301 radio-telemetry relocations and random points within our study area. We found no evidence of within-stand selection for any of the variables examined, but 78% of roosts were in stands with at least some large (>50cmdbh) trees. At the landscape scale, owls selected for stands with high canopy cover (>70%). Dispersing owls selected vegetation types that were more similar to habitat selected by adult owls than habitat that would result from following guidelines previously proposed to maintain dispersalhabitat. Ouranalysisindicates thatjuvenileowls selectstandsforroostingthat havegreater canopy cover than is recommended in current agency guidelines. Published 2014. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Decoration of electrical conductive polyurethane‐polyaniline/polyvinyl alcohol matrixes with mussel‐inspired polydopamine for bone tissue engineering

Electrospinning is a versatile technology for the fabrication of nanofibrous matrixes to regenerate defects. This study aims to develop a functionalized and electroconductive polymeric matrix to improve rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. Herein, the influence of the chemical composition of the substrate on homogeneous modification of the surface with mussel‐inspired polydopamine (PDA) is focused. Accordingly, the deposition of PDA on the surface was proved by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Morphologies of the scaffolds demonstrated homogeneous decoration of the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/polyurethane (PU)‐polyaniline (PANI) matrixes with PDA, while a lower density of mussel‐inspired polymer was observed in bare PU‐PANI constructs. Although uniform and dense precipitation of PDA reduced conductivity of scaffolds 1.2 times compared with the samples with a low density of the PDA, 1.1 and 1.2 times enhancement in tensile strength and Young's modulus, respectively, were the strength of the applied process, especially in bone tissue engineering area. Contact angle measurements demonstrated about two times reduction in measured values, which shows improvement in hydrophilicity of PDA‐modified PVA/PU‐PANI fibers compared with PDA‐coated PU‐PANI ones. Swelling ratio and mass loss ratio calculations revealed enhancement in measured values as a function of homogeneous and dense coating, which arise from hydrophilicity of the polymeric substrate. The bioactivity test indicated that a dense layer of PDA strongly supports formations of hydroxyapatite‐like crystals. Moreover, homogeneous decoration of conductive matrixes with PDA showed suitable cell viability, adhesion, and spreading while cell‐scaffolds interactions improved under electrical stimulation. Higher expression of alkaline phosphatase and secretion of Collagen I under the electrical field proved the applicability of modified electroconductive scaffolds for further preclinical and clinical studies to introduce as a reconstructive bone substitute.
Relative Efficiency of Selection Methods for Profit in Dairy Cows

Abstract Selection singly on milk yield and calculated profitability traits, selection indexes, and regression indexes were compared for the relative gains in expected profit to 72 mo of age or life time profit. Indexes consisted of five traits of the first lactation: milk, fat percent, days in milk, number of breedings, and age at first calving. The study was on 1806 Holstein cows sired by 404 bulls in 38 California herds. Genetic gain in total profit was 13 to 14% greater when selection was on estimated profit to 41 mo than on milk yield to 305 days in the first lactation. Selection on traits of estimated profit on three bases, to 305 days in first lactation, to end of first lactation, and to 41 mo of age was 2 to 14% more efficient for genetic gain in total profit than selection on corresponding traits of milk yield or selection indexes. Regression indexes were 3 to 19% more efficient than selection indexes for predicting subsequent cumulative profit. In contrast, selection indexes were 6 to 20% more efficient than regression indexes for genetic gain in total profit. Heritabilities for estimated profit and traits of milk yield in the first lactation ranged from . 26 to . 49 for cows with two or more calvings. Heritabilities for profit to end of first lactation and to 41 mo of age exceeded comparable milk yield traits by 15 to 27%. The economic value of a 1-mo decrease in age at first calving was equivalent to an increase of 138 kg milk yield to the end of the first lactation for gain in total profit to 72 mo of age. Similarly, the genetic effects, or relative selection value, of a 1-mo decrease in age at first calving is valued at approximately 471 kg milk.
Diradical Organic One‐Dimensional Polymers Synthesized on a Metallic Surface

Abstract We report on the synthesis and characterization of atomically precise one‐dimensional diradical peripentacene polymers on a Au(111) surface. By means of high‐resolution scanning probe microscopy complemented by theoretical simulations, we provide evidence of their magnetic properties, which arise from the presence of two unpaired spins at their termini. Additionally, we probe a transition of their magnetic properties related to the length of the polymer. Peripentacene dimers exhibit an antiferromagnetic (S=0) singlet ground state. They are characterized by singlet–triplet spin‐flip inelastic excitations with an effective exchange coupling (J eff) of 2.5 meV, whereas trimers and longer peripentacene polymers reveal a paramagnetic nature and feature Kondo fingerprints at each terminus due to the unpaired spin. Our work provides access to the precise fabrication of polymers featuring diradical character which are potentially useful in carbon‐based optoelectronics and spintronics.
Temple Syndrome and Kagami-Ogata Syndrome: Clinical Presentations, Genotypes, Models and Mechanisms.

Temple Syndrome (TS) and Kagami-Ogata Syndrome (KOS) are imprinting disorders caused by absence or overexpression of genes within a single imprinted cluster on human chromosome 14q32. TS most frequently arises from maternal UPD14 or epimutations/deletions on the paternal chromosome, whereas KOS most frequently arises from paternal UPD14 or epimutations/deletions on the maternal chromosome. In this review, we describe the clinical symptoms and genetic/epigenetic features of this imprinted region. The locus encompasses paternally-expressed protein-coding genes (DLK1, RTL1 and DIO3) and maternally-expressed lncRNAs (MEG3/GTL2, RTL1as and MEG8), as well as numerous miRNAs and snoRNAs. Control of expression is complex, with three differentially-methylated regions regulating germline, placental, and tissue-specific transcription. The strong conserved synteny between mouse chromosome 12aF1 and human chromosome 14q32 has enabled the use of mouse models to elucidate imprinting mechanisms and decipher the contribution of genes to the symptoms of TS and KOS. In this review, we describe relevant mouse models and highlight their value to better inform treatment options for long-term management of TS and KOS patients.
Structural and mechanistic basis of the inhibitory potency of selected 2-aminothiazole compounds on protein kinase CK2.

Selective inhibitors of protein kinase CK2 with significant cytotoxicity on tumor cells based on a 2-aminothiazole scaffold were described recently. Here, these studies are supplemented with representative CK2α/CK2α' complex struc-tures. They reveal that the 2-aminothiazole-based inhibitors occupy the ATP cavity, whereas preliminary data had indicated an allosteric binding site. The crystal structure findings are corroborated by subsequent enzyme kinetic studies; their atomic-resolution quality provides the basis for future optimization of these promising CK2 inhibitors.
Morphology and chemical composition of turkey eggs

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate selected morphological characteristics and the chemical composition of turkey eggs of different weight classes. The percentage of eggs weighing ≥100 g increased to 46.66% in wk 23. Eggs weighing 95 and 110 g had lower yolk content (3.05 and 4.86%) and higher albumen content (by 3.16 and 5.21%) compared with eggs weighing 80 g. The total protein content of the albumen increased (from 9.93 to 10.71%) and the water content of the albumen decreased (from 88.30 to 87.59%) with an increase in egg weight. Albumen weight per gram of yolk increased from 1.87 to between 2.18 and 2.42 g in larger eggs. The energy density of the egg decreased from 5.68 to 4.90 kJ/g with an increase in egg weight, and the energy density of the yolk remained at a similar level in all egg weight classes. The other analyzed yolk and shell parameters were not affected by egg weight. The highest energy and total protein content of the yolk was observed in wk 14 of the laying season. No correlations were found between the progress of the laying cycle and eggshell percentage and the water content of the yolk. The values of the remaining egg parameters varied over the laying season.
Assessing the inhibition of azoxymethane-induced preneoplastic lesions in the rat colon by cooked resistant corn starches and identifying potential genetic targets

Resistant starch (RS) is a complex carbohydrate that reaches the large intestine and is fermented by the colonic microflora. Two types of novel starches were processed: (1) stearic-acid complexed high-amylose cornstarch (SAC) which contains high resistance and (2) Guat from an inbred corn line with a high resistant starch content and ARXGuat from a hybrid of two corn lines AR (digestible starch) and Guat (resistant starch). The inhibition by SAC on colorectal carcinogenesis was compared with high amylose starch (HA) and normal corn starch (CS), and the study for the same purpose on Guat and ARXGuat starches was compared with AR starch. In all of the studies, starch diets were fed to Azoxymethane (AOM) induced Fisher 344 rats for 8 weeks with 50-55% of the diet replaced with RS. The cooking method of water-boiling was applied to both studies. A bread-baked method was also applied to the SAC study for the comparison of the cooking methods. In the SAC study, the amount and concentration of Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) were assessed. Global gene expression was also studied in the colon mucosa of rats fed different diets or injected with AOM/saline by Affymatrix Microarray. Target genes differentially expressed after AOM treatment, or by the feeding of SAC were selected and identified by semi-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis (semi-qRT-PCR). In our studies, SAC cooked by either the water-boiling or bread-baking method markedly reduced the Aberrant Crypt Foci (ACF) and Mucin Depleted Foci (MDF) numbers, and an enhanced ACF multiplicity was observed compared with cooked HA or CS within their cooking groups. Aberrand crypt foci numbers were dramatically decreased in the rats fed starches cooked by the bread-baking method compared with that in rats fed starch prepared by the water-boiling method.
Advances in hypersensitivity drug reactions.

DOI:10.1097/ACI.0000000000000649 Major topics of this year focus on the allergic reactions in the perioperative period, anaphylactic reactions to biologicals, the role of omalizumab and other humanized anti-IgE antibodies in preventing or attenuating drug reactions, and allergic reactions to vancomycin and corticosteroids. The review of Melchiors and Garvey (pp. 338– 345) deals with perioperative hypersensitivity reactions. Although there is general agreement that these reactions are underreported, continuous efforts between specialists, such as anesthetists and allergists, are improving the approach to how these patients are evaluated. In every person, who experiences an adverse event in the perioperative period, a complete drug allergy assessment should be undertaken. However, there is still a long way to go and in many centres, there are no provisions for such specialist review [1]. Distinguishing allergic from nonallergic sensitivity to the culprit drug is an important objective during allergy evaluation. It is important to provide appropriate recommendations of drugavoidance and drug alternatives [2]. As nonallergic hypersensitivity occurs in the absence of IgE and mechanisms tend to be less severe, it is easier to find alternative drugs and plan future surgical interventions. Antibiotics account for the majority of the reactions, in particular, beta-lactam antibiotics and quinolones [3]. This means that in a postepisode evaluation, individuals must be assessed not only to the anesthetist drugs used but also to antibiotics and NSAIDs if they were used in the perioperative period. Hypersensitivity reactions to beta-lactams are dependent of the side chain structure and cross-reactivity does not extend to monobactams, carbapenems, or higher generation cephalosporins [4]. The diagnosis of quinolone hypersensitivity is mainly based on basophil activation test; skin testing is not useful because of false-positive results [5]. In addition to drug disinfectants, such as chlorhexidine, latex and and radiocontrast media can be the culprit chemicals to trigger the reaction [6]. The time for optimal investigation is more controversial; although it is known that the longer the period to evaluation, the more chance to get a negative result in the case of an IgE mechanism. This does not apply to non-IgE-mediated reactions. A negative skin test can never rule out the risk of a
Water soluble lipid precursor contaminants in yeast culture medium ingredients

Abstract The presence of the water soluble glycerophospholipid precursors choline and inositol in culture media highly affects lipid biosynthesis and regulation thereof. We report that widely used media ingredients contain trace amounts of choline and inositol that are not mentioned on the product label, influencing experimental outcome.
The reintroduction of the Andean condor into Colombia, South America: 1989–1991

From 1989 to 1991,22 captive-reared Andean condors Vultur gryphus were released into three protected areas in the Andes of Colombia, South America. The goals of this reintroduction programme were to re-establish populations of these birds in protected habitat where the species had been extirpated, and to train local biologists in the conservation techniques necessary to recover their native condor. All birds were hatched, reared and released according to the protocols established by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish and Game for the California condor Gymnogyps californianus. At the time of release, the birds ranged in age from 11 to 26 months. Each bird was fitted with individually numbered wing tags and wing-mounted radio transmitters. Of the 22 released animals, 19 currently survive – a substantial increase to the wild population in Colombia, which had been estimated by Colombian biologists to number only 20 individuals.