Isolation and characterization of synthetic pyrethroids-degrading bacterial strains from agricultural soil.

Pyrethroid pesticides are commonly used for pest control in agriculture setup, veterinary and home garden. They are now posing increased risks to non-targeted organisms associated to human beings due to their considerable use. The present work deals with the isolation of bacteria with tolerance to high concentrations of bifenthrin and cypermethrin from contaminated soil. Enrichment culture technique (bifenthrin concentration = 50-800 mg/L) was used for bacterial isolation. Bacteria that showed growth on minimal media with bifenthrin were also sub-cultured on minimal media with cypermethrin. Bacteria showing luxurious growth on both the pyrethroid, were screened out based on their morphological, biochemical parameters and by API 20NE Kit. Phylogenetic studies revealed that, one bacterial isolate (MG04) belonging to Acinetobacter lwoffii and other five bacterial isolates (MG06, MG05, MG01, MG03 and MG02) cluster with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas putida respectively. Isolated members of genera Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter could be used for further detailed degradation studies by using FTIR, HPLC-MS or GC-MS analysis.

Experimental Evidence for the Spiral Spin Liquid in LiYbO_{2}.

Spiral spin liquids are an exotic class of correlated paramagnets with an enigmatic magnetic ground state composed of a degenerate manifold of fluctuating spin spirals. Experimental realizations of the spiral spin liquid are scarce, mainly due to the prominence of structural distortions in candidate materials that can trigger order-by-disorder transitions to more conventionally ordered magnetic ground states. Expanding the pool of candidate materials that may host a spiral spin liquid is therefore crucial to realizing this novel magnetic ground state and understanding its robustness against perturbations that arise in real materials. Here, we show that the material LiYbO_{2} is the first experimental realization of a spiral spin liquid predicted to emerge from the J_{1}-J_{2} Heisenberg model on an elongated diamond lattice. Through a complementary combination of high-resolution and diffuse neutron magnetic scattering studies on a polycrystalline sample, we demonstrate that LiYbO_{2} fulfills the requirements for the experimental realization of the spiral spin liquid and reconstruct single-crystal diffuse neutron magnetic scattering maps that reveal continuous spiral spin contours-a characteristic experimental hallmark of this exotic magnetic phase.

Influence of water on the microscopic dynamics of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate studied by means of quasielastic neutron scattering.

We present a systematic study on the effect of water on the microscopic dynamics of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate by means of quasielastic neutron scattering. By mixing the ionic liquid with either heavy or light water, the different contributions to the quasielastic broadening could be identified and treated separately. This study was performed at room temperature, which is more than 15 °C above the demixing line. Our results show that even small amounts of water accelerate the diffusion mechanisms considerably. While samples with small water percentage reveal a diffusion process confined within ionic liquid nanodomains, an admixture of more than 15 wt. % water relieves the confinement. Furthermore, the presence of two water species was identified: one behaving as free water, whereas the other was interpreted as a component bound to the ionic liquid motion. Based on the fact that water preferentially binds to the BF4 anion, which itself has a negligible contribution to the scattered intensity, our experiments reveal unprecedented information about the microscopic anion dynamics.

Ethnic disparities in mortality among overweight or obese adults with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes: a population-based cohort study.

PURPOSE: Ethnic variation in risk of type 2 diabetes is well established, but its impact on mortality is less well understood. This study investigated the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality associated with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes in White, Asian and Black adults who were overweight or obese. METHODS: This population-based cohort study used primary care records from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink, linked with secondary care and death registry records. A total of 193,528 obese or overweight adults (BMI of 25 or greater), with ethnicity records and no pre-existing type 2 diabetes were identified between 01 January 1995 and 20 April 2018. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression estimated hazards ratios (HR) for incident type 2 diabetes in different ethnic groups. Adjusted hazards ratios for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality were determined in individuals with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. RESULTS: During follow-up (median 9.8 years), the overall incidence rate of type 2 diabetes (per 1,000 person-years) was 20.10 (95% CI 19.90-20.30). Compared to Whites, type 2 diabetes risk was 2.2-fold higher in Asians (HR 2.19 (2.07-2.32)) and 30% higher in Blacks (HR 1.34 (1.23-1.46)). In individuals with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes, the rates (per 1,000 person-years) of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality were 24.34 (23.73-24.92) and 4.78 (4.51-5.06), respectively. Adjusted hazards ratios for mortality were significantly lower in Asians (HR 0.70 (0.55-0.90)) and Blacks (HR 0.71 (0.51-0.98)) compared to Whites, and these differences in mortality risk were not explained by differences in severity of hyperglycaemia. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Type 2 diabetes risk in overweight and obese adults is greater in Asian and Black compared to White ethnic populations, but mortality is significantly higher in the latter. Greater attention to optimising screening, disease and risk management appropriate to all communities with type 2 diabetes is needed.

Linking fish and crustacean taxonomic composition with seasonal contrasts in the soft-bottom intertidal zone / Ligação da composição taxonômica de peixes e crustáceos com contrastes sazonais na zona intertidal de fundo macio

Abstract The primary objective of this study was to investigate the seasonal fish and crustacean variations concerning taxonomic composition, species richness, and diversity in sandy beach habitat. For this purpose, we investigated the Sonmiani Hor lagoon area during four distinct seasons, i.e., northeast (NE) monsoon, pre-monsoon, south-west (SW) monsoon, and post-monsoon for one year. During each haul, the net was pulled about 100m along the beach in 0.5m depth. The results showed a strong linear correlation between the diversity index and equitability in fishes (r = 0.978). The diversity index was strong negatively correlated with the abundance and biomass (r = -0.978, -0.972, respectively). The physical attributes like sea surface water temperature and salinity showed a strong negative effect on species assemblages (r = -0.981 and -0.943, respectively). The mean air and water temperature illustrated approximately 3°C difference during NE and pre-monsoon seasons. However, salinity, pH, and electrical conductivity did not show any significant seasonal variabilities. Under the ecological indices, the fish species displayed higher diversity (H' = 3.19) during SW monsoon, whereas the lowest diversity was observed during pre-monsoon (H' = 1.58). The equitability and species richness, however, remained more noticeable during SW monsoon (J' = 0.81). The total number of individuals of fish and crustaceans reached 4799 with 3813 fish individuals and 986 individuals of crustaceans. A total of 27 families of fish while five crustacean families comprising of 30 genera and 38 fish species while ten genera and 17 species of crustaceans were recorded. Liza subviridis displayed the highest abundance among the sampled fish species. In conclusion, fish species constituted a significant part of the coastal fauna in the study area. The seasonal variations displayed distinct variations in fish species composition and diversity.

Resumo O objetivo principal deste estudo foi investigar as variações sazonais de peixes e crustáceos em relação à composição taxonômica, riqueza de espécies e diversidade no habitat de praias arenosas. Para esse fim, investigamos a área da lagoa Sonmiani Hor durante quatro estações distintas, ou seja, monção nordeste (NE), pré-monção, monção sudoeste (SW) e pós-monção, por um ano. Durante cada transporte, a rede foi puxada cerca de 100 m ao longo da praia, a 0,5 m de profundidade. Os resultados mostraram uma forte correlação linear entre o índice de diversidade e a equitabilidade de peixes (r = 0,978). O índice de diversidade apresentou forte correlação negativa com a abundância e a biomassa (r = -0,978 e -0,972, respectivamente). Os atributos físicos, como temperatura da água da superfície do mar e salinidade, apresentaram forte efeito negativo sobre o conjunto de espécies (r = -0,981 e -0,943, respectivamente). A temperatura média do ar e da água teve uma diferença de aproximadamente 3 °C durante a monção NE e a pré-monção. No entanto, salinidade, pH e condutividade elétrica não apresentaram variabilidade sazonal significativa. A respeito dos índices ecológicos, as espécies de peixes apresentaram maior diversidade (H' = 3,19) durante a monção SW, enquanto a menor diversidade observada foi na pré-monção (H' = 1,58). A equitabilidade e a riqueza de espécies, no entanto, permaneceram mais perceptíveis durante a monção SW (J' = 0,81). O número total de peixes e crustáceos foi de 4.799, com 3.813 peixes e 986 crustáceos. Foram registradas 27 famílias de peixes e 5 famílias de crustáceos, com 30 gêneros e 38 espécies de peixes, além de 10 gêneros e 17 espécies de crustáceos. Liza subviridis apresentou a maior abundância entre as espécies de peixes amostradas. Em conclusão, as espécies de peixes constituíram uma parte significativa da fauna costeira na área de estudo. As variações sazonais apresentaram variações distintas na composição e diversidade das espécies de peixes.

From One- to Two-Magnon Excitations in the S=3/2 Magnet ß-CaCr_{2}O_{4}.

We apply neutron spectroscopy to measure the magnetic dynamics in the S=3/2 magnet ß-CaCr_{2}O_{4} (T_{N}=21 K). The low-energy fluctuations, in the ordered state, resemble large-S linear spin waves from the incommensurate ground state. However, at higher energy transfers, these semiclassical and harmonic dynamics are replaced by an energy and momentum broadened continuum of excitations. Applying kinematic constraints required for energy and momentum conservation, sum rules of neutron scattering, and comparison against exact diagonalization calculations, we show that the dynamics at high-energy transfers resemble low-S one-dimensional quantum fluctuations. ß-CaCr_{2}O_{4} represents an example of a magnet at the border between classical Néel and quantum phases, displaying dual characteristics.

1H, 13C, and 15N backbone chemical shift assignments of coronavirus-2 non-structural protein Nsp10.

The international Covid19-NMR consortium aims at the comprehensive spectroscopic characterization of SARS-CoV-2 RNA elements and proteins and will provide NMR chemical shift assignments of the molecular components of this virus. The SARS-CoV-2 genome encodes approximately 30 different proteins. Four of these proteins are involved in forming the viral envelope or in the packaging of the RNA genome and are therefore called structural proteins. The other proteins fulfill a variety of functions during the viral life cycle and comprise the so-called non-structural proteins (nsps). Here, we report the near-complete NMR resonance assignment for the backbone chemical shifts of the non-structural protein 10 (nsp10). Nsp10 is part of the viral replication-transcription complex (RTC). It aids in synthesizing and modifying the genomic and subgenomic RNAs. Via its interaction with nsp14, it ensures transcriptional fidelity of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, and through its stimulation of the methyltransferase activity of nsp16, it aids in synthesizing the RNA cap structures which protect the viral RNAs from being recognized by the innate immune system. Both of these functions can be potentially targeted by drugs. Our data will aid in performing additional NMR-based characterizations, and provide a basis for the identification of possible small molecule ligands interfering with nsp10 exerting its essential role in viral replication.

Linking fish and crustacean taxonomic composition with seasonal contrasts in the soft-bottom intertidal zone.

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the seasonal fish and crustacean variations concerning taxonomic composition, species richness, and diversity in sandy beach habitat. For this purpose, we investigated the Sonmiani Hor lagoon area during four distinct seasons, i.e., northeast (NE) monsoon, pre-monsoon, south-west (SW) monsoon, and post-monsoon for one year. During each haul, the net was pulled about 100m along the beach in 0.5m depth. The results showed a strong linear correlation between the diversity index and equitability in fishes (r = 0.978). The diversity index was strong negatively correlated with the abundance and biomass (r = -0.978, -0.972, respectively). The physical attributes like sea surface water temperature and salinity showed a strong negative effect on species assemblages (r = -0.981 and -0.943, respectively). The mean air and water temperature illustrated approximately 3°C difference during NE and pre-monsoon seasons. However, salinity, pH, and electrical conductivity did not show any significant seasonal variabilities. Under the ecological indices, the fish species displayed higher diversity (H' = 3.19) during SW monsoon, whereas the lowest diversity was observed during pre-monsoon (H' = 1.58). The equitability and species richness, however, remained more noticeable during SW monsoon (J' = 0.81). The total number of individuals of fish and crustaceans reached 4799 with 3813 fish individuals and 986 individuals of crustaceans. A total of 27 families of fish while five crustacean families comprising of 30 genera and 38 fish species while ten genera and 17 species of crustaceans were recorded. Liza subviridis displayed the highest abundance among the sampled fish species. In conclusion, fish species constituted a significant part of the coastal fauna in the study area. The seasonal variations displayed distinct variations in fish species composition and diversity.

Impact of solitary pulmonary nodule size on qualitative and quantitative assessment using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT: the SPUTNIK trial.

PURPOSE: To compare qualitative and semi-quantitative PET/CT criteria, and the impact of nodule size on the diagnosis of solitary pulmonary nodules in a prospective multicentre trial. METHODS: Patients with an SPN on CT ≥ 8 and ≤ 30 mm were recruited to the SPUTNIK trial at 16 sites accredited by the UK PET Core Lab. Qualitative assessment used a five-point ordinal PET-grade compared to the mediastinal blood pool, and a combined PET/CT grade using the CT features. Semi-quantitative measures included SUVmax of the nodule, and as an uptake ratio to the mediastinal blood pool (SURBLOOD) or liver (SURLIVER). The endpoints were diagnosis of lung cancer via biopsy/histology or completion of 2-year follow-up. Impact of nodule size was analysed by comparison between nodule size tertiles. RESULTS: Three hundred fifty-five participants completed PET/CT and 2-year follow-up, with 59% (209/355) malignant nodules. The AUCs of the three techniques were SUVmax 0.87 (95% CI 0.83;0.91); SURBLOOD 0.87 (95% CI 0.83; 0.91, p = 0.30 versus SUVmax); and SURLIVER 0.87 (95% CI 0.83; 0.91, p = 0.09 vs. SUVmax). The AUCs for all techniques remained stable across size tertiles (p > 0.1 for difference), although the optimal diagnostic threshold varied by size. For nodules < 12 mm, an SUVmax of 1.75 or visual uptake equal to the mediastinum yielded the highest accuracy. For nodules > 16 mm, an SUVmax ≥ 3.6 or visual PET uptake greater than the mediastinum was the most accurate. CONCLUSION: In this multicentre trial, SUVmax was the most accurate technique for the diagnosis of solitary pulmonary nodules. Diagnostic thresholds should be altered according to nodule size. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN - ISRCTN30784948. ClinicalTrials.gov - NCT02013063.

Colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy for follow-up of patients with left-sided diverticulitis.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of diverticular disease has been increasing in the western world over the last few decades, causing a growing burden on health care systems. This study compared the uses of flexible sigmoidoscopy with colonoscopy as a follow-up investigation for patients diagnosed with acute left-sided diverticulitis and to evaluate the need for using either procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of 327 patients diagnosed with acute diverticulitis was carried out. Of this total, 240 patients with left-sided diverticulitis diagnosed via computed tomography were included. These patients were categorised into two equal groups: the first 120 patients underwent colonoscopy and the second 120 patients underwent flexible sigmoidoscopy. RESULTS: All colonoscopes and flexible sigmoidoscopes confirmed the computed tomography diagnosis of sigmoid diverticular disease with no major new findings. All colonoscopes and flexible sigmoidoscopes were reported as having no complications, with nine colonoscopes reported as being difficult compared with only three flexible sigmoidoscopes. All biopsies were reported as no malignancy. Full bowel preparation was required in all colonoscopes, compared with no preparation required for flexible sigmoidoscopes. CONCLUSIONS: There is no evidence to support the routine use of endoscopic evaluation after an episode of left-sided diverticulitis diagnosed on computed tomography if no worrying radiological findings have been reported. This study supports similar findings from other studies and therefore we disagree with The Royal College of Surgeons of England (Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland recommendations) commissioning guide, which advocates routine surveillance of the colon.

1H, 13C, and 15N backbone chemical shift assignments of the apo and the ADP-ribose bound forms of the macrodomain of SARS-CoV-2 non-structural protein 3b.

The SARS-CoV-2 genome encodes for approximately 30 proteins. Within the international project COVID19-NMR, we distribute the spectroscopic analysis of the viral proteins and RNA. Here, we report NMR chemical shift assignments for the protein Nsp3b, a domain of Nsp3. The 217-kDa large Nsp3 protein contains multiple structurally independent, yet functionally related domains including the viral papain-like protease and Nsp3b, a macrodomain (MD). In general, the MDs of SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV were suggested to play a key role in viral replication by modulating the immune response of the host. The MDs are structurally conserved. They most likely remove ADP-ribose, a common posttranslational modification, from protein side chains. This de-ADP ribosylating function has potentially evolved to protect the virus from the anti-viral ADP-ribosylation catalyzed by poly-ADP-ribose polymerases (PARPs), which in turn are triggered by pathogen-associated sensing of the host immune system. This renders the SARS-CoV-2 Nsp3b a highly relevant drug target in the viral replication process. We here report the near-complete NMR backbone resonance assignment (1H, 13C, 15N) of the putative Nsp3b MD in its apo form and in complex with ADP-ribose. Furthermore, we derive the secondary structure of Nsp3b in solution. In addition, 15N-relaxation data suggest an ordered, rigid core of the MD structure. These data will provide a basis for NMR investigations targeted at obtaining small-molecule inhibitors interfering with the catalytic activity of Nsp3b.

How genomic information is accessed in clinical practice: an electronic survey of UK general practitioners.

Genomic technologies are having an increasing impact across medicine, including primary care. To enable their wider adoption and realize their potential, education of primary health-care practitioners will be required. To enable the development of such resources, understanding where GPs currently access genomic information is needed. One-hundred fifty-nine UK GPs completed the survey in response to an open invitation, between September 2017 and September 2018. Questions were in response to 4 clinical genomic scenarios, with further questions exploring resources used for rare disease patients, direct-to-consumer genetic testing and collecting a family history. Respondents were most commonly GP principals (independent GPs who own their clinic) (64.8%), aged 35-49 years (54%), worked as a GP for more than 15 years (44%) and practiced within suburban locations (typically wealthier) (50.3%). The most popular 'just in time' education source for all clinical genomic scenarios were online primary care focussed resources with general Internet search engines also popular. For genomic continuous medical education, over 70% of respondents preferred online learning. Considering specific scenarios, local guidelines were a popular resource for the familial breast cancer scenario. A large proportion (41%) had not heard of Genomics England's 100,000 genome project. Few respondents (4%) would access rare disease specific Internet resources (Orphanet, OMIM). Twenty-five percent of respondents were unsure how to respond to a direct-to-consumer commercial genetic test query, with 41% forwarding such queries to local genetic services. GPs require concise, relevant, primary care focussed resources in trusted and familiar online repositories of information. Inadequate genetic education of GPs could increase burden on local genetic services.

Whole genome sequence analysis and in vitro probiotic characteristics of a Lactobacillus strain Lactobacillus paracasei ZFM54.

AIM: The aim was to identify a Lactobacillus strain with potential probiotic characteristics by whole-genome sequence analysis and in vitro experimental studies. METHODS AND RESULTS: The whole-genome sequencing was carried out using PacBio RSII sequencing method and Illumina's paired-end sequencing technology. Gene prediction and annotation were achieved using GlimmerVersion 3.02 and NCBI prokaryotic Genome Annotation Pipeline. Identification was done by biochemical tests and 16S rRNA sequence analysis. mega 6 software was used to build phylogenetic tree. Antagonism against pathogen was determined by agar well diffusion method. Resistance and stability to bile, simulated gastric acid, different salt concentration and thermostability were investigated. Hydrophobicity assay, aggregation assay and anti-oxidation assay were performed to check further probiotic traits. Finally antibiotic susceptibility and acute oral toxicity of the strain in mice were investigated to check its safety status. The strain showed >99% similarity to Lactobacillus paracasei which was further confirmed by biochemical tests. It significantly inhibited pathogens in agar well diffusion assay. It showed tolerance to simulated gastric acid (pH 3), 0·3% bile salt and 10% NaCl. Significant hydrophobic, aggregation and anti-oxidizing activities were observed. No resistance to antibiotics tested was observed and no adverse effects during acute oral toxicity in mice were detected. CONCLUSIONS: Lactobacillus paracasei ZFM 54, a new and safe Lactobacillus strain was identified with numerous probiotic-associated genes and characteristics confirmed by experimental studies. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: A new probiotic strain has been identified which is highly stable, safe and suitable to be used in health and food industries.

Assessing the severity of Type 2 diabetes using clinical data-based measures: a systematic review.

AIMS: To identify and critically appraise measures that use clinical data to grade the severity of Type 2 diabetes. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, Embase and PubMed between inception and June 2018. Studies reporting on clinical data-based diabetes-specific severity measures in adults with Type 2 diabetes were included. We excluded studies conducted solely in participants with other types of diabetes. After independent screening, the characteristics of the eligible measures including design and severity domains, the clinical utility of developed measures, and the relationship between severity levels and health-related outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: We identified 6798 studies, of which 17 studies reporting 18 different severity measures (32 314 participants in 17 countries) were included: a diabetes severity index (eight studies, 44%); severity categories (seven studies, 39%); complication count (two studies, 11%); and a severity checklist (one study, 6%). Nearly 89% of the measures included diabetes-related complications and/or glycaemic control indicators. Two of the severity measures were validated in a separate study population. More severe diabetes was associated with increased healthcare costs, poorer cognitive function and significantly greater risks of hospitalization and mortality. The identified measures differed greatly in terms of the included domains. One study reported on the use of a severity measure prospectively. CONCLUSIONS: Health records are suitable for assessment of diabetes severity; however, the clinical uptake of existing measures is limited. The need to advance this research area is fundamental as higher levels of diabetes severity are associated with greater risks of adverse outcomes. Diabetes severity assessment could help identify people requiring targeted and intensive therapies and provide a major benchmark for efficient healthcare services.

Magnetisation process in the rare earth tetraborides, NdB4 and HoB4.

A field-induced magnetisation process in the frustrated antiferromagnets is often much richer compared to the materials without competing interactions. The applied field tends to stabilise unusual spin configurations which frequently results in the appearance of magnetisation plateaux. Here we report a study into the field-induced magnetisation of the two frustrated rare earth tetraborides, HoB4 and NdB4. NdB4 shows a fractional magnetisation plateau occurring at M/M sat ≈ [Formula: see text] before saturating in a field of 33 kOe. On cooling down to 0.5 K the temperature dependent susceptibility of NdB4 shows an unconventional transition where the system returns to the zero field antiferromagnetic state from a higher-temperature ferrimagnetic state. We are able to reconstruct the magnetic phase diagram of NdB4 from the magnetisation, susceptibility and resistivity measurements for both H [Formula: see text] c and H ⊥ c. For HoB4, the most interesting behaviour is found at the lowest temperature of 0.5 K, where the field dependent magnetisation demonstrates a new fractional [Formula: see text]-magnetisation plateau. Further insight into the relations between the exchange interactions and single ion effects is gained through high-field magnetisation measurements in both HoB4 and NdB4.

Genetic Relationship of Stripe Rust Resistance Genes Yr34 and Yr48 in Wheat and Identification of Linked KASP Markers.

The Australian continent was free from wheat stripe rust caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici until exotic incursions occurred in 1979 and 2002. The 2002 incursion enabled the identification of a new stripe rust resistance gene (Yr34) in the advanced breeding line WAWHT2046. In this study, we developed and validated markers closely linked with Yr34, which is located in the distal region in the long arm of chromosome 5A. Four kompetitive allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (KASP) and three sequence-tagged site (STS) markers derived from the International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium RefSeq v1.0 scaffold-77836 cosegregated with Yr34. Markers sun711, sun712, sun725, sunKASP_109, and sunKASP_112 were shown to be suitable for marker-assisted selection in a validation panel of 71 Australian spring wheat genotypes, with the exception of cultivar Orion that carried the Yr34-linked alleles for sunKASP_109 and sunKASP_112. Markers previously reported to be linked with adult plant stripe rust resistance gene Yr48 also cosegregated with Yr34. Wheat genotypes carrying Yr34 and Yr48 produced identical haplotypes for the Yr34-linked markers identified in this study and those previously reported to be linked with Yr48. Phenotypic testing of genotypes carrying Yr34 and Yr48 showed that both genes conferred similar seedling responses to pre-2002 and post-2002 P. striiformis f. sp. tritici pathotypes. Further testing of 600 F2 plants from a cross between WAWHT2046 and RIL143 (Yr48) with P. striiformis f. sp. tritici pathotype 134 E16A+Yr17+Yr27+ failed to reveal any susceptible segregants. Our results strongly suggest that Yr34 and Yr48 are the same gene, and that Yr48 should be considered a synonym of Yr34.

Anisotropic resonance modes emerging in an antiferromagnetic superconducting state.

Two strong arguments in favor of magnetically driven unconventional superconductivity arise from the coexistence and closeness of superconducting and magnetically ordered phases on the one hand, and from the emergence of magnetic spin-resonance modes at the superconducting transition on the other hand. Combining these two arguments one may ask about the nature of superconducting spin-resonance modes occurring in an antiferromagnetic state. This problem can be studied in underdoped BaFe2 As2, for which the local coexistence of large moment antiferromagnetism and superconductivity is well established by local probes. However, polarized neutron scattering experiments are required to identify the nature of the resonance modes. In the normal state of Co underdoped BaFe2 As2 the antiferromagnetic order results in broad magnetic gaps opening in all three spin directions that are reminiscent of the magnetic response in the parent compound. In the superconducting state two distinct anisotropic resonance excitations emerge, but in contrast to numerous studies on optimum and over-doped BaFe2 As2 there is no isotropic resonance excitation. The two anisotropic resonance modes appearing within the antiferromagnetic phase are attributed to a band selective superconducting state, in which longitudinal magnetic excitations are gapped by antiferromagnetic order with sizable moment.

Impact of spin label rigidity on extent and accuracy of distance information from PRE data.

Paramagnetic relaxation enhancement (PRE) is a versatile tool for NMR spectroscopic structural and kinetic studies in biological macromolecules. Here, we compare the quality of PRE data derived from two spin labels with markedly different dynamic properties for large RNAs using the I-A riboswitch aptamer domain (78 nt) from Mesoplamsa florum as model system. We designed two I-A aptamer constructs that were spin-labeled by noncovalent hybridization of short spin-labeled oligomer fragments. As an example of a flexible spin label, UreidoU-TEMPO was incorporated into the 3' terminal end of helix P1 while, the recently developed rigid spin-label Çm was incorporated in the 5' terminal end of helix P1. We determined PRE rates obtained from aromatic 13C bound proton intensities and compared these rates to PREs derived from imino proton intensities in this sizeable RNA (~78 nt). PRE restraints derived from both imino and aromatic protons yielded similar data quality, and hence can both be reliably used for PRE determination. For NMR, the data quality derived from the rigid spin label Çm is slightly better than the data quality for the flexible UreidoTEMPO as judged by comparison of the structural agreement with the I-A aptamer crystal structure (3SKI).

Aflatoxin, proximate composition and mineral profile of stored broiler feed treated with medicinal plant leaves.

OBJECTIVES: In the present investigation, the Morus alba (M. alba), Vitis vinifera (V. vinifera), Ficus religiosa (F. religiosa) and Citrus paradisi (C. paradisi) leaves anti-aflatoxigenic activities were evaluated in Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus) inoculated feed. METHODS: The broiler feed inoculated with A. flavus was treated with selected medicinal plant leaf powder (5%, 10% and 15% w/w) and stored for the period of six months at 28°C and 16% moisture. The aflatoxins (AFTs) were estimated at the end of each month by Reversed Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC) method along with proximate composition and mineral contents. RESULTS: Plant leaves controlled AFTs efficiently without affecting the feed proximate composition and mineral contents. The M. alba leaves completely inhibition (100%) the AFTs (B1 and B2) in feed at very low concentration (5%). Other plants also showed significant (P<0.05) inhibition of AFTs production without affecting the feed quality over the storage period of six months. CONCLUSION: Based on promising efficiency of selected medicinal plant leaves, A. flavus produced AFTs could possibly be controlled in stored poultry feed.