Genomic patterns of selection in morphometric traits across diverse Indian cattle breeds.

This study seeks a comprehensive exploration of genome-wide selective processes impacting morphometric traits across diverse cattle breeds, utilizing an array of statistical methods. Morphometric traits, encompassing both qualitative and quantitative variables, play a pivotal role in characterizing and selecting livestock breeds based on their external appearance, size, and physical attributes. While qualitative traits, such as color, horn structure, and coat type, contribute to adaptive features and breed identification, quantitative traits like body weight and conformation measurements bear a closer correlation with production characteristics. This study employs advanced genotyping technologies, including the Illumina BovineSNP50 Bead Chip and next-generation sequencing methods like Reduced Representation sequencing, to identify genomic signatures associated with these traits. We applied four intra-population methods to find evidence of selection, such as Tajima's D, CLR, iHS, and ROH. We found a total of 40 genes under the selection signature, that were associated with morphometric traits in five cattle breeds (Kankrej, Tharparkar, Nelore, Sahiwal, and Gir). Crucial genes such as ADIPDQ, DPP6, INSIG1, SLC35D2 in Kankrej, LPL, ATP6V1B2, CDC14B in Tharparkar, HPSE2, PLAG1 in Nelore, PCSK1, PRKD1 in Sahiwal, and GNAQ, HPCAL1 in Gir were identified in our study. This approach provides valuable insights into the genetic basis of variations in body weight and conformation traits, facilitating informed selection processes and offering a deeper understanding of the evolutionary and domestication processes in diverse cattle breeds.

Ethical Responsibilities for Companies That Process Personal Data.

It has become increasingly difficult for individuals to exercise meaningful control over the personal data they disclose to companies or to understand and track the ways in which that data is exchanged and used. These developments have led to an emerging consensus that existing privacy and data protection laws offer individuals insufficient protections against harms stemming from current data practices. However, an effective and ethically justified way forward remains elusive. To inform policy in this area, we propose the Ethical Data Practices framework. The framework outlines six principles relevant to the collection and use of personal data-minimizing harm, fairly distributing benefits and burdens, respecting autonomy, transparency, accountability, and inclusion-and translates these principles into action-guiding practical imperatives for companies that process personal data. In addition to informing policy, the practical imperatives can be voluntarily adopted by companies to promote ethical data practices.

Diagnostic performance of the BHBCheck ß-hydroxybutyrate meter for hyperketonaemia in Indian cows and buffaloes.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the electronic handheld BHBCheck meter (BHM) (PortaCheck, Inc., USA) to determine whole blood, plasma and serum ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) against serum BHB determined using reference laboratory method of Randox D-3 Hydroxybutyrate Ranbut assay (RSM) in Indian dairy cows and buffaloes. Blood samples were collected by puncturing coccygeal vessels for determining whole blood, serum and plasma BHB using BHM and serum BHB using RSM from 217 cows (Gir breed; median 42 DIM and 3rd lactation) and 223 buffaloes (non-descript; median 39 DIM and 3rd lactation) from nearby herds. The Pearson's correlation between whole blood (0.988; 0.987), plasma (0.985; 0.983) and serum (0.985; 0.983) BHB determined using the BHM and serum BHB determined with the RSM in Indian cows and buffaloes, respectively, were significant. Bland-Altman plot demonstrated an excellent agreement between whole blood, plasma and serum BHB determined with BHM, against the serum BHB determined with RSM in Indian cows and buffaloes, respectively. For hyperketonaemia with reference serum BHB cut-off values ≥ 1.2 and 1.4 mmol/L determined with RSM, it recorded optimized BHB thresholds, sensitivity and specificity for whole blood (≥ 0.9 to 1.0 mmol/L; 91 to 95% and 88 to 98%), plasma (≥ 0.9 to 1.0 mmol/L; 91 and 100%) and serum (≥ 0.9 to 1.0 mmol/L; 92 to 100% and 85 to 94%) with BHM in cows and buffaloes, respectively. In conclusion, BHB determined with BHM demonstrated an excellent correlation, agreement and test characteristics with BHB determined with RSM and hence can accurately determine whole blood, plasma and serum BHB in cows and buffaloes.

Isophthaloyl-Based Selective Fluorescence Receptor for Zn (II) Ion in Semi-Aqueous Medium.

A novel Isophthaloyl-based symmetrical (12E,21E)-N1',N3'-bis(2-hydroxybenzylidene) isophthalohydrazide, receptor (1) was synthesized and characterized using various spectroscopic technique. The reorganization ability of receptor (1) was evaluated in semi-aqueous medium and shows significant enhancement in fluorescence intensity for Zn (II) ion over various metal ions in CH3CN:H2O (1:1, v/v). The 1:2 binding stoichiometry between receptor (1) and Zn (II) ion was established using Job's plot and the proposed complex structure was calculated by applying Density Functional Theory (DFT) method. The binding constant (Ka) of receptor (1) with Zn (II) ion was established with the Benesi-Hildebrand plot, Scatchard and Connor's plot and the values are 1.00 × 104 M-1, 1.05× 104 M-1 and 1.05× 104 M-1 respectively. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of receptor (1) and Zn (II) ion was 0.292 µM and 0.974 µM respectively. The binding mode was due to photo-induced electron transfer (PET) and the coordination of Zn (II) ion with C = N hydroxyl group of receptor (1). Electrochemical analysis of metal free receptor (1) and with Zn (II) ion also confirmed the formation of complex.

Selective modification of fluciclovine (18F) transport in prostate carcinoma xenografts.

We investigated if previously demonstrated inhibition of fluciclovine (18F) in vitro could be replicated in a PC3-Luc xenograft mouse model. Following intratumoral injection of 2-aminobicyclo-(2,2,1)-heptane-2-carboxylic acid (BCH), alpha-(methylamino)isobutyric acid (MeAIB) or saline, fluciclovine PET tumor-to-background activity was 43.6 (± 5.4)% and 25.3 (± 5.2)% lower in BCH (n = 6) and MeAIB (n = 5) injected PC3 Luc xenografts, respectively, compared to saline-injected controls (n = 2). Partial inhibition of fluciclovine uptake by BCH and MeAIB can be demonstrated in vivo similar to previous in vitro modeling.

Quasiballistic quantum transport through Ge/Si core/shell nanowires.

We study signatures of ballistic quantum transport of holes through Ge/Si core/shell nanowires at low temperatures. We observe Fabry-Pérot interference patterns as well as conductance plateaus at integer multiples of 2e 2/h at zero magnetic field. Magnetic field evolution of these plateaus reveals relatively large effective Landé g-factors. Ballistic effects are observed in nanowires with silicon shell thickness of 1-3 nm, but not in bare germanium wires. These findings inform the future development of spin and topological quantum devices which rely on ballistic sub-band-resolved transport.

Malsoor virus, a novel bat phlebovirus, is closely related to severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus and heartland virus.

During a survey in the year 2010, a novel phlebovirus was isolated from the Rousettus leschenaultii species of bats in western India. The virus was identified by electron microscopy from infected Vero E6 cells. Phylogenic analysis of the complete genome showed its close relation to severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) and Heartland viruses, which makes it imperative to further study its natural ecology and potential as a novel emerging zoonotic virus.

Preclinical to clinical translation of CNS transporter occupancy of TD-9855, a novel norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake inhibitor.

BACKGROUND: Monoamine reuptake inhibitors exhibit unique clinical profiles that reflect distinct engagement of the central nervous system (CNS) transporters. METHODS: We used a translational strategy, including rodent pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging in humans, to establish the transporter profile of TD-9855, a novel norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake inhibitor. RESULTS: TD-9855 was a potent inhibitor of norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin 5-HT uptake in vitro with an inhibitory selectivity of 4- to 10-fold for NE at human and rat transporters. TD-9855 engaged norepinephrine transporters (NET) and serotonin transporters (SERT) in rat spinal cord, with a plasma EC50 of 11.7 ng/mL and 50.8 ng/mL, respectively, consistent with modest selectivity for NET in vivo. Accounting for species differences in protein binding, the projected human NET and SERT plasma EC50 values were 5.5 ng/mL and 23.9 ng/mL, respectively. A single-dose, open-label PET study (4-20mg TD-9855, oral) was conducted in eight healthy males using the radiotracers [(11)C]-3-amino-4- [2-[(di(methyl)amino)methyl]phenyl]sulfanylbenzonitrile for SERT and [(11)C]-(S,S)-methylreboxetine for NET. The long pharmacokinetic half-life (30-40 h) of TD-9855 allowed for sequential assessment of SERT and NET occupancy in the same subject. The plasma EC50 for NET was estimated to be 1.21 ng/mL, and at doses of greater than 4 mg the projected steady-state NET occupancy is high (>75%). After a single oral dose of 20mg, SERT occupancy was 25 (±8)% at a plasma level of 6.35 ng/mL. CONCLUSIONS: These data establish the CNS penetration and transporter profile of TD-9855 and inform the selection of potential doses for future clinical evaluation.

Synthesis of some novel quinone diimine derivatives of benzo-15-crown-5 for application in Hg(2+) recognition.

A series of novel fluoroionophore bearing derivatives of benzo-15-crown-5 were synthesized by the amination of benzo-15-crown-5 followed by condensation with different quinones in the presence of titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4 ) and 1,4-diazabicyclo-[2.2.2]octane. The compounds were characterized by infrared, (1) H and (13) C nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Absorption and fluorescence spectral characteristics of these compounds were studied. It was observed that the anthraquinone derivative was acting as an Hg(2+) ion sensor.

Comparative evaluation of hand and rotary file systems on dentinal microcrack formation during pulpectomy procedure in primary teeth: an in vitro study.

PURPOSE: Pulpectomy can be used for the management of deep dentinal carious lesions in primary teeth which can be restored. Mechanical preparation of root canals can be performed using hand or NiTi rotary files. However, this may cause dentinal stress and consequently dentinal microcracks. Hence, the aim was comparative evaluation of hand and rotary file systems on dentinal microcrack formation during pulpectomy procedure in primary teeth. METHODS: 60 extracted primary molar teeth were selected comprising of 80 root canals. Simple random sampling was used to divide root canals into four groups (n = 20): Group A-Hedstrom file, Group B-Pro AF Baby Gold rotary, Group C-ProTaper Next rotary, and Group D-unprepared group. Assessment was conducted on presence or absence of microcracks using Chi square test (p < 0.05). RESULTS: The total number of microcracks in Group A: one (5%), Group B: four (20%), Group C: nine (45%) and Group D: zero (0%) which was statistically significant (p = 0.002). At cervical third, the number of microcracks seen with Group A: one (5%), Group B: zero (0%), Group C: five (25%) and Group D: zero (0%) (p = 0.005). At the middle third, the number of microcracks seen in Group A: zero (0%), Group B: four (20%), Group C: four (20%) and Group D: zero (0%) (p = 0.029). CONCLUSION: The study concluded that dentinal microcracks are formed with both hand and rotary file systems in primary teeth. ProTaper Next showed significantly higher number of microcracks, followed by ProAF Baby Gold and H files.

Multi-environment testing for G×E interactions and identification of high-yielding, stable, medium-duration pigeonpea genotypes employing AMMI, GGE biplot, and YREM analyses.

Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millspaugh] is a widely grown pulse with high seed protein content that contributes to food and nutritional security in the Indian subcontinent. The majority of pigeonpea varieties cultivated in India are of medium duration (<180 days to maturity), which makes it essential for breeders to focus on the development of stable high-yielding varieties. The diverse agroecological regime in the Indian subcontinent necessitates an efficient multi-environment study by taking into consideration genotype (G) × environment (E) interaction (GEI) that has a significant impact on traits like grain yield (GY) in developing high-yielding and widely adaptable varieties. In the present study, 37 pigeonpea genotypes were evaluated during the 2021 rainy season at ARS Badnapur, ARS Tandur, BAU Ranchi, GKVK Bengaluru, and ICRISAT Patancheru. The GEI was significant on the grain yield (p < 0.01), and hence, genotype + genotype × environment (GGE) and additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) biplots along with AMMI stability value (ASV) and yield relative to environmental maximum (YREM) statistics were used to identify stable high-yielding genotypes. The interaction principal component analysis 1 and 2 (IPC1 and IPC2) explained 40.6% and 23.3% variations, respectively. Based on the rankings of genotypes, G37 (ICPL 20205), G35 (ICPL 20203), G8 (ICPL 19404), G17 (ICPL 19415), and G9 (ICPL 19405) were identified as ideal genotypes. Discriminativeness vs. representativeness identified GKVK Bengaluru as an ideal environment for comprehensive evaluation of test genotypes. However, ICPL 19405 was identified as the potentially stable high-yielding genotype for further testing and release across the test environments based on its mean grain yield (1,469.30 kg/ha), least ASV (3.82), and low yield stability index (YSI) of 13.

Development and evaluation of Fusarium wilt-resistant and high-yielding chickpea advanced breeding line, KCD 11.

Fusarium wilt (FW) is the most severe soil-borne disease of chickpea that causes yield losses up to 100%. To improve FW resistance in JG 11, a high-yielding variety that became susceptible to FW, we used WR 315 as the donor parent and followed the pedigree breeding method. Based on disease resistance and yield performance, four lines were evaluated in station trials during 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 at Kalaburagi, India. Further, two lines, namely, Kalaburagi chickpea desi 5 (KCD 5) and KCD 11, which possesses the resistance allele for a specific single-nucleotide polymorphism marker linked with FW resistance, were evaluated across six different locations (Bidar, Kalaburagi, Raichur, Siruguppa, Bhimarayanagudi and Hagari) over a span of 3 years (2020-2021, 2021-2022 and 2022-2023). KCD 11 exhibited notable performance, showcasing yield advantages of 8.67%, 11.26% and 23.88% over JG 11, and the regional checks Super Annigeri 1 (SA 1) and Annigeri 1, respectively, with enhanced FW resistance in wilt sick plot. Further, KCD 11 outperformed JG 11, SA 1 and Annigeri 1 in multi-location trials conducted across three seasons in the North Eastern Transition Zone, North Eastern Dry Zone, and North Dry Zones of Karnataka. KCD 11 was also tested in trials conducted by All India Coordinated Research Project on chickpea and was also nominated for state varietal trials for its release as a FW-resistant and high-yielding variety. The selected line is anticipated to cater the needs of chickpea growers with the dual advantage of yield increment and disease resistance.

A rising tide: the increasing age and psychiatric length of stay for individuals with mild intellectual disabilities.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether the substantial decline in number and duration of admissions for patients with intellectual disability (ID) have occurred uniformly over time with respect to age, gender, severity of disability, legal status and location of treatment. METHOD: A retrospective analysis of NHS (National Health Service) admissions for ID and use of NHS ID beds in England between 1998/9 and 2007/8. RESULTS: NHS admissions for ID halved from 37,736 to 18,091, and admissions with a primary diagnosis of ID to beds reduced by 71% from 21,866 to 6420. This reduction was most marked among children with the result that the average age of those admitted increased from 26 years to 36 years. Mean length of stay shortened except for mild ID where it increased from 131 days to 244 days (the median increased from 6 days to 32 days). There was an 18% reduction in the number of patients with ID who were legally detained to NHS facilities but a 170% increase in those to private facilities (from 202 to 545). CONCLUSIONS: The number of patients with ID admitted to NHS facilities, especially children, has fallen dramatically. There has been a marked shift towards legal detentions to private facilities. The most notable finding was the increased duration of admissions for those with mild ID, possibly indicating that substituting mainstream for specialist services for this group has had negative consequences.

PM10 in the ambient air of Chandrapur coal mine and its comparison with other environments.

This study compares the ambient air particulate matter (PM10) data of 15 different coal mine environments. For most of these mine environments, the monitoring was carried out by different researchers using respirable dust sampler (RDS) that separates PM10 by centrifugal inertial separation. At two sites--Padmapur and Ghugus (Chandrapur, Maharashtra, India)--mass inertial impaction-based sampler was used for PM10 monitoring. It is observed that the spatiotemporal average value of ambient air PM10 monitored using mass inertial impactor reports relatively higher values (240-372 µg/m(3)) compared to those monitored using RDS (<227 µg/m(3)). In order to realize the severity of mine area pollution, it is compared with PM10 values found in an urban area (Delhi, India). It is found that PM10 values in Delhi (using mass inertial impactor) are much higher (300-400 µg/m(3)) than those reported for the mine environment. The data seems to indicate that the mine environment is relatively cleaner than urban air and therefore raises doubt about the appropriateness of using either mass impactor or RDS for PM10 sampling.

9-(4-Hy-droxy-3-meth-oxy-phen-yl)-3,3,6,6-tetra-methyl-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10-deca-hydro-acridine-1,8-dione.

In the title mol-ecule, C24H29NO4, the central ring of the acridinedione system adopts a flat boat conformation and the four essentially planar atoms of this ring [maximum deviation = 0.001 (2) Å] form a dihedral angle of 85.99 (12)° with the benzene ring. The two outer rings of the acridinedione system adopt sofa conformations. In the crystal, O-H⋯O and N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol-ecules, forming a two-dimensional network parallel to (100).

9-(3-Fluoro-phen-yl)-3,3,6,6-tetra-methyl-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10-deca-hydro-acridine-1,8-dione.

In the title mol-ecule, C23H26FNO2, the central ring of the acridinedione system adopts a slight boat conformation and the four essentially planar atoms of this ring [maximum deviation = 0.019 (1) Å] form a dihedral angle of 89.98 (6)° with the benzene ring. The two outer rings of the acridinedione system adopt sofa conformations. In the crystal, N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol-ecules, forming chains along [001].

2-Amino-7,7-dimethyl-5-oxo-4-[3-(trifluoro-meth-yl)phen-yl]-1,4,5,6,7,8-hexa-hydro-quinoline-3-carbonitrile.

In the title mol-ecule, C19H18F3N3O, the dihydro-pyridine and cyclo-hexene rings both adopt sofa conformations. The five essentially planar atoms of the dihydro-pyridine ring [maximum deviation = 0.039 (2) Å] form a dihedral angle of 88.19 (8)° with the benzene ring. The F atoms of the trifluoro-methyl group were refined as disordered over two sets of sites in a 0.840 (3):0.160 (3) ratio. In the crystal, N-H⋯O and N-H⋯N hydrogen bonds link mol-ecules into a two-dimensional network parallel to (100).

2-Amino-7,7-dimethyl-5-oxo-4-[3-(trifluoro-meth-yl)phen-yl]-5,6,7,8-tetra-hydro-4H-chromene-3-carbonitrile.

In the title mol-ecule, C19H17F3N2O2, the fused cyclo-hexene and pyran rings adopt sofa and flattened boat conformations, respectively. The four essentially planar atoms of the pyran ring [maximum deviation = 0.008 (2) Å] form a dihedral angle of 88.13 (9)° with the benzene ring. The F atoms of the trifluoro-methyl group were refined as disordered over three sets of sites in a 0.507 (7):0.330 (7):0.163 (3) ratio. In the crystal, mol-ecules are connected into inversion dimers via pairs of N-H⋯N hydrogen bonds and these dimers are further linked by N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds into a two-dimensional network parallel to (100).

2-[(Dimethyl-amino)-methyl-idene]propane-dinitrile.

In the title moleclue, C6H7N3, the mean plane of the dimethyl-amino group [maximum deviation = 0.006 (2) Å] forms a dihedral angle of 7.95 (18)° with the mean plane of the propane-dinitrile fragment [maximum deviation = 0.008 (2) Å]. In the crystal, weak C-H⋯N hydrogen bonds link the mol-ecules into a three-dimensional network.