Shifts in geographic vulnerability of US corn crops under different climate change scenarios: corn flea beetle (Chaetocnema pulicaria) and Stewart's Wilt (Pantoea stewartii) bacterium.

Changing climate patterns will likely affect insect pressure on many agricultural crops. Mild winters may decrease the number of insects that experience reduced fecundity or that are killed during hard freezes. This may result in larger populations in subsequent years and allow for range expansion.

Asymmetric Dirhodium-Catalyzed Modification of Immunomodulatory Imide Drugs and Their Biological Assessment.

Cereblon (CRBN) has been successfully co-opted to affect the targeted degradation of "undruggable" proteins with immunomodulatory imide drugs (IMiDs). IMiDs act as molecule glues that facilitate ternary complex formation between CRBN and a target protein, leading to ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Subtle structural modifications often cause profound and sometimes unpredictable changes in the degradation selectivity.

Identifying predictors of . in rural household water in sub-Saharan Africa using elimination regression.

Exposure to fecally contaminated drinking water contributes to the global disease burden, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We used cross-sectional data and elimination regression analysis to examine factors influencing contamination in household drinking water samples from 4,499 rural households in nine countries in SSA (Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia in Southern Africa; Ghana, Mali, and Niger in Western Africa; and Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania in Eastern Africa). The proportion of household water samples containing was 71%, ranging from 45% (Malawi) to 89% (Tanzania).

Utilizing genomic prediction to boost hybrid performance in a sweet corn breeding program.

Sweet corn breeding programs, like field corn, focus on the development of elite inbred lines to produce commercial hybrids. For this reason, genomic selection models can help the prediction of hybrid crosses from the elite lines, which is hypothesized to improve the test cross scheme, leading to higher genetic gain in a breeding program. This study aimed to explore the potential of implementing genomic selection in a sweet corn breeding program through hybrid prediction in a within-site across-year and across-site framework.

Anhydrous and Stereoretentive Fluoride-Enhanced Suzuki-Miyaura Coupling of Immunomodulatory Imide Drug Derivatives.

Immunomodulatory imide drugs form the core of many pharmaceutically relevant structures, but C-C bond formation via metal-catalyzed cross coupling is difficult due to the sensitivity of the glutarimide ring ubiquitous in these structures. We report that replacement of the traditional alkali base with a fluoride source enhances a previously challenging Suzuki-Miyaura coupling on glutarimide-containing compounds with trifluoroborates. These enabling conditions are reactive enough to generate these derivatives in high yields but mild enough to preserve both the glutarimide and its sensitive stereocenter.

First report of severe tolpyralate sensitivity in corn (Zea mays) discovers a novel genetic factor conferring crop response to a herbicide.

Background: Tolpyralate, a relatively new inhibitor of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD), is registered for postemergence use in all types of corn (Zea mays L.) and has a record of excellent crop tolerance. A report of severe crop injury to sweet corn inbred (XSEN187) led to the following objectives: (i) determine whether sensitivity to tolpyralate in XSEN187 exists, and if confirmed, (ii) determine the genetic basis of tolpyralate sensitivity, and (iii) screen other corn germplasm for sensitivity to tolpyralate.

Systematic evidence mapping informs a class-based approach to assessing personal care products and pubertal timing.

Background: Personal care products (PCPs) contain many different compounds and are a source of exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), including phthalates and phenols. Early-life exposure to EDCs commonly found in PCPs has been linked to earlier onset of puberty.

Objective: To characterize the human and animal evidence on the association between puberty-related outcomes and exposure to PCPs and their chemical constituents and, if there is sufficient evidence, identify groups of chemicals and outcomes to support a systematic review for a class-based hazard or risk assessment.

A Novel 7-[1,2,4]Triazolo[3,4-]thiadiazine-based Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Potentiator Directed toward Treatment of Cystic Fibrosis.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal genetic disorder caused by disrupted anion transport in epithelial cells lining tissues in the human airways and digestive system. While cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulator compounds have provided transformative improvement in CF respiratory function, certain patients exhibit marginal clinical benefit or detrimental effects or have a form of the disease not approved or unlikely to respond using CFTR modulation. We tested hit compounds from a 300,000-drug screen for their ability to augment CFTR transepithelial transport alone or in combination with the FDA-approved CFTR potentiator ivacaftor (VX-770).

Unearthing the Subtleties of Rhodium(II)-Catalyzed Carbenoid Cycloadditions to Furans with an -Sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazole Probe.

The rhodium(II)-catalyzed reaction of a model alkenyl donor/acceptor -sulfonyltriazole with a wide selection of furans is reported. This investigation unearthed a range of structurally diverse carbocyclic and ring-opened products, in good to excellent yields. The products obtained are proposed to arise selectively via cyclopropanation or zwitterionic rearrangement pathways, which are highly dependent on both the structural and electronic features of the furan substrate.

Asymmetric Cyclopropanation with 4-Aryloxy-1-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles: Expanding the Range of Rhodium-Stabilized Donor/Acceptor Carbenes to Systems with an Oxygen Donor Group.

Rhodium-catalyzed enantioselective synthesis of 1-phenoxycyclopropane-1-carbaldehydes by intermolecular cyclopropanation of terminal alkenes followed by imine hydrolysis is described. This methodology utilizes 4-aryloxy-1-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles as the carbene precursors and the chiral dirhodium(II) tetracarboxylates Rh(-NTTL) or Rh(-DPCP) as the catalysts. These reactions are considered to proceed rhodium-stabilized donor/acceptor carbene intermediates, and these studies demonstrate that a heteroatom donor group is compatible with an enantioselective transformation.

Genetic Perturbation of the Starch Biosynthesis in Maize Endosperm Reveals Sugar-Responsive Gene Networks.

In maize, starch mutants have facilitated characterization of key genes involved in endosperm starch biosynthesis such as () and (). While many starch biosynthesis enzymes have been characterized, the mechanisms of certain genes (including ) are yet undefined, and very little is understood about the regulation of starch biosynthesis. As a model, we utilize commercially important sweet corn mutations, and , to genetically perturb starch production in the endosperm.

In Vitro and In Vivo Inhibition of the Phosphopantetheinyl Transferase PptT by Amidinoureas.

A newly validated target for tuberculosis treatment is phosphopantetheinyl transferase, an essential enzyme that plays a critical role in the biosynthesis of cellular lipids and virulence factors in . The structure-activity relationships of a recently disclosed inhibitor, amidinourea (AU) 8918 (), were explored, focusing on the biochemical potency, determination of whole-cell on-target activity for active compounds, and profiling of selective active congeners. These studies show that the AU moiety in AU 8918 is largely optimized and that potency enhancements are obtained in analogues containing a para-substituted aromatic ring.

Genome-wide association study suggests an independent genetic basis of zinc and cadmium concentrations in fresh sweet corn kernels.

Despite being one of the most consumed vegetables in the United States, the elemental profile of sweet corn (Zea mays L.) is limited in its dietary contributions. To address this through genetic improvement, a genome-wide association study was conducted for the concentrations of 15 elements in fresh kernels of a sweet corn association panel.

Factors associated with safe child feces disposal in Ethiopia, India, and Zambia.

Safe child feces disposal (CFD) is defined as a child or caregiver placing or rinsing child feces into an improved sanitation facility. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), 48% of households with children under five report that child feces were safely disposed. Despite its widespread prevalence and harmful health effects, little is known about the determinants of safe CFD.

Genome assembly and population genomic analysis provide insights into the evolution of modern sweet corn.

Sweet corn is one of the most important vegetables in the United States and Canada. Here, we present a de novo assembly of a sweet corn inbred line Ia453 with the mutated shrunken2-reference allele (Ia453-sh2). This mutation accumulates more sugar and is present in most commercial hybrids developed for the processing and fresh markets.

Postoperative outcomes of ventral hernia repair in veterans.

Background: Ventral hernia repair is a common procedure with reported 15% to 37% morbidity and 0.3% to 1.4% mortality rates.

Natural variation for carotenoids in fresh kernels is controlled by uncommon variants in sweet corn.

Sweet corn (Zea mays L.) is highly consumed in the United States, but does not make major contributions to the daily intake of carotenoids (provitamin A carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin) that would help in the prevention of health complications. A genome-wide association study of seven kernel carotenoids and twelve derivative traits was conducted in a sweet corn inbred line association panel ranging from light to dark yellow in endosperm color to elucidate the genetic basis of carotenoid levels in fresh kernels.

Characterizing the Physical Properties and Cell Compatibility of Phytoglycogen Extracted from Different Sweet Corn Varieties.

Owing to its unique structure and properties, the glucose dendrimer phytoglycogen is gaining interest for medical and biotechnology applications. Although many maize variants are available from commercial and academic breeding programs, most applications rely on phytoglycogen extracted from the common maize variant, . Here we characterized the solubility, hydrodynamic diameter, water-binding properties, protein contaminant concentration, and cytotoxicity of phytoglycogens from different maize sources, A632, A619, Wesu7, and Ia453, harboring various mutants.

Maize () is a gene affecting endosperm starch metabolism.

() is a naturally occurring mutant allele involved in starch metabolism in maize endosperm. It is a recessive modifier of () and commercially important in modern sweet corn breeding, but its molecular identity and mode of action remain unknown. Here, we developed a pair of near-isogenic lines, W822Gse () and W822GSe (), that Mendelize the phenotype in an background.

Multiple Maize Reference Genomes Impact the Identification of Variants by Genome-Wide Association Study in a Diverse Inbred Panel.

Use of a single reference genome for genome-wide association studies (GWAS) limits the gene space represented to that of a single accession. This limitation can complicate identification and characterization of genes located within presence-absence variations (PAVs). In this study, we present the draft de novo genome assembly of 'PHJ89', an 'Oh43'-type inbred line of maize ( L.

Genome-Wide Association and Genomic Prediction Models of Tocochromanols in Fresh Sweet Corn Kernels.

Sweet corn ( L.), a highly consumed fresh vegetable in the United States, varies for tocochromanol (tocopherol and tocotrienol) levels but makes only a limited contribution to daily intake of vitamin E and antioxidants. We performed a genome-wide association study of six tocochromanol compounds and 14 derivative traits across a sweet corn inbred line association panel to identify genes associated with natural variation for tocochromanols and vitamin E in fresh kernels.

Effects of long-term exposure to elevated temperature on Zea mays endosperm development during grain fill.

Cereal yields decrease when grain fill proceeds under conditions of prolonged, moderately elevated temperatures. Endosperm-endogenous processes alter both rate and duration of dry weight gain, but underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Heat effects could be mediated by either abnormal, premature cessation of storage compound deposition or accelerated implementation of normal development.

Ovary abortion is prevalent in diverse maize inbred lines and is under genetic control.

Crop improvement programs focus on characteristics that are important for plant productivity. Typically genes underlying these traits are identified and stacked to create improved cultivars. Hence, identification of valuable traits for plant productivity is critical for plant improvement.

Expanding Maize Genetic Resources with Predomestication Alleles: Maize-Teosinte Introgression Populations.

Teosinte ( subsp. H. H.