Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Seedless Fruit Production by Hormonal Regulation of Fruit Set

Seed and fruit development are intimately related processes controlled by internal signals and environmental cues. The absence of seeds is usually appreciated by consumers and producers because it increases fruit quality and fruit shelf-life. One method to produce seedless fruit is to develop plants able to produce fruits independently from pollination and fertilization of the ovules. The onset of fruit growth is under the control of phytohormones. Recent genomic studies have greatly contributed to elucidate the role of phytohormones in regulating fruit initiation, providing at the same time genetic methods for introducing seedlessness in horticultural plants.
Vitamin D and tuberculosis: review and association in three rural provinces of Afghanistan.

OBJECTIVES 1) To update the 2006 systematic review and meta-analysis by Nnoaham & Clarke exploring the association between serum vitamin D and risk of active tuberculosis (TB) following discrepant evidence; and 2) to identify whether TB and vitamin D are associated in rural Afghanistan. METHODS Systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published between January 1980 and June 2014 using Nnoaham & Clarke's methodology. For this case-control study, 90 age- and sex-matched pairs were recruited from rural provinces, and blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Sixteen studies were eligible for review. Eleven showed differences between vitamin D levels in TB patients and controls, two showed partial differences and three showed none. Studies on African and European populations show lower vitamin D levels in TB patients, but results from Asia vary. No significant differences were found in vitamin D levels in our rural Afghan population. Controls had a higher body mass index (BMI) (mean control BMI 21.50 kg/m(2), mean case BMI 18.86 kg/m(2), P < 0.001), and were more likely to have been employed (40% of controls, 15.6% of cases, P = 0.002). CONCLUSION Genetic differences may account for the differences among study results in the systematic review. Vitamin D levels are not associated with TB among Afghans living in these rural provinces.
The Corrosion Resistance of The Ukrainian Steel Embedded in Concrete after and before quenching

The corrosion resistance of the Ukrainian structural steel(0.22%C) and dual-phase steel which produced from it and embedded in concrete was carried out in this investigation, a test specimens of the Ukrainian steel was prepared and heated to a different temperatures )730 . 760 , 790 , 820 , 850, 860 , and8700C( for (50 min) holding time and then quenched in water , a dual-phase steel with a different volumetric fraction of martensite (4.5, 12.6 , 21.4 , 43.2 , 64.8 ,85.3 ,and 100%Ms ) was produced respectively . Test specimens of Ukrainian steel and of dual-phase steel were initially curing in different mediums (Kufa river water, 3.5%NaCl solution, and Arabian gulf water) for (21 Days) , to know the effect of the volumetric fraction of martensite on the corrosion resistance, also another specimens of Ukrainian steel and of (21.4%Ms) dual-phase steel immersed in concrete which conforming to ( Bs 532: Part 2: 1990) and after (1 Day) cured in water for (7) days ,to find the effect of the embedded in concrete on the corrosion resistance were cured to the same above test . Corrosion rates were measured by using a modified Tafel extrapolation corrosion test technique (ASTM G 109) , which entails voltage control and current quantifications. In addition, the (CMS-105) system was employed for daily observations on steel bars immersed in similar curing conditions . The parameters measured included corrosion potential (Ecorr), corrosion current (Icorr), polarization resistance (Rp), and corrosion rate (Rcorr.) for all specimens . The experimental results showed that all the dual-phase steel rebar, embedded or not embedded in concrete, have more times corrosion resistant than Ukrainian structural steel for all used mediums (Kufa river water, 3.5%NaCl solution, and Arabian gulf water), because dual-phase steel contains no carbide and most of the carbon atoms are trapped in the martensite structure , and the Ukrainian steel contains the eutectoid carbide that is susceptible to pitting corrosion , and because of the presence of pearlite phase in the microstructure , also there was an effective for the martensite ,s volume percentage (%Ms) on the corrosion resistance of dual-phase steel embedded in concrete ,when it was increased the corrosion resistance increased also.
Glutamine Supplementation of Parenteral Nutrition Does Not Improve Intestinal Permeability, Nitrogen Balance, or Outcome in Newborns and Infants Undergoing Digestive-Tract Surgery: Results From a Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Trial

Objective:To assess the effect of isocaloric isonitrogenous parenteral glutamine supplementation on intestinal permeability and nitrogen loss in newborns and infants after major digestive-tract surgery. Summary Background Data:Glutamine supplementation in critically ill and surgical adults may normalize intestinal permeability, attenuate nitrogen loss, improve survival, and lower the incidence of nosocomial infections. Previous studies in critically ill children were limited to very-low-birthweight infants and had equivocal results. Methods:Eighty newborns and infants were included in a double-blind, randomized trial comparing standard parenteral nutrition (sPN; n = 39) to glutamine-supplemented parenteral nutrition (GlnPN; glutamine target intake, 0.4 g kg−1 day−1; n = 41), starting on day 2 after major digestive-tract surgery. Primary endpoints were intestinal permeability, as assessed by the urinary excretion ratio of lactulose and rhamnose (weeks 1 through 4); nitrogen balance (days 4 through 6), and urinary 3-methylhistidine excretion (day 5). Secondary endpoints were mortality, length of stay in the ICU and the hospital, number of septic episodes, and usage of antibiotics and ICU resources. Results:Glutamine intake plateaued at 90% of the target on day 4. No differences were found between patients assigned sPN and patients assigned GlnPN regarding any of the endpoints. Glutamine supplementation was not associated with adverse effects. Conclusions:In newborns and infants after major digestive-tract surgery, we did not identify beneficial effects of isonitrogenous, isocaloric glutamine supplementation of parenteral nutrition. Glutamine supplementation in these patients therefore is not warranted until further research proves otherwise.
FGF alters epithelial competence for EGF at the initiation of branching morphogenesis of mouse submandibular gland

Embryonic day 13 mouse submandibular gland (E13‐SMG) rudiments with two to four clefts have been commonly used in culture experiments to show that growth factors, such as epidermal growth factor (EGF) ‐family and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) ‐family ligands, are involved in branching morphogenesis. In the present study, we focused on E12 rudiments and attempted to elucidate the roles of EGF‐ and FGF‐family ligands in SMG development from E12 to E13. In mesenchyme‐free, Matrigel‐embedded cultures, EGF + lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) induced branching in E13 epithelium, whereas E12 epithelium remained spherical and no branching occurred under the same culture conditions; however, both E12 and E13 epithelia elongated in response to FGF10. Reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction studies showed that the expression of ErbB1 among four EGF receptors and Lpa3 among three LPA receptors was lower in E12 than in E13 epithelia. Fgf10, Fgf7, and their major receptor Fgfr2b were highly and equally expressed in E12 and E13 rudiments. After 24 hr of mesenchyme‐free culture with FGF10 or FGF7, E12 epithelium was primed to initiate branching morphogenesis in response to EGF + LPA coincident with ErbB1 and Lpa3 up‐regulation. These results suggest that the EGF‐family ligand–receptor system is undeveloped at E12 and that it becomes primed on E13 by the FGF ligand–receptor system to play an important role in the induction of branching morphogenesis. Developmental Dynamics 238:315–323, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
PLA-SiO2 nanocomposite films: morphological and mechanical properties and specific end-use characteristics

Objective(s): Application of eco-friendly materials like poly lactic acid (PLA) is increasing, to reduce environmental pollutions. In this research, the effect of silicon dioxide 1%, 3% and 5% nanoparticles on morphological, mechanical and chemicals interaction (FTIR) of PLA film was studied. Materials and Methods: Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used, to consider morphological structure of nanocomposites. Mechanical characteristics of films, measurement of tensile strength, elongation at break point and Yong modulus also were considered by using tensile device and ASTM D 882. The FT-IR spectrum of films with PERKIN ELMER 1650, FT-IR spectrophotometer was recorded. Results: Morphological evaluation of PLA composite strings shows desirable and steady distribution of nanoparticles for the sample with 1 percent weight of Silica volume and by increasing Silica contents from 1 to 5 percent, nanoparticles start to form mass. Comparison of average of tensile resistance, elongation at break point and Young modulus in pure PLA film with PLA film including 1% SiO2 shows insignificance of average of these groups (P>0.05). In the consideration, FTIR shows proper distribution of nano-SiO2 dioxide in film composites and connection is created and doesn’t have difference with pure PLA. Conclusion: Performed considerations show that PLA films containing SiO2 have proper potential for application in packaging mechanically.
Neighborhood Poverty and Kidney Transplantation Among US Asians and Pacific Islanders with End‐Stage Renal Disease

The degree to which low transplant rates among Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States are confounded by poverty and reduced access to care is unknown. We examined the relationship between neighborhood poverty and kidney transplant rates among 22 152 patients initiating dialysis during 1995–2003 within 1800 ZIP codes in California, Hawaii and the US‐Pacific Islands. Asians and whites on dialysis were distributed across the spectrum of poverty, while Pacific Islanders were clustered in the poorest areas. Overall, worsening neighborhood poverty was associated with lower relative rates of transplant (adjusted HR [95% CI] for areas with ≥20% vs. <5% residents living in poverty, 0.41 [0.32–0.53], p < 0.001). At every level of poverty, Asians and Pacific Islanders experienced lower transplant rates compared with whites. The degree of disparity increased with worsening neighborhood poverty (adjusted HR [95% CI] for Asians–Pacific Islanders vs. whites, 0.64 [0.51–0.80], p < 0.001 for areas with <5% and 0.30 [0.21–0.44], p < 0.001 for areas with ≥20% residents living in poverty; race–poverty level interaction, p = 0.039). High levels of neighborhood poverty are associated with lower transplant rates among Asians and Pacific Islanders compared with whites. Our findings call for studies to identify cultural and local barriers to transplant among Asians and Pacific Islanders, particularly those residing in resource‐poor neighborhoods.
Preparation and mechanical performance of small-diameter PHBHHx vascular graft by electrospinning

Abstract The straight and corrugated PHBHHx (Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxhexanoate)) vascular grafts with 6 mm inner diameters were prepared successfully by electrospinning. Moreover, their mechanical behaviors were investigated compared with the commercial vascular grafts (SW-ePTFE woven). Electrospun PHBHHx fibers had a submicron scale. Straight grafts and SW-ePTFE grafts exhibited higher Young’s modulus and tensile breaking strength in the circumferential direction than the corrugated grafts, but the break and elastic recovery rate were lower. Both the straight and corrugated samples had lower suture strength than the SW-ePTFE samples, but still satisfied the requirement of transplantation of small diameter vascular. The compliance of corrugated grafts was similar to SW-ePTFE grafts and lower than straight grafts. The results of hemolytic and cytotoxicity tests demonstrated that both the straight and corrugated grafts had good hemocompatibility and no cytotoxicity. Therefore, the results of this study showed the potential application of electrospun PHBHHX vascular grafts as small diameter vascular grafts. Graphical Abstract
Kinematic motion analysis of the joints of the forelimbs and hind limbs of dogs during walking exercise regimens.

OBJECTIVE To assess forelimbs and hind limb joint kinematics in dogs during walking on an inclined slope (uphill), on a declined slope (downhill), or over low obstacles (cavaletti) on a horizontal surface and compare findings with data acquired during unimpeded walking on a horizontal surface. ANIMALS 8 nonlame dogs (mean +/- SD age, 3.4 +/- 2.0 years; weight, 23.6 +/- 4.6 kg). PROCEDURES By use of 10 high-speed cameras and 10 reflecting markers located on the left forelimbs and hind limbs, joint kinematics were recorded for each dog during uphill walking, downhill walking, and walking over low obstacles or unimpeded on a horizontal surface. Each exercise was recorded 6 times (10 s/cycle); joint angulations, angle velocities and accelerations, and range of motion for shoulder, elbow, carpal, hip, stifle, and tarsal joints were calculated for comparison. RESULTS Compared with unimpeded walking, obstacle exercise significantly increased flexion of the elbow, carpal, stifle, and tarsal joints and extension in the carpal and stifle joints. Only uphill walking caused increased hip joint flexion and decreased stifle joint flexion; downhill walking caused less flexion of the hip joint. During obstacle exercise, forward angle velocities in the elbow and stifle joints and retrograde velocity in the tarsal joint changed significantly, compared with unimpeded walking. Joint angle acceleration of the elbow joint changed significantly during all 3 evaluated exercises. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE These evidence-based data indicated that each evaluated exercise, except for downhill walking, has a specific therapeutic value in physical therapy for dogs.
Impact of androgen-deprivation therapy on physical function and quality of life in men with nonmetastatic prostate cancer.

PURPOSE This prospective longitudinal study evaluated the effect of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) on objective and self-reported physical function. PATIENTS AND METHODS Men with nonmetastatic prostate cancer (PC) starting continuous ADT were enrolled in this matched cohort study. Physical function was assessed with the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), grip strength, and the timed-up-and-go (TUG) test, representing endurance and upper and lower extremity strength, respectively. Quality of life (QOL) was measured with the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire. Subjects were assessed at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. Two control groups (PC without ADT; no PC), matched on age, education, and baseline function were enrolled. Mixed effects regression models were fitted, adjusting for baseline covariates. RESULTS We enrolled 87 patients on ADT, 86 PC controls, and 86 healthy controls; groups were similar in age (mean, 69.1 years; range, 50 to 87) and physical function. The 6MWT distance remained stable in the ADT group (P = .96) but improved in both control groups (P < .05). Grip strength declined in the ADT group (P = .04), remained stable in PC controls (P = .31), and improved in healthy controls (P = .008). TUG scores remained stable over time and across groups (P > .10). The SF-36 physical function summary score declined in the ADT group (P < .001), but increased in both control groups (P < .001). Negative effects on outcomes were observed within 3 months of starting ADT and were generally independent of age. CONCLUSION Endurance, upper extremity strength, and physical components of QOL are affected within 3 months of starting ADT. Up-front exercise interventions to counteract these losses are warranted.
Maternal and umbilical cord ischemia-modified albumin levels in nonreassuring fetal heart rate tracings regarding the mode of delivery

Objective: To evaluate umbilical cord blood ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels in cases of fetal distress (FD) and to explore fetal blood IMA levels regarding the route of delivery. Methods: Umbilical cord and maternal serum IMA concentrations were assessed in term 40 cases with cesarean section (CS) due to FD, 76 cases with elective repeat CS and 85 cases with noncomplicated vaginal delivery. Results: The maternal and umbilical cord IMA levels were significantly lower in vaginal deliveries when compared with CS cases either in FD or previous CS groups (p = 0.02). Although no statistically significant difference was found in IMA levels of CS groups (previous CS vs. FD), cord blood IMA levels tend to be higher in FD group. Neither demographic characteristics nor fetal outcome parameters were found to have any correlation with maternal IMA levels. However, umbilical cord IMA levels were found to be negatively correlated with 1th min Apgar scores (r = –0.143, p = 0.043). Conclusions: IMA seems to be responsive to hypoxic FD showing the highest levels in cases with severe fetal hypoxia. Higher levels of IMA in cases with elective repeat CS might indicate acute transient hypoxia and possible myocardial ischemia in these cases.
Carotid Plaques Correlates in Patients With Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) are at increased risk of premature cardiovascular disease. We compared factors associated with the presence of carotid plaques and carotid intima–media thickness (cIMT), markers of subclinical atherosclerosis, in 241 patients with FH (98, 40.7% men; mean age 41 ± 18.4 years). Patients with FH having carotid plaques (36.5%) had mean age, apolipoprotein (apo) B, glucose, apoA1, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic BP, waist/hip ratio (WHR), and body mass index higher than patients without plaques. Logistic regression revealed that apoB (odds ratio [OR] per 1 unit change 1.03, P = .005), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C; OR per 1 standard deviation [SD] change 0.59, P = .015), and non-HDL-C (OR per 1SD change 1.53, P = .04) were significantly associated with the presence of plaques. The cIMT correlated with obesity parameters, BP, apoB, glucose, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, creatinine, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, and alanine transaminase (P < .001). Regression analysis revealed that cIMT was significantly associated with apoB, SBP, and WHR. These results confirm the role of apoB-containing lipoproteins and low HDL-C with the presence of carotid plaques and apoB, BP, and WHR with cIMT.
Reduced incidence of pneumonia in influenza‐vaccinated solid organ transplant recipients with influenza disease

Abstract Whether influenza vaccination influences the severity of illness in cases of clinical failure in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients receiving influenza vaccine has not been extensively studied. Our goal was to evaluate the frequency of influenza vaccination among SOT recipients with influenza disease and its impact on the illness severity during the 2010–2011 season. Adult SOT recipients with confirmed influenza infection were included from December 2010 to April 2011. Follow-up data were recorded and antibody titres were determined using a microneutralization assay. Sixty-four SOT recipients were included in the study, ten (15.6%) with severe disease, requiring admission to intensive care units, of whom four (6.3%) died. In all, 34 (53.1%) received the 2010–2011 seasonal influenza vaccine and 32 (50.0%) received the 2009-H1N1 pandemic vaccine, and none had detectable antibodies against influenza at the time of diagnosis of influenza infection. Twenty-three (67.6%) of the patients that received the vaccine required hospital admission and presented less dyspnoea (10, 29.4% versus 14 (50.0%), p 0.09) and pneumonia (8, 23.8% versus 15, 50.0%, p 0.03, relative risk 0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.9) than unvaccinated patients, with relative risk reductions of 60% and 70%, respectively. Although influenza vaccination confers protection on SOT recipients against developing influenza pneumonia, the rate of clinical failure is still high. New strategies to improve influenza immunization are needed for this group of patients.
A mechanistic physicochemical model of carbon dioxide transport in blood.

A number of mathematical models have been produced that, given the Pco2 and Po2 of blood, will calculate the total concentrations for CO2 and O2 in blood. However, all these models contain at least some empirical features, and thus do not represent all of the underlying physicochemical processes in an entirely mechanistic manner. The aim of this study was to develop a physicochemical model of CO2 carriage by the blood to determine whether our understanding of the physical chemistry of the major chemical components of blood together with their interactions is sufficiently strong to predict the physiological properties of CO2 carriage by whole blood. Standard values are used for the ionic composition of the blood, the plasma albumin concentration, and the hemoglobin concentration. All Km values required for the model are taken from the literature. The distribution of bicarbonate, chloride, and H+ ions across the red blood cell membrane follows that of a Gibbs-Donnan equilibrium. The system of equations that results is solved numerically using constraints for mass balance and electroneutrality. The model reproduces the phenomena associated with CO2 carriage, including the magnitude of the Haldane effect, very well. The structural nature of the model allows various hypothetical scenarios to be explored. Here we examine the effects of 1) removing the ability of hemoglobin to form carbamino compounds; 2) allowing a degree of Cl- binding to deoxygenated hemoglobin; and 3) removing the chloride (Hamburger) shift. The insights gained could not have been obtained from empirical models. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study is the first to incorporate a mechanistic model of chloride-bicarbonate exchange between the erythrocyte and plasma into a full physicochemical model of the carriage of carbon dioxide in blood. The mechanistic nature of the model allowed a theoretical study of the quantitative significance for carbon dioxide transport of carbamino compound formation; the putative binding of chloride to deoxygenated hemoglobin, and the chloride (Hamburger) shift.
Enhancing the Quantum Anomalous Hall Effect by Magnetic Codoping in a Topological Insulator

The quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) effect, which has been realized in magnetic topological insulators (TIs), is the key to applications of dissipationless quantum Hall edge states in electronic devices. However, investigations and utilizations of the QAH effect are limited by the ultralow temperatures needed to reach full quantization—usually below 100 mK in either Cr‐ or V‐doped (Bi,Sb)2Te3 of the two experimentally confirmed QAH materials. Here it is shown that by codoping Cr and V magnetic elements in (Bi,Sb)2Te3 TI, the temperature of the QAH effect can be significantly increased such that full quantization is achieved at 300 mK, and zero‐field Hall resistance of 0.97 h/e2 is observed at 1.5 K. A systematic transport study of the codoped (Bi,Sb)2Te3 films with varied Cr/V ratios reveals that magnetic codoping improves the homogeneity of ferromagnetism and modulates the surface band structure. This work demonstrates magnetic codoping to be an effective strategy for achieving high‐temperature QAH effect in TIs.
Influenza D Virus in Cattle, France, 2011–2014

A new influenza virus, genus D, isolated in US pigs and cattle, has also been circulating in cattle in France. It was first identified there in 2011, and an increase was detected in 2014. The virus genome in France is 94%–99% identical to its US counterpart, which suggests intercontinental spillover.