Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Florigen-Encoding Genes of Day-Neutral and Photoperiod-Sensitive Maize Are Regulated by Different Chromatin Modifications at the Floral Transition1[OPEN]

Florigen-encoding genes have different chromatin signatures associated with the floral transition in ancestral and modern maize. The activity of the maize (Zea mays) florigen gene ZEA CENTRORADIALIS8 (ZCN8) is associated with the floral transition in both day-neutral temperate maize and short-day (SD)-requiring tropical maize. We analyzed transcription and chromatin modifications at the ZCN8 locus and its nearly identical paralog ZCN7 during the floral transition. This analysis was performed with day-neutral maize (Zea mays ssp. mays), where flowering is promoted almost exclusively via the autonomous pathway through the activity of the regulatory gene indeterminate1 (id1), and tropical teosinte (Zea mays ssp. parviglumis) under floral inductive and noninductive photoperiods. Comparison of ZCN7/ZCN8 histone modification profiles in immature leaves of nonflowering id1 mutants and teosinte grown under floral inhibitory photoperiods reveals that both id1 floral inductive activity and SD-mediated induction result in histone modification patterns that are compatible with the formation of transcriptionally competent chromatin environments. Specific histone modifications are maintained during leaf development and may represent a chromatin signature that favors the production of processed ZCN7/ZCN8 messenger RNA in florigen-producing mature leaf. However, whereas id1 function promotes histone H3 hyperacetylation, SD induction is associated with increased histone H3 dimethylation and trimethylation at lysine-4. In addition, id1 and SD differently affect the production of ZCN7/ZCN8 antisense transcript. These observations suggest that distinct mechanisms distinguish florigen regulation in response to autonomous and photoperiod pathways. Finally, the identical expression and histone modification profiles of ZCN7 and ZCN8 in response to floral induction suggest that ZCN7 may represent a second maize florigen.
Hyperhomocysteinemia Evoked by Folate Depletion: Effects on Coronary and Carotid Arterial Function

High circulating concentrations of homocysteine (ie, hyperhomocysteinemia [Hhcy]) impair the vascular function of peripheral conduit arteries and arterioles perfusing splanchnic and skeletal muscle regions. The effects of HHcy on coronary resistance vessel function and other indexes of vascular function, ie, arterial permeability and stiffening, are unclear. We tested the hypotheses that HHcy impairs coronary resistance vessel reactivity; increases carotid arterial permeability; and initiates arterial stiffening. Male rats that consumed folate-replete (CON, n=44) or folate-deplete (HHcy, n=48) chow for 4 to 5 weeks had total plasma homocysteine concentrations of 7±2 or 58±4 &mgr;mol/L, respectively. Maximal acetylcholine-evoked relaxation (≈40% vs ≈60%) and tension development from baseline in response to nitric oxide synthase inhibition (≈20% vs ≈40%) were lower (both P <0.05) in coronary resistance vessels (≈120 &mgr;m, internal diameter) isolated from HHcy versus CON animals, respectively, whereas sodium nitroprusside-evoked relaxation and contractile responses to serotonin and potassium chloride were similar between groups. Permeability to 4400 MW and 65 000 MW fluorescently labeled (TRITC) dextran reference macromolecules (quantitative fluorescence microscopy) was ≈44% and ≈24% greater (P <0.05), respectively, in carotid arteries from HHcy versus CON rats. Maximal strain, evaluated by using a vessel elastigraph, was less (≈32% vs 42%, P <0.05) in carotid arterial segments from HHcy versus CON animals, respectively. Finally, estimates of oxidative (copper-zinc+manganese superoxide dismutase activity) and glycoxidative (pentosidine) stress were elevated (P <0.05) in arterial tissue from HHcy versus CON rats. These findings suggest that moderately severe HHcy evoked by folate-depletion impairs endothelium-dependent relaxation of coronary resistance vessels, increases carotid arterial permeability, and initiates arterial stiffening. HHcy may produce these effects by a mechanism associated with increased oxidative and glycoxidative stress.
Determination of the elastic constants of gold nanorods produced by seed mediated growth

The extensional and breathing modes of gold nanorods in aqueous solution have been examined by time-resolved spectroscopy. These experiments yield values for the elastic constants for the rods. The results show that gold nanorods produced by wet chemical techniques have a smaller Young's modulus than bulk gold. HRTEM and SAED studies show that the rods have a 5-fold twinned structure with growth along the [110] crystal direction, consistent with previous reports. However, neither the growth direction nor the twinning provide a simple explanation for the reduced elastic moduli measured in our experiments.
Does Microscopic Removal of Lumbar Disc Herniation Lead to Better Results Than the Standard Procedure?: Results of a One-Year Randomized Study

Sixty patients with single-level lumbar disc herniation confirmed by computerized tomography were studied in a randomized prospective study. The aim was to see if there was any difference between the microscopic removal of a disc herniation and the standard procedure. All patients were operated on by the same surgeon by either method. They were all followed up by an impartial observer at 3 weeks, 2 months, 6 months, and 1 year. There were no differences between the groups regarding perioperative bleeding, complications, inpatient stay, time off work, or end result. The authors concluded that the decision to use the operating microscope may be left to the surgeon, because it had no effect on the short-term results or those at 1 year.
Activation-Induced Cell Death Antigen-Specific CTL from Tumor-Mediated Human CD5 Protects Circulating Tumor

Chouaib and Fathia Mami-ChouaibCaignard, Laurence Boumsell, Georges Bismuth, SalemCatherine Richon, Patrick Saulnier, Yann Lecluse, Anne Grzegorz Friedlein, Faten El Hage, Isabelle Vergnon,http://www.jimmunol.org/content/178/11/6821J Immunol€2007; 178:6821-6827; ;Referenceshttp://www.jimmunol.org/content/178/11/6821.full#ref-list-1This article cites 44 articles, 22 of which you can access for free at: Subscriptionshttp://jimmunol.org/subscriptionsInformation about subscribing to The Journal of Immunology is online at: Permissionshttp://www.aai. org/ji/copyright.htmlSubmit copyright permission requests at: Email Alertshttp://jimmunol.org/cgi/alerts/etocReceive free email-alerts when new articles cite this article. Sign up at:
Circulating immune complexes in patients with house‐dust‐mite‐sensitive bronchial asthma

Sera from forty patients with house‐dust‐mite‐sensitive bronchial asthma were examined for the presence of circulating immune complexes (CIC) by the sensitive and quantitative CIq solid‐phase radioimmunoassay (Clq‐SP) and a monoclonal rheumatoid factor solid‐phase radioimmunoassay (mRF‐SP). Compared to fifteen normal individuals, the asthmatic patients showed significantly higher mean values of Clq‐reactive materials; however, there was no difference between the results from the patients treated by immunotherapy using Dermatophagoides farinae extract and those not so treated. Moreover, immune complexes in eight patients before and after immunotherapy showed that the amount of the complexes tend to decrease during immunotherapy. Furthermore, the presence of complexes had no relationship with the amounts of mite‐specific IgG antibody. Similar results were also obtained in tests using mRF‐SP. These data suggest that complexes in the sera of the house‐dust‐mite‐sensitive asthmatic patients are not necessarily associated either with immunotherapy or with the mite‐specific IgG antibodies.
Is mycophenolate mofetil less safe than azathioprine in elderly renal transplant recipients?

Background. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is a potent immunosuppressive agent that has been shown to be superior to azathioprine in preventing early acute rejection in the general renal transplant population. However, it is uncertain whether these benefits also apply to older renal transplant recipients, who are known to be more susceptible to infectious complications and have considerably lower rates of rejection and immunological graft loss. Methods. A retrospective analysis was undertaken of all elderly (≥55 years old) renal transplant recipients who underwent renal transplantation at the Princess Alexandra Hospital (1994–2000) and received either MMF (n=60) or azathioprine (n=55) in combination with prednisolone and cyclosporin. Data were analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis using a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model. Results. The azathioprine- and MMF-treated groups were well matched at baseline with respect to demographic characteristics, end-stage renal failure causes and transplant characteristics. Compared with the MMF cohort, azathioprine-treated patients experienced a shorter time to first rejection [hazard ratio (HR) 4.47, 95% CI 1.53–13.1, P <0.01]. However, azathioprine-treated patients were also less likely to develop opportunistic infections (HR 0.11, 95% CI 0.03–0.41, P =0.001). No differences were observed between the two groups with respect to hospitalization rates, intensive care admissions, hematological complications, or posttransplant malignancies. Actuarial 2-year survival rates for the azathioprine- and MMF-treated patients were 100 and 87%, respectively (P <0.001). The principal cause of death in the MMF cohort was infection. Using a multivariate Cox regression analysis of patient survival, an adjusted hazard ratio of 0.01 (95% CI 0.001–0.08, P =0.001) was calculated in favor of azathioprine. Overall graft survival also tended to be better in patients receiving azathioprine (HR 0.27, 95% CI 0.06–1.33, P =0.11), Conclusions. In elderly renal transplant recipients, the combination of MMF, cyclosporin, and prednisolone appears to result in a worse outcome compared with the less potent combination of azathioprine, cyclosporin, and prednisolone. Future prospective studies need to specifically evaluate the risk/benefit ratios of newer, more potent immunosuppressive protocols, such as MMF-based regimens, in this important and sizeable patient subgroup.
Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder among Rural, Urban, and Tribal Children (1–10 Years of Age)

ABSTRACT Introduction: Studies on autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have largely focused on children in specific settings. The current scenario of research in ASDs is limited largely to clinic-based case reports, case series, and retrospective chart reviews. The present study is the first population-based prevalence study conducted across rural, urban, and tribal populations in India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional two-phase study was conducted cring children in the age group of 1–10 years of age across geographical regions representing rural, urban, and tribal populations. The first phase (screening phase) involved administration of the Hindi version of the Indian Scale for Assessment of Autism. Those identified as suspected of ASD and 10% of all classified as nonsuspects for autism were also evaluated by the clinical team in second phase (evaluation phase). Results: Forty-three children out of a total of 28,070 children in rural, urban, and tribal area in the age group of 1–10 years were diagnosed as cases of ASD yielding a prevalence of 0.15% (95% confidence interval [CI] =0.15–0.25). Logistic regression analysis showed a two times significantly higher risk of diagnosing ASD in rural area as compared to tribal (odds ratio [OR]; 95% CI = 2.17 [1.04–4.52], P = 0.04). Male sex and upper socioeconomic group of head of family/father had a higher risk of getting diagnosed as autism as compared to lower socioeconomic group (OR; 95% CI - 3.23; 0.24–44.28, P = 0.38). Conclusions: Estimation of true prevalence of ASD in India is going to improve policies on developmental disabilities.
The influence of race on approaching families for organ donation and their decision to donate.

OBJECTIVES This study examined whether patients' race was associated with their families' being approached for organ donation and agreeing to donation. METHODS Logistic regression models were applied to data collected from records at 112 hospitals. RESULTS The odds that a family of a White patient was approached for donation were nearly twice those for a family of an African American. The odds of donation also differed by race, but the magnitude varied by patient and hospital characteristics. CONCLUSIONS Much attention directed toward racial disparity in donation has focused on attitudes of the public. The behavior of hospital staff also may be related to differences in rates.
A general multipurpose interpolation procedure: the magic points

Lagrangian interpolation is a classical way to approximate general functions by finite sums of well chosen, pre-defined, linearly independent interpolating functions; it is much simpler to implement than determining the best fits with respect to some Banach (or even Hilbert) norms. In addition, only partial knowledge is required (here values on some set of points). The problem of defining the best sample of points is nevertheless rather complex and is in general open. In this paper we propose a way to derive such sets of points. We do not claim that the points resulting from the construction explained here are optimal in any sense. Nevertheless, the resulting interpolation method is proven to work under certain hypothesis, the process is very general and simple to implement, and compared to situations where the best behavior is known, it is relatively competitive.
Cysteine string protein immunoreactivity in the nervous system and adrenal gland of rat

Cysteine string proteins (csps) are a recently discovered class of cysteine-rich proteins. They have been shown to associate preferentially with synaptic vesicle fractions of Torpedo electric organ or rat brain where they have been implicated in events associated with transmitter secretion. However, to date there has been no information concerning the distribution of csps in rat tissues. We investigated the localization of csps in the rat retina and CNS using immunohistochemistry with affinity purified anti-csp antibodies. Specific csp immunoreactivity having a punctate appearance is present throughout the neuraxis. Csp immunoreactivity is particularly abundant in synapse-rich regions including those of the retina, main olfactory bulb, hippocampal formation, and cerebellum. White matter tracts are devoid of csp immunoreactivity. Neuromuscular junctions show strong csp immunoreactivity. This localization of csp immunoreactivity is compatible with a role for csps in presynaptic events at a wide variety of synapses. Immunohistochemical analysis of a non-neuronal, secretory tissue, the adrenal gland, reveals prominent csp immunoreactivity in the chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla. However, csp immunoreactivity is not detected in adrenal cortical regions. These findings are confirmed and extended by immunoblot and Northern analyses which identify a 35 kDa and a 5 kb product, respectively, in extracts of adrenal. The presence of csps in the adrenal medulla suggests that these proteins may also participate in secretion-related events in certain non-neuronal cells.
Separability, multi-valued operators, and zeroes of L-functions

Let $\k$ be a global function field in 1-variable over a finite extension of $\Fp$, $p$ prime, $\infty$ a fixed place of $\k$, and $\A$ the ring of functions of $\k$ regular outside of $\infty$. Let $E$ be a Drinfeld module or $T$-module. Then, as in \cite{go1}, one can construct associated characteristic $p$ $L$-functions based on the classical model of abelian varieties {\it once} certain auxiliary choices are made. Our purpose in this paper is to show how the well-known concept of ``maximal separable (over the completion $\k_\infty$) subfield'' allows one to construct from such $L$-functions certain separable extensions which are independent of these choices. These fields will then depend only on the isogeny class of the original $T$-module or Drinfeld module and $y\in \Zp$, and should presumably be describable in these terms. Moreover, they give a very useful framework in which to view the ``Riemann hypothesis'' evidence of \cite{w1}, \cite{dv1}, \cite{sh1}. We also establish that an element which is {\it separably} algebraic over $\k_\infty$ can be realized as a ``multi-valued operator'' on general $T$-modules. This is very similar to realizing 1/2 as the multi-valued operator $x\mapsto \sqrt{x}$ on $\C^\ast$. Simple examples show that this result is false for non-separable elements. This result may eventually allow a ``two $T$'s'' interpretation of the above extensions in terms of multi-valued operators on $E$ and certain tensor twists.
The Source of Axial Pain After Cervical Laminoplasty-C7 Is More Crucial Than Deep Extensor Muscles

Study Design. Prospective study to investigate the incidence of axial pain in the 3 different procedures of laminoplasty. Objective. To inquire which is more important in the development of axial pain after laminoplasty: C7 or deep extensor muscles. Summary of Background Data. The etiology of axial pain remains largely unknown. Some surgeons have attempted to preserve the paravertebral muscles with innovative procedures of laminoplasty and thereby reduce the incidence of axial pain. Meanwhile, we have reported that axial pain can be prevented by avoiding inclusion of C7 in laminoplasty. Methods. There were 91 patients with myelopathy who underwent our original laminoplasty, in which the deep extensor muscles were completely preserved exclusively on the hinged side. Until 2001, all candidates for laminoplasty underwent this procedure from C3–C7 (left-opened C3–C7 group, n = 37). From 2002, the same procedure was performed from C3–C6 (left-opened C3–C6 group, n = 31). From 2004, the opened side was changed from left to right (right-opened C3–C6 group, n = 23). Axial neck pain was graded as severe, moderate, or mild. Early pain during the first month after surgery and late pain during the first year after surgery were investigated. The laterality of early pain in the C3–C6 groups was recorded. Results. Significant early pain graded severe or moderate was observed in 49% in the left-opened C3–C7 group, but 15% in the left- or right-opened C3–C6 groups (P = 0.0008). Significant late pain was noted in 30% in the left-opened C3–C7 group and in 5.6% in the C3–C6 groups (P = 0.0036). Early axial pain, which usually was mild, was predominantly observed on the opened side in the C3–C6 groups. Conclusion. To prevent axial pain, C7 should not be included in cervical laminoplasty, while detachment of the deep extensor muscles does not result in significant axial pain.
Diabetes care and self-monitoring of type 2 diabetic patients in a rural district of West-Pomeranian Province.

INTRODUCTION Few surveys conducted in diabetic patients from rural regions show that in these subjects monitoring of diabetes is worse than in patients from urban areas. OBJECTIVES To assess methods of diabetes care provided for type 2 diabetic patients residing in a rural region and methods of the patient self-monitoring of glycemia, blood pressure and foot self-care. PATIENTS AND METHODS The survey was conducted in a rural district of West-Pomeranian province, in the primary health care center, where 279 type 2 diabetic patients were registered. Out of all patients invited to participate in a questionnaire survey, 168 were enrolled. The mean age of subjects was 67.2 +/- 9.9 years (range 46-91 years), diabetes duration of 8.2 +/- 6.6 years, and body mass index of 32.6 +/- 6.3 kg/m2. Data concerning diabetes care and methods of the patient self-control of glycemia, blood pressure and foot self-care were collected. RESULTS The majority of patients (62%) were treated only by general practitioners, but 80% reported that they visited their doctors for diabetes treatment once a month. For 90% of subjects the term ,HbA1c" was unknown. Only 40% of patients performed self-monitoring of glycemia, 55%--of blood pressure and 34% examined their feet. CONCLUSIONS The vast majority of patients from a rural region in West-Pomeranian province is treated only by general practitioners. Despite quite frequent medical visits related to diabetes, education of patients is still unsatisfactory, which was demonstrated by patients' lack of knowledge concerning the basic parameter of laboratory monitoring, HbA1c, as well as insufficient self-management of glycemia, blood pressure and infrequent foot exam.
Pharmacokinetics of Metformin during Pregnancy

Our objective was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of metformin during pregnancy. Serial blood and urine samples were collected over one steady-state dosing interval in women treated with metformin during early to late pregnancy (n = 35) and postpartum (n = 16). Maternal and umbilical cord blood samples were obtained at delivery from 12 women. Metformin concentrations were also determined in breast milk samples obtained over one dosing interval in 6 women. Metformin renal clearance increased significantly in mid (723 ± 243 ml/min, P < 0.01) and late pregnancy (625 ± 130 ml/min, P < 0.01) compared with postpartum (477 ± 132 ml/min). These changes reflected significant increases in creatinine clearance (240 ± 70 ml/min, P < 0.01 and 207 ± 56 ml/min, P < 0.05 versus 165 ± 44 ml/min) and in metformin net secretion clearance (480 ± 190 ml/min, P < 0.01 and 419 ± 78 ml/min, P < 0.01 versus 313 ± 98 ml/min) in mid and late pregnancy versus postpartum, respectively. Metformin concentrations at the time of delivery in umbilical cord plasma ranged between nondetectable (<5 ng/ml) and 1263 ng/ml. The daily infant intake of metformin through breast milk was 0.13 to 0.28 mg, and the relative infant dose was <0.5% of the mother’s weight-adjusted dose. Our results indicate that metformin pharmacokinetics are affected by pregnancy-related changes in renal filtration and net tubular transport and can be roughly estimated by the use of creatinine clearance. At the time of delivery, the fetus is exposed to metformin concentrations from negligible to as high as maternal concentrations. In contrast, infant exposure to metformin through the breast milk is low.
On the lack of stratospheric dynamical variability in low‐top versions of the CMIP5 models

We describe the main differences in simulations of stratospheric climate and variability by models within the fifth Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) that have a model top above the stratopause and relatively fine stratospheric vertical resolution (high‐top), and those that have a model top below the stratopause (low‐top). Although the simulation of mean stratospheric climate by the two model ensembles is similar, the low‐top model ensemble has very weak stratospheric variability on daily and interannual time scales. The frequency of major sudden stratospheric warming events is strongly underestimated by the low‐top models with less than half the frequency of events observed in the reanalysis data and high‐top models. The lack of stratospheric variability in the low‐top models affects their stratosphere‐troposphere coupling, resulting in short‐lived anomalies in the Northern Annular Mode, which do not produce long‐lasting tropospheric impacts, as seen in observations. The lack of stratospheric variability, however, does not appear to have any impact on the ability of the low‐top models to reproduce past stratospheric temperature trends. We find little improvement in the simulation of decadal variability for the high‐top models compared to the low‐top, which is likely related to the fact that neither ensemble produces a realistic dynamical response to volcanic eruptions.