Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
K+-Dependent Deplasmolysis of a Marine Pseudomonad Plasmolyzed in a Hypotonic Solution

When cells of a marine pseudomonad were washed with a solution consisting of 0.3 m NaCl, 0.05 m MgSO4, and 0.01 m KCl (complete salts), they maintained their normal morphology. When washed with a solution of 0.05 m MgSO4, they became plasmolyzed as indicated by both phase and electron microscopy. Suspensions of cells washed with 0.05 m MgSO4 showed an increase in optical density (OD) when 0.3 m NaCl was added, and this was followed by a decrease in OD upon the further addition of 0.01 m KCl. Salts of other monovalent cations were not effective in replacing K+ in producing the OD decrease. Phase-contrast microscopy revealed that the increase in OD was accompanied by a decrease in cell size, and the decrease in OD, by an increase in the cell size. Both phase and electron microscopy showed that the K+-dependent decrease in OD was accompanied by deplasmolysis of the cells. Na+ was required in the suspending medium in addition to K+ to obtain deplasmolysis. The intracellular K+ concentration in cells which had been washed with complete salts and which had retained their normal morphology was found to be 0.290 m. In cells plasmolyzed by washing with 0.05 m MgSO4, the intracellular K+ concentration was 0.004 m. Deplasmolyzed cells contained 0.330 m K+. The membrane profile of plasmolyzed cells was retained when protoplasts were formed. The protoplasts became spherical if incubated in a solution permitting the deplasmolysis of the parent cells. The evidence obtained indicates that plasmolysis and deplasmolysis under the conditions described was due to the loss and gain, respectively, of K+ by the cells. The effect of Na+ could be ascribed to its capacity to control the porosity of the cytoplasmic membrane of this organism.
2 Serological Aspects of Myositis

Idiopathic polymyositis is a chronic inflammatory systemic disease with preponderant infestation of the musculature. Dermatomyositis also involves skin participation (Conrad et al., 2001c; Kalovidouris, 1992; Mimori, 1996). Idiopathic, secondary and paraneoplastic forms of the disease can also be observed. The first report about myositis was given in 1863 by Wagner (Wagner, 1863). Also Unverricht (Unverricht, 1887) reported in 1887 about a case about Myositis, and introduced the concept of dermatomyositis in 1891. In addition, distinct forms of interstitial myositis, marked by an appearing from foci of inflammation in the muscular interstitium and causative organism conditioned Myositis can be observed. The cause-conditioned myositis can be driven by Toxoplasma gondii or Trichinella spiralis infections (parasitcal myositis) and by Clostridium perfringens or staphylococcal infections (bacterial myositis). Although myositis is a rather rare disease with an annual incidence of 1:100 000280.000 inhabitants, this illness belonging to the collagenosis group is, on account of the therapeutic consequences (Glucocorticoides and Immunsuppressiva) and the clinically often observed muscle discomfort, of considerable differential-diagnostic meaning. Women are more frequently affected than men, the relation being about 2:1. The age distribution is marked by two maxima, for the juvenile form between the 5th and 15th year and the adult form beyond the 5th decade (2004). The aetiology is unknown. A toxic infectious genesis is discussed among other causes and, in particular with juvenile dermatomyositis, Coxsackie viruses are considered as the cause, an allergic genesis on account of the appearance of a dermatomyositis after taking of antibiotics or sulphonamides and an immunologic genesis on account of the proof of autoantibodies. The illnesses relation with cancer could originate on the base of immunological cross reactions between tumour antigens and skin-muscle antigens or by a myotoxical substance secreted by the tumour tissue (Burmester et al., 2001). A causal connection between malignant and autoimmune disease could be seen in the disappearance or the decline of myositis symptoms after successful treatment of the tumour (in more than 10 % of the observed cases). Various studies show a raised appearance of cancer of the most different kind with patients with diagnosed Myositis (Manchul et al., 1985; Maoz et al., 1998; Zantos et al., 1994).
Corneal confocal microscopy following conventional, transepithelial, and accelerated corneal collagen cross-linking procedures for keratoconus.

PURPOSE To compare early corneal healing following conventional, transepithelial, and accelerated corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) protocols. METHODS Twenty-four patients with progressive keratoconus were divided into three groups to receive conventional, transepithelial, or accelerated CXL. In vivo corneal confocal microscopy was performed on each patient preoperatively and at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS Closure of the epithelial wound was complete 3 days following conventional and accelerated CXL. The subbasal nerve plexus was essentially obliterated immediately following conventional and accelerated CXL, and virtually no nerve fibers had regenerated by 6 months. The anterior stroma showed significant changes 1 month following conventional CXL; these changes were similar but more pronounced following accelerated CXL. Observed stromal changes included complete obliteration of keratocytes, increased tissue reflectivity, a honeycomb-like appearance, and circular lacunae. Some recovery of keratocyte density was noted after 6 months. These changes were less pronounced in the mid-stroma, and there were no apparent changes to the posterior stroma or endothelium. The cornea appeared to be unaltered following transepithelial CXL. CONCLUSIONS In vivo corneal confocal microscopy analysis of the postoperative impact of CXL on the cornea revealed clear differences among conventional, accelerated, and transepithelial CXL protocols. Accelerated CXL had a greater impact than conventional CXL on the anterior cornea, whereas transepithelial CXL did not appear to alter corneal morphology.
The Prevalence and Association of Signs and Symptoms of Temporomandibular Disorders with Missing Posterior Teeth in Adult Jordanian Subjects

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in adult Jordanian subjects with missing posterior teeth and the association of signs and symptoms of TMD with missing posterior teeth. Methods: A questionnaire and clinical examination were used to assess 93 subjects who accepted to participate in this study and were selected according to specific inclusion criteria. They were asked about TMD-related symptoms (pain or tenderness in the jaw joint and/or muscles of mastication, joint sounds, limitation of jaw movement, clenching or grinding habits) and examined clinically for missing teeth, and for TMD-related signs (tenderness in masticatory muscles and in temporomandibular joint, clicking or crepitus sounds, limitation of mandibular movement, attrition in the existed remaining teeth). The mean number of missing teeth were calculated, compared and correlated with TMD signs and symptoms in relation to age and genders. Data were analyzed using SPSS (v. 17) and statistical significance was set at P<0.05. Results: There were 37 (39.8%) men and 56 (60.2%) women; the mean age was 54.43±11.87 (ranged between 31 and 78) years. Eighty-five (91.4%) subjects had TMD-related signs or symptoms, 32.3% reported symptoms and 59.1% had signs, two-thirds were women. The mean number of missing teeth was 11.40±3.13, men significantly (p<0.05) had more missing teeth compared to women, however, significantly (p<0.01) more women reported TMD symptoms than men. Posterior teeth loss increased with increasing age. With age, TMD symptoms decreased and signs increased. Logistic regression analyses showed that teeth loss was significantly associated with TMD subjective symptoms; reported joint sounds (p<0.05), chewing difficulty (p<0.05) and with chewing side preference (p=0.001). Logistic regression analyses showed that teeth loss was significantly associated with TMD objective signs; clicking (p<0.01) and crepitus (p>0.001) TMJ sounds, unilateral TMJ tenderness (p=0.01), the pterygoid muscles tenderness (p<0.01) and teeth wear (p<0.05). Conclusion: Loss of posterior teeth is significantly associated with TMD signs and symptoms. In the group studied more women than men reported TMD symptoms and both male and female subjects were found to have TMD signs which were more common in men.
U.S. Air Force pilot selection and training methods.

BACKGROUND U.S. Air Force (USAF) pilot selection and training procedures have changed substantially in the last several years. Pilot selection procedures were augmented with the introduction of computer-based testing to assess pilot aptitude. Training procedures have changed in an effort to modernize the training fleet and provide better, more specialized training earlier in the training process. RESULTS Despite several studies showing the utility of USAF pilot aptitude tests for predicting training performance, results of a recent policy capturing study suggest that this information is often ignored by pilot candidate selection boards. The two largest sources of USAF pilot trainees relied heavily on measures of officership when making selection decisions. Cumulative research findings suggest that USAF pilot selection decisions could be improved by making better use of currently available personnel attribute data. Further improvements could be expected from the addition of a structured selection interview and measures of personality.
Development of unigene-derived SSR markers in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and their transferability to other Vigna species.

Unigene sequences available in public databases provide a cost-effective and valuable source for the development of molecular markers. In this study, the identification and development of unigene-based SSR markers in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. ) is presented. A total of 1071 SSRs were identified in 15 740 cowpea unigene sequences downloaded from the National Center for Biotechnology Information. The most frequent SSR motifs present in the unigenes were trinucleotides (59.7%), followed by dinucleotides (34.8%), pentanucleotides (4%), and tetranucleotides (1.5%). The copy number varied from 6 to 33 for dinucleotide, 5 to 29 for trinucleotide, 5 to 7 for tetranucleotide, and 4 to 6 for pentanucleotide repeats. Primer pairs were successfully designed for 803 SSR motifs and 102 SSR markers were finally characterized and validated. Putative function was assigned to 64.7% of the unigene SSR markers based on significant homology to reported proteins. About 31.7% of the SSRs were present in coding sequences and 68.3% in untranslated regions of the genes. About 87% of the SSRs located in the coding sequences were trinucleotide repeats. Allelic variation at 32 SSR loci produced 98 alleles in 20 cowpea genotypes. The polymorphic information content for the SSR markers varied from 0.10 to 0.83 with an average of 0.53. These unigene SSR markers showed a high rate of transferability (88%) across other Vigna species, thereby expanding their utility. Alignment of unigene sequences with soybean genomic sequences revealed the presence of introns in amplified products of some of the SSR markers. This study presents the distribution of SSRs in the expressed portion of the cowpea genome and is the first report of the development of functional unigene-based SSR markers in cowpea. These SSR markers would play an important role in molecular mapping, comparative genomics, and marker-assisted selection strategies in cowpea and other Vigna species.
Is the underlying cause of epilepsy a major prognostic factor for recurrence?

Background: We investigated the prognostic value of the type of epilepsies and epileptic syndromes for seizure recurrence. In patients with partial epilepsy, we focused on the prognostic value of any structural brain abnormality and of the location of the epileptogenic region. Methods: A total of 2,200 adult outpatients were included in a hospital-based observational survey, with a follow-up of 1 to 7 years. Twenty-two percent of the patients exhibited generalized epilepsy, 62% partial epilepsy, and 16% undetermined epilepsy. Results: Seizure control (>1 year without seizure) was achieved in 82% of patients who had idiopathic generalized epilepsy, 35% of those with symptomatic partial epilepsy, 45% of those with cryptogenic partial epilepsy, and 11% of those with partial epilepsy associated with hippocampal sclerosis (HS). Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) was the most refractory partial epilepsy, with only 20% of such patients remaining seizure free, compared with 36% of extra-TLE patients. In partial epilepsy, HS, cerebral dysgenesis, and dual pathology (HS and another lesion) were associated with a low rate of seizure-free patients (11%, 24%, and 3%, respectively). No significant difference in seizure control was found between patients with extra-TLE and those with TLE and no HS. Conclusions: In adults, partial epilepsy is more difficult to treat than idiopathic generalized epilepsy. In patients who have partial epilepsy, the location of the epileptogenic zone does not seem to be a determining factor. Brain abnormalities-especially HS, either alone or associated with another lesion-are a major prognostic factor.
Easily applied ear canal electrodes improve the diagnostic potential of auditory brainstem response.

The diagnostic potential of easily applied ear canal electrodes was studied in patients with asymmetric auditory brainstem response (ABR). The study included 50 consecutive patients with unilateral auditory signs or symptoms who at conventional ABR testing manifested not only a delayed wave V in relation to the non-symptomatic ear, but also absence of wave I in the symptomatic ear. The patients were examined with ear canal electrodes at the same session as the conventional ABR testing. As application of the ear canal electrode is easy, painless and safe, the auditory assistant could use the ear canal electrode and obtain the recordings unaided and without having first to consult a physician. Estimated extra time for the canal electrode procedure was 15 min and no adverse effects were noted. With the use of an ear canal electrode a significant wave I could be identified in 72% (36.50) of cases. Thus, ability to observe the most peripheral component (wave I) of the ABR was facilitated by using an easily applied ear canal electrode. Hence, in these patients the diagnostic potential of ABR for acoustic tumors was increased owing to the availability of a direct measure of tumor effect on the auditory nerve, i.e., the neural transmission time.
Examining firm and environmental influences on export marketing mix strategy and export performance of australian exporters

This study examines the impact of specific firm characteristics, environmental characteristics and marketing mix strategy on export marketing performance. Data were gathered via a mail survey of firms engaged in exporting. The results indicate that firm characteristics and environmental characteristics impact significantly on both overall performance and marketing mix strategy adaptation by exporting firms. However, the decision to adapt or standardise the marketing mix strategy did not significantly impact marketing performance, implying that either standardisation or adaptation is appropriate and yields comparable performance.
Selfish element maintains sex in natural populations of a parasitoid wasp

Genomic conflicts between heritable elements with different modes of inheritance are important in the maintenance of sex and in the evolution of sex ratio. Generally, we expect sexual populations to exhibit a 1:1 sex ratio. However, because of their biology, parasitoid wasps often exhibit a female–biased sex ratio. Sex–ratio distorters can further alter this optimum, sometimes leading to the complete loss of sexual reproduction. In the parasitoid wasp Trichogramma kaykai ca. 4–26% of females in field populations are infected with a bacterial sex–ratio distorter, Wolbachia, allowing virgin mothers to produce daughters. In some micro–Hymenoptera these infections have led to the complete loss of sex, but in field populations of T. kaykai the proportion of individuals infected remains relatively stable. We tested several hypotheses to explain this low infection level, including ineficient and horizontal transmission of Wolbachia, suppressor genes negating the effect of Wolbachia and the presence of male–biasing sex–ratio distorters. Here, a male–biasing sex–ratio distorter, a parasitic B chromosome, causing females to produce only sons, keeps the frequency of Wolbachia low. The male–biasing factor of T. kaykai is the second known case of a B chromosome manipulating the reproduction of a parasitoid wasp.
Increased Platelet Size and Release Reaction in Essential Hypertension

Basal platelet function was measured in 35 40-year-old men with untreated mild essential hypertension and compared with 44 age-matched normotensive men. The groups differed significantly with respect to platelet size in venous blood (hypertensive, 7.46 ± 0.10 x 10-15 I versus normotensive, 7.11 ± 0.09 x 10-15 I; P = 0.01) and arterial concentration of the platelet-specific protein β-thromboglobulin (hypertensive, 1.11 ± 0.23 nmol/l versus normotensive, 0.59 ± 0.04 nmol/l; P = 0.02). The normotensive subjects had significantly higher β-thromboglobulin (BTG) in venous than in arterial blood (P < 0.01). The hypertensive men showed no such difference. In contrast to the normotensive subjects, the hypertensive group had reduced arterial compared with venous platelet count (P < 0.01). This may reflect an increased liability in the hypertensive subjects to lose platelets through adherence to the cannula during arterial blood sampling. The above findings point to increased platelet activity in essential hypertension, particularly in arterial blood.
Polygyny: Cooperation vs. Competition among Wives on Child Health

Although the prevalence of polygyny has decreased in the world in recent years, polygyny still remains as a frequent family structure in West Africa. Using 2006 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) from Mali, we investigate the effects of polygyny on child health. Using the gender of the firstborn as an instrumental variable for marrying an additional wife, we find that a child’s nutritional status in terms of height-for-age and weight-for-age z-scores is worse in polygynous households compared to monogamous households. Second, we analyze the effect of mother’s rank among co-wives on her own child’s health and find that mother’s rank has a statistically significant effect on a child’s nutritional status. However, the effect of mother’s rank changes across different institutions of polygyny: depending on the ethnic group, the co-wife relationship could be more collaborative than competitive. The findings suggest a more nuanced view of polygyny than currently found in the literature: the effect of the institution of polygyny depend upon the rules governing behavior within the institution.
Assessing Cognitive Capacity for Participation in a Research Study

To give informed consent in research, persons must be mentally capable of understanding the study, risks, and benefits. An objective screening tool may assess cognitive capacity better than brief conversations or clinician input. The purpose is to explore the validity of the Mental Alternations Test (MAT) to assess the cognitive capacity of older (ages 50 years +) HIV+ persons (N = 81). Descriptive correlational quantitative method was used. About 12% of the sample was cognitively impaired. Contrary to expectations, primary language was the only variable with a significant relationship with the MAT (r = -.22, p = .02); there were no significant relationships between the MAT and age, education, alcohol, smoking, injection drug use, street or mind-altering drug use, physical functional status, depressive symptoms, comorbidities, or being diagnosed with AIDS. Our findings suggest caution in using the MAT as an instrument for assessing cognitive impairment in a linguistically diverse population.
Competing priorities as a barrier to medical care among homeless adults in Los Angeles.

OBJECTIVES The role of competing priorities as a barrier to the utilization of physical health services was assessed in a subset (n = 363) of a probability sample of homeless adults in Los Angeles. METHODS Unadjusted odds of four measures of health services utilization were calculated for those with frequent difficulty in meeting their subsistence needs. These odds were then adjusted for a range of characteristics assumed to affect the utilization of health services among the homeless. RESULTS Before and after adjustment, those with frequent subsistence difficulty were less likely to have a regular source of care (odds ratio [OR] = 0.30, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.16, 0.53) and more likely to have gone without needed medical care (OR = 1.77, 95% CI = 1.04, 3.00). Subsistence difficulty had no impact on the likelihood of having an outpatient visit or having been hospitalized. Conclusions remained the same after adjustment. CONCLUSIONS Frequent subsistence difficulty appears to be an important nonfinancial barrier to the utilization of health services perceived as discretionary among homeless adults.
Coupling Analysis in Concentric Ring Waveguides

Coupled mode theory in dielectric waveguides has been studied for parallel waveguides and for non-parallel waveguides, among bent and straight optical waveguides between two non-concentric bent waveguides or even between concentric ring waveguides. The last case is treated in this work. Results are compared to those obtained by using the finite element method (FEM). We studied the influence of the curvature radius, the separation distance between the waveguides and the refractive index of the inner waveguide in the energy transfer between waveguides. In particular, the mechanism of energy transfer between concentric waveguides was analyzed.
Subcellular Localization of the Cyclin Dependent Kinase Inhibitor Sic1 is Modulated by the Carbon Source in Budding Yeast

The cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor Sic1 and the cyclin Clb5 are essential regulators of the cyclindependent kinase Cdc28 during the G1 to S transition in budding yeast. Yeast enters S phase afterubiquitin-mediated degradation of Sic1, an event triggered by Cln1,2-Cdc28 mediated phosphorylation. We recently showed that Sic1 is involved in carbon source modulation of the critical cell sizerequired to enter S phase. Here we show that the amount and sub-cellular localization of Sic1 are alsocarbon source-modulated. We identify a bipartite nuclear localization sequence responsible for nuclearlocalization of Sic1 and for correct cell cycle progression in a carbon-source dependent manner.Similarly to Cip/Kip proteins ? Sic1 mammalian counterparts ? Sic1 facilitates nuclear accumulation ofits cognate cyclin, since cytoplasmic building-up of Clb5 is observed upon switching off expression ofthe SIC1 gene. Our data indicate a previously unrecognized inhibitor/activator dual role for Sic1 andput it among key molecules whose activity is regulated by their nuclear-cytoplasmic localization.