Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cytochromes P450

Abstract There are 272 cytochrome P450 genes (including 26 pseudogenes) in the Arabidopsis genome. P450s thus form one of the largest families of proteins in higher plants. This explosion of the P450 family is thought to have occurred via gene duplication and conversion, and to result from the need of sessile plants to adapt to a harsh environment and to protect themselves from pathogens and predators. P450s sometimes share less than 20% identity and catalyze extremely diverse reactions. Their biological functions range from the synthesis of structural macromolecules such as lignin, cutin or suberin, to the synthesis or catabolism of all types of hormone or signaling molecules, the synthesis of pigments and defense compounds, and to the metabolism of xenobiotics. In despite of a huge acceleration in our understanding of plant P450 functions in the recent years, the vast majority of these functions remain completely unknown.
Effects of Depleted Uranium on Survival, Growth, and Metamorphosis in the African Clawed Frog (Xenopus laevis)

Embryos (stage 8–47, Nieuwkoop and Faber) of the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) were subjected to water-borne depleted uranium (DU) concentrations that ranged from 4.8 to 77.7 mg/L using an acute 96-h frog embryo teratogenesis assay–Xenopus (FETAX). In a chronic 64-d assay, X. laevis (from embryo through metamorphosis; stages 8–66) were subjected to concentrations of DU that ranged from 6.2 to 54.3 mg/L. Our results indicate DU is a non teratogenic metal. No effects on mortality, malformations, or growth were observed in the 96-h FETAX with concentrations of DU that ranged from 4.8 to 77.7 mg/L. From stage 8 to stage 47, X. laevis tadpoles do not actively feed and the gills are not well developed. Thus, uptake of DU was reduced despite exposure to elevated concentrations. The 64-d assay resulted in no concentration response for either mortality or malformations; however, a delay in metamorphosis was observed in tadpoles subjected to elevated DU concentrations (from 13.1 to 54.3 mg/L) compared to tadpoles in both the well-water control and reference. The delay in metamorphosis was likely due to increasing body burden of DU that ranged from 0.98 to 2.82 mg/kg.
Stricture‐plasty for tubercular strictures of the gastro‐intestinal tract

Twenty stricture‐plasties have been performed for multiple tubercular strictures of the gastro‐intestinal tract in 9 patients, who in total had 35 structures. The procedure has been found to be safe, simple and effective in relieving obstructive symptoms. It does not appear to carry the disadvantages of entero‐anastomosis or multiple and/or massive resections in cases of multiple tubercular strictures of the small bowel.
Karyotype studies on grape phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae FITCH)

A cytogenetic technique was developed to produce suitable chromosome spreads for phylloxera karyotype analysis. The karyotype for pathogenetic phylloxera was 2 n = 10. Karyotypes from haploid sex cells were found to vary between n = 5 and n = 6, the latter possibly indicating an aneuploidic aberration. Tetra- and polyploid cells were detected in somatic trophocytes. Preparation of phylloxera sex and somatic cells for chromosomal analysis reported here enables the study of genetic variation on a chromosomal scale.
Effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers on plant uptake, protein synthesis and productivity of pearl millet-wheat sequence under semi-arid inceptisols

Field experiments were conducted to test the effect of 12 fertilizer treatments comprising of organic and inorganic fertilizer doses on productivity of pearl millet – wheat sequence under semi-arid Inceptisols at Agra during 2008 and 2009. The treatments tested were T1: Control; T2: 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) N; T3: 100% RDF NP; T4: 100% RDF NPK; T5: 100% RDF N + ZnSO4 @ 25 kg/ha; T6: 100% RDF N + FYM @ 10 t/ha; T7: 100% RDF N + vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha; T8: 100% RDF N + Sulphur @ 25 kg/ha; T9: FYM 10 t/ha; T10: Vermicompost @ 2.5 t /ha; T11: 100% RDF NPK + FYM @ 10 t + S @ 25 kg + ZnSO4 @ 25 kg/ha; and T12: 150% RDF NPK. The treatments were assessed for different yield attributes, plant uptake of nutrients, grain yield and protein parameters. The analysis of variance indicated that the treatments had a significant effect on different parameters studied in both pearl millet and wheat crops. The treatments had a significant effect on the yield of crops in both years. The quality of crops in respect of protein, N, P and K uptake increased significantly with the conjoint use of organic manures and inorganic fertilizers. Maximum plant uptake of nutrients, grain yield and protein of crops could be attained with the application of balanced use of organic and inorganic fertilizers. Ranks were assigned to treatments for their performance for different parameters over years. The cumulative rank sum of treatments for different parameters indicated that T11: 100% RDF NPK + FYM @ 10 t/ha + ZnSO4 @ 25 kg/ha + S @ 25 kg/ha was superior with lowest rank sum, followed by T12: 150% RDF NPK for attaining maximum yield, plant uptake, protein and yield attributes under semi-arid Inceptisols.
Exercise and yoga during pregnancy: a survey

Abstract The primary objective of this survey was to ascertain the opinions, practices and knowledge about exercise, including yoga, during pregnancy; the secondary objective to compare the responses among women with body mass index (BMI) <30 kg/m2 versus ≥30 kg/m2. Survey consisted of 20 multiple choice questions assessing demographics and exercise practices, and five questions testing their knowledge about it during pregnancy (ACOG Committee Opinion # 267). Of the 500 surveys distributed, 84% (422) responses were analyzed. While 86% of women responded that exercise during pregnancy is beneficial, 83% felt it was beneficial to start prior to pregnancy, and walking was considered the most beneficial (62%). The majority (64%) of respondents were currently exercising during pregnancy and 51% exercised 2–3 times/week. Among the five questions testing knowledge about prenatal exercise, majority (range 60 to 92%) were aware of ACOG recommendations. About half had a BMI ≥30. Knowledge about benefits of exercise during pregnancy did not differ significantly between obese and non-obese. Yoga was tried significantly more among non-obese, 65% believed it is beneficial, and 40% had attempted yoga before pregnancy. In our population, the majority believes that exercise, including yoga, is beneficial and they are active.
Longevity and reproduction of Ceriodaphnia dubia in receiving waters

Seven‐day tests with Ceriodaphnia dubia are commonly used to estimate toxicity of effluents or receiving waters but can sometimes yield no toxicity outcomes even if pollutants are present. We conducted two sets of full life‐cycle tests with C. dubia to (1) determine whether tests with longer exposure periods to low concentrations of contaminants in ambient water might reveal evidence of toxicity that could not be discerned from 7‐d tests and (2) determine the relative importance of water quality versus food as factors influencing C. dubia longevity and reproduction. In the first set of tests, C. dubia was reared in diluted mineral water (a negative control), water from a stream impacted by coal fly‐ash, or water from a retention basin containing sediments contaminated with mercury, other metals, and polychlorinated biphenyls. The second set of tests used water from the retention basin only. Before testing, though, water in the second set of tests was either filtered or not filtered, and food was either added or not added. Ceriodaphnia dubia longevity and reproduction did not differ much among the three water types in the first set of tests, but both longevity and reproduction were strongly affected by the filtering and food‐addition treatments in the second set of tests. Thus, C. dubia appeared to be relatively insensitive to general water quality factors but sensitive to food‐related factors. In five of the six full life‐cycle tests, lifetime reproduction by C. dubia could not be reliably predicted from reproduction data from the first 7 d of testing (R2 < 0.35, by regression analysis). The increase in predictability of lifetime reproduction of C. dubia as a function of test duration also differed among water types in the first set of tests and among treatments in the second set of tests. Thus, it may not be possible to reliably extrapolate the results of 7‐d tests with C. dubia to longer time scales.
Plasma amyloid beta-42 independently predicts both late-onset depression and Alzheimer disease.

OBJECTIVES Depression in the elderly might represent a prodromal phase of Alzheimer disease (AD). High levels of plasma amyloid beta-42 (Aβ42) were found in prestages of AD and also in depressed patients in cross-sectional studies. This study examined the association of emerging late-onset depression (LOD) and AD with plasma Aβ42 in a sample of never depressed and not demented persons at baseline. DESIGN Prospective 5-year longitudinal study. PARTICIPANTS A community dwelling of older adults (N = 331) from the Vienna Transdanube Aging study. MEASUREMENTS Laboratory measurements, cognitive functioning, and depressive symptoms were assessed at baseline, 2.5, and 5 years follow-ups. RESULTS After exclusion of converters to AD, regression analysis revealed that higher plasma Aβ42 at baseline was a positive predictor for conversion to first episode of LOD. Independent of whether persons with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) at 2.5 years were included or excluded into regressions, higher plasma Aβ42 at baseline was a significant predictor for the development of probable or possible AD at 5 years. Higher conversion to AD was also associated with male gender but not with either higher scores on the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), with stroke or cerebral infarction nor apolipoprotein E ε4 allele. No association was found for an interaction between plasma Aβ42 levels and GDS. CONCLUSIONS Higher plasma Aβ42 at baseline predicted the development of first episode of LOD and conversion to probable or possible AD. Emerging depression as measured by scores on GDS at the 2.5-year follow-up, either alone or as an interaction factor with plasma Aβ42, failed to predict the conversion to AD at 5 years.
Effects of 1-Methylcyclopropene Treatments on Ripening and Quality of Harvested Sapodilla Fruit

Sapodilla fruits were exposed to the ethylene action inhibitor 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) at 0, 40 or 80 nL/L for 24 h at 20 °C. Fruits were then stored at 20 °C and 85−95 % relative humidity and later assessed for quality and ripening characteristics. 1-MCP treatments delayed the increases in the rates of respiration and ethylene production by 6 days. Treatments also delayed by 6 days the increase in polygalacturonase activity. Decreases in ascorbic acid, titratable acidity and chlorophyll content that are normally seen with ripening were delayed. Changes in the content of soluble solids were also slowed compared to untreated fruit. The application of 1-MCP was an effective technology for ripening inhibition and quality maintenance of harvested sapodilla fruit.
Postconcussion Postural Sway Variability Changes in Youth: The Benefit of Structural Variability Analyses

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of postural sway variability as a potential assessment to detect altered postural sway in youth with symptoms related to a concussion. Methods: Forty participants (20 who were healthy and 20 who were injured) aged 10 to 16 years were assessed using the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) and postural sway variability analyses applied to center-of-pressure data captured using a force plate. Results: Significant differences were observed between the 2 groups for postural sway variability metrics but not for the BESS. Specifically, path length was shorter and Sample and Renyi Entropies were more regular for the participants who were injured compared with the participants who were healthy (P < .05). Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that postural sway variability may be a more valid measure than the BESS to detect postconcussion alterations in postural control in young athletes.
Origin and mechanisms of formation of fetus‐in‐fetu: Two cases with genotype and methylation analyses

Fetus‐in‐fetu (FIF) is a condition in which a host infant has a fetus‐like mass(es) within its body. We describe here results of molecular genetic analysis in two cases of FIF. In FIF‐1, a male host had two retroperitoneal fetiform masses each with a vertebral column, and in FIF‐2, a fetiform mass with vertebral column was present in the cranial cavity of a male host. Genotyping of each case using microsatellite markers showed that the host infant and its fetus(es) inherited one copy each of parental alleles and shared identical genotypes. These findings were confirmed by single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis using Affymetrix GeneChip Human Mapping 50K Array, and supported a monozygotic twin theory of FIF. Analysis of the methylation status was done in both cases at the differentially methylated region (DMR) within the human IGF2‐H19 locus after bisulfite treatment, methylation‐specific PCR, and cloning of PCR products. Normally, only the paternal allele is methylated and the maternal allele unmethylated in DMR. However, in FIF‐1, 7 (46.7%) of 15 clones from a fetiform mass and 6 (66.7%) of 9 clones from the other mass showed an unmethylated paternal allele, while the methylation status of a host infant and its fetiform mass in FIF‐2 was the same in all clones examined with normal patterns. These data suggest that in FIF‐1, two isolated blastocysts originated from one zygote, one of the two was implanted into (or included by) the other blastocyst during the process of methylation, and such abnormal implantation may have occurred in FIF‐2 after the establishment of methylation. This is the first case of FIF showing different methylation patterns between a host infant and fetiform mass. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Response to pneumococcal vaccine in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis receiving infliximab plus methotrexate or methotrexate alone.

OBJECTIVE We assessed whether the addition of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agent to methotrexate (MTX) therapy might alter the response of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to pneumococcal vaccination. METHODS Seventy patients with early RA (n = 20, 36, and 14 in the infliximab 3 mg/kg plus MTX, infliximab 6 mg/kg plus MTX, and placebo plus MTX groups, respectively) were included in an analysis of patients enrolled in an ASPIRE substudy. Patients received 0.5 ml pneumococcal vaccine (Pneumovax) 34 weeks after initiation of study treatment; patient sera were collected 4 weeks later (week 38). Antibody responses were tested using enzyme immunoassay methods for reactivity to a panel of 12 serotypes of the pneumococcal vaccine. RESULTS No significant difference in response to Pneumovax was observed between the infliximab plus MTX and placebo plus MTX groups. Roughly 80%-85% of patients responded to at least one serotype; however, only 20%-25% of patients in the different treatment groups responded to at least 6 different serotypes. Comparable proportions of patients in the 3 treatment groups responded to an increasing number (> or = 1 to > or = 6) of different serotypes. Patients < 45 years of age and those receiving oral corticosteroids generally appeared to respond better than those age 45 to 65 years and those not receiving oral corticosteroids. CONCLUSION All treatment groups in this study had lower responses to vaccine than would be expected in the normal population. However, the addition of the anti-TNF agent infliximab to MTX therapy did not appear to affect the response of patients with RA to pneumococcal vaccination.
A New Hybrid Multiobjective Algorithm For Assembly Lines Design

An improved hi-hat percussion instrument has a treadle stand with a central support shaft with a lower rod therein, the rod and support shaft being connected to a foot pedal. A hi-hat cymbal assembly has a lower fixed cymbal and a movable upper cymbal located above the central shaft. A bias spring is between the cymbals urging the upper movable cymbal away from the lower fixed cymbal. A flexible member is connected to the lower rod and the movable top cymbal which will then bring the two cymbals together by action of the foot pedal. A pivoting knuckle also permits the hi-hat cymbal assembly to assume varied angles.
Ablation of eosinophils leads to a reduction of allergen-induced pulmonary pathology.

A strategy to deplete eosinophils from the lungs of ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized/challenged mice was developed using antibody-mediated depletion. Concurrent administration [viz. the peritoneal cavity (systemic) and as an aerosol to the lung (local)] of a rat anti-mouse CCR3 monoclonal antibody resulted in the abolition of eosinophils from the lung such that the airway lumen was essentially devoid of eosinophils. Moreover, perivascular/peribronchial eosinophil numbers were reduced to levels indistinguishable from saline-challenged animals. This antibody-mediated depletion was not accompanied by effects on any other leukocyte population, including, but not limited to, T cells and mast cells/basophils. In addition, no effects were observed on other underlying allergic inflammatory responses in OVA-treated mice, including OVA-specific immunoglobulin production as well as T cell-dependent elaboration of Th2 cytokines. The ablation of virtually all pulmonary eosinophils in OVA-treated mice (i.e., without concurrent effects on T cell activities) resulted in a significant decrease in mucus accumulation and abolished allergen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness. These data demonstrate a direct causative relationship between allergen-mediated pulmonary pathologies and eosinophils.
Prospective, Randomized Intervention Study Comparing Retinal Pigment Epithelium-Choroid Graft Surgery and Anti-VEGF Therapy in Patients with Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Purpose: To investigate whether patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration and a submacular hemorrhage, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) tear or nonresponders to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) benefit more from a free RPE-choroid graft transplantation surgery than from (continuation of) anti-VEGF treatment. Procedures: A total of 20 patients were included in this prospective, international, multicenter, randomized intervention study. Results: The change in the mean number of Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letters in the graft group 1 year postoperatively was -15 (range -54 to +26), whilst 2 patients experienced a gain of >10 letters. The median preoperative visual acuity (VA) was 0.75 logMAR (range 0.46-2.8), and the mean postoperative VA was 1.48 logMAR (range 0.14-2.8). The change in the mean number of ETDRS letters in the anti-VEGF group was -8 (range -26 to +6); no patients experienced a >10 letter gain. The median preoperative VA was 1.36 logMAR (range 0.58-1.6), and the median postoperative VA was 1.42 logMAR (range 0.44-1.66). Conclusions: The included patient group is far too small to draw conclusions. However, both gain and loss of VA may be experienced by patients undergoing either treatment method; more gain might be possible for patients with a graft in the absence of complications.
Oxidative Stress and Platelet Activation: Markers of Myocardial Infarction in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

We compared lipids, lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA), the acute phase reactant high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and platelet selectin (P-selectin) between healthy controls, type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) participants without myocardial infarction (MI), as well as type 2 DM participants with MI. Malondialdehyde, IL-1β, and P-selectin levels were significantly higher in the diabetic participants with MI than in either healthy controls or diabetic participants without MI. In the diabetic groups, fasting blood glucose (FBG) level, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), MDA, hsCRP, and P-selectin were all significantly positively correlated with each other. This study suggests that increased levels of oxidative stress markers, proinflammatory markers, and adhesion molecules contribute to the atherosclerotic process that eventually leads to coronary artery disease in diabetic patients.
Stability of ice-sheet grounding lines

Recent observations of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet document rapid changes in the mass balance of its component glaciers. These observations raise the question of whether changing climatic conditions have triggered a dynamical instability in the ice-sheet–ice-shelf system. The dynamics of marine ice sheets are sensitive to grounding-line position and variation, characteristics that are poorly captured by most current models. We present a theory for grounding-line dynamics in three spatial dimensions and time. Our theory is based on a balance of forces across the grounding line; it is expressed as a differential equation that is analogous to the canonical Stefan condition. We apply this theory to the question of grounding-line stability under conditions of retrograde bed slope in a suite of calculations with different basal topography. A subset of these have basal topography inspired by the Pine Island glacier, where basal depth varies in both the along-flow and across-flow directions. Our results indicate that unstable retreat of the grounding line over retrograde beds is a robust feature of models that evolve based on force balance at the grounding line. We conclude, based on our simplified model, that unstable grounding-line recession may already be occurring at the Pine Island glacier.
Reading Frame Encompassing the MicroRNA 173 Target Site Plays a Role in transActing Small Interfering RNA Biogenesis 1

Division of Plant Sciences, National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, 2-1-2 Kannondai Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8602, Japan (M.Y., T.I., K.M., T.M., M.I.); Japan Science and Technology Agency, Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology (PRESTO), 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan (M.Y.); and Agrogenomics Research Center, National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, 2-1-2 Kannondai Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8602, Japan (H.N.)
Human immunodeficiency virus infection in heterosexual intravenous drug users in San Francisco.

To investigate the risk of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in San Francisco, the prevalence of antibodies to HIV was determined in 281 heterosexual intravenous drug users recruited from community-based settings. Ten per cent of subjects had ELISA and Western blot confirmed seropositivity for antibodies (95 per cent CI 6.8-14.2 per cent). Analysis of behavioral factors revealed an increased risk of seropositivity in addicts who reported regularly sharing needles when injecting, particularly those sharing with two or more persons (odds ratio = 5.43; 95 per cent CI 1.08-52.5). Blacks and Latinos also had a greater prevalence of seropositivity than Whites, and this finding persisted after adjustment for needle sharing (adjusted odds ratio = 2.8; 95 per cent CI .84-8.59). Seropositivity was not associated with age, sex, duration of drug use, or history of prostitution. These data indicate that a new epidemic of AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) in intravenous drug users, similar to that which has occurred among homosexuals in San Francisco, is possible. The relatively low seroprevalence in 1985 provides health officials an important opportunity to intervene and attempt to prevent widespread infection of drug users with HIV.