Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Arabidopsis CROOKED encodes for the smallest subunit of the ARP2/3 complex and controls cell shape by region specific fine F-actin formation

The generation of a specific cell shape requires differential growth, whereby specific regions of the cell expand more relative to others. The Arabidopsis crooked mutant exhibits aberrant cell shapes that develop because of mis-directed expansion, especially during a rapid growth phase. GFP-aided visualization of the F-actin cytoskeleton and the behavior of subcellular organelles in different cell-types in crooked and wild-type Arabidopsis revealed that localized expansion is promoted in cellular regions with fine F-actin arrays but is restricted in areas that maintain dense F-actin. This suggested that a spatiotemporal distinction between fine versus dense F-actin in a growing cell could determine the final shape of the cell. CROOKED was molecularly identified as the plant homolog of ARPC5, the smallest sub-unit of the ARP2/3 complex that in other organisms is renowned for its role in creating dendritic arrays of fine F-actin. Rescue of crooked phenotype by the human ortholog provides the first molecular evidence for the presence and functional conservation of the complex in higher plants. Our cell-biological and molecular characterization of CROOKED suggests a general actin-based mechanism for regulating differential growth and generating cell shape diversity.
Complications after emergency laparotomy beyond the immediate postoperative period – a retrospective, observational cohort study of 1139 patients

Mortality and morbidity occur commonly following emergency laparotomy, and incur a considerable clinical and financial healthcare burden. Limited data have been published describing the postoperative course and temporal pattern of complications after emergency laparotomy. We undertook a retrospective, observational, multicentre study of complications in 1139 patients after emergency laparotomy. A major complication occurred in 537/1139 (47%) of all patients within 30 days of surgery. Unadjusted 30‐day mortality was 20.2% and 1‐year mortality was 34%. One hundred and thirty‐seven of 230 (60%) deaths occurred between 72 h and 30 days after surgery; all of these patients had complications, indicating that there is a prolonged period with a high frequency of complications and mortality after emergency laparotomy. We conclude that peri‐operative, enhanced recovery care bundles for preventing complications should extend their focus on continuous complication detection and rescue beyond the first few postoperative days.
Time- and Field-Dependent Trapping in GaN-Based Enhancement-Mode Transistors With p-Gate

This letter describes an extensive analysis of the time- and field-dependent trapping processes that occur in GaN-based gate injection transistors exposed to high drain voltage levels. Results indicate that-even if the devices do not suffer from current collapse-continuous exposure to high drain voltages can induce a remarkable increase in the on-resistance (Ron). The increase in Ron can be recovered by leaving the device in rest conditions: Temperature-dependent analysis indicates that the activation energy of the detrapping process is equal to 0.47 eV. By time-resolved electroluminescence characterization, we show that this effect is related to the capture of electrons in the gate-drain access region. Finally, we show that charge emission can be significantly accelerated through the injection of holes from the gate.
A systematic genetic screen for genes involved in sensing inorganic phosphate availability in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Saccharomyces cerevisiae responds to changes in extracellular inorganic phosphate (Pi) availability by regulating the activity of the phosphate-responsive (PHO) signaling pathway, enabling cells to maintain intracellular levels of the essential nutrient Pi. Pi-limitation induces upregulation of inositol heptakisphosphate (IP7) synthesized by the inositol hexakisphosphate kinase Vip1, triggering inhibition of the Pho80/Pho85 cyclin-cyclin dependent kinase (CDK) complex by the CDK inhibitor Pho81, which upregulates the PHO regulon through the CDK target and transcription factor Pho4. To identify genes that are involved in signaling upstream of the Pho80/Pho85/Pho81 complex and how they interact with each other to regulate the PHO pathway, we performed genome-wide screens with the synthetic genetic array method. We identified more than 300 mutants with defects in signaling upstream of the Pho80/Pho85/Pho81 complex, including AAH1, which encodes an adenine deaminase that negatively regulates the PHO pathway in a Vip1-dependent manner. Furthermore, we showed that even in the absence of VIP1, the PHO pathway can be activated under prolonged periods of Pi starvation, suggesting complexity in the mechanisms by which the PHO pathway is regulated.
Introduction of New Technologies in Agriculture: A Study of the Challenges in the Adoption of Hybrid Rice in India

Rice is India’s number one foodgrain and is crucial to its food security. Raising its production with increasing demand and escalating commodity prices is a major challenge. The promising hybrid rice technology, despite its success in neighboring China and Bangladesh, has faced serious difficulties in India. The study examines the complexities in the introduction and adoption behavior of hybrid rice. It develops a conceptual framework to understand the adoption which includes technological, economic, behavioral, market and policy factors. The research uses secondary data, interviews, and primary farmer sample surveys to explore and test the conceptual model. Preliminary specific findings on the processes, determinants and challenges in the adoption of hybrid rice are reported. This would help in identifying critical factors and recommendations of relevance to this and other such technologies.
Glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor stimulates fiber formation and survival in cultured neurons from peripheral autonomic ganglia

Human recombinant glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) was tested for its ability to stimulate fiber formation and neuron survival in primary cultures of peripheral ganglia dissected from the chicken embryo. GDNF, first characterized by its actions on central nervous system (CNS) neurons, had a marked stimulatory effect on fiber outgrowth in sympathetic and ciliary ganglia. Weaker responses were evoked in sensory spinal and nodose ganglia and in the ganglion of Remak. In addition, survival of neurons from the sympathetic and ciliary ganglia was stimulated by GDNF at 50 ng/ml. The effects were not mimicked by the distant but related protein transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1). The profile of neurons stimulated by GDNF is also distinct from the patterns of stimulation shown by nerve growth factor (NGF), stimulation strongly sympathetic but not ciliary ganglia, and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), stimulating mainly the ciliary ganglion. Moreover, using in situ hybridization histochemistry, GDNF was demonstrated to be present in the pineal gland in the new born rat, a target organ for sympathetic innervation. The present results suggest that GDNF is likely to act upon receptors present in several autonomic and sensory neuronal populations. GDNF may serve to support fiber outgrowth and cell survival in peripheral ganglia, adding yet one more trophic factor to the list of specific proteins controlling development and maintenance of the peripheral nervous system. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A radiographic assessment of morphologies of soft palate: A retrospective study

Background: Soft palate morphologies vary among individuals, which may sometimes help in diagnosing various conditions such as cleft palate, oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Aims and Objectives: To assess the shape of the soft palate in normal individuals, classify the soft palate and investigate the differences in the size and shape of velar morphology in both the genders and age groups. Materials and Methodology: The study was conducted using 200 lateral cephalograms which were taken with digital orthophos XG machine. Radiographs were collected and soft palate morphologies were analyzed using Sirona software. Soft palate length and thickness were also calculated. Results: Increase in soft palate length was observed till the age of 30 years and showed a decrease thereafter. Velar width was more in males and showed variation in different age groups. Three additional morphological variants of soft palate were found. The soft palate length and width was significantly higher in males than females. Conclusion: Soft palate morphologies are variable. Type 1 variant was observed most commonly followed by Types 2 and 3. Thus, it will be beneficial for diagnosis and management of OSA and also will be helpful in assessing the changes in the morphologies in OSMF patients.
Scalar mesons and tetraquarks by means of lattice QCD

We study the light scalar mesons a_0(980) and kappa using N_f = 2+1+1 flavor lattice QCD. In order to probe the internal structure of these scalar mesons, and in particular to identify, whether a sizeable tetraquark component is present, we use a large set of operators, including diquark-antidiquark, mesonic molecule and two-meson operators. The inclusion of disconnected diagrams, which are technically rather challenging, but which would allow us to extend our work to e.g. the f_0(980) meson, is introduced and discussed.
Operative Management of Nonsyndromic Sagittal Synostosis: A Head-to-Head Meta-analysis of Outcomes Comparing 3 Techniques

Background:The timing and surgical technique for the treatment of sagittal synostosis remain controversial. Calvarial vault remodeling (CVR), strip craniectomy (SC), and spring-mediated cranioplasty (SMC) are currently in use. We perform a meta-analysis of the literature to compare these 3 techniques. Methods:A literature search identified articles involving operative management of nonsyndromic sagittal synostosis. Comparison of 2 operative techniques was required, and methodology was assessed via the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ Levels of Evidence. Three techniques were considered: CVR, SC, and SMC. Meta-analysis was conducted for change in cephalic index (CI), reported as weighted mean difference (WMD). Pooled subgroup comparisons were performed for operative time, length of stay, blood loss, and cost. Results:Twelve studies providing level 2 or 3 evidence were included. All studies involved CVR (n = 187), 8 involved SC (n = 299), and 7 involved SMC (n = 158). Head-to-head comparison of change in CI demonstrated a greater, yet statistically insignificant change for CVR versus SMC, WMD = 0.94 (−0.23 to 2.11) (P = 0.12, I2 = 55%). Calvarial vault remodeling showed a statistically greater change in CI versus SC, WMD = 1.47 (0.47–2.48) (P = 0.004, I2 = 66%). Compared with SMC/SC, CVR had longer operative length (170 vs 97 minutes), higher blood loss (238 vs 47 mL), longer length of stay (5.1 vs 2.9 days), and higher costs ($35,280 vs $13,147), all with P < 0.0001. Conclusions:This study, the first meta-analysis comparing 3 primary operations for correcting nonsyndromic sagittal synostosis, demonstrates no difference in CI for CVR versus SMC and a small but statistically greater improvement in CI favoring CVR over SC. Secondary outcomes favored SC/SMC procedures over CVR. However, long-term studies are still needed to adequately assess the risk-benefit ratios.
Late Archean Biospheric Oxygenation and Atmospheric Evolution

High-resolution geochemical analyses of organic-rich shale and carbonate through the 2500 million-year-old Mount McRae Shale in the Hamersley Basin of northwestern Australia record changes in both the oxidation state of the surface ocean and the atmospheric composition. The Mount McRae record of sulfur isotopes captures the widespread and possibly permanent activation of the oxidative sulfur cycle for perhaps the first time in Earth's history. The correlation of the time-series sulfur isotope signals in northwestern Australia with equivalent strata from South Africa suggests that changes in the exogenic sulfur cycle recorded in marine sediments were global in scope and were linked to atmospheric evolution. The data suggest that oxygenation of the surface ocean preceded pervasive and persistent atmospheric oxygenation by 50 million years or more.
Distinct Patterns of DNA Damage Response and Apoptosis Correlate with Jak/Stat and PI3Kinase Response Profiles in Human Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

Background Single cell network profiling (SCNP) utilizing flow cytometry measures alterations in intracellular signaling responses. Here SCNP was used to characterize Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) disease subtypes based on survival, DNA damage response and apoptosis pathways. Methodology and Principal Findings Thirty four diagnostic non-M3 AML samples from patients with known clinical outcome were treated with a panel of myeloid growth factors and cytokines, as well as with apoptosis-inducing agents. Analysis of induced Jak/Stat and PI3K pathway responses in blasts from individual patient samples identified subgroups with distinct signaling profiles that were not seen in the absence of a modulator. In vitro exposure of patient samples to etoposide, a DNA damaging agent, revealed three distinct “DNA damage response (DDR)/apoptosis” profiles: 1) AML blasts with a defective DDR and failure to undergo apoptosis; 2) AML blasts with proficient DDR and failure to undergo apoptosis; 3) AML blasts with proficiency in both DDR and apoptosis pathways. Notably, AML samples from clinical responders fell within the “DDR/apoptosis” proficient profile and, as well, had low PI3K and Jak/Stat signaling responses. In contrast, samples from clinical non responders had variable signaling profiles often with in vitro apoptotic failure and elevated PI3K pathway activity. Individual patient samples often harbored multiple, distinct, leukemia-associated cell populations identifiable by their surface marker expression, functional performance of signaling pathway in the face of cytokine or growth factor stimulation, as well as their response to apoptosis-inducing agents. Conclusions and Significance Characterizing and tracking changes in intracellular pathway profiles in cell subpopulations both at baseline and under therapeutic pressure will likely have important clinical applications, potentially informing the selection of beneficial targeted agents, used either alone or in combination with chemotherapy.
Effects of hyaluronan lyase, hyaluronidase, and chondroitin ABC lyase on mammalian vitreous gel.

PURPOSE To determine the effects of enzymes on mammalian vitreous gel and to thus infer the structural roles of hyaluronan and chondroitin sulfate in the gel. METHODS The wet weights of bovine vitreous gels were compared before and after incubation with Streptomyces hyaluronan lyase, chondroitin ABC lyase, testicular hyaluronidase, or buffer alone. The extent of hyaluronan depolymerization was determined by chromatography and that of chondroitin sulfate depolymerization by western blot analysis. RESULTS After digestion with Streptomyces hyaluronan lyase (30 U/gel), the gel wet weight was the same as that of controls (incubated with buffer alone) despite 94% of the hyaluronan having been depolymerized; when digested with 100 U/gel, the gel wet weight decreased (to 57% of original wet weight versus 86% for controls, P = < 0.001) and hyaluronan was completely depolymerized. Chondroitin ABC lyase digestion (0.2 U/gel) resulted in a slight reduction in gel wet weight (90% versus 96%, P = < 0.001) and depolymerization of 88% of the hyaluronan; the presence of fully digested chondroitin sulfate chains was established. Digestions with 100 and 500 U/gel of testicular hyaluronidase resulted in a decrease (P = < 0.001, both cases) in gel wet weight (53% versus 82%, 100 U/gel; 57%, versus 86%, 500 U/gel) with 75% and 97% hyaluronan depolymerization, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Depolymerization of all vitreous hyaluronan and of chondroitin sulfate resulted in gel wet weight reduction but not gel destruction. Digestion with 30 U/gel of Streptomyces hyaluronan lyase revealed a small pool (6%) of relatively enzyme-resistant hyaluronan that specifically contributed toward maintaining gel wet weight.
Adolescent blood pressure does not predict aortic stiffness in healthy young adults. The Atherosclerosis Risk in Young Adults (ARYA) study

Background Increased arterial stiffness has been shown to be a good predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and to be associated with an adverse cardiovascular risk profile. Objective To evaluate the relationship between adolescent blood pressure and aortic stiffness in 524 healthy young adults aged 27–30 years, as a means of investigating early determinants of arterial stiffness. Setting General community. Participants We studied 524 healthy young adults, aged 27–30 years, who attended secondary school in Utrecht, The Netherlands. Measurements Data on adolescent weight, height, blood pressure and stage of puberty were available from the original school health records of the Municipal Health Service. At young adulthood, a questionnaire on cardiovascular risk factors was completed and a fasting blood sample was drawn. Main outcome measure Arterial stiffness, assessed by carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV). Results Adolescent blood pressure did not predict aortic PWV at young adulthood (linear regression coefficient 0.03 m/s per 10 mmHg increase in systolic blood pressure; 95% confidence interval −0.09 to 0.14). Repeated analysis in a subgroup (n = 199) for whom two adolescent blood pressure measurements were averaged showed stronger (2–19×) associations with adult PWV, although these were not significant. Conclusion Adolescent blood pressure did not predict arterial stiffness in healthy young adults. Measurement error in the baseline blood readings (regression to the mean phenomenon) may partly explain the lack of association in our study. Further studies should confirm our results in order to enable better understanding of the role of adolescent blood pressure in the aetiology of vascular damage.
Recombinant hepatitis E virus genomes infectious for primates: Importance of capping and discovery of a cis-reactive element

Hepatitis E virus recombinant genomes transcribed in vitro from two cDNA clones differing by two nucleotides were infectious for chimpanzees. However, one cDNA clone encoded a virus that was attenuated for chimpanzees and unable to infect rhesus monkeys. The second cDNA clone encoded a virus that infected both chimpanzees and rhesus monkeys and caused acute hepatitis in both. One mutation differentiating the two clones identified a cis-reactive element that appeared to overlap the 3′ end of the capsid gene and part of the 3′ noncoding region. Capping of the RNA transcripts was essential for infectivity.
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene (VEGFA) polymorphism can predict the prognosis in acute myeloid leukaemia patients

Increased angiogenesis, mediated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), was associated with poor prognosis in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients. The current study investigated the impact of VEGF gene (VEGFA) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on treatment outcomes for AML. Four VEGFA SNPs were analysed for −2578C>A (rs699947), −460T>C (rs833061), +405G>C (rs2010963) and +936 C>T (rs3025039) loci in 138 AML patients. The +936 CC/CT genotype showed strong correlation with favourable leukaemia‐free survival (LFS) at 2 years (51·3%) versus with +936 CC genotype (33·6%, P = 0·03). Strong linkage disequilibrium was noted among loci −2578, −460 and +405, but not with +936. Accordingly, four haplotypes were generated based on the genotypes of −2578, −460 and +405 as follows: CTC (40·2%), CTG (35·0%), ACG (22·0%) and ATC (1·2%). The LFS and event‐free survival (EFS) inversely correlated with CTG haplotype (P = 0·03 for LFS; P = 0·05 for EFS). We scored the VEGFA polymorphism marker based on +936 C>T genotype and CTG haplotype for −2578, −460 and +405, which demonstrated a good correlation with the treatment outcomes: LFS (P = 0·01), EFS (P = 0·03) and overall survival (P = 0·01). The VEGFA +936 C>T genotype and CTG haplotype seemed to have an additive effect to predict the prognosis in AML patients.
Carcinoid Tumors of the Orbit and Ocular Adnexa.

PURPOSE Well-differentiated neuroendocrine or carcinoid tumors are found most commonly in the gastrointestinal tract. When metastatic to the orbit, they tend to have a propensity for the extraocular muscles. The purpose of this study was to better understand the diversity in presentation of orbital carcinoid disease and to determine predictors for survival. METHODS In this observational cross-sectional cohort study, data from 8 tertiary orbital practices were compiled. Demographic, clinical, pathologic, American Joint Committee on Cancer stage and grade, imaging, and management data were extracted for all the patients. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Subgroups were compared utilizing analysis of variance analyses and Kaplan-Meier curves. Time to progression and disease-specific and overall mortality were calculated. Comparisons were performed for the following a priori pairs: unknown versus known primary tumor, single versus multiple extraocular muscle involvement, unilateral versus bilateral orbital disease, extraocular muscle versus other orbital involvement, and excisional versus incisional surgery. RESULTS A total of 28 patients with carcinoid tumors of the orbit were identified. Of these, 57.1% of patients were female, the mean age at diagnosis of the primary tumor was 58.8 years and the mean age at diagnosis of orbital disease was 62.6 years. At primary presentation, all patients were American Joint Committee on Cancer stage III or IV and 21.4% demonstrated carcinoid syndrome. Muscle involvement was noted in 78.6% of patients, and of these, 72% were noted to have single muscle disease. Eight patients had no primary tumor identified; 3 of these 8 demonstrated disseminated disease at the time of diagnosis. The overall 5-year survival rate was 81.8% from diagnosis of primary tumor and 50% from diagnosis of orbital disease. Subgroup analysis revealed that patients with unilateral orbital disease when compared with bilateral orbital disease had a longer progression-free survival and time to death from all causes (p = 0.025). Patients with disease localized to the orbit at presentation had longer time to death than those with disseminated disease. Treatment with surgery, radiation, or octreotide did not appear to affect survival. Patients managed with systemic chemotherapy had a shorter time of survival than the rest of the group. All other subgroup comparisons were not found to be statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Neuroendocrine tumors of the orbit represent a wide spectrum of disease, with some cases being part of disseminated disease, while others being localized presentations. This heterogeneity may be responsible for the slightly higher overall survival in these patients than others with metastatic carcinoid tumors in other locations.