Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of defoliation and shading on the physiological cost of reproduction in silky locoweed Oxytropis sericea.

BACKGROUND The production of flowers, fruits and seeds demands considerable energy and nutrients, which can limit the allocation of these resources to other plant functions and, thereby, influence survival and future reproduction. The magnitude of the physiological costs of reproduction depends on both the factors limiting seed production (pollen, ovules or resources) and the capacity of plants to compensate for high resource demand. METHODS To assess the magnitude and consequences of reproductive costs, we used shading and defoliation to reduce photosynthate production by fully pollinated plants of a perennial legume, Oxytropis sericea (Fabaceae), and examined the resulting impact on photosynthate allocation, and nectar, fruit and seed production. KEY RESULTS Although these leaf manipulations reduced photosynthesis and nectar production, they did not alter photosynthate allocation, as revealed by (13)C tracing, or fruit or seed production. That photosynthate allocation to reproductive organs increased >190 % and taproot mass declined by 29 % between flowering and fruiting indicates that reproduction was physiologically costly. CONCLUSIONS The insensitivity of fruit and seed production to leaf manipulation is consistent with either compensatory mobilization of stored resources or ovule limitation. Seed production differed considerably between the two years of the study in association with contrasting precipitation prior to flowering, perhaps reflecting contrasting limits on reproductive performance.
Pregnancy outcomes of antiphospholipid syndrome: In a low resource South Asian setting

Problem Antiphospholipid syndrome is associated with recurrent pregnancy loss, and specific treatment improves pregnancy outcome. Laboratory diagnosis is limited in South Asia. We assessed management outcomes of definite/probable antiphospholipid syndrome treated at a tertiary centre in Sri Lanka. Method Descriptive cross-sectional study of pregnancy outcomes with heparin and aspirin therapy. Outcome measures: miscarriage, intrauterine death and live birth when compared to previous untreated pregnancies. Results Of 646 gestations in 145 women, 146 (22.6%) received specific treatment. In the preceding pregnancies without specific treatment, the rates of miscarriage, late fetal loss, stillbirth and live birth were 60%, 26%, 8% and 7%, respectively. Following specific treatment with low-dose aspirin ± low-molecular weight heparin in 146 pregnancies (145 women), the rates of miscarriage, late fetal loss, stillbirth and live birth were 14%, 10%, 3% and 74%, respectively. Mean birth weight was 2.54 ± 0.62 kg, preterm births complicated 32 (29.6%) with a mean gestational age at delivery 33.7 ± 2.6 weeks, with three neonatal deaths. Maternal complications were: pre-eclampsia 16 (10.9%), gestational diabetes 28 (19.2%), antepartum haemorrhage in 1 patient. Only 73/145 (50.3%) women had laboratory confirmation of antiphospholipid syndrome, while others were treated empirically. Live births in diagnosed vs. empiric treatment – 80.8% vs. 67.1%. Conclusion Pregnant women with clinical antiphospholipid syndrome when treated with low-dose aspirin and heparin, the live birth rate of 7% in the previous pregnancy resulted in live births of 74% in a resource limited South Asian setting.
Apolipoprotein E (APOE) phenotype and APOE concentrations in multiple sclerosis and acute herpes zoster

Objectives– There are three major isoforms of apolipoprotein E (apoE), namely apoE2, apoE3, and apoE4, that are products of three alleles (ε2,ε3,ε4) at a single gene locus on chromosome 19. It is well known that the presence of apoE4 increases the risk for the development of Alzheimer's disease and atherosclerosis. The aim of the study was to examine if apoE polymorphism or apoE levels contribute to the severity of the disease in patients with multiple sclerosis or the outcome of nerve damage in patients with herpes zoster infection. Material and methods– We examined apoE phenotype of 105 MS patients and 41 patients with herpes zoster. We also measured serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of apoE from 93 patients with definite MS using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Results– There were no differences in apoE allele frequencies in MS or herpes zoster patients compared to the allele frequencies of controls. The levels of serum or CSF apoE did not differ from those of age‐matched controls, nor did they correlate with the disease activity. Conclusion– We conclude that apoE does not contribute to the activity of MS or the outcome of herpes zoster.
Expression of BAFF (BLyS) in T cells infiltrating labial salivary glands from patients with Sjögren's syndrome

Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of the salivary glands. Most of the infiltrating cells are T cells, but other features of the disease include polyclonal B‐cell activation, systemic production of autoantibodies, and increased risk of developing B‐cell non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma. Recently, a new tumour necrosis factor, the B‐cell activating factor (BAFF; also known as BLyS), has been implicated in the polyclonal activation of B cells. Using immunohistochemistry, this study evaluated BAFF expression in labial salivary gland biopsies from 14 patients with pSS, 14 normal controls, and two patients with sarcoidosis. Labial salivary gland samples from seven patients with pSS, seven controls, and one patient with sarcoidosis were double‐stained using indirect immunofluorescence. RT‐PCR analysis was also performed on lip biopsy samples from two patients and two controls. In all 14 pSS specimens, infiltrating inflammatory cells strongly expressed BAFF protein, as did some ductal epithelial cells, but acinar cells were negative. Some B cells were present in the vicinity of the BAFF‐positive cells. In the 14 normal labial salivary glands, some ductal cells were moderately positive, but acinar cells were negative. In the labial salivary glands from the two patients with sarcoidosis, infiltrating lymphocytes were not stained. BAFF mRNA expression was confirmed by RT‐PCR in salivary glands from pSS patients. Double immunofluorescence revealed T cells and macrophages to be the main cell types expressing BAFF in salivary glands from pSS patients. In conclusion, BAFF may be expressed by T cells at the site of autoimmune damage and could play a role in the pathogenesis of pSS, particularly by triggering the activation of self‐antigen‐driven autoimmune B cells. Copyright © 2004 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Irradiation induces regionally specific alterations in pro-inflammatory environments in rat brain

Purpose: Pro-inflammatory environments in the brain have been implicated in the onset and progression of neurological disorders. In the present study, we investigate the hypothesis that brain irradiation induces regionally specific alterations in cytokine gene and protein expression. Materials and methods: Four month old F344 × BN rats received either whole brain irradiation with a single dose of 10 Gy γ-rays or sham-irradiation, and were maintained for 4, 8, and 24 h following irradiation. The mRNA and protein expression levels of pro-inflammatory mediators were analysed by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and immunofluorescence staining. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of irradiation-induced brain inflammation, effects of irradiation on the DNA-binding activity of pro-inflammatory transcription factors were also examined. Results: A significant and marked up-regulation of mRNA and protein expression of pro-inflammatory mediators, including tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), was observed in hippocampal and cortical regions isolated from irradiated brain. Cytokine expression was regionally specific since TNF-α levels were significantly elevated in cortex compared to hippocampus (57% greater) and IL-1β levels were elevated in hippocampus compared to cortical samples (126% greater). Increases in cytokine levels also were observed after irradiation of mouse BV-2 microglial cells. A series of electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) demonstrated that irradiation significantly increased activation of activator protein-1 (AP-1), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB). Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that whole brain irradiation induces regionally specific pro-inflammatory environments through activation of AP-1, NF-κB, and CREB and overexpression of TNF-α, IL-1β, and MCP-1 in rat brain and may contribute to unique pathways for the radiation-induced impairments in tissue function.
A Comparative Study on Economic Policies for Construction and Demolition Waste Minimisation

The amount of solid waste generated in construction and demolition (C&D) processes is massive. Therefore, many countries and cities have established various economic policies to reduce C&D waste, which include waste disposal charge, deposit-refund scheme, tax on materials, and fine scheme. Appropriate economic policies can motivate the construction industry to minimise C&D waste. There are differences in economic policies adopted by various countries and cities. However, studies that compare the economic policies for C&D waste minimisation in various countries and cities are currently lacking. Therefore, this paper aims to quantitatively and qualitatively compare the economic policies implemented for C&D waste minimisation in Hong Kong, South Korea, the US, the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands. To understand the impacts of the economic policies on C&D waste minimisation, C&D statistical data are also analysed. Based on the comparative study, this paper will discuss the relationships between the economic policies and C&D waste. Recommendations on economic policies for C&D waste minimisation will also be provided.
Seller Organizations, Market Brokers and Brokerage in the Context of U.S. Venture Capital Market

Seller organizations have the option to use market brokers when they deal with uncertainty surrounding financing. I examine under what conditions seller organizations face a great level of uncertainty that makes them likely to rely on market brokers. I suggest catalysis conditions that require a network action that mitigates uncertainty about finding an exchange partner. I also suggest coordination conditions that require a coordinating activity that reduces uncertainty about structuring an exchange. In the context of the U.S. venture capital market in which start-ups as seller organizations elect to use law firms as market intermediaries for their VC financing deals, I specify two catalysis conditions – when a start-up takes longer than similar others to secure a financing, and when it forms a financing deal with a VC that has historically been involved in brokered deals – and one coordination condition – when a start-up forms a financing deal with multiple VCs. I discuss the implications of my findings for research on market brokerage as well as for research on entrepreneurship. 3.
PENGARUH CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY TERHADAP MANAJEMEN LABA DENGAN LEVERAGE DAN GROWTH SEBAGAI VARIABEL CONTROL PADA INDUSTRI FARMASI YANG TERDAFTAR DI BURSA EFEK INDONESIA

This research aimed to examine the influence of Corporate Social Responsibility on earnings management. The population in this research is the pharmaceutical company on the Indonesia stock exchange. Samples are selected using a purposive sampling method. The data used in this research is 6 companies for the period of 2012-2016. The method of data analysis used multiple linear regression. The result of this research showed that Corporate Social Responsibility is not a significant effect and have a positive relationship towards the earnings management.
Emerging drugs for acute lymphocytic leukemia

Introduction: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is typically treated with complex multi-agent chemotherapy regimens over a prolonged time period. Long-term outcomes depend on the age of the patient and the biological characteristics of the leukemic cells. While pediatric patients achieve cure more often than adults, therapy can continue to be improved for all patients with this disease. Areas covered: The current management strategy for ALL is reviewed. Recently, targeted therapies have been shown to improve survival in subsets of patients, most notably in those with Philadelphia chromosome-positive ALL or with leukemic cells that express the surface antigen CD20. Several innovative compounds are under investigation, and the most promising ones to date will be discussed. Expert opinion: The incorporation of monoclonal antibody therapy represents a targeted and powerful approach to the management of ALL. Bispecific T-cell engaging agents, such as blinatumomab, are able to facilitate immune-mediated killing of leukemia cells. Immunoconjugates (i.e., monoclonal antibodies linked to various cytotoxins) allow small doses of very potent chemotherapy to be delivered directly to a leukemia cell with hope of sparing normal tissue. As the genetic and molecular characterization of ALL is more completely understood, patients will receive treatment plans that are more individualized than previously possible.
Antibacterial activity of proprietary self-etching primers.

PURPOSE To determine and compare the in vitro antibacterial activity of three self-etching primers. MATERIALS AND METHODS LB primer (Liner Bond 2), FB primer (Fluoro Bond), and MB conditioner (Tokuso Mac Bond) were evaluated. The antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus casei, and Actinomyces viscosus was assessed using the agar disc-diffusion method. Twenty microliters of each primer were impregnated into a paper disc and placed on a Brain Heart Infusion agar plate inoculated with a bacterial suspension. The size of inhibition zones produced around the specimens was measured after 48 hours of incubation of the plate. In addition, 20 microliters of each primer was added to a 1 ml suspension of S. mutans adjusted to 1 x 10(6), 1 x 10(5), or 1 x 10(4) CFU/ml in phosphate buffered saline and kept in contact for 30 seconds. The number of viable bacteria after contact with each primer was determined. The results were analyzed by ANOVA and Fisher's PLSD test (P < 0.05). RESULTS LB primer and FB primer produced inhibition zones against S. mutans and A. viscosus, and MB conditioner produced an inhibition zone only against A. viscosus. No inhibition zones were produced by any of the primers against L. casei. The three primers completely killed 1 x 10(4) CFU of S. mutans within 30 seconds of contact. When 1 x 10(5) or 1 x 10(6) CFU of bacterial cells were kept in contact, significant differences in the number of recovered viable cells were found among the three primers with MB conditioner being the most bactericidal. LB primer had little bactericidal activity and the mean reduction of viable bacteria by FB primer and MB conditioner was approximately 30% and 65%, respectively.
How trust underpins auditor fraud risk assessments

An apparatus and method for sensing the failure of hydraulically-actuated electronically-controlled fuel injector in a combustion engine is disclosed. An electronic controller senses the pressure of the hydraulic actuator fluid prior to injection and samples the pressure throughout a subsequent injection cycle. If the samples show an oscillation in the pressure of the hydraulic actuator fluid, then the injector has fired. Otherwise, the injector has failed.
The Role of Immature Granulocyte Count and Immature Myeloid Information in the Diagnosis of Neonatal Sepsis

© 2013 Cimenti et al., licensee InTech. This is an open access chapter distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. The Role of Immature Granulocyte Count and Immature Myeloid Information in the Diagnosis of Neonatal Sepsis
Transferred melanoma-specific CD8+ T cells persist, mediate tumor regression, and acquire central memory phenotype

Adoptively transferred tumor-specific T cells offer the potential for non–cross-resistant therapy and long-term immunoprotection. Strategies to enhance in vivo persistence of transferred T cells can lead to improved antitumor efficacy. However, the extrinsic (patient conditioning) and intrinsic (effector cell) factors contributing to long-term in vivo persistence are not well-defined. As a means to enhance persistence of infused T cells in vivo and limit toxicity, 11 patients with refractory, progressive metastatic melanoma received cyclophosphamide alone as conditioning before the infusion of peripheral blood mononuclear cell-derived, antigen-specific, CD8+ cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) clones followed by low-dose or high-dose IL-2. No life-threatening toxicities occurred with low-dose IL-2. Five of 10 evaluable patients had stable disease at 8 wk, and 1 of 11 had a complete remission that continued for longer than 3 y. On-target autoimmune events with the early appearance of skin rashes were observed in patients with stable disease or complete remission at 4 wk or longer. In vivo tracking revealed that the conditioning regimen provided a favorable milieu that enabled CTL proliferation early after transfer and localization to nonvascular compartments, such as skin and lymph nodes. CTL clones, on infusion, were characterized by an effector memory phenotype, and CTL that persisted long term acquired phenotypic and/or functional qualities of central memory type CTLs in vivo. The use of a T-cell product composed of a clonal population of antigen-specific CTLs afforded the opportunity to demonstrate phenotypic and/or functional conversion to a central memory type with the potential for sustained clinical benefit.
[Family intervention in schizophrenia: long-term effect on main caregivers].

INTRODUCTION The bulk of research on Family Interventions concentrates on assessing its efficacy in reducing psychotic relapses, there being very little research into its ability to reduce the morbidity of the main caregiver over the course of time. METHOD Follow-up study at five years of a cohort of informal caregivers of persons with schizophrenia who had taken part in an empirical trial with two therapeutic approaches assigned at random. RESULTS 87.7 % of main caregivers are women and they tend to care for more chronic and inactive patients than men (p < 0.041). More than 55% of main caregivers had high General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) scores, with women suffering more emotional repercussions than men. Morbidity gradually declines over time (GHQ scores: 8.1 before intervention; 6.9 at the end of intervention and 4.6 five years later) although statistical significance was only achieved when taking the entire period into account, i.e., from beginning to the end of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Family intervention over a limited period followed by a support group gradually reduces morbidity of the caregiver to a significant level at five years, although this reduction is not associated with the type of setting or the absence or presence of the patient. Clinical implications are discussed and likewise the need for a more equitable distribution of responsibilities and risk.
The Relationship between Pregnancy Stress and Anxiety in High-risk Pregnant Women: The Mediating Effect of a Sense of Mastery

This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between pregnancy stress and anxiety in high-risk, pregnant Korean women and the mediating effect of the sense of mastery. The participants in this study were 118 high-risk pregnant women. They were diagnosed with high-risk pregnancy during the 20th–38th weeks of gestation at university hospitals between March 3 rd , 2015, and March 30th, 2015, and they either visited obstetrics and gynecology outpatient clinics for prenatal examinations or entered delivery rooms. Collected data were analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics 22 program. Participants’ general and obstetric characteristics were analyzed using descriptive statistics, such as frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. The relationship between the participants’ pregnancy stress, anxiety, and sense of mastery was investigated using the Pearson's correlation coefficient. In order to investigate the mediating effect of the sense of mastery on the relationship between the participants' pregnancy stress and anxiety, a multiple regression analysis was conducted. To investigate the significance of the mediating effect, the Sobel test was conducted. We confirmed that the sense of mastery exerted a significant partial mediating effect on the influence of the participants' pregnancy stress on anxiety. This study is significant since it empirically verified that the anxiety of high-risk pregnant women decreased as the pregnancy stress decreased and as the sense of mastery increased. Based on the findings of the present study, future studies should focus on developing prenatal intervention programs aimed at the prevention and management of high-risk pregnant women's anxiety and on investigating the effectiveness of such programs.
Consequences of Changing the Auditor's Report: Evidence from the U.K.

The audit regulator in the United Kingdom made significant changes to the auditor’s report for large public companies with fiscal years beginning on or after October 1, 2012. The new report has to describe significant risks of material misstatement, the application of materiality, and the audit’s scope. We study changes in audit fees, audit quality, and investors’ reaction to the report’s public release in the two years before and after the new rules. We find mixed evidence of a change in audit fees, ranging from an increase of nearly four percent to no change, depending on model specification. We do not find evidence of changes in audit quality or investors’ reaction to the report’s public release. Further examining the content of the new reports, we document that the total length of the report, the length of the risks’ discussion, and the number of risks are positively associated with audit fees. Moreover, materiality is inversely related to audit quality. Thus, although the new report format had a small impact on audit fees and did not significantly change audit quality or investors’ reaction to the report, the mandated risk and materiality disclosures are associated with cross-sectional variation in audit fees and quality.
Necrotising Stomatitis in a HIV-Seropositive Patient: Report of a Case and a Review of the Literature

Necrotizing gingivitis (NG), necrotizing periodontitis (NP) and necrotizing stomatitis (NS) are well documented oral diseases associated with HIV infection, and might represent a spectrum of clinical manifestations of a single infectious process. While NG is a relatively common periodontal disease mainly observed in early HIV infection, NS is less common, and is usually associated with a well-established HIV infection and deterioration in the immune status. However, all three conditions may arise in non-HIV affected individuals. A case is presented of NS occurring simultaneously with NG, but not on contiguous areas, leading to the diagnosis of HIV infection in a patient unaware of her HIV status, and the literature of NG and NS is reviewed.