Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ROS as Signaling Molecules and Enzymes of Plant Response to Unfavorable Environmental Conditions

Research concern plant response to unfavourable environmental conditions is becoming increasingly important and most climate-change scenarios suggest an increase in aridity in many areas of the globe (Petit et al. 1999, Blum 2011). On a global principle, drought (taking into account soil and/or atmospheric water deficit) in combination with coincident high temperature and radiation, determines the most important environmental constraints to plant survival and to crop productivity (Boyer 1982). Agriculture is a major user of water resources and abiotic stress is the principal cause of decreasing the average yield of major crops by more than 50%, which causes losses worth hundreds of millions of dollars each year. Understanding mechanism of abiotic stress tolerance and defense is important for crop improvement. Many works concerning this problem were developed over last decades, discussing subjects from plant strategies to control water status under drought (Schulze 1986) to the physiological and biochemical processes underlying plant response to water shortage (Chaves 1991, Cornin and Massacci 1996) and oxidative stress (Smirnoff 1998). In this chapter various aspects of reactive oxygen species and enzymes in plant response to drought (abiotic stress) are discussed.
Claudin-3 and Claudin-4: Distinct Prognostic Significance in Triple-Negative and Luminal Breast Cancer

Introduction:To investigate the immunohistochemical expression of claudin-1, claudin-3, and claudin-4 in triple-negative breast carcinomas and compare it with several clinicopathologic parameters as well as their expression in luminal cancers. Materials and Methods:A total of 128 cases of breast carcinoma were included in the study. For all these cases, immunohistochemistry for estrogen and progesterone receptors, Ki-67, and Her2 had already been performed, whereas Her2 2+ cases had been further characterized as positive or negative for Her2 amplification with the chromogenic in situ hybridization technique. Seventy-six tumors were triple negative. The remaining 52 were luminal cancers. All tumors were evaluated for the expression of claudin-1, claudin-3, and claudin-4. Results:In the triple-negative group, the positive expression of claudin-3 and claudin-4 was related to unfavorable and favorable prognostic factors, respectively. Claudin-1 was not related to any parameter under evaluation. In the luminal cancer group, claudin-4 positivity was related to a shorter disease-free survival, whereas the inverse was observed for claudin-3. Moreover, all 3 claudins increased with increase of the grade and Ki-67 value in the luminal cancers. Conclusion:A distinct prognostic significance in the expression of claudin-3 and mostly of claudin-4 between triple-negative and luminal breast carcinomas was identified. Specifically, in triple-negative carcinomas, claudin-4 positivity could probably be considered as a biomarker of favorable prognosis, whereas in luminal cancers with claudin-4-positive expression, the administration of targeted therapy should eventually be part of the patients’ management in the near future.
An improved interpolation scheme for finite volume simulations on unstructured meshes

The unstructured bilinear interpolation scheme of Kim and Choi (2000) is claimed to be second order accurate on the basis of empirical results from finite volume simulations of the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. In this paper, the scheme is analysed theoretically, and is shown to be only first order accurate for function interpolation and zeroth order accurate for spatial derivative approximation, in the general case. A number of special cases exist, however, where higher order accuracy may be obtained, and these are identified in this paper. Since the mesh used by Kim and Choi to demonstrate the accuracy of their scheme was one of these special cases, this explains their results. Finally, an improved version of Kim and Choi’s scheme is presented, which is shown to be truly second order accurate for function interpolation and first order accurate for spatial derivative approximation.
National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards.

Many members of the Academy of Pediatrics seem to be generally unaware of the fact that your Academy has participated for ten years in a very interesting and valuable organization, the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS). The NCCLS has only three kinds of members: professional organizations, industrial (clinical laboratory instruments and supplies), and government agencies (CDC, FDA, NBS, NIH). Each member is represented by one delegate and one alternate. At present there are close to 110 members, of which 20 are professional societies.
Neuropsychological change in young people at high risk for schizophrenia: results from the first two neuropsychological assessments of the Edinburgh High Risk Study

Background. Studies of groups of individuals who have a genetically high risk of developing schizophrenia, have found neuropsychological impairments that highlight likely trait markers of the schizophrenic genotype. This paper describes the change in neuropsychological function and associations with psychiatric state of high risk participants during the first two assessments of the Edinburgh High Risk Study. Methods. Seventy-eight high risk participants and 22 normal controls, age and sex matched completed two neuropsychological assessments 18 months to 2 years apart. The areas of function assessed include intellectual function, executive function, learning and memory, and verbal ability and language. Results. The high risk participants performed significantly worse on particular tests of verbal memory and executive function over the two assessments than matched controls. Those high risk participants who experienced psychotic symptoms were found to exhibit a decline in IQ and perform worse on tests of verbal memory and executive function than those without symptoms. An increase in psychotic symptoms between the two assessments in the high risk group was found to be associated with an apparent decline in IQ and memory. Conclusions. The results suggest that the development of psychotic symptoms is preceded by a decline in IQ and memory. This may reflect a general and a more specific disease process respectively.
Contributing data for risk assessment of traditional fermented sausages: “Salpicão de Vinhais” and “Chouriça de Vinhais”

Abstract “Salpicão de Vinhais” and “Chouriça de Vinhais” are traditional dry-fermented smoked meat sausages produced in Vinhais, a small region of Trás-os-Montes, Portugal. The scientific knowledge of this sausage variety is limited. Seventy-seven samples of “Salpicão” and “Chouriça de Vinhais” were purchased from producers, local markets and retail stores. Their microbiological and physical chemical characteristics were analysed. The same analyses were performed on the raw materials and ingredients and products during the production processes. Regarding the pathogenic flora, Staphylococcus aureus, spores of sulphite reducing clostridia, Escherichia coli 0157:H7, Yersinia spp. and Salmonella spp. were not detected in any of the samples analysed; Listeria monocytogenes was detected in 14.3% of the samples. The manufacturing process, namely fermentation, ripening/drying and smoking reduced the numbers of pathogen and hygiene indicator micro-organisms.
Poorly Differentiated Adenocarcinomas of Prostate Versus High-Grade Urothelial Carcinoma of the Bladder: A Diagnostic Dilemma With Immunohistochemical Evaluation of 2 Cases

The differential diagnosis between carcinoma of the urinary bladder and adenocarcinoma of the prostate can be difficult, especially in the poorly differentiated forms infiltrating the neighboring organs. In this article, the authors report 2 cases that pose a diagnostic dilemma to the pathologist. The first is an infiltration of the bladder by a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the prostate, which was clinically suspected as a papillary urothelial neoplasm. The second is a collision tumor composed of prostatic adenocarcinoma and urothelial carcinoma observed on a core needle biopsy of the prostate. In both cases, a large panel of immunohistochemical markers were used and demonstrated positivity for prostate-specific antigen and alpha methyl racemase in the prostatic carcinomas and immunoreactivity for CK7, CK20, Ag 34βE12, and p53 in the urothelial carcinoma. The differentiating histological and immunohistochemical findings are discussed.
Impact of infliximab therapy after early endoscopic recurrence following ileocolonic resection of Crohn's disease: A prospective pilot study

Background: The efficacy of infliximab for endoscopic recurrence after resection of Crohn's disease (CD) has not yet been reported. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the impact of infliximab on early endoscopic lesions after resection for CD. Methods: Twenty‐six patients maintaining clinical remission (CD activity index [CDAI] score <150) with mesalamine (3 g/day) after resection showed endoscopic recurrence in the neoterminal ileum at 6 months postoperatively (=baseline). Over the following 6 months, 10 patients were treated with continuous mesalamine (3 g/day), 8 patients were treated with azathioprine therapy (50 mg/day), and the other 8 patients were treated with infliximab therapy (5 mg/kg, every 8 weeks). During ileocolonoscopy at baseline and 6 months later, mucosal biopsies were taken for cytokine assays. Results: During 6‐month observation, no patients in the infliximab group, 3 (38%) in the azathioprine group, and 7 (70%) in the mesalamine group developed clinical recurrence (CDAI ≥150) (P = 0.01). At 6 months, endoscopic inflammation was improved in 75% of patients in the infliximab group, 38% in the azathioprine group, and 0% in the mesalamine group (P = 0.006). The mucosal interleukin (IL)‐1&bgr;, IL‐6, and tumor necrosis factor‐&agr; levels significantly decreased in the infliximab group, while they significantly increased in the mesalamine group, and they did not change significantly in the azathioprine group. Conclusions: Infliximab therapy showed clear suppressive effects on clinical and endoscopic disease activity, and mucosal cytokine production in patients with early endoscopic lesions after resection. To confirm our conclusions, randomized controlled trials with a larger number of patients are necessary.
Effects of Positive Pressure in Odontogenic Keratocysts

Intracystic fluid pressure is thought to be involved in odontogenic cyst growth. In this study, we investigated the effects of positive pressure on the expression of interleukin-1α (IL-1α), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in odontogenic keratocysts to determine whether this pressure stimulates inflammatory cytokine production and signaling of osteoclastogenic events. Positive pressure enhanced the expression of IL-1α mRNA and protein in odontogenic keratocyst epithelial cells, and increased the secretion of MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, and PGE2 in a co-culture of odontogenic keratocyst fibroblasts and the epithelial cells. The pressure-induced secretions were inhibited by an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist. Recombinant human interleukin-1α (rhIL-1α) increased the secretion of MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, and PGE2 in the fibroblasts. Furthermore, in the fibroblasts, rhIL-1α enhanced the expression of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) mRNA, and rhIL-1α-induced PGE2 increased the expression of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) mRNA. Thus, positive pressure may play a crucial role in odontogenic keratocyst growth via stimulating the expression of IL-1α in epithelial cells.
Human Speech and Blood Pressure

The recent development of a noninvasive automated blood pressure device has revealed a strong relationship between human conversation and blood pressure. Conventional techniques of pressure measurement such as the stethoscope and manometer, which require silence during the measurement, tended to obscure this important relationship. Findings from this study indicate that interpersonal communications surrounding the measurement of blood pressure can rapidly alter systolic and diastolic pressures. In certain situations, changes greater than 20 per cent in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate can occur within 30 seconds after the initiation of human speech. Such variance can be of critical significance in making clinical judgments concerning hypertension. These findings are discussed in the context of recent non pharmacological treatment approaches being developed to help control hypertension
Somatic classification of neonates based on birth weight, length, and head circumference: quantification of the effects of maternal BMI and smoking

Abstract We defined neonates as small, appropriate, or large for gestational age (SGA, AGA, LGA) based on birth weight, length, and head circumference. We analyzed the effects on the somatic classification of maternal body mass index (BMI) (<18.5, 18.5–24.99, 25.0–29.99, ≥30) and smoking during pregnancy (0, 1–7, 8–14, ≥15 cigarettes daily). Data were from the German Perinatal Survey (1998–2000; 433,669 cases). The following refers to the classification by birth weight. In the normal maternal weight population SGA rates increased with cigarette consumption: 9.8%, 17.8%, 21.6%, and 25.4% for non-smokers, and smokers of 1–7, 8–14, and ≥15 cigarettes daily, respectively. In non-smoking underweight women the SGA rate was 17.4%. In underweight smokers of ≥15 cigarettes daily the SGA rate was 38.5% [odds ratio 5.77, 95% confidence interval 5.10–6.53, compared with normal weight non-smokers]. In the normal maternal weight population, LGA rates were 9.9%, 5.3%, 4.6%, and 3.5% for non-smokers, and smokers of 1–7, 8–14, and ≥15 cigarettes daily, respectively. In the obese, LGA rates were 20.9% (non-smokers) and 11.4% (≥15 cigarettes). Similar findings were obtained for the somatic classifications based on birth length and head circumference. Results for the various combinations of maternal BMI and smoking status in the three classification systems are described. Our findings may assist in individualized risk assessment for SGA and LGA births.
External quality assurance of molecular analysis of haemochromatosis gene mutations

Background: The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia Quality Assurance Programs has conducted an external quality assurance programme for the testing of the haemochromatosis gene (HFE) mutations C282Y and H63D. Methods: A total of 10 surveys have been undertaken over a period of 6 years from 2000 to 2005. Results: Of the 3016 responses received, the overall success rate was found to be 99.47% (3000/3016). A total of 16 errors were found, 6 for C282Y and 10 for H63D. Only one sample was associated with more than one error, in which 2 of 23 respondents classified a normal sample as heterozygotic for H63D. Overall performance was observed to vary minimally between surveys, from a low of 91.3% correct (21/23 responses) for a normal sample to 100% correct in most (85/100) samples. Of the 10 complete surveys, four returned a 0% error rate. In one survey in 2004, seven incorrect responses were returned by one laboratory, all of which were secondary to transcriptional errors. Overall success rates per assay were 99.61% (1532/1538) for C282Y and 99.32% (1468/1478) for H63D. Over a period of 6 years from 2000 to 2005, the proportion of respondents using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction enzyme analysis fell from 85% to around 30%, whereas the proportion of laboratories using real-time PCR rose from 5% to around 55%, as indicated by the questionnaire surveys of methods used by participants. Discussion: Encouraging levels of testing proficiency for two common genetic mutations are indicated by these data, but they also confirm the need for participation of molecular diagnostic laboratories in external quality assurance programmes to ensure the ongoing provision of high-quality genetic testing services.
Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) Homologous Factors Share Structural but Not Functional Homology with FGFs*

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) interact with heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans and the extracellular domains of FGF cell surface receptors (FGFRs) to trigger receptor activation and biological responses. FGF homologous factors (FHF1–FHF4; also known as FGF11–FGF14) are related to FGFs by substantial sequence homology, yet their only documented interactions are with an intracellular kinase scaffold protein, islet brain-2 (IB2) and with voltage-gated sodium channels. In this report, we show that recombinant FHFs can bind heparin with high affinity like classical FGFs yet fail to activate any of the seven principal FGFRs. Instead, we demonstrate that FHFs bind IB2 directly, furthering the contention that FHFs and FGFs elicit their biological effects by binding to different protein partners. To understand the molecular basis for this differential target binding specificity, we elucidated the crystal structure of FHF1b to 1.7-Å resolution. The FHF1b core domain assumes a β-trefoil fold consisting of 12 antiparallel β strands (β1 through β12). The FHF1b β-trefoil core is remarkably similar to that of classical FGFs and exhibits an FGF-characteristic heparin-binding surface as attested to by the number of bound sulfate ions. Using molecular modeling and structure-based mutational analysis, we identified two surface residues, Arg52 in the β4–β5 loop and Val95 in the β9 strand of FHF1b that are required for the interaction of FHF1b with IB2. These two residues are unique to FHFs, and mutations of the corresponding residues of FGF1 to Arg and Val diminish the capacity of FGF1 to activate FGFRs, suggesting that these two FHF residues contribute to the inability of FHFs to activate FGFRs. Hence, FHFs and FGFs bear striking structural similarity but have diverged to direct related surfaces toward interaction with distinct protein targets.
If I Was Going to Kill Myself, I Wouldn't Be Calling You. I am Asking for Help: Challenges Influencing Immigrant and Refugee Women's Mental Health

It is estimated that 37% of Canadians experience some types of mental health problem. As a result of the migration process, many immigrant and refugee women suffer serious mental illness such as depression, schizophrenia, posttraumatic stress disorder, suicide, and psychosis. The purpose of this exploratory qualitative study, informed by the ecological conceptual framework and postcolonial feminist perspectives, was to increase understanding of the mental health care experiences of immigrant and refugee women by acquiring information regarding factors that either support or inhibit coping. Ten women (five born in China and five born in Sudan) who were living with mental illness were interviewed. Analysis revealed that (a) women's personal experience with biomedicine, fear, and lack of awareness about mental health issues influences how they seek help to manage mental illness; (b) lack of appropriate services that suit their needs are barriers for these women to access mental health care; and (c) the women often draw upon informal support systems and practices and self-care strategies to cope with their mental illnesses and its related problems. The authors discuss implications for practice and make recommendations for intervention strategies that will facilitate women's mental health care and future research.
Action learning approach to teaching business engineering methodology

Purpose The business engineering (BE) methodology is used to design process-oriented and customer-centred companies in a systematic and holistic way. However, BE demands a high learning effort with regard to the logical flow, instruments and supporting software. The purpose of this paper is to explore which elements of action learning are most useful regarding BE. Design/methodology/approach To enable students to learn BE, a graduate-level course based on action learning is designed. Within a one-week schedule, participants are guided through the three phases of BE covering 31 learning elements. A post-test measures the learning experience. Regression analysis identifies elements that lead to high learning performance. Findings Results from five courses with 79 students reveal that action learning is useful to obtain declarative and procedural knowledge of BE. Learning elements delivering theoretical input and the use of an exemplary case could be reduced, while more time should be devoted to group work on a self-developed case study. Research limitations/implications The paper is based on a specific course design for the topic of BE, which might limit the results’ transferability to other business process management (BPM) teaching areas. However, it provides implications about the decisive elements for learning how to design process-oriented companies. Practical implications The results can be used by instructors to design more meaningful courses on BE. Originality/value The paper delivers new insights into how issues of BPM should be taught. This area, particularly regarding BE, has received little research attention.
Assessing the Effect of Data Collection Mode on Measurement

This paper discusses the challenges in assessing the effects of mixed modes on measurement. We briefly review theories about why different modes of data collection can lead to differences in survey responses and statistical methods typically used to assess mode effects. We then discuss the challenges, including which mode effects are identified, how to test for mode effects, and whether these would affect substantive conclusions. The issues raised are illustrated with examples from the European Social Survey, which is conducting a programme of experimental research to inform decisions about whether to use mixed modes of data collection. The paper concludes with general implications for mixed modes research.
Characterization of replication-competent retroviruses from nonhuman primates with virus-induced T-cell lymphomas and observations regarding the mechanism of oncogenesis

Rapidly progressive T-cell lymphomas were observed in 3 of 10 rhesus monkeys several months after autologous transplantation of enriched bone marrow stem cells that had been transduced with a retroviral vector preparation containing replication-competent virus (R. E. Donahue, S. W. Kessler, D. Bodice, K. McDonagh, C. Dunbar, S. Goodman, B. Agricola, E. Byrne, M. Raffeld, R. Moen, J. Bacher, K. M. Zsebo, and A. W. Nienhuis, J. Exp. Med. 176:1124-1135, 1992). The animals with lymphoma appeared to be tolerant to retroviral antigens in that their sera lacked antibodies reactive with viral proteins and contained 10(4) to 10(5) infectious virus particles per ml. By molecular cloning and DNA sequencing, we have now demonstrated that the serum from one of the monkeys contained a replication-competent retrovirus that arose by recombination between vector and packaging encoding sequences (vector/helper [V/H] recombinant) in the producer clone used for transduction of bone marrow stem cells. Southern blot analysis demonstrated 14 or 25 copies of this genome per cell where present in two animals. The genome of a second replication-competent virus was also recovered by molecular cloning; it arose by recombination involving the genome of the V/H recombinant and endogenous murine retroviral genomes in the producer clone. Twelve copies of this amphotropic virus/mink cell focus-forming virus genome were present in tumor DNA of one animal, but it was not found in tumor DNA of the other two animals with lymphoma. Southern blot analysis of DNA from various tissues demonstrated common insertion site bands in several samples of tumor DNA from one animal, suggesting clonal origin of the lymphoma. Our data are most consistent with a pathogenic mechanism in which chronic productive retroviral infection allowed insertional mutagenesis of critical growth control genes, leading to cell transformation and clonal tumor evolution.