Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Response of Dianthus caryophyllus L. plants to foliar nutrition.

This investigation was conducted at Nubaria Region, West of Alexandria City, Egypt, during 2006 and 2007 seasons to study the influence of different concentrations (0. 0,0. 2,0. 4,0. 6,0. 8 and 1. 0 %) of foliar fertilizer (Sangral) contains macro-elements (20%N, 20% P, 20% K, 0. 12% Mg) and micro-elements (70 ppm Fe, 14 ppm Zn, 16 ppm Cu, 42 ppm Mn, 72ppm B and 24 ppm Mo) on the growth, flowering and chemical analysis of leaves of Dianthus caryophyllus cv. "Red Sim". The foliar fertilizer was applied 5 times during the growing period. The results revealed that plant treated with foliar nutrition showed significant increase in the growth characteristics (stem length, stem diameter, stem fresh and dry weight, number of leaves/ plant, fresh and dry weight of leaves). As well as, stimulated the flowering parameters (reducing the number of days from planting to flowering, increased both number, flower diameter, fresh and dry weights of flowers/plant) compared to the untreated plants (control). Application of 0. 6 % of foliar fertilizer gave the highest values compared to the other treatment in both seasons. Total chlorophyll (a+b), carotenoids and total carbohydrates (%),the mineral contents of leaves( N,P,K, Zn and Cu ) were significantly increased as a result of foliar fertilizer at different rates compared to the control treatment.
Magnetic resonance elastography of the human brain: a preliminary study

Purpose: To study the application of magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) in the human brain. Material and Methods: An external force actuator was developed, which produced propagating shear waves in brain tissue. A modified phase-contrast gradient-echo sequence was developed. The propagating shear waves within the brain were directly imaged. The wave images were processed to obtain the elasticity image. Shear waves at 100 Hz, 150 Hz, and 200 Hz were applied. Results: The propagating shear waves in the brain were visualized on wave images. The elasticity image revealed the difference in tissue elasticity between gray and white matter of the brain. Conclusion: MRE could be an imaging technique for assessing the elasticity of brain tissue.
Characterization of hepatitis B virus in turkish blood donors, and the prevalence of the SP1 splice variant

Hepatitis B is a disease of the liver that can manifest acutely, or persist chronically as a result of infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Turkey has a moderate endemicity level of HBV infection, and all data published to date has shown this to be of genotype D, predominantly of subgenotype D1. However the sequences of very few full genomes have been published. The aim of this study was to characterize the molecular profile of hepatitis B virus in asymptomatic, first‐time Turkish blood donors. The results confirm that genotype D, subgenotype D1 is the most prevalent HBV strain in Turkey, accounting for 94% of cases. Subgenotypes D2 and D3 were present as minority strains (4% and 2%, respectively). A singly spliced HBV variant that is capable of forming defective HBV particles and has been associated with apoptosis and activation of T‐cell responses was also detected in 52.5% of samples screened, co‐circulating with wild type genomes. J. Med. Virol. 83:1321–1325, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Determinants of health and service use patterns in homeless and low-income housed children.

OBJECTIVE Previous studies of homeless children have described more health problems and service use than in housed children, but failed to control for potential confounding factors that may differ between these children. This observational study examines the relationship of homelessness and other determinants to health status and service use patterns in 627 homeless and low-income housed children. METHODS Case-control study of 293 homeless and 334 low-income housed children aged 3 months to 17 years and their mothers conducted in Worcester, Massachusetts. Information was collected about mothers' housing history, income, education, emotional distress, and victimization history. Standardized instruments were administered to assess children's health. Health service use questions were adapted from national surveys. Main outcome measures included health status, acute illness morbidity, emergency department and outpatient medical visits. Multivariable regression analyses were used to examine the association of family and environmental determinants, including homelessness, with health status and service use outcomes. RESULTS Mothers of homeless children were more likely to report their children as being in fair or poor health compared with their housed counterparts. Homeless children were reported to experience a higher number of acute illness symptoms, including fever, ear infection, diarrhea, and asthma. Emergency department and outpatient medical visits were higher among the homeless group. After controlling for potential explanatory factors, homeless children remained more likely to experience fair or poor health status (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 2.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16, 4.87), and a higher frequency of outpatient (OR = 1.71; 95% CI, 1.18, 2.48) and emergency department visits (OR = 1.21; 95% CI, 0.83, 1.74). Mothers' emotional distress was independently associated with acute illness symptoms and frequent use of outpatient and emergency department settings. CONCLUSIONS Homelessness is an independent predictor of poor health status and high service use among children. The present findings highlight the importance of preventive interventions and efforts to increase access to primary care among homeless children.
ETHICAL DILEMMA A question of competence

Patients should be allowed to make decisions for themselves if they are mentally competent. However, the standards of mental competence vary, depending on aspects of the decision and on the patient. Decisions that are complex require a high level of competence. Decisions in which the consequences are severe may also require a high level of competence and require that the examiner is more certain about the level of competence that the patient exhibits. There are some decisions in which patients require specific cognitive attributes (such as long-term or short-term memory). We report our experience in dealing with an elderly woman who expressed a desire to return to her home after respite care, although evidence of self-neglect suggested that permanent placement in an aged-care hostel might be more appropriate.
Feed Withdrawal for Three Hour Time Period

A profitable broiler feeding strategy should maximize final body weight and lean tissue production using minimum amount of feed. Studies of Plavnik and Hurwitz (1985, 1988 and 1991) proposed that early feed restriction strategies increased the growth and feed efficiency with reduced carcass fat. Those studies showed that early growth retardation resulting from feed restriction in broiler chicks induced an accelerated growth termed as compensatory growth, when feed was given ad libitum after a period of restriction. However, later studies have shown that though in general growth was compensated, final body weight of the restricted birds could be low (Leterrier et al. 1988; Cabel and Waldroup, 1990; Ballay et al. 1992; Bruno et al. 2000) or similar (Calvert et al. 1987; Summers et al. 1990; Pinchasov and Jensen, 1989) or even higher (Cherry et al. 1978) compared to ad libitum fed counterparts. Similar Feed restriction strategies are proven to be effective in increasing the growth performance and carcass parameters of broiler chickens. The objective of the present experiment was to evaluate the effects of feed removal for three hour time period on growth performance and carcass parameters of relatively older male broiler chickens. Twenty days old male broiler chickens (n=80) were allocated into 16 floor pens. Birds in eight pens were fed ad libitum while those in other eight pens were fasted for 3 hours per day (13.00-16.00) during 21-42 d experimental period. There was a slight feed intake reduction (P<0.01) due to feed restriction during 21-25 d, but not thereafter. When feed was offered after three hours of deprivation, birds consumed significantly (P<0.01) higher amount of feed within first two hours, compared to the feed intake of ad libitum group during the same time period. Birds fed ad libitum were heavier (P<0.05) on day 42 but not on days 25, 30 and 35. Feed restriction significantly reduced the weight gain between 35-42 d (P <0.01) and the total weight gain (P<0.05) from day 21-42. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) between 30-42 d was significantly (P<0.05) lower under ad libitum feeding, and also overall FCR from 21-42 d was affected by the feeding regimes. Restricted feeding increased the total giblet weight (liver+heart+gizzard) (P<0.10), the carcass weight (P<0.01) and dressing percentage (P<0.05) while reduced (P<0.01) the length of the small intestine relative to carcass weight. Restricted feeding tended to reduce (P<0.10) the percentage of abdominal fat. The results conclude that feed restriction for three hours per day from days 21-42 increased dressing percentage while reducing abdominal fat content of matured male broiler chicken.
Resiquimod as an Immunologic Adjuvant for NY-ESO-1 Protein Vaccination in Patients with High-Risk Melanoma

Sabado, Pavlick, and colleagues show that NY-ESO-1 protein in Montanide with or without topical resiquimod is safe, well-tolerated, and induces antibody and CD4 T-cell responses in most patients, but the addition of topical resiquimod is not sufficient to induce consistent NY-ESO-1–specific CD8 T-cell responses. The Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7/8 agonist resiquimod has been used as an immune adjuvant in cancer vaccines. We evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of the cancer testis antigen NY-ESO-1 given in combination with Montanide (Seppic) with or without resiquimod in patients with high-risk melanoma. In part I of the study, patients received 100 μg of full-length NY-ESO-1 protein emulsified in 1.25 mL of Montanide (day 1) followed by topical application of 1,000 mg of 0.2% resiquimod gel on days 1 and 3 (cohort 1) versus days 1, 3, and 5 (cohort 2) of a 21-day cycle. In part II, patients were randomized to receive 100-μg NY-ESO-1 protein plus Montanide (day 1) followed by topical application of placebo gel [(arm A; n = 8) or 1,000 mg of 0.2% resiquimod gel (arm B; n = 12)] using the dosing regimen established in part I. The vaccine regimens were generally well tolerated. NY-ESO-1–specific humoral responses were induced or boosted in all patients, many of whom had high titer antibodies. In part II, 16 of 20 patients in both arms had NY-ESO-1–specific CD4+ T-cell responses. CD8+ T-cell responses were only seen in 3 of 12 patients in arm B. Patients with TLR7 SNP rs179008 had a greater likelihood of developing NY-ESO-1–specific CD8+ responses. In conclusion, NY-ESO-1 protein in combination with Montanide with or without topical resiquimod is safe and induces both antibody and CD4+ T-cell responses in the majority of patients; the small proportion of CD8+ T-cell responses suggests that the addition of topical resiquimod to Montanide is not sufficient to induce consistent NY-ESO-1–specific CD8+ T-cell responses. Cancer Immunol Res; 3(3); 278–87. ©2015 AACR.
In search of professional consensus in defining and reducing low‐value care

Care that confers no benefit or benefit that is disproportionately low compared with its cost is of low value and potentially wastes limited resources. It has been claimed that low‐value care consumes at least 20% of health care resources in the United States — the comparable figure in Australia is unknown but there is emerging evidence of overuse of diagnostic tests and therapeutic procedures. Very few clinical interventions are of no value in every clinical circumstance, and efforts to label interventions as being so will meet with professional resistance. In the context of complex and highly individualised clinical decisions, nuanced clinical judgements of experienced and well informed clinicians are likely to outperform any service‐level measurement and incentive program aimed at recognising and reducing low‐value care. Public policy interventions should focus on supporting clinician‐led efforts to seek professional consensus on what constitutes low‐value care and the best means for reducing it.
Antitumor Effect of OK-432–Derived DNA: One of the Active Constituents of OK-432, a Streptococcal Immunotherapeutic Agent

OK-432 is a Streptococcus-derived immunotherapeutic agent for malignancies. Our group has tried to identify the effective components of OK-432 and has succeeded in isolating a lipoteichoic acid–related preparation designated as OK-PSA, which is a strong inducer of T helper 1 (TH1) cells, and elicits an anticancer effect via Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4. Conversely, bacterial DNA with unmethylated CpG motifs can stimulate a TH1-type host response via TLR9. The unmethylated CpG DNA contained in OK-432 may play a role in its anticancer effect. In the current study, we investigated the effect of OK-432–derived DNA (OK-DNA) in augmenting the anticancer immune response. Analysis of OK-DNA with the restriction enzymes Hpa II and MspI revealed that OK-DNA contained unmethylated CpG motifs. OK-DNA induced TH1-type cytokines such as interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-12, and IL-18 and augmented killer cell activities in vitro on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, whereas the methylated OK-DNA did not. Cytokines were also produced by OK-DNA–stimulated splenocytes derived from wild-type mice but not from TLR9-deficient mice. In the in vivo study, peritumoral administration of OK-DNA resulted in a significant inhibition of tumor growth in syngeneic tumor-bearing wild-type and TLR4-deficient mice but not in TLR9-deficient mice. The antitumor effect of OK-432 in TLR9-deficient mice was significantly but partially reduced compared with that in wild-type mice, whereas the effect of OK-432 was almost completely eliminated in TLR4-deficient mice. These findings suggest that unmethylated CpG DNA in OK-432 functions as an active component in OK-432–induced anticancer immunity via TLR9.
Self-Reported Versus Actual Weight and Height Data Contribute to Different Weight Misperception Classifications

Objectives The purpose of the study was to examine potential differences between two approaches to defining adolescent weight misperception. Specifically, weight status perception was compared with self-reported weight status and actual weight status (based on body mass index percentiles calculated from self-reported and actual weights and heights, respectively). Furthermore, the accuracy of assigning weight status based on body mass index percentiles calculated from self-reported weights and heights was assessed by comparing them with actual weight status. Methods Data were extracted from Team Up for Healthy Living, an 8-week, school-based obesity prevention program in southern Appalachia. Participants (N = 1509) were predominately white (93.4%) and ninth graders (89.5%), with approximately equivalent representation of both sexes (50.7% boys). Results The study revealed significant differences between the approaches to defining weight misperception (&khgr;2 = 16.2; P = 0.0003). Conclusions Researchers should interpret study findings with awareness of potential differences based on the method of calculating weight misperception.
Conformational Changes in Transmembrane Domain 4 of Presenilin 1 Are Associated with Altered Amyloid-β 42 Production

γ-Secretase is an intramembrane-cleaving protease that produces amyloid-β peptide 42 (Aβ42), which is the toxic and aggregation-prone species of Aβ that causes Alzheimer's disease. Here, we used the substituted cysteine accessibility method to analyze the structure of transmembrane domains (TMDs) 4 and 5 of human presenilin 1 (PS1), a catalytic subunit of γ-secretase. We revealed that TMD4 and TMD5 face the intramembranous hydrophilic milieu together with TMD1, TMD6, TMD7, and TMD9 of PS1 to form the catalytic pore structure. Notably, we found a correlation in the distance between the cytosolic sides of TMD4/TMD7 and Aβ42 production levels, suggesting that allosteric conformational changes of the cytosolic side of TMD4 affect Aβ42-generating γ-secretase activity. Our results provide new insights into the relationship between the structure and activity of human PS1. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Modulation of γ-secretase activity to reduce toxic amyloid-β peptide species is one plausible therapeutic approaches for Alzheimer's disease. However, precise mechanistic information of γ-secretase still remains unclear. Here we identified the conformational changes in transmembrane domains of presenilin 1 that affect the proteolytic activity of the γ-secretase. Our results highlight the importance of understanding the structural dynamics of presenilin 1 in drug development against Alzheimer's disease.
Journal of Enterprise Information Management Emerald Article : Benefits and barriers of electronic marketplace participation : an SME perspective

There are concerns that despite government initiatives to promote adoption of electronic commerce, SMEs still fail to realise e-commerce related benefits. It may therefore, seem premature to discuss electronic marketplaces in the context of SMEs. However, if SMEs ignore e-marketplaces a number of problems can result. E-marketplaces present a significant threat to SMEs since they increase competition and leave non-participants vulnerable to more e-enabled firms. This paper examines the barriers and benefits of e-marketplace participation by SMEs. The nature of e-marketplaces is addressed and the benefits of participation are examined. Drawing on the literature, the barriers facing smaller firms in this environment are discussed. Identification of these barriers, such as lack of standards, supply chain integration and global trading, enables a greater understanding of how SMEs can plan effective strategies to gain from e-marketplace participation.
Monoclonal Antibodies for Analysis of the HLA System

III Antibodies A Monoclonal antibodies against determinants of the HLA-A,-B,-C glycoproteins and pjmicroglobulin 1. Antibodies against species specific, non-polymorphic determinants 2. Antibodies against polymorphic HLA-A,-B,-C determinants B Monoclonal antibodies against HLA-DRw determinants 1. Antibody against a species specific HLA-DRw determinants 2. Antibodies against polymorphic HLA-DRw determinants
The Machinery of Democracy - Protecting Elections in an Electronic World

The Brennan Center for Justice at New York University convened a high-level task force of voting experts from government, academia and the private sector to systematically analyze vulnerabilities in electronic voting systems used across the country. In this ground-breaking book, a crack team of technical experts concentrates on three main types of electronic voting systems: Direct Recording Electronic (DRE), Direct Recording Electronic with Voter Verified Paper Trail (DRE w/VVPT), and Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS). All three voting systems are shown to have significant security and reliability risks. This book not only systematically identifies 120 potential threats to voting technology, but it offers specific remedies and countermeasures that election officials can employ to make these attacks more difficult to perform. This is an eye-opening account not only of the hazards of electronic voting in the 21st century, but a level-headed approach for dealing with real and potential threats to democratic elections. A second part of this crucial report, entitled "Cast Out," deals with voter repression. It enumerates the many ways voters are deprived of their electoral rights by those who are determined to use the reforms of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) as "an opportunity to restrict rather than enhance the franchise. " An examination of these techniques reveals how manipulation of our electoral system can actually disenfranchise more Americans than any of the mechanical voting machine failures we see on Election Day.
Retroperitoneal fibrosis-clinical presentation and outcome analysis from urological perspective

Purpose To study clinical presentation, laboratory results, imaging findings and treatment options and outcomes of retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF). To determine whether it follows the same natural course and response to treatment in the Asian population as in the Western world. Materials and Methods Medical records of patients diagnosed with RPF on imaging and histopathology between February 2010 and April 2016 were reviewed. Results Of the 21 patients analyzed, mean age at presentation was 50.81 years. The male to female ratio was 0.9:1. Pain was most common presenting complaint (95.23% cases), almost 85% cases were idiopathic and rests were postradiation induced. The median creatinine level was 1.8 mg/dL. The mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was 53.2 mm/h. Hydronephrosis was present in all patients and 47.6% had atrophic kidneys. Diffuse retroperitoneal mass was present in 61.1%. Ureterolysis with lateralization, omental wrapping or gonadal pedicle wrap was done in 17 cases. Two patients underwent uretero-ureterostomy. One patient underwent ileal replacement of ureter, and one ileal conduit. Eighteen patients received concurrent medical treatment, 11 were given tamoxifen, 2 steroids (Prednisolone), and five were given both. Of the 20 patients with follow-up, 70% had complete symptomatic relief; ESR improvement was seen in 77.8%. Follow-up ultrasound showed resolved and decreased hydronephrosis in 20% and 55% respectively. One patient had treatment failure and 17.65% had disease recurrence. Conclusions RPF is a rare disease with varied presentation and outcomes. The male to female ratio may be equal in Asians and smoking could be lesser contributing factor. More Asian cohort studies are required to support same.
Physicochemical dissociation of CD4-mediated syncytium formation and shedding of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gp120

The mechanism of CD4-mediated fusion via activated human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gp41 and the biological significance of soluble CD4 (sCD4)-induced shedding of gp120 are poorly understood. The purpose of these investigations was to determine whether shedding of gp120 led to fusion activation or inactivation. BJAB cells (TF228.1.16) stably expressing HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins (the gp120-gp41 complex) were used to examine the effects of pH and temperature on sCD4-induced shedding of gp120 and on cell-to-cell fusion (syncytium formation) with CD4+ SupT1 cells. sCD4-induced shedding of gp120 was maximal at pH 4.5 to 5.5 and did not occur at pH 8.5. At physiologic pH, sCD4-induced shedding of gp120 occurred at 22, 37, and 40 degrees C but neither at 16 nor 4 degrees C. In contrast, syncytia formed at pH 8.5 (maximally at pH 7.5) but not at pH 4.5 to 5.5. At pH 7.5, syncytia formed at 37 and 40 degrees C but not at 22, 16, or 4 degrees C. Preincubation of cocultures of TF228.1. 16 and SupT1 cells at 4, 16, or 22 degrees C before the shift to 37 degrees C resulted in similar, increased, or decreased syncytium formation, respectively, compared with the control. Furthermore, an activated intermediate of CD4-gp120-gp41 ternary complex may form at 16 degrees C; this intermediate rapidly executes fusion upon a shift to 37 degrees C but readily decays upon a shift to the shedding-permissive but fusion-nonpermissive temperature of 22 degrees C. These physicochemical data indicate that shedding of HIV-1 gp120 is not an integral step in the fusion cascade and that CD4 may inactivate the fusion complex in a process analogous to sCD4-induced shedding of gp120.
Diffusion tensor imaging abnormalities in photosensitive juvenile myoclonic epilepsy

Multiple structural white matter abnormalities have been described in patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME). In the present study, the question of whether microstructural variations exist between the two subgroups of JME, with and without photoparoxysmal responses (PPR positive and negative), was addressed using diffusion tensor imaging.