Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
T‐DNA gene 5 of Agrobacterium modulates auxin response by autoregulated synthesis of a growth hormone antagonist in plants.

Oncogenes carried by the transferred DNA (T‐DNA) of Agrobacterium Ti plasmids encode the synthesis of plant growth factors, auxin and cytokinin, and induce tumour development in plants. Other T‐DNA genes regulate the tumorous growth in ways that are not yet understood. To determine the function of T‐DNA gene 5, its coding region was expressed in Escherichia coli. Synthesis of the gene 5 encoded protein (26 kDa) correlated with a 28‐fold increase in conversion of tryptophan to indole‐3‐lactate (ILA), an auxin analogue. Expression of chimeric gene 5 constructs in transgenic tobacco resulted in overproduction of ILA that enhanced shoot formation in undifferentiated tissues and increased the tolerance of germinating seedlings to the inhibitory effect of externally supplied auxin. Promoter analysis of gene 5 in plants revealed that its expression was inducible by auxin and confined to the vascular phloem cells. cis‐regulatory elements required for auxin regulation and phloem specific expression of gene 5 were mapped to a 90 bp promoter region that carried DNA sequence motifs common to several auxin induced plant promoters, as well as a binding site for a nuclear factor, Ax‐1. ILA was found to inhibit the auxin induction of the gene 5 promoter and to compete with indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA) for in vitro binding to purified cellular auxin binding proteins. It is suggested therefore that ILA autoregulates its own synthesis and thereby modulates a number of auxin responses in plants.
Recurrent laryngeal nerve reinnervation in children: Acoustic and endoscopic characteristics pre‐intervention and post‐intervention. A comparison of treatment options

To establish the benefit of ansa cervicalis‐recurrent laryngeal nerve reinnervation (ANSA‐RLN) for the management of dysphonia secondary to unilateral vocal cord paralysis (UVCP) in children. Children treated with ANSA‐RLN for the management of dysphonia secondary to unilateral vocal fold immobility will have superior acoustic, perceptual, and stroboscopic outcomes compared to injection laryngoplasty and observation.
Identification of a cone bipolar cell in cat retina which has input from both rod and cone photoreceptors

It has been generally accepted that rod photoreceptor cells in the mammalian retina make synaptic contact with only a single population of rod bipolar cells, whereas cone photoreceptors contact a variety of cone bipolar cells. This assumption has been challenged in rodents by reports of a type of cone bipolar cell which receives input from both rods and cones. Questions remained as to whether similar pathways are present in other mammals. We have used an antiserum against the glutamate transporter GLT1‐B to visualize a population of cone bipolar cells in the cat retina which make flat contacts with axon terminals of both rod and cone photoreceptor cells. These cells are identified as OFF‐cone bipolar cells and correspond morphologically to type cb1 (CBa2) cone bipolar cells which are a major source of input to OFF‐beta ganglion cells in the cat retina. The GLT1‐B transporter was also localized to processes making flat contacts with photoreceptor terminals in rat and rabbit retinas. Examination of tissue processed for the GluR1 glutamate receptor subunit showed that cb1 cone bipolar cells, like their rodent counterparts, express this α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA)‐selective receptor at their contacts with rod spherules. Thus, a direct excitatory pathway from rod photoreceptors to OFF‐cone bipolar cells appears to be a common feature of mammalian retinas. J. Comp. Neurol. 464:104–113, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Extensive cell migration, axon regeneration, and improved function with polysialic acid‐modified Schwann cells after spinal cord injury

Schwann cell (SC) implantation after spinal cord injury (SCI) promotes axonal regeneration, remyelination repair, and functional recovery. Reparative efficacy, however, may be limited because of the inability of SCs to migrate outward from the lesion‐implant site. Altering SC cell surface properties by overexpressing polysialic acid (PSA) has been shown to promote SC migration. In this study, a SCI contusion model was used to evaluate the migration, supraspinal axon growth support, and functional recovery associated with polysialyltransferase (PST)‐overexpressing SCs [PST‐green fluorescent protein (GFP) SCs] or controls (GFP SCs). Compared with GFP SCs, which remained confined to the injection site at the injury center, PST‐GFP SCs migrated across the lesion:host cord interface for distances of up to 4.4 mm within adjacent host tissue. In addition, with PST‐GFP SCs, there was extensive serotonergic and corticospinal axon in‐growth within the implants that was limited in the GFP SC controls. The enhanced migration of PST‐GFP SCs was accompanied by significant growth of these axons caudal to lesion. Animals receiving PST‐GFP SCs exhibited improved functional outcome, both in the open‐field and on the gridwalk test, beyond the modest improvements provided by GFP SC controls. This study for the first time demonstrates that a lack of migration by SCs may hinder their reparative benefits and that cell surface overexpression of PSA enhances the ability of implanted SCs to associate with and support the growth of corticospinal axons. These results provide further promise that PSA‐modified SCs will be a potent reparative approach for SCI. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Flyboost power factor correction cell and a new family of single-stage AC/DC converters

A novel power factor correction (PFC) cell, called flyboost, is presented. The proposed PFC cell combines power conversion characteristics of conventional flyback and boost converters. Based on the flyboost PFC cell, a new family of single-stage (S/sup 2/) ac/dc converters can be derived. Prominent features of newly derived S/sup 2/ converters include: three power conversions, i.e., boost, flyback, and another isolated dc/dc power conversions are simultaneously realized that typically uses only one power switch and one simple controller; part of the power delivered to the load is processed only once; bulk capacitor voltage can be clamped to the desired level; and capable of operating under continuous current mode. Experimental results on example converters verify that while still achieving high power factor and tight output regulation, the flyboost PFC cell substantially improve the efficiency of the converter.
The impact of breast cancer on living an everyday life 4.5–5 years post-diagnosis – a qualitative prospective study of 39 women

Abstract Background. The survival of women with breast cancer has improved. There are many studies available describing different aspects of how the illness and its treatment affect the women. Usually these studies are cross-sectional and focus on assessments of a sample of women at a single point in time during post-treatment. These studies are important but of limited value if we are interested in understanding more about breast cancer in a life context. The present study is a contribution. Methods. A consecutive sample of 39 women was followed up by means of repeated thematic interviews about how they lived their lives, from the end of radiation therapy to a point four years later, i.e. 4.5–5 years post diagnosis. Results. Four different groups of women emerged. Largely, the first group evaluated the cancer initiated transformation of their lives in a positive way. The breast cancer helped them depart from a career treadmill or to positive interpersonal experiences. In the second group the cancer and its treatment seemed to pass without marked traces. The cancer made a difference for the third group, but both in positive and negative ways. A different life perspective or improved relationships were weighted against troublesome side effects from treatment. Finally, in the fourth group a bodily decline due to side effects and other health problems was predominant and this obstructed their chances of living a good life. Discussion. The narratives showed that being diseased by breast cancer has different impacts depending on how the woman lives her life – it is very much a matter of transition in a life context. The results are furthermore discussed in relation to adaptation and coping theory.
Symptomatic Versus Inapparent Outcome in Repeat Dengue Virus Infections Is Influenced by the Time Interval between Infections and Study Year

Four dengue virus serotypes (DENV1-4) circulate globally, causing more human illness than any other arthropod-borne virus. Dengue can present as a range of clinical manifestations from undifferentiated fever to Dengue Fever to severe, life-threatening syndromes. However, most DENV infections are inapparent. Yet, little is known about determinants of inapparent versus symptomatic DENV infection outcome. Here, we analyzed over 2,000 DENV infections from 2004 to 2011 in a prospective pediatric cohort study in Managua, Nicaragua. Symptomatic cases were captured at the study health center, and paired healthy annual samples were examined on a yearly basis using serological methods to identify inapparent DENV infections. Overall, inapparent and symptomatic DENV infections were equally distributed by sex. The mean age of infection was 1.2 years higher for symptomatic DENV infections as compared to inapparent infections. Although inapparent versus symptomatic outcome did not differ by infection number (first, second or third/post-second DENV infections), substantial variation in the proportion of symptomatic DENV infections among all DENV infections was observed across study years. In participants with repeat DENV infections, the time interval between a first inapparent DENV infection and a second inapparent infection was significantly shorter than the interval between a first inapparent and a second symptomatic infection. This difference was not observed in subsequent infections. This result was confirmed using two different serological techniques that measure total anti-DENV antibodies and serotype-specific neutralizing antibodies, respectively. Taken together, these findings show that, in this study, age, study year and time interval between consecutive DENV infections influence inapparent versus symptomatic infection outcome, while sex and infection number had no significant effect. Moreover, these results suggest that the window of cross-protection induced by a first infection with DENV against a second symptomatic infection is approximately 2 years. These findings are important for modeling dengue epidemics and development of vaccines.
Mortality in Emergency Department Sepsis Score (MEDS): Predictive Accuracy and Feasibility for 28-Day Mortality of Patients with Sepsis in an Indian Emergency Department

Objectives: (1)To assess the ability of MEDS score to predict mortality in septic patients treated with modified EGDT. (2) To find out the clinical profile of the patients presenting to emergency department in severe sepsis & septic shock. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective study conducted in Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bengaluru, India. The study was carried out in the period of November 2014 to September 2016 and 50 patients were included in the study. The detailed history, clinical examination and all the relevant laboratory investigations were done including blood culture. In the present study, the conditions were defined according to standard practice and based on relevant literature. All the patients of sepsis admitted to ICU/ emergency ward were prognosticated on the basis of MEDS score. We have analyzed various profiles between two groups ; survivor group which include the patients who are successfully discharged after recovery and non-survivor group which include the patients who died. Results: The clinical profiles of 50 patients with sepsis with septic shock were treated with modified EGDT were studied. There were 26 males and 24 females in this cohort. In our study, 16 patients died and 34 patients survived for an in-hospital mortality of 32.0%. In this study, mean MEDS score was high among non survivors than survivors ((16.31 vs 9.15), it was very much statistically significant (p=<0.001.) . Calculated AUCs were 0.99(95% CI: 0.925-1.00) for the MEDS score. Conclusion: We found that measurement of MEDS score on the day of ED admission is very useful tool in predicting the outcome. Death rate in our patients were lower compared to similar studies. So modified early goal directed therapy provides significant benefits with respect to outcome in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. Urosepsis is one of the most common etiology of sepsis but the survival rate among these subset of patient population was much better. Patients with sepsis secondary to underlying respiratory etiology had grave prognosis.
Human Nutrition and Metabolisim Pharmacokinetics of Soybean Isoflavones in Plasma , Urine and Feces of Men after Ingestion of 60 g Baked Soybean Powder ( Kinako ) 1 , 2

To take advantage of the various pharmacologic activities of soy bean isoflavones, more detailed studies of the absorption and excretion rates of these compounds in humans and subsequent evaluation of their bioavailabilities are required. We conducted a pharmacokinetic study of soybean isoflavones in seven healthy male volunteers. After ingestion of 60 g of kinako (baked soybean powder, containing 103 mmol daidzein and 112 mmol genistein), changes of the isoflavone and metabolite concentrations in plasma, urine and feces were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The plasma concentration of genistein increased after 2 h and reached its highest value of 2.44 { 0.65 mmol/L 6 h later. The plasma concentration of daidzein peaked at 1.56 { 0.34 mmol/L at the same time, but it was always lower than that of genistein. Peak plasma concentration of O-desmethylangolensin (O-DMA) and equol appeared after the daidzein peak in four and two subjects, respectively. In contrast with plasma, daidzein was the main component in urine. Urinary daidzein excretion started to increase shortly after the rise in its plasma concentration and reached 2.4 mmol/h 8 h after ingestion of kinako. Genistein excretion in urine paralleled that of daidzein, but the value at 6 h was about half (1.1 mmol/h). The majority of ingested isoflavones after ingestion of kinako were recovered on d 2 or 3 in the feces. Total recovery of daidzein, O-DMA and equol from urine and feces was 54.7%, calculated from daidzein intake; 20.1% of administered genistein was recovered as genistein. The half-lives of plasma genistein and daidzein were 8.36 and 5.79 h, respectively. The individual plasma and urinary concentrations of equol and O-DMA were quite variable; subjects were classified as high and low metabolizers. The high plasma concentration of isoflavones for at least several hours after a single ingestion of soy protein suggests that these compounds may interact with macromolecules and have biological effects. J. Nutr. 128: 1710–1715, 1998.
Inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum growth in vitro by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from non‐exposed donors

T cells from most adult non‐exposed donors, which express a memory phenotype (CD45RO+), can respond by proliferation to P. falciparum asexual stages in vitro. Such cells may have arisen from exposure to environmental organisms. To address the efficacy of such cells in eliminating parasites and investigate the mechanisms involved, we have used an in vitro assay where parasite growth can be precisely monitored in the presence of different cell preparations. Unfractionated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from both malaria‐exposed and non‐exposed donors inhibited parasite growth by up to 62% in a two day assay. Purified T cells in the presence of adherent cells had a similar effect, but purified T cells alone or adherent cells alone had minimal effect. Antigens released at the time of schizont rupture were maximally effective in stimulating interferon‐γ (IFNγ) production. Neutralizing antibodies to IFNγ showed a partial reduction of growth inhibition in some individuals tested suggesting that different mechanisms may be operative. Neutralizing antibody to TNFα had a partial effect in combination with anti‐IFNγ. Antibodies to IL‐1 and IL‐4 had no effect. T cell fractionation experiments showed that while purified CD4+ T cells from some donors produced IFNγ and inhibited parasite growth, purified CD8+ T cells could inhibit parasite growth to a greater extent without production of detectable IFNγ. Four parasitised red blood cell clones (CD4+, TCRαβ+, IFNγ producing) derived from non‐exposed donors inhibited parasite growth to comparable levels, but one clone showed low production of IFNγ whilst the other three produced high levels. Our data show that T cells from non‐exposed donors have the potential to eliminate malaria parasites via non‐IFNγ dependent mechanisms. Such mechanisms may contribute to a degree of innate resistance to malaria in vivo, and may be able to be targeted by malaria vaccine programs.
Distribution of NPM1‐ALK and X‐ALK fusion transcripts in paediatric anaplastic large cell lymphoma: a molecular–histological correlation

Anaplastic large cell lymphomas (ALCL) in children express anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusion genes, most commonly NPM1‐ALK. The distribution of X‐ALK among 66 childhood ALCLs was analysed. One ALCL was ALK‐negative. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction detected NPM1‐ALK in 58 tumours, all showing nuclear and cytoplasmic ALK staining. The remaining seven ALCL stained for ALK in the cytoplasm only: two expressed TPM3‐ALK, one ATIC‐ALK, one MYH9‐ALK; three no TPM3‐, TFG‐, ATIC‐, CLTC‐ or MYH9‐ALK. Almost 90% of paediatric ALK‐positive ALCLs express NPM1‐ALK. There was complete concordance between ALK staining pattern and the presence of a typical/variant ALK fusion partner.
Family Communication Styles and Resilience among Adolescents.

Some adolescents manage to be resilient, whereas others develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms after experiencing trauma, but the mechanisms underlying these differences are unclear. Public secondary school students (N = 98) referred for counseling completed questionnaires assessing exposure to stressful events, family communication, and PTSD. Seventy percent of the sample reported PTSD symptoms in the clinical range. Open family communication was negatively associated with female gender, problem family communication (PFC), and PTSD symptom severity. PFC was positively associated with female gender, number of stressful events, and PTSD symptom severity. Family storytelling style had a negative association with age, PFC, and avoidance symptoms. In the full regression model only the number of life events and PFC appeared to have an independent effect on PTSD symptom severity. Results indicate that exposure to stressful life events and poor family communication are associated with increased risk for PTSD symptoms. Findings may be useful in family-focused approaches to treating adolescents with trauma histories and highlighting the importance of PTSD screening in school-based counseling.
Biomechanical considerations for economical walking and running.

It has been suggested that biomechanical factors play a role in explaining interindividual differences in movement economy, but it is not apparent how important this role is nor how consistently these factors explain such differences. The purpose of this review is to summarize our current state of knowledge regarding the relationships between gait economy and selected body structure and biomechanical factors. Because the research literature contains other review papers on this general topic, it is not the intent to provide a comprehensive analysis of all anatomical and biomechanical factors that have been examined previously. The review considers not only some topics of very recent interest (e.g., Does flexibility/joint range of motion affect gait economy? Can gait mechanics and economy be altered effectively via biomechanical feedback? ), but also topics that have been examined considerably over many years (e.g., Is economy of motion associated with body mass, mass distribution, speed of movement, stride length and rate, and gait kinetics? ). Results from the many studies reviewed confirm the notion that several structural and biomechanical factors offer some potential for explaining economy differences between individuals. Nevertheless, the relationships that have been observed between economy and individual descriptors of body structural and gait mechanics have generally been weak and inconsistent from study to study. Variables that describe muscular effort appear to have the greatest potential for explaining metabolic energy demands during walking and running. Unfortunately, at present it is unclear what quantifiable descriptors can best reflect muscle force production.
Metabolism and Disposition of Phenolphthalein in Male and Female F 344 Rats and B 6 C 3 F 1 Mice

A recent 2-year carcinogenicity/toxicology study determined that phenolphthalein (PHTH) is a multisite carcinogen in both mice and rats at all doses evaluated. In response to this finding the metabolism and disposition of PHTH has been evaluated in both F344 rats and B6C3F1 mice at a single oral dose of 800 mg/kg. This dose fell within the range previously found to be carcinogenic in rats and mice. Studies were also performed using 1 and 50 mg/kg doses. At 800 mg/kg recovery of [C]PHTH after 72 h was near 100% in females but closer to 75% in males. Radioactivity was primarily recovered in the feces in rats (>90%), while mice excreted 30-40% of administered activity in the urine. There was no significant retention of radioactivity in tissues by 72 h and no significant accumulation of radioactivity in any tissue at any time point Covalent binding to protein in target tissues, bone marrow and ovary, was at or less than the pmol/mg protein range. The major metabolite was PHTH glucuronide. Three minor metabolites were detected. A sulfate conjugate and and a hydroxylated metabolite were identified by comparison of retention times and 'H NMR and/or mass spectra with synthetic standards. A diglucuronide conjugate was tentatively identified. Biliary elimination was extensive in rats (35% of dose within 6 h); the only product detected in bile was phenolphthalein glucuronide.
Menstrual Characteristics of Pubertal Girls: A Questionnaire-Based Study in Turkey

Objective: Clinicians should show an awareness on the menstrual characteristics of adolescent girls which may differ from adults in some aspects. To define menstrual cycle features among high school girls residing in a city center in southeastern Turkey. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 1256 girls attending a high school located in the city center of Elazığ, Turkey. Data from 879 girls (median age, 16.2 years; range, 13.6-19.2 years) who agreed to participate in the study and had started to menstruate were evaluated. Results: Mean age at menarche was 12.7±1.3 years (range, 8.2-17.3 years). The mean cycle duration was 28.7±4.4 days, and the mean menstrual flow lasted 5.9±1.3 days. Severe, moderate, and mild dysmenorrhea was reported in 29%, 43%, and 28% of the girls, respectively, and 52% used analgesics for dysmenorrhea. A total of 34% of the girls defined their menstrual cycle as irregular, and 32% reported school absenteeism due to menstruation-associated complaints (pain and/or heavy bleeding). Menstrual bleeding affected attendance to classes and other school activities, daily work, social, family, and friend relationships, as well as sports/exercise activities in 43%, 49%, 58%, 48%, 44%, and 60% of the participants, respectively. In total, 30% of the responders had a problem with menstruation, and 12% and 17% of these stated that they consulted a primary care physician or specialist, respectively. Conclusion: Dysmenorrhea was found to be common in adolescent Turkish girls and to affect daily life in approximately half of the girls.