Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mandatory Blood Donor Screening for Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type I and Type II in Saudi Arabia: Need for Review

Background: HTLV blood donor screening is recommended practice in high prevalence countries. However, although studies of HTLV seroprevalence in Saudi Arabia agree these viruses present limited threat in the country, serological screening of HTLV-I/-II in all prospective blood donor candidates is mandatory practice. Since the last publication of HTLV seroprevalence in Saudi Arabia 10 years ago, we review 2014-2015 data of 23,668 blood donors attending King Khalid University Hospital (KKUH) Riyadh, to determine whether this mandatory practice needs review. Materials and methods:Serology screening was performed on the Abbott Architect system running the rHTLV assay. Repeat reactive results were confirmed by Western Blot analysis. Results: This study revealed zero HTLV-I/-II seroprevalence amongst 23,668 donors over the study period. Discussion: We further support Saudi Arabia as a HTLV non-endemic region, and review more cost-effective strategies to minimize HTLV risks as an alternative to mandatory blood donor screening.
MYB118 Represses Endosperm Maturation in Seeds of Arabidopsis[C][W]

Storage compounds like oil and storage proteins accumulate both in the endosperm and in the embryo of Arabidopsis seeds. The MYB118 transcription factor is specifically expressed in the endosperm and represses storage compound synthesis in this tissue, thus contributing to establishment of the embryo as the main deposition site for reserves in the seed. In the exalbuminous species Arabidopsis thaliana, seed maturation is accompanied by the deposition of oil and storage proteins and the reduction of the endosperm to one cell layer. Here, we consider reserve partitioning between embryo and endosperm compartments. The pattern of deposition, final amount, and composition of these reserves differ between the two compartments, with the embryo representing the principal storage tissue in mature seeds. Complex regulatory mechanisms are known to prevent activation of maturation-related programs during embryo morphogenesis and, later, during vegetative growth. Here, we describe a regulator that represses the expression of maturation-related genes during maturation within the endosperm. MYB118 is transcriptionally induced in the maturing endosperm, and seeds of myb118 mutants exhibit an endosperm-specific derepression of maturation-related genes associated with a partial relocation of storage compounds from the embryo to the endosperm. Moreover, MYB118 activates endosperm-induced genes through the recognition of TAACGG elements. These results demonstrate that the differential partitioning of reserves between the embryo and endosperm in exalbuminous Arabidopsis seeds does not only result from developmental programs that establish the embryo as the preponderant tissue within seeds. This differential partitioning is also regulated by MYB118, which regulates the biosynthesis of reserves at the spatial level during maturation.
Complexes with halide and other anions of the molybdenum centre of nitrate reductase from Escherichia coli.

The interconversion of nitrate reductase from Escherichia coli between low-pH and high-pH Mo(V) e.p.r. signal-giving species was re-investigated [cf. Vincent & Bray (1978) Biochem. J. 171, 639-647]. The process cannot be described by a single pK value, since the apparent pK for interconversion is raised by the presence of various anions. The low-pH form of the enzyme exists as a series of complexes with different anion ligands of molybdenum. Each complex has specific and slightly different e.p.r. parameters, but all show strong coupling of Mo(V) to a single proton, exchangeable with the solvent, having A(1H)av. 1.0 to 1.3 mT. Complexes with Cl-, F- [A(19F)av. 0.7 mT], NO3- and NO2- give particularly well-defined spectra. The high-pH form of the enzyme is now shown to bear a coupled proton. Like that in the low-pH species, this proton is exchangeable with the solvent, but the coupling is much weaker, with A(1H)av. 0.3 mT. Thus, contrary to earlier assumptions, the proton detectable by e.p.r. is probably not identical with the proton whose dissociation controls interconversion between the two species; the latter proton could be located in the protein rather than on a ligand of molybdenum. Treatment of the enzyme with trypsin [Morpeth & Boxer (1985) Biochemistry 24, 40-46] did not affect its Mo(V) e.p.r. signals.
The relationship between 6‐sulphatoxymelatonin and polysomnographic sleep in good sleeping controls and wake maintenance insomniacs, aged 55–80 years

The pineal hormone, melatonin, is reported to possess hypnotic properties. This has led to an investigation of the relationship between the endogenous melatonin rhythm and sleep. However, this relationship has yet to be fully examined in aged insomniacs and controls. From media advertisements, 16 good sleeping controls (11F, 5 M) and 16 sleep maintenance insomniacs (11F, 5 M), aged over 55 years, were recruited to participate in a study involving four nights of polysomnographically (PSG) measured sleep followed by a 26 h constant routine. During the constant routine, 2 h urine samples were collected and analysed for the melatonin metabolite, 6‐sulphatoxymelatonin (aMT.6S). This was used to determine total melatonin excretion. As well, the following circadian melatonin parameters were calculated from fifth order polynomial curve fitting analyses, the goodness of the polynomial curve fit, peak melatonin concentration, the phase of the melatonin rhythm, and melatonin and sleep rhythm synchrony. Apart for one control, all subjects showed significant circadian melatonin rhythms. Although insomniacs showed a greater amount of wakefulness, less sleep in total, and lower sleep efficiency, no significant group differences were observed in any of the melatonin parameters. In addition, while subjects with more reliable melatonin curve fits showed shorter sleep latencies and higher sleep efficiencies, correlational analyses revealed no other significant relationships between any melatonin and PSG sleep parameters. Overall, the present results suggest that neither melatonin amplitude nor phase are related to sleep quality in the aged.
Identification of Major Glucan-Associated Cell Wall Proteins of Candida albicans and Their Role in Fluconazole Resistance

ABSTRACT Identification of major glucan-associated proteins (GAPs) of the cell wall of a number of Candida albicans isolates susceptible or resistant to fluconazole (FLC) was addressed by direct sequencing of the protein bands resolved by unidimensional gel electrophoresis. Changes in the GAP compositions of the different strains grown in the presence of the drug were also investigated. In the FLC-susceptible strains, the major (more abundant) GAPs were enolase (46 kDa), two isoforms of phosphoglyceromutase (32 and 29 kDa), and two β-(1-3)-exoglucanases (44 and 34 kDa), one of which (the 34-kDa component) was glycosylated. When these strains were grown in the presence of FLC there were substantial decreases in the intensities of the two enzymes of the glycolytic pathway (enolase and the phosphoglyceromutases), which were apparently replaced by enhancement of the exoglucanase constituents, particularly the 44-kDa one. This GAP pattern closely mimicked that observed in the FLC-resistant strains whether they were grown in the presence or in the absence of the drug. Both the enolase and the exoglucanase constituents were detected in the culture supernatants of FLC-treated cells, together with substantial amounts of highly glycosylated, probably mannoprotein secretory material, suggesting that FLC may cause marked alterations of GAP incorporation into the cell wall. Altogether, we were able to identify all major GAP constituents and monitor their distributions in the cell wall of C. albicans during treatment with FLC. The near equivalence of the GAP profile for the FLC-susceptible strain grown in the presence of FLC to that for the FLC-resistant strain suggests that the effects of the drug on GAPs may be stably incorporated into the cell wall of the fungus upon acquisition of resistance.
Fitness to drive in older drivers with cognitive impairment

This paper is a literature review on assessment of fitness to drive in older drivers with cognitive impairment. Early studies on dementia and driving generally failed to distinguish between safe and unsafe drivers on the basis of cognitive test performance. Predictive studies demonstrated that cognitively impaired persons as a group perform significantly worse than controls on both neuropsychological and driving measures. A high prevalence of cognitive impairment was found in groups of older drivers involved in traffic accidents and crashes. However, a large range in neuropsychological test scores has been found. Low to moderate correlations could be established between neuropsychological test results and on-road driving performance, making it difficult to discriminate between cognitively impaired subjects who are fit or unfit to drive. The review concludes with a discussion of methodological difficulties in the field of dementia and driving, including participant selection, the choice of neuropsychological tests, and the operationalization of driving performance. (JINS, 2000, 6, 480–490.)
Multidirectional characterisation of chemical composition and health-promoting potential of Rosa rugosa hips

Abstract Rugosa rose provides one of the largest hips frequently used in the preparation of pharmaceutical and food products. The aim of work was to conduct multidirectional study of biological activity and chemical composition of Rosa rugosa hips. Antiradical, cytotoxic (against cervical and breast cancer cell lines), antibacterial (against eight bacterial strains) and antifungal potential of the species in question was evaluated. Total contents of phenolics, phenolic acids, flavonoids, tannins, carotenoids and ascorbic acid were determined. LC–ESI–MS/MS analysis was performed in order to investigate closely phenolic acids and flavonoid glycosides. As a result, interesting selective cytotoxic effects on cervical (HeLa) and breast cancer (T47D) cell lines, significant antiradical activity (EC50 2.45 mg mg−1 DPPH•) and moderate antimicrobial potential (MIC 0.625–1.25 mg mL−1) were observed. Nine phenolic acids and 11 flavonoid glycosides were qualitatively and quantitatively determined, including 7 compounds previously not reported in R. rugosa hips.
Potentiation of parkinsonian symptoms by depletion of locus coeruleus noradrenaline in 6‐hydroxydopamine‐induced partial degeneration of substantia nigra in rats

Parkinson's disease is characterized not only by a progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra but also by a degeneration of locus coeruleus noradrenergic neurons. The present study addresses the question of whether a partial neurodegeneration of dopaminergic neurons using 6‐hydroxydopamine in rat, not sufficient to produce motor disturbances, is potentiated by prior selective denervation of locus coeruleus noradrenergic terminal fields using N‐ethyl‐2‐bromobenzylamine. Two types of denervations, one causing dopamine deficiency alone and the other causing noradrenaline and dopamine deficiency, were performed. Noradrenaline, 5‐hydroxytryptamine, 5‐hydroxyindole acetic acid, dopamine and its metabolites were analysed in various brain regions. Behaviour was evaluated by catalepsy tests and activity box. N‐ethyl‐2‐bromobenzylamine selectively depleted noradrenaline from neurons of locus coeruleus origin. Decreased dopamine content in the striatum, substantia nigra and pre‐frontal cortex was observed after dopaminergic lesion with 6‐hydroxydopamine (42.9%). Additional locus coeruleus noradrenaline depletion with N‐ethyl‐2‐bromobenzylamine aggravated the dopamine depletion (61.2%). The lesion in the noradrenergic and dopaminergic neurodegenerated group was not sufficient to induce consistent catalepsy and akinesia. However, after a subthreshold dose of haloperidol (0.1 mg/kg), the expression of catalepsy and akinesia was strong in the dual‐lesioned group and less in the 6‐hydroxydopamine‐lesioned group. These results indicate that denervation of locus coeruleus noradrenergic terminals with N‐ethyl‐2‐bromobenzylamine potentiates the 6‐hydroxydopamine‐induced partial dopaminergic neurodegeneration and parkinsonian symptoms. Based on the present findings and existing reports, it can be concluded that noradrenergic neurons of locus coeruleus have neuromodulatory and neuroprotective properties on the dopaminergic neurons of basal ganglia and that noradrenergic degeneration may contribute to the aetiology and pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease.
Increase of microRNA miR-31 level in plasma could be a potential marker of oral cancer.

BACKGROUNDS Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a worldwide disease. MicroRNAs are endogenously expressed non-coding RNAs that have important biological and pathological functions. miR-31 was found markedly up-regulated in OSCC and several other malignancies. However, miR-31 expression was also down-regulated in the metastasis process of breast carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using quantitative RT-PCR analysis, we identified plasma miR-31 in OSCC patients (n = 43) and case controlled individuals (n = 21). Nine OSCC patients saliva were also analyzed. The Mann-Whitney test and Wilcoxon matched pairs test were used to compare the differences among the various clinical variants. RESULTS miR-31 in plasma was significantly elevated in OSCC patients relative to age and sex-matched control individuals. This marker yielded a receiver operating characteristic curve area of 0.82 and an accuracy of 0.72 defined by leave-one-out cross-validation. In addition, the plasma miR-31 in patients was remarkably reduced after tumor resection suggesting that this marker is tumor associated. Our preliminary analysis also demonstrated the feasibility of detecting the increase of miR-31 in patient's saliva. CONCLUSION This study concluded that plasma miR-31 could be validated a marker of OSCC for diagnostic uses.
Predictors of Response to Electroconvulsive Therapy Obtained Using the Three-Factor Structure of the Montgomery and Åsberg Depression Rating Scale for Treatment-Resistant Depressed Patients

Objective: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is one of the most effective treatments for refractory major depressive disorder (MDD). Although studies have examined different predictors of a positive response to ECT, predictors based on symptoms listed on a depression rating scale have not been studied. Methods: This study included 24 Japanese patients who fulfilled the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fourth Edition criteria for MDD or bipolar disorder with current major depressive episode. All subjects had a score of 21 or higher on the Montgomery and Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). The 3-factor model of MADRS was used for analysis: factor 1 (dysphoria) was defined by 3 items, factor 2 (retardation) was defined by 4 items, and factor 3 (vegetative symptoms) was defined by 3 items. Electroconvulsive therapy was performed 2 times a week for a total of 6 sessions using the Thymatron System IV device (Somatics, Inc., Lake Bluff, Ill) with the brief-pulse technique. A clinical response was defined as a 50% or greater decrease on the pretreatment total MADRS score. Results: The mean factor 1 score of responders (n = 17) at pretreatment was significantly higher than that of the nonresponders (n = 7). Furthermore, a significant difference in mean factor 3 scores between responders and nonresponders was observed 1 week after the 6 ECT sessions were complete, indicating a lag in response time. No significant differences were observed in age, number of previous episodes, and duration of current episodes between the responders and nonresponders. Conclusions: This study suggests that a high factor 1 MADRS score at pretreatment was a good predictor of response to ECT in patients with treatment-resistant MDD.
Major Gaps on the Rights of Women in Ethiopia

Abstract Several international instruments including CEDAW have recognized every human being to be free from any form of violence including being free from inhuman and degrading treatment. Equality of men and women is also recognized starting from the establishment of UN in 1945 under its charter. UDHR, ICCPR and ICSECR are the major international human right instruments which recognized the application of the rights without discrimination based on sex. CEDAW is an important instrument meant to avoid any forms of discrimination against women including gender based violence against women. The ACHPR and the protocol to the right of women in Africa are also crucial regional instruments in the human right field to ensure the right of women within the region. Moreover, Harmful traditional practices and violence against women are recognized as violation of the human rights of women by the treaty bodies established to ensure implementation of the respected international and regional instruments. Ethiopia, after ratification of several international human right instruments took legislative and other important measures to respect the rights of women in general. However, such measures are remained to be insufficient. Abuses of women rights continued to persist, perpetrators remained unpunished or punished with fines or quiet few years of imprisonment for gross violations of Women's rights. Particularly, the situation of domestic violence including intimate partner violence, as some scholars rightly put it, is beyond the expectation of the 21st century. The constitution of Ethiopia entitled women several rights though it is not still perfect. The revised family code of Ethiopia also recognized several rights which were not included in the civil code of Ethiopia. The criminal code of Ethiopia has also criminalized several harmful traditional practices such as FGM, abduction, and rape. Despite all these legislative measures, violation of the fundamental women's right still continue to exist. The thesis is meant to show the readers the prevalence of violence against women and harmful traditional practices including domestic violence, sexual violence, FGM and early marriage as well as to show gaps on the administrative and legal measures taken by relevant actors to tackle the problems in light of the international human right standards. To fulfill the obligations envisaged under international human right instruments, the study recommends the state and the relevant actors to take legislative and administrative measures to tackle the problem from its grass roots and increase protection for victims of harmful traditional practices and gender based violence. (Less)
Effects of preischemic hyperglycemia on brain damage incurred by rats subjected to 2.5 or 5 minutes of forebrain ischemia.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The objective of this study was to explore whether preischemic hyperglycemia, which is known to aggravate brain damage due to transient global or forebrain ischemia of intermediate duration (10 to 20 minutes), increases the density of selective neuronal necrosis, as observed primarily in the CA1 sector of the hippocampus after brief periods of forebrain ischemia in rats (2.5 and 5 minutes). METHODS Anesthetized rats were subjected to two-vessel forebrain ischemia of 2.5- or 5-minute duration. Normoglycemic or hyperglycemic rats were either allowed a recovery period of 7 days for histopathological evaluation of neuronal necrosis in the hippocampus, isocortex, thalamus, and substantia nigra or were used for recording of extracellular concentrations of Ca2+ ([Ca2+]c), K+, or H+, together with the direct current (DC) potential. RESULTS Ischemia of 2.5- or 5-minute duration gave rise to similar damage in the CA1 sector of the hippocampus in normoglycemic and hyperglycemic groups (10% to 15% and 20% to 30% of the total population, respectively). However, in hyperglycemic animals subjected to 2.5 minutes of ischemia, CA1 neurons never depolarized and [Ca2+]c did not decrease. In the 5-minute groups, the total period of depolarization was 2 to 3 minutes shorter in hyperglycemic than in normoglycemic groups. This fact and results showing neocortical, thalamic, and substantia nigra damage in hyperglycemic animals after 5 minutes of ischemia demonstrate that although hyperglycemia delays the onset of ischemic depolarization and hastens repolarization and extrusion of Ca2+, it aggravates neuronal damage due to ischemia. CONCLUSIONS These results reinforce the concept that hyperglycemia exaggerates brain damage due to transient ischemia and prove that this exaggeration is observed at the neuronal level. The results also suggest that the concept of the duration of an ischemic transient should be qualified, particularly if ischemia is brief, ie. < 10 minutes in duration.
Synthesis and biological evaluation of arginyl–diosgenin conjugate as a potential bone tissue engineering agent

Water‐soluble arginyl–diosgenin (Arg‐DG) conjugate was designed, synthesized, and evaluated for a biological activity. The Arg‐DG conjugate was characterized using FT‐IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and HPLC‐MS analyses, followed by a biological activity evaluation. Compared with DG, the Arg‐DG conjugate showed a decreased cytotoxicity against L929 cells and an increased antiproliferative activity against hepatocellular cells. The safety of the Arg‐DG conjugate was confirmed using the highly sensitive Alamar Blue assay, which indicated that it increased the cellular metabolic activity at suitable concentrations. The Arg‐DG conjugate promoted an endothelial tube formation as well. Furthermore, the Arg‐DG conjugate improved the bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2)‐induced osteoblastic differentiation with synergistic effects on alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and mineralization. These results suggest that the Arg‐DG conjugate developed in this study has great potentials for biomedical applications such as bone tissue engineering.
The influence of neuroticism, extraversion and openness on stress responses.

The present research moved beyond focusing on negative dispositions to investigate the influence of positive aspects of personality, namely extraversion and openness, on stress responses including appraisals, affect and task performance. Challenge appraisals occur when stressor demands are deemed commensurate with coping resources, whereas threat appraisals occur when demands are believed to outweigh coping resources. We examined the unique influence of personality on stress responses and the mediating role of appraisals. Personality was assessed, and then participants (N = 152) were exposed to a validated math stressor. We found unique effects on stress responses for neuroticism (high threat and negative affect and low positive affect), extraversion (high positive and low negative affect) and openness (high positive and low negative effect and better performance). Mediation analyses revealed that neuroticism indirectly worsened performance, through threat appraisals, and that openness indirectly increased positive affect through lower threat. These findings highlight the importance of investigating multiple aspects of personality on stress responses and provide an avenue through which stress responses can be changed-appraisals. Only by more broad investigations can interventions be tailored appropriately for different individuals to foster stress resilience.