Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Potential net primary production footprint of agriculture: A global trade analysis

Agriculture is one of the most important sources of biomass for human society but increasingly contributes to anthropogenic degradation of ecosystems through negative impacts on biodiversity, ecosystem integrity, climate change, and ecosystem services. Here we estimate NPPpot agricultural footprint, that is, the level of appropriation of potential net primary production (NPPpot) by global cropland and human‐made pastures from the consumer responsibility (footprint) perspective and reveal the role of international trade. To quantify the NPPpot agricultural footprint, we utilize environmentally extended multi‐regional input–output analysis to attribute the terrestrial potential NPP altered by global cropland and human‐made pastures to the final consumers responsible for pulling the supply chains. We identify the NPPpot of geographically specific cropland area of 186 agricultural crops in 236 countries and we track each of those crops through the global web of international trade and supply chains to the point of final consumption. We show that human society appropriates 20% (13 petagrams of carbon per year) of global potential net primary production by the transformation of natural ecosystems into cropland and human‐made pastures. International trade accounts for 23% of global NPPpot footprint of agriculture. While the two and half billion people living in China and India (the two countries with lowest NPPpot agricultural footprint per capita) appropriate about 16% of the global NPPpot agricultural footprint of cropland and human‐made pastures, the same share is appropriated by only 360 million people living in countries with the highest per capita footprint.
Giant Complex Odontoma of Mandible: A Spectacular Case Report

Introduction: Odontomas are considered as benign tumors of odontogenic tissue origin and are more over non-aggressive. They can also be categorized as hamartomas and are a result of developmental malformation of odontogenic tissues. As the name suggests, they are composed of mature tooth substances. They possess limited and slow growth potential and are well differentiated. They can be ectodermal, mesodermal or mixed in origin. Mixed variety may be further divided into compound or complex depending upon their radio-graphical resemblance to the tooth. Compound odontomes are reported to be twice more common than complex odontomes. Among them, complex odontomes are asymptomatic unless they cause bony expansion of the jaws. Case Report: This paper aims to report and discuss a case of complex odontoma with unusually large size leading to gross facial asymmetry. Further this paper will highlight the important information the general dental practitioner must possess to diagnose such lesions at an early stage. Conclusion: Odontomas are benign odontogenic tumors with unusually large size leading to gross facial asymmetry. The general dental practitioners must possess the knowledge and important information to diagnose such lesions at an early stage.
The p53 complex from monkey cells modulates the biochemical activities of simian virus 40 large T antigen

We have compared the ATPase, DNA-binding, and helicase activities of free simian virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen (To) and T antigen complexed with cellular p53 (T+p53). Each activity is essential for productive viral infection. The T+p53 and To fractions were prepared by sequential immunosorption of infected monkey cells with monoclonal antibodies specific for p53 and T antigen. The immune-complexed T fractions were then assayed in parallel. For ATP hydrolysis, the Vmax for T+p53 was 143 nmol of ADP per min per mg of protein, or 18-fold greater than for To. ATP had no effect on the stability of the T+p53 complex. The T+p53 complex was significantly more active than To in hydrolyzing dATP, dGTP, GTP, and UTP. Of the nucleotide substrates tested, the greatest relative increase (T+p53/To) was in hydrolyzing dGTP and GTP. In DNase footprinting assays performed under replication conditions, the T+p53 complex protected regions I, II, and III of origin DNA while equivalent amounts of To protected only regions I and II. Region III is known to contribute to the efficiency of DNA replication and contains the SP1-binding sites of the early viral promoter. The T+p53 fraction was also a more efficient helicase than To, especially with a GC-rich primer and template. Thus, the T+p53 complex has enhanced ATPase, GTPase, DNA-binding, and helicase activities. These findings imply that complex formation between cellular monkey p53 and SV40 T antigen modulates a number of essential activities of T in SV40 productive infection.
Acute Pelvic Inflammatory Disease and Clinical Response to Parenteral Doxycycline

The bacteriology of acute pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and clinical response to parenteral doxycycline were evaluated in 30 patients. Only 3 of 21 cul-de-sac cultures from PID patients were sterile, whereas all 8 normal control subjects yielded negative results (P< 0.005). Poor correlation was observed between cervical and cul-de-sac cultures. Neisseria gonorrhoeae, isolated from the cervix in 17 patients (57%), was recovered from the cul-de-sac only once. Streptococcus, Peptococcus, Peptostreptococcus, coliforms, and other organisms normally present in the vagina were the predominant isolates recovered from the cul-de-sac. Parenteral doxycycline resulted in rapid resolution of signs and symptoms (within 48 h) in 20 of 27 evaluable patients (74%). In five others, signs and symptoms of infection abated within 4 days. The remaining two patients failed to respond; in both cases, adnexal masses developed during doxycycline therapy. Gonococci were eradicated from the cervix in all but one patient who, nevertheless, had a rapid defervescence of symptoms. There was no clear-cut correlation between the clinical response and in vitro susceptibility of cul-de-sac isolates to doxycycline. These data confirm the usefulness of broad-spectrum antibiotics in acute PID. Culdocentesis is a reliable means of obtaining material for the bacteriological diagnosis of acute PID; however, the pathogenetic role and relative importance of gonococci and various other bacteria in acute PID need to be clarified further.
Nonlinear Relationship between Labor Demand Elasticities and Firm Size in Iran

This paper, at first, examines the determinants of the labor income share (LIS) and second calculate the own, cross and output elasticities of the labor force demand for three sizes of firms in Iran’s industry: 10-49 employees, 50-99 employees and more than 100 employees. Since the dependent variable was limited to the interval 0 and 1, a Fractional Panel Probit technique has been used for the period 2004-2014 and provincial level. The findings from the first section of all groups showed that the relation between labor share income and wages, capital prices and the ratio of skilled to unskilled employees is positive. Labor income share is reduced by increasing real output, tax, premium paid and value of raw materials. The share of labor income is reduced by increasing production can make sense that the rising in production is more capital-intensive than labor-intensive, and leads up to a reduction of labor income share. In the second part, according to the theoretical framework, the own wage elasticity was negative for all groups. The relationship between labor and capital price was positive that implies substitution elasticity between them. There is a positive sign for output-employment elasticity. Nonlinear relationship among the elasticities are consistent with our finding that within all groups, small and large firms have more own and output elasticities. There is a U-shape relationship between firm size and elasticities. In reverse, cross elasticity is high for medium firm size. Based on research results and since labor market of Iran is suffering from labor demand shortage, some suggestion to the economic policymaker may be helpful such as: applying appropriate facility to increase industrial growth, eliminating production barriers, reducing the risk of investment and improving human resources skills in accordance with the requirements of industrial sectors.
Kruppel-Like Factor 4 Is Essential for Inflammatory Monocyte Differentiation In Vivo1

Several members of the Kruppel-like factor (KLF) family of transcription factors play important roles in differentiation, survival, and trafficking of blood and immune cell types. We demonstrate in this study that hematopoietic cells from KLF4−/− fetal livers (FL) contained normal numbers of functional hematopoietic progenitor cells, were radioprotective, and performed as well as KLF4+/+ cells in competitive repopulation assays. However, hematopoietic “KLF4−/− chimeras” generated by transplantation of KLF4−/− fetal livers cells into lethally irradiated wild-type mice completely lacked circulating inflammatory (CD115+Gr1+) monocytes, and had reduced numbers of resident (CD115+Gr1−) monocytes. Although the numbers and function of peritoneal macrophages were normal in KLF4−/− chimeras, bone marrow monocytic cells from KLF4−/− chimeras expressed lower levels of key trafficking molecules and were more apoptotic. Thus, our in vivo loss-of-function studies demonstrate that KLF4, previously shown to mediate proinflammatory signaling in human macrophages in vitro, is essential for differentiation of mouse inflammatory monocytes, and is involved in the differentiation of resident monocytes. In addition, inducible expression of KLF4 in the HL60 human acute myeloid leukemia cell line stimulated monocytic differentiation and enhanced 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate induced macrophage differentiation, but blocked all-trans-retinoic acid induced granulocytic differentiation of HL60 cells. The inflammation-selective effects of loss-of-KLF4 and the gain-of-KLF4-induced monocytic differentiation in HL60 cells identify KLF4 as a key regulator of monocytic differentiation and a potential target for translational immune modulation.
Increased plasma peroxides as a marker of oxidative stress in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)

Summary Background There is evidence that myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is characterized by activation of immune, inflammatory, oxidative and nitrosative stress (IO&NS) pathways. The present study was carried out in order to examine whether ME/CFS is accompanied by increased levels of plasma peroxides and serum oxidized LDL (oxLDL) antibodies, two biomarkers of oxidative stress. Material/Methods Blood was collected from 56 patients with ME/CFS and 37 normal volunteers. Severity of ME/CFS was measured using the Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (FF) Rating Scale. Results Plasma peroxide concentrations were significantly higher in patients with ME/CFS than in normal controls. There was a trend towards significantly higher serum oxLDL antibodies in ME/CFS than in controls. Both biomarkers contributed significantly in discriminating between patients with ME/CFS and normal controls. Plasma peroxide and serum oxLDL antibody levels were both significantly related to one of the FF symptoms. Conclusions The results show that ME/CFS is characterized by increased oxidative stress.
Effect of n‐3 fatty acids on carotid atherosclerosis and haemostasis in patients with combined hyperlipoproteinemia: A double‐blind pilot study in primary prevention

Background. Intake of n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐3 PUFA) either from natural sources or dietary supplementation is inversely associated with atherothrombosis. Aim. A double‐blind pilot study was designed to address the impact of n‐3 PUFA on atherosclerosis, haemostasis and vascular status in patients with combined hyperlipoproteinemia. Methods. Carotid intima‐media thickness (C‐IMT), texture of intima‐media complex (T‐IMC), lipids and platelet function were evaluated in 64 patients with combined hyperlipoproteinemia who received placebo or n‐3 PUFA (6 g/day) for 2 years. C‐IMT and T‐IMC were assessed by B‐mode ultrasound. Lipids and platelet function were determined by validated methods. Results. C‐IMT increased in placebo, but not in n‐3 PUFA group with respect to baseline. In contrast T‐IMC decreased in n‐3 PUFA, but not in placebo; in both cases, however, treatment effect did not reach statistical significance. A fall of triglycerides, concomitant to a rise of high‐ and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL and LDL), was observed in the active treated group. Platelet function was significantly reduced by n‐3 PUFA. Conclusions. Results show a favourable effectiveness of n‐3 PUFA on IMT progression and T‐IMC that deserves to be confirmed in larger studies. Despite the small sample size, the beneficial effect of n‐3 PUFA on platelet function, triglycerides and HDL‐C is clearly highlighted.
Cigarette Smoke Enhances Ethanol-Induced Pancreatic Injury

Alcohol induces pancreatic ischemia, but the mechanisms promoting pancreatic inflammation are unclear. We investigated whether cigarette smoke inhalation is a cofactor in the development of ethanol-induced pancreatic injury. Cigarette smoke was administered to anesthetized rats alone or in combination with intravenous ethanol infusion. Control animals received either saline or ethanol alone. Pancreatic capillary blood flow and leukocyte–endothelium interaction in postcapillary venules were evaluated by intravital microscopy. Leukocyte sequestration was assessed by measurement of myeloperoxidase activity in pancreatic tissue, and pancreatic injury evaluated by histology. Ethanol decreased pancreatic blood flow progressively over 90 minutes (p < 0.001 vs. baseline), but neither leukocyte–endothelium interaction nor leukocyte sequestration was altered. Cigarette smoke alone reduced pancreatic blood flow temporarily (p < 0.01 vs. baseline) and increased leukocyte–endothelium interaction (roller p < 0.001, sticker p < 0.01 vs. baseline). Cigarette smoke potentiated the impairment of pancreatic capillary perfusion caused by ethanol, and both the number of rolling leukocytes and myeloperoxidase activity levels were increased compared to ethanol or nicotine administration alone (p ≤ 0.05 and p ≤ 0.01, respectively). This study demonstrates that ethanol induces pancreatic ischemia and that cigarette smoke leads to both temporary pancreatic ischemia and minimal leukocyte sequestration. Cigarette smoke potentiates the amount of pancreatic injury generated by ethanol alone. Smoking therefore seems to be a contributing factor in the development of alcohol-induced pancreatitis in the rat model.
Laboratory and Field Evaluation of an Indoxacarb Gel Bait Against Two Cockroach Species (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae, Blattidae) in Lagos, Nigeria

ABSTRACT Indoxacarb gel bait was evaluated for its efficacy in the laboratory and field against American cockroaches, Periplaneta americana (L.), and German cockroaches, Blattella germanica (L.). Advion 0.6% indoxacarb gel bait was toxic to both P. americana and B. germanica. There were no significant differences in the LT50 (h) values for treatment levels of 0.25 g, 0.5 g, and 1.0 g gel applied against P. americana, whereas gel applied at 0.5 g to B. germanica had a significantly greater LT50 (h) in the laboratory than the gel treatments on P. americana. The LT50 for both cockroach species ranged from 40.65 to 145.60 h. There was no control mortality in the laboratory bioassays. In the field, 55 houses were treated with 0.5 g of 6–8 spots of indoxacarb gel bait per kitchen of two or three bedroom bungalows from three Local Government Areas of Lagos State, comprising Sumiere (22), Alimosho (12), and Shomolu (21). Mean reduction in cockroach populations varied from location to location based on the level of infestations. Percentage reductions in the indoxacarb gel-treated units ranged from 3.5% at 1 d after treatment to 99.8% at 14 d at Sumiere, while reductions ranged from 8.9% at 1 d after treatment to 99.7% at 14 d at Shomolu; a similar trend was observed for Alimosho. Indoxacarb gel bait was highly effective in the control of cockroaches.
Structure of cellular ESCRT-III spirals and their relationship to HIV budding

The ESCRT machinery along with the AAA+ ATPase Vps4 drive membrane scission for trafficking into multivesicular bodies in the endocytic pathway and for the topologically related processes of viral budding and cytokinesis, but how they accomplish this remains unclear. Using deep-etch electron microscopy, we find that endogenous ESCRT-III filaments stabilized by depleting cells of Vps4 create uniform membrane-deforming conical spirals which are assemblies of specific ESCRT-III heteropolymers. To explore functional roles for ESCRT-III filaments, we examine HIV-1 Gag-mediated budding of virus-like particles and find that depleting Vps4 traps ESCRT-III filaments around nascent Gag assemblies. Interpolating between the observed structures suggests a new role for Vps4 in separating ESCRT-III from Gag or other cargo to allow centripetal growth of a neck constricting ESCRT-III spiral. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.02184. 001
Nutrition effects on ocular diseases in the aging eye.

PURPOSE We reviewed the data from the clinical trials of nutritional supplements for the treatment of age-related cataract and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) to determine future directions of research and treatment. METHODS Data from the controlled clinical trials are presented and reviewed for potential opportunities for further research into the treatment of cataracts and AMD. RESULTS Two trials using daily multivitamins/minerals demonstrated a reduction in the progression of nuclear cataract, but increased the risk of posterior subcapsular cataract. For AMD, the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) formulation (vitamins C, E, beta-carotene, zinc, and copper) reduced the risk of progression to advanced AMD by 25% at 5 years. Because beta-carotene is associated with increased lung cancer in former smokers, lutein/zeaxanthin could replace beta-carotene and provide an incremental increase in the beneficial effects beyond the effects of the AREDS formulation. In addition, a randomized clinical trial of B vitamins demonstrated a beneficial effect for AMD with the vitamin B complex. CONCLUSIONS Future evaluation may include additional assessments of nutrients for the treatment of progression of cataract and AMD. A modest reduction would have significant impact as the numbers of persons affected with these two leading causes of blindness are projected to double in the next decade. An important step would be to develop surrogate outcomes to increase efficiency in clinical trials. More detailed phenotyping, especially of AMD, is required as it appears to be not one disease, but a group of diseases. Genotype-phenotype analyses may help to target pathways that are important in AMD.
Socioeconomic gradient in old age mortality in Wuhan, China.

OBJECTIVES The vast majority of studies on socioeconomic status (SES) and old age mortality are based on data derived from developed nations. This research examined the SES differentials in old age mortality in China, a developing nation. METHODS Hazard rate models in conjunction with ordinary least squares and logistic regression analyses were used to ascertain the gross, direct, indirect, and interaction effects of SES on mortality during a 3-year period in a probability sample of 2,943 persons aged 60 years or older in Wuhan, China. RESULTS Education, household economic well being, and urban-rural residence showed statistically significant gross effects on old age mortality. Education influenced mortality directly and indirectly. Household economic well being and urbanicity exerted indirect effects on mortality through mediating variables such as stress, social relations, and baseline health status. The mechanism through which education affected mortality differed between men and women, but SES differentials in mortality did not interact with age. DISCUSSION SES differentials in old age mortality may be extended to a developing nation such as China. The observed gender by SES interaction effect on old age mortality has important implications for intervention. In particular. improving education among women in underdeveloped areas must remain a high priority, for policy makers in efforts to extend the life expectancy of women.
Conflict, Peace, and the Evolution of Women's Empowerment

How do periods of conflict and peace shape women's empowerment around the world? While existing studies have demonstrated that gender inequalities contribute to the propensity for armed conflict, we consider how the anticipation and realization of armed conflict shape women's opportunities for influence in society. Some scholars have pointed to the role that militarization and threat play in entrenching male dominance, while others have argued that periods of warfare can upend existing gender hierarchical orders. We posit mechanisms by which the preparation for and experiences during war affect change in women's empowerment. We develop and test observable implications using cross-national data from 1900 to 2015. We find that, at least in the short and medium term, warfare can disrupt social institutions and lead to an increase in women's empowerment via mechanisms related to role shifts across society and political shifts catalyzed by war. Reforming institutions and mainstreaming gender during peace processes stand to have important legacies for gender power relations in postconflict societies, though much more may be needed for more permanent change.
Comparison of High MRI T1 Signals with Manganese Concentration in Brains of Cynomolgus Monkeys After 8 Months of Stainless Steel Welding-Fume Exposure

Several pharmacokinetic studies on inhalation exposure to manganese (Mn) have already demonstrated that Mn readily accumulates in the olfactory and brain regions. However, a shortening of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T1 relaxation time or high T1 signal intensity in specific sites of the brain, including the globus pallidus and subcortical frontal white matter, as indicative of tissue manganese accumulation has not yet been clearly established for certain durations of known doses of welding-fume exposure in experimental animals. Accordingly, to investigate the movement of manganese after welding-fume exposure, six cynomolgus monkeys were acclimated and assigned to three dose groups: unexposed, low dose (31 mg/m3 total suspended particulate [TSP], 0.9 mg/m3 of Mn), and high dose (62 mg/m3 TSP, 1.95 mg/m3 of Mn) of total suspended particulate. The primates were exposed to manual metal arc stainless steel (MMA-SS) welding fumes for 2 h per day in an inhalation chamber system equipped with an automatic fume generator. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies were conducted before the initiation of exposure and thereafter every month. The tissue Mn concentrations were then measured after a plateau was reached regarding the shortening of the MRI T1 relaxation time. A dose-dependent increase in the Mn concentration was found in the lungs, while noticeable increases in the Mn concentrations were found in certain tissues, such as the liver, kidneys, and testes. Slight increases in the Mn concentrations were found in the caudate, putamen, frontal lobe, and substantia nigra, while a dose-dependent noticeable increase was only found in the globus pallidus. Therefore, the present results indicated that a shortening of the MRI T1 relaxation time corresponded well with the Mn concentration in the globus pallidus after prolonged welding-fume exposure.