Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lotus japonicus karrikin receptors display divergent ligand-binding specificities and organ-dependent redundancy

Karrikins (KARs), smoke-derived butenolides, are perceived by the α/β-fold hydrolase KARRIKIN INSENSITIVE2 (KAI2) and are thought to mimic endogenous, yet elusive plant hormones tentatively called KAI2-ligands (KLs). The sensitivity to different karrikin types as well as the number of KAI2 paralogs varies among plant species, suggesting diversification and co-evolution of ligand-receptor relationships. In legumes, which comprise a number of important crops with protein-rich, nutritious seed, KAI2 has duplicated. We report sub-functionalization of KAI2a and KAI2b in the model legume Lotus japonicus and demonstrate that their ability to bind the synthetic ligand GR24ent-5DS differs in vitro as well as in genetic assays in Lotus japonicus and in the heterologous Arabidopsis thaliana background. These differences can be explained by the exchange of a widely conserved phenylalanine in the binding pocket of KAI2a with a tryptophan in KAI2b, which occured independently in KAI2 proteins of several unrelated angiosperms. Furthermore, two polymorphic residues in the binding pocket are conserved across a number of legumes and may contribute to ligand binding preferences. Unexpectedly, L. japonicus responds to diverse synthetic KAI2-ligands in an organ-specific manner. Hypocotyl development responds to KAR1, KAR2 and rac-GR24, while root system development responds only to KAR1. This organ-specificity cannot be explained by receptor-ligand preferences alone, because LjKAI2a is sufficient for karrikin responses in the hypocotyl, while LjKAI2a and LjKAI2b operate redundantly in roots. Our findings open novel research avenues into the evolution and diversity of butenolide ligand-receptor relationships, their ecological significance and the mechanisms controlling diverse developmental responses to different KAI2 ligands.
Shadowed Fading in Indoor Off-Body Communication Channels: A Statistical Characterization Using the κ - μ /Gamma Composite Fading Model

—This paper investigates the characteristics of the shadowed fading observed in off-body communications channels at 5.8 GHz. This is realized with the aid of the κ – μ /gamma composite fading model, which assumes that the transmitted signal undergoes κ – μ fading, which is subject to multiplicative shadowing. Based on this, the total power of the multipath components, including both the dominant and scattered components, is subject to non-negligible variations that follow the gamma distribution. For this model, we present an integral form of the probability density function (PDF) as well as important analytic expressions for the PDF, cumulative distribution function, moments, and moment generating function. In the case of indoor off-body communications, the corresponding measurements were carried out in the context of four explicit individual scenarios, namely: line of sight (LOS), non-LOS walking, rotational, and random movements. The measurements were repeated within three dif- ferent indoor environments and considered three different hypothetical body worn node locations. With the aid of these results, the parameters for the κ – μ /gamma composite fading model were estimated and analyzed extensively. Interestingly, for the majority of the indoor environments and movement scenarios, the parameter estimates suggested that dominant signal components existed even when the direct signal path was obscured by the test subject’s body. In addition, it is shown that the κ – μ /gamma composite fading model provides an adequate ﬁt to the fading effects involved in off-body communications channels. Using the Kullback–Leibler divergence, we have also compared our results
DIET, HABITAT USE, AND HOME RANGES OF SYMPATRIC CANIDS IN CENTRAL BRAZIL

Abstract Food items consumed by sympatric maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus), crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous), and hoary foxes (Lycalopex vetulus) were investigated in the Cerrado of central Brazil to determine overlap among their diets. Home ranges and spatial segregation among these canids were also investigated. Overlap among diets was greatest for maned wolves and crab-eating foxes, which had generalist diets, although maned wolves fed on larger prey than did crab-eating foxes. Hoary foxes were frugivore–insectivores, with Syntermes termites being the most important food item. In relation to habitat use, hoary foxes were also the most selective canid, preferring more open habitats.
Inpatient Nurses' Perception of Workplace Violence Based on Specialty

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of inpatient nursing specialties on the perceptions of workplace violence. BACKGROUND The association between nursing specialty and the perception of workplace violence has not been identified. METHODS An evaluation of inpatient nurses’ perceptions of workplace violence at a single health system was conducted using a modified Survey of Violence Experienced by Staff instrument. RESULTS Of the respondents, 87.2% experienced workplace violence, of which 96.3% was patient related. Patient-initiated verbal abuse, threats, and physical assault frequency differed significantly based on specialty. Post hoc comparisons further elucidate the differences in specialty populations. CONCLUSION Workplace violence is a nursing concern; however, the frequency in which workplace violence occurs differs based on specialty. The frequency of threats and injuries to nursing staff was significantly higher in medical and trauma units.
Communication, leadership and organizational support facilitate successful transition into practice for nurse practitioners in the emergency department

ABSTRACT Background: Postgraduate programs, specialized academic programs, and national health organizations such as the Institute of Medicine (IOM) have identified and begun addressing the gap in knowledge, skills, and factors for successful transition into practice. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships and differences among the personal and community resources that promote successful transition for nurse practitioners (NP) who practice in the emergency department (ED) and the skills or procedures they find difficult to perform independently. Methods: A descriptive, correlational, comparative study design was conducted using an online survey administered to a convenience sample of NPs with 6 months to 5 years of experience as an NP. Results: Findings from this study identified factors associated with successful and unsuccessful transition into practice and help support positive outcomes for health care institutions, ED patients, and NPs practicing in this specialty area. Implications for practice: Support in transition recognizes recommendations set by health care organizations in promoting professional development, safe clinical practice, job satisfaction, and retention. Further study will provide clarity in financial gains and improved patient health outcomes during a time in which complex disease processes and provider shortages continue to weigh heavily on society.
Surgical Outcomes Following Laminectomy with Fusion versus Laminectomy Alone in Patients with Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy.

STUDY DESIGN Post-hoc analysis of a prospective observational cohort study OBJECTIVE. : To compare clinical outcomes following laminectomy and fusion versus laminectomy alone in an international series of individuals suffering from degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Significant controversy exists regarding the role of instrumented fusion in the context of posterior surgical decompression for DCM. A previous study comparing laminectomy and fusion with laminoplasty showed no differences in outcomes between groups after adjusting for pre-operative characteristics. METHODS Based on the operation they received, 208 of the 757 patients prospectively enrolled in the AOSpine North America or International studies at 26 global sites were included in the present study. 22 patients were treated with laminectomy alone and 186 received a laminectomy with fusion. Patients were evaluated using the modified Japanese Orthopedic Association scale (mJOA), Nurick score, Neck Disability Index (NDI) and SF36 Quality of life measures. Baseline and surgical characteristics were compared using a t-test for continuous variables and a chi-square test for categorical variables. A mixed model analytic approach was used to evaluate differences in outcomes at 24-months between patients undergoing laminectomy and fusion versus laminectomy alone. RESULTS Surgical cohorts were comparable in terms of preoperative patient characteristics. Patients undergoing laminectomy with instrumented fusion had a significantly longer operative duration (P < 0.0001, 231.44 vs 107.10 minutes) but a comparable length of hospital stay. In terms of outcomes, patients treated with laminectomy with fusion exhibited clinically meaningful improvements (ΔmJOA = 2.48, ΔNurick = 1.19), whereas those who underwent a laminectomy without fusion did not (ΔmJOA = 0.78; ΔNurick = 0.29). There were significant differences between surgical cohorts in the change in mJOA and Nurick scores from preoperative to 24-months postoperative (mJOA: -1.70, p = 0.0266; Nurick: -0.90, p = 0.0241). The rate of perioperative complications was comparable (p = 0.879). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that cervical laminectomy with instrumented fusion is more effective than laminectomy alone at improving functional impairment in patients with DCM. These results warrant confirmation in larger prospective comparative studies. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 2.
Comparison of Peripapillary Choroidal Microvasculature Dropout in Primary Open-angle, Primary Angle-closure, and Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Precis: The prevalence of choroidal microvascular dropout (CMvD) was significantly higher in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) than primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) or pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PXG) in the early stage. However, in the advanced stage, it did not differ among the 3 groups. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the prevalence of peripapillary CMvD in POAG, PACG, and PXG. Materials and Methods: The presence of peripapillary CMvD was identified using optical coherence tomography angiography (AngioVue/RTVue-XR) imaging of the choroid in 186 eyes from 186 subjects [age and visual field (VF) mean deviation (MD) matched; 62 POAG, 62 PACG, and 62 PXG eyes]. Prevalence of CMvD was compared among glaucoma types in early and moderate to advanced disease, as divided by VF MD (−6 dB). The association between glaucoma type and presence of CMvD was evaluated using logistic regression analysis. Results: Prevalence of CMvD was significantly different between glaucoma types in early-stage disease (PACG 7.5%, PXG 25%, and POAG 46.3%, P<0.001), but it did not differ between glaucoma types in eyes with moderate to advanced disease (PACG 59.1%, PXG 68.2%, and POAG 81%; P=0.331). After adjusting for age, sex, the β-zone peripapillary atrophy/disc ratio, and glaucoma severity (VF MD), the CMvD odds ratio was 7.50 times greater in POAG than in PACG (P=0.001). Conclusions: CMvD was more common in POAG relative to both PACG and PXG, especially in early-stage disease. This finding suggested a role for ischemic injury in the pathogenesis of POAG.
Evaluation of the Initiation Timing of Hydrocortisone in Adult Patients With Septic Shock.

INTRODUCTION Clinical studies evaluating the use of hydrocortisone in patients with septic shock are heterogeneous in design with conflicting results. The appropriate time in which to initiate hydrocortisone after shock onset is unknown. This study sought to compare clinical outcomes including vasopressor duration and mortality in patients with septic shock who received hydrocortisone based on timing of initiation after shock onset. METHODS Retrospective cohort study of patients between 2011 and 2017 admitted to ten medical, surgical, and neurosciences ICUs at a large, tertiary care academic medical center. Adult patients with vasopressor-dependent septic shock who received hydrocortisone were included. Patients were divided into five timing cohorts based on time after shock onset: 0-6, 6-12, 12-24, 24-48 or >48 hours. The primary outcome was days alive and free from vasopressors. RESULTS 1470 patients were included: 567 (38.6%) received hydrocortisone between 0-6 hours, 231 (15.7%) 6-12 hours, 260 (17.7%) 12-24 hours, 195 (13.3%) 24-48 hours, and 217 (14.8%) >48 hours after shock onset. Patients who received hydrocortisone earlier were sicker at baseline with higher APACHE III scores, lactate concentrations and norepinephrine requirements. On univariate analysis, days alive and free from vasopressors did not significantly differ amongst the timing groups (median 3.3 days for 0-6 hours; 1.9 for 6-12 hours; 1.9 for 12-24 hours; 0 for 24-48 hours; 0 for >48 hours; p = 0.39); similarly, ICU mortality did not differ. On multivariable linear regression, timing of hydrocortisone was independently associated with more days alive and free from vasopressors when comparing initiation within 0-6 hours with >48 hours (beta-coefficient 2.8 days [95% CI 0.8-4.7]), 6-12 hours with >48 hours (2.5 days [95% CI 0.2-4.7]), and 12-24 hours with >48 hours (2.3 days [95% CI 0.2-4.5]). On multivariable logistic regression, timing of hydrocortisone was associated with reduced ICU mortality when comparing receipt within 0-6 hours of shock onset to >48 hours after shock onset (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.4-0.8). CONCLUSIONS In patients in whom hydrocortisone is prescribed for vasopressor-dependent septic shock, timing is crucial and hydrocortisone should be started within the first 12 hours after shock onset.
Perioperative Outcomes in the Treatment of Isolated Sagittal Synostosis: Cranial Vault Remodeling Versus Spring Mediated Cranioplasty

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Background: Patients undergoing cranial expansion including spring-mediated cranioplasty (SMC) and cranial vault remodeling (CVR) receive costly and high acuity post-operative intensive care (ICU) given concerns over neurologic and hemodynamic vulnerability. The authors analyzed perioperative and post-operative events for patients presenting with sagittal craniosynostosis (CS) undergoing SMC and CVR in order to compare complication profiles. Methods: The authors performed a single center retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing SMC and CVR for the treatment of nonsyndromic, isolated sagittal CS from 2011 to 2018. Perioperative and post-operative factors were collected, focusing on hemodynamic instability and events necessitating ICU care. Mann-Whitney U and Fisher exact tests were used to compare data with significance defined as P < 0.05. Results: Among 106 patients, 65 (61%) underwent SMC and 41 (39%) CVR. All CVR patients received prophylactic whole blood transfusion at time of scalp incision. Acute blood loss anemia was the most common post-operative complication, prompting n = 6 (9.2%) and n = 7 (17.1%) blood transfusions in the SMC and CVR cohorts, respectively (P < 0.24). Hemodynamic instability requiring blood transfusion was rare, occurring post-operatively in n = 2 (3.1%) and n = 2 (4.9%) patients in the SMC and CVR cohorts, respectively (P < 0.64). Two patients in the CVR cohort exhibited new neurologic symptoms that self-resolved, compared to no patients in the SMC cohort (P < 0.15). Conclusion: Despite differing degrees of operative invasiveness, post-operative hemodynamic and neurologic decompensation following CVR and SMC for isolated sagittal CS repair remains similarly rare. Indications necessitating post-operative intensive care are infrequent. Post-operative hemoglobin monitoring may enable early prediction for hemodynamic instability.
Morphoagronomic and productive traits of RR soybean due to inoculation via Azospirillum brasilense groove

In the last decades, the Brazilian soy productive chain has passed through a transformation process in which the yield, efficiency, profitability, economic and environmental sustainability are very important issues. In this context, the introduction of microorganisms has provided an increase in grains yield. The objective of this study was to evaluate the inoculation of Azospirillum brasilense associated with Bradyrhizobium japonicum in agronomic traits and the soybean productivity. The experiment was conducted in randomized blocks in 4 × 2 factorial, with four cultivars (Anta 82 RR®, BRS Favorita RR®, BRS 780 RR®, BRS 820 RR®) and two treatments with A. brasilense (inoculated and non-inoculated) with three replications in two growing seasons. The following traits were evaluated: plant height, shoot dry biomass, chlorophyll content, leaf nitrogen content at flowering; and at harvest, the plant height, the insertion of the first pod, number of pods per plant, number of grains per pod, thousand-grain weight , grain yield, and grain harvest index were evaluated. There was a significant effect of growing seasons and cultivars in an isolated way and their interaction in most traits. The conditions in which the study was conducted, with or without inoculation of A. brasilense associated with B. japonicum do not affect the agronomic traits and grain yield in RR® soybean cultivars. Key words: Glycine Max (L.) Merrill, growth promoting bacteria, rhyzobium.
Inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase 3β alleviates chronic renal allograft dysfunction in rats.

BACKGROUND Chronic renal allograft dysfunction (CRAD) is a major condition that impedes the long-term survival of renal allografts. However, the mechanism of CRAD is obscure, and effective strategies for controlling the progression of CRAD are lacking. The present study used a CRAD rat model to assess the effect of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) inhibition on the development of CRAD. METHODS A classical F334-to-LEW orthotopic renal transplantation was performed on the CRAD group. The treatment group was treated with the GSK-3β inhibitor TDZD-8 for 12 consecutive weeks following renal transplantation. The study included uninephrectomized F344 and Lewis rats as control subjects. Twelve weeks post-surgery, the rats were retrieved for analysis of renal function, urine protein levels, histological, immunohistochemical, and molecular biological parameters. RESULTS Administration of TDZD-8 inactivated GSK-3β and thereby improved renal function, attenuated proteinuria, and reduced renal tissue damage in CRAD rats. Besides, inactivation of GSK-3β inhibited NF-κB activation, macrophage infiltration, and expression of multiple proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines. Inhibition of GSK-3β also decreased the levels of MDA, increased SOD levels, upregulated the expression of HO-1 and NQO-1, and enhanced nuclear translocation of Nrf2 in the kidneys of CRAD rats. CONCLUSIONS Inhibition of GSK-3β attenuates the development of CRAD by inhibiting inflammation and oxidant stress. Thus, GSK-3β inhibition may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for the prevention and treatment of CRAD.
Genome maintenance functions of a putative Trypanosoma brucei translesion DNA polymerase include telomere association and a role in antigenic variation

Abstract Maintenance of genome integrity is critical to guarantee transfer of an intact genome from parent to offspring during cell division. DNA polymerases (Pols) provide roles in both replication of the genome and the repair of a wide range of lesions. Amongst replicative DNA Pols, translesion DNA Pols play a particular role: replication to bypass DNA damage. All cells express a range of translesion Pols, but little work has examined their function in parasites, including whether the enzymes might contribute to host-parasite interactions. Here, we describe a dual function of one putative translesion Pol in African trypanosomes, which we now name TbPolIE. Previously, we demonstrated that TbPolIE is associated with telomeric sequences and here we show that RNAi-mediated depletion of TbPolIE transcripts results in slowed growth, altered DNA content, changes in cell morphology, and increased sensitivity to DNA damaging agents. We also show that TbPolIE displays pronounced localization at the nuclear periphery, and that its depletion leads to chromosome segregation defects and increased levels of endogenous DNA damage. Finally, we demonstrate that TbPolIE depletion leads to deregulation of telomeric variant surface glycoprotein genes, linking the function of this putative translesion DNA polymerase to host immune evasion by antigenic variation.
More precise donor–recipient matching: the role of eplet matching

Purpose of review A precise understanding of the alloimmune risk faced by individual recipients at the time of transplant is an unmet need in transplantation. Although conventional HLA donor–recipient mismatch is too imprecise to fulfil this need, HLA molecular mismatch increases the precision in alloimmune risk assessment by quantifying the difference between donors and recipients at the molecular level. Recent findings Within each conventional HLA mismatch the number, type, and position of mismatched amino acids create a wide range of HLA molecular mismatches between recipients and donors. Multiple different solid organ transplant groups from across the world have correlated HLA molecular mismatch with transplant outcomes including de novo donor-specific antibody development, antibody-mediated rejection, T-cell-mediated rejection, and allograft survival. Summary All alloimmunity is driven by differences between donors and recipients at the molecular level. HLA molecular mismatch may represent an advancement compared to traditional HLA antigen mismatch as a fast, reproducible, cost-effective way to improve alloimmune risk assessment at the time of transplantation to move the field towards precision medicine.
Fatty acids in harp seal blubber do not necessarily reflect their diet

The predator-prey relationship with respect to fatty acids (FAs) was studied in 57 harp seals Pagophilus groenlandicus and 16 potential prey species collected simultaneously in the north- western Barents Sea in May-June 2006. The FA composition of potential prey and the inner and outer sections of the seal blubber was determined. The blubber was stratified with a higher abun- dance of monounsaturated FAs (14 to 18 carbons) in the outer layer and a higher abundance of satu- rated FAs and monounsaturated long-chain FAs (20 to 24 FAs) in the inner layer. The FA composition differed substantially among potential prey species and between the prey and the blubber. The FA composition of the prey species, which was identified from stomach and/or intestine contents, was more similar to that of the blubber than that of the prey not found in the stomach or intestines. The FA composition of the outer blubber layer was independent of prey composition but dependent on the age of the seals. The weak predator-prey relationship with respect to FA composition of the inner blubber and the prey suggested that the FA composition of the inner layer was mainly predetermined by metabolism rather than the FA composition of the diet. Thus, using blubber FA composition as an estimation of prey use appears unreliable.