Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characteristics Analysis of Summer Maize Yield Loss Caused by Drought Stress in the Northern Huaihe Plain, China

Summer maize is a major crop in the Northern Huaihe Plain. To simulate maize yield losses caused by drought stress in 13 cities, the DSSAT‐CERES‐Maize model was selected as a tool, which was calibrated and validated based on drought stress experimental observations conducted in 2013 in Bengbu, China. Results indicate the numbers of years of low, low‐mid, mid, mid‐high and high loss percentage as 25–37, 3–9, 1–6, 0–5 and 1–13, respectively. There was a higher risk of high loss percentage in the south, with higher risk of low‐mid loss percentage in the north‐east and higher risk of mid‐high loss percentage in the west. Compared with the proportion of high loss percentage during 1961–1980, in the high loss percentage years, it decreased by 5–30% in the south and increased by 1–15% in the south‐west during 1981–2015. However, in mid‐high loss percentage years, the proportion increased by 5–25% in the north, with less change in other areas. In low‐mid loss percentage years, the proportion increased by 5–20% in the south‐east and decreased by 5–34.4% in the north. The yield loss decreased on average 766 000 t and 15% after rational allocation of water resources, which improves drought resistance in the Northern Huaihe Plain. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Angiotensin II type 2 (AT2) receptors have a major somatodendritic distribution in vasopressin-containing neurons in the mouse hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus

The hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and angiotensin II (AngII) play critical roles in cardiovascular and neurohumoral regulation ascribed in part to vasopressin (VP) release. The AngII actions in the PVN are mediated largely through AngII type 1 (AT1) receptors. However, there is indirect evidence that the functionally elusive central AngII type 2 (AT2) receptors are also mediators of AngII signaling in the PVN. We used electron microscopic dual immunolabeling of antisera recognizing the AT2 receptor and VP to test the hypothesis that PVN neurons expressing VP are among the cellular sites where this receptor has a subcellular distribution conducive to local activation. Immunoreactivity for the AT2 receptor was detected in somatodendritic profiles, of which ~60% of the somata and ~28% of the dendrites also contained VP. In comparison with somata and dendrites, axons, axon terminals, and glia less frequently contained the AT2 receptor. Somatic labeling for the AT2 receptor was often seen in the cytoplasm near the Golgi lamellae and other endomembrane structures implicated in receptor trafficking. AT2 receptor immunoreactivity in dendrites was commonly localized to cytoplasmic endomembranes, but was occasionally observed on extra- or peri-synaptic portions of the plasma membrane apposed by astrocytic processes or by unlabeled axon terminals. The labeled dendritic plasmalemmal segments containing AT2 receptors received asymmetric excitatory-type or more rarely symmetric inhibitory-type contacts from unlabeled axon terminals containing dense core vesicles, many of which are known to store neuropeptides. These results provide the first ultrastructural evidence that AT2 receptors in PVN neurons expressing vasopressin and other neuromodulators are strategically positioned for surface activation by AngII and/or intracellular trafficking.
PET/CT Standardized Uptake Values (SUVs) in Clinical Practice and Assessing Response to Therapy

The use of standardized uptake values (SUVs) is now common place in clinical FDG-PET/CT oncology imaging, and has a specific role in assessing patient response to cancer therapy. Ideally, the use of SUVs removes variability introduced by differences in patient size and the amount of injected FDG. However, in practice there are several sources of bias and variance that are introduced in the measurement of FDG uptake in tumors and also in the conversion of the image count data to SUVs. The overall imaging process is reviewed and estimates of the magnitude of errors, where known, are given. Recommendations are provided for best practices in improving SUV accuracy.
Endothelial protective genes induced by statin is mimicked by FTI-277 and GGTI-298 drug combination-mediated ERK5 activation

Background— Statins are potent inhibitors of cholesterol biosynthesis and are clinically beneficial in preventing cardiovascular diseases, however, the therapeutic utility of these drugs is limited by myotoxicity. Here, we explored the mechanism of statin-mediated activation of ERK5 in the human endothelium with the goal of identifying compounds that confer endothelial protection but are nontoxic to muscle. Methods— An ERK5-one hybrid luciferase reporter transfected into COS-7 cells with pharmacological and molecular manipulations dissected the signaling pathway leading to statin activation of ERK5. qRT-PCR of HUVEC cells documented the transcriptional activation of endothelial-protective genes. Lastly, morphological and cellular ATP analysis, and induction of atrogin-1 in C2C12 myotubes were used to assess statin-induced myopathy. Results— Statin activation of ERK5 is dependent on the cellular reduction of GGPPs. Furthermore, we found that the combination of FTI-277 (inhibitor of farnesyl transferase) and GGTI-298 (inhibitor of geranylgeranyl transferase I) mimicked the statin-mediated activation of ERK5. FTI-277 and GGTI-298 together recapitulated the beneficial effects of statins by transcriptionally upregulating anti-inflammatory mediators such as eNOS, THBD, and KLF2. Finally, C2C12 skeletal myotubes treated with both FTI-277 and GGTI-298 evoked less morphological and cellular changes recognized as biomarkers of statin-associated myopathy. Conclusions— Statin-induced endothelial protection and myopathy are mediated by distinct metabolic intermediates and co-inhibition of farnesyl transferase and geranylgeranyl transferase I confer endothelial protection without myopathy. General Significance— The combinatorial FTI-277 and GGTI-298 drug regimen provides a promising alternative avenue for endothelial protection without myopathy.
Pulmonary Radiologic Findings in CVID: Clinical and Immunological Correlations

precluding of laboratory whether similar inflammatory progression Our data suggest parameters that are associated with selected radiologic findings in CVID which may provide insight into the determinants of chronic pulmonary complications in this disease. While bronchiectasis appears to develop over time as a result of heightened susceptibility to infection, ILD generally occurred in younger CVID patients with concurrent autoimmunity and lymphoid hyperplasia. Furthermore, a subset of ILD patients may progress to a heightened inflammatory state characterized by increased peripheral monocytes, liver involvement, LIP or OP on lung biopsy, and ground glass opacity on CT chest scan. The results of this study suggest that divergent immunological processes underlie the distinct clinical manifestations of bronchiectasis and ILD in CVID.
THE EFFECT OF HYDROCORTISONE AND OF PIROMEN IN VITRO ON LEUKOCYTES OF PATIENTS RECEIVING ACTH AND CORTISONE THERAPY1

The relationship of adrenocorticosteroid hormones to the processes of infection, inflammation and repair have been reviewed by several authors, including Duke-Elder and Ashton (1), Rebuck and Mellinger (2), and Thomas (3). Selye (4) has described the overall effect produced in his experiments as an inhibition of development of granulomatous barriers between irritants and tissues. Opinions vary as to how alterations in the response of tissues are induced by the adrenocorticosteroids. Speculation on the basis of data accumulated thus far has dealt particularly with the question of the relative importance of indirect vascular effects and of more direct metabolic effects upon the leukocytes and the connective tissue elements involved in the reaction. Prevention of increased capillary permeability (5), slight increase in arteriolar tone (6), prevention of damage to the endothelium of arterioles and venules (7) and delay of growth of capillary loops (8, 9) have all been observed as vascular effects possibly contributing to the decreased cellular response at the site of injury. There have been numerous attempts made both in vivo and in vitro to dissociate the direct cellular reaction from vascular and other influences. Shapiro, Taylor, and Taubenhaus (10), for instance, noted the persistence of inhibition of formation of granulation tissue in animals treated with cortisone despite the fact that the site of injury had been denervated and made moderately ischemic. However, Steen (11) was unable to demonstrate any inhibition of fibroblastic growth by cortisone in chick embryonic tissue cultures when the cortisone level approximated the usual human therapeutic range. Gerarde and Jones (12) observed inhibition of fibroblasts in tissue culture only when
The Bdnf Val68 to Met Polymorphism Increases Compulsive Alcohol Drinking In Mice Which Is Reversed By TrkB Activation

Background— The Val66 to Met polymorphism within the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) sequence reduces activity-dependent BDNF release, and is associated with psychiatric disorders in humans. Alcoholism is one of the most prevalent psychiatric diseases. Here, we tested the hypothesis that this polymorphism increases the severity of alcohol abuse disorders. Methods— We generated transgenic mice carrying the mouse homolog of the human Met66BDNF allele (Met68BDNF), and used alcohol-drinking paradigms in combination with viral-mediated gene delivery and pharmacology. Results— We found that Met68BDNF mice consumed excessive amounts of alcohol and continued to drink despite negative consequences, a hallmark of addiction. Importantly, compulsive alcohol intake was reversed by overexpression of the wild-type Val68BDNF allele in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex of the Met68BDNF mice, or by systemic administration of the TrkB agonist, LM22A-4. Conclusions— Our findings suggest that carrying the Met66BDNF allele increases the risk of developing uncontrolled and excessive alcohol drinking that can be reversed by directly activating the BDNF receptor, TrkB. Importantly, this work identifies a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of compulsive alcohol drinking in humans carrying the Met66BDNF allele. concentrations (BAC) were 111.0 ± 5.5 mg/% and 109.8 ± 3.5 mg/% in Met68BDNF and Val68BDNF mice respectively, 90 min after systemic administration of 2.5 g/kg of alcohol ( t -test, t (8) = −0.2, P = 0.85; n=5). Together, these results indicate that the enhanced compulsive drinking in Met68BDNF mice is specific for alcohol. for Results are expressed as mean ± SEM, ## P < 0.01 and ### P < 0.001 compared to 0.0 g/l quinine, LSD post hoc test; n=7 per genotype.
Association of a Unique Cardiovascular Risk Profile with Outcomes in Hispanic Patients Referred for Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (From the NHLBI Dynamic Registry)

Although prior studies have demonstrated that Hispanic patients have a higher cardiovascular risk profile than Caucasians and present at an earlier age for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), limited studies exist examining the outcomes of Hispanics post PCI and potential explanations for differences noted. Utilizing patients from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Dynamic Registry Waves 1–5 (1997 to 2006), demographic features, angiographic data, and one year outcomes of Hispanic (n= 542) versus Caucasian patients (n=1357) undergoing PCI were evaluated. Compared with Caucasians, Hispanic patients were younger, and had more hypertension and diabetes mellitus, including more insulin treated diabetes mellitus. While the mean lesion length was longer in Hispanics (15.4 mm versus 14.1 mm, p<0.001), there were no differences in the number of significant lesions, or in the use of drug-eluting stents. At follow-up, Hispanics were more likely to report recent anginal symptoms, but had a similar incidence of one year hospitalizations for angina. Adjusted one year hazard ratios for adverse events for Hispanics versus Caucasians revealed lower rates of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery (HR 0.43, 0.22
DRY EYE DISEASE INCIDENCE ASSOCIATED WITH CHRONIC GRAFT-VERSUS-HOST DISEASE: NONCONCURRENT COHORT STUDY (AN AMERICAN OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SOCIETY THESIS)

Purpose: To determine if chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is associated with stable or progressive dry eye disease and to determine the true incidence in patients with no prior history of dry eye disease. Methods: A nonconcurrent cohort study at a single institution with 136 patients who had no previous history of dry eye disease before HSCT. Survival analysis was used to estimate dry eye disease incidence. The incidence rate was calculated using life tables as the number of observed dry eye disease cases divided by the person-time at risk accumulated by the cohort. Transition probabilities were calculated from time of transplant to time of diagnosis, and then to last recorded visit. Results: Incidence rate was 0.8 cases of dry eye disease per person-year, and half of the population at risk developed dry eye disease during the first 10 months post transplant. Time to develop dry eye disease was 2.5 months for mild dry eye disease, 9.6 months for moderate dry eye disease, and 13.2 months for severe dry eye disease. In terms of cumulative incidence, 73% of subjects developed dry eye disease (50% mild, 16% moderate, and 7% severe) at the time of diagnosis. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that dry eye disease associated with cGVHD is an extremely frequent event and shows a wide spectrum of severity, with a mild form presenting early and a moderate to severe form presenting later after HSCT. These findings need to be studied further to elucidate if these are two different pathophysiological entities or just different expressions of the same pathology.
Reprogramming anti-tumor immunity

Regenerative medicine holds great promise in replacing tissues and organs lost to degenerative disease and injury. Applying principles of cellular reprogramming for the treatment of cancer, however, are not well established. Here we present an overview of cell-based reprogramming techniques (i.e. lineage reprogramming and stimulus-triggered acquisition of pluripotency) used in regenerative medicine, and within this context, envision how the scope of regenerative medicine may be expanded to treat metastatic cancer by revitalizing an exhausted and senescent immune system. Both and we the use of two approaches—lineage and may enhance and self-renewal in TILs. Lineage involves adequate dedifferentiation of TILs from an effector population to a stem cell memory T cell (T scm ) population. In the case of pluripotent reprogramming, TILs carrying an inherent antigen-specificity for tumor can be reprogrammed to iPSCs with subsequent differentiation into early T cell progenitors (T PRO ) for adoptive transfer to patients. Pluripotent stem cells (PSC) can give rise to early T cell progenitors (T PRO ) and ultimately naïve T cells that differentiate after antigen stimulation into following T cells subsets: T SCM (stem-cell memory), T CM (central memory), T EM (effector memory), and cytolytic T EFF (effectors).
Quantitative mass spectrometry of diabetic kidney tubules identifies GRAP as a novel regulator of TGF β signaling

The aim of this study was to define novel mediators of tubule injury in diabetic kidney disease. For this, we used state-of-the-art proteomic methods combined with a label-free quantitative strategy to define protein expression differences in kidney tubules from transgenic OVE26 type 1 diabetic and control mice. The analysis was performed with diabetic samples that displayed a pro-fibrotic phenotype. We have identified 476 differentially expressed proteins. Bioinformatic analysis indicated several clusters of regulated proteins in relevant functional groups such as TGF- β signaling, tight junction maintenance, oxidative stress, and glucose metabolism. Mass spectrometry detected expression changes of four physiologically relevant proteins were confirmed by immunoblot analysis. Of these, the Grb2-related adaptor protein (GRAP) was up-regulated in kidney tubules from diabetic mice and fibrotic kidneys from diabetic patients, and subsequently confirmed as a novel component of TGF- β signaling in cultured human renal tubule cells. Thus, indicating a potential novel role for GRAP in TGF- β -induced tubule injury in diabetic kidney disease. Although we targeted a specific disease, this approach offers a robust, high-sensitivity methodology that can be applied to the discovery of novel mediators for any experimental or disease condition.
Modic Changes: Prevalence, Distribution Patterns and Association with Age in Caucasian Men

Modic changes (MCs) are signal variations of the vertebral endplate and the adjacent subchondral vertebral marrow seen on magnetic resonance images (MRI) [1,2]. According to the patterns of signal changes on T1and T2-weighted images, traditionally MCs have been classified into three types [1,3]. Type 1 MCs show decreased signal intensity on T1weighted images and increased signal intensity on T2-weighted images. While type 2 MCs demonstrate increased signal intensity on both T1and T2-weighted images, type 3 MCs reflect decreased signal intensity on both T1and T2-weighted images. The presence of different types of MCs together within an endplate was later regarded as mixed MCs, such as mixed type 1/2 and mixed type 2/3 [4–6].
Medial Temporal Lobe Functioning and Structure in the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat: Comparison with Wistar-Kyoto and Wistar-Kyoto Hypertensive Strains

The Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat (SHR) is used as an animal model of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It displays deficits in frontostriatal functioning, but it is unclear if medial temporal lobe functioning and structure are affected. We used behavioral tasks that evaluate functioning of the amygdala and hippocampus to compare male SHR to male rats from two inbred comparator strains, the normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and the hypertensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKHT) rat (n=8/strain). The three strains showed similar levels of amygdala-related stimulus-reward learning during conditioned cue preference testing. In the ambiguous T-maze task, which dissociates between spatial and habit learning, significantly more WKHT than SHR or WKY used a response (indicative of habit learning) vs. a place (indicative of spatial learning) strategy during an early probe test on day 8. During a later probe test on day 24, WKY progressed significantly from using a place strategy to a response strategy. Throughout all probe tests, a place strategy was used predominately by SHR and a response strategy by WKHT. Thus, SHR exhibited deficits in dorsal striatum-related habit learning whereas WKHT exhibited deficits in hippocampus-related spatial learning. Following behavioral testing, Fluid Attenuated Inversion Recovery (FLAIR) magnetic resonance imaging scans were conducted in subgroups of rats from each strain (n=4/strain). FLAIR imaging detected bilateral hippocampal hyperintensities in three of four WKHT and unilateral hippocampal atrophy in one of four SHR. The association between response strategy use during the initial probe test to forage for food in the ambiguous T-maze task and bilateral hippocampal abnormalities was significant. Collectively, while medial temporal lobe functioning appears to be normal in SHR exhibiting an ADHD-like phenotype, WKHT rats display both hippocampal functioning deficits and signs of bilateral hippocampal cell loss. The latter characteristics might be used to develop a new animal model of age-or disease-related decline in hippocampal functioning. by during their first probe test in the T-maze associated the structural integrity of the hippocampus. Prior that place bilateral functioning of the hippocampus detect hippocampal structural abnormalities, used the Fluid Attenuated Inversion Recovery (FLAIR) technique. provides T2-weighted image bright signal of cerebrospinal improves the to detect in
Longitudinal Assessment of Intellectual Abilities of Children with Williams Syndrome: Multilevel Modeling of Performance on the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test-2

Multilevel modeling was used to address the longitudinal stability of standard scores (SSs) measuring intellectual ability for children with Williams syndrome (WS). Participants were 40 children with genetically-confirmed WS who completed the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test-2 (KBIT-2; Kaufman & Kaufman, 2004) 4–7 times over a mean of 5.06 years. Mean age at first assessment was 7.44 years (range: 4.00–13.97 years). On average KBIT-2 Composite IQ, Verbal SS, and Nonverbal SS were stable from 4–17 years, although there were significant individual differences in intercept (Composite IQ, Verbal SS, Nonverbal SS) and slope (Composite IQ, Nonverbal SS). Maternal education was significantly related to Verbal SS intercept. No significant sex differences were obtained. Implications for studies of genotype/phenotype correlations in WS are discussed.
Blue ocean leadership in lean sustainability

Purpose Literature has shown that many companies fail lean implementation or is not able to sustain lean for a long time. Researchers have found that lean failures are associated with leadership, which is a key factor. However, it is not easy and a long time is needed to change the leadership, behaviour and traits. This study aims to introduce the Blue Ocean Leadership concept to address this issue. Design/methodology/approach A literature review is carried for articles related to critical success factors for Lean and Lean Six Sigma with a focus on leadership factors. Findings The Blue Ocean Leadership concept focuses on leaders’ acts and activities which can be changed with less effort and time. Seven categories of lean activities for leaders are identified. Research limitations/implications Leadership is one of the many factors for the success of lean implementation. This conceptual study focuses only on leadership and it needs further field study for validation. Practical implications Blue Ocean Leadership provides lean practitioners and academicians with a new perspective for successful lean implementation. Originality/value To the best knowledge of the researcher, there is no similar study in this area. Thus, the finding can form the basis for further research for the benefit of lean communities, especially the small- or medium-sized enterprises with less cost and time.
ARTERIOSCLEROTIC CHANGES IN THE VISCERAL ARTERIES OF SHEEP*

(21). Selected duplicate sections were stained by Weigert's elastic tissue (27), by von method (8), by modification of Benhold's (20), by phloxine and tartrazine (21), by Perle's method and by Gordon and Sweet's method (8). Frozen sections of arteries, cut at twenty microns, were stained by Sudan IV (20) and tested by the Schultz histochemical method (34). Whole fixed aortas were stained for neutral fat by immersion in Sudan IV solution (27) for five minutes, washed in 50 per cent for five minutes and then washed in water.