Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oxidative Stress Evaluation in Sperm Samples from Fertile and Infertile Men

Background: Transition metal ions, such as iron, can make electron donations to oxygen forming superoxide or hydrogen peroxide, which is further reduced to an extremely reactive hydroxyl radical that induces oxidative stress. The purpose of the present study was to design a system that could easily detect and reliably measure the ferrous oxidation associated to oxygen radical reactions in the sperm samples. Methods: A total of 64 sperm samples from 11 men who had normal semen parameters and proven fertility and 53 male partners of couple experiencing primary infertility, were included in the study. The semen samples from oligoasthenoteratozoospermic patients was divided on the basis of spermatic parameters into moderate, when the sperm concentration was ≥5 × 106/ml and in severe when the concentration was <5 × 106/ml. The evaluation of the ferrous oxidation was performed measuring the formation of iron complexes between ferric ions and thiocyanate anions by spectrofluorimetry. Results: The concentration of the ferric thiocyanate complex ions was significantly higher in pathological sperm samples (137.6 ± 10.8 μmol/l in moderate oligoasthenoteratozoospermic, 170.0 ± 25.4 μmol/l in severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermic and 155.4 ± 7.3 μmol/l in non-obtructive azoospermic men), when compared with both infertile noormozoospermic (92.4 ± 10.7 μmol/l) (P<0.015) and with samples from fertile men (76.3 ± 6.2 μmol/l) (P<0.005). No significant differences were found in the concentration of ferric thiocyanate complex among the different pathological groups when compared to each other and in infertile noormozoospermic patients when compared with the samples from men of proven fertility (P=0.168). Accordingly, an inverse correlation was found between the concentration of the ferric thiocyanate complex and total motility, progressive motility and morphology. Conclusions: This preliminary study shows that the method proposed detect quickly and reliably measures the ferrous oxidation associated to oxygen radical reactions in the sperm samples.
Childhood maltreatment exposure and physical functional limitations in late adulthood: examining subjective sleep quality in midlife as a mediator

Abstract Objective: The present study had three major aims: 1) To identify sub-groups of adults with differing combinations of childhood maltreatment exposures, 2) to understand the association of childhood maltreatment sub-group membership with subjective sleep quality in midlife, and 3) to assess poor sleep quality in midlife as a mechanism between childhood maltreatment sub-group membership and physical functional limitations in late adulthood. Design: Data come from the Biomarker project of the Midlife Development in the United States study (n = 1251). Outcome measures: The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (Buysse et al., 1989) was used to assess sleep quality in midlife. Functional limitations in late adulthood were measured using a version of the SF-36 (Brazier et al., 1992). Results: Two vulnerable childhood maltreatment sub-groups emerged (Physical and Emotional Maltreatment Sub-group, n = 49, and Sexual Abuse Sub-group, n = 105) and a normative sub-group (n = 1087; low exposure to childhood maltreatment). Poor sleep quality in midlife mediated the association between both maltreatment sub-groups and functional limitations in late adulthood. Conclusion: Results highlight the role of sleep in linking childhood maltreatment with functional impairments in adulthood and offer a potential target for interventions to improve quality of life in older adults.
Overexpression of a Prefoldin β subunit gene reduces biomass recalcitrance in the bioenergy crop Populus

Summary Prefoldin (PFD) is a group II chaperonin that is ubiquitously present in the eukaryotic kingdom. Six subunits (PFD1‐6) form a jellyfish‐like heterohexameric PFD complex and function in protein folding and cytoskeleton organization. However, little is known about its function in plant cell wall‐related processes. Here, we report the functional characterization of a PFD gene from Populus deltoides, designated as PdPFD2.2. There are two copies of PFD2 in Populus, and PdPFD2.2 was ubiquitously expressed with high transcript abundance in the cambial region. PdPFD2.2 can physically interact with DELLA protein RGA1_8g, and its subcellular localization is affected by the interaction. In P. deltoides transgenic plants overexpressing PdPFD2.2, the lignin syringyl/guaiacyl ratio was increased, but cellulose content and crystallinity index were unchanged. In addition, the total released sugar (glucose and xylose) amounts were increased by 7.6% and 6.1%, respectively, in two transgenic lines. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed that secondary metabolic pathways, including lignin and flavonoid biosynthesis, were affected by overexpressing PdPFD2.2. A total of eight hub transcription factors (TFs) were identified based on TF binding sites of differentially expressed genes in Populus transgenic plants overexpressing PdPFD2.2. In addition, several known cell wall‐related TFs, such as MYB3, MYB4, MYB7, TT8 and XND1, were affected by overexpression of PdPFD2.2. These results suggest that overexpression of PdPFD2.2 can reduce biomass recalcitrance and PdPFD2.2 is a promising target for genetic engineering to improve feedstock characteristics to enhance biofuel conversion and reduce the cost of lignocellulosic biofuel production.
Relationship Betweenvegetation Indicesof Landsat-7 ETM+, MSS Data and Some Soil Properties: Case Study of Baqubah, Diyala, Iraq

Vegetation Indices (VIs) are combinations of surface reflectance at two or more wavelengths designed to highlight a particular property of vegetation. They are derived using the reflectance properties of vegetation. The NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) and MSAVI2 (Modified Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index) differencing methods using Landsat satellite ETM+7 and MSS images were implemented to assess the relationship between some soil physical-chemical properties and these two vegetation indices in Baqubah (the capital of Iraq's Diyala Governorate). The relationship between chemical _textural soil properties and NDVI, MSAVI2 could not be established due mainly to the effect of climatic conditions and some geological and pedological processes. A significant Pearson correlation was found between MSAVI2and CaCO3 content at the 0.05 level (2-tailed) of Landsat ETM+7. It is also observed that there were negative correlation coefficients between CaCO3 content and the spectral reflectance values of Landsat MSS bands at the 0.05 level (2-tailed). This means that, the soils of the Lower Mesopotamian Plain are extremely calcareous. There were statistically significant correlation coefficients between sand, clay, and organic matter (O.M.) contents and panchromatic band of Landsat ETM+7 data. These results are related to the higher spatial resolution of ETM+7 Panchromatic band in comparison to the lower spatial resolution of reflective bands.
The 4b-4c loop of excitatory amino acid transporter 1 containing four critical residues essential for substrate transport

Abstract In the mammalians, the 4b-4c loop of excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) spans more than 50 amino-acid residues that are absent in glutamate transporter homologue of Pyrococcus horikoshii (GltPh). This part of insertion is unique for metazoans and indispensable to the localization of EAATs. The excitatory amino acid transporter (EAAT) 1 is one of the two glial glutamate transporters, which are responsible for efficiently clearing glutamate from the synaptic cleft to prevent neurotoxicity and cell death. Although the crystal structure of EAAT1cryst (a human thermostable EAAT1) was resolved in 2017, the structure-function relationship of the 4b-4c loop has not been elucidated in EAAT1cryst. To investigate the role of the 4b-4c loop, we performed alanine-scanning mutagenesis in the mutants and observed dramatically decreased transport activities in T192A, Y194A, N242A, and G245A mutants. The surface expression of T192A and Y194A mutants even decreased by more than 80%, and most of them were detained in the cytoplasm. However, when T192 and Y194 were substituted with conservative residues, the transport activities and the surface expressions of T192S and Y194F were largely recovered, and their kinetic parameters (Km values) were comparable to the wild-type EAAT1 as well. In contrast, N242 and G245 substituted with conservative residues could not rescue the uptake function, suggesting that N242 and G245 may play irreplaceable roles in the glutamate uptake process. These results indicate that the 4b-4c loop of EAAT1 may not only affect the glutamate uptake activity, but also influence the surface localization of EAAT1 by T192 and Y194. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma
Propylene glycol alginate sodium sulphate attenuates LPS-induced acute lung injury in a mouse model

Propylene glycol alginate sodium sulphate, a sulphated polysaccharide, has been used to treat hyperlipidaemia and ischaemia–reperfusion injury of liver. This study aimed to investigate the effect of propylene glycol alginate sodium sulphate on LPS-induced acute lung injury. Propylene glycol alginate sodium sulphate was injected intraperitoneally into male C57BL/6 mice with or without LPS administration. Survival rates were calculated. Serum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung tissues were collected to determine lung histology, wet/dry ratio, Evans blue albumin permeability, protein levels, the counts of immune cells and the levels of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels were also measured. Additionally, NF-κB signalling was detected in the lung. Propylene glycol alginate sodium sulphate treatment significantly improved the survival of mice suffering from LPS. Lung histological injury, wet/dry ratio, Evans blue albumin permeability, neutrophils and the inflammatory cytokines and chemokines were significantly reduced by propylene glycol alginate sodium sulphate treatment. NF-κB signalling was significantly inhibited by propylene glycol alginate sodium sulphate in the lung of mice subjected to LPS. Furthermore, serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels were also significantly decreased after propylene glycol alginate sodium sulphate administration. This study suggests that NF-κB signalling and inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and neutrophil accumulation may be involved in the process of acute lung injury attenuation by propylene glycol alginate sodium sulphate.
The benefits of extracurricular activities for socioemotional behavior and school achievement in middle childhood: An overview of the research

The current article provides an overview of studies examining the developmental signifi cance of extracurricular activities in middle childhood. We describe the main theoretical frameworks (ecological systems theory and positive youth development approach) that have guided the research on the role of extracurricular activities in the development of children. Then, we explore why children choose certain extracurricular activities and examine whether participation in these activities is related to variation in children’s adjustment. We highlight fi ndings produced within the European context. In particular, we describe the Integrated School Day program implemented by researchers from the University of Jyvaskyla (Finland), and summarize how extracurricular activities organized as part of the program benefi tted the socioemotional development and school achievement of the children involved. On the whole, evidence presented in this paper underscores the signifi cance of extracurricular activity participation as one of the infl uential developmental contexts in which children and youth spend their time. 1
A Perception Gap Model Based on the Dual Perspectives of Customer Value: A Conceptual Framework

The purpose of the paper is to explore a perception gap model based on the dual perspectives of customer value. This is achieved through discussing on the five perception gaps of customer value between the company and its customers. Collectively, these gaps include: attribute gap, importance gap, performance gap, competitive gap and total gap. Then, we construct a priority matrix based on the degree of importance for customer value, as well as the size of the total gap from the customer's perspective.
Saturated fusion systems as idempotents in the double Burnside ring

We give a new characterization of saturated fusion systems on a p ‐group S in terms of idempotents in the p ‐local double Burnside ring of S that satisfy a Frobenius reciprocity relation. Interpreting our results in stable homotopy, we characterize the stable summands of the classifying space of a finite p ‐group that have the homotopy type of the classifying spectrum of a saturated fusion system, and prove an invariant theorem for double Burnside modules analogous to the Adams‐Wilkerson criterion for rings of invariants in the cohomology of an elementary abelian p ‐group. This work is partly motivated by a conjecture of Haynes Miller that proposes p ‐tract groups as a purely homotopy-theoretical model for p ‐local finite groups. We show that a p ‐tract group gives rise to a p ‐local finite group when two technical assumptions are made, thus reducing the conjecture to proving those two assumptions. 20D20, 55R35; 55P42, 19A22
A New Paradigm for Genus Mycobacterium Population Structure

The genus Mycobacterium contains the pathogenic species tuberculosis and leprae, and additionally at least 148 sometimes opportunistic pathogenic species that occupy environmental niches. The genus Mycobacterium is in the order Actinomycetes along with other acid-fast genera with mycolic acids in their cell walls, such as Corynebacterium, Nocardia, and Rhodococcus. The DNA-dependent RNA polymerase subunit b gene rpoB, is relatively conserved among these bacteria. Sequence polymorphism in a 342bp fragment of rpoB is sufficient to differentiate among most species of Mycobacterium. However, construction of a robust and testable phylogeny or population structure based on this polymorphism, or polymorphism in other genomic regions, has remained elusive. This study presents a new paradigm for the resolution of genus Mycobacterium population structure. A minimum spanning tree (MST) was constructed on restriction enzyme site polymorphisms detected in silico for 5 enzymes, on the 342bp rpoB fragment obtained from GenBank data for 47 Mycobacterium species, and one species each from Corynebacterium, Nocardia and Rhodococcus. The MST was empirically divided into 3 regions. All the rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM), with a halo of slowly growing mycobacteria (SGM), were found in MST-region 1. The correctness of the MST-regions model of genus Mycobacterium population structure was validated by statistically confirmed linkage disequilibrium of certain restriction site alleles. For certain alleles, SGM in MST-region 1 resembled the RGM of MST-region 1 more than the SGM of MST-region 3. The model provided a framework consistent with published genotypic and phenotypic observations, including expectations from comparative genomics and ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene properties’ distribution among species, and reported cladistic groupings of species. Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Nocardia nova and Rhodococcus equi belonged to MSTregions 2, 3, and 1 respectively. In conclusion, the MST-regions model of genus Mycobacterium population structure was robust, unambiguous, transparent for alleles, consistent with genotypes and phenotypes, and statistically testable.
Multiplicity of Nitric Oxide and Natriuretic Peptide Signalling in Heart Failure.

Heart failure (HF) is a common consequence of several cardiovascular diseases, and is understood as a vicious cycle of cardiac and haemodynamic decline. The current inventory of treatments either alleviate the pathophysiological features (e.g., cardiac dysfunction, neurohumoral activation, ventricular remodelling) and/or target any underlying pathologies (e.g., hypertension, myocardial infarction). Yet, since these do not provide a cure, the morbidity and mortality associated with HF remains high. Therefore, the disease constitutes an unmet medical need, and novel therapies are desperately needed. Cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP), synthesised by nitric oxide (NO)- and natriuretic peptide (NP)- responsive guanylyl cyclase (GC) enzymes, exerts numerous protective effects on cardiac contractility, hypertrophy, fibrosis, and apoptosis. Impaired cGMP signalling, which can occur following GC deactivation and the upregulation of cyclic nucleotide-hydrolysing phosphodiesterases (PDEs), promotes cardiac dysfunction. Herein we review the role that NO/cGMP and NP/cGMP signalling plays in HF. After considering disease aetiology, the physiological effects of cGMP in the heart are discussed. We then assess the evidence from pre-clinical models and patients that compromised cGMP signalling contributes to the HF phenotype. Finally, the potential of pharmacologically harnessing cardioprotective cGMP to rectify the present paucity of effective HF treatments is examined.
A Survey of Gene Prioritization Tools for Mendelian and Complex Human Diseases

Abstract Modern high-throughput experiments provide us with numerous potential associations between genes and diseases. Experimental validation of all the discovered associations, let alone all the possible interactions between them, is time-consuming and expensive. To facilitate the discovery of causative genes, various approaches for prioritization of genes according to their relevance for a given disease have been developed. In this article, we explain the gene prioritization problem and provide an overview of computational tools for gene prioritization. Among about a hundred of published gene prioritization tools, we select and briefly describe 14 most up-to-date and user-friendly. Also, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of existing tools, challenges of their validation, and the directions for future research.
for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Family Life presented on December 11 , 1981 Title : Selected Factors Related to Children ' s Adjustment Following Sibling

approved: Redacted for privacy Clara C. Pratt Previous research had indicated that siblings of deceased children developed a variety of behavioral problems as a result of the death (Binger et al., 1969; Cain et al., 1964; Martinson et al., 1980; Stehbens, & Lascari, 1974). The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of selected factors and children's behavior during the first year following the sibling's death. The subjects included 33 boys and 32 girls ages 4-16 years who were siblings of deceased children. The deaths resulted from congenital, acquired or accidental conditions. Data on the behavior of the bereaved children was obtained by an interview with the mothers using a standardized tool, the Child Behavior Checklist developed by Achenbach and Edelbrock (1977). Ratings from the mothers were obtained for all the subjects; ratings from both mothers and fathers were obtained for 25 of the subjects. There were no significant differences between the parents' ratings; thus, only mothers' observations were used for analysis in the study. The results indicated that the children in this study displayed significantly more behavior problems when compared to a standardized theoretically normal population. Analysis by t tests showed the variables of sex, length of illness, parent-child communication, marital status, maternal employment, funeral attendance, and time since death were not related to the child's behavior following the death. The variables of the child's age, place of death, number of children in the family, sibling's diagnosis, and sex and age of the deceased were significantly related to behavior problems in the surviving child. Copyright by Darlene E. McCown
The Mass, Color, and Structural Evolution of Today’s Massive Galaxies Since z ∼ 5

In this paper, we use stacking analysis to trace the mass growth, color evolution, and structural evolution of present-day massive galaxies ( ) out to z = 5. We utilize the exceptional depth and area of the latest UltraVISTA data release, combined with the depth and unparalleled seeing of CANDELS to gather a large, mass-selected sample of galaxies in the NIR (rest-frame optical to UV). Progenitors of present-day massive galaxies are identified via an evolving cumulative number density selection, which accounts for the effects of merging to correct for the systematic biases introduced using a fixed cumulative number density selection, and find progenitors grow in stellar mass by since z = 5. Using stacking, we analyze the structural parameters of the progenitors and find that most of the stellar mass content in the central regions was in place by , and while galaxies continue to assemble mass at all radii, the outskirts experience the largest fractional increase in stellar mass. However, we find evidence of significant stellar mass build-up at beyond probing an era of significant mass assembly in the interiors of present-day massive galaxies. We also compare mass assembly from progenitors in this study to the EAGLE simulation and find qualitatively similar assembly with z at . We identify as a distinct epoch in the evolution of massive galaxies where progenitors transitioned from growing in mass and size primarily through in situ star formation in disks to a period of efficient growth in re consistent with the minor merger scenario.
Bone remodelling around the tibia due to total ankle replacement: effects of implant material and implant–bone interfacial conditions

Abstract One of the major causes of implant loosening is due to excessive bone resorption surrounding the implant due to bone remodelling. The objective of the study is to investigate the effects of implant material and implant–bone interface conditions on bone remodelling around tibia bone due to total ankle replacement. Finite element models of intact and implanted ankles were developed using CT scan data sets. Bone remodelling algorithm was used in combination with FE analysis to predict the bone density changes around the ankle joint. Dorsiflexion, neutral, and plantar flexion positions were considered, along with muscle force and ligaments. Implant–bone interfacial conditions were assumed as debonded and bonded to represent non-osseointegration and fully osseointegration at the porous coated surface of the implant. To investigate the effect of implant material, three finite element models having different material combinations of the implant were developed. For model 1, tibial and talar components were made of Co–Cr–Mo, and meniscal bearing was made of UHMWPE. For model 2, tibial and talar components were made of ceramic and meniscal bearing was made of UHMWPE. For model 3, tibial and talar components were made of ceramic and meniscal bearing was made of CFR-PEEK. Changes in implant material showed no significant changes in bone density due to bone remodelling. Therefore, ceramic appears to be a viable alternative to metal and CFR-PEEK can be used in place of UHMWPE. This study also indicates that proper bonding between implant and bone is essential for long-term survival of the prosthetic components.