Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Studies on adventitious root formation in Pinus radiata : biochemical and molecular aspects.

A reliable in vitro rooting system was established for further studies on biochemical and molecular aspects during adventitious root formation in Pinus radiata hypocotyls. High root counts and rooting efficiency were observed in a medium comprising Yz strength of the Murashige & Skoog's basal medium (1962), 20 gil sucrose, 9 mgll IBA and solidified with 8 gil agar. In this system, the first cell division, formation of root primordium initial (a cluster of meristematic cells), well-organized root primordium (a dome shaped structure) and root emergence were typically observed at around day 4, 7, 10 and 13, respectively. The increase of buffer soluble total proteins resulted in a peak at day 7 in the treatment with IBA (rooting treatment), but this peak was not observed in the other non-rooting treatments (including IBA+kinetin, kinetin alone and hormone-free control). Rooting related proteins were not observed using one-dimensional SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). However, 19 proteins associated with the IBA treatment were observed by two-dimensional PAGE although their magnitudes were very small so that it was difficult to quantify them and establish them as novel proteins. Changes of peroxidase (PO), IAA-oxidase (IAA-O), amylase (Amy) and succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) activities assayed using tissue extracts were not significantly different between the rooting and the non-rooting treatments during the experiment. By contrast, the increase of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity was more significant at day 7 in the rooting treatment than in the other treatments. Nevertheless, histochemical localization of PO, PPO and SDH indicated that these enzymes were somehow associated with adventitious root formation. In the IBA treatment, the increase of starch content in the rooting region reached its maximum at
Genetic variation for clonal propagation and trait association with field performance in sainfoin

Clonal plant materials with identical genotypes may be used to precisely detect environmental effects and genotype x environment interactions resulting in a more accurate estimate of genetic parameters in plant genetic analysis. In sainfoin ( Onobrychis viciifolia ), knowledge on genetic variation for clonal propagation and its association with field performance is limited. Eleven natural ecotypes of sainfoin from wide geographical areas of Iran were used to evaluate genetic variation for clonal propagation and its association with related traits. From each ecotype 11‒21 genotypes were cloned via cuttings. Then, clones of a hundred genotypes from 10 ecotypes were transplanted to the field. High genetic variation was found between ecotypes of sainfoin for producing viable clones. The mean values for viable clones varied from 50% (Borujen ecotype) to 97% (Najafabad ecotype). The values of within-ecotype coefficient of variation were higher than the genetic coefficient of variation. The highest heritability estimates were obtained for sensitivity to powdery mildew, plant height and number of stems per plant. Dry matter yield (DMY) in the field was significantly and positively correlated with plant height and number of stems per plant, inflorescence length and growth score. An association between DMY and percent of viable clones was found indicating the possibility of selection during the early stages of clonal propagation. According to principal component analysis, Baft and Fereydunshahr ecotypes have potential for improving production of sainfoin if introduced into breeding programs. These issues warrant further study. Keywords: Clone viability, genetic variability, Onobrychis viciifolia, phenotypic correlation, principal component analysis. DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(4)38-46
IMMUNE THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA DURING A DENGUE OUTBREAK: A DYNAMIC MASQUERADER

In this age of enhanced diagnostics and improved turnaround time, immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a disease primarily diagnosed by exclusion, is expected to be straightforward to diagnose. However, during a full-fledged dengue outbreak, the health-care system can be overwhelmed, and as a result, ITP can be underdiagnosed. The clinician should be aware of the various imitations that ITP can present with. Various clinical indicators have to be kept in mind while dealing with such an outbreak to avoid unnecessary health-care expenditure and prolonged hospital stays. In this case series, we present two patients diagnosed to have ITP during the dengue outbreak, each unique in its presentation and course, demonstrating the multiple patterns ITP can present itself.
Single-Cell Mechanophenotyping in Microfluidics to Evaluate Behavior of U87 Glioma Cells

Integration of microfabricated, single-cell resolution and traditional, population-level biological assays will be the future of modern techniques in biology that will enroll in the evolution of biology into a precision scientific discipline. In this study, we developed a microfabricated cell culture platform to investigate the indirect influence of macrophages on glioma cell behavior. We quantified proliferation, morphology, motility, migration, and deformation properties of glioma cells at single-cell level and compared these results with population-level data. Our results showed that glioma cells obtained slightly slower proliferation, higher motility, and extremely significant deformation capability when cultured with 50% regular growth medium and 50% macrophage-depleted medium. When the expression levels of E-cadherin and Vimentin proteins were measured, it was verified that observed mechanophenotypic alterations in glioma cells were not due to epithelium to mesenchymal transition. Our results were consistent with previously reported enormous heterogeneity of U87 glioma cell line. Herein, for the first time, we quantified the change of deformation indexes of U87 glioma cells using microfluidic devices for single-cells analysis.
Glycemic Control and Sleep Quality Response to Life Style Modification among Obese Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Background: Recently attention is directed to the potentially negative reinforcing relationships that may exist between sleep disturbance, obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) as good sleep quality is crucial for maintaining an effective glycemic control and improving the quality of life of patients with diabetes. Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of weight reduction via life style intervention on glycemic control and sleep quality among obese type 2 diabetic patients. Material and methods: Eighty obese T2DM patients (43 males and 37 females) with body mass index (BMI) ranged from 30 to 36Kg/m2, their age ranged from 42-56 years were selected from the outpatient diabetic clinic of the King Abdulaziz Teaching Hospital were randomly assigned to life style intervention group (group A, n=40) or control group (group B, n=40). Polysomnographic recordings for sleep quality assessment, body mass index (BMI), the quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index (QUICKI), homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were measured before and after 6 months at the end of the study. Results: There was a significant increase in the mean value of total sleep duration, sleep efficiency, sleep onset latency and QUICKI in group (A) after 6 months of aerobic exercise training, while, awake time after sleep onset, rapid eye movements (REM) latency, BMI, HOMA-IR) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HBA1c significantly reduced after 6 months of life style intervention, however the results of the control group were not significant. Moreover, there were significant differences between both groups at the end of the study. Conclusion: Life style intervention is an effective modality for modifying glycemic control and sleep quality among obese type 2 diabetic patients.
Long‐Term Retention Rates of Lamotrigine, Gabapentin, and Topiramate in Chronic Epilepsy

Purpose: We sought to determine the long-term retention rates of lamotrigine (LTG), gabapentin (GBP), and topiramate (TPM) therapy for patients at a tertiary referral clinic for chronic, refractory epilepsy. Methods: We analyzed 424 consecutive patients with chronic, refractory partial and/or generalized epilepsy who were started on LTG, 158 patients who were started on GBP, and 393 patients who were started on TPM. The percentages of patients who continued therapy with LTG, GBP, and TPM were estimated with the use of Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Factors that influence retention were analyzed with the use of Cox regression analysis. Results: Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that at 3 years, 30% continued therapy on TPM compared with 29% on LTG and fewer than 10% on GBP. Adverse events resulted in therapy withdrawal in 40% of patients on TPM compared with GBP (37%) and LTG (22%). Perceived lack of efficacy led to treatment withdrawal in 39% of patients on GBP compared with 34% on LTG and 19% on TPM. Cox regression estimated that a fourth or fewer of patients with chronic partial epilepsy are likely to continue therapy with a new antiepileptic drug beyond 5 years. Conclusions: The impact of these new antiepileptic drugs on the long-term course of chronic partial epilepsy is likely to be small, as approximately three of four patients will discontinue therapy. More patients appear to continue on TPM compared with LTG or GBP, with a possible reason being better perceived efficacy of TPM, despite having the highest incidence of adverse events.
An Optimized Intensity based Data Hiding in Mosaic Images using Diffie-Hellman Algorithm for Key Exchange

Here we implement a secure data transmission technique using an advanced version of Steganography known as the Mosaic Image Steganography (MIS). The technique is implemented using two images as inputs, a cover image in which the secret information is hidden and a target image. Both the images are fragmented and a mosaic image is generated from them. The mosaic image looks similar to the pre-selected target image. The target image is chosen arbitrarily without using any image database. The cover image recovery information is embedded into the mosaic image after encrypting it with a key. The key is generated by the sender and the receiver using the Diffie-Hellman key exchange technique. Since the same key is generated by both parties using this technique, it need not be transmitted by the sender to the receiver. Hence the security issues raised during key transmission can be avoided. After embedding the recovery informations into the mosaic image, it is sent to the receiver. At the receiver side, the image recovery informations are extracted first. Using the informations, the cover image is obtained and hence the data. The technique is found to give good results and is feasible.
Independent and Successive Effect of Two Environmental Stressors on the Nutritional Content of Labeo Rohita

Evaluating the toxic effect of an organochlorine pesticide, endosulfan and heavy metal lead on the fingerlings of Indian carp Labeo rohita was the prime aim. Individual and successive exposure of the two toxicants was assessed. 96 hr LC 50 studies on pesticide and heavy metal resulted in the sub lethal concentration of 4 ppm and 87.5 ppm respectively. Post exposure estimation of nutritional parameters; total proteins, total carbohydrates and total lipids on muscle, liver, brain and kidney of the fish was done for individual toxicants. The impairment of metabolism was found to be more on lead exposure compared to endosulfan. Successive exposure study of the two environmental stressors was carried out to consider the combination effect on the nutritional status of the test fish.
Genetic diversity of cultivated elephant foot yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius) in Kuningan, West Java as revealed by microsatellite markers

Ten microsatellite markers were used to clarify the genetic diversity of cultivated elephant foot yams collected in 13 villages in the Kuningan District, West Java, Indonesia. Each pair of primers generated four to fi ve alleles, with an observed heterozygosity of 0.000-1.000 and an expected heterozygosity of 0.064-0.551. These markers identifi ed seven likely genets (clonal individuals) in the Kuningan population. Of 61 individual plants surveyed in this study, 55 plants distributed throughout the Kuningan District belonged to the same genet, while the another genet represented by a plant (ramet). These ramets were restricted to the villages located on the main road between Kuningan City and Central Java. Cluster analysis shows that the seven genets can be classifi ed into three groups, with two groups showing a restricted distribution in the villages located on the road leading to Central Java. Elephant foot yam plants with berries were rarely observed in the Kuningan District. It is likely that a single genet has become the dominated local cultivar, possibly because of the limited genetic diversity of elephant foot yam in the Kuningan District, its reproduction by clonal propagation and the selection of a specifi c cultivar by farmers.
From Milk, a Candy: Marketing Regional Strategy in a Solidarity Perspective

Background: The Solidarity Economy is an of the new alternative forms of income generation. For their consolidation, solidarity enterprises can rely on marketing to develop strategies that generate value for consumers and society. Thus, this article aims to propose a marketing mix that adds value to the researched enterprise, based on the characteristics of the Solidarity Economy. Materials and Methods: A field research with a qualitative approach and a descriptive objective was carried out in an enterprise that produces and sells doce de leite. The material was obtained through a visit and interview with the producer, in addition to access to websites, visits to supermarkets and an interview with an owner of a doce de leite factory, then performing the SWOT Analysis. Results: The marketing mix will consist of doce de leite gourmet, in glass packaging. The price to be charged must be close to the region's premium candies, as an indication of quality. The distribution will be through direct sales, sales in supermarkets, and partnerships with restaurants. The promotion will feature digital and printed media, and product tasting. Conclusion:For the marketing mix to be applied, cooperation between the enterprises is required, as well as financing from the federal government. Key Word:Marketing; Solidarity economy; Marketing Mix. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Date of Submission: 30-07-2020 Date of Acceptance: 15-08-2020 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The influence of concretion on the long-term corrosion rate of steel shipwrecks in the Belgian North Sea

Some three hundred mainly steel shipwrecks from both World Wars lie buried at shallow depths along the Belgian North Sea coast. They were examined recently to estimate corrosion rates over periods in excess of 100 years. The rate was estimated by comparing the measured in-situ steel plate thicknesses with archived ship information. The estimates show distinctly lower long-term corrosion rate compared to that predicted by the Melchers (Modeling of marine immersion corrosion for mild and low alloy steels – part 1: phenomenological model. Corrosion. 2003;59(4):319-334) corrosion model, when parameterised for local North Sea conditions. Concretion after 50 years has a multi-layer structure for which SEM-EDS and XRD measurements show the innermost layer, close to the metal surface, consisting of akaganeite, and the outer layer mostly of calcium carbonates, silicates, and some siderite. In between there is a considerable layer of hard magnetite. The latter is proposed as the reason for the low long-term corrosion rate (0.016 mm y–1) in an environment with calcium carbonate available in abundance.
Oxcarbazepine Placebo‐Controlled, Dose‐Ranging Trial in Refractory Partial Epilepsy

*Orszagos Pszichiatriai es Neurologiai Intezet, Budapest, Hungary; †Department of Neurology, Auckland Public Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand; ‡Klinik für Epileptologie, Rheinische Friedrich Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Bonn, Germany; §Instituto de Neurologia, Hospital de Clinicas, Montevideo, Uruguay; ¶Neurologische Klinik, Kopfklinik der Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany; Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland; and **Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, New Jersey, U.S.A.
Commentary 11

Under physiological conditions, skin mast cells preferentially localize around nerves, blood vessels and hair follicles. This observation, which dates back to Paul Ehrlich, intuitively suggests that these enigmatic, multifacetted protagonists of natural immunity are functionally relevant to many more aspects of tissue physiology than just to the generation of inflammatory and vasodilatory responses to IgE-dependent environmental antigens. And yet, for decades, mainstream-mast cell research has been dominated by a focus on the – undisputedly prominent and important – mast cell functions in type I immune responses and in the pathogenesis and management of allergic diseases. Certainly, it is hard to believe that the very large and rather selectively distributed number of mast cells in normal, uninflamed, non-infected, non-traumatized mammalian skin or mucosal tissue is simply hanging around there lazily day and night, just to wait for the odd allergen or parasite-associated antigen to come by so the mast cell can finally swing into action. Indeed, the past decade has witnessed a renaissance of mast cell research ‘beyond allergy’, along with a more systematic exploration of the surprisingly wide range of physiological functions that mast cells may be involved in. The current debate sketches many of the exciting new horizons that have recently come into our vision during this intriguing, ongoing search.
Seasonality in Offspring Value and Trade-Offs with Growth Explain Capital Breeding

The degree to which reproduction is based on reserves (capital breeding) and/or current acquisition (income breeding) drives extensive variation in organism life histories. In nature, pure income and capital breeding are endpoints of a continuum of diversity whose ultimate drivers are poorly understood. To study the adaptive value of capital and income breeding, we present an annual routine model of the life history of a perennial organism where reproductive value at birth varies seasonally. The model organisms allocate time and resources to growth, reproduction, and storage. Our model predicts that capital breeding is adaptive when timing of birth affects offspring reproductive value. The stronger the seasonality, the more time is dedicated to capital breeding and growth after maturation (indeterminate growth) instead of income breeding. This is because storage and growth are investments in future (residual) reproduction taken at times when offspring value is low. Storage is a short-term investment in offspring through capital breeding; growth is a long-term investment in reproductive potential. Because the modeled production rate increases less than linearly with body size, growth brings diminishing returns for larger organisms, favoring capital breeding. Building storage requires time, which limits growth opportunities, and we show for the first time that in seasonal environments, the degree of capital breeding is tightly linked to body size of indeterminate growers through allocation trade-offs.
DOES THE DESATURASE‐2 LOCUS IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER CAUSE ADAPTATION AND SEXUAL ISOLATION?

Abstract The desaturase‐2 (desat2) locus of Drosophila melanogaster has two alleles whose frequencies vary geographically: one (the “Z” allele) is found primarily in east Africa and the Caribbean, and the other (the “M” allele) occurs in other parts of the world. It has been suggested that these alleles not only cause sexual isolation between races, but that their distribution reflects differential adaptation to climate: Z alleles are supposedly adapted to tropical conditions and M alleles to temperate ones. This has thus been viewed as a case of reproductive isolation evolving as a pleiotropic byproduct of adaptation. Here we reinvestigate this presumed climatic adaptation, using transgenic lines differing in the nature of their desat2 alleles. We were unable to replicate earlier results showing that carriers of M alleles are uniformly more cold resistant and less starvation resistant than carriers of Z alleles. It is thus doubtful whether the distribution of these alleles reflects natural selection involving climate. Mating studies of transgenic lines show some evidence for sexual isolation due to desat2. However, work on other, wild‐type lines, as well as observations on the nature of sexual isolation, suggest that this conclusion‐and thus the relationship between this locus and mating discrimination between races of D. melanogaster‐may also be doubtful
Adherence to Treatment in Children With Epilepsy: Who Follows "Doctor's Orders"?

Purpose: The goal of the present study was to examine sociocultural, medical, family environment, and individual cognitive factors that predict adherence to treatment in children with epilepsy. Methods: The study subjects (4–13 years old) were enrolled in a longitudinal seizure study at the first visit to the seizure clinic, attended at least 6 months, and had at least two appointments. Baseline predictors, which were obtained by interview, chart review, and psychometric testing, included sociocultural and family environment, seizure and previous treatment history, child behavior, cognitive functioning (IQ), and family stress. Four latent factors tapping these indicators of risk (acculturative risk, seizure severity, behavior problems, family environment) and two measured variables (IQ and life events) were hypothesized. Outcomes were visit adherence (proportion of scheduled appointments kept, plus proportion without unscheduled contacts), medication report (proportion of visits at which parent report of medication agreed with records), and medication levels (proportion of serum anticonvulsant levels within expected range for dosage). Two-step analytic procedure included confirmatory factor analysis to validate the hypothetical structure of the baseline risk indicators, followed by structural equation modeling to examine longitudinal relations between baseline risk and subsequent adherence outcomes. Results: Significant prospective relationships included acculturative risk associated positively with visit adherence and medication levels, behavior problems associated negatively with visit adherence and medication levels, family environment associated negatively with medication report, life events associated positively with medication levels and visit adherence, and cognitive functioning (IQ) associated positively with medication levels. Seizure severity was not associated significantly with any adherence outcome. There also were no significant within-time associations between adherence outcomes. Conclusions: Contrary to clinical expectations, families at higher acculturative risk and with higher life events reported greater adherence. Seizure severity did not influence adherence. The three adherence measures were statistically independent of each other.