Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fusarium solani Infection Depressed Photosystem Performance by Inducing Foliage Wilting in Apple Seedlings

Fusarium fungi are soil-borne pathogens, and the pathological effects on plant photosystems remain unclear. This study aimed to deeply reveal pathological characterization in apple seedlings infected with Fusarium solani by investigating photosystems performance and interaction. Roots were immersed in conidial suspension for inoculation. Thereafter, prompt and delayed chlorophyll a fluorescence and modulated 820 nm reflection were simultaneously detected. After 30 days of infection, leaf relative water content and dry weight were remarkably decreased by 55.7 and 47.1%, suggesting that the infected seedlings were subjected to Fusarium-induced water deficit stress. PSI reaction center was more susceptible than PSII reaction center in infected seedlings due to greater decrease in the maximal photochemical efficiency of PSI than that of PSII, but PSI reaction center injury was aggravated slowly, as PSII injury could partly protect PSI by restricting electron donation. PSII donor and acceptor sides were also damaged after 20 days of infection, and the restricted electron donation induced PSII and PSI disconnection by blocking PSI re-reduction. In accordance with greater damage of PSI reaction center, PSI oxidation was also suppressed. Notably, significantly increased efficiency of electron transport from plastoquinone (PQ) to PSI acceptors (REo/ETo) after 20 days of infection suggested greater inhibition on PQ reduction than re-oxidation, and the protection for PSI acceptors might alleviate the reduction of electron transport efficiency beyond PQ upon damaged PSI reaction center. Lowered delayed fluorescence in microsecond domain verified PSII damage in infected seedlings, and elevated delayed fluorescence in sub-millisecond domain during PQ reduction process conformed to increased REo/ETo. In conclusion, F. solani infection depressed PSII and PSI performance and destroyed their coordination by inducing pathological wilting in apple seedlings. It may be a pathogenic mechanism of Fusarium to induce plant photosystems damage.
Patterns of DNMT1 Promoter Methylation in Patients with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a clonal malignant disorder characterized by an uncontrolled proliferation of immature T or B lymphocytes. Extensive studies have shown that the epigenetic changes, especially modified DNA methylation patterns in the regulatory regions through the DNA methyltransferase (DNMTs), play an important role in the development of genetic disorders and abnormal growth and maturation capacity of leukemic stem cells (LSCs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in DNMT1 promoter methylation and its expression pattern in patients with ALL. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, methylation specific PCR (MSP) was used to assess the methylation status of DNMT1 promoter regions in samples collected from ALL patients (n=45) and healthy control subjects. According to this method, un-methylated cytosine nucleotides are converted to uracil by sodium bisulfite and the proliferation of methylated and un-methylated regions are performed using specific primers for target sequences. Results: None of the patients with B and T-ALL showed methylated promoter regions of the DNMT1 gene, while the methylation pattern of both pre-B ALL patients and the control group showed a relative promoter methylation. Conclusion: Analysis of promoter methylation patterns in various subgroups of ALL has revealed the importance of DNMT1 in the regulation of gene expression. Likewise, extensive data have also highlighted the methylation-based mechanisms exerted by DNAM1 as one of the main participants regulating gene expression in B-ALL and T-ALL patients. Investigation of the overall DNA methylation pattern offers significant improvements in the prediction of disease prognosis and treatment response.
Discussion—The Influence of Culture and Corporate Governance on the Characteristics That Distinguish Superior Analysts

The analysis conducted by Clement, Rees, and Swanson (CRS) shows that the effect of analysts' attributes such as experience, research support (proxied by the size of the brokerage house) and specialization (proxied by the frequency of forecasts) on forecast accuracy varies across countries. The variation is hypothesized to reflect differences in cultures, legal systems and financial reporting environments across countries. This study brings together two lines of research. The first is that examining the effect of cultural, social, and legal structures on the development of financial reporting systems. The second line of research relates to attributes and predictors of analyst accuracy. By linking these two lines of research, the current study has the potential to improve our understanding of both subjects. At the same time, it runs the risk of arriving at incorrect inferences. This possibility arises because neither of the linked lines of research is very robust in terms of the underlying theory or the consistency of the evidence. Consider, for example, the hypotheses that analysts who belong to a larger brokerage firm, or who focus on a single industry, produce more accurate earnings forecasts. There is very little theory to justify these predictions. In fact, if these factors affect forecast accuracy, in equilibrium, we should see inferior forecasters (i.e., those affiliated with smaller firms or who do not focus on specific industries) driven out by the better ones. In this case, there would be no observed relation between these analyst traits and forecast accuracy. Regarding the inconsistency of the related evidence, note that the findings from previous research on the factors affecting analysts' accuracy are not uniform. For example, Mikhail et al. (1997) do not find support for the notion that analysts' industry focus promotes accuracy. Jacob et al. (1999) suggest that individual-firm experience (not to be confused with survivorship bias) does not affect accuracy. Sinah et al. (1997) find that poor forecasting accuracy does not persist over time and thus, the degree of accuracy in itself is unpredictable. For all these reasons, the authors, while deserving credit for undertaking an ambitious task, bear a heavier burden of motivating and justifying their hypotheses.
Political competition and support for agriculture

This paper investigates whether political competition plays an important role in determining the level of agricultural protection. In order to do so, we exploit variation in political and economic data from 74 developing and developed countries for the post-war period. Our results robustly show that the level of agricultural distortions is the higher, the higher is the level of political competition. We show that political competition may importantly complement other institutional aspects in determining policy choices. We investigate the heterogeneous effects of political competition across different electoral rules (majoritarian vs. proportional), forms of government (coalition vs. single-party) and level of incomes.
The Continued Importance of Geographic Distance and Boulding's Loss of Strength Gradient

The loss of strength gradient (LSG), which demonstrates the importance of geographic distance and the advantage of forward basing, has been under attack. Proximity is supposedly becoming less important for prevailing in war. It is a view that has been expressed not only by President George W. Bush but even by the person who devised the LSG, Kenneth Boulding. As a result, it is being used as reason for the withdrawal of U.S. forces back to the American homeland. However, this view is flawed. Distance is retaining its importance as a result of two factors: the competitive nature of war and the impermanence of great-power status. The United States cannot withdraw forward-positioned forces and expect to maintain permanently the same power projection capabilities.
Managing depressive and anxiety disorders with escitalopram

This article reviews escitalopram, the S-stereoisomer of the racemic compound citalopram, and a highly selective and potent member of the selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor class of antidepressants. Escitalopram has a straightforward pharmacokinetic profile, little effect on hepatic metabolism, and is relatively safe in overdose. Similar to other members of the selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor class, escitalopram (10 – 20 mg/day) is a well-tolerated and effective treatment of major depressive disorder. Although relatively few head-to-head comparative studies with other antidepressants have been published, pooled analyses of studies using citalopram as the active comparator suggest a modest advantage for the stereoisomer. This advantage, which is more apparent among patients with greater symptom levels, may be attributable to a greater than predicted potency compared with citalopram, presumably as a result of the greater effect of escitalopram at the allosteric binding site of the serotonin transporter. Results of two published studies versus venlafaxine also suggest better tolerability in the context of comparable efficacy. Escitalopram is also approved for the treatment of generalised anxiety disorder (in the US) and social anxiety disorder and panic disorder (in the EU). Pharmacoeconomic models suggest that the greater drug acquisition cost of this patent-protected compound may be offset by greater efficacy (relative to generic citalopram) and tolerability (compared with extended release venlafaxine).
Reducing Central Venous Catheter Use in Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Donation: Quality Improvement Report

Peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) collection from donors through apheresis has become the main source of stem cells for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. This procedure requires a high blood flow venous access. A peripheral venous catheter (PVC), compared to a central venous catheter (CVC), is considered to provide safer venous access. However, initially at our institution, King Abdul-Aziz Medical City - Riyadh, a CVC was frequently used (72%). A quality improvement multidisciplinary team has been formed to conduct a systematic quality performance analysis to evaluate the current process of collecting donor PBSCs with the aim to reduce CVC use to less than the international benchmark (20%). A quality improvement methodology, rapid cycles of plan-do-study-act (PDSA), was used to test a set of initiatives. An Intravenous (IV) team assessed the donor's venous access and inserted an appropriate PVC when feasible. This project ran over 16 months with 42 adult donors undergoing PBSC collection. During the first PDSA cycle, 1 CVC was inserted for every 4 donors. In the second PDSA cycle, 1 CVC was inserted for every 8 apheresis donations. In the third PDSA cycle, no CVC was used for 30 apheresis donations. The targeted stem cell dose was collected successfully in one apheresis session in all donors assigned for PVC access with no complications. A significant reduction of CVC use from 72% to 0% was achieved. This quality improvement project demonstrated that a successful apheresis procedure can be achieved easily and safely in the majority of PBSC donors preventing the potential adverse events associated with CVCs. The interdisciplinary collaboration between the IV team, apheresis and clinical hematology teams was paramount to optimize the safe care of donors.
Isolation and characterization of multipotent stem cells from human cruciate ligaments

Objectives: Mesenchymal stem cells have great potential for tissue regeneration, and these cells can be harvested from a variety of tissues; however, up to now it has not been clear whether stem cells could be isolated from cruciate ligaments of the knee joint. The aim of our study was to isolate and characterize stem cells from both anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments (ACL and PCL) of humans.
Uncertain Product Quality: The Market for Lemons with an Imperfect Testing Technology

In a product market with consumer uncertainty regarding product quality, many regulatory policies may prove beneficial. This article examines the policy implications of administering an ex post imperfect quality test with potential seller liability. The key policy variables are the size of the liability, the confidence level of the test, and the degree of test imperfection, or noise. The model results demonstrate how the policy variables affect seller incentives and, therefore, total welfare. For example, minimizing the amount of noise in the test need not maximize welfare.
Monitoring Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) in Pilot-Scale Warehouses Treated with Residual Applications of (S)-Hydroprene and Cyfluthrin

Abstract Pilot-scale warehouses, artificially infested with all life stages of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), were used to evaluate the efficacy of two contact insecticides, (S)-hydroprene and cyfluthrin, and to determine the effect of insecticide treatments on insect captures in food- and pheromone-baited pitfall traps. Two application strategies were compared; insecticides were applied at the labeled rate either around the inside perimeter of the warehouse or in a band around the base of shelf units containing discrete food patches (10 g of wheat flour) infested with T. castaneum. Insect populations were assessed weekly for 6 wk by recording number of dead adults on the warehouse floor; number of larvae and adults captured in pitfall traps; and number of larvae, pupae, and adults recovered from food patch samples. There were significantly more dead adults in warehouses treated with cyfluthrin than with (S)-hydroprene or water (control treatment). However, food patch samples showed no detectable differences in quantity of larvae, pupae, or adults among any treatments. Pitfall traps detected fewer larvae starting the fourth week of the study in the warehouses treated with cyfluthrin around the shelf perimeter. Rate of larval capture in traps increased overall with increasing larval populations, but it was more pronounced in traps located closer to the food patches. Number of adults captured in pitfall traps reflected adult mortality in cyfluthrin-treated warehouses. Capture of larvae and adults was greater near the source of the infestation than elsewhere in the warehouse, suggesting that trapping data should be considered when precision targeting insecticide applications in the field.
Molecular cloning and analysis of the regulation of cys-14+, a structural gene of the sulfur regulatory circuit of Neurospora crassa

The cys-14+ gene encodes sulfate permease II, which is primarily expressed in mycelia. cys-14+ is one of a set of sulfur-related structural genes under the control of cys-3+ and scon+, the regulatory genes of the sulfur control circuit. We have cloned cys-14+ from a cosmid library of Neurospora crassa DNA. A restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis showed that this clone maps to the region of chromosome IV corresponding to the cys-14+ locus. Northern blot analyses were used to examine the regulated expression of the cys-14+ gene. In the wild type, a 3-kilobase cys-14+ transcript was highly expressed under sulfur-derepressing conditions but completely absent during sulfur repression. A cys-3 mutant, which cannot synthesize any of the sulfur-controlled enzymes, including sulfate permease II, did not possess any cys-14+ transcript under either condition. A cys-3 temperature-sensitive revertant completely lacked any cys-14+ mRNA at the conditional temperature but expressed the cys-14+ transcript upon derepression at the permissive temperature. Mutation of a second sulfur regulatory gene, scon(c), causes the expression of sulfur-related enzymes in a constitutive fashion; the scon(c) mutant showed a corresponding constitutive expression of cys-14+ mRNA, such that it was present even in cells subjected to sulfur repression conditions. These results show that the cys-14+ gene is regulated through the modulation of message content by the cys-3+ and scon(c) control genes in response to the sulfur levels of the cells.
Multiple sclerosis in Isfahan, Iran: Past, Present and Future

Isfahan province of Iran is now globally well known for its high prevalence of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). [1–3] Fifteen years ago, this fact was in spite of primary north–south based expectations (MS gradient hypothesis) in which Isfahan, as a part of Iran, could only be a low-risk area with prevalence of less than 5/100,000. [4–6] During the last decade, serial population-based studies by Isfahan MS society (IMSS) reformed our knowledge about MS epidemiology in our province. The first IMSS study was performed between 2004 and 2005, reporting a period prevalence of 35.5/100,000. This report put Isfahan as a medium- to high-risk area. [1] The following year, a more comprehensive study was performed reporting a period prevalence of 43.8/100,000 between April 2003 and July 2006. This study also reported an incidence rate of 3.64/100,000 for the year 2005. [2] IMSS final study was performed in 2010, reporting a period prevalence of 73.3/100,000 between April 2003 and July 2010 and an incidence rate of 9.1/100,000 in 2009. These values were dramatically higher than previous reports, and of course, harbinger of a disaster. According to the latter report, Isfahan was addressed as one of the most high-risk regions for MS in Asia and Oceania. [3] During the period from July 2010 to date (end of July 2011), IMSS has identified 443 new cases (unpublished data), providing an incidence figure of ~ 9.22/100,000.
Kinetic Gait Analysis Using a Low-Cost Insole

Abnormal gait caused by stroke or other pathological reasons can greatly impact the life of an individual. Being able to measure and analyze that gait is often critical for rehabilitation. Motion analysis labs and many current methods of gait analysis are expensive and inaccessible to most individuals. The low-cost, wearable, and wireless insole-based gait analysis system in this study provides kinetic measurements of gait by using low-cost force sensitive resistors. This paper describes the design and fabrication of the insole and its evaluation in six control subjects and four hemiplegic stroke subjects. Subject-specific linear regression models were used to determine ground reaction force plus moments corresponding to ankle dorsiflexion/plantarflexion, knee flexion/extension, and knee abduction/adduction. Comparison with data simultaneously collected from a clinical motion analysis laboratory demonstrated that the insole results for ground reaction force and ankle moment were highly correlated (all >0.95) for all subjects, while the two knee moments were less strongly correlated (generally >0.80). This provides a means of cost-effective and efficient healthcare delivery of mobile gait analysis that can be used anywhere from large clinics to an individual's home.
Ergonomic Best Practices in Masonry: Regional Differences, Benefits, Barriers, and Recommendations for Dissemination

Within construction the masonry trade has particularly high rates of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). A NIOSH-sponsored meeting of masonry stakeholders explored current and potential “Best Practices” for reducing MSDs in masonry and identified potential regional differences in use of practices. To verify and better understand the regional effects and other factors associated with differences in practice use, a national telephone survey of masonry contractors was conducted. The United States was divided into four regions for evaluation: Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, and West Coast. Nine practices with the potential to reduce MSDs in masonry workers were evaluated. Masonry contractors, owners, and foremen completed 183 surveys. The results verify regional differences in use of best practices in masonry. Half-weight cement bags and autoclave aerated concrete were rarely used anywhere, while lightweight block and mortar silos appear to be diffusing across the country. The Northeast uses significantly fewer best practices than other regions. This article examines reasons for regional differences in masonry best practice, and findings provide insight into use and barriers to adoption that can be used by safety managers, researchers, and other safety advocates to more effectively disseminate ergonomic solutions across the masonry industry.
Monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) mediates transport of short‐chain fatty acids in bovine caecum

The present study was undertaken to investigate the functional role of monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) in the ruminant large intestine. Messenger RNA encoding for MCT1 was verified by reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction in caecum, proximal colon and distal colon of adult cattle. Both immunohistochemistry and confocal laser microscopy verified that the MCT1 protein was abundant in the surface epithelium of the large intestine, and the amount decreased from the opening of the crypt to its base. In the immunopositive cells, MCT1 was primarily localized in the basolateral membranes of epithelium lining the large intestine. Western blotting indicated that the levels of MCT1 protein were highest in the caecum, followed by proximal colon and then distal colon. In vitro studies were conducted to elucidate the possible involvement of MCT1 in the transport of short‐chain fatty acids (SCFA) across the isolated mucosal sheets of cattle caecum using the Ussing chamber technique. Acetate absorption was found to be pH dependent, and the rate of acetate absorption increased as pH decreased. The serosal application of the MCT1 inhibitor ‘p‐chloromercuribenzoic acid (pCMB)’ significantly reduced the transport of acetate across the caecal epithelium of cows. In addition, the transport of acetate was significantly reduced in the presence of its analogue, propionate, indicating that acetate and propionate compete for binding to the same transporter. The results show that MCT1 is a major route for SCFA efflux across the basolateral membrane of bovine large intestine and that it could play a role in the regulation of intracellular pH.