Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Growth and Photosynthesis under High and Low Irradiance of Arabidopsis thaliana Antisense Mutants with Reduced Ribulose-1,5-Bisphosphate Carboxylase/Oxygenase Activase Content

Photosynthesis and growth to maturity of antisense ribulose-1,5- bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) activase Arabidopsis thaliana with reduced concentrations of activase relative to wild-type (Wt) plants were measured under low (200 [mu]mol m-2 s-1) and high (600 [mu]mol m-2 s-1) photosynthetic photon flux density growing conditions. Both growth and photosynthesis were significantly reduced in an Arabidopsis clone (R100) with 30 to 40% Wt activase, an effect that was more pronounced in high light. The aboveground biomass of the antisense clone R100 reached 80% of Wt under low light and 65% of Wt under high light. Decreased growth in the antisense plants was attributed to reduced relative rates of growth and leaf area expansion early in development; all plants attained similar values of relative rates of growth and leaf elongation by 21 d after planting. Reductions in photosynthesis were attributed to decreased Rubisco activation in the antisense plants. Rubisco constituted about 40% of total soluble protein in both Wt and clone R100 under both light regimes. Activase content was 5% and 1.4% of total soluble protein in Wt and clone R100, respectively, and also was unaffected by growth irradiance. The stoichiometry of Rubisco to activase was estimated at 20 Rubisco active sites per activase tetramer in Wt Arabidopsis and 60 to 80 in the transgenic clone R100. We conclude that Wt Arabidopsis does not contain Rubisco activase in great excess of the amount required for optimal growth.
Fludarabine compared with chlorambucil as primary therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

BACKGROUND Fludarabine is an effective treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia that does not respond to initial treatment with chlorambucil. We compared the efficacy of fludarabine with that of chlorambucil in the primary treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. METHODS Between 1990 and 1994, we randomly assigned 509 previously untreated patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia to one of the following treatments: fludarabine (25 mg per square meter of body-surface area, administered intravenously daily for 5 days every 28 days), chlorambucil (40 mg per square meter, given orally every 28 days), or fludarabine (20 mg per square meter per day for 5 days every 28 days) plus chlorambucil (20 mg per square meter every 28 days). Patients with an additional response at each monthly evaluation continued to receive the assigned treatment for a maximum of 12 cycles. RESULTS Assignment of patients to the fludarabine-plus-chlorambucil group was stopped when a planned interim analysis revealed excessive toxicity and a response rate that was not better than the rate with fludarabine alone. Among the other two groups, the response rate was significantly higher for fludarabine alone than for chlorambucil alone. Among 170 patients treated with fludarabine, 20 percent had a complete remission, and 43 percent had a partial remission. The corresponding values for 181 patients treated with chlorambucil were 4 percent and 33 percent (P< 0.001 for both comparisons). The median duration of remission and the median progression-free survival in the fludarabine group were 25 months and 20 months, respectively, whereas both values were 14 months in the chlorambucil group (P<0.001 for both comparisons). The median overall survival among patients treated with fludarabine was 66 months, which was not significantly different from the overall survival in the other two groups (56 months with chlorambucil and 55 months with combined treatment). Severe infections and neutropenia were more frequent with fludarabine than with chlorambucil (P=0.08), although, overall, toxic effects were tolerable with the two single-drug regimens. CONCLUSIONS When used as the initial treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, fludarabine yields higher response rates and a longer duration of remission and progression-free survival than chlorambucil.
Three Weeks of a Four Week Course or Twice Weekly for Four Weeks of a Four Week Course to Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors

A Phase 1, Multicenter, Open-Label, Dose-Escalation, Safety, Pharmacokinetic, and Pharmacodynamic Study of BIIB021 Administered Orally Twice Weekly for Three Weeks of a Four Week Course or Twice Weekly for Four Weeks of a Four Week Course to Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors Muhammad Wasif Saif, Chris Takimoto, Monica Mita, Udai Banerji, Nicole Lamanna, Januario Castro, Susan O' Brien, Christopher Stogard Daniel Von Hoff Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA; Institute for Drug Development Cancer Therapy and Research Center, San Antonio, TX; Institute of Cancer Research, Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK; Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY; University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; 7 Biogen Indec, San Diego, CA; TGen Clinical Research Services at Scottsdale Healthcare, Scottsdale, AZ Disclosure of Conflict of Interest: None of the authors except C. Stogard have any potential conflict of interest to disclose except funding for the study from Biogen Idec. C. Stogard was employed by Biogen Idec. Running title: Phase I study of BIIB021
Profile driven data-dependency analysis for improved high level language hardware synthesis

Existing high-level hardware synthesis tools typically focus on the automated discovery of opportunities for Instruction Level Parallelism (ILP) or alternatively allow designers to explicitly specify instances or opportunities for ILP. We present a novel profiling driven approach to the automated discovery of higher level speculative parallelism opportunities for custom-hardware implementations. The synthesis approach proposed here is to use the customisation capabilities of reconfigurable platforms to implement application specific speculative devices that capitalise on thread and loop level parallelism opportunities that occur with low (or zero) frequency data dependencies. In this paper our program profiling and partitioning techniques are detailed and analysis results are used to generate promising theoretical limits on speedups achievable through thread level parallelism. Such speedups are orthogonal to the gains achievable using existing ILP based optimisations. Our analysis and profiling tools are implemented within the Low Level Virtual Machine (LLVM) compiler infrastructure and results are generated from the SPEC2000INT benchmark suite.
A comparison of colonoscopy and double-contrast barium enema for surveillance after polypectomy.

Introduction It is widely held that adenomatous polyps are precursors of colorectal cancer and that their removal is important because of the potential for reducing the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer. Periodic surveillance examinations after polypectomy have been considered necessary because of the high frequency of adenomatous polyps detected at follow-up. This study compared efficacy of colonoscopy and double-contrast barium enema for surveillance after polypectomy.
Regulatory Elements of the Floral Homeotic Gene AGAMOUS Identified by Phylogenetic Footprinting and Shadowing Online version contains Web-only data. Article, publication date, and citation information can be found at www.plantcell.org/cgi/doi/10.1105/tpc.009548.

In Arabidopsis thaliana, cis-regulatory sequences of the floral homeotic gene AGAMOUS (AG) are located in the second intron. This 3-kb intron contains binding sites for two direct activators of AG, LEAFY (LFY) and WUSCHEL (WUS), along with other putative regulatory elements. We have used phylogenetic footprinting and the related technique of phylogenetic shadowing to identify putative cis-regulatory elements in this intron. Among 29 Brassicaceae species, several other motifs, but not the LFY and WUS binding sites identified previously, are largely invariant. Using reporter gene analyses, we tested six of these motifs and found that they are all functionally important for the activity of AG regulatory sequences in A. thaliana. Although there is little obvious sequence similarity outside the Brassicaceae, the intron from cucumber AG has at least partial activity in A. thaliana. Our studies underscore the value of the comparative approach as a tool that complements gene-by-gene promoter dissection but also demonstrate that sequence-based studies alone are insufficient for a complete identification of cis-regulatory sites.
Clinical Behavior of Stage II-IV Low-Grade Serous Carcinoma of the Ovary

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical behavior of patients with stage II-IV low-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary seen at our institution who underwent primary surgery followed by platinum-based chemotherapy. METHODS: Patients with stage II-IV low-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary from 1978 to 2003 were identified using existing databases. Clinicopathologic information was obtained from medical records. Progression-free survival and overall survival were estimated by the method of Kaplan and Meier. The log-rank test was used to compare differences between survival curves. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed using Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: We identified 112 eligible patients. Median age was 43 years. ; 90% had stage III disease. Preoperative serum CA 125 was elevated in 86% of patients. The most common sites of extraovarian disease were omentum, fallopian tubes, pelvic peritoneum, and uterus. Response rate to platinum-based chemotherapy in 10 evaluable patients (15% of patients with gross residual disease) was 80%, and 42 patients underwent second-look surgery: microscopically negative findings, 2 (5%); microscopically positive disease, 13 (33%); macroscopically positive disease, 24 (62%); and insufficient information, 3 (7%). Median progression-free survival and overall survival times were 19.5 and 81.8 months. Persistent disease after primary chemotherapy was the only factor associated with shorter overall survival time (hazard ratio 3.46, 95% confidence interval 2.00–5.97, P<.001). CONCLUSION: Metastatic low-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary is characterized by young age at diagnosis and prolonged overall survival. Segregating women with this diagnosis in future clinical trials is warranted. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-3
The mental health of Korean transnational mothers: A scoping review

Background: A recent migration trend from Korea is transnational family arrangement where mothers migrate with children to English-speaking countries, while the fathers stay in the home country. Mothers in these families may experience more challenges than other family members because they have to adjust to a new country, new parenting role and family separation. But little is known about their mental health. Aims: This article scopes the evidences in the literature on impact of transnational family arrangement and migration on the mental health of Korean transnational mothers. Method: A comprehensive search was undertaken in 16 databases and 17 studies were identified. Results: The evidence on the mental health of Korean transnational mothers was analyzed into two themes: (1) challenges and life difficulties, (2) psychological and emotional states. In relation to the life difficulties such as role changes, adaptation in the host country and lack of social support, the mothers reported anxiety, depression, increased psychological distress and feeling of isolation. Positive perceptions such as sense of empowerment and increased self-confidence were also reported. Conclusion: The evidence suggests that there may be a potential for vulnerability to mental health problems in Korean transnational mothers. More research is needed to assess their mental health and to identify the risk factors.
Regulation of Alternative Splicing Through Coupling with Transcription and Chromatin Structure

Alternative precursor messenger RNA (pre-mRNA) splicing plays a pivotal role in the flow of genetic information from DNA to proteins by expanding the coding capacity of genomes. Regulation of alternative splicing is as important as regulation of transcription to determine celland tissue-specific features, normal cell functioning, and responses of eukaryotic cells to external cues. Its importance is confirmed by the evolutionary conservation and diversification of alternative splicing and the fact that its deregulation causes hereditary disease and cancer. This review discusses the multiple layers of cotranscriptional regulation of alternative splicing in which chromatin structure, DNA methylation, histone marks, and nucleosome positioning play a fundamental role in providing a dynamic scaffold for interactions between the splicing and transcription machineries. We focus on evidence for how the kinetics of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) elongation and the recruitment of splicing factors and adaptor proteins to chromatin components act in coordination to regulate alternative splicing. 165 A nn u. R ev . B io ch em . 2 01 5. 84 :1 65 -1 98 . D ow nl oa de d fr om w w w . a nn ua lr ev ie w s. or g A cc es s pr ov id ed b y T el A vi v U ni ve rs ity o n 06 /0 7/ 15 . F or p er so na l u se o nl y. BI84CH07-Kornblihtt ARI 15 April 2015 7:5
Endocrine Effects of Erythropoietin in Cancer Patients

Abstract The recent advances in the knowledge of the psychoneuroimmunological pathogenesis of human neoplasms have demonstrated the existence of feed-back mechanisms operating between interleukins and endocrine secretions, which play an important role in the regulation of the immune responses, including the anticancer immunity. In contrast, few studies only have been performed to investigate the possible relation between endocrine activities and hematopoietic growth factors. The present study was performed to analyze the acute endocrine effects of erythropoietin-alpha (EPO) on the main endocrine secretions. The study was carried out in 10 advanced solid tumor patients. EPO was injected subcutaneously at a dose of 10,000 U, and venous blood samples were collected before and 2, 4 and 6 h after EPO administration. No significant changes in mean serum levels of FSH, LH and TSH were seen in response to EPO. Cortisol and DHEAS concentrations increased after EPO injection, whereas those of PRL decreased, but none of these differences was statistically significant. Finally, mean serum levels of both growth hormone (GH) and somatomedin-C (IGF-1) significantly decreased after EPO administration. This preliminary study shows that EPO may inhibit GH secretion from the pituitary gland and IGF-1 production. Since GH would stimulate EPO release, the results of this study may suggest the existence of feedback mechanism operating between GH secretion and EPO production, with inhibitory effect of EPO on GH secretion, and stimulatory action of GH on EPO production. Therefore, this study would describe the first example of hemato-endocrine feedback mechanisms. Moreover, this study, by showing an inhibitory effect of EPO on IGF-1 secretion, would suggest a possible use of EPO in the medical oncology not only for the treatment of cancer related anemia, but also to counteract tumor growth by blocking IGF-1 production, which has been proven to be a growth factor for several tumor histotypes. Obviously, IGF-1 is not the only tumor growth factor, but it could play a fundamental role in the regulation of production and activity of several other tumor growth factors. In any case, this study describes the only acute endocrine effects of EPO. Therefore, further studies, by evaluating the endocrine effects of a chronic treatment with EPO, will be required to establish which may be its effect on IGF-1 endogenous production, and its consequence on survival time.
Genetic tools discriminate strains of Leishmania infantum isolated from humans and dogs in Sicily, Italy

Background Leishmaniasis is one of the most important vector-borne diseases and it represents a serious world health problem affecting millions of people. High levels of Leishmania infections, affecting both humans and animals, are recognized among Italian regions. Among these, Sicily has one of the highest prevalence of Leishmania infection. Methodology/Principal Findings Seventy-eight Leishmania strains isolated from human and animal samples across Sicily, were analyzed for the polymorphic k26-gene and genotypes were assigned according to the size of the PCR products. A multilocus microsatellite typing (MLMT) approach based on the analysis of 11 independent loci was used to investigate populations structure and genetic diversity of the isolated strains. Six L. infantum reference strains were included in the analysis for comparison. Bayesian clustering analysis of microsatellite data showed that all the isolated strains clustered in two genetically distinct populations, corresponding to human and canine isolates respectively. A further subdivision was observed between the two main groups, giving a good correlation between human strains and their geographic origin, conversely canine population showed a great genetic variability diffused in the territory. Conclusions/Significance Among the 78 Leishmania isolates, K26 analysis detected 71 samples (91%) as MON-1 zymodeme, confirming it as the predominant strain in Mediterranean area and 7 human samples (9%) as non-MON-1. MLMT gives important insights into the epidemiology of leishmaniases and allows characterization of different strains to a higher resolution than possible with zymodeme typing. Two main populations presented a strong correlation respect to the different hosts, exhibiting a co-circulation of two distinct populations of L. infantum. The population found in infected humans exhibited a correlation with geographic origin. These clusters could represent a geographically restricted population of strains with the same or related genotypes. This study can contribute to an understanding of Leishmania epidemiology, including the spread of reservoirs and sand fly vectors in the different foci of infection, characterizing parasites within the different hosts.
Impact of professional nursing practice environment and psychological empowerment on nurses' work engagement: test of structural equation modelling.

AIM This study aimed to investigate the influence of professional nursing practice environment and psychological empowerment on nurses' work engagement. BACKGROUND Previous researchers have acknowledged the positive influence that nurse work environment and psychological empowerment have on engagement. However, less is known about the mechanisms that explain the links between them. METHOD A predictive, non-experimental design was used to test the model in a random sample of 300 clinical nurses from two tertiary first class hospitals of Tianjin, China. The Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index and the Psychological Empowerment Scale were used to measure the study variables. RESULT Structural equation modelling revealed a good fit of the model to the data based on various fit indices (P = 0.371, χ(2) /df = 1.056, goodness of fit index = 0.967), which indicated that both professional practice environment and psychological empowerment could positively influence work engagement directly, and professional practice environment could also indirectly influence work engagement through the mediation of psychological empowerment. CONCLUSION The study hypotheses were supported. Psychological empowerment was found to mediate the relationship between practice environments and work engagement. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT Administrators should provide a professional nursing practice environment and empower nurses psychologically to increase nurse engagement.
An Effective Coverage Strategy for System Function Testing

Software testing is an important quality activity. System level testing (system testing) is the final checkpoint before delivering for acceptance testing. However, until now, there are no effective coverage strategies for system function testing. In this paper, aim is to put forward an effective function coverage strategy for system testing. Concrete method is in terms of system level input and output, use case diagram, system transition diagram and system entity relationship diagram to analyze and design test cases. The merit of the coverage strategy is that test cases can cover system functions from different angles. Experimental example shows the effectiveness of our proposed system function coverage.
Parity in patients with chronic inflammatory arthritides childless at time of diagnosis

Objective: To assess parity in women with chronic inflammatory arthritides (CIA) childless at time of diagnosis. Methods: Patients were selected from the Norwegian Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drug (NOR-DMARD) registry. Each patient was matched by year of birth with 100 reference women from the Norwegian Population Registry. Data linkage for patients and references with the Medical Birth Registry of Norway (MBRN) identified all offspring until time of linkage (October 2007). Patients and corresponding references childless at the time of diagnosis were included in the analyses. Kaplan–Meier curves visualized the proportion of childless women and were compared by a log rank test. Results: In all, 156 rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 107 other chronic arthritides (OCA), and 75 juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients were childless at time of diagnosis. At the time of data linkage, the proportions (%) of childless RA/OCA/JIA patients versus references were 61.5/62.6/57.3 versus 46.9/42.9/41.0, respectively, all differences statistically significant. The log rank test showed lower parity in all diagnostic groups compared with references (p < 0.001 for RA and OCA and p = 0.002 for JIA). No difference in parity was observed between RA and OCA patients, but both diagnostic groups had lower parity than JIA patients (p = 0.001). Disease characteristics were similar between childless and fertile patients. Conclusions: Reduced parity was observed in all diagnostic groups compared with references. RA and OCA patients had lower parity than JIA patients, indicating that having the disease as a young adult may influence parity more than having the disease in childhood.
Application of Protruded Strip Resonators to Design an UWB Slot Antenna with WLAN Band-Notched Characteristic

In this paper, a difierent method for designing a novel and compact microstrip-fed slot antenna with band-notched characteristic for UWB application is proposed. In the proposed antenna, a pair of cross-shaped strips protruded inside an extra rectangular slot in the ground plane are used to crate an additional resonance in higher frequencies. By obtaining this resonance, the usable upper frequency of the antenna is extended from 9 to 14.8GHz which provides a wide usable fractional bandwidth of more than 135%. Additionally, by using a square ring radiating stub with a pair of protruded T-shaped strips inside the ring, a desired frequency band-stop performance has been obtained. Good antenna gain and VSWR characteristics are obtained in the frequency band of interest. The proposed antenna can operate from 3.04 to 14.8GHz for VSWR < 2 with a rejection band around 5.1 to 6GHz to suppress any interference from wireless local area network (WLAN) systems. Simulated and experimental results obtained for this antenna show that it exhibits good radiation behavior within the UWB frequency range.