Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A study of seed storage protein accumulation by ectopic expression in Arabidopsis

Understanding the mechanisms plants utilize for seed storage protein (SSP) synthesis, transport and deposition have the potential rewards of enabling high yields of modified or foreign proteins. Hayashi et al. (1999) indicated that the machinery devoted to the synthesis of protein storage vacuoles in cotyledon cells can be induced in vegetative tissue by the constitutive expression of a pumpkin 2S albumin phosphinothricin-acetyl-transferase gene fusion (pumpkin 2S-PAT) resulting in the biogenesis of precursor-accumulating (PAC) vesicles in Arabidopsis leaves. This discovery was the impetus behind the work described which sought to examine this phenomenon further by ectopically evoking SSP trafficking and vesicle biogenesis machinery in leaves. With the aim of elucidating the mechanisms necessary to evoke PAC vesicle biogenesis, a suite of constructs including the pumpkin 2S-PAT and analogous napin-PAT and napin-GFP variants were synthesized. Analysis of these transgenes in Arabidopsis revealed that the pumpkin 2S albumin has a capacity unique from napin peptides to result in fusion protein accumulation. Further, the truncated pumpkin 2S albumin peptide and the pumpkin 2S albumin C-terminus were found to direct deposition to vesicles; however, the C-terminus alone was not enough to direct deposition to vesicles unless combined with a significantly shortened napin peptide. An increased ER protein throughput was correlated to trafficking of the fusion protein by Golgi-independent mechanisms resulting in stable accumulation of the unprocessed protein whereas less ER throughput indicated passage through the Golgi-dependent pathway resulting in accumulation of a processed variant. At the level of gene expression, as examined by a microarray study, both inducible and constitutive ectopic expression of pumpkin 2S-PAT resulted in substantial perturbations of the endomembrane system affecting protein folding, flowering time and ERassociated biosynthetic functions which indicated that modulation of flowering time and photoperiodism are highly dependent on protein trafficking and vacuolar biogenesis mechanisms and that high ER protein throughput occurs at the expense of biosynthesis and cessation of ER functioning.
Management strategies to improve soybean yield in high pH soybean cyst nematode infested fields

Soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines', SCN) causes the greatest yield losses of all diseases on soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ] in Iowa. Growing SCNresistant varieties in rotation with non-host crops and SCN-susceptible varieties is the current management recommendation for SCN in Iowa. Previous research has shown that SCN population densities are positively correlated with soil pH. The correlation may reduce the efficacy of the current SCN management recommendation in northern and central Iowa, which is located in the Des Moines lobe area, a calcareous soil area with high pH soil. The hypothesis for this research is that additional management strategies, such as the use of a nematicide (aldicarb), may need to be considered added to the current SCN management recommendations in Iowa. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of nematicide in combination with SCN-resistant soybean varieties on grain yield and SCN population densities in fields with different soil pH. Main plots were two planting dates (early versus late May). The sub-plots were four rates of aldicarb [2methyl-2(methylthio) propionaldehyde O-(methylcarbamoyl) oxime], applied in-furrow (0.0, 0.8, 1.7 and 2.5 kg a.i. ha"1), and the sub-subplots were ten glyphosate-resistant soybean varieties with different reactions to SCN. The experiment was conducted at two northern locations, one central, and one southern location in Iowa from 2004 to 2005. Soil samples were collected from each plot at planting and at harvest to determine the initial (Pi) and final (Pf) population densities of SCN. Overall, early planting date improved yield. This improvement may be a combination of increased biomass accumulation and diapause of SCN eggs early in the spring. Grain yield and SCN population densities were not influenced by aldicarb. Differences in yield were observed among varieties. However, all
Isokinetic assessment of extensor and flexor muscles of the knee joint in patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction treated by the LARS method – preliminary report

Introduction: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is aimed at restoration of the function of the knee joint. Aim of the research: Isokinetic assessment of the extensor and flexor muscles of the knee joint in patients treated using the LARS method within the period of 3–5 years after surgery, compared to healthy individuals. Material and methods: The group consisted of 40 patients. Each group included 20 persons: study group and control group. The study group included patients who had undergone LARS surgery. The control group comprised healthy individuals. The patients completed a questionnaire containing the respondents’ particulars. The second part of the study covered isokinetic tests performed using the Biodex System 4. Results: No statistically significant differences were found between the values of the isokinetic parameters for the operated extremity in the study group, compared to the results obtained in the control group, for the total number of subjects in the study. Statistically significant differences were observed between the flexors peak torque/BW (p = 0.001) and extensors peak torque/BW (p = 0.012) for operated and non-operated lower extremities. Conclusions: Despite muscle strength deficit in the operated limb in patients treated using the LARS method, the strength of flexors and extensors remained on the level of the healthy population examined. The duration of rehabilitation was too short to assess the effect of the type of rehabilitation on muscle strength parameters of the knee joint flexors and extensors. In order to determine the effect of the selected variables on muscle strength parameters, studies should be conducted in a larger population sample.
Distance from migratory honey bee apiary effects on community of insects visiting flowers of pumpkin.

Honey bee, Apis mellifera L. , plays a fundamental role in ecosystems through pollination, not only in feral plant communities but also in agricultural fields, where honey bees increase production and improve crop quality. Nevertheless, the relative importance of honey bees as a pollinator, an important task of honey bees in agricultural fields, remains unknown for most crops. Many Japanese beekeepers transfer their bees during summer to central Hokkaido in northernmost Japan because of its ample flowers. To reveal the relative abundance of honey bee as flower visiting insects in central Hokkaido agricultural fields, we examined the community of flower visiting insects at 14 fields growing pumpkins, Cucurbita maxima Duchesne, and the affecting factors of the community. Most flower visiting insects (93.7%) captured in pumpkin flowers were honey bees. Bumblebees (Bombus diversus tersatus Smith, Bombus hypocrita sapporoensis Cockerell), other bees (Lasioglossum sibiriacum Bluthgen), and hoverflies (Syritta pipiens L., Sphaerophoria indiana Bigot) were main non-Apis flower visiting insects. Rates of visits by honey bees and by all flower visiting insects to pumpkin flowers were negatively related with the distance separating the pumpkin fields from apiaries (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, respectively, GLMM). No significant negative relation between the number of honey bee visits and those of other flower visiting insects was detected (P = 0.20, GLMM), suggesting that honey bees do not compete with other flower visiting insects for pumpkin flowers. These results suggest that bees transferred to Hokkaido were the most common flower visiting insects in pumpkin fields of Hokkaido, and that the smaller the distance from the apiary to pumpkin field becomes, the more honey bees and more increased pumpkin production can be anticipated.
Ferritin Level in Pre and Postmenopausal Women Attending Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto

Healthy individuals possess 3-4g of iron in his/her iron store, mostly in haemoglobin (oxygen-carrying pigment of blood) which is the most essential requirement of blood. Ferritin is a ubiquitous intracellular protein that stores iron and releases it in a controlled fashion. Serum ferritin is an indirect marker of the total amount of iron stored in the body and hence is used as a diagnostic marker for iron deficiency anaemia. This study was carried out to determine the level of serum ferritin in pre-and postmenopausal women attending Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto. The study was conducted among one hundred and fifty women (75 premenopausal and 75 postmenopausal) with mean age 43.99±19.22. The age range for premenopausal and postmenopausal women was 18-49 and 50-87 years respectively. The serum ferritin levels were compared among the premenopausal and postmenopausal subjects. The serum ferritin was significantly higher among postmenopausal women 47.38 ± 43.00 compared to premenopausal women 21.96 ± 20.15 (p=0.01). The prevalence of anaemia based on serum ferritin level was higher among premenopausal women (8.7%) compared to postmenopausal women (2.7%). Low ferritin level <3.5ng/ml was higher among Hausa /Fulani (6.02%) compared to other ethnic groups. The difference however was not statistically significant (p=0.91). Low ferritin level was higher among premenopausal women in the 25-34 years age group compared to other age groups. This study has shown that anaemia based on serum ferritin level of <3.5ng/ml was significantly higher among premenopausal compared to postmenopausal women. Ferritin level <3.5ng/ml was higher among Hausa /Fulani (6.02%) and among premenopausal women in the 25-34 years age group. Serum ferritin should be used for the diagnosis and monitoring of iron deficiency anaemia in pre-and postmenopausal women. Ferritin level of <3.5ng/ml should be used as cutoff for the diagnosis of depleted iron store.
Diagnosis, Risk Factors, and Management of Sacral and Pelvic Fractures After Instrumented Lumbar Fusions: A Systematic Review

Study Design: Systematic literature review. Objectives: To evaluate risk factors, diagnosis, and management of sacral and pelvic fractures (SPFs) after instrumented fusions. Methods: A systematic review following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines was performed using the PubMed database. Articles with patients with an SPF after a lumbar instrumented fusion were included. The articles addressing specifically proximal junctional kyphosis were excluded. Eleven small cases series (level of evidence IV) were reviewed. Results: The incidence of SPF was 1.86% in one study. The risk factors reported were elderly patients, multilevel surgery, long fusions stopping at L5 or S1 instead of the ilium, osteoporosis, obesity, and sagittal imbalance. Computed tomography scan was the preferential image modality for diagnosing. Nonsurgical treatment may be used in patients with tolerable pain and nondisplaced fracture. Persistent pain was an indication for surgery, as well as fracture displacement. The most common surgical treatment reported was an extension of the fusion to the iliac using iliac screws. Conclusion: SPFs after lumbar instrumented fusion are rare but clinically meaningful complications. The risk factors, diagnosis, and management of SPFs are described in our review.
The role of imaging in percutaneous laser ablation therapy of small breast cancers

Received: March 02, 2018; Accepted: March 19, 2018; Published: March 22, 2018 Percutaneous laser ablation therapy is a potential nonsurgical minimally invasive alternative to lumpectomy in the treatment of small, early stage breast cancers. Focal tumor destruction is accomplished following insertion of a laser fiber into the targeted cancer center. The intense light created by the laser fiber is converted to thermal energy, which heats the surrounding tissue. Immediate tissue destruction is caused by direct heat injury. Secondary tumor cell damage occurs by indirect heat injury, which produces progressive tissue damage in the form of tissue vaporization, microvascular damage, tissue necrosis, and immune cell activation.
Elucidating the endocrine therapy experience of South Carolina breast cancer survivors.

186Background: Literature consistently shows high discontinuation and non-adherence rates for patients taking endocrine therapy (ET) for breast cancer treatment. The aim of this study is to understand from the breast cancer survivor perspective which modifiable aspects have the greatest impact on the likelihood of ET continuation. Methods: Twenty-two hormone receptor-positive breast cancer survivors under age 64 who had been prescribed ET since 2000 were recruited for participation in focus groups conducted in four South Carolina locations. Qualitative data analysis was completed by a three-member team using an inductive narrative approach. Themes were examined by participant decision to continue or discontinue ET. Results: Participants’ conversations centered around a quality of life cost-benefit analysis that they felt was unique to the individual and could not be generalized by providers. Main themes included the significance of the patient/provider relationship, the desire for a more holistic approach.
Optimizing Squat Technique—Revisited

ABSTRACT THE BACK SQUAT IS THE CORNERSTONE OF MANY STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING PROGRAMS, WITH INCREASES IN BACK SQUAT STRENGTH ASSOCIATED WITH IMPROVEMENTS IN ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE. A VARIETY OF BACK SQUAT TECHNIQUES HAVE BEEN DESCRIBED THROUGHOUT THE LITERATURE AND CAN BE OBSERVED ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND IN STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING FACILITIES, WITH NO CURRENT CONSENSUS REGARDING OPTIMAL TECHNIQUE. BASED ON CURRENTLY AVAILABLE EVIDENCE, A FULL DEPTH SQUAT, WITH A NATURAL FOOT POSITION, APPROXIMATELY SHOULDER-WIDTH APART, WITH UNRESTRICTED ANTERIOR MOVEMENT OF THE KNEES, AN UPRIGHT TRUNK, WITH A FORWARD AND UPWARD GAZE IS RECOMMENDED. THESE RECOMMENDATIONS SHOULD PERMIT INDIVIDUALIZATION BASED ON INDIVIDUAL ANTHROPOMETRICS. FOR A VIDEO ABSTRACT OF THIS ARTICLE, SEE SUPPLEMENTAL DIGITAL CONTENT 1 SEE VIDEO, HTTP://LINKS.LWW. COM/SCJ/A241.
Myocardial infarction in Fabry disease – misfortune or companion? Case report and review of the literature (RCD code: III‑3B.2)

We discuss a 56‑year‑old man with Fabry disease (FD), a genetic X‑linked glycolipid storage disorder. The patient presented at the Emergency Room in a local hospital due to tachycardia‑associated chest pain, which had occurred occasionally in the past, but on that occasion was long‑lasting (>12h) and distressing. The patient had been diagnosed with FD at the age of 42. He presented a range of symptoms characteristic for the condition, including hypertrophic cardiac myopathy with impaired left ventricular relaxation, angiokeratomas, cornea verticillata, hypohydrosis and acroparesthesia. Residual alpha‑galactosidase A activity at diagnosis was ≈3%. The Enzyme Replacement Therapy (ERT) with the agalsidase alpha was induced. A year later pacemaker implantation was performed due to sick sinus syndrome with symptomatic, severe episodes of bradycardia. The initial diagnosis was tachycardia‑associated chest pain with troponin release in the context of FD left ventricular hypertrophy. However, a decision was made to perform an urgent angiographic evaluation to exclude coronary pathology as a potential factor in the clinical picture. Coronary angiography showed a critical, flow-limiting, stenosis of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) which changed the initial type 2 myocardial infarction (MI) diagnosis to the type 1 MI. Percutaneous stent‑assisted treatment was performed with an optimal angiographic and clinical outcome. However, 5 days later the patient developed a minor left hemispheric ischaemic stroke. In conclusion, the clinical course of a rare pathology such as FD may be importantly complicated by other (more common) pathologies. Physicians, in their diagnostic and therapeutic decision‑making, need to be open to thinking beyond the patient label. JRCD 2018; 3 (7): 246–252
Nutritional Status of Schoolchildren with Hookworm Infection in Tha Sala District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the nutritional status of 214 primary schoolchildren, age 7 to11 years old with moderate and heavy hookworm infection enrolled in a drug trial comparing theefficacy of Nitazoxanide and Albendazole during February-March 2005 in Tha Sala District, Nakhon SiThammarat Province, Thailand. One hundred twety-two schoolchildren (57.0%) had moderate hookworminfection with a mean egg count of 3,878 eggs/gram. Ninety-two schoolchildren (43.0%) had heavyhookworm infection with a mean egg count of 14,347 eggs/gram. Heights and weights were measuredat enrollment. The indices used for nutritional status assessment were weight for age, height for age, andweight for height compared with the reference criteria for Thai children. 22.1% of schoolchildren withmoderate hookworm infestation were underweight, 73% had normal weight and 4.9% were overweight.30. 3% of these children had a below average height, 66.4% had a normal height and 3.3% had an aboveaverage height. When evaluating weight for height, 9% were below average 85.2% were normal and 5.7%were above average. In schoolchildren with a heavy hookworm infection, 29.3% were underweight, 69.6%had a normal weight and 1.1% were overweight. 39.1% of these children had a below average height,59.8% had a normal height and 1.1% had an above average height. When evaluating weight for height,13% were below normal, 82.6% were normal and 4% were above normal. One-third of schoolchildrenwith moderate to heavy hookworm infestation were shorter than average for their age. This may reflectlong term nutritional deficiency due to parasitic infestation leading to stunted growth. Yearly stoolexaminations, appropriate anti-helminthic treatment and nutritional supplementation are recommendedto improve growth and development of children in hook worm endemic areas. Keywords: nutritional status, school children, hookworm infection, stunting growth
The role of macrophages in human erythropoiesis

Despite the many donors who donate blood, for some patients it is difficult to find compatible blood. In addition, a low but prevalent risk of bloodborne pathogens is associated with donor blood. Especially patients in need of chronic transfusions are at risk of developing alloantigens to unmatched blood groups and exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Therefore, research to in vitro cultured, specific blood group-expressing erythrocytes is essential to forfeit these donor blood-associated risks. Erythropoiesis to erythrocytes can, to some extent, be recapitulated without any feeder cells, however, bone marrow erythropoiesis is occurring on specific macrophages. The research in this thesis aimed to optimize erythroid cell cultures by focusing on the supporting macrophages. We showed that CD14+ cells isolated from PBMC increase HSC survival early during erythroid culture by the secretion of specific factors. This eventually resulted in increased erythroid yield. With this knowledge, a new three-stage culture method was designed to produce large amounts of cultured red blood cells (cRBC) from PBMC under GMP-conditions. This allows clinical trials to test the functionality of transfused cRBC and investigate the usability of cRBC as a transfusion product. To study the interaction between macrophages and erythroid cells, we described a culture method using glucocorticoids to differentiate CD14+ monocytes towards erythroid-supporting macrophages. These in vitro glucocorticoid-macrophages shared phenotypical and morphological features with their in vivo counterparts. In addition, their proteomic landscape was comparable to human fetal liver and adult bone marrow macrophages, thus providing a convenient human model system.
Mitigating cavitation erosion using biomimetic gas-entrapping microtextured surfaces (GEMS)

Insect-inspired surfaces repel bubble jets. Cavitation refers to the formation and collapse of vapor bubbles near solid boundaries in high-speed flows, such as ship propellers and pumps. During this process, cavitation bubbles focus fluid energy on the solid surface by forming high-speed jets, leading to damage and downtime of machinery. In response, numerous surface treatments to counteract this effect have been explored, including perfluorinated coatings and surface hardening, but they all succumb to cavitation erosion eventually. Here, we report on biomimetic gas-entrapping microtextured surfaces (GEMS) that robustly entrap air when immersed in water regardless of the wetting nature of the substrate. Crucially, the entrapment of air inside the cavities repels cavitation bubbles away from the surface, thereby preventing cavitation damage. We provide mechanistic insights by treating the system as a potential flow problem of a multi-bubble system. Our findings present a possible avenue for mitigating cavitation erosion through the application of inexpensive and environmentally friendly materials.
Gene expression in wild-type and MyoD-null satellite cells: regulation of activation, proliferation, and myogenesis

Regeneration is the process of renewal or repair of damaged cells and tissue. In skeletal muscle, regeneration is accomplished by satellite cells, which are rare, mononucleate, mitotically quiescent myogenic precursor cells normally present in undamaged muscle tissue. When stimulated by injury, overuse, or disease, satellite cells will become activated to proliferate and form a pool of replacement myoblasts which will differentiate to replace necrotic muscle fibers. These cells may also have the quality of self-renewal associated with stem cells. Due mainly to technical difficulties caused by their rarity, difficulty of isolation, and lack of identifying markers, satellite cells have not been as well studied as other myogenic cells. Here I present work in which I establish a reliable means of isolating and culturing mouse satellite cells resident on single explanted myofibers; a molecular marker for satellite cells which also yields information about their mechanism of activation, and a method of multiplex single-cell RT-PCR which allows simultaneous detection of six genes from a single satellite cell. Using these techniques, I have determined the temporal coexpression pattern of the four myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs) in single activated satellite cells over the first four days of a regeneration response in vitro. I have also assayed satellite cell cDNA pools for expression of genes important in regulating myogenesis, cell cycling, and cell fate decisions in other myogenic lineages. Finally, I have performed these analyses on MyoD-null satellite cells, which are differentiation-deficient in vivo , and present possible mechanisms for this based on gene expression; this analysis also suggested a potential marker for activated satellite cells which will return to the reserve satellite cell population and may act as myogenic stem cells.