Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
AN EXPANDED ROLE FOR THE TWN 1 GENE IN EMBRYOGENESIS : DEFECTS IN COTYLEDON PATTERN AND MORPHOLOGY IN THE TWN 1 MUTANT OF A RABIDOPSIS ( BRASSICACEAE ) 1

The suspensor is a specialized basal structure that differentiates early in plant embryogenesis to support development of the embryo proper. Suspensor differentiation in Arabidopsis is maintained in part by the TWIN1 (TWN1) gene, which suppresses embryogenic development in suspensor cells: twn1 mutants produce supernumerary embryos via suspensor transformation. To better understand mechanisms of suspensor development and further investigate the function of TWN1, we have characterized late-embryo and postembryonic development in the twn1 mutant, using seedling culture, microscopy, and genetics. We report here that the twn1 mutation disrupts cotyledon number, arrangement, and morphology and occasionally causes partial conversion of cotyledons into leaves. These defects are not a consequence of suspensor transformation. Thus, in addition to its basal role in suspensor differentiation, TWN1 influences apical pattern and morphology in the embryo proper. To determine whether other genes can similarly affect both suspensor and cotyledon development, we looked for twinning in Arabidopsis mutants previously identified by their abnormal cotyledon phenotypes. One such mutant, amp1, produced a low frequency of twin embryos by suspensor transformation. Our results suggest that mechanisms that maintain suspensor identity also function later in development to influence organ formation at the embryonic shoot apex. We propose that TWN1 functions in cell communication pathways that convey local positional information in both the apical and basal regions of the Arabidopsis embryo.
Fine structure of the dorsal ocellus of the worker honeybee

The three dorsal ocelli of worker honeybees have been studied by light and electron microscopy. Each ocellus has a single flattened spheroidal lens and about 800 elongated retinular cells. Retinular cells are paired and form a two‐part plate‐like rhabdom between their distal processes. Each rhabdomere comprises parallel microvilli projecting laterally from the apposed retinular cells. Primary receptor cell axons synapse within the ocellus with ocellar nerve fibers of two different calibers. Each ocellus has eight thick fibers ca 10 m̈m in diameter and several thinner ones less than 3 m̈m in diameter. Fine structural evidence suggests that retinular axons end presynaptically on both types of ocellar nerve fibers. Since all retinular cells apparently synapse repeatedly with the thick fibers this involves a convergence of about 100:1. Thick fibers always terminate postsynaptically within the ocellus while thin fibers terminate presynaptically on other thin fibers, thick fibers or retinular axons. Structural evidence for synaptic polarization indicates that retinular cells and thick fibers are afferent, thin fibers efferent. Thus complex processing of the ocellar visual input can occur before the secondary neurons of the three ocelli converge to form the single short ocellar nerve which runs to the posterior forebrain.
Hepatitis B infection in patients with lymphomas

This paper reviewed the clinical characteristics and treatment outcome of 484 lymphoma patients with known hepatitis B status. Comparisons were made between the hepatitis B surface antigen positive and negative patients. Also, the effect of treatment for lymphomas, including cytotoxic chemotherapy, in the hepatitis B antigen positive patients were analysed. The hepatitis B status was determined in 484 Chinese lymphoma patients at the time of initial diagnosis. Hepatic complications occurring during therapy for lymphomas were analysed. Although our lymphoma patients had a similar prevalence of hepatitis B markers of 42 per cent, they had a strikingly higher positive rate of 22 per cent for hepatitis B surface antigen and a relatively lower positive rate of 20 per cent for antibody, as compared to the respective figures of 9.5 per cent and 33 per cent in the control population. The hepatitis B surface antigen positive patients were younger than the negative patients but their treatment outcomes were similar despite the higher incidence of hepatic complications (21 per cent) in the hepatitis B surface antigen positive patients during therapy for lymphomas. None of the clinical parameters analysed appeared to be useful in predicting the development of these complications which included fatal liver failure (5.7 per cent), icteric hepatitis (5.7 per cent) and anicteric hepatitis (9.5 per cent). The high prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen in our lymphoma patients may be related to the immunosuppressive effect of lymphomas. There is no definite evidence to suggest that hepatitis B infection has an aetiological or promoting role in the pathogenesis of lymphomas. Hepatitis B infection has contributed to the high incidence of hepatic complications during therapy for lymphomas and possible ways of prevention need to be investigated.
Physical activity and depressive symptoms among Norwegian adults aged 20-50.

INTRODUCTION To analyze the association between physical activity (PA) and occurrence of depressive symptoms in The Nord-Trøndelag Health Survey (HUNT 1 1984-1986, HUNT 2 1995-1997). METHODS In this prospective follow-up study, we studied men and women who were 21-40 years old in HUNT 1, and participated in HUNT 2. The sample consisted of 3,353 women and 3,308 men. We used logistic regression and calculated odds ratios (OR) to assess the association between physical activity and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale depression subscale [HADS-D]). Confounding was addressed by excluding those with relevant health conditions and adjustment. RESULTS Among women 272 (8.1%) and among men 293 (8.9%) scored higher than 8 on the HADS-D scale. We found a higher mean on HADS-D in men and women who were inactive. Men participating in low PA had significantly lower scores on depression (OR=0.63, confidence interval [CI]=0.43-0.93, p=.02) than inactive men. Women participating in medium PA had significantly lower scores on depression (OR=0.69, CI=0.49-0.97, p=.03) than inactive women. CONCLUSIONS Young men and women who exercised were less likely to have a high depression score, compared with inactive people. Our prospective, observational study included a large population and indicated some significant associations between physical activity and depression.
Fatigue in inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND Inflammatory bowel disease is comprised mainly of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. The prevalence of fatigue and its associations with different cofactors vary between studies. The aim of this article is to describe the extent of fatigue in inflammatory bowel disease, the factors that are most commonly associated with fatigue, and its treatment. We will also discuss challenges for future research on fatigue in inflammatory bowel disease. METHOD We conducted literature searches in the Ovid Medline and The Cochrane Library databases using combinations of the keywords «inflammatory bowel diseases», «inflammatory bowel disease*», «IBD», «crohn*», «colitis», «fatigue», «fatigue manage» and «fatigue treat». The search was limited to articles published in the period 2000 – 15. RESULTS Of the 156 articles identified, 28 were included in the review. Collectively, the studies used 13 different instruments for measuring fatigue and 11 measures of disease activity. Fatigue occurs more frequently in those who suffer from inflammatory bowel disease (22 – 77 %) than in the general population (2 – 12 %). Active disease and depression are associated with higher levels of fatigue. INTERPRETATION Fatigue is a significant problem in inflammatory bowel disease. The use of differing measures of fatigue and of disease activity in heterogeneous study populations has contributed to variability in data on prevalence and possible risk factors.
Impact of Future Trends on Banking Services

This paper looks into long term future trends by providing a literature review and analysis of future studies. The future trends include long spanning megatrends in addition to shorter term forecasts of the forthcoming phenomena. Based on the analysis, some key trends are recognized based on their potential impact on banking services. The key trends are analyzed and discussed for their impact on future banking services. Finally, we draw some conclusions of the main development directions in banking.
Imaging Powders with the Atomic Force Microscope: From Biominerals to Commercial Materials

Atomically resolved images of pressed powder samples have been obtained with the atomic force microscope (AFM). The technique was successful in resolving the particle, domain, and atomic structure of pismo clam (Tivela stultorum) and sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) shells and of commercially available calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and strontium carbonate (SrCO3) powders. Grinding and subsequent pressing of the shells did not destroy the microstructure of these materials. The atomic-resolution imaging capabilities of AFM can be applied to polycrystalline samples by means of pressing powders with a grain size as small as 50 micrometers. These results illustrate that the AFM is a promising tool for material science and the study of biomineralization.
Prolyl carboxypeptidase: a forgotten kidney angiotensinase. Focus on "Identification of prolyl carboxypeptidase as an alternative enzyme for processing of renal angiotensin II using mass spectrometry".

hypertension, which affects one-third of the population, is commonly treated with inhibitors of ANG II production or action, as this hormone triggers vasoconstriction and raises extracellular volume by increasing sodium reabsorption along the nephron. ANG II, an octapeptide [ANG-(1–8)], emanates
ANGIOTENSIN CONVERTING ENZYME GENE POLYMORPHISMS IN CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE- A CONTROVERSIAL ROLE

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most prevalent cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It is a multifactorial disease, which is influenced by genetic and environmental factors. The major risk factors of CAD are age, male gender, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, smoking, family history of CAD and obesity. Genetic factors add further information in predicting CAD. The relationship between genetic risk factors and the development of CAD is not well understood, likely due to the complex interrelation of genetic and environmental risk factors. One of the currently explored genetic factors is angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) polymorphisms, which may have an influence on the progression of coronary artery disease. We present the results of several recently published studies (2012,2013) on the association between traditional cardiovascular risk factors and novel genetic risk factors (polymorphisms of ACE gene: insertions/deletions). The results of these studies are controversial. Most of them show an association between DD polymorphisms and D allele and the severity of stenotic coronary lesions, evaluated using the Gensini score (Gensini>6). However, others found no association. These differences may be due to geographical discrepancies, ethnical characteristics, small number of subjects included and variability of used techniques. We can therefore draw the conclusion that an international study on a large number of patients, using the same technique for genetic determination and the same statistical software should be performed.
Pricing and Liquidity in Decentralized Asset Markets

I develop a search‐and‐bargaining model of endogenous intermediation in over‐the‐counter markets. Unlike the existing work, my model allows for rich investor heterogeneity in three simultaneous dimensions: preferences, inventories, and meeting rates. By comparing trading‐volume patterns that arise in my model and are observed in practice, I argue that the heterogeneity in meeting rates is the main driver of intermediation patterns. I find that investors with higher meeting rates (i.e., fast investors) are less averse to holding inventories and more attracted to cash earnings, which makes the model corroborate a number of stylized facts that do not emerge from existing models: (i) fast investors provide intermediation by charging a speed premium, and (ii) fast investors hold more extreme inventories. Then, I use the model to study the effect of trading frictions on the supply and price of liquidity. On social welfare, I show that the interaction of meeting rate heterogeneity with optimal inventory management makes the equilibrium inefficient. I provide a financial transaction tax/subsidy scheme that corrects this inefficiency, in which fast investors cross‐subsidize slow investors.
Lipid dynamics in the plasma membrane of ram and bull spermatozoa after washing and exposure to macromolecules BSA and PVP

Seminal plasma proteins and macromolecules in the external medium have a major influence on the functionality of sperm plasma membranes. In this investigation we have examined their effects on lipid diffusion in the surface membrane of ram and bull spermatozoa as measured by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP). Results show that progressive removal of seminal plasma from ram spermatozoa by repeated centrifugation and resuspension in media ± 4% bovine serum albumin (BSA) or 0.4% polyvinlypyrrolidone (PVP) causes a reduction in lipid diffusion in all regions of the membrane. By contrast, bull sperm membranes respond with an increase in diffusion in all regions. Repeated washing of bull spermatozoa whose membranes were previously immobile (i.e., showed no recovery after FRAP) restored lipid diffusion suggesting an inhibitory effect of seminal plasma proteins. Further analysis by atomic force microscopy revealed a close association between BSA and the plasma membrane. It is concluded that diffusion of lipids in the plasma membrane of ejaculated ram and bull spermatozoa is influenced by seminal plasma proteins and the composition of the suspending medium. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 59:306–313, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Infective endocarditis: a review of the best treatment options

Despite significant advances in antimicrobial therapy and an enhanced ability to diagnose and treat complications, infective endocarditis is still associated with substantial morbidity and mortality today, and its incidence has not decreased over the past decades. This apparent paradox may be explained by a progressive change in risk factors, leading to an evolution in its epidemiological and clinical features. In fact, new risk factors for endocarditis have emerged, such as intravenous drug abuse, diffusion of heart surgery procedures and prosthetic valve implantation, atherosclerotic valve disease in elderly patients, and nosocomial disease. Recently identified microorganisms (including Bartonella spp., Abiotrophia defectiva, and the HACEK group of bacteria [including Haemophilus spp., Actinobacillus spp., Cardiobacterium hominis, Eikenella corrodens and Kingella kingae]) are sometimes the cause of culture-negative endocarditis, and emerging resistant bacteria (such as methicillin- or vancomycin-resistant Staphylococci and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci) are becoming a new challenge for conventional antibiotic therapy. New therapeutic approaches need to be developed for the treatment of infective endocarditis caused by drug-resistant Gram-positive cocci, and some antimicrobial compounds recently introduced in clinical practice (such as streptogramins and oxazolidinones) may be an effective alternative, but further clinical studies are needed in order to confirm their effectiveness and safety. This review should help redefine the best therapeutic and preventive strategies against infective endocarditis.
Immunodominance in major histocompatibility complex class I-restricted T lymphocyte responses.

Of the many thousands of peptides encoded by a complex foreign antigen that can potentially be presented to CD8+ T cells (TCD8+), only a small fraction induce measurable responses in association with any given major histocompatibility complex class I allele. To design vaccines that elicit optimal TCD8+ responses, a thorough understanding of this phenomenon, known as immunodominance, is imperative. Here we review recent progress in unraveling the molecular and cellular basis for immunodominance. Of foremost importance is peptide binding to class I molecules; only approximately 1/200 of potential determinants bind at greater than the threshold affinity (Kd > 500 nM) associated with immunogenicity. Limitations in the TCD8+ repertoire render approximately half of these peptides nonimmunogenic, and inefficient antigen processing further thins the ranks by approximately four fifths. As a result, only approximately 1/2000 of the peptides in a foreign antigen expressed by an appropriate antigen presenting cell achieve immunodominant status with a given class I allele. A roughly equal fraction of peptides have subdominant status, i.e. they induce weak-to-nondetectable primary TCD8+ responses in the context of their natural antigen. Subdominant determinants may be expressed at or above levels of immunodominant determinants, at least on antigen presenting cells in vitro. The immunogenicity of subdominant determinants is often limited by immunodomination: suppression mediated by TCD8+ specific for immunodominant determinants. Immunodomination is a central feature of TCD8+ responses, as it even occurs among clones responding to the same immunodominant determinant. Little is known about how immunodominant and subdominant determinants are distinguished by the TCD8+ repertoire, or how (and why) immunodomination occurs, but new tools are available to address these questions.
Cost and benefit analysis of bio energy alternatives in India

As a move towards sustainable low carbon growth, there are number of mitigation measures like energy efficiency, fuel switch, technologies and demand management which have been identified to reduce green house gas emission. The major reduction opportunities of GHGs involve improving the efficiency with which the energy is used and the transition towards alternative sources of energy. The sustainable use of bio energy presents an opportunity to address climate change by reducing fossil based carbon dioxide emissions. Biomass energy sources include: agricultural crops and residues; dedicated energy crops; forestry products and residues; residues and by-products from food, feed, fiber, wood, and materials processing plants, cheese whey; post-consumer residues and wastes, such as fats, greases, oils, construction and demolition wood debris and other urban wood waste, municipal solid wastes and wastewater, and landfill gases. In this backdrop, the present study aims to assess the various bio energy alternatives in India through a cost benefit analysis. Specifically the study will address the cost and benefit associated with bio energy options in urban transport from economic and social perspectives; would help the policy makers to formulate the strategies in term of green energy for low carbon growth.
The Abuse of Anti-Cholinergic Drugs in Adolescents

problem. The use of phenothiazines quite often does not make for easier management because of the side-effects encountered with their use. With oxypertine in doses of 60-100 mg per day, I have found that good control can be obtained in most cases whilst avoiding the side-effects commonly encountered with phenothiazines. This may well be due to the different mode of action of oxypertine compared with the phenothiazines (Van Praag and Korf, 1975). Oxypertine does not block reception sites of catacholamines but depletes presynaptic stores of those transmitters and within a certain dose range, has a predilection for nor-adrenaline (NA) stores having little influence on dopamine or serotonin. It could be argued that the behaviour disturbances of fear, flight and flight type met with in dementia could be due to an imbalance of neurotransmitter substances, in that NA systems became more prominent. If this were so then this could explain the apparent differences in results when using oxypertine as against the phenothiazines. L. G. MEABEY The Central Hospital, Hatton, Warwick CV35 7EE
51Cr Release Assay of Antibody‐Dependent Cell‐Mediated Cytotoxicity (ADCC)

Antibody‐dependent cell‐mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) is an immunologic cytotoxic effector mechanism that is dependent on the cooperative interaction of humoral and cellular effector elements. This unit describes an assay of ADCC activity that can be used as a test for immunocompetence in effector cells or to test the activity of a monoclonal antibody to mediate ADCC. In this form of cytotoxicity, effector cells with receptors for the Fc portion of immunoglobulin produce target cell lysis by attachment to the Fc portion of antibodies that are bound to target cells via their antigen‐combining sites. Therefore, an ADCC assay involves three essential components: labeled target cells, antibodies with specificity for target‐cell surface antigens, and effector‐cell populations. The basic protocol describes a method of measuring ADCC effector activity in lymphoid cells (peripheral blood mononuclear cells, or PBMC) that employs 51Cr‐labeled target cells. The three components are mixed in microtiter‐plate wells and lysis of the target cells is detected by measuring the release of radioactivity into the cell supernatant. Support protocols describe procedures for preparing anti‐target cell antiserum and 51Cr‐labeled target cells.
Drivers, consequences and actions for reverse logistics within the aftermarket A case study of Volvo Group

Companies in the automotive industry cannot neglect the growing importance of the aftermarket as it is one of their main sources of profit. For automotive companies like the analyzed case company, the uptime of the vehicles is of the utmost importance for their customers, and balancing high availability of parts at the right cost is crucial. As the customer demand in the automotive aftermarket is highly stochastic and difficult to foresee, it is almost inevitable to avoid returns and the need for reverse logistics. However, the area of reverse logistics is generally not highly prioritized among industrial companies. Therefore the purpose of the thesis was to find and analyze underlying mechanisms that drive returns and its consequences that it has on the studied case company. This was done in order to find and target appropriate actions towards increasing the control of the reverse flow and reducing the amount of returns. To fulfill the purpose, data was collected from multiple sources; semi-structured interviews, internal documents, workshops and direct observations. The thesis focused on two return categories that contributed to the largest share of returns. It was identified that the current situation had not been evaluated before and that the return rate was higher than expected. It was also found that there were large variations in terms of return volumes both on national level and between dealers operating in the same country. When investigating the Swedish market more thoroughly and comparing the empirical findings with the theory, five drivers of reverse logistics were identified. These were Replenishment setup and performance, Key performance indicators, Return policies, Aftermarket context and return processes and Dealer behavior and planning capabilities. The underlying mechanisms of each driver were then analyzed in order to find appropriate actions. Key actions that the authors found were Improve delivery precision, Change return allowance parameters, Introduce returns vs. sales KPI and Increase communication and collaboration. The presented result of the thesis contributed to an understanding of the current return situation and actions that could be implemented to reduce the amount of returns. Moreover, the result gave valuable insight to the fact that returns could have the same drivers, but the underlying mechanisms and who owns the process to improve it can differ. The result also contributed with a logic that could be used to reduce the amount of returns further within the case company, in similar companies and in other industries.