Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transcription Factors and Regulation of Photosynthetic and Related Metabolism under Environmental Stresses

† Background Environmental conditions, such as water supply, temperature and salinity, strongly affect plant growth and development. Extremes of these conditions (abiotic stresses) adversely affect many different mechanisms associated with plant responses and adaptation to stress: photosynthetic mechanisms, e.g. stomatal control of CO 2 diffusion, photosystem II repair, ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) activity and scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS), are susceptible to damage, and photosynthetic efficiency can be greatly decreased. Responses and adaptations require differential gene expression, which is regulated by specific transcription factors (TFs). † Scope The role and regulation of several TFs involved in abiotic stress response pathways are considered, with emphasis on new findings regarding expression of genes related to both stomatal and non-stomatal limitations to CO 2 photosynthetic assimilation. † Conclusions Many TFs, belonging to different families (e.g. MYB, bZIP and DREB), have been related to abiotic stress responses; however, only a few are known to regulate the expression of photosynthesis-related genes in response to stress. Several TFs belonging to the MYB family play an important role in both stomatal and non-stomatal responses by regulation of stomatal numbers and sizes, and metabolic components, respectively. To obtain more insight into this area of potentially large agronomic impact, it is essential to identify and functionally characterize new TFs that mediate the stress responses regulating the expression of genes associated with photosynthesis and related metabolism.
Distinct Subgroups in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in the NHLBI Registry

Background: The Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Registry (HCMR) is a NHLBI-funded, prospective registry of 2755 patients with HCM recruited from 44 sites in 6 countries. Objectives: To improve risk prediction in HCM by incorporating cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), genetic, and biomarker data. Methods: Demographic and echocardiographic data were collected. Patients underwent CMR including cine imaging, late gadolinium enhancement imaging (LGE, replacement fibrosis) and T1 mapping for measurement of extracellular volume (ECV) as a measure of interstitial fibrosis. Blood was drawn for biomarker (N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide [NTproBNP] and high sensitivity troponin T [cTnT]) and genetic analysis. Results: 2,755 patients were studied. Mean age was 49±11 years, 71% were male, and 17% non-white. Mean ESC risk score was 2.48±0.56. Eighteen % had a resting left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradient ≥30mmHg. Thirty six percent had a sarcomere mutation identified and 50 percent had any LGE. Sarcomere mutation (+) patients were more likely to have reverse septal curvature morphology, LGE, and no significant resting LVOT obstruction. Those that were sarcomere mutation (−), had isolated basal septal hypertrophy, less LGE, and more LVOT obstruction. Interstitial fibrosis was present in segments both with and without LGE. Serum NTproBNP and cTnT levels correlated with increasing LGE and ECV in a graded fashion. Conclusions: The HCMR population has characteristics of low risk HCM. 93% had no or only mild functional limitation. Baseline data separated patients broadly into 2 categories. One group was sarcomere mutation (+), more likely had reverse septal curvature morphology, more fibrosis, but less resting obstruction whereas the other was sarcomere mutation (−), more likely had isolated basal septal hypertrophy with obstruction but less fibrosis. Further follow-up will allow better understanding of these subgroups and development of an improved risk prediction model incorporating all these markers. Condensed Abstract HCMR is a prospective registry of 2755 hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients from 44 sites in 6 countries. Patients underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance including cine imaging, late gadolinium enhancement imaging (LGE), and T1 mapping for measurement of extracellular volume and had blood drawn for biomarkers and genetics. Patients with sarcomere mutations more commonly had LGE and reverse septal curvature morphology but less resting outflow obstruction. Serum biomarkers correlated with the extent of LGE and ECV. Further follow-up will allow development of a useful risk prediction model incorporating these markers.
Zinc and Health: Current Status and Future Directions

The objective of this paper is to provide a current overview of the significance of zinc in human nutrition. To achieve this, the following issues are addressed: (1) the biochemistry and biology of zinc in the context of their relevance to zinc in human nutrition and to our understanding of the complexity and practical importance of human zinc deficiency; (2) the history of our understanding of human zinc deficiency with an emphasis both on its brevity and on notable recent progress; (3) the clinical spectrum of severe zinc deficiency; (4) the lack of ideal biomarkers for milder zinc deficiency states, with the consequent dependence on randomized, placebo-controlled intervention studies to ascertain their prevalence and clinical consequences, including growth delay, diarrhea, pneumonia, other infections, disturbed neuropsychological performance and abnormalities of fetal development; (5) the public health significance of human zinc deficiency in the developing world; (6) reasons for concern and unanswered questions about zinc nutriture in the United States; (7) the need for better understanding of human zinc metabolism and homeostasis (including its limitations) at a molecular, cellular, organ-system and whole body level and of factors that affect zinc bioavailability; and (8) potential strategies for the prevention and management of human zinc deficiency. This review concludes with an emphasis on the immediate need for expanded research in directions that have become increasingly well demarcated and impelling as a result of recent progress, which is summarized in this overview.
Climate change response strategies for agriculture : challenges and opportunities for the 21st century

Agriculture will face significant challenges in the 21st century, largely due to the need to increase global food supply under the declining availability of soil and water resources and increasing threats from climate change. Nonetheless, these challenges also offer opportunities to develop and promote food and livelihood systems that have greater environmental, economic, and social resilience to risk. It is clear that success in meeting these challenges will require both the application of current multidisciplinary knowledge, and the development of a range of technical and institutional innovations. This paper identifies possible climate change responses that address agricultural production at the plant, farm, regional, and global scales. Critical components required for the strategic assessment of adaptation capacity and anticipatory adaptive planning is identified and examples of adaptive strategies for a number of key agricultural sectors are provided. Adaptation must be fully consistent with agricultural rural development activities that safeguard food security and increase the provision of sustainable ecosystem services, particularly where opportunities for additional financial flows may exist, such as payments for carbon sequestration and ecosystem conservation. The authors conclude by making interim recommendations on the practical strategies necessary to develop a more resilient and dynamic world agriculture in the 21st century.
A map of ecologically rational heuristics for uncertain strategic worlds.

The ecological rationality of heuristics has been extensively investigated in the domain of individual decision making. In strategic decision making, however, the focus has been on repeated games, and there is a lack of research on 1-shot games, where opponents and the game itself can vary from one interaction to another. Mapping the performance of simple versus more complex decision policies (or strategies) from the experimental game theory literature is an important first step in this direction. We investigate how 10 policies fare conditional on strategic properties of the games and 2 classes of uncertainty. The strategic properties are the complexity (number of actions) and the degree of harmony (competitiveness) of the games. The first class of uncertainty is environmental (or payoff) uncertainty, arising from missing payoff values. The second class is strategic uncertainty about the type of opponent a player is facing. Policies' performance was measured by 3 criteria: a mean criterion averaging over the whole set of opponent policies, a maxmin criterion capturing the worst-case scenario and another criterion measuring robustness to different distributions of opponent policies. Heuristics performed well and were more robust than complex policies such as pure-strategy Nash equilibria, while simultaneously requiring significantly less information and fewer computational resources. Our ranking of the decision policies' performance was closely aligned to their prevalence in experimental studies of games. In particular, the Level-1 policy, which completely ignores an opponent's payoffs and uses equal weighting to determine the expected payoffs of different actions, exhibited a robust beauty. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
Identification of the Tau phosphorylation pattern that drives its aggregation

Significance In Alzheimer’s disease, the microtubule-associated protein Tau is invariably found in a hyperphosphorylated and aggregated form. Whether (hyper)phosphorylation can drive aggregation is less clear, and no precise phosphorylation pattern leading to aggregation has been described. Combining in vitro phosphorylation assays with purified kinases and a rat brain extract with the analytical power of NMR spectroscopy, we unravel here the phosphorylation pattern of Tau that drives its aggregation. The results point to the importance of this posttranslational modification in Tau's aggregation and suggest orienting therapeutic strategies toward phosphorylated Tau. Determining the functional relationship between Tau phosphorylation and aggregation has proven a challenge owing to the multiple potential phosphorylation sites and their clustering in the Tau sequence. We use here in vitro kinase assays combined with NMR spectroscopy as an analytical tool to generate well-characterized phosphorylated Tau samples and show that the combined phosphorylation at the Ser202/Thr205/Ser208 sites, together with absence of phosphorylation at the Ser262 site, yields a Tau sample that readily forms fibers, as observed by thioflavin T fluorescence and electron microscopy. On the basis of conformational analysis of synthetic phosphorylated peptides, we show that aggregation of the samples correlates with destabilization of the turn-like structure defined by phosphorylation of Ser202/Thr205.
Cenozoic uplift of Europe

Following the diachronous Cretaceous–Neogene onset of seafloor spreading in the northern Atlantic and Arctic oceans, the European passive margin and continental Europe underwent a generalized uplift. This long‐wavelength Cenozoic uplift has been attributed either to mantle plumes and/or to the far‐field compression in the Alps. We suggest an alternative mechanism or concause, where the asthenosphere depleted at the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge was shifted relatively eastward beneath the continent because of the net rotation of the lithosphere. The partial melting at the oceanic ridge leaves the asthenosphere lighter. When migrating beneath the European continental lithosphere, the substitution of the older, denser mantle with the depleted, lighter asthenosphere should have generated an isostatic rebound and associated uplift of about 300–600 m. Dynamic topography exerted by the mantle flowing eastward could have enhanced the uplift process.
Dangers Within: DAMP Responses to Damage and Cell Death in Kidney Disease

The response to exogenous pathogens leads to activation of innate immunity through the release of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and their binding to pattern recognition receptors. A classic example is septic shock where Toll receptor 4 recognizes PAMPs. Although well accepted, this concept does not explain the activation of innate immunity and inflammation occurs with transplantation, autoimmunity, or trauma. Increasingly recognized is that endogenous molecules released by dying cells (damage-associated molecular patterns; DAMPs) activate cellular receptors leading to downstream inflammation. Thus endogenous danger signals and exogenous PAMPs elicit similar responses through seemingly similar mechanisms. Also emerging is our understanding that normal repair processes benefit from dampening the immune response to these endogenous danger molecules. Here we focus on the role of DAMPs and their putative receptors in the pathogenesis of acute and chronic kidney diseases. not include activation of adaptive immunity and tissue repair processes. ( 1 ) The CD24-Siglec pathway can distinguish DAMPs from PAMPs and can suppress DAMP signaling to prevent an unrestrained immune response and excessive collateral tissue damage. 85–87 By interacting with sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectins (Siglec-G (mouse) or Siglec-10 (human)), 157 CD24, a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored molecule (also known as heat-stable antigen) with diverse T-cell homeostatic functions, 158 negatively regulates the TLR- or NLR-mediated immune response to HMGB1 and heat-shock proteins but not PAMPs (LPS or poly(I:C)) perhaps by facilitating association with phosphatases, like SHP-1. 85 ( 2 ) Others suggest that although PAMPs and DAMPs bind to some of the same receptors, interaction with different coreceptors may account for a divergence in downstream effects. 83 ( 3 ) A mechanism for discriminating DAMPs from PAMPs has also been demonstrated for two other cell surface proteins, CD14 (which recognizes DAMPs in the absence of TLR2 and promotes both TLR2-DAMP and TLR2-PAMP responses) and myeloid differentiation protein 2 (MD2; responding to and enhancing only exogenous PAMP responses in complexes with CD14-TLR2 or CD14-TLR4), that form complexes with Toll receptors. 84 ( 4 ) Similarly, biglycan binding and induction of a multireceptor complex with TLR2/4 and purinergic P2 (cid:1) 4 or P2 (cid:1) 7 receptors activates the NLRP3 inflammasome, 57 and this complex may regulate immune cell infiltration and tissue injury in kidneys (not illustrated here). 56
Internal Versus External Electrical Cardioversion of Atrial Arrhythmia in Patients With Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator A Randomized Clinical Trial

Sources of Funding, see page 1068 BACKGROUND: Atrial arrhythmias are common in patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). External shocks and internal cardioversion through commanded ICD shock for electrical cardioversion are used for rhythm-control. However, there is a paucity of data on efficacy of external versus internal cardioversion and on the risk of lead and device malfunction. We hypothesized that external cardioversion is noninferior to internal cardioversion for safety, and superior for successful restoration of sinus rhythm.
Transplantation and Tracking of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells in a Pig Model of Myocardial Infarction: Assessment of Cell Survival, Engraftment and Distribution by Hybrid SPECT-CT Imaging of Sodium Iodide Symporter Trangene Expression

RRaRadididiopharmacacceueutiticacacal l ETETH-H-HPSPSPSI-I-USUSZ,Z, Pauaull ScScheheerrrrer Insnsst,t,t, Vililigegegenn;n; VeVeteteriririnanryry AAAnananaeseseththesesiaiaa S S erererviviviceces -InIternationaal,l, WW Winintetertrrhuhuur,r, S S Swiwiwittztzererlalalndndn;; 7 CCCtr fofoor AApppllieeed BBBioototecechnhnnololoogygy && MMMolleculululaarar M Medede (( (CACACABMBMMMM)M, Abstract: Background - Evaluation of novel cellular therapies in large animal models and patients is currently hampered by the lack of imaging approaches that allow for long term monitoring of viable transplanted cells. In this study sodium iodide symporter (NIS) transgene imaging was evaluated as an approach to follow in vivo survival, engraftment and distribution of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) derivatives in a pig model of myocardial infarction (MI). Methods and Results - Transgenic hiPSCs stably expressing a fluorescent reporter and NIS (NIS pos -hiPSCs) were established. Iodide uptake, efflux and viability of NIS pos -hiPSCs was assessed in vitro . 10 ± 2 days after induction of MI by transient occlusion of the left anterior descending artery, catheter-based intramyocardial injection of NIS pos -hiPSCs guided through 3D NOGA ™ mapping was performed. Dual isotope SPECT-CT imaging was applied using 123 I to follow donor cell survival and distribution, and 99m TC-tetrofosmin for perfusion imaging. In vitro , iodide uptake in NIS pos -hiPSCs was increased 100-fold above non-transgenic controls. In vivo , viable NIS pos -hiPSCs could be visualized for up to 15 weeks. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that hiPSC-derived endothelial cells contributed to vascularisation. Up to 12-15 weeks after transplantation, no teratoma were detected. Conclusions - This study describes for the first time the feasibility of repeated long term in vivo imaging of viability and tissue distribution of cellular grafts in large animals. Moreover, this is the first report demonstrating vascular differentiation and long term engraftment of hiPSCs in a large animal model of MI. NIS pos -hiPSCs represent a valuable tool to monitor and improve current cellular treatment strategies in clinically relevant animal models.
Expression of constitutively activated Akt in the mammary gland leads to excess lipid synthesis during pregnancy and lactation Published, JLR Papers in Press, April 16, 2003. DOI 10.1194/jlr.M300045-JLR200

Expression of constitutively activated Akt in the mammary glands of transgenic mice results in a delay in post-lactational involution. We now report precocious lipid accumulation in the alveolar epithelium of mouse mammary tumor virus-myr-Akt transgenic mice accompanied by a lactation defect that results in a 50% decrease in litter weight over the first 9 days of lactation. Although ductal structures and alveolar units develop normally during pregnancy, cytoplasmic lipid droplets appeared precociously in mammary epithelial cells in early pregnancy and were accompanied by increased expression of adipophilin, which is associated with lipid droplets. By late pregnancy the lipid droplets had become significantly larger than in nontransgenic mice, and they persisted into lactation. The fat content of milk from lactating myr-Akt transgenic mice was 65–70% by volume compared to 25–30% in wild-type mice. The diminished growth of pups nursed by transgenic mothers could result from the high viscosity of the milk and the inability of the pups to remove sufficient quantities of milk by suckling. Transduction of the CIT3 mammary epithelial cell line with a recombinant human adenovirus encoding myr-Akt resulted in an increase in glucose transport and lipid biosynthesis, suggesting that Akt plays an important role in regulation of lipid metabolism.
Mapping oilfield brine-contaminated sites with mid-spatial resolution remotely sensed data

An environmental problem associated with petroleum production is the disposal of brine, which is produced during petroleum exploration and production. Oilfield brine, if improperly handled, transported, and disposed of, can pose a serious threat to surrounding water resources, arable lands, and plant communities. Although field checking of known oilfield brine-contaminated sites is relatively straightforward, the ability to detect and inventory brine-contaminated sites over remote and expansive areas can be time consuming and expensive. A more efficient and cost-effective method is needed to delineate brine-contaminated sites accurately. The chief aim of this project was to test a remote sensing method to map accurately and quantify contaminated oilfield brine sites in west Texas. Landsat ETM+ data of west Texas were obtained, de-correlated with a three-band dataset using principal component analysis (PCA), and classified into brine and non-brine locations using supervised classification with a maximum likelihood classification algorithm. Results show the Landsat ETM+ data is effective in quantifying previously unknown oilfield brine-contaminated areas larger than 2 acres in west Texas. Overall map accuracy was 91.67%, user’s accuracy was 87.50% for brine-contaminated sites, and the kappa statistic was 82.35%. Once contaminated brine sites have been mapped via remote sensing, the spatial location and quantity of the sites can make land reclamation and restoration decisions more timely and cost-effectively compared to traditional ground surveys.
2D and 3D Echocardiography-Derived Indices of Left Ventricular Function and Shape Relationship With Mortality

OBJECTIVES This study hypothesized that left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) and global longitudinal strain (GLS) derived from 3-dimensional echocardiographic (3DE) images would better predict mortality than those obtained by 2-dimensional echocardiographic (2DE) measurements, and that 3DE-based LV shape analysis may have added prognostic value. BACKGROUND Previous studies have shown that both LVEF and GLS derived from 2DE images predict mortality. Recently, 3DE measurements of these parameters were found to be more accurate and reproducible because of independence of imaging plane and geometric assumptions. Also, 3DE analysis offers an opportunity to accurately quantify LV shape. METHODS We retrospectively studied 416 inpatients (60 (cid:1) 18 years of age) referred for transthoracic echocardiography between 2006 and 2010, who had good-quality 2DE and 3DE images were available. Mortality data through 2016 were collected. Both 2DE and 3DE images were analyzed to measure LVEF and GLS. Additionally, 3DE-derived LV endocardial surface information was analyzed to obtain global shape indices (sphericity and conicity) and regional curvature (anterior, septal, inferior, lateral walls). Cardiovascular (CV) mortality risks related to these indices were determined using Cox regression. RESULTS Of the 416 patients, 208 (50%) died, including 114 (27%) CV-related deaths over a mean follow-up period of 5 (cid:1) 3 years. Cox regression revealed that age and body surface area, all 4 LV function indices (2D EF, 3D EF, 2D GLS, 3D GLS), and regional shape indices (septal and inferior wall curvatures) were independently associated with increased risk of CV mortality. GLS was the strongest prognosticator of CV mortality, superior to EF for both 2DE and 3DE analyses, and 2D EF was the weakest among the 4 functional indices. A 1% decrease in GLS magnitude was associated with an 11.3% increase in CV mortality risk.