We address a long-standing debate regarding the finite-size scaling of the Ising model in high dimensions, by introducing a random-length random walk model, which we then study rigorously. We prove that this model exhibits the same universal FSS behaviour previously conjectured for the self-avoiding walk and Ising model on finite boxes in high-dimensional lattices. Our results show that the mean walk length of the random walk model controls the scaling behaviour of the corresponding Green's function. We numerically demonstrate the universality of our rigorous findings by extensive Monte Carlo simulations of the Ising model and self-avoiding walk on five-dimensional hypercubic lattices with free and periodic boundaries.

Renal tissues from 43 of 49 children with hepatitis B virus-associated glomerulonephritis (HBV-GN) were examined for HBV DNA by in situ hybridization (ISH) assay within the last 10 years. HBV DNA was identified in 41 of the 43 cases (95.3%). HBV DNA was distributed generally in the nucleus and cytoplasm of epithelial cells and mesangial cells of glomeruli, and epithelial cells of renal tubules. HBV DNA also existed simultaneously in renal interstitial tissues in some of these cases. The positive results from HBV DNA ISH correlated well with HBV antigen assays. The analyses implied that the more extensive the existence of HBV DNA in the nephron unit and interstitial tissue, the more severe the clinical manifestation. The duration of proteinuria in cases with HBV DNA in renal tubules was much longer than in those with no HBV DNA in renal tubules. The persistence of the HBV genome or genes in the kidney could lead to the expression of viral antigens in renal tissues and might cause cellular pathological alteration. This would support utilization of antiviral therapy, such as cytokines, in the treatment of HBV-GN.

Abiotic stresses are the primary threat to crop production across the globe. Drought stress is primary abiotic stress which is considerably limiting the global rice production and putting the food security at higher risks. Drought tolerance (DT) is a multigene trait which is influenced by various stages of development in rice plant. Tolerance as well as susceptibility of rice to drought stress is carried out by different drought-response genes and other components of stress. Plant researchers have used various methods such as, genetic manipulation and marker-assisted techniques for development of new rice cultivars with improved tolerance to drought stress. The aims of this review are to present recent advancements and illustrate current approaches to breed a robust drought-resistant rice genotypes by using classical breeding and advanced molecular techniques. We also shed light on all available information regarding the role of significant hormones in DT, QTL for drought-related traits, QTL for rice yield, global strategies for the improvement of DT in rice, DT genes, and selection supported by markers.

Azole resistance in the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans poses significant challenges for its antibiotic treatment. The conformational change of the target enzyme 14 alpha-demethylase (Erg11p) due to ERG11 gene mutations is one of the mechanisms resulting in the azole resistance. ERG11 of 23 isolates (8 susceptible and 15 resistant) and 6 standard strains of Candida albicans were amplified and sequenced. Nineteen missense mutations were detected. Two mutations, G487T (A114S) and T916C (Y257H), coexisted exclusively in 14 fluconazole-resistant isolates. To identify the resistance mechanisms in the isolates with G487T and T916C mutations, we compared the expression of 5 resistance-related genes in the 14 azole-resistant isolates with those in the susceptible type strain ATCC 10231, Saccharomyces cerevisiae AD/CDR1 and AD/CDR2. The tested values of mRNA transcription of CDR1 and CDR2 were higher than that of control strain, while the semi-quantified Cdr1p values were not higher in all of the 14 resistant isolates. And the data analyzed with t test suggest that both of the differences are significant (P < 0.0005) when the resistant isolates are considered as a whole. Cdr2p was up-regulated in 5 isolates, and down-regulated or even undetectable in the remaining 9 isolates. The transcription of ERG11, MDR1, and FLU1 varied in these isolates. These data suggested that overexpression of the five genes might not be the reason of resistance in the 14 isolates with G487T and T916C, especially in the 5 isolates (GZ09, GZ15, GZ16, GZ58, and 4263) in which neither translation of Cdr1p/Cdr2p nor transcription of ERG11, MDR1, or FLU1 was detected up-regulated. The results suggest that Erg11p conformational change due to the point mutations is most likely responsible for the azole resistance in these isolates.