Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Explorer Functional analysis of bovine TLR 5 and association with IgA responses of cattle following systemic immunisation with H 7 flagella

Flagellin subunits are important inducers of host immune responses through activation of TLR5 when extracellular and the inflammasome if cytosolic. Our previous work demonstrated that systemic immunization of cattle with flagella generates systemic and mucosal IgA responses. The IgA response in mice is TLR5-dependent and TLR5 can impact on the general magnitude of the adaptive response. However, due to sequence differences between bovine and human/murine TLR5 sequences, it is not clear whether bovine TLR5 (bTLR5) is able to stimulate an inflammatory response following interaction with flagellin. To address this we have examined the innate responses of both human and bovine cells containing bTLR5 to H7 flagellin from E. coli O157:H7. Both HEK293 (human origin) and embryonic bovine lung (EBL) cells transfected with bTLR5 responded to addition of H7 flagellin compared to non-transfected controls. Responses were significantly reduced when mutations were introduced into the TLR5-binding regions of H7 flagellin, including an R90T substitution. In bovine primary macrophages, flagellin-stimulated CXCL8 mRNA and secreted protein levels were significantly reduced when TLR5 transcript levels were suppressed by specific siRNAs and stimulation was reduced with the R90T-H7 variant. While these results indicate that the bTLR5 sequence produces a functional flagellin-recognition receptor, cattle immunized with R90T-H7 flagella also demonstrated systemic IgA responses to the flagellin in comparison to adjuvant only controls. This presumably either reflects our findings that R90T-H7 still activates bTLR5, albeit with reduced efficiency compared to WT H7 flagellin, or that other flagellin recognition pathways may play a role in this mucosal response.
Treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder in a nationwide survey of office-based physician practice.

OBJECTIVE This study examined treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in office-based practice. METHODS Data from the 2003– 2010 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, a nationally representative survey of visits to U.S. office-based physicians, were used to examine outpatient visits involving treatment of adults with OCD. RESULTS Among the 316 visits with a diagnosis of OCD, most were to a physician seen previously by the patient (96%), usually a psychiatrist (86%), and most patients (56%) had seen the physician at least six times in the previous year. Most visits included psychotropic medications (84%), most commonly a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) (69%). Visits less commonly included psychotherapy (39%). CONCLUSIONS OCD was predominantly treated by psychiatrists using SRIs, despite the prevalence of OCD in primary care and SRI prescribing practices in that setting. Given the potential shift in OCD treatment patterns after health care reform, research on OCD treatment in primary care is warranted.
Preventive effect of nutritional therapy against postoperative recurrence of Crohn disease, with reference to findings determined by intra-operative enteroscopy

Objective. The aim of this study was to elucidate the predictive value of intra-operative enteroscopy (IOE) and the effect of enteral nutrition (EN) with regard to the postoperative recurrence of Crohn disease (CD). Material and methods. Forty patients requiring surgery for severe intestinal complications of CD were examined by IOE, and the severity of the remnant small intestine was determined. Patients were subclassified into either an EN group (>1,200 kcal/day) or a non-EN group (<1,200 kcal/day) according to the amount of daily EN intake after surgery. Contributions of IOE findings and EN to postoperative recurrence were analysed retrospectively. Results. IOE identified intestinal lesions in 39 patients and active intestinal lesions in 24 patients. The cumulative rate of postoperative recurrence was significantly higher in patients with cobblestone appearance confirmed by IOE (p=0.006). However, other active intestinal lesions were not related to postoperative recurrence. EN reduced the cumulative rate of postoperative recurrence (p=0.017), especially in patients with penetrating type (p=0.005), in patients who did not have colitis (p=0.051) and in patients who did not have active intestinal lesions confirmed by IOE (p=0.02). Conclusions. EN is a prophylactic that prevents the postoperative recurrence of small intestinal CD. Patients with the penetrating type of CD, and those who do not have active lesions in the small intestine according to IOE, are candidates for EN after surgery.
Improvement of Transdermal Delivery of Tetragastrin by Lipophilic Modification with Fatty Acids

The in‐vitro permeability of chemically modified tetragastrin with fatty acids through the rat skin was studied. The permeability of these compounds through intact skin and stripped skin of rat was determined with a Franz‐type diffusion cell. The permeation of tetragastrin across the intact skin was improved by chemical modification with acetic acid and butyric acid. However, tetragastrin and caproyl‐tetragastrin did not permeate across the intact skin up to the end of experiment. The permeation of tetragastrin across the stripped skin was improved by chemical modification, the skin flux of these acyl derivatives being in the order: acetyl > butyroyl > caproyl. The stability of tetragastrin in skin homogenate was also significantly improved by chemical modification with fatty acids.
Activation of Alpha Chymotrypsin by Three Phase Partitioning Is Accompanied by Aggregation

Precipitation of alpha chymotrypsin in the simultaneous presence of ammonium sulphate and t-butanol (three phase partitioning) resulted in preparations which showed self aggregation of the enzyme molecules. Precipitation with increasing amounts of ammonium sulphate led to increasing size of aggregates. While light scattering estimated the hydrodynamic diameter of these aggregates in the range of 242–1124 nm; Nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) gave the value as 130–462 nm. Scanning electron microscopy and gel filtration on Sephadex G-200 showed extensive aggregation in these preparations. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the aggregates had irregular shapes. All the aggregates had about 3× higher catalytic activity than the native enzyme. These aggregates did not differ in λmax of fluorescence emission which was around 340 nm. However, all the aggregates showed higher fluorescence emission intensity. Far-UV and near-UV circular dichroism also showed no significant structural changes as compared to the native molecule. Interestingly, HPLC gel filtration (on a hydroxylated silica column) gave 14 nm as the diameter for all preparations. Light scattering of preparations in the presence of 10% ethylene glycol also dissociated the aggregates to monomers of 14 nm. Both these results indicated that hydrophobic interactions were the driving force behind this aggregation. These results indicate: (1) Even without any major structural change, three phase partitioning led to protein molecules becoming highly prone to aggregation. (2) Different methods gave widely different estimates of sizes of aggregates. It was however possible to reconcile the data obtained with various approaches. (3) The nature of the gel filtration column is crucial and use of this technique for refolding and studying aggregation needs a rethink.
Pressure-induced metallization of ZnSe.

High-pressure studies of the resistivity R of the direct-gap insulator ZnSe were carried out using diamond-anvil cells. The pressure dependence R(P) at 300 K in the pressure range of 0\char21{}20 GPa revealed a drastic drop in the resistance at P=13.5 GPa and upon decompression recovery of the insulating state at 10.5 GPa. From the temperature dependence of the resistance at Pg13.5 GPa it has been concluded that (i) narrow-gap semiconducting and metallic phases coexist in the range 13.5\char21{}15 GPa, and (ii) a pure metallic state, characterized by a positive temperature slope and small resistivity value, exists at Pg17 GPa. The results are discussed in terms of previous optical data and band-structure calculations.
Moment-to-Moment Transfer of Positive Emotions in Daily Life Predicts Future Course of Depression in Both General Population and Patient Samples

Objective Positive affect (PA) is closely linked to prevention of, and recovery from, depression. Previous studies have investigated PA reactivity to pleasant situations with respect to its protective properties in relation to mood disorder. The purpose of this study was to examine, and replicate, whether moment-to-moment transfer of PA in daily life (PA persistence) is relevant to the prediction of future course of depression. Method Individuals from three different studies (one general population sample (n=540), and two patient samples (n=43 and n=50) with matching controls (n=39 and n=21, respectively)) participated in an Experience Sampling Method (ESM) study. Time-lagged multilevel analyses were used to assess the degree of transfer (or persistence) of momentary positive affective states over time, in relation to naturalistic outcome (study 1) or treatment outcome (studies 2 and 3). Depressive symptoms were measured using the Symptom Checklist (SCL-90R) in sample 1 and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) in samples 2 and 3. Results In study 1, participants with greater momentary PA persistence were less likely to show depressive symptoms at follow-up. In study 2, patients were more likely to respond to treatment if they displayed greater momentary PA persistence, particularly in those with recurrent depression. In study 3, patients with greater momentary PA persistence were similarly more likely to respond to treatment, especially when treated with imipramine rather than placebo. Conclusion The ability to transfer PA from one moment to the next is an important factor in the prevention of and recovery from depressive symptoms. Patients with recurrent depression and those who receive antidepressants rather than placebo may benefit most from this effect. The results suggest that treatment-induced improvement in depression is mediated by increased levels of momentary transfer of PA in daily life, acquisition of which may be contingent on duration of exposure to depressive experience.
Boron Oxide Encapsulated Vertical Bridgman Grown CdZnTe Crystals as X-Ray Detector Material

Two-inch-diameter CdZnTe crystals doped with indium were grown by the boron oxide encapsulated vertical Bridgman technique. The crystals showed large single crystalline yield and low etch pit density. The background impurity content was dominated by boron in concentration lower than 1 ppm. High resistivity was obtained and a procedure for contact preparation was developed. The mobility-lifetime product of the material was determined by both X-ray irradiation and photocurrent spectroscopy. The X-ray detector prepared with this material showed good spectroscopic performance.
Dampened Hedgehog signaling but normal Wnt signaling in zebrafish without cilia

Cilia have been implicated in Hedgehog (Hh) and Wnt signaling in mouse but not in Drosophila. To determine whether the role of cilia is conserved in zebrafish, we generated maternal-zygotic (MZ) oval (ovl; ift88) mutants that lack all cilia. MZovl mutants display normal canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling but show defects in Hh signaling. As in mouse, zebrafish cilia are required to mediate the activities of Hh, Ptc, Smo and PKA. However, in contrast to mouse Ift88 mutants, which show a dramatic reduction in Hh signaling, zebrafish MZovl mutants display dampened, but expanded, Hh pathway activity. This activity is largely due to gli1, the expression of which is fully dependent on Hh signaling in mouse but not in zebrafish. These results reveal a conserved requirement for cilia in transducing the activity of upstream regulators of Hh signaling but distinct phenotypic effects due to differential regulation and differing roles of transcriptional mediators.
Factor validity and reliability of the Sport Friendship Quality Scale in a French adolescent sample.

The main aim of the present series of studies was to test the factor validity and reliability of the Sport Friendship Quality Scale (SFQS; Weiss & Smith, 1999) in a French adolescent sample. Four studies, involving a total sample of 589 partici pants, were performed in order to translate items from the SFQS into French (SFQS-FR) and evaluate their clarity (Study 1) and to assess (a) the concurrent validity (Study 2), (b) the factor validity and reliability (Study 3), and (c) the tem poral stability (Study 4) of the SFQS-FR. Study 1 provided support for the item con tent of the preliminary version of the SFQS-FR for adolescents. Study 2 supported the convergent validity of both the SFQS and SFQS-FR. Finally, Studies 3 and 4 provided (a) support for the factorial structure and reliability (i.e., internal consis tency and temporal stability) of a seven-factor model of the SFQS-FR, (b) partial support for the factorial invariance for the aforementioned model across gender and age, and (c) support and partial support for the latent mean invariance of the sevenfactor model across age and gender, respectively. The present results thus provide preliminary evidence for the appropriateness of the SFQS-FR for adolescents. Nev ertheless, further evaluation of this instrument is warranted to establish the robust ness of the present findings.
Selectivity for Movement Direction in the Human Brain

In daily life, we frequently execute reaching movements, for example to be able to grasp our mobile phone. The processing of movement direction is fundamental to efficiently reach the target object. Many neurophysiological studies reported neuronal populations selective for movement direction in many regions of the monkey brain. In my thesis, I investigated which areas in the human brain show directional selectivity. Moreover, I measured to what extent directional selective regions are sensitive to changes in other movement parameters, like the type of motor act and movement amplitude. In three functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) experiments, participants were adapted to execute reaching movements in the adaptation direction. Occasionally, test trials were presented. Test trials differed from adaptation trials in movement direction only, or in movement direction as well as in another movement parameter (Experiment 1 and 2: type of motor act; Experiment 3: movement amplitude). By comparing the fMRI signal in conditions where only movement direction was manipulated with conditions where also other movement parameters changed, we were able to measure sensitivity of directionally tuned neuronal populations to these additional movement parameters. Multiple regions in the human visuomotor system showed selectivity for movement direction. This selectivity was modulated by the type of motor act to varying degrees, with the largest effect in M1 and the smallest modulation in the parietal reach region. Moreover, directional selectivity was clearly sensitive also to changes in movement amplitude. These results extend the current knowledge on the representation of actions from monkey physiology to the human brain and furthermore may have important practical implications for restoring lost motor functions in tetraplagic patients.
Abstract categories or limited-scope formulae? The case of children's determiners*

ABSTRACT Six tests of the spontaneous speech of twenty-one English-speaking children (1 ; 10 to 2 ; 8; MLUs 1·53 to 4·38) demonstrate the presence of the syntactic category determiner from the start of combinatorial speech, supporting nativist accounts. Children use multiple determiners before a noun to the same extent as their mothers (1) when only a and the or (2) all determiners are analyzed, or (3) when children and mothers are matched on determiner and noun types and determiner+noun tokens. (4) Overlap increases as opportunity for overlap increases: children use multiple determiners with more than 50% of nouns used at least twice with a determiner and with 80% of nouns used at least six times with a determiner. (5) Formulae play a limited role in low-MLU children's determiner usage, increasing with MLU. (6) Less than 1% of determiner uses are errors. Prior results showing no overlap are likely a sampling artifact.
Full‐brain coverage and high‐resolution imaging capabilities of passband b‐SSFP fMRI at 3T

Passband balanced‐steady‐state free precession (b‐SSFP) fMRI is a recently developed method that utilizes the passband (flat portion) of the b‐SSFP off‐resonance response to measure MR signal changes elicited by changes in tissue oxygenation following increases in neuronal activity. Rapid refocusing and short readout durations of b‐SSFP, combined with the relatively large flat portion of the b‐SSFP off‐resonance spectrum allows distortion‐free full‐brain coverage with only two acquisitions. This allows for high‐resolution functional imaging, without the spatial distortion frequently encountered in conventional high‐resolution functional images. Finally, the 3D imaging compatibility of the b‐SSFP acquisitions permits isotropic‐voxel‐size high‐resolution acquisitions. In this study we address some of the major technical issues involved in obtaining passband b‐SSFP‐based functional brain images with practical imaging parameters and demonstrate the advantages through breath‐holding and visual field mapping experiments. Magn Reson Med, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluation of the South African Dorper as a terminal sire breed for growth, carcass, and palatability characteristics.

The South African Dorper is an important terminal meat sire breed in Africa that was recently imported into the United States. The objective of this study was to evaluate the Dorper as a terminal meat sire breed for U.S. production. Semen from purebred Dorper sires was used to artificially inseminate Columbia ewes to produce F1 crossbred lambs. Growth and carcass characteristics of F1 Dorper-Columbia lambs (n = 165), F1 Suffolk-Columbia (n = 89), and purebred Columbia lambs (n = 207) were compared based on subsets of the total number of animals. The F1 Dorper lambs grew significantly slower (313 g x d(-1)) and weighed less (29.8 kg) than F1 Suffolk- (357 g x d(-1), 33.5 kg) and Columbia-sired lambs (328 g x d(-1), 31 kg) at 77 d of age. However, at a weaning age of 118 d weaning weight and ADG did not differ (P > 0.20) among sire breed groups. Postweaning growth of F1 Dorper(239 g xd(-1)) wether lambs did not differ from that of purebred Columbia wethers (230 g x d(-1)) but was less than that of F1 Suffolk lambs (259 g x d(-1); P= 0.09). Feed efficiency did not differ among breed types. Breed types had similar dressing percentages (53%), shoulder fat depth (2.8 mm), body wall thickness (3 cm), leg conformation score (Choice), Yield grade (2.4), and Quality grade (Choice). Weight of wholesale shoulders and racks made up approximately 38% of the carcass weight in the Columbia and F1 Suffolk-Columbia type but only 33% in the F1 Dorper-Columbia lambs. However, the more expensive wholesale loins from F1 Dorpers were heavier (P < 0.01) than the other breed types. Total weights of wholesale legs were similar among F1 Dorpers and F1 Suffolks but were heavier than those for the purebred Columbia (P < 0.05). Percentages of total wholesale primal cuts were similar among breed types (P > 0.10). Chemical composition of the carcass did not differ significantly between breed types with a mean composition of 52% moisture, 30% lipid (ether extract), 17% protein, and 0.76% ash. Warner-Bratzler shear force values were less (P < 0.05) and sensory panel ratings for tenderness were significantly more favorable for lamb chops from Dorper sired lambs. Dorper rams can be used as terminal meat sires to produce lambs whose growth rate to 118 d of weaning age, postweaning ADG and feed efficiency, and carcass characteristics are similar to that of Suffolk crossbred lambs and purebred Columbia lambs but with a slight improvement in tenderness.
Efficacy and Safety of MLC601 (NeuroAiD®), a Traditional Chinese Medicine, in Poststroke Recovery: A Systematic Review

Background: Subsequent to a pooled analysis of 2 trials, several more studies have been published assessing the benefit of MLC601 in stroke patients. Hence, it is timely to conduct an updated meta-analysis to frame the interpretation of the results of an ongoing large multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review of the efficacy of MLC601 in improving the recovery of stroke patients. Methods: PubMed® and the Cochrane Library® databases were searched for trials evaluating MLC601 in stroke patients. Primary outcome was functional independence, assessed by the Barthel Index or the Diagnostic Therapeutic Effects of Apoplexy scoring system, item 8. Secondary outcomes were improvement in functional independence scores, motor recovery, reduction in visual field defect and increase in cerebral blood flow. Two authors performed the article selection, appraisal and data extraction while resolving differences through discussion or consulting a third author. Data were analyzed in RevMan5®. Meta-analysis was conducted using a random effects model. Results: This review included 6 studies with overall low risk of bias but some clinical heterogeneity. MLC601 increased the chances of achieving functional independence after stroke compared to control treatments (risk ratio, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.31-4.23). No deaths and 4 serious adverse events were reported in the MLC601 group, although detail was sparse with inconsistent reporting. Conclusions: There is evidence that MLC601 as an add-on to standard treatment could be effective in improving functional independence and motor recovery and is safe for patients with primarily nonacute stable stroke.
National and International News Agencies

National news agencies tend not to excite the same scholarly or even the same popular attention as the international or `global' news agencies. Yet both international and national news agencies contribute to the simultaneous processes of globalization and localization. The number of major general news international agencies has reduced in recent years, while national news agencies are faced with a broad range of difficult challenges that may threaten the future viability of at least some of them. These challenges particularly have to do with relations between agencies and media owners, relations between agencies and the state, changes in the composition of the market as a result of growing media commercialization, concentration and globalization and new sources of competition in the supply of news. The range of possible defensive strategies includes diversification, redefining the relationship between national news agencies and national identity, linking up with the new global media conglomerates, partnerships between agencies, identification of new models for relating to the state and reassessment of the respective benefits and weaknesses of the cooperative model of news agency organization.
miRBase: integrating microRNA annotation and deep-sequencing data

miRBase is the primary online repository for all microRNA sequences and annotation. The current release (miRBase 16) contains over 15 000 microRNA gene loci in over 140 species, and over 17 000 distinct mature microRNA sequences. Deep-sequencing technologies have delivered a sharp rise in the rate of novel microRNA discovery. We have mapped reads from short RNA deep-sequencing experiments to microRNAs in miRBase and developed web interfaces to view these mappings. The user can view all read data associated with a given microRNA annotation, filter reads by experiment and count, and search for microRNAs by tissue- and stage-specific expression. These data can be used as a proxy for relative expression levels of microRNA sequences, provide detailed evidence for microRNA annotations and alternative isoforms of mature microRNAs, and allow us to revisit previous annotations. miRBase is available online at: http://www.mirbase. org/.