Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
GLP-2 rapidly activates divergent intracellular signaling pathways involved in intestinal cell survival and proliferation in neonatal piglets.

We previously demonstrated the dose-dependent glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-2 activation of intracellular signals associated with increased epithelial cell survival and proliferation in the neonatal intestine. Our current aim was to quantify the acute, temporal GLP-2 activation of these key intracellular signals and relate this to changes in epithelial cell survival and proliferation in the neonatal intestine. We studied 29 total parenteral nutrition-fed neonatal piglets infused intravenously with either saline (control) or human GLP-2 (420 micromol.kg(-1). h(-1)) for 1, 4, or 48 h. GLP-2 infusion increased small intestinal weight, DNA and protein content, and villus height at 48 h, but not at 1 or 4 h. Intestinal crypt and villus apoptosis decreased and crypt cell proliferation and protein synthesis increased linearly with duration of GLP-2 infusion, but were statistically different from controls only after 48 h. Before the morphological and cellular kinetic changes, GLP-2 rapidly activated putative GLP-2 receptor downstream signals within 1-4 h, including phosphorylation of protein kinase A, protein kinase B, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, and the transcription factors cAMP response element-binding protein and c-Fos. GLP-2 rapidly suppressed caspase-3 activation and upregulated Bcl-2 abundance within 1 h, whereas there was an increase in apoptosis inhibitors X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis at 1 h and cellular inhibitor of apoptosis-2 at 4 and 48 h. We also show that the increased c-Fos and reduced active caspase-3 immunostaining after GLP-2 infusion was localized in epithelial cells. We conclude that GLP-2-induced activation of intracellular signals involved in both cell survival and proliferation occurs rapidly and precedes the trophic cellular kinetic effects that occur later in intestinal epithelial cells.
Comparative Evaluation of Angiogenesis in Gastric Adenocarcinoma by Nestin and CD34

Tumor angiogenesis has been shown to be important for growth and metastasis in human neoplasms. Angiogenesis is usually determined by immunohistochemical staining of tumor tissue using various antibodies specific for endothelial cells. CD34 has been the one most commonly used in studies of tumor angiogenesis. Nestin, a class VI intermediate filament protein, was reported to be a good angiogenic marker in animal models. The aim of the current study was to compare the predictive value of angiogenesis as determined by CD34 and nestin on the same group of patients with advanced gastric carcinomas and to evaluate the possibility of nestin being a newer, better angiogenesis marker. Immunohistochemical staining using anti–nestin polyclonal antibody and anti–CD34 monoclonal antibody was carried out on surgical specimens from 61 patients with advanced gastric adenocarcinomas. The sensitivity of each of the two antibodies was evaluated by microvessel density (MVD) measurement by counting vessels in three 200× fields of intense neovascularization (“hot spots”) of invasive tumors using a digital image analyzer. Immunoreactivity for nestin and CD34 was seen in the endothelial cells, and no stain was noted in the negative controls. MVD determined by nestin [87.74 ± 29.30 (mean ± standard deviation)] staining was significantly greater than that obtained by CD34 (82.48 ± 32.27), and the difference was statistically significant. There was no correlation between MVD and patient clinical outcome with either antibody. Interestingly, in patients with larger carcinomas, MVD determined by nestin correlated better with longer survival than CD34. The difference was statistically significant. These results indicate that nestin is the better marker to evaluate neovascularity in endothelial cells. Evaluation of MVD determined by immunohistochemistry has limited value in patients with gastric carcinomas.
Large-scale ambulatory study of postprandial jejunal motility in irritable bowel syndrome.

BACKGROUND The relationship of small-bowel dysmotility to dietary intake in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is obscure. METHODS This study evaluated postprandial jejunal motility in IBS patients classified as constipation-predominant (n = 25) or diarrhoea-predominant (n = 35) and compared results against 18 volunteers. Twenty-four-hour ambulatory jejunal manometry was carried out in all subjects, and recordings were analysed by microcomputer and visual assessment. RESULTS By means of analysis of variance (fitting factors for channels, meals, and time periods) postprandial contraction frequency was greater in both patient groups compared with normal (constipation-predominant versus normal, diarrhoea-predominant versus normal; P < 0.001). In the constipation-predominant cohort, contraction amplitudes were lower (constipation-predominant versus normal; P < 0.002). Discrete cluster contractions occurred with similar frequency and duration in both patient and volunteer groups. CONCLUSIONS Quantitative differences of postprandial jejunal contraction characteristics have been shown between patients with IBS and healthy volunteers. Contraction frequency is greater than normal in both diarrhoea- and constipation-predominant categories, whereas contraction amplitudes are lower in constipation-predominant patients.
Real-time single image dehazing using block-to-pixel interpolation and adaptive dark channel prior

The authors propose a novel and efficient method for single image dehazing. To accelerate the transmission estimation process, a block-to-pixel interpolation method is used for fine dark channel computation, in which the block-level dark channel is first computed, and then the fine pixel-level dark channel is obtained by a weighted voting of the block-level dark channel to preserve edges and smooth out texture noise. This technique can be used for a direct transmission map generation without a computationally expensive refinement step. Since the dark channel prior (DCP) is not valid in bright (sky) regions, they propose an adaptive DCP modelled by a Gaussian curve that produces a more natural recovered image of the sky and other bright regions. In addition, a scaling method for transmission map computation is proposed to further accelerate the dehazing method. Through experiments, they show that the proposed adaptive block-to-pixel technique is about 30 times faster and produces improved recovered images than the well-known state-of-the-art DCP approach.
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Meta-analysis of regional white matter volume in bipolar disorder with replication in an independent sample using coordinates, T-maps, and individual MRI data

Converging evidence suggests that bipolar disorder (BD) is associated with white matter (WM) abnormalities. Meta-analyses of voxel based morphometry (VBM) data is commonly performed using published coordinates, however this method is limited since it ignores non-signi ﬁ cant data. Obtaining statistical maps from studies (T- maps) as well as raw MRI datasets increases accuracy and allows for a comprehensive analysis of clinical variables. We obtained coordinate data (7-studies), T-Maps (12-studies, including unpublished data) and raw MRI datasets (5-studies) and analysed the 24 studies using Seed-based d Mapping (SDM). A VBM analysis was conducted to verify the results in an independent sample. The meta-analysis revealed decreased WM volume in the posterior corpus callosum extending to WM in the posterior cingulate cortex. This region was signi ﬁ cantly reduced in volume in BD patients in the independent dataset (p = 0.003) but there was no association with clinical variables. We identi ﬁ ed a robust WM volume abnormality in BD patients that may represent a trait marker of the disease and used a novel methodology to validate the ﬁ ndings.
Effect of prenatal administration of androgen on the reproductive function in female rats.

Studies were made on the effects of prenatal administration of androgen on the development of sexual function in female rats. Pregnant rats at the middle or late stage of gestation were injected subcutaneously with testosterone propionate (T. P.) or methyltestosterone (M. T.) and their embryos at the late stage of intra-uterine life were given a single direct injection of T.P. In pregnant rats, an injection of 3 or 6mg M. T. or T. P., given for 6 successive days beginning on the 12th or the 15th day of gestation did not affect ovarian function of the offspring, although it was effective in causing masculinization of the genital tract. The female young became pregnant by artificial insemination.An injection of 30 or 50mg of the hormones given to pregnant rats for 3 consecutive days between the 15th and the 17th day of gestation, and a single direct injection of 40μg of T. P. to fetuses on the 16th day of intra-uterine life gave rise not only to marked masculinization of the genital tract, but also to abnormal sexual function in female offspring. Many of these females exhibited constant cornification in vaginal smears and tended to display a persistent, opulatory response of low grade or failed to display any sexual reflex. The ovaries of these animals contained no normal nor freshly developing corpora lutea, but various types of follicles, some of which showed atresia.These results suggest that the prenatal administration of androgen does not always alter the ovarian activity of the female rats, though it effectively induces masculinization of the genital tract. However, with large doses, it may induce phenomenon corresponding to androgen sterility in later life.
Hepatitis E genotype 4 virus from feces of monkeys infected experimentally can be cultured in PLC/PRF/5 cells and upregulate host interferon‐inducible genes

The understanding of the interaction between hepatitis E virus (HEV) and its host cells has been impeded greatly by the absence of a cell culture system. In this study, an efficient cultivation method was developed in PLC/PRF/5 cells for HEV genotype 4 from the feces of monkeys infected experimentally. Compared to minimal essential medium (MEM), mixed Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM)/M199 improved the infection efficiency of HEV in PLC/PRF/5 cells. The incubation time and temperature were set at 6 hr and 40°C, respectively. Compared to a 100% ELISA positive ratio (EPR) of 1 × 106 copies/ml HEV inoculated flasks, the ELISA positive ratio was 100%, 75%, 37.5%, and 100% for flasks inoculated with HEV incubated for 30 min under the conditions of pH 3.0, pH 11.0, 56°C and delipidation treatment, respectively. Gene expression profiles of HEV inoculated and control PLC/PRF/5 cells were assayed using a microarray. Four interferon‐inducible genes, IFI27, IFI6, Mx1, and CMPK2, were up‐regulated during HEV‐infection. Furthermore, the replication of HEV was inhibited at 3–14 days after treatment with 500 IU/ml IFN‐α2b. J. Med. Virol. 86: 1736–1744, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fixation of HA-Coated Unicortical Locking Screws in a Sheep Gap Model: A Comparative Biomechanical Study

Objectives: To evaluate whether fixing a locking compression plate (LCP) with hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated screws provides improved biomechanical fixation and healing compared with standard screws under loaded conditions. Methods: Ten sheep were randomly divided into 2 groups. A resection osteotomy of 8 mm was performed in the sheep's right tibiae. Five tibiae were fixed with a 9-hole LCP and 8 standard unicortical locking screws (Group Non-HA), and 5 tibiae were fixed with a 9-hole LCP and 8 HA-coated unicortical locking screws (Group HA). All screws were implanted at the same insertion torque of 4000 Nmm. Three months after surgery, all the sheep were euthanized. Bone segments after screw removal were randomly chosen from each group for histologic analysis (Group Non-HA = 5, Group HA = 5). Results: Mean screw extraction torque was 438 ± 288 Nmm in Group Non-HA (n = 40) and 2317 ± 657 Nmm in Group HA (n = 40) (P < 0.0005). The tibial torque resistance of the resected tibiae was 24 ± 8 Nm in Group Non-HA (n = 5) and 31 ± 3 in Group HA (n = 5) (P = 0.045). In Group Non-HA, histology showed bone resorption and fibrous tissue encapsulation in all the samples, but this was not found in any of the Group HA samples. Conclusions: This study shows that an LCP with HA-coated screws provides improved biomechanical fixation than an LCP with similar standard screws as shown by a 5-fold greater screw extraction torque (P < 0.0005). Furthermore, the higher tibial torque resistance is potentially beneficial for improved gap healing, as shown by higher tibial torque resistance.
Forecasting Performance of Nonlinear Models for Intraday Stock Returns

We studied the predictability of intraday stock market returns using both linear and nonlinear time series models. For the S&P 500 index we compared simple autoregressive and random walk linear models with a range of nonlinear models, including smooth transition, Markov switching, artificial neural network, nonparametric kernel regression and support vector machine models for horizons of 5, 10, 20, 30 and 60 minutes. The empirical results indicate that nonlinear models outperformed linear models on the basis of both statistical and economic criteria. Specifically, although return serial correlation receded by around 10 minutes, return predictability still persisted for up to 60 minutes according to nonlinear models, even though profitability decreases as time elapses. More flexible nonlinear models such as support vector machines and artificial neural network did not clearly outperform other nonlinear models. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Response to the editorial by Dr Geraghty

This article is written in response to the linked editorial by Dr Geraghty about the adaptive Pacing, graded Activity and Cognitive behaviour therapy; a randomised Evaluation (PACE) trial, which we led, implemented and published. The PACE trial compared four treatments for people diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome. All participants in the trial received specialist medical care. The trial found that adding cognitive behaviour therapy or graded exercise therapy to specialist medical care was as safe as, and more effective than, adding adaptive pacing therapy or specialist medical care alone. Dr Geraghty has challenged these findings. In this article, we suggest that Dr Geraghty’s views are based on misunderstandings and misrepresentations of the PACE trial; these are corrected.
Biology, ecology and distribution of the tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis Neumann (Acari: Ixodidae) in New Zealand

Abstract Haemaphysalis longicornis is the only tick in New Zealand that infests livestock. Throughout its range H. longicornis is exposed to and exhibits tolerance to a wide range of environmental conditions, although it flourishes more in moist, warm-temperate environments. This review examines aspects of the biology, physiology and ecology of H. longicornis that determine its distribution and seasonal activity in New Zealand, based on laboratory and field studies. Examples are also drawn from studies outside New Zealand for comparative purposes, especially in the context of seasonal activity as seen in less temperate latitudes. The tick is able to withstand a wide range of temperature, from its developmental threshold of ∼12°C to nearly 40°C at its lethal limit, but its tolerance of dehydration is less wide, especially in the larva and adult, the former especially being the stage that largely determines suitable biotopes for the tick and its present distributional limits. The importance of H. longicornis to the New Zealand livestock industry has recently increased through the establishment and spread of Theileria orientalis Ikeda among dairy and beef cattle, although the tick has always posed production-limiting problems for cattle, deer and to a lesser extent, sheep. The tick's role as a vector of theileriosis and how aspects of the tick's biology affect the spread and maintenance of this disease are discussed. It is proposed that, of available wildlife hosts, the brown hare with its wide-ranging habits, is an important disseminator of ticks. Currently control of ticks is difficult partly because of their wide host range, overlapping activity periods of stadia, and also because the greater part of their annual cycle is spent on pasture. This means that acaricides alone do not satisfactorily reduce tick populations or provide comprehensive protection to stock, so integrated management combining pasture management with good husbandry and chemical prophylaxis is advocated.
The Size of the Equity Premium

Among the many controversial variables in finance, risk premia stand out for their lack of observability. Measuring premia as the difference between realized returns on risky and risk-free assets has not led to unanimous conclusions about their size, which greatly depends on the length of the sample; in addition, investment allocations or inflation expectations are influenced by the ex-ante values of the risk premia and ex-post returns are, if any, rough approximations of these. Many papers have dealt with this issue, from the initial contribution of Mehra and Prescott (1985) to very recent advances within a bayesian framework of Pi? ½stor and Stambaugh (2001). This paper uses conditional variance models as approximations of static and intertemporal capital asset pricing models; the size of the equity premium is assessed for the US both at the market level and, through a conditional version of the three-factor model of Fama and French (1993), at a firm-level. The market premium has had large swings with short-lived peaks over the last 75 years, fluctuating around a mean value of 5 per cent on a yearly basis; this value rises to 6.5 percent when time-varying investment opportunities are allowed for. In periods of economic expansion the expected premium on the equity return is nearly half the value expected in recession, 20 percent less if the Great Depression period is excluded; the cross-sectional dispersion of the firm-level premia as a function of firmi? ½s size is also influenced by the position of the economy within the business cycle.
Markets in education

Throughout the industrial world education is being transformed from a public service into a tradeable commodity in the marketplace. In this new book, Marginson looks at the implications of this transformation for the whole education system: primary and secondary schooling; technical and further education; universities and academic research. New insights are offered into such issues as public funding and private institutions, the economics of education, and tertiary fees, while the discussion of 'positional goods' offers a new explanation of social competition, inequality and educational privilege.
PENGARUH INVESTASI, TENAGA KERJA, DAN EKSPOR TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN EKONOMI DI KABUPATEN BULELENGPERIODE 2008-2012

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh (1) investasi, tenaga kerja, dan ekspor terhadap pertumbuhan ekonomi, (2) investasi terhadap pertumbuhan ekonomi, (3) tenaga kerja terhadap pertumbuhan ekonomi, (4) ekspor terhadap pertumbuhan ekonomi, dan (5) investasi terhadap jumlah tenaga kerja di Kabupaten Buleleng. Jenis penelitian ini menggunakan desain penelitian kuantitatif kausal. Subjek dalam penelitian ini adalah Pemerintah Daerah Kabupaten Buleleng, dan objeknya adalah investasi, tenaga kerja, ekspor, dan pertumbuhan ekonomi. Pengumpulan data dalam penelitian ini menggunakan teknik dokumentasi. Data dianalisis dengan menggunakan analisis jalur. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa (1) ada pengaruh dari investasi, tenaga kerja, dan ekspor terhadap pertumbuhan ekonomi, (2) ada pengaruh positif dari investasi terhadap pertumbuhan ekonomi, (3) ada pengaruh positif dari tenaga kerja terhadap pertumbuhan ekonomi, (4) ada pengaruh positif dari ekspor terhadap pertumbuhan ekonomi, dan (5) ada pengaruh positif dari investasi terhadap jumlah tenaga kerja di Kabupaten Buleleng. (1) besar pengaruh dari investasi, tenaga kerja, dan ekspor terhadap pertumbuhan ekonomi adalah 89,9%, (2) besar pengaruh dari investasi terhadap pertumbuhan ekonomi adalah 41,9%, (3) besar pengaruh dari tenaga kerja terhadap pertumbuhan ekonomi adalah 13,6%, (4) besar pengaruh dari ekspor terhadap pertumbuhan ekonomi adalah 20,6%, dan (5) besar pengaruh dari investasi terhadap jumlah tenaga kerja di Kabupaten Buleleng adalah 33,4%. Kata Kunci : investasi, tenaga kerja, ekspor, dan pertumbuhan ekonomi This study aimedtodetermine the effect of (1) investment, labor, and exports to economic growth,(2) investment to economic growth, (3) labor to economic growth, (4) exports to economic growth, and (5) investment to the amount of labor in Buleleng. This research uses a quantitative research design causal. The subjects of this study was Buleleng Regency Government. The object of this study was investment, labor, exports, and economic growth. The data collection in this study used documentation technique. The data were analyzed using path analysis. The results of this study showed that (1) there was effect of investment, labor, and exports to economic growth, (2) there was a positive influence of the investment to economic growth, (3) there was a positive influence of labor to economic growth, (4) there was a positive influence of exports to economic growth, and (5) there was a positive influence of the investment to the amount of labor in Buleleng. (1) the significant effect of investment, labor, and exports to economic growth was 89,9%, (2) the significant effect of investment to economic growth was 41,9%, (3) the significant effect of labor to economic growth was 13,6%, (4) the significant effect of exports to economic growth was 20,6%, and (5) the significant effect of investment to the amount of labor in Buleleng was 33,4%. keyword : investment, labor, exports, economic growth
Hydraulic and anatomical properties of light bands in Norway spruce compression wood.

Compression wood (CW), which is formed on the underside of conifer branches, exhibits a lower specific hydraulic conductivity (k(s)) compared with normal wood. However, the first-formed tracheids of an annual ring on the underside of a conifer branch often share several properties with normal tracheids, e.g., thin cell walls and angular cross sections. These first-formed tracheids appear bright when observed by the naked eye and are therefore called light bands (LB). In this study, hydraulic and related anatomical properties of LBs were characterized and compared with typical CW and opposite wood (OW). Measurements were made on branches of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst. ). Specific hydraulic conductivity was measured with fine cannulas connected to microlitre syringes. Micro- and ultrastructural analysis were performed on transverse and radial longitudinal sections by light and scanning electron microscopy. Xylem areas containing both typical CW and LBs had a k(s) 51.5% that of OW (7.95 +/- 0.97 m(2) s(-1) MPa(-1) x 10(-4)), whereas k(s) of pure CW was only 26.7% that of OW. The k(s) of LBs (6.38 +/- 0.97 m(2) s(-1) MPa(-1) x 10(-4); 80.3% of OW) was estimated from these k(s) values because the cannulas were too wide to measure the k(s) of LBs directly. Mean lumen area of first-formed tracheids on the underside of branches was 65.7% that of first-formed tracheids in OW and about three times that of CW. Light-band tracheids exhibited a bordered pit frequency of 42.7 +/- 1.3 pits mm(-1), which was three times that in CW and 1.6 times that in OW. Bordered pit apertures in LB tracheids (9.15 +/- 0.60 microm(2)) were 1.7 times wider than those in CW and similar in aperture to those in OW. The high k(s) of LBs was correlated with their wide tracheid lumina, high pit frequency and wide pit apertures. We therefore suggest that LBs have a primarily hydraulic function within the mechanically optimized CW region. This might be important for supplying water to living tissues on the underside of branches, as well as to other distal areas along water transport pathways following the spiral grain of wood.