Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Journal of Reproduction and Development

We examined the effect of ploidy on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number in embryos and the amount of cell-free mitochondrial and nucleic DNA content (cf-mtDNA and cf-nDNA) in spent culture medium (SCM). Oocytes collected from the ovaries were matured, activated, incubated in medium containing cycloheximide (CHX) or CHX and cytochalasin B (CB) for 4.5 h to produce haploid or diploid embryos (H-group and D-group embryos). These embryos were cultured for 7 days, and the blastocysts and SCM were examined. The amount of mtDNA and nDNA was determined by real-time PCR. The rate of development to the blastocyst stage was higher for the D-group than for the H-group. Moreover, D-group blastocysts had less mtDNA compared to the H-group blastocysts. After activation, the mitochondrial content was constant before the blastocyst stage in D-group embryos, but increased earlier in H-group embryos. The amount of cf-mtDNA in the SCM of D-group blastocysts was greater than that of H-group blastocysts. However, when the cf-mtDNA in the SCM of 2 cell-stage embryos (day 2 post-activation) was examined, the amount of cf-mtDNA was greater in the H-group than in the D-group embryos. When D-group embryos were cultured for 7 days, a significant correlation was observed between the total cell number of blastocysts and cf-nDNA content in the SCM. Hence, although careful consideration is needed regarding the time point for evaluating mtDNA content in the embryos and SCM, this study demonstrates that mtDNA in the embryos and SCM was affected by the ploidy of the embryos.
A Backscattering Model of Rainfall Over Rough Sea Surface for Synthetic Aperture Radar

Spaceborne high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is a potential powerful tool for rainfall pattern and intensity observations over the sea surface. However, many interesting rain-related phenomena revealed by SAR images are still not fully understood due to poor theoretical modeling of the rain-wind-wave interactions. This paper attempts to develop a physics-based radiative transfer model to capture the scattering behavior of rainfall over a rough sea surface. Raindrops are modeled as Rayleigh scattering nonspherical particles, whereas the rain-induced rough surface is described by the Log-Gaussian ring-wave spectrum. The model is validated against both empirical models and measurements. A case study of collocated Envisat ASAR data and NEXRAD rain data is presented to demonstrate the performance of the newly developed model. Finally, numerical simulation results suggest that rain-related scattering becomes significant as compared with wind-related scattering when the frequency is above C-band, whereas the raindrop volumetric scattering becomes significant above X-band.
Mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction in obstructive sleep apnea

Endothelial activation and inflammation are important mediators of accelerated atherogenesis and consequent increased cardiovascular morbidity in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Repetitive episodes of hypoxia/reoxygenation associated with transient cessation of breathing during sleep in OSA resemble ischemia/reperfusion injury and may be the main culprit underlying endothelial dysfunction in OSA. Additional factors such as repetitive arousals resulting in sleep fragmentation and deprivation and individual genetic suseptibility to vascular manifestations of OSA contribute to impaired endothelial function in OSA. The present review focuses on possible mechanisms that underlie endothelial activation and inflammation in OSA.
JNK Signaling: Regulation and Functions Based on Complex Protein-Protein Partnerships

SUMMARY The c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs), as members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family, mediate eukaryotic cell responses to a wide range of abiotic and biotic stress insults. JNKs also regulate important physiological processes, including neuronal functions, immunological actions, and embryonic development, via their impact on gene expression, cytoskeletal protein dynamics, and cell death/survival pathways. Although the JNK pathway has been under study for >20 years, its complexity is still perplexing, with multiple protein partners of JNKs underlying the diversity of actions. Here we review the current knowledge of JNK structure and isoforms as well as the partnerships of JNKs with a range of intracellular proteins. Many of these proteins are direct substrates of the JNKs. We analyzed almost 100 of these target proteins in detail within a framework of their classification based on their regulation by JNKs. Examples of these JNK substrates include a diverse assortment of nuclear transcription factors (Jun, ATF2, Myc, Elk1), cytoplasmic proteins involved in cytoskeleton regulation (DCX, Tau, WDR62) or vesicular transport (JIP1, JIP3), cell membrane receptors (BMPR2), and mitochondrial proteins (Mcl1, Bim). In addition, because upstream signaling components impact JNK activity, we critically assessed the involvement of signaling scaffolds and the roles of feedback mechanisms in the JNK pathway. Despite a clarification of many regulatory events in JNK-dependent signaling during the past decade, many other structural and mechanistic insights are just beginning to be revealed. These advances open new opportunities to understand the role of JNK signaling in diverse physiological and pathophysiological states.
Monoclonal Antibody against the Ectodomain of E-Cadherin (DECMA-1) Suppresses Breast Carcinogenesis: Involvement of the HER/PI3K/Akt/mTOR and IAP Pathways

Purpose: Although targeted therapies against HER2 have been one of the most successful therapeutic strategies for breast cancer, patients eventually developed acquired resistance from compensatory upregulation of alternate HERs and mitogen-activated protein kinase–phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mTOR signaling. As we and others have shown that the soluble ectodomain fragment of E-cadherin exerts prooncogenic effects via HER1/2–mediated binding and activation of downstream prosurvival pathways, we explored whether targeting this ectodomain [DECMA-1 monoclonal antibody (mAb)] was effective in the treatment of HER2-positive (HER2+) breast cancers. Experimental Design: MMTV-PyMT transgenic mice and HER2+/E-cadherin–positive MCF-7 and BT474 trastuzumab-resistant (TtzmR) cells were treated with the DECMA-1 mAb. Antitumor responses were assessed by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation, apoptosis, and necrosis. The underlying intracellular prooncogenic pathways were explored using subcellular fractionation, immunoprecipitation, fluorescence microscopy, and immunoblotting. Results: Treatment with DECMA-1 mAb significantly delayed tumor onset and attenuated tumor burden in MMTV-PyMT mice by reducing tumor cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis without any detectable cytotoxicity to mice or end-organs. In vitro treatment of MCF-7 and BT474 TtzmR cells reduced proliferation and induced cancer cell apoptosis. Importantly, this inhibition of breast tumorigenesis was due to concomitant downregulation, via ubiquitin-mediated degradation through the lysosome and proteasome pathways, of all HER family members, components of downstream PI3K/Akt/mTOR prosurvival signaling and suppression of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins. Conclusions: Our results establish that the E-cadherin ectodomain-specific mAb DECMA-1 inhibits Ecad+/HER2+ breast cancers by hindering tumor growth and inducing apoptosis via downregulation of key oncogenic pathways involved in trastuzumab resistance, thereby establishing a novel therapeutic platform for the treatment of HER2+ breast cancers. Clin Cancer Res; 19(12); 3234–46. ©2013 AACR.
Dendritic cells and myeloid leukaemias: plasticity and commitment in cell differentiation

Dendritic cells (DCs) are key antigen‐presenting cells (APCs), which link innate and adaptive immunity, ultimately activating antigen‐specific T cells. This review examines the relationship between the acute and chronic myeloid leukaemias and cells with DC properties. DCs are non‐dividing terminally differentiated cells, and ex vivo leukaemic cells or cell lines show little similarity to DCs. However, many leukaemias differentiate further in response to defined stimuli, and retain a degree of lineage plasticity. Therefore, several studies have explored the response of leukaemic cells to the in vitro regimens used to differentiate ex vivo primary DCs. Recent data suggest that the most ‘dendritic‐like’ cells can be derived from more undifferentiated myeloid leukaemias, such as the myelomonocytic Mutz‐3 cell line. These findings have important implications for understanding the developmental origins of DCs, for harnessing the APC properties of this class of tumour to stimulate the therapeutic anti‐tumour immunity, and for developing useful models for the study of human DC physiology and pathology. There is a strong rationale for further exploration of this class of tumour and its relationship to the normal DC.
Current and Historical Drivers of Landscape Genetic Structure Differ in Core and Peripheral Salamander Populations

With predicted decreases in genetic diversity and greater genetic differentiation at range peripheries relative to their cores, it can be difficult to distinguish between the roles of current disturbance versus historic processes in shaping contemporary genetic patterns. To address this problem, we test for differences in historic demography and landscape genetic structure of coastal giant salamanders (Dicamptodon tenebrosus) in two core regions (Washington State, United States) versus the species' northern peripheral region (British Columbia, Canada) where the species is listed as threatened. Coalescent-based demographic simulations were consistent with a pattern of post-glacial range expansion, with both ancestral and current estimates of effective population size being much larger within the core region relative to the periphery. However, contrary to predictions of recent human-induced population decline in the less genetically diverse peripheral region, there was no genetic signature of population size change. Effects of current demographic processes on genetic structure were evident using a resistance-based landscape genetics approach. Among core populations, genetic structure was best explained by length of the growing season and isolation by resistance (i.e. a ‘flat’ landscape), but at the periphery, topography (slope and elevation) had the greatest influence on genetic structure. Although reduced genetic variation at the range periphery of D. tenebrosus appears to be largely the result of biogeographical history rather than recent impacts, our analyses suggest that inherent landscape features act to alter dispersal pathways uniquely in different parts of the species' geographic range, with implications for habitat management.
Susceptibility to Heat-Related Fluid and Electrolyte Imbalance Emergency Department Visits in Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Identification of populations susceptible to heat effects is critical for targeted prevention and more accurate risk assessment. Fluid and electrolyte imbalance (FEI) may provide an objective indicator of heat morbidity. Data on daily ambient temperature and FEI emergency department (ED) visits were collected in Atlanta, Georgia, USA during 1993–2012. Associations of warm-season same-day temperatures and FEI ED visits were estimated using Poisson generalized linear models. Analyses explored associations between FEI ED visits and various temperature metrics (maximum, minimum, average, and diurnal change in ambient temperature, apparent temperature, and heat index) modeled using linear, quadratic, and cubic terms to allow for non-linear associations. Effect modification by potential determinants of heat susceptibility (sex; race; comorbid congestive heart failure, kidney disease, and diabetes; and neighborhood poverty and education levels) was assessed via stratification. Higher warm-season ambient temperature was significantly associated with FEI ED visits, regardless of temperature metric used. Stratified analyses suggested heat-related risks for all populations, but particularly for males. This work highlights the utility of FEI as an indicator of heat morbidity, the health threat posed by warm-season temperatures, and the importance of considering susceptible populations in heat-health research.
EVALUATION OF LIFE QUALITY AFTER APICOECTOMY USING TWO DIFFERENT FLAP DESIGN

Apicectomy has become an integral part of a comprehensive dental treatment. The primary objective of apicectomy is to eradicate the aetiological agents of periapical pathoses and to restore the periodontium to a state of biologic and functional health. The aim of this study was to evaluate patient experience of quality of life following apicoectomy using two different flap design gingival (envelope) and semilunar. The study consisted of 60 patients referred for oral surgical treatment apicoectomy with periapical osteotomy on frontal teeth. One operator were carried out the treatments. All patients were given a questionnaire with 15 questions to evaluate their quality of life for 7 days after the oral surgery interventions. The patient’s answers were referred as: not at all -1; very little -2; some3; quite a bit – 4; very much 5. An equal number of patients were assigned to each group. Group 1 was treated by apicoectomy with gingival flap design and Group 2 was treated by apicoectomy with semilunar flap design. The statistical evaluation included descriptive and analytical methods. The average time needed for completion the surgical procedure was approximately 45 minutes. The results showed that patients in Group 1 reported significantly more pain and took significantly more analgesics on day 3. On days 1 and 2, patients of the Group 2 reported significantly more difficulty in mouth opening, mastication, and the ability to speak. High incidence of symptoms were reported by the patients in both groups. There were no significant differences found in the distribution of patients according to age, gender, periradicular diagnosis, and site of operation between the two groups. The apicoectomy procedure using semilunar flap design provided significantly less postoperative pain, but more difficulties in mouth opening, mastication, and the ability to speak immediately postoperatively.
Hormonal Relationships to Bone Mass in Elderly Spanish Men as Influenced by Dietary Calcium and Vitamin D

We aim to evaluate whether calcium and vitamin D intake is associated with 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-Vitamin D3) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) serum concentrations or is associated with either the phalangeal dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (pDXA) or the quantitative bone ultrasound (QUS) in independent elderly men. Serum PTH and 25-OH-Vitamin D3 were measured in 195 healthy elderly men (mean age: 73.31 ± 5.10 year). Food intake was quantified using a dietetic scale. Participants with 25-OH-Vitamin D3 levels ≥ 30 ng/mL (75 nmol/L) and a calcium intake of 800–1200 mg/day exhibited the lowest PTH levels (41.49 ± 16.72 ng/mL). The highest PTH levels (75.60 ± 14.16 ng/mL) were observed in the <30 ng/mL group 25-OH-Vitamin D3 with a calcium intake >1200 mg/day. No significant differences in the serum PTH levels based on the serum 25-OH-Vitamin D3 levels were observed among participants with a calcium intake of 800–1200 mg/day. Serum PTH was inversely correlated with serum 25-OH-Vitamin D3 in the entire patient sample (r = −0.288, p = 0.019). No differences in any of the three densitometry techniques were observed between any of the age groups in the 800–1200 mg/day and >1200 mg/day calcium intake groups. PTH levels correlate negatively with serum 25-OH-Vitamin D3 levels, and neither calcium nor vitamin D intake exert a strong influence on either of the two parameters.
Microarray image segmentation using spot morphological model

The up-to-date segmentation techniques and software programs for microarray image segmentation require human intervention which in turn may detrimentally affect the biological conclusions reached during microarray experiments. In this paper, an automatic approach for segmenting microarray images, based on the morphological modeling of spots, is presented. The conducted experiments have shown that the proposed approach is very effective even when it is applied to noisy images as well as to images containing spots of various shapes and intensities.
Ionosphere variations at 700 km altitude observed by the DEMETER satellite during the 29 March 2006 solar eclipse

We present an experimental and modeling study of the effects of the 29 March 2006 solar eclipse in the topside ionosphere. Measurements of the densities and temperatures of the thermal electrons and ions were provided by instruments aboard the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales microsatellite DEMETER, which flew over Europe and Africa near the time of maximum solar obscuration. Data from several orbits, either on the same day or on days encompassing the eclipse day, were available to determine a reference state of the ionosphere along the orbit in absence of eclipse. The comparison between this latter and the actual observations along the eclipse orbit reveal a clear thermal effect with a fast drop of about 200 K of the electron and ion temperatures that follows the variations of the solar UV flux in the F region of the ionosphere conjugate to the satellite position. The plasma density decreases by about 30% but with a significant delay and is better correlated with the solar UV flux averaged over the previous 1 to 2 h in the conjugate F region. This delayed and prolonged decrease of density induces an increase of the electron temperature to be higher than the reference ionosphere. We have also performed a modeling of the ionosphere using the SAMI2 code, after having introduced adequate modifications to reproduce fairly realistic eclipse conditions. Applied to the DEMETER conditions of observation, the model reproduces the observations very well. This work shows that the plasma temperature responds very quickly along the magnetic field lines to the variations of the energy available from the photoelectrons while the plasma density variations are controlled by more complex and slower transport processes.
Intuitionistic Fuzzy Information Aggregation Using Einstein Operations

Aggregation of fuzzy information is a new branch of Atanassov's intuitionistic fuzzy set (AIFS) theory, which has attracted significant interest from researchers in recent years. In this paper, we treat the intuitionistic fuzzy aggregation operators with the help of Einstein operations. We first introduce some new operations of AIFSs, such as Einstein sum, Einstein product, and Einstein scalar multiplication. Then, we develop some intuitionistic fuzzy aggregation operators, such as the intuitionistic fuzzy Einstein weighted averaging operator and the intuitionistic fuzzy Einstein ordered weighted averaging operator, which extend the weighted averaging operator and the ordered weighted averaging operator to aggregate Atanassov's intuitionistic fuzzy values, respectively. We further establish various properties of these operators and analyze the relations between these operators and the existing intuitionistic fuzzy aggregation operators. Moreover, we give some numerical examples to illustrate the developed aggregation operators. Finally, we apply the intuitionistic fuzzy Einstein weighted averaging operator to multiple attribute decision making with intuitionistic fuzzy information.
Detección temprana de factores de riesgo para el consumo de sustancias ilícitas

Introduccion En la experiencia clinica cotidiana con pacientes adictos es frecuente encontrar determinadas condiciones en su desarrollo infantil que hacen pensar en una posible relacion con el uso o abuso de sustancias. La deteccion temprana de estos factores es un tema de la mayor importancia para su prevencion y tratamiento. En Mexico existen pocas investigaciones acerca de factores de alto riesgo para el abuso o dependencia de sustancias ilicitas, por lo que los Centros de Integracion Juvenil (CIJ), institucion especializada en la prevencion y tratamiento de adicciones, se propuso realizar un estudio que considerara las variables mencionadas en la bibliografia internacional y las observadas en sus propios pacientes. Tales variables son la violencia domestica, el abuso sexual, los problemas escolares en el nivel basico y el abuso de alcohol y/o uso de drogas ilicitas en uno o ambos padres y/o hermanos mayores. Metodologia Para el estudio utilizamos el metodo de investigacion operativa con grupos pareados, con el fin de comparar variables de un grupo de consumidores de sustancias ilicitas con otro de no usuarios. El grupo de usuarios se integro con pacientes clasificados como dependientes de sustancias de acuerdo con los criterios del Manual Estadistico de Trastornos Mentales, cuarta version (DSM-IV). El grupo control (no usuarios de sustancias) se comparo por pares con base en cuatro criterios: lugar de residencia, sexo, edad y estratificacion sociourbana. En ambos grupos se utilizo un cuestionario no autoaplicable, que explora las cuatro variables del estudio. Resultados En los consumidores se encontro una frecuencia mas alta de casos de violencia domestica. El abuso sexual se presenta unicamente en el grupo de adictos. Los problemas escolares en el nivel basico fueron mayores en el grupo de adictos en cuanto a conducta inquieta y rebelde. El uso de sustancias ilicitas por familiares (padres y/o hermanos) se dio unicamente en los casos de adictos, mientras que el abuso de alcohol es semejante en ambos grupos. Conclusiones La violencia domestica fue la variable que tuvo mayor diferencia entre el grupo de adictos y el grupo control, lo que podria hacer pensar en una posible asociacion entre el maltrato fisico y el consumo de drogas ilicitas.La segunda variable de riesgo que mostro una diferencia entre ambos grupos fue el uso de sustancias ilicitas por familiares. Aun cuando fueron numericamente poco significativos, en el grupo de adictos los hallazgos de abuso sexual en la infancia si indican una diferencia cualitativa distinta con el grupo de no usuarios, quienes no expresaron haber vivido en la infancia alguna situacion semejante. Las cuatro variables no se encontraron simultaneamente en ningun caso de adictos y no adictos; la presencia de dos a 3 variables fue mas frecuente en el grupo de adictos, lo que permite suponer que no existe una asociacion causal de cada variable por separado. Es mas factible que la predisposicion para el consumo de sustancias ilicitas se de en una combinacion de variables diversas y complejas.