Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development of blastomeres of mouse eggs isolated at the 4- and 8-cell stage.

Organization of a mammahan egg at the beginning of development has been the subject of several experimental as well as descriptive cytological and cytochemical investigations. The regulative capacities of blastomeres isolated at the 2-cell stage have been studied in the rat (Nicholas & Hall, 1942), rabbit (Seidel, 1952,1960) and mouse (Tarkowski, 1959 a, b ; Mulnard, 1965 a, b ). Investigations by Seidel and Tarkowski have shown that although the majority of 1/2 blastomeres can regulate and develop into smaller but otherwise normal blastocysts, som e of them give rise to purely trophoblastic vesicles devoid of the inner cell mass. In the mouse, Tarkowski (1959 a, b ) observed in addition in a few cases multicellular morulae which had not undergone cavitation. The findings of Tarkowski have been recently confirmed by Mulnard (1965 a, b ) who studied cytochemically mouse 1/2 blastomeres developing in vitro .
Synergistic effects of low‐level laser and mesenchymal stem cells on functional recovery in rats with crushed sciatic nerves

Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been proposed to exert beneficial effects on peripheral nerve regeneration after a peripheral nerve injury, but the functional recovery in the denervated limb is still limited. In this study, we used low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) as an adjunct therapy for MSC transplantation on the functional recovery of crushed sciatic nerve in rats. Peripheral nerve injury was induced in 48 Sprague–Dawley rats by crushing the unilateral sciatic nerve, using a vessel clamp. The animals with crushed injury were randomly divided into four groups: control group, with no treatment; MSC group, treated with MSC alone; LLLT group, treated with LLLT alone; and MSCLLLT group, treated with a combination of MSC and LLLT. The sciatic function index (SFI), vertical activity of locomotion (VA) and ankle angle (AA) of rats were examined for functional assessments after treatment. Electrophysiological, morphological and S100 immunohistochemical studies were also conducted. The MSCLLLT group showed a greater recovery in SFI, VA and AA, with significant difference from MSC, LLLT and control groups (p < 0.05). Moreover, markedly enhanced electrophysiological function and expression of S100 immunoreactivity, as well as fewer inflammatory cells and less vacuole formation were also demonstrated after nerve crush injury in the MSCLLLT group when compared with the groups receiving a single treatment (p < 0.05). MSC transplantation combined with LLLT could achieve better results in functional recovery than a conventional treatment of MSC or LLLT alone. LLLT has a synergistic effect in providing greater functional recovery with MSC transplantation after nerve crush injury. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Framing the Poor: Media Coverage and U.S. Poverty Policy, 1960–2008

Public policy toward the poor has shifted from an initial optimism during the War on Poverty to an ever-increasing pessimism. Media discussion of poverty has shifted from arguments that focus on the structural causes of poverty or the social costs of having large numbers of poor to portrayals of the poor as cheaters and chiselers and of welfare programs doing more harm than good. As the frames have shifted, policies have followed. We demonstrate these trends with new indicators of the depth of poverty, the generosity of the government response, and media framing of the poor for the period of 1960–2008. We present a simple statistical model that explains poverty spending by the severity of the problem, gross domestic product, and media coverage. We then create a new measure of the relative generosity of U.S. government policy toward the poor and show that it is highly related to the content of newspaper stories. The portrayal of the poor as either deserving or lazy drives public policy.
Physical fitness and academic achievement in elementary school children.

BACKGROUND The benefits of physical fitness are widely acknowledged and extend across many domains of wellness. The association between fitness and academic achievement, however, remains to be clarified, especially in young children. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between fitness and academic achievement in elementary school children. METHODS Data were collected from 134 third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade children. One-mile run time, body mass index, curl-up, and sit-and-reach data were collected from physical education instructors in Middle Tennessee. The percentage of questions answered correctly for the mathematics and reading/language arts sections of the TerraNova achievement test was taken as a measure of academic achievement. RESULTS A negative association (P<.01) was noted between 1-mile run times and mathematics scores (r=-.28), whereas a positive relationship (P<.05) was observed between muscular fitness and mathematics scores (r=.20). Relative to sex differences, inverse relationships (P<.05) were observed between 1-mile run times and reading/language arts and mathematics scores in girls (r=-.31 and -.36, respectively), but no significant associations were evident in boys. CONCLUSIONS Results from this study support a link between specific components of physical fitness and academic achievement in elementary school children.
Uterine and eggshell structure and histochemistry in a lizard with prolonged uterine egg retention (Lacertilia, Scincidae, Saiphos)

The eggshell of lizards is a complex structure composed of organic and inorganic molecules secreted by the oviduct, which protects the embryo by providing a barrier to the external environment and also allows the exchange of respiratory gases and water for life support. Calcium deposited on the surface of the eggshell provides an important nutrient source for the embryo. Variation in physical conditions encountered by eggs results in a tradeoff among these functions and influences eggshell structure. Evolution of prolonged uterine egg retention results in a significant change in the incubation environment, notably reduction in efficiency of gas exchange, and selection should favor a concomitant reduction in eggshell thickness. This model is supported by studies that demonstrate an inverse correlation between eggshell thickness and length of uterine egg retention. One mechanism leading to thinning of the eggshell is reduction in size of uterine shell glands. Saiphos equalis is an Australian scincid lizard with an unusual pattern of geographic variation in reproductive mode. All populations retain eggs in the uterus beyond the embryonic stage at oviposition typical for lizards, and some are viviparous. We compared structure and histochemistry of the uterus and eggshell of two populations of S. equalis, prolonged egg retention, and viviparous to test the hypotheses: 1) eggshell thickness is inversely correlated with length of egg retention and 2) eggshell thickness is positively correlated with size of shell glands. We found support for the first hypothesis but also found that eggshells of both populations are surprisingly thick compared with other lizards. Our histochemical data support prior conclusions that uterine shell glands are the source of protein fiber matrix of the eggshell, but we did not find a correlation between size of shell glands and eggshell thickness. Eggshell thickness is likely determined by density of uterine shell glands in this species. J. Morphol. , 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Gender‐Specific Effects on Verapamil Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics in Humans

Pharmacokinetic studies of i.v. and oral racemic verapamil and 14C‐erythromycin breath tests (ERBT) were performed in 84 healthy men (n = 42) and women (n = 42). Verapamil was measured by HPLC, concentration versus time data were analyzed by noncompartmental models, protein binding was measured by equilibrium dialysis, and statistical analyses were performed by ANOVA. Clearance of i.v. and p.o. verapamil was 13.7 ± 4.3 and 58.4 ± 35 ml/min/kg (mean ± SD) in women compared to 12.6 ± 3.4 and 82.6 ± 70 ml/min/kg in men (p = 0.076). Bioavailability was higher in women (0.25 ± 0.09) compared to men (0.20 ± 0.09, p = 0.019) with a significant Gender × Formulation interaction (p = 0.04). ERBT were higher in women (p < 0.0001). Verapamil (i.v. and p.o.) decreased blood pressure in all subjects with greater heart rate increases after p.o. verapamil in women compared to men (p = 0.041). The findings suggest that sex‐specific differences in drug metabolism may occur in both the gut and the liver and involve multiple metabolic pathways and that pharmacokinetic differences will alter pharmacodynamic responses.
Uredopeltis chevalieri sp. nov., the rust of Grewia (Tiliaceae) formerly known as Phakopsora (or Dasturella) grewiae, its first record in Australia and a summary of the known rusts of Grewia

The rust of Grewia formerly known as Phakopsora (or Dasturella) grewiae is recorded for the first time in Australia from the Kimberley region of northern Western Australia. As no validly published name exists for the te lial stage of this rust and as it is placed best in the genus Uredopeltis, it is described as new from the Australian collection as Uredopeltis chevalieri and is compared with the other known rusts of Grewia.
Pemphigus in North-Western Yemen: A therapeutic study of 75 cases

Background: The incidence of pemphigus, though not documented, seems to be quite high in Yemen. There is no universal consensus on the treatment of this disease. Aims: The aim was to evaluate the efficacy and side effects of different therapeutic regimens used in patients of pemphigus in North-Western Yemen. Patients and Methods: Seventy-five Yemeni patients (39 males and 36 females) were included. Diagnosis was based on clinical features, histopathology and the Tzanck test. Results of treatment with these different therapeutic regimens were compared: (1) dexamethasone-cyclophosphamide pulse (DCP), (2) dexamethasone pulse with oral azathioprine, (3) oral prednisolone with azathioprine, (4) oral prednisolone with oral cyclophosphamide, and (5) prednisolone monotherapy. Results: Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) was diagnosed in 46 patients, pemphigus foliaceus (PF) in 23, pemphigus vegetans (PVEG) in 5 and pemphigus herpetiformis (PH) in one. Among the 16 patients who received regular DCP therapy, 13 were in remission for 6 months to 11 years without medications (phase 4). Remission without pharmacotherapy could not be achieved with the other regimens and steroid-induced side-effects appeared to be more than with DCP. Limitations: Immunofluorescence was not available to confirm the diagnosis of pemphigus. Randomization was not done. Conclusion: The DCP regimen seemed to be superior to the other regimens used.
AV Nodal Dual Pathway Electrophysiology and Wenckebach Periodicity

Dual Pathways and Wenckebach Periodicity. Introduction: The precise mechanism(s) governing the phenomenon of AV nodal Wenckebach periodicity is not fully elucidated. Currently 2 hypotheses, the decremental conduction and the Rosenbluethian step‐delay, are most frequently used. We have provided new evidence that, in addition, dual pathway (DPW) electrophysiology is directly involved in the manifestation of AV nodal Wenckebach phenomenon.
Predictive accuracy of triage nurses evaluation in risk stratification of syncope in the emergency department

Background Syncope is a common clinical problem that accounts for 1–3% of all emergency department (ED) visits. Its prognosis is extremely variable with a 1-year mortality that may reach 30%. There are no available data about the accuracy of nursing triage in identifying high-risk syncope. The aim of our study was to evaluate the predictive accuracy of nursing triage in identifying high-risk syncope. Methods We conducted a retrospective study on 678 consecutive patients who presented with syncope at four EDs. For each patient, nursing triage, comorbidities, clinical features and adverse events that occurred both in the ED and at 10-day follow-up were assessed. Adverse events included death, readmission to ED, need for major therapeutic procedures, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, intensive care unit admittance, acute antiarrhythmic therapy and major causes of syncope identified during the ED evaluation. Predictive accuracy of nursing triage was evaluated. Results We observed a total of 55 (8.1%) adverse events. Eight of them (9.4%) occurred among the 85 patients who were identified as high priority by nursing triage. Sensitivity (Sn) and specificity (Sp) of urgent nursing triage in identifying adverse outcomes in the ED (19 patients) were 21% (95% CI 3% to 39%) and 88% (95% CI 85% to 90%), while the positive likelihood ratio (LR+) and negative likelihood ratio (LR−) were 1.7 and 0.9, respectively. Sn and Sp for 10-day adverse events were 15% (95% CI 5% to 24%) and 88% (95% CI 85% to 90%), respectively, with a LR+ of 1.18 and a LR− of 0.98. Conclusions Nursing triage was characterised by a low predictive accuracy in identifying high-risk individuals.
PAX6 mutation in a family with aniridia, congenital ptosis, and mental retardation

Congenital aniridia is due to deletions and point mutations in the PAX6 gene. We describe here a case of a mother and her two sons with a syndrome comprising congenital aniridia, ptosis, and slight mental retardation. The sons also show behavioral changes. The possibility of deletion around the PAX6 locus was excluded by polymorphism studies and fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis. Mutation screening of the PAX6 gene revealed the presence of a transversion C719A, resulting in the substitution of arginine for serine at residue 119. We suggest that this missense mutation is responsible both for aniridia and ptosis, and possibly also for the observed cognitive dysfunction in this family.
The Role of the Distal Elongation Zone in the Response of Maize Roots to Auxin and Gravity

We used a video digitizer system to (a) measure changes in the pattern of longitudinal surface extension in primary roots of maize (Zea mays L.) upon application and withdrawal of auxin and (b) compare these patterns during gravitropism in control roots and roots pretreated with auxin. Special attention was paid to the distal elongation zone (DEZ), arbitrarily defined as the region between the meristem and the point within the elongation zone at which the rate of elongation reaches 0.3 of the peak rate. For roots in aqueous solution, the basal limit of the DEZ is about 2.5 mm behind the tip of the root cap. Auxin suppressed elongation throughout the elongation zone, but, after 1 to 3 h, elongation resumed, primarily as a result of induction of rapid elongation in the DEZ. Withdrawal of auxin during the period of strong inhibition resulted in exceptionally rapid elongation attributable to the initiation of rapid elongation in the DEZ plus recovery in the main elongation zone. Gravistimulation of auxin-inhibited roots induced rapid elongation in the DEZ along the top of the root. This resulted in rapid gravitropism even though the elongation rate of the root was zero before gravistimulation. The results indicate that cells of the DEZ differ from cells in the bulk of the elongation zone with respect to auxin sensitivity and that DEZ cells play an important role in gravitropism.
Elevation of γ‐Aminobutyric Acid in Cultured Rat C6 Glioma Cells Following Methionine Supplementation

Methionine is recognized as the most toxic amino acid in various mammalian species investigated (Harper et al., 1970). Serum, liver, and brain levels of glycine and serine are antagonized by excessive methionine intake (Klavins, 1965; Daniel and Waisman, 1969). Both the behavioral and metabolic toxicities of methionine are ameliorated by coadministration of glycine or serine (Benevenga and Harper, 1967; 1970; Girard-Globa et al., 1972; Beaton, 1975). These effects and the metabolic interrelations of methionine are of special interest in the investigation of the neurochemistry of schizophrenia and several other brain disorders. Schizophrenics have been reported to be deficient in two enzymes of one-carbon metabolism: serine hydroxymethyltransferase (L-serine-tetrahydrofolate 5,10-hydroxymethyltransferase, EC 2.1.2.1), and methionine adenosyltransferase (ATP: L-methionine Sadenosyltransferase, EC 2.5.1.6.) (Carl et al., 1978). It appears possible that the unique behavioral reaction of schizophrenics to methionine loads may be related to the diminished levels of these enzymes in their blood cells (Cohen et al., 1974). In relation to our interest in the above problem and basic neurometabolic questions pertaining to it, we have studied changes in amino acid concentrations in cultured rat C6 glioma cells following incubation in media supplemented with methionine, glycine, and serine. We found that intracellular levels of glycine and serine were unaltered by incubation for 6 days in either 0.4 or 1.2 mwmethionine. Changes in most of the remaining amino acids paralleled more closely those changes previously reported for brain than for liver or serum. y-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) was a distinct exception, in that its intracellular concentration doubled whenever excess methionine was present in the medium. Neither glycine nor serine was effective either in elevating intracellular GABA or in diminishing the effect of methionine on levels of GABA.
Oncologic and surgical outcomes in colorectal cancer patients with liver cirrhosis: A propensity-matched study

The management of colorectal cancer in patients with liver cirrhosis requires a thorough understanding of both diseases. This study evaluated the effect of liver cirrhosis on oncologic and surgical outcomes and prognostic factors in colorectal cancer patients. Fifty-five consecutive colorectal cancer patients with liver cirrhosis underwent colorectal resection (LC group). Using a prospectively maintained database, these patients were matched 1:4 using propensity scoring with R programming language, package "MatchIt" and "optmatch" by sex, age, cancer location, and tumor stage with 220 patients without liver cirrhosis (non-LC group), resulting in 275 patients. The 5-year overall survival (OS) was significantly worse in the LC group than in the non-LC group (46.7% vs. 76.2% respectively, P < 0.001); however, the 5-year proportion of recurrence free (PRF) rates were similar (73.1% vs. 84.5% respectively, P = 0.094). On multivariate analysis of the LC group, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage ≥III disease, venous invasion, and a model for end-stage liver disease plus serum sodium (MELD-Na) score >10 were prognostic factors for OS. However, the OS was not different between the LC group with MELD-Na score ≤10 and the non-LC group (5-year OS rate, TNM stage ≤II, 85.7 vs 89.5%, p = 0.356; TNM stage ≥III, 41.1 vs 66.2%, p = 0.061). Colorectal cancer patients with liver cirrhosis have poorer OS compared to those without liver cirrhosis; however, the PRF rates are similar. It might be due to the mortality from the liver, and surgical treatment should be actively considered for patients with MELD-Na score <10.
Business IT Alignment through the Lens of Complexity Science

Business IT alignment has been a top concern for academics and corporate managers for over 30 years. Despite a rich literature, it is still far from been an achieved objective in companies. Leveraging on the similarities between Information and Complex Systems, researchers have recently adopted a new perspective to study Information Systems and their alignment with business. The present study is based on an extensive literature review that spans three domains of research: Information Systems, Complexity Science, and Organization Science. The paper proposes to contribute to the study and implementation of alignment by presenting a classification framework for the different alignment approaches exploiting methods derived from Complexity Science. Four types of approaches to alignment are identified and for each of them the potential contribution to alignment dimensions is discussed.
Probiotics as Beneficial Dietary Supplements to Prevent and Treat Cardiovascular Diseases: Uncovering Their Impact on Oxidative Stress

The gut microbiota, the ecosystem formed by a wide symbiotic community of nonpathogenic microorganisms that are present in the distal part of the human gut, plays a prominent role in the normal physiology of the organism. The gut microbiota's imbalance, gut dysbiosis, is directly related to the origin of various processes of acute or chronic dysfunction in the host. Therefore, the ability to intervene in the gut microbiota is now emerging as a possible tactic for therapeutic intervention in various diseases. From this perspective, evidence is growing that a functional dietary intervention with probiotics, which maintain or restore beneficial bacteria of the digestive tract, represents a promising therapeutic strategy for interventions in cardiovascular diseases and also reduces the risk of their occurrence. In the present work, we review the importance of maintaining the balance of the intestinal microbiota to prevent or combat such processes as arterial hypertension or endothelial dysfunction, which underlie many cardiovascular disorders. We also review how the consumption of probiotics can improve autonomic control of cardiovascular function and provide beneficial effects in patients with heart failure. Among the known effects of probiotics is their ability to decrease the generation of reactive oxygen species and, therefore, reduce oxidative stress. Therefore, in this review, we specifically focus on this antioxidant capacity and its relationship with the beneficial cardiovascular effects described for probiotics.
Dietary antigens limit mucosal immunity by inducing regulatory T cells in the small intestine

Keeping immune cells quiet on a diet Over thousands of years, our immune systems has evolved to distinguish self from foreign, perpetrating attacks on microbes but not ourselves. Given this, why do we fail to mount an immune response against most of the food we eat? Kim et al. compared normal mice, mice lacking microbes, and mice lacking microbes that were fed an elemental diet devoid of dietary antigens (see the Perspective by Kuhn and Weiner). Dietary antigens normally induced a population of suppressive immune cells called regulatory T cells in the small intestine. The cells were distinct from regulatory T cells induced by microbial antigens and prevented strong reactions against food. Science, this issue p. 858; see also p. 810 A population of suppressive T cells in the small intestine of mice prevents immune responses to solid foods. [Also see Perspective by Kuhn and Weiner] Dietary antigens are normally rendered nonimmunogenic through a poorly understood “oral tolerance” mechanism that involves immunosuppressive regulatory T (Treg) cells, especially Treg cells induced from conventional T cells in the periphery (pTreg cells). Although orally introducing nominal protein antigens is known to induce such pTreg cells, whether a typical diet induces a population of pTreg cells under normal conditions thus far has been unknown. By using germ-free mice raised and bred on an elemental diet devoid of dietary antigens, we demonstrated that under normal conditions, the vast majority of the small intestinal pTreg cells are induced by dietary antigens from solid foods. Moreover, these pTreg cells have a limited life span, are distinguishable from microbiota-induced pTreg cells, and repress underlying strong immunity to ingested protein antigens.