Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ultrastructure of bovine blastocysts following cryopreservation: Effect of method of blastocyst production

The objective of this study was to describe the ultrastructure of blastocysts derived by in vivo and in vitro methods and to investigate how the morphology is affected by exposure to cryoprotectant (10% glycerol) or cryopreservation by conventional slow freezing. In vivo derived blastocysts were characterized by a narrow perivitelline space (PvS), a continuous cover of numerous stacked microvilli (MV) on the plasma membrane, a well‐defined system of cell‐to‐cell coupling and a large population of round or elongated mitochondria with numerous transverse cristae. Exposure of these blastocysts to cryoprotectant was manifested by shrinkage of the blastocysts and swelling of the mitochondria. Cryopreservation resulted in further shrinkage, damage to the MV, and accumulation of cellular debris. In comparison, the in vitro matured (IVM)/in vitro fertilized (IVF) in vivo cultured blastocysts displayed a wider PvS; they appeared to possess less MV and all blastocysts displayed some cellular debris in their PvS. There was also a decrease in the number of junctional contacts between the trophoblastic cells. The reaction of these blastocysts to exposure to cryoprotectant was similar to that of the in vivo derived blastocysts. However, they appeared to be more susceptible to cryopreservation. The totally in vitro produced (IVP) blastocysts displayed a wider PvS, no stacking of the MV, increased numbers of lipid droplets and a further reduction in the junctional contacts between trophoblastic cells. The IVP blastocysts sustained breakage of the zona pellucida on exposure to cryoprotectant and were extremely sensitive to cryopreservation, losing all cell structure and organization. The findings of the present study indicate that in vivo derived blastocysts possess certain structural characteristics that confer a greater tolerance on them to exposure to cryoprotectant and cryopreservation. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 58:186–195, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor sitagliptin maintains β-cell function in patients with recent-onset latent autoimmune diabetes in adults: one year prospective study.

CONTEXT Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors have been widely used in type 2 diabetes. An important unanswered question concerns the effect of DPP-4 inhibition on β-cell function in patients with autoimmune diabetes. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of the DPP-4 inhibitor on β-cell function in patients with recent-onset latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA). DESIGN AND SETTING This study was an open-label, randomized-controlled study conducted in the Department of Endocrinology at the Second Xiangya Hospital. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTION Thirty recently diagnosed LADA patients were randomized 1:1 to receive insulin therapy with 100 mg/d sitagliptin (group A, n = 15) or without sitagliptin (group B, n = 15) for 12 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Fasting and 2-hour postprandial blood samples were obtained at baseline and after 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of treatment to determine blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, and C-peptide levels. RESULTS There were no differences in the clinical baseline data between the two groups. During the 12 months of follow-up, there were no significant differences in glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels between the two groups. At 12 months, fasting C-peptide (FCP), 2-hour postprandial C-peptide (CP), and ΔCP (ΔCP = 2 h CP-FCP) levels were not different in group A (P > .05) compared with baseline, whereas in group B the levels of FCP, 2-hour CP and ΔCP were significantly decreased compared with baseline (P < .05). Levels of 2-hour CP were higher in group A than group B at 12 months (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS LADA patients treated with sitagliptin and insulin maintained β-cell function by comparison with insulin alone.
Isolation and characterization of a biodegrading 3-chloropropionic acid Burkholderia cepacia WH 1 isolated from abandoned agricultural land

1Department of Biology, College of Science, Al-Mustansiriyah University, Iraq 2Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Johor Bahru, Malaysia 3Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering, Faculty of Biosciences and Medical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Johor Bahru, Malaysia. 4Iffah Izzati Zakaria, Natural Products and Drug Discovery Center, Malaysian Institute of Pharmaceuticals and Nutraceuticals, National Institutes of Biotechnology Malaysia, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Block 5-A, Halaman Bukit Gambir, 11700 Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Genetic Control of NKT Cell Numbers Maps to Major Diabetes and Lupus Loci 1

Natural killer T cells are an immunoregulatory population of lymphocytes that plays a critical role in controlling the adaptive immune system and contributes to the regulation of autoimmune responses. We have previously reported deficiencies in the numbers and function of NKT cells in the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse strain, a well-validated model of type 1 diabetes and systemic lupus erythematosus. In this study, we report the results of a genetic linkage analysis of the genes controlling NKT cell numbers in a first backcross (BC1) from C57BL/6 to NOD.Nkrp1b mice. The numbers of thymic NKT cells of 320 BC1 mice were determined by fluorescence-activated cell analysis using anti-TCR Ab and CD1/α-galactosylceramide tetramer. Tail DNA of 138 female BC1 mice was analyzed for PCR product length polymorphisms at 181 simple sequence repeats, providing greater than 90% coverage of the autosomal genome with an average marker separation of 8 cM. Two loci exhibiting significant linkage to NKT cell numbers were identified; the most significant (Nkt1) was on distal chromosome 1, in the same region as the NOD mouse lupus susceptibility gene Babs2/Bana3. The second most significant locus (Nkt2) mapped to the same region as Idd13, a NOD-derived diabetes susceptibility gene on chromosome 2.
Ras Involvement in Signal Transduction by the Serotonin 5-HT2B Receptor (*)

The family of serotonin 5-HT2 receptors stimulates the phospholipase C second messenger pathway via the α subunit of the G GTP-binding protein. Here, we show that agonist stimulation of the 5-HT2B receptor subtype stably expressed in the mouse fibroblast LMTK cell line causes a rapid and transient activation of the proto-oncogene product p21 as measured by an increase in GTP-bound Ras in response to serotonin. Furthermore, 5-HT2B receptor stimulation activates p42/p44 (ERK2/ERK1) mitogen-activated protein kinases as assayed by phosphorylation of myelin basic protein. Antibodies against p21, Gα, -β, or - subunits of the GTP-binding protein inhibit MAP kinase-dependent phosphorylation. The MAP kinase activation is correlated with a stimulation of cell division by serotonin. In addition to this mitogenic action, transforming activity of serotonin is mediated by the 5-HT2B receptor since its expression in LMTK cells is absolutely required for foci formation and for these foci to form tumors in nude mice. Finally, we detected expression of the 5-HT2B receptor in spontaneous human and Mastomys natalensis carcinoid tumors and, similar to the 5-HT2B receptor transfected cells, the Mastomys tumor cells are also responsive to serotonin with similar coupling to p21 activation.
Hematologic responses in patients with aplastic anemia treated with deferasirox: a post hoc analysis from the EPIC study

Reports are emerging of hematologic responses associated with iron chelation therapy; however, studies are limited in aplastic anemia patients. Deferasirox reduced iron overload in aplastic anemia patients enrolled in the EPIC (Evaluation of Patients’ Iron Chelation with Exjade®) study (n=116). A post hoc analysis of hematologic responses was conducted on 72 patients with evaluable hematologic parameters (according to UK guideline criteria), 24 of whom received deferasirox without concomitant immunosuppressive treatment. Partial hematologic responses were observed in 11 of 24 (45.8%) patients; all became transfusion-independent. One patient had an additional platelet response and one patient had an additional platelet and hemoglobin response. Mean serum ferritin levels at end of study were significantly reduced in partial hematologic responders (n=11; −3948±4998 ng/mL; baseline 6693±7014 ng/mL; percentage change from baseline −45.7%; P=0.0029). In non-responders, the reduction in serum ferritin was less pronounced (n=13; −2021±3242 ng/mL; baseline 4365±3063 ng/mL; % change from baseline −27.6%; P=0.0171). Alongside reduction in iron overload, deferasirox may, therefore, improve hematologic parameters in a subset of aplastic anemia patients. Further investigation is required to elucidate the mechanisms involved. (Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT00171821)
Influenza vaccine immunology

Summary: Studying the spread of influenza in human populations and protection by influenza vaccines provides important insights into immunity against influenza. The 2009 H1N1 pandemic has taught the most recent lessons. Neutralizing and receptor‐blocking antibodies against hemagglutinin are the primary means of protection from the spread of pandemic and seasonal strains. Anti‐neuraminidase antibodies seem to play a secondary role. More broadly cross‐reactive forms of immunity may lessen disease severity but are insufficient to prevent epidemic spread. Priming by prior exposure to related influenza strains through infection or immunization permits rapid, potent antibody responses to immunization. Priming is of greater importance to the design of immunization strategies than the immunologically fascinating phenomenon of dominant recall responses to previously encountered strains (original antigenic sin). Comparisons between non‐adjuvanted inactivated vaccines and live attenuated vaccines demonstrate that both can protect, with some advantage of live attenuated vaccines in children and some advantage of inactivated vaccines in those with multiple prior exposures to influenza antigens. The addition of oil‐in‐water emulsion adjuvants to inactivated vaccines provides enhanced functional antibody titers, greater breadth of antibody cross‐reactivity, and antigen dose sparing. The MF59 adjuvant broadens the distribution of B‐cell epitopes recognized on HA and NA following immunization.
Local Administration of Methylprednisolone Laden Hydrogel Enhances Functional Recovery of Transected Sciatic Nerve in Rat.

Objective To determine the effects of methylprednisolone-laden hydrogel loaded into a chitosan conduit on the functional recovery of peripheral nerve using a rat sciatic nerve regeneration model was assessed. Methods 10-mm sciatic nerve defect was bridged using a chitosan conduit (CHIT/CGP-Hydrogel) filled with CGP-hydrogel. In authograft group (AUTO) a segment of sciatic nerve was transected and reimplanted reversely. In methylprednisolone treated group (CHIT/MP) the conduit was filled with methylprednisolone-laden CGP-hydrogel. The regenerated fibers were studied within 16 weeks after surgery. Results The behavioral, functional and electrophysiological studies confirmed faster recovery of the regenerated axons in methylprednisolone treated group compared to CHIT/Hydrogel group (p<0.05). The mean ratios of gastrocnemius muscles weight were measured. There was statistically significant difference between the muscle weight ratios of CHIT/MP and CHIT/Hydrogel groups (p<0.05). Morphometric indices of regenerated fibers showed number and diameter of the myelinated fibers were significantly higher in CHIT/MP than in CHIT/Hydrogel group. Conclusion Methylprednisolone-laden hydrogel when loaded in a chitosan conduit resulted in improvement of functional recovery and quantitative morphometric indices of sciatic nerve.
Intensity-dependent facial emotion recognition and cognitive functions in Parkinson’s disease

Abstract Patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) frequently display non-motor symptoms. In this study, we investigated intensity-dependent facial emotion recognition in patients with PD and healthy controls (HC), matched for age, gender, and education, and its relationship to individual cognitive domains. Seventy patients with PD and 70 HC were submitted to a clinical, neuropsychological, and psychopathological evaluation. Facial emotion recognition performance was assessed using the Penn Emotion Recognition Test (PERT). The patients with PD recognized fewer low- and high-intensity facial expressions of disgust than HC. This effect was selective, because their global ability to recognize emotions was intact. Both patients with PD and HC recognized high-intensity better than low-intensity emotions, except for disgust, which was recognized better at low intensity. In the patients with PD, overall facial emotion recognition and selective disgust recognition performances were related to deficits in many neuropsychological domains (verbal and visuo-spatial memory, attention, praxis, and verbal fluency). The ability to recognize emotions is a complex cognitive process requiring the integrity of several functions. Therefore, it is likely that structural or functional derangement of the discrete neural pathways involved in these cognitive functions in patients with PD makes it difficult for them to recognize emotions expressed by others. (JINS, 2010, 16, 867–876.)
VELOCITY STORAGE, NYSTAGMUS, AND VISUAL‐VESTIBULAR INTERACTIONS IN HUMANS *

A mechanism that stores activity related to slow-phase eye velocity plays an important role in producing vestibular nystagmus, optokinetic nystagrnus (OKN) and visual-vestibular interactions. '. ' This mechanism is present in a wide range of species [see Reference 3 for review] and has been studied extensively in monkeys. Stored activity promotes ocular following during OKN and is responsible for optokinetic after-nystagmus (OKAN). ' During vestibular nystagmus, stored activity lengthens the time over which compensatory eye movements are rnaintained.2s4 Modeling of the vestibulo-ocular reflex [VOR) has shown that a single storage element is capable of mediating these responses and can reproduce many phenomena of visual-vestibular interactions. ' Manifestations of stored activity also are found in neurons in the vestibular nuclei of the monkey. Canal afferents in the vestibular nerve have a decay time constant of about 5-6 seconds after pulses of a~celeration. ~ The decay time constant of neurons in the vestibular nuclei always is longer than that of canal afferents, usually varying between 10 and 30 seconds depending on the state of habit~ation. '. ~ These same central neurons also are activated during OKN and OKAN. This demonstrates stored activity in firing rates of vestibular nuclei neurons and supports the theory of a common storage element. While this storage mechanism has been studied in animals, it is not known whether it plays a role in generating or modulating nystagmus in humans. Because the dominant time constant of the cupula-endolymph system and of activity in semicircular canal afferents cannot be determined directly in man, other ways have to be found to demonstrate the presence of stored activity in the oculomotor response. One way is by the presence of OKAN. OKAN represents the steady discharge of activity related to slow-phase velocity stored during exposure to a moving Storage of activity also is manifest in visual-vestibular interactions. Mowrer and Ter Braak were the first to show that postrotatory nystagmus is weaker after rotation in light than in darkness. They inferred that OKAN had summated with the vestibular after-nystagmus to reduce or abolish it. In similar experiments on humans, after-nystagrnus was reduced
Safety of anti-TNF therapy in inflammatory bowel disease during pregnancy

Introduction: The highest incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is seen between the second and fourth decades of life, which is the most fertile age for women. Increased disease activity has been shown to effect female fertility and pregnancy outcomes, stressing the need for drugs that can safely induce and maintain clinical remission without harming either the mother or fetus. Areas covered: Anti-TNF-α agents have been shown to be effective in both inducing and maintaining remission among IBD patients. This review highlights the results of previous studies conducted on pregnant women who were exposed to anti-TNF-α agents during the course of their pregnancy. The drugs reviewed include infliximab (IFX), adalimumab (ADA), certolizumab pegol (CZP) and golimumab (GMB). Of > 200 articles reviewed, 105 were included in the manuscript based on relevance. The keywords used were anti-TNF, infliximab, adalimumab, certolizumab, golimumab, biologics, pregnancy and inflammatory bowel disease. Expert opinion: Anti-TNF agents have been studied extensively during pregnancy from the early case reports to the more recent prospective Pregnancy in IBD and Neonatal Outcomes study. A comprehensive review of the literature has shown that biologics can be safely used during pregnancy. In view of this safety data, it is recommended to maintain therapy during pregnancy.
The temperature dependence of the threshold current of GaInAsP/InP DH lasers

The temperature dependence of the threshold current of GaInAsP/InP lasers was considered in terms of linear gain, loss, and carder lifetime. The linear gain was calculated taking into account electronic intraband relaxation effects. The carrier lifetime, intraband relaxation time, loss in the active region, and dipole moment, all of which determine the threshold condition, were estimated from the experiments. The main loss mechanism which determines the temperature dependence of the differential quantum efficiency appears to be the absorption due to transitions between the split-off and heavy-hole valence bands. The temperature dependence of the theoretical threshold current Ithcalculated in terms of these parameters was compared with the measured results and reasonable agreement was obtained.
Recrystallization behaviour of the nickel‐based alloy 80 A during hot forming

The dynamic recrystallization as well as meta‐dynamic and static recrystallization of the nickel‐based alloy 80A was investigated by means of electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Specimens were hot compressed at a temperature of 1120°C and a strain rate of 0.1/s at varying strain and soak times to describe the recrystallization behaviour. Various approaches were tested in order to differentiate between recrystallized and deformed grains based on EBSD data. The grain orientation spread was clearly found to be the most reliable procedure. A high twinning of the recrystallized grains was observed, and as a consequence the measured grain size was strongly dependent on whether the coherent and incoherent twin boundaries were regarded as genuine boundaries or removed.
Adrenoceptor subtype‐specific acceleration of the hypoxic depression of excitatory synaptic transmission in area CA1 of the rat hippocampus

The depression of excitatory synaptic transmission by hypoxia in area CA1 of the hippocampus is largely dependent upon the activation of adenosine A1 receptors on presynaptic glutamatergic terminals. As well as adenosine, norepinephrine levels increase in the hypoxic/ischemic hippocampus. We sought to determine the influence of α‐ and β‐adrenoceptor (AR) activation on the hypoxic depression of synaptic transmission utilizing electrophysiological, pharmacological and adenosine sensor techniques. Norepinephrine depressed synaptic transmission and significantly accelerated the hypoxic depression of synaptic transmission. The α‐AR agonist 6‐fluoronorepinephrine mimicked both of these effects whilst the α2‐AR antagonist yohimbine, but not the α1‐AR antagonist urapidil, prevented the actions of 6‐fluoronorepinephrine. In contrast, the β‐AR agonist isoproterenol enhanced synaptic transmission and only accelerated the hypoxic depression of transmission in hypoxia‐conditioned slices in which the hypoxic release of adenosine is reduced. The effects of isoproterenol were blocked by the non‐selective β‐AR antagonist propranolol and the selective β1‐AR antagonist betaxolol. Using an enzyme‐based adenosine sensor we observed that the application of the β‐AR agonist resulted in increased extracellular adenosine during repeated hypoxia. Our results suggest that α2‐AR activation facilitates the hypoxic depression of synaptic transmission probably via the known α2‐AR‐mediated inhibition of presynaptic calcium channels whereas β1‐AR activation does so via increased extracellular adenosine and greater activation of inhibitory adenosine A1 receptors.
Evidence for at least two dominant neutralization antigens on human rhinovirus 14

A collection of 28 mutants of human rhinovirus 14, selected for resistance to 10 individual neutralizing monoclonal antibodies, was used to identify two major neutralization antigens, N-Ag I and N-Ag II. Isoelectric analysis showed that all 16 of the N-Ag I mutants analyzed were charge altered in VP1;8 of 12 N-Ag II mutants were altered in VP3. These results suggest that N-Ag I resides on VP1, whereas N-Ag II lies on VP3. The frequency of charge alterations was much higher than predicted by the genetic code, suggesting that charged amino acids on the antigenic sites play an important role in interaction with neutralizing antibody. Antibodies against N-Ag I and N-Ag II neutralize with widely different efficiencies.
Effective Use of User Interface and User Experience in an mHealth Application

The effect of user interface (UI) design decisions on system usability has been discussed in information system literature. These discussions evolved into investigating the effectiveness of UI and how it affects a system user’s performance, as well as his or her perception of the system as a whole. This paper investigates the role of UI design on facilitating effective use in the context of mobile applications. Based on the Effective Use Theory, we test four different UIs developed for frequent data input tasks in a mobile platform using a controlled experiment and a follow-up survey. Our findings indicate that UI design in terms of touch technique (tap vs. slide) and target direction (vertical vs. horizontal) has a significant impact on the task completion time, as well as the app UIs’ perceived usability and likability. We discuss both theoretical and empirical implications of the results and suggest future research directions.
Performance evaluation of parametric Rao and GLRT detectors with KASSPER and Bistatic data

The parametric Rao and GLRT detectors, recently developed by exploiting a multichannel autoregressive (AR) model for the spatially and temporally colored disturbance, were shown to perform well with limited or even no range training data for the airborne radar configuration. In previous computer simulation studies of these parametric detectors, the disturbance was generated as a multichannel AR process. However, the disturbance signal in an airborne radar environment do not necessarily follow an exact multichannel AR model. In this paper, we evaluate the detection performance of the parametric Rao and GLRT detectors using more realistic datasets: the KASSPER 2002 dataset that includes many real-world effects such as heterogeneous terrains, antenna errors and leakage, and dense ground targets/discretes, etc., and the Bistatic dataset which contains range-dependent clutter due to bistatic geometry. Experimental results on both datasets show that the parametric detectors can provide good detection performance with limited or no range training in more realistic radar environments.