Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Candidate Gene Identification of Feed Efficiency and Coat Color Traits in a C57BL/6J × Kunming F2 Mice Population Using Genome-Wide Association Study

Feed efficiency (FE) is a very important trait in livestock industry. Identification of the candidate genes could be of benefit for the improvement of FE trait. Mouse is used as the model for many studies in mammals. In this study, the candidate genes related to FE and coat color were identified using C57BL/6J (C57) × Kunming (KM) F2 mouse population. GWAS results showed that 61 and 2 SNPs were genome-wise suggestive significantly associated with feed conversion ratio (FCR) and feed intake (FI) traits, respectively. Moreover, the Erbin, Msrb2, Ptf1a, and Fgf10 were considered as the candidate genes of FE. The Lpl was considered as the candidate gene of FI. Further, the coat color trait was studied. KM mice are white and C57 ones are black. The GWAS results showed that the most significant SNP was located at chromosome 7, and the closely linked gene was Tyr. Therefore, our study offered useful target genes related to FE in mice; these genes may play similar roles in FE of livestock. Also, we identified the major gene of coat color in mice, which would be useful for better understanding of natural mutation of the coat color in mice.
THE CELLULAR COMPOSITION OF THE HUMAN OVIDUCT EPITHELIUM

Epithelium from human Fallopian tubes was examined to determine the ratio of ciliated to secretory cells. A comparison was made between results from oviducts from women at different stages of the menstrual cycle, and also between the fimbrial, ampullary and isthmic regions of the oviduct. A high percentage of ciliated cells was found in each case, including the isthmic region, with little difference seen throughout the cycle. The role of cilia in ovum transport is discussed.
The ultraviolet opsin is the first opsin expressed during retinal development of salmonid fishes.

PURPOSE To determine the spatial and temporal progression of opsin appearance during retinal development of salmonid fishes (genus Oncorhynchus and Salmo). METHODS Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and in situ hybridization with riboprobes against the five classes of opsins present in salmonids (UV, blue, green, red, and rhodopsin) were used to establish the sequence of opsin appearance and the localization of opsins to specific morphologic photoreceptor types. RESULTS Both detection methods revealed that UV opsin mRNA was expressed first and was followed closely by red opsin mRNA. In situ hybridization results indicated the following opsin sequence: UV, red, rhodopsin, green, and blue. The UV opsin riboprobe labeled single cones, whereas the red and green riboprobes labeled opposite members of double cones. The blue riboprobe started labeling single center cones approximately 1 month after initial UV riboprobe labeling, confirming a switch in opsin expression of these cones from UV to blue. All probes first labeled a small patch of cells in the centrotemporal retina, and expression then expanded primarily toward the temporal and dorsal retina, with the exception of the blue opsin which expanded ventrally at first. CONCLUSIONS The sequence of cone opsin appearance in salmonid fishes is similar to that in mammals, in which a violet-blue (SWS1) opsin is expressed first followed by a red (M/LWS) opsin. This sequence is different from that in zebrafish, goldfish, and chick, in which red and green opsins are expressed first. As in mammals, rhodopsin expression in salmonid fishes arises after the first cone opsin. The findings show similarity in the sequence of opsin expression between a group of lower vertebrates, the salmonid fishes, and mammals.
Na+/H+ exchanger-1: a link with atherogenesis?

Importance of the field: The sodium/hydrogen exchanger-1 (NHE-1/SLC9A1) is a ubiquitous plasma membrane protein whose main role is maintenance of intracellular pH and volume. NHE-1 plays a role in atherogenesis; however, its clinical relevance has not yet been established. Areas covered in this review: We herein review the contribution of NHE-1 in atherogenesis (namely its effect on endothelial cells, monocytes, smooth muscle cells and platelets). What the reader will gain: Studies have shown that NHE is involved in atherogenesis-related properties of isolated monocytes. We also consider the relationship between NHE-1 and vascular risk factors such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia and inflammation. Take home message: Even though clinical trials with certain NHE-1 inhibitors have had discouraging results, NHE-1 cannot be excluded as a potential future therapeutic target for the prevention and/or treatment of atherosclerosis.
Anatomy of the clavicle and the intramedullary nailing of midclavicular fractures

Intramedullary fixation is used increasingly to treat clavicular fractures. Anatomical variations in the clavicle of relevance to this procedure are analyzed. The length, diameters and curvature of the clavicle were measured in 196 specimens from the dissecting room. The calcium bone density was analyzed in 300 cross‐sectional samples of 100 specimens. The thickness of cortical and medullary bone of 70 slices was analyzed from freshly plastinated clavicles with implants in place. The female clavicle was shorter, less curved, and had a lower concentration of calcium than the male clavicle. Measurement of cortical thickness showed a mean value of 1.05 ± 0.23 mm at the most sternal measuring point, 2.05 ± 0.29 mm at the midpoint of the clavicle, and 0.95 ± 0.35 mm at the acromial end. The thinnest regions were the medial ventral cortex and the dorsal acromial cortex. These measurements explain clinical observations on nail perforation. The diameter of the medullary canal measured 6.7 ± 2.6 mm at its narrowest part, so that reaming (i.e., predrilling the medullary canal) prior to 3.5 mm titanium nail insertion is not necessary. The main difficulties encountered when placing a nail are secondary to the S‐curvature of the clavicle. In 80% of fractures, the break is located at the narrowest diameter of the medullary canal. Thus, the clavicle displays definite gender‐ and side‐specific anatomical features in terms of length, diameter, curvature, and calcium concentration. These should be considered when performing intramedullary fixation. Clin. Anat. 20:48–56, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Structure and Function of RecQ DNA Helicases

RecQ family helicases play important roles in coordinating genome maintenance pathways in living cells. In the absence of functional RecQ proteins, cells exhibit a variety of phenotypes, including increased mitotic recombination, elevated chromosome missegregation, hypersensitivity to DNA-damaging agents, and defects in meiosis. Mutations in three of the five human RecQ family members give rise to genetic disorders associated with a predisposition to cancer and premature aging, highlighting the importance of RecQ proteins and their cellular activities for human health. Current evidence suggests that RecQ proteins act at multiple steps in DNA replication, including stabilization of replication forks and removal of DNA recombination intermediates, in order to maintain genome integrity. The cellular basis of RecQ helicase function may be explained through interactions with multiple components of the DNA replication and recombination machinery. This review focuses on biochemical and structural aspects of the RecQ helicases and how these features relate to their known cellular function, specifically in preventing excessive recombination.
Components of effective academic learning environment: Case studies of Croatian and American students

Learning environment factors, which account for academic achievement, have been increasingly taken into consideration by different higher-education systems. Apart from the curriculum itself and technical support provided, other factors involved in the educational process have been gaining importance, including student services, mentor support, learning skills development and self efficacy. The foreknowledge gained in the course of secondary education and family backgrounds have also proven to be significant predictors of school achievement. In this paper the findings of a survey conducted among students in two target groups included in the case studies are compared - about 150 first-year students of the Faculty of Organization and Informatics and about 200 students of the University of Cincinnati. The results are interpreted in the context of identifying the key factors for successful tertiary-level education (especially in the field of information and communication technology in Croatia). A semantic analysis of students' replies to open-ended questions has been performed with a view to gathering suggestions for improving study conditions. Students' feedback may be used for introducing possible modifications towards a creative an effective learning environment. Key words: learning environment, information communication technology, higher education
Silica‐exposed macrophages release a growth‐promoting activity for type II pneumocytes

This study addresses the hypothesis that silica‐ activated alveolar macrophages could release soluble factors stimulating type II cell proliferation. Macrophages from control sheep were exposed or not in vitro to silica, aluminum‐treated silica (Si‐Al), or titanium dioxide (TiO2). In addition, macrophages from a model of chronic silica‐exposed sheep were studied. Supernatants from unstimulated macrophages were found to double basal type II cell DNA synthesis. Alveolar macrophage‐conditioned media (AMCM) collected from cells exposed in vitro to silica induced an additional growth‐promoting activity for type II cells. Supernatants from Si‐Al‐ or TiO2 dust‐exposed alveolar macrophages had the same effects as unstimulated AMCM. In addition, AMCM from in vivo silicotic sheep cells also contained elevated levels of type II cell mitogenic activity. These results suggest that in vitro as in vivo, silica‐activated macrophages produce a type II cell growth factor(s) for type II epithelial cells.
The effectiveness of a care coordination home telehealth program for veterans with diabetes mellitus: a 2-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVES To assess healthcare use among veterans with diabetes mellitus (DM) enrolled in a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Care Coordination Home Telehealth (CCHT) program during 24 months and to contrast this utilization with the service use of a comparison group of veterans with DM not enrolled in the program. STUDY DESIGN Two-year, retrospective, concurrent matched cohort study design. METHODS The VA CCHT program included older veterans with type 2 DM at high risk for multiple VA inpatient and outpatient visits. Healthcare utilization (hospitalizations, length of stay, and outpatient visits by type) was assessed at baseline and at 24 months after intervention for the treatment (n = 400) and comparison (n = 400) groups. Propensity scores were used to improve the balance between the treatment and comparison groups. A difference-in-differences approach was used to control for selection bias and for intervening time factors. RESULTS Two years after enrollment, the treatment group exhibited a statistically significant reduction in the likelihood of all-cause and DM-related hospitalizations. In a subgroup analysis in which we controlled for patients' baseline glycosylated hemoglobin levels, the treatment group had a lower likelihood of having any care coordinator-initiated primary care clinic visits (in which the care coordinator initiated referral to primary care based on health information received from patients' CCHT technology). CONCLUSION After controlling for selection bias and for intervening time factors, the VA CCHT program reduced avoidable healthcare services for DM (such as hospitalizations) and reduced care coordinator-initiated primary care clinic visits.
Comparative symptomatology of burnout and depression

The link between burnout and depression remains unclear. In this study, we compared depressive symptoms in 46 burned-out workers, 46 outpatients experiencing a major depressive episode, and 453 burnout-free workers to test the distinctiveness of burnout as a clinical entity. Participants with burnout and major depressive episode reported similar, severe levels of overall depressive symptoms. The between-syndrome overlap was further verified for eight of the nine major depressive episode diagnostic criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed., text rev.). Our findings do not support the view hypothesizing that burnout and depression are separate entities and question the nosological added value of the burnout construct.
Estimation of One's Subjective Age Using Facial Images

軸とのゼロクロス点を主観年齢シフト値と定義する．25 歳から54 歳までの156 名の被験者に対する実験結果から，全体を通して主観年齢は実年齢より低い値をとる，すなわち自己若年視の傾向を示すことが分かった．また若年層ほど主観年齢が低く，加齢に伴い実年齢に近づく傾向にあり，女性より男性の方が主観年齢が低くなるという結果が得られた．本結果は，従来の主観年齢研究で知られていた「加齢に伴い自己若年視が進む」タイプとは異なる傾向を示しており，社会心理的側面を反映した新しい心理尺度が抽出された可能性を示唆するものである．キーワード 年齢推定，感性情報処理，顔画像データベース，自己若年視，対面コミュニケーション
What is' Coaching'? An Exploration of Conflicting Paradigms.

This paper sets out the argument that quite fundamental issues, both theoretical and practical, divide the various approaches to coaching. It does not suggest that any one approach is better or right; each approach would be more appropriate in particular situations. However, by understanding more clearly the nature of the difference between approaches, it will also be easier to fit a coaching model to specific situations. It is argued here that goal-oriented approaches to coaching generally have a different perspective than therapeutic or personal-development approaches on the role of the coach and on the objective of coaching.
Effects of Irisin and Exercise on Metabolic Parameters and Reproductive Hormone Levels in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Female Mice

It has been documented that exogenously administered irisin (1010 fibronectin-type III domain-containing 5 [FNDC5]), which is a new polypeptide hormone, induces the browning of subcutaneous fat and thermogenesis. In this study, effects of physical activity and exogenous administration of irisin were investigated on parameters related with reproduction and metabolism in the high-fat diet-induced obesity model of the female C57BL/6J mice. Sixty mice were gathered at age approximately 5 to 6weeks and were divided into 3 groups. Control group remained sedentary. Irisin group remained also sedentary but intravenously received 1010 FNDC5-expressing adenovirus after 20 weeks. Exercise group performed treadmill after 6 weeks. All mice were sacrificed 22 to 23 weeks after the start of the study. There was a significantly greater Δ weight in the controls compared with the irisin and exercise groups (P < .05). Glucose and insulin levels were significantly higher in the controls (P < .05). The serum irisin level was significantly higher in the exercise group (P < .05). Serum luteinizing hormone levels were significantly increased in the irisin group (P < .05). Serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels were significantly higher in irisin and exercise groups (P < .05). There were significant negative correlations between serum irisin levels and Δ weight and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (r = −0.327, r = −0.297, respectively; P < .05 for both). The numbers of primordial follicles per ovary were similar (P > .05), whereas primary and secondary follicles per ovary were higher in the irisin and exercise groups compared with controls (P < .05). Pharmacologic introduction of irisin may improve metabolic factors such as insulin sensitivity and obesity by promoting weight loss and consequently improving the reproductive potential.
Aortic Valve Replacement: Choice Between Mechanical Valves and Bioprostheses

Abstract Background: The choice between a mechanical or bioprosthetic valve replacement device is not always clear, although patient age is most often the determining factor. We reviewed our experience with patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) in order to assess and compare long‐term outcomes between patients receiving a mechanical valve and those receiving a bioprosthesis. Methods: Three hundred fifty‐two patients underwent AVR with or without coronary artery bypass between 1993 and2004: 189 received a mechanical valve and 163 a bioprosthesis. Events included: late mortality, thrombo‐embolic events, stroke, bleeding events, valve thrombosis, endocarditis, reoperation, and coronary catheterization. Results: Patients in the bioprosthesis group were older (71 ± 11 vs. 65 ± 13) than in the mechanical group (p < 0.0001). There was no difference in operative mortality (6.8%) or morbidity. Follow‐up (61 ± 40 months) was available in 87%. For mechanical valves and bioprostheses, respectively: 3‐, 5‐, and 10‐year survival was 92%, 86%, and 69% versus 90%, 86%, and 71% (p = n.s.); and event‐free survival was 79%, 68%, and 41% versus 79%, 68%, and 44% (p = n.s.). Five patients (3%) in each group required re‐replacement of their aortic valve (p = n.s.). Coronary artery disease requiring bypass surgery did not affect long‐term survival. Age at operation and renal failure were the only predictors for late mortality. Conclusions: Survival and event‐free survival are similar for patients receiving a mechanical or biological aortic valve substitute. Selection of a valve replacement device should be based on life expectancy, patient preference, ability to take anticoagulants, lifestyle, risk of bleeding, and risk of reoperation. Patient age alone should not be the determining factor.
Biomarkers of Cervical Inflammation and Immunity Associated with Cervical Shedding of HIV-1.

BACKGROUND Cervicovaginal HIV shedding is associated with increased female-to-male and mother-to-child transmission. Genital inflammation may increase shedding through cytokines/chemokines which recruit and activate HIV target cells. We evaluated whether cervical immune mediators present before seroconversion affected HIV shedding and whether mediators differed between shedders and nonshedders. METHODS We used cervical samples from 187 African women with documented HIV seroconversion in the Hormonal Contraception and HIV study. Samples were from the two visits before seroconversion (T-2 and/or T-1), and/or at seroconversion (T0), and/or the two visits (T + 1 and/or T + 2) after seroconversion. We measured interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-1 Receptor Antagonist (IL-1RA), IL-6, IL-8, RANTES (Regulated on Activation, Normal T-Cell Expressed and Secreted), MIP-3α, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (ICAM-1), secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI), and BD-2 and used the Wilcoxon test and generalized linear models to evaluate the association between mediators and shedding. RESULTS The only immune mediator that differed at T-1 was RANTES, which was higher among shedders (p ≤ .05). HIV seroconversion was followed by significant decreases in many mediators, but a significant increase in RANTES. The magnitude of the change was significantly different for shedders versus nonshedders with regard to RANTES (increased in both groups, significantly more so in shedders), SLPI (decreased in both groups, significantly more so in shedders), and MIP-3α (decreased in shedders and increased in nonshedders). At T0, shedders had lower levels of SLPI and MIP-3α than nonshedders. CONCLUSIONS In this study, a specific immune mediator profile was associated with risk of cervical HIV shedding. Higher and increasing levels of RANTES and lower and decreasing levels of SLPI and MIP-3α were associated with increased risk of HIV shedding.
Forecasting for fermentation operational decision making

An awareness of the likely future behavior of a batch or a fed‐batch fermentation process is valuable information that can be exploited to improve product consistency and maximize profitability. For example, by making operational policy changes in a feedforward control sense, improved consistency can be facilitated, while prior knowledge of batch productivity, or the end time, can help determine the downstream processing configuration and upstream process scheduling. In this article, forecasting methods based on multivariate batch statistical data analysis procedures are contrasted with case‐based reasoning (CBR). Additionally, the importance of appropriate statistical data prescreening and the choice of a suitable metric for case selection are investigated. Two industrial case studies are considered, a fed‐batch pharmaceutical fermentation and a batch beer fermentation process. It is demonstrated that, following appropriate statistical prescreening of the data, in terms of forecasting performance, CBR is comparable to linear projection to latent structures (PLS), for the more straightforward problem, i.e., the batch beer fermentation, while for the more complex case—the pharmaceutical process—CBR exhibits enhanced performance over PLS.
Improving the quality of attenuation imaging using full angular spatial compounding

The quantitative imaging of attenuation coefficients slope (ACS) has the potential to improve medical diagnostics. However, attempts to characterize ACS using pulse-echo data have been limited by the large statistical variations in the estimates. Previous studies demonstrated that it is possible to extend the trade-off between variance and spatial resolution of quantitative ultrasound, spectral-based parameters by the use of full angular (i.e., 360°) spatial compounding (FASC). In the present work, the use of FASC has been extended to the estimation of ACS and its performance has been experimentally evaluated using two physical phantoms. The ACSs of the background and inclusion regions were estimated using insertion loss measurements to be 0.41 and 0.75 dB/cm/MHz for Phantom #1, and 0.54 and 1.04 dB/cm/MHz for Phantom #2, respectively. Pulse-echo data were collected using a 7.5 MHz, f/4 transducer at 30 angles of view uniformly distributed between 0 and 360°. Single view ACS maps were generated using a spectral log difference method with 0.6 by 0.6 mm data blocks. The FASC images were constructed by assigning to a pixel the median of its corresponding estimates from all 30 angles of view. The reduction in the variance of the FASC estimates compared to the variance of estimates from a single view (i.e., variance averaged from the 30 single views) in the inclusion and background regions were 89.18% and 88.71% for Phantom #1 and 92.33% and 86.98% for Phantom #2. Moreover, in all the cases the estimation bias in the inclusion and background regions using FASC was lower than 9.0%. These results suggest that the variance of attenuation coefficient slope estimation can be significantly reduced without sacrificing spatial resolution by the use of full angular spatial compounding.
The Effect of Me2+ Cofactors at the Initial Stages of V(D)J Recombination*

V(D)J site-specific recombination mediates the somatic assembly of the antigen receptor gene segments. This process is initiated by the recombination activating proteins RAG1 and RAG2, which recognize the recombination signal sequences (RSS) and cleave the DNA at the coding/RSS junction. In this study, we show that RAG1 and RAG2 have the ability to directly interact in solution before binding to the DNA. RAG1 forms a homodimer, which leads to the appearance of two distinct RAG1·RAG2 complexes bound to DNA. To investigate the properties of the two RAG1·RAG2 complexes in the presence of different Me2+ cofactors, we established an in vitro Mg2+-based cleavage reaction on a single RSS. Using this system, we found that Mg2+ confers a specific pattern of DNA binding and cleavage. In contrast, Mn2+allows aberrant binding of RAG1·RAG2 to single-stranded RSS and permits cleavage independent of binding to the nonamer. To determine the contribution of Me2+ ions at the early stages of V(D)J recombination, we analyzed specific DNA recognition and cleavage by RAG1·RAG2 on phosphorothioated substrates. These experiments revealed that Me2+ ions directly coordinate the binding of RAG1·RAG2 to the RSS DNA.