Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Matrix‐based three‐dimensional culture of buffalo mammary epithelial cells showed higher induction of genes related to milk protein and fatty acid metabolism

Demanding transcriptomic studies in livestock animal species could be replaced by good in vitro models mimicking the function of mammary gland. Mammary epithelial cells (MEC) are the functional unit of the mammary gland. Extracellular matrix is known to be a key factor providing normal homeostasis in three‐dimensional (3D) environment as important signals are lost when cells are cultured in two‐dimensional (2D) environment. The aims of this study were to establish a buffalo mammary epithelial cells (BMECs) in 3D culture using extracellular matrix and to determine whether such a 3D culture model has different expression pattern than 2D counterpart. The purified MEC generated after several passages were used to establish 3D culture using Geltrex matrix. The expression of milk casein genes viz., alpha S1‐casein (CSN1S1), alpha S2‐casein (CSN1S2), beta‐casein (CSN2), kappa‐casein (CSN3); and fatty acid metabolism genes viz., butyrophilin (BTN1A1), glycerol‐3‐phosphate acyltransferase (GPAM), fatty acid‐binding protein 3 (FABP3), and stearoyl‐CoA desaturase (SCD) was assessed in 3D culture in comparison to traditional monolayer culture using qRT‐PCR. Notable morphological differences were observed for BMECs grown in 3D culture in comparison to 2D culture. Morphologically, epithelial structures grown in Geltrex matrix (3D) environment showed enhanced functional differentiation in comparison to 2D culture. In 3D culture, lumen and dome‐like structures were formed by day 5, whereas polarized acinus‐like structure were formed within 15 days of culturing. The expression data showed higher mRNA induction of milk casein and fatty acid metabolism genes in 10‐day‐old 3D BMECs culture in comparison to 2D monolayer culture. The result suggests that 3D organization of epithelial cells has favorable effect on induction of milk and fatty acid metabolism‐related genes. Therefore, matrix‐based 3D culture of MEC that recapitulate the structural and functional context of normal tissues could provide a better in vitro model to understand the mammary gland functioning of buffaloes.
Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans in the developing cerebral cortex: The distribution of neurocan distinguishes forming afferent and efferent axonal pathways

The first thalamocortical axons to arrive in the developing cerebral cortex traverse a pathway that is separate from the adjacent intracortical pathway for early efferents, suggesting that different molecular signals guide their growth. We previously demonstrated that the intracortical pathway for thalamic axons is centered on the subplate (Bicknese et al. [1994] J. Neurosci. 14:3500‐3510), which is rich in chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs; Sheppard et al. [1991] J. Neurosci. 11:3928‐3942), whereas efferent axons cross the subplate to exit in a zone containing much less CSPG. To define the molecular composition of the subplate further, we used antibodies against CSPG core proteins and chondroitin sulfate disaccharides in an immunohistochemical analysis of their distribution in the developing neocortex of the rat. Immunolabeling for neurocan, a central nervous system‐specific CSPG (Rauch et al. [1992] J. Biol. Chem. 267:19537‐19547), and for chondroitin 6‐sulfate and unsulfated chondroitin becomes prominent in the subplate before the arrival of thalamic afferents. Immunolabeling is initially sparse in the cortical plate but appears later in maturing cortical layers. A postnatal decline in immunolabeling occurs uniformly for most proteoglycans, but, in the somatosensory cortex, labeling for neurocan, phosphacan, and chondroitin 4‐ and 6‐sulfate declines in the centers of the whisker barrels before the walls. In contrast to neurocan, immunolabeling for other proteoglycans is either uniformly distributed (syndecan‐1, N‐syndecan, 5F3, phosphacan, chondroitin 4‐sulfate), restricted to axons (PGM1), distributed exclusively on nonneuronal elements (2D6, NG2, and CD44), or undetectable (9. 2. 27, aggrecan, decorin). Thus, neurocan is a candidate molecule for delineating the intracortical pathway of thalamocortical axons and distinguishing it from that of cortical efferents.
An integrated cloud-based smart home management system with community hierarchy

This paper presents a smart home management system in which a community broker role is used for integrating community services, thereby reducing the workload of community management staff, providing electronic information services, and deepening the community's integration with the surrounding environment. At the home end, a home intranet was created by integrating a fixed touch panel with a home controller system and various sensors and devices to deliver, for example, energy, scenario information, and security functions. The community end comprises a community server and community personal computers, and connects to devices (e.g., video cameras and building automation devices) in other community systems and to the home networks. Furthermore, to achieve multiple inhome displays, standard interface devices can be employed to separate the logic and user interfaces. This study also determined that the message queuing telemetry transport protocol can provide optimal home control services in smart home systems, whereas hypertext transfer protocol is optimal for delivering location-based information integration services.
SPAC Performance, Ownership and Corporate Governance

Purpose – We examine how the ownership and corporate governance of special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) influence their short- and long-run performance. Design/methodology/approach – By splitting our sample at the median value of different governance characteristics, we test for differences in short- and long-run performance between the low and high governance groups. Findings – We find weak evidence of a positive influence of board independence on performance, but no indication that either managerial or institutional ownership is associated with performance. Research limitations/implications – The study provides further evidence on the open question of how governance characteristics affect firm performance. Originality/value – We describe the unique conflicts that exist within a SPAC, and the recent evolution of their organizational structure in response to these conflicts.
Preoperative serum cystatin C combined with dipstick proteinuria predicts acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery

Abstract Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common following cardiac surgery and is associated with poor outcomes. However, the detection of those preoperative patients who will develop AKI is still difficult. In this study, we compared serum cystatin C combined with dipstick proteinuria as early markers to predict AKI available before surgery. Methods: We prospectively followed 616 patients undergoing cardiac surgery and identified 179 that developed AKI, defined as an increase in serum creatinine (SCr) of ≥ 0.3 mg/dL or ≥ 50% increase in creatinine level. Preoperative values for cystatin C were categorized into quartiles. We defined proteinuria, measured with a dipstick, as mild (trace to 1+) or heavy (2 + to 4+). Univariate as well as multivariate regression was performed. Cystatin C combined with dipstick proteinuria before surgery was assessed for its' predictive value of AKI using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results: The final cohort consisted of 616 patients aged 60.7 ± 13.2 years, and baseline SCr was 75.8 ± 26.4 μmol/L, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 96.3 ± 29.0 mL/min/1.73 m2 and cystatin C 1.05 ± 0.33 mg/L. Patients in higher cystatin C quartiles were older (p < 0.001), more often to have heavy proteinuria (p = 0.021), hyperuricemia (p < 0.001), heart failure (p < 0.001) and recent myocardial infarction (p = 0.002). Those with heavy proteinuria were more often to have diabetes mellitus (p = 0.010), hyperuricemia (p = 0.043), worse cardiac function (p < 0.05), higher creatinine levels (p < 0.001) and lower eGFR levels (p < 0.001). In a multiple logistic regression model, preoperative heavy proteinuria [OR: 3.14, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.26–7.77] and preoperative cystatin C quartiles (Q2:OR: 1.60, 95% CI: 0.72–3.60; Q3:OR: 1.87, 95% CI: 0.85–4.14; Q4:OR: 3.10, 95% CI: 1.37–7.02) each associated with an increased odds of AKI, independent of advanced age (OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.01–1.06), hypertension (OR: 1.88, 95% CI: 1.13–3.12) and combined surgery (OR: 3.47, 95% CI: 1.35–8.89). The risk for adverse outcomes such as postoperative AKI, persistent AKI, severe AKI, dialysis and mortality were highest in patients with highest quartile of cystatin C (p < 0.05, respectively) and heavy proteinuria (p < 0.05, respectively). The area under the ROC curve for preoperative cystatin C combined with proteinuria to detect AKI, persistent AKI and severe AKI were 0.695 (p < 0.001; 95% CI = 0.637–0.754), 0.753 (p < 0.001; 95% CI = 0.693–0.812) and 0.718 (p < 0.001; 95% CI = 0.642–0.795), respectively. Conclusion: These data suggest that preoperative serum cystatin C combined with dipstick proteinuria may improve prediction of AKI among patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
Malignant Mixed Mesodermal Tumor of the Ovary: A Report of 22 Cases

Clinicopathologic data are presented for 22 cases of malignant mixed mesodermal tumors of the ovary of both homologous and heterologous types. The results substantiate previous reports of low parity in the almost exclusively postmenopausal women with this tumor. Symptoms were the same as for ovarian malignancy in general. More than half the patients presented with stage III or IV disease, according to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) classification. Only four (19%) of 21 patients were alive at 18 months and had survived from three to more than 13 years. Their survival was associated strictly with stage I or II disease and with the purely homologous stromal pattern. Two tumors were contiguous with remnants of ovarian endometriosis. Differentiated malignant epithelium was most often of the serous/endome-trioid type, frequently with squamous zones, and was of the mucinous type in only one case. Whereas spindle cell stroma was present in many tumors of both stromal types, atypical cartilage was the predominant heterologous element.
Moderate Pressure Massage Elicits a Parasympathetic Nervous System Response

Twenty healthy adults were randomly assigned to a moderate pressure or a light pressure massage therapy group, and EKGs were recorded during a 3-min baseline, during the 15-min massage period and during a 3-min postmassage period. EKG data were then used to derive the high frequency (HF), low frequency (LF) components of heart rate variability and the low to high frequency ratio (LF/HF) as noninvasive markers of autonomic nervous system activity. The participants who received the moderate pressure massage exhibited a parasympathetic nervous system response characterized by an increase in HF, suggesting increased vagal efferent activity and a decrease in the LF/HF ratio, suggesting a shift from sympathetic to parasympathetic activity that peaked during the first half of the massage period. On the other hand, those who received the light pressure massage exhibited a sympathetic nervous system response characterized by decreased HF and increased LF/HF.
Comments on “Simultaneous Reduction of Petri Nets and Linear Constraints for Efficient Supervisor Synthesis”

The above paper [1] proposes a method to reduce simultaneously a Petri net model and the linear constraints. The reduced result preserves the control specification and the liveness. This note shows via some simple counterexamples that some results claimed in the above paper are incorrect, and then presents the corresponding corrections for two of the results.
A Survey of Timeframe Variations for the Management of Early Stage Melanoma among Dermatology Residency and Procedural Dermatology Fellowship Training Programs in the United States

Cutaneous melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer, with a high mortality rate if not treated in a timely manner [1]. Although melanomas are far less common than other cutaneous carcinomas, such as basal cell carcinomas (BCC) or squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), melanomas account for the majority of deaths from skin cancer [2-4]. It is estimated that in 2015 there will be 9,940 deaths from melanoma, and 74,000 new cases of this malignancy [5]. Therefore, careful attention to established risk factors, especially in individuals prone to melanoma development, is important for detecting malignant lesions in their early stages [6,7]. When detected early, melanoma is quite curable the five-year survival rate of Stage 1A melanoma is 91-99% [8]. However, with increasing tumor stage, the survival rate drastically decreases to 65-73% for stage IIIA tumors and 16-22% for stage IV tumors [8]. Thus, early detection and treatment of these malignant neoplasms is crucial to improving the probability of survival.
Impact of Organizational Change on Organizational Performance

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between the aspects of change and organizational performance as well as to study the impact of these aspects of change on performance. Methodology: This study sought to explore the influence on organizational performances. The constructs considered in the study includes quality of change communication, participation, attitude of top management toward change, leadership and readiness for change on performance in the organization. A research instrument was designed based on extensive literature review of the change, and organizational performance and datawere collected from organizationsthat were segregated on the basis of the public and private sector and also manufacturing and service industry.The research instrument was pilot tested, and necessarymodification was made.The reliability and validity of the instrument weredetermined using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA).
2D Ti3C2Tx (MXene)-reinforced polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers with enhanced mechanical and electrical properties

Novel 2D Ti3C2Tx (MXene)-reinforced polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers have been successfully fabricated by an electrospinning technique. The high aspect ratio, hydrophilic surfaces, and metallic conductivity of delaminated MXene nanosheet render it promising nanofiller for high performance nanocomposites. Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) were used to improve the mechanical properties of the nanofibers. The obtained electrospun nanofibers had diameter from 174 to 194 nm depending on ratio between PVA, CNC and MXene. Dynamic mechanical analysis demonstrated an increase in the elastic modulus from 392 MPa for neat PVA fibers to 855 MPa for fibers containing CNC and MXene at 25°C. Moreover, PVA nanofibers containing 0.14 wt. % Ti3C2Tx exhibited dc conductivity of 0.8 mS/cm conductivity which is superior compared to similar composites prepared using methods other than electrospinning. Improved mechanical and electrical characteristics of the Ti3C2Tx /CNC/PVA composites make them viable materials for high performance energy applications.
Anti‐Interleukin Therapy in Asthma

Asthma remains one of the most prevalent and costly diseases in the United States. Asthma accounts for a significant amount of direct medical expenditures and indirect cost from days lost at school and work. Modern understanding of its complex pathogenesis has allowed recognition of the heterogeneity of the disease across populations and the various inflammatory pathways that drive airway inflammation in asthma. Interleukins play important roles in both eosinophilic and noneosinophilic asthma, and anti‐interleukin therapy will allow for a targeted, personalized approach to asthma management. With the success of anti‐interleukin (IL) ‐4, IL‐5, and IL‐13 therapy in recent large trials among specific populations of asthmatics, it is likely that targeted anti‐interleukin therapy will be approved for use in the near future. It will be important for clinicians and pharmacists to understand their risks, benefits, and proper indications.
Distinct Acid Resistance and Survival Fitness Displayed by Curli Variants of Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7

ABSTRACT Curli are adhesive fimbriae of Enterobacteriaceae and are involved in surface attachment, cell aggregation, and biofilm formation. Here, we report that both inter- and intrastrain variations in curli production are widespread in enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7. The relative proportions of curli-producing variants (C+) and curli-deficient variants (C−) in an E. coli O157:H7 cell population varied depending on the growth conditions. In variants derived from the 2006 U.S. spinach outbreak strains, the shift between the C+ and C− subpopulations occurred mostly in response to starvation and was unidirectional from C− to C+; in variants derived from the 1993 hamburger outbreak strains, the shift occurred primarily in response to oxygen depletion and was bidirectional. Furthermore, curli variants derived from the same strain displayed marked differences in survival fitness: C+ variants grew to higher concentrations in nutrient-limited conditions than C− variants, whereas C− variants were significantly more acid resistant than C+ variants. This difference in acid resistance does not appear to be linked to the curli fimbriae per se, since a csgA deletion mutant in either a C+ or a C− variant exhibited an acid resistance similar to that of its parental strain. Our data suggest that natural curli variants of E. coli O157:H7 carry several distinct physiological properties that are important for their environmental survival. Maintenance of curli variants in an E. coli O157:H7 population may provide a survival strategy in which C+ variants are selected in a nutrient-limited environment, whereas C− variants are selected in an acidic environment, such as the stomach of an animal host, including that of a human.
DNA Responds to Ionizing Radiation as an Insulator, Not as a "Molecular Wire"

The yields of radicals trapped on DNA, measured by EPR spectroscopy of oligodeoxyribonucleotide crystals (the EPR spectrum of a single crystal of d(CCCTAGGG) is shown), are found to be very high (0.7 µmol J(-1)) and insensitive to long-range (>10(6) base pairs) versus short-range stacking (8 base pairs) of the bases. These observations are evidence that DNA at 4 K has the properties of an insulator and argue against DNA acting as a "molecular wire".
Dimensions for Measuring Financial Inclusion in the Rural Areas of Tamil Nadu

Background/Objectives: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has stated that financial inclusion is a process of delivering financial services at a reasonable cost to the people especially from the most down sided sections in the society. The financial services such as timely credit facilities and accessing financial products like small saving deposits reach the rural people easily by the formal financial institutions such as banking industries. Due to the non-availability of banking facilities, people from remote villages face several hindrances to meet their basic necessities. Therefore this paper has done an investigation to measure the level of financial inclusion with the three different dimensions such as Branch Penetration of Banking Industries, Deposit Penetration and Credit Penetration in the rural areas of all the districts in the state of Tamil Nadu. Methods/Statistical Analysis: Secondary data has been collected from various resources such as web sites of Reserve Bank of India (RBI), State Level Banker's Committee (SLBC) Tamil Nadu, articles and Journals. The dimensions such as Branch Penetration, Credit Penetration and Deposit Penetration in the rural areas of all the districts in Tamil Nadu have been measured using the multidimensional approach to calculate the index of financial inclusion. Findings: Ariyalur District has achieved 64.79 IFI that is, the maximum score of financial inclusion in the rural areas by the year 2015. The district Perambalur has higher (>55) level of financial inclusion. The Districts Sivaganga, Nagapattinam and Pudukottai have above average (between 40.0 to 55) level of financial inclusion. The districts Tiruvarur, Karur, Krishnagiri, Ramanathapuram, Dharmapuri, Thanjavur, Cuddalore, Nammakal, Tuticorin and Villupuram have financial inclusion in rural areas with below average level. And the rest of the districts have very low level of financial inclusion. Application/Improvement: Many districts of Tamil Nadu have very low level of financial inclusion in the rural areas. The Government of India and concern authorities should consider those districts which are excluded from receiving financial services to revamp the status of financial inclusion.
Clinicopathological significance of major histocompatibility complex class I-related chain a and B expression in thyroid cancer.

CONTEXT Major histocompatibility complex class I-related chains A and B (MICA/B) are two stress-inducible ligands for the immunoreceptor NKG2D that is expressed on cytotoxic T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. It is not known whether MICA/B expression is up-regulated in thyroid cancer as a result of oncogene activation. OBJECTIVE The objective of the investigation was to study MICA/B expression and regulation in thyroid cancer and its role in mediating the cytotoxicity of NK cells. METHODS MICA/B expression in thyroid cancer was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. Cell surface MICA/B levels in thyroid tumor cell lines and fresh tumor cells were analyzed by flow cytometric analysis. The susceptibility of thyroid tumor cells to NK cell killing was tested by using (51)Cr release assay. RESULTS MICA/B was expressed at moderate or high levels in 18 of 39 papillary thyroid carcinomas and four of eight anaplastic thyroid carcinomas. MICA/B expression was confirmed by flow cytometric analysis in three fresh thyroid neoplasms. MICA/B expression was detected in eight of 10 thyroid tumor cell lines and correlated with their sensitivity to killing by the NKG2/D-positive NK-92 cells. Blocking of NKG2D and MICA/B interaction by specific antibodies partially led to the inhibition of NK-92 cell-mediated cytotoxicity. The MAPK inhibitors were able to block MICA/B expression in MRO87 and HeLa cells. Transient transfection of mutant BRAF and RAS oncogenes led to increased MICA/B expression in 293 cells and WRO82 cells. CONCLUSION MICA/B expression is up-regulated in thyroid cancer, probably due to the activation of the MAPK pathway. MICA/B in thyroid cancer plays an important role in NK-92 cell-mediated cytotoxicity.
Value of quantitative MRI biomarkers (Evans' index, aqueductal flow rate, and apparent diffusion coefficient) in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus

To define the value of Evans' index (EI), aqueductal flow rate (FR), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in the diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) and to assess the ability of these markers preoperatively to predict shunt response. To shed some light as to the mechanisms responsible for the symptoms of NPH.