Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adrenal Organogenesis and 2 Steroidogenesis Role of Nuclear Receptors Steroidogenic Factor-1 , DAX-1 , and Estrogen Receptor

Steroid hormone biosynthesis by the fetal adrenal gland is crucial to the integrity and continuation of pregnancy, growth of the fetal and maternal tissues, as well as perinatal homeostatic adaptation for extrauterine survival. The adrenal cortex in the primate undergoes a remarkable morphological and functional remodeling such that the fetal adrenal cortex transforms into an adult adrenal cortex capable of independent glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid biosynthesis. This architectural and functional transition from a fetal to an adult adrenal cortex ensures self-sufficient existence of the neonate. The fetal zone of the adrenal cortex, which is unique to the fetal adrenal, atrophies soon after birth (1–5). This predominant zone, which forms 80–90% of the fetal adrenal cortex synthesizes dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), the precursor hormone for estrogen biosynthesis by the placenta (6–9). During late gestation, placental estrogen promotes fetal adrenal cortisol biosynthesis, which supports the growth and maturation of various fetal tissues including the lung, thyroid, liver, and the gut (9,10). This placental estrogen is also instrumental in regulating fetal cortisol levels throughout pregnancy. In addition to feto-placental steroidogenesis, estrogen plays a critical role in the maintenance of pregnancy, regulation of maternal cardiovascular system, control of uteroplacental blood flow and neovascularization of the placenta, maintenance of uterine quiescence, and progesterone-mediated immunosuppression to allow implantation of the embryo in the uterus (9).
Comparison of lingual and inferior alveolar nerve microsurgery outcomes.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the outcomes of published studies involving lingual nerve (LN) and inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) microsurgery and reviewing differences in sensory recovery and timing to repair for both groups. METHOD AND MATERIALS A total of 29 patient charts referred to the principal investigator were reviewed (15 IAN and 14 LN). Age, gender, mechanism of injury, and time from injury to surgical repair were assessed. Two-point discrimination and tactile detection threshold (via von Frey monofilaments) were the utilized measured variables because both are quantifiable and repeatable data points. RESULTS There was a predominance of female patients (10 IAN, 12 LN), and the mean age of the patients in the IAN group (37.40 +/- 9.61 years) was significantly higher than in the LN group (28.86 +/- 7.99 years). The time from injury to microsurgery was longer in the LN group (234.10 +/- 166.13 days) than the IAN group (137.80 +/- 83.80 days). Four patients from the IAN group and 7 from the LN group were operated on more than 6 months after the injury. Of the 15 patients who underwent IAN microsurgery, 1 patient had no change in either von Frey or 2-point discrimination results after the procedure, and 2 patients had no changes in only von Frey results. For the 14 patients undergoing LN repair, 1 patient demonstrated no change in the 2-point discrimination test and 1 patient had a reduced postoperative von Frey result compared to the preoperative measurement. CONCLUSION Patients undergoing LN and IAN microsurgery benefit from trigeminal nerve microsurgery. No statistically significant differences overall were observed when comparing the outcomes of LN and IAN microsurgery. Patients undergoing trigeminal nerve microsurgery for LN and IAN injuries 6 months after injury derived less sensory recovery; however, significant improvement was still observed, warranting consideration for microsurgery in those patients who might present later for initial surgical consultation.
Cellular responses elicited by insulin mimickers in cells lacking detectable plasma membrane insulin receptors

Madin‐Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells were previously shown to have few or no plasma membrane insulin binding sites [Hofmann et al: J Biol Chem 258:11774, 1983]. Accordingly, neither insulin‐stimulated incorporation of [14C]glucose into glycogen, nor insulin‐induced uptake of radiolabeled α‐aminoisobutyrate ([3H]AIB) could be demonstrated. To probe for receptors, MDCK cultures were surface‐labeled with Na125I or were labeled with [35S]methionine. When solubilized cells were immunoprecipitated with sera containing antibodies to the insulin receptor, and immunoprecipilates were analyzed on SDS‐gel electrophoresis, no evidence for insulin receptor components was found. Also, when intact MDCK cells were incubated first with serum containing antibodies to the insulin receptor and then with 125I‐protein A, no radiolabeling of insulin receptors occurred. Various agents reported to have insulin‐like activity were tested on MDCK cells. The insulino‐mimetic lectins concanavalin A and wheat germ agglutinin as well as hydrogen peroxide enhanced incorporation of [14C]glucose into glycogen and induced stimulated [13H]AIB uptake, whereas trypsin, vanadate, and serum containing antibodies to the insulin receptor were without effects. Altogether, these results showed that MDCK cells had few or no insulin receptors and were correspondingly insulin‐insensitive, However, since insulin‐associated responses could be elicited by some insulin mimickers, the post‐receptor limb of response in MDCK cells was apparently intact.
Diversity, Specificity, and Phylogenetic Relationships of Endohyphal Bacteria in Fungi That Inhabit Tropical Seeds and Leaves

Interactions between fungi and tropical trees help shape some of the most biodiverse communities on earth. These interactions occur in the presence of additional microbes that can modify fungal phenotypes, such as endohyphal bacteria (EHB). Here we examine the occurrence, diversity, and taxonomic composition of EHB in fungi that colonize seeds and leaves of plants in tropical forests. We use PCR and fluorescence microscopy to detect EHB in fungi, and a phylogenetic approach to explore evolutionary relationships among seed- and leaf-inhabiting fungi and their bacterial partners. Analyses focusing on two prevalent orders of fungi (Hypocreales and Xylariales) revealed that seed- and leaf-inhabiting fungi have a shared evolutionary history, yet differ in the prevalence, richness, and composition of their endohyphal symbionts. Phylogenetic analyses detected that the endohyphal habit is widespread, here encompassing members of seven phyla of bacteria (including three classes of Proteobacteria). Occurring in seed- vs. leaf-associated fungi has not resulted in detectable structure in the evolution of EHB, and no congruence was observed in the phylogenetic relationships of these apparently facultative, horizontally transmitted symbionts and their fungal hosts. Our results are consistent with multiple origins of fungus-bacterium associations and argue for evaluating focal pairs to determine how particular EHB affect the establishment or maintenance of fungal symbioses in seeds and leaves.
Rapid Response of the Yield Threshold and Turgor Regulation during Adjustment of Root Growth to Water Stress in Zea mays

Responses of cortical cell turgor (P) following rapid changes in osmotic pressure ([pi]m) were measured throughout the elongation zone of maize (Zea mays L.) roots using a cell pressure probe and compared with simultaneously measured root elongation to evaluate: yield threshold (Y) (minimum P for growth), wall extensibility, growth-zone radial hydraulic conductivity (K), and turgor recovery rate. Small increases in [pi]m (0.1 MPa) temporarily decreased P and growth, which recovered fully in 5 to 10 min. Under stronger [pi]m (up to 0.6 MPa), elongation stopped for up to 30 min and then resumed at lower rates. Recoveries in P through solute accumulation and lowering of Y enabled growth under water stress. P recovery was as much as 0.3 MPa at [pi]m = 0.6 MPa, but recovery rate declined as water stress increased, suggesting turgor-sensitive solute transport into the growth zone. Under strong [pi]m, P did not recover in the basal part of the growth zone, in conjunction with a 30% shortening of the growth zone. Time courses showed Y beginning to decrease within several minutes after stress imposition, from about 0.65 MPa to a minimum of about 0.3 MPa in about 15 min. The data concerning Y were not confounded significantly by elastic shrinkage. K was high (1.3 x 10–10 m2 s-1 MPa-1), suggesting very small growth-induced water potential gradients.
Sesquiterpenoid Lactones in Tanacetum huronense Inhibit Human Glioblastoma Cell Proliferation

Tanacetum huronense (Lake Huron tansy), which is native to the upper Midwest region of USA and Canada, was examined for the presence of anticancer compounds using an in vitro human tumor cell proliferation inhibition assay, with glioblastoma derived cell line U-87 MG. Bioassay-directed purification of the ethyl acetate extract of the aerial portion of this plant identified six active sesquiterpenoid lactones (1–6). Among these, compounds 5 and 6 are new structural analogs. One of the most abundant isolates, tanacin (4), exhibited the greatest inhibition with an IC50 value of 4.5 μg/mL.
One‐leg standing balance and sports activity

The objective of the present cross‐sectional study was to estimate one‐leg standing balance in athletes and to investigate the relationship with type and amount of sports activity. The study comprised 339 active, competitive, non‐pregnant athletes, aged 14–24 years from two sports clubs in the county of Aarhus, Denmark. The athletes answered a questionnaire about occupation and sports activity. One‐leg standing balance was measured as the maximum time of one‐legged balancing. The mean of the maximum time of one‐legged balancing was 29 s (interquartile range 11.25–33.5 s). One‐leg standing balance was positively associated with years of participation in basketball and was not associated with sex and age. We conclude that participation in basketball may induce significantly adaptive effects on standing balance.
15 years of clinical experience with bupropion HCl: from bupropion to bupropion SR to bupropion XL.

BACKGROUND Bupropion has been available in the United States since 1989. Initially a thrice-daily immediate-release formulation, a twice-daily sustained-release formulation followed in 1996, and, in August 2003, a once-daily extended-release formulation was introduced. On the 15th anniversary of its introduction, we undertook a review of the background/history, mechanism of action, formulations, and clinical profile of bupropion. DATA SOURCES Major efficacy trials and other reports were obtained and reviewed from MEDLINE searches, review of abstracts from professional meetings, and the bupropion SR manufacturer's databases. Searches of English-language articles were conducted from June 2003 through August 2004. No time limit was specified in the searches, which were conducted using the search terms bupropion, bupropion SR, and bupropion XL. DATA SYNTHESIS Bupropion inhibits the re-uptake of norepinephrine and dopamine neurotransmission without any significant direct effects on serotonin neurotransmission. Bupropion is an effective antidepressant with efficacy comparable to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and other antidepressants. It is well tolerated in short-and longer-term treatment. Headache, dry mouth, nausea, insomnia, constipation, and dizziness are the most common adverse events. Seizure and allergic reactions are medically important adverse events associated with bupropion and are reported rarely. Among all the newer antidepressants in the United States, bupropion appears to have among the lowest incidence of sexual dysfunction, weight gain, and somnolence. Although not U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved for these indications, bupropion has also been used as an adjunctive treatment to reverse antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction and to augment anti-depressant efficacy in partial responders and non-responders to other agents. CONCLUSION Bupropion has played and will continue to play an important role as a treatment for major depressive disorder in adults, as well as for other related disorders.
Defects in the structure and expression of the genes for the T cell marker Rt6 in NZW and (NZB x NZW)F1 mice.

Rt6 is a T cell-restricted GPI-anchored membrane protein and a member of the family of mono(ADP-ribosyl)transferases. One of the two murine Rt6 genes is deleted in NZW mice. This finding is reminiscent of the deletion of one of the TCR beta genes in the same mouse strain and it is an intriguing possibility that these gene deletions arose by a common genetic mechanism. The Rt6 locus retained by the NZW mouse (designated Rt6-1) is polymorphic among inbred strains of laboratory mice. The NZW mouse shows several strain-specific restriction fragment length variants in this Rt6 locus and five amino acid substitutions occur in the predicted native Rt6 polypeptide of the NZW mouse relative to the corresponding polypeptides of NZB and BALB/c mice. Whereas transcript levels of the two Rt6 genes appear to be normal in spleen and intestine of NZB mice, the corresponding tissues of NZW mice show reduced levels of transcripts from the Rt6 locus retained in this mouse strain. Moreover, reduced levels of Rt6 mRNA also occur in spleen and intestine of (NZB x NZW)F1 hybrid animals, indicating that F1 animals have inherited a dominant factor from the genetic background of the NZW mouse, resulting in low levels of Rt6 expression. It is conceivable that the alterations in the Rt6 genes of the NZW mouse and/or the factor(s) affecting defective Rt6 expression constitute part of the genetic contribution of the NZW mouse to the autoimmune lupus-like disease in (NZB x NZW)F1 animals. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Direction of arrival estimation using parametric signal models

We consider the problem of estimating the directions-of-arrival (DOAs) of narrowband sources with known center frequency. The paper evaluates the potential improvement in estimation accuracy by using spatial-temporal processing for signals obeying a deterministic parametric model. One would expect that prior information about the temporal structure of the signals will yield some gain in performance. By deriving the Cramer-Rao bound (CRB) on the DOA estimates, we quantify this gain and identify the cases for which the gain is significant. We show that for the single-source case, spatial-temporal processing does not yield any gain in performance relative to conventional spatial processing. For multiple noncoherent signals, incorporating temporal processing can achieve the single-source performance, yielding a significant gain for the case of multiple sources with small spatial separation relative to the beamwidth of the array. However, spatial-temporal processing cannot yield any gain in performance for multiple coherent signals.
Evolution of colorectal cancer: Change of pace and change of direction

Abstract This review compiles evidence for an alternative to the classical adenoma–carcinoma sequence in the evolution of colorectal cancer. It is suggested that between 30 and 50% of colorectal cancers are not initiated by mutation of the tumor suppressor gene APC, but through the epigenetic silencing of genes implicated in the control of differentiation, cell cycle control and DNA repair proficiency. The precursor polyps are often characterized by a serrated architecture, and include hyperplastic polyps, admixed polyps and serrated adenomas. The alternative pathway is heterogeneous and may culminate in cancers showing low or high level DNA microsatellite instability (MSI‐L and MSI‐H, respectively), and in cancers that are microsatellite stable (MSS). Cancers showing DNA MSI may be characterized by an accelerated evolution. Cancers in hereditary non‐polyposis colorectal cancer show features of both classical (adenoma and APC mutation) and alternative pathways (rapid evolution, MSI‐H and lack of chromosomal instability).
Vessel Mapping for Dialysis Access Planning

The population of patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) in the United States is progressively increasing, with hemodialysis (HD) as the major mode of renal replacement therapy. National guidelines recommend increasing the use of arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) in both incident and prevalent hemodialysis patients. Pre‐operative vascular mapping prior to the surgical creation of an AVF is now considered standard of care and may be helpful in achieving these goals. This manuscript focuses on the advantages and limitations of the various imaging techniques currently available for vessel mapping including physical examination, ultrasonography, angiography (iodinated contrast vs. CO2), and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), with specific suggestions for clinical use.
No Need to Laugh Out Loud

We explore electroencephalography (EEG), electrodermal activity (EDA), and electrocardiography (ECG) as valid sources to infer humor appraisal in a realistic environment. We report on an experiment in which 25 participants browsed a popular user-generated humorous content website while their physiological responses were recorded. We build predictive models to infer the participants’ appraisal of the humorousness of the content and demonstrate that the fusion of several physiological signals can lead to classification performances up to 0.73 in terms of the area under the ROC curve (AUC). We identify that the most discriminative changes in physiological signals happen at the later stages of the information consumption process, reflected in changes on the upper EEG frequency bands, higher levels of EDA, and heart-rate acceleration. Additionally, we present a comprehensive analysis by benchmarking the predictive power of each of the physiological signals separately, and by comparing them to state-of-the-art facial recognition algorithms based on facial video recordings. The classification performance ranges from 0.88 (in terms of AUC) when combining physiological signals and video recordings, to 0.55 when using ECG signals alone.
A lipopolysaccharide‐inducible macrophage gene (D3) is a new member of an interferon‐inducible gene cluster and is selectively expressed in mononuclear phagocytes

We previously reported the isolation and characterization of cDNA clones encoding novel lipopolysac‐ charide (LPS)‐inducible mRNAs from murine peritoneal macrophages. We now present the complete coding sequence of a cDNA previously termed D3. Analysis of multiple clones from a murine macrophage cDNA library provided a complete cDNA sequence of approximately 1.6 kb. The corresponding RNA contains a single open reading frame encoding a hydrophilic protein composed of 425 amino acids and is characterized by a region including three perfect and two imperfect repeats of a seven‐ amino‐acid sequence. Based on nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence, this mRNA is a new member of a previously described multigene cluster of interferon‐ inducible genes termed the Mouse 200 series genes. This new sequence most closely resembles gene 204 because both D3 and 204 genes have segments containing the seven‐amino‐acid repeat sequence. The Mouse 202 and 204 genes, however, have an approximately 200‐amino‐ acid carboxyl‐terminal domain that is absent in the LPS‐ inducible macrophage‐derived cDNA. In addition, D3, 202, and 204 can all be distinguished from one another by virtue of unique 3′ noncoding regions 200‐300 base pairs in length. The D3 unique sequence is largely restricted to the smallest of the three size classes of this gene family expressed in macrophages and is not detected in interferon‐ or platelet‐derived growth factor‐stimulated fibroblasts. Overall, three separate mRNAs have now been described, each of which has three or more of a possible seven nucleotide sequence domains. Although the functions) of the members of this gene family remains unknown, the multiple forms inducible by diverse stimuli and their restricted cell type expression suggest diverse and important physiologic roles for their products in inflammation.
Effects of Crataegus microphylla on Vascular Dysfunction in Streptozotocin‐induced Diabetic Rats

Vascular dysfunction plays a key role in the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular disease. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether chronic in vivo treatment of Crataegus microphylla (CM) extract in diabetic rats induced with streptozotocin (STZ, intraperitoneal, 65 mg/kg) preserves vascular function and to evaluate whether the reduction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), proinflammatory cytokines, and lipid peroxidation mediates its mechanisms of action. Starting at 4 weeks of diabetes, CM extract (100 mg/kg) was administrated to diabetic rats for 4 weeks. In aortic rings, relaxation to acetylcholine and vasoreactivity to noradrenaline were impaired, whereas aortic iNOS expression and plasma tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), total nitrite–nitrate, and malondialdehite levels were increased in diabetic rats compared with controls. Chronic CM treatment significantly corrected all the above abnormalities in diabetic rats. In comparison, pretreatment of the aorta of diabetic rats with N‐[3(aminomethyl) benzyl]‐acetamidine, dihydrochloride (10–5 M), a selective inhibitor of iNOS, produced a similar recovery in vascular reactivity. These results suggest that chronic in vivo treatment of CM preserves endothelium‐dependent relaxation and vascular contraction in STZ‐induced diabetes, possibly by reducing iNOS expression in the aorta and by decreasing plasma levels of TNF‐α and IL‐6 and by preventing lipid peroxidation. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Technegas Versus 81 mKr Ventilation – Perfusion Scintigraphy : A Comparative Study in Patients with Suspected Acute Pulmonary Embolism

81mKr is widely used as a ventilation agent to diagnose pulmonary embolism (PE). However, 81mKr is expensive, which limits its continuous availability. Technegas can be an alternative ventilation agent with the advantage of being less expensive and available daily. The aim of this study was to compare the value of technegas with that of 81mKr in the detection of PE. Methods: Ninety-two consecutive patients (29 men; mean 6 SD, 53 6 17 y old) with at least one segmental perfusion defect (Hull criteria) were studied prospectively. Perfusion and ventilation (V/Q) lung scintigraphy with both technegas and 81mKr were performed within 24 h on all patients. V/Q lung scan results were classified as high probability for PE (normal ventilation study) or nondiagnostic (abnormal ventilation study). All V/Q lung scans were read by two experienced nuclear physicians in consensus. For the intraand interobserver variabilities, two experienced observers independently read the V/Q lung scans. Results: 81mKr and technegas showed a good agreement (k, 0.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.53–0.82). However, technegas significantly increased the number of nondiagnostic V/Q lung scans (P 5 0.035). In 15 patients, a discrepancy was found between 81mKr and technegas. False-positive V/Q lung scan results occurred in 4 of 12 patients (33%) with 81mKr and in 2 of 3 patients (66%) with technegas. The intraand interobserver variabilities were 0.71–0.88 (95% CI, 0.56–1.0) for perfusion/81mKr and 0.74–0.96 (95% CI, 0.58–1.0) for perfusion/technegas. Conclusion: In comparison with 81mKr, technegas does not result in more false-positive V/Q lung scan results. The use of technegas, however, increases the number of nondiagnostic V/Q lung scan results, which would increase the demand for further additional testing to confirm or refute PE.