Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
δEF1 and SIP1 are differentially expressed and have overlapping activities during Xenopus embryogenesis

The zinc finger/homeodomain transcription factor (zfhx1) family in vertebrates consists of two members, δEF1 and SIP1. They have been proposed to display antagonistic activities in the interpretation of Smad‐dependent TGFβ signaling during mesoderm formation. We cloned Xenopus δEF1 cDNA, analyzed the expression profile of the gene, and compared the inducing and interacting properties of the protein to that of XSIP1. Whereas XSIP1 RNA is selectively expressed in the early developing nervous system, we show that XδEF1 gene transcription is only activated during neurulation and that its expression is restricted to the paraxial mesoderm. From early tail bud stage, XδEF1 and XSIP1 are coexpressed in migratory cranial neural crest, in the retina, and in the neural tube. Overproduction of XδEF1 in RNA‐injected embryos, like that of XSIP1, reduced the expression of BMP‐dependent genes but only XSIP1 has the ability to induce neural markers. We find that XδEF1 and XSIP1 can both form complexes, although with different efficiency, with Smad3, with the coactivators p300 and pCAF, and with the corepressor CtBP1. Together, these results indicate that δEF1 and SIP1 do not function as antagonists during Xenopus early embryogenesis but do display different repression efficiencies and interaction properties. Developmental Dynamics 235:1491–1500, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Parsing as a Tagging Task : The Two Taggers Approach Or

Full discourse parsing in the PDTB framework is a task that has only recently been attempted. We present the Two Taggers approach, which reformulates the discourse parsing task as two simpler tagging tasks: identifying the relation within each sentence, and identifying the relation between each pair of adjacent sentences. We then describe a system that uses two CRFs to achieve an F1 score of 39.33, higher than the only previously existing system, at the full discourse parsing task. Our results show that sequential information is important for discourse relations, especially cross-sentence relations, and that a simple approach to argument span identification is enough to achieve state of the art results. We make our easy to use, easy to extend parser publicly available.
A non-pathogenic mycoplasma inhibiting the effect of a pathogenic mycoplasma in organ culture.

Summary The pathogenic avian mycoplasma M. gallisepticum caused a 50 per cent. reduction of ciliary activity in chicken tracheal organ cultures after 4–5 days. Nine days were required for a similar loss of activity when the non-pathogenic mycoplasma M. gallinarum was introduced into the cultures 24 to 48 hr before M. gallisepticum. The protective effect occurred only with viable M. gallinarum organisms and did not involve inhibition of the growth of M. gallisepticum. The phenomenon was observed with most strains of M. gallisepticum and all strains of M. gallinarum tested. A single strain of M. hominis failed to protect the ciliary activity of M. gallisepticum-infected cultures. Chicken tracheal organ cultures infected with M. gallinarum alone showed more prolonged ciliary activity than cultures uninfected with any mycoplasma. The possible reasons for these phenomena are discussed.
fMRI study comparing names versus pictures of objects

We performed an fMRI one‐back recognition study aimed at distinguishing the semantic versus perceptual aspects of how objects and their written forms are processed. There were three types of visually presented items: pictures (schematic drawings of objects); words identifying these objects; and a mixed condition in which pictures were interleaved with words. A semantic decision about object identity was required when pictures were interleaved with words. This condition, contrasted with the other two, invoked a larger signal in multiple areas, including frontal cortex, bilateral occipitotemporal cortex, and the right middle temporal gyrus. We propose that the left occipitotemporal and right temporal activations are indicative of the neural substrate mediating picture–word conversions, whereas the frontal activations reflect the coordinating functions of the central executive. Hum. Brain Mapping 16:168–175, 2002. Published 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genetic Influence of the Kidneys on Blood Pressure: Evidence from Chronic Renal Homografts in Rats with Opposite Predispositions to Hypertension

In two strains of rats with opposite genetic propensities for hypertension, interstrain renal transplants chronically modified the blood pressure of the recipients. The blood pressure of rats with these renal homografts was largely determined by the genotype of the donor kidney rather than by the genotype of the recipient. Kidneys from the hypertension-resistant (R) rats generally had an antihypertensive effect, and kidneys from the hypertension-prone (S) rats had a prohypertensive effect. These effects on blood pressure were most clear-cut in rats maintained on a low-sodium diet, but they were still evident in a modified form in rats on a high-sodium diet. Results from this study and from earlier studies suggest that kidneys from S rats have a greater hypertensinogenic and a smaller antihypertensive capacity than do kidneys from R rats. Therefore the influence of the kidney on blood pressure appears to have genetic determinants. If this finding is applicable to man, it would help to explain the well-established but anomalous observation that one of two individuals who apparently have similar renal disorders can have hypertension when the other does not.
Transmission of Apple Proliferation Phytoplasma by Cacopsylla melanoneura (Homoptera: Psyllidae)

Abstract Transmission trials of apple proliferation (AP) phytoplasma to healthy apple plants were carried out with Cacopsylla melanoneura (Förster). Both field naturally infected and experimentally infected psyllids were evaluated. The capacity of the different life stages of the insect in transmitting AP was tested. Overwintered adults collected in the orchards were able to transmit AP with a variable efficiency, depending on the infectivity rate of source plants. Experimentally infected nymphs and springtime adults succeeded in the transmission of AP, but the lower number of insect tested and the shorter inoculation period, due to difficulties in rearing the whole cycle of the insect in the laboratory, affected the efficiency. Considering the life history of C. melanoneura, the overwintered adults are the most responsible of the diffusion of AP in apple orchards.
Crossing Industry Borders: German Manufacturers as Services Exporters

Manufacturing firms increasingly engage in service trade activities. Microlevel data show that German manufacturers accounted for nearly 30 billion euros of service exports in 2005. I have found that particular construction, engineering and R&D services are exported. The machinery industries, motor vehicles and chemicals producers dominate the overall pattern. The types of services exported vary strongly across industries. Service exports of advertising, data processing, management and R&D services are found to likely support foreign affiliates of firms. However, these headquarter services are only infrequently observable. Much more important are construction and engineering services exported by machinery firms. These might represent installation and maintenance services complementing exported machinery. R&D services exports generally represent the transfer of knowledge and technology, which is found to be particularly relevant for motor vehicle producers. Beyond the support of foreign production of firms, R&D services might be relevant also in R&D cooperations of firms or when firms have partnerships with foreign suppliers or buyers of intermediate products.
Prediction of relative permeability in simple porous media.

We present a predictive calculation of two-phase relative permeabilities in granular porous media formed from a dense random packing of equal spheres. The spatial coordinates of every sphere in the pack have been measured, enabling the microstructure of the medium to be completely determined. From these data we extract a network model that replicates the pore space. By compacting the packing or swelling individual spheres, we may generate model porous media of different porosities whose microstructure is also completely determined. We simulate both viscous- and capillary-dominated invasion of a nonwetting fluid into a wetting fluid contained in these media. During invasion we calculate the average hydraulic conductance of each phase to obtain the relative permeabilities as a function of fluid saturation. Because the microstructure is known, the calculations do not involve any adjustable parameters or supplementary measurements of pore structure. The computed relative permeabilities are successfully compared with experimental values previously measured on sand packs, bead packs, and a simple sandstone.
Analysis of mutations in the SOS-1 gene in two Polish families with hereditary gingival fibromatosis.

OBJECTIVES To establish whether two families from Malopolska and Mazovia provinces in Poland are affected by hereditary gingival fibromatosis type 1, caused by a single-cytosine insertion in exon 21 of the Son-of-Sevenless-1 gene. MATERIAL AND METHODS Six subjects with hereditary gingival fibromatosis and five healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. Gingival biopsies were collected during gingivectomy or tooth extraction and used for histopathological evaluation. Total RNA and genomic DNA were purified from cultured gingival fibroblasts followed by cDNA and genomic DNA sequencing and analysis. RESULTS Hereditary gingival fibromatosis was confirmed by periodontal examination, X-ray, and laboratory tests. Histopathological evaluation showed hyperplastic epithelium, numerous collagen bundles, and abundant-to-moderate fibroblasts in subepithelial and connective tissue. Sequencing of exons 19-22 of the Son-of-Sevenless-1 gene did not reveal a single-cytosine insertion nor other mutations. CONCLUSIONS Patients from two Polish families under study had not been affected by hereditary gingival fibromatosis type 1, caused by a single-cytosine insertion in exon 21 of the Son-of-Sevenless-1 gene. Further studies of the remaining regions of this gene as well as of other genes are needed to identify disease-related mutations in these patients. This will help to unravel the pathogenic mechanism of gingival overgrowth.
Blind depth-variant blur removal in confocal microscopy

We are interested in blind restoration of 3D confocal microscopy images. One challenging problem in this system is the depth-variant (DV) blur due to refractive index mismatch. In our work, we simplify the problem by approximating the DV point spread function (PSF) by a convex combination of a set of space-invariant (SI) PSFs. We show that each SI PSF can be approximated by a Gaussian function given by few parameters. One advantage of such an approximation is that positivity and normalization of the PSF are naturally ensured. The problem is thus reduced to the estimation of the object and the PSF parameters. We design a new criterion allowing both estimations of the object and the DV PSF, with physical constraints included. The method is validated on simulated and real confocal microscopy data.
Estimating phylogenetic distances between genomic sequences based on the length distribution of k-mismatch common substrings

Various approaches to alignment-free sequence comparison are based on the length of exact or inexact word matches between two input sequences. Haubold {\em et al.} (2009) showed how the average number of substitutions between two DNA sequences can be estimated based on the average length of exact common substrings. In this paper, we study the length distribution of $k$-mismatch common substrings between two sequences. We show that the number of substitutions per position that have occurred since two sequences have evolved from their last common ancestor, can be estimated from the position of a local maximum in the length distribution of their $k$-mismatch common substrings.
Variations in Gastrointestinal Melanoma Metastases

In 10 patients with gastrointestinal metastases from cutaneous malignant melanoma, metastases to the stomach were found in 2, the small bowel in 9, and the large bowel in 3. Gastric metastases typically appeared as target lesions. However, the morphology of secondary melanoma deposits to the small and large intestine varied significantly, target lesions being only one possible manifestation. Less common appearances of gut metastases were found in 4 patients. One presented atypically with matted loops of distal ileum resulting in prolonged stasis of barium in the affected areas. In 3 patients, infiltrative and stenotic lesions were found in the distal ileum, terminal ileum and cecum. One stenotic lesion of the distal ileum was accompanied by multiple small polypoid lesions more proximally, and the cecal lesion was ulcerated. Six of the patients presented with polypoid and, occasionally, ulcerated and multiple secondary melanoma deposits. Possible causes for variations in morphology are discussed.
Income distribution, socioeconomic status, and self rated health in US

Editor—I take issue with Kennedy et al’s conclusion that the frequently observed association between income inequality and health is not an artefact of an omitted relation between individual income and individual health.1 They had only limited information on individual incomes in their study. Furthermore, they ignored some of the income and inequality data that they did have available. Consequently, their conclusion that income inequality exerts an independent effect on individual health is inappropriate.
Using a virtual supermarket as a tool for training executive functions in people with mild cognitive impairment

Cognitive and executive functions (EF) intervention programs for people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has not been studied enough, especially with the use of virtual reality. The purpose of the current study was to examine the effectiveness of using the Virtual Action Planning – Supermarket (VAP-S) to improve performance of a shopping task and EF among people with MCI. Seven participants with non-amnestic or multi-domain amnestic MCI completed the study protocol which followed an ABA single subject design. The outcome measures included the Multiple Errands Test (MET) to assess EF while performing a shopping task and the WebNeuro to assess EF impairments. Results showed that 4 participants improved their EF as assessed by the WebNeuro and 4 improved their performance of the shopping task in the MET. It seems that in some cases a learning effect occurred which explains why some of the participants did not improve. The results point to the potential of using the VAP-S as an intervention tool for training EF in people with MCI.
Refractive index and material dispersion interpolation of doped silica in the 0.6-1.8 mu m wavelength region

An extension of the Claussius-Mossotti interpolation scheme is proposed so that the refractive index and material dispersion of GeO/sub 2/- and F-doped silica glasses (with doping concentrations different than those of published data) can be predicted in the 0.6-1.8- mu m wavelength region. The new interpolation expression provides a well-behaved functional relationship for use in computer models which analyse propagation in single-mode fibers. The technique proposed is particularly powerful because it can be applied to any glass, whether single or multicomponent, having any other single dopant. <<ETX>>
Protein Restriction after Weaning Modifies the Calcium Kinetics and Induces Cardiomyocyte Contractile Dysfunction in Rats

Protein restriction (PR) is associated with cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects on single ventricular cardiomyocyte contractile function of a short-term PR after weaning. Male Fischer rats that were 28 days old were randomly divided into a control group (CG, n = 16) and a protein-restricted group (PRG, n = 16). After weaning, CG and PRG animals received isocaloric diets containing 15 and 6% protein, respectively, for 35 days. Biometric parameters were then measured, and the hearts were removed for the analysis of contractile function and calcium transient in isolated cardiomyocytes of the left ventricule (LV), and the quantification of calcium and collagen fibers in LV myocardium. PRG animals had lower body weight (BW) and LV weight (LVW), an increased LVW to BW ratio and a higher proportion of collagen fibers than CG animals. PRG animals exhibited reduced tissue levels of calcium, reduced the length, width and volume of cardiomyocytes and their sarcomere length compared to CG animals. Cardiomyocytes from PRG animals had a lower amplitude of shortening, a slower time to the peak of shortening and a longer time to half-relaxation than those from the CG. Cardiomyocytes from PRG animals also presented a lower peak of calcium transient and a longer calcium transient decay time than CG animals. Taken together, the results indicate that short-term PR after weaning induces a marked structural remodeling of the myocardium parenchyma and stroma that coexists with contractile dysfunctions in single LV cardiomyocytes of rats, which is probably associated with pathological changes of the intracellular calcium kinetics, rather than inadequate available amounts of this mineral in cardiac tissue.
Sequential feeding with low- and high-lysine diets increases activity and improves gait score in broiler chickens.

Preventing leg disorders in broilers, without changing their body weight at slaughter age and their rearing time is a challenge for poultry production. The method of prevention we studied consisted in alternating the distribution of different diets. This kind of diet schedule is called “sequential feeding”. The alternation of poorand rich-lysine diets was used in order to reduce early growth and to enhance locomotor activity, two factors that reduce leg disorders. The aim of this work was to study the effects of various sequential feeding on growth, feed intake, feed conversion, activity, leg disorders and bone quality of broilers. The experiment was carried out on 330 meat-type chickens (Ross) reared in 30 pens of 2.89 m 2 (11 male chickens / pen; 10 pens / group) and slaughtered at 42 days. From Day 10 to Day 22, control birds were fed every day with a standard diet (Feed 100 = 100% of standard lysine level), whereas 24Hand 48H-cycles were used for sequential feeding in the C24 and C48 group respectively. Broilers of the C24 group were fed a poor lysine diet (F70) during half of the light phase and with a rich lysine diet (F130) during the other half (Feed 70 = 70% of standard level of lysine and Feed 130 = 130% of standard level of lysine). Feeds 130, 100 and 70 had equal energy and protein content (ME = 3,230kcal/kg; CP = 23.2%). Broilers of the C48 group were fed Feed 70 for one day and Feed 130 every other day. We measured body weight of birds, feed intake, feed conversion, motor activity, gait score and bone quality at slaughter age. Body weight at Day 22 was significantly lower in the C24 and C48 groups than in the control group, but body weights and feed conversion ratios were significantly equivalent to controls at slaughter. Broilers of C24 and C48 groups spent significantly more time standing than the control birds (47% and 49% vs. 40%) but their bone quality was not improved. The occurrence of birds with abnormal gait was significantly reduced in C24 and C48 groups (33% and 36%) compared to control (55%). Both schedules of sequential feeding were effective in improving gait score. The reduction of leg disorders noticed in the C24 and C48 groups was not explained by changes in bone composition but by reduction of early growth of birds and by enhancement of their activity level. ___________________________________________________________________________ Key-words: welfare; chicken; leg problems; nutrition; lysine.
A 30-month prospective study on the treatment of retinoblastoma in the Gabriel Touré Teaching Hospital, Bamako, Mali

Introduction Retinoblastoma is one of the most common malignant tumours among children in Africa. However, very few studies on this disease have been published, especially studies from French-speaking countries in Africa. Patients and methods Prospective study over a period of 30 months from 1 January 2005 to 30 June 2007 on all cases of retinoblastoma diagnosed and treated in the Paediatric Oncology Unit of the Gabriel Touré Hospital in Bamako, Mali. Treatment was two courses of pre-operative chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, adriamycine and vincristine), enucleation for many patients, and then two courses of adjuvant chemotherapy with the same drugs. Results During the study period, 55 cases of retinoblastoma were treated, which represents 33.1% of all the solid tumours, coming second in frequency after lymphomas (39.7%). The mean age of the patients was 4.2 years. Boys were the most affected, with a sex ratio of 2:1. Forty-nine mothers (89.1%) and 46 fathers (83.6%) had no formal education. Thirty-seven children (67.3%) were from rural areas. Unilateral cases were predominant (49 cases (89.1%)). Ten cases (10.9%) were bilateral. Exophthalmos was the leading symptom (30 cases (54.5%)). The survival rate at 30 months was 56% with 18% lost at follow-up. Conclusion Mortality as a result of retinoblastoma remains high in our region because diagnosis is always late and it is difficult to follow-up the patients. Education of healthcare workers and raising awareness in the general population would improve the survival rate of retinoblastoma patients in Africa.
Acquired resistance to infection in an animal model of giardiasis.

Infection of the gastrointestinal tract with the protozoan Giardia lamblia is increasingly recognized as a cause of gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea and malabsorption (1–3). Indeed it was the most frequently identifiable cause of water-borne diarrhea in the United States in 1974 (4). Studies of jejunal morphology and function have shown a spectrum of change from normal mucosa with unaltered small bowel absorption to severe mucosal lesions with steatorrhea (1, 5). The mechanisms that protect man from infection with G. lamblia are largely unknown. Although some persons show spontaneous resolution of infection (6) others may show persistent symptoms for months or years (7). Reports of giardiasis in children with protein-calorie malnutrition (8, 9) and in adults after gastrectomy (5) suggest that susceptibility to infection might be influenced by nutritional factors and changes in gastrointestinal physiology. On the other hand, the importance of normal host immunity is suggested by the high frequency of giardiasis in persons with hypogamma-globulinemia (10, 11).
Quality‐of‐Life Measurement in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease Receiving Social Support

Background: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, referred to as inflammatory bowel diseases, affect mainly young adults and have an elevated morbidity and a negative effect on quality of life. This study aimed to compare the health‐related quality of life between 2 randomized groups of patients with inflammatory bowel disease: (1) the supported group (SG), patients receiving social support for an 18‐month period, and (2) the control group (CG), patients receiving no social support Methods: Health‐related quality of life was assessed at 4 moments with the Portuguese versions of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 and the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ), both validated in Brazil. Results: In the SG, using analysis of variance for repeated measures complemented by the Bonferroni test positive variations were observed (1) in the Social Aspects domain, between the first and third evaluations (P = 0.044), and (2) in the Emotional Aspects domain, between the first and second and the third and fourth evaluations (P = 0.029). Conclusions: In the sample studied, social support, measured by use of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire, had a positive impact on the social and emotional aspects of quality of life.