Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of grazing program and subsequent finishing on gene expression in different adipose tissue depots in beef steers.

This experiment was conducted to examine the effects of grazing program and subsequent finishing on gene expression in adipose tissue from steers. Twenty Angus x Angus-Hereford steer calves (initial BW = 231 +/- 25 kg) were allotted randomly to one of two winter grazing treatments: 1) grazing winter wheat pasture to achieve a high rate of BW gain (HGW); or 2) grazing dormant tallgrass native range (NR). Steers in the NR treatment were provided 0.91 kg.steer(-1). d(-1) of a 41% CP (as-fed basis) cottonseed meal supplement. Following the grazing period, steers were assigned randomly to feedlot pens. Steers were fed to a common endpoint of 1.27 cm of backfat between the 12th and 13th rib. Four steers from each treatment were slaughtered at the end of the grazing period, and the remaining steers from each treatment (n = 6) were slaughtered at the predetermined compositional endpoint. Intramuscular and s.c. fat samples were collected from LM sections of each steer at the 12th-/13th-rib interface on the left side. Pools of RNA were prepared for HGW and NR s.c. adipose tissue from steers slaughtered immediately after grazing. Suppression subtractive hybridization was performed followed by dot-blot hybridization screening to confirm differential expression of subtracted transcripts. Transcripts confirmed to be differentially expressed were subjected to dideoxy chain-termination sequencing. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR was performed on three differentially expressed clones: osteonectin, ferritin heavy chain, and decorin. Osteonectin, ferritin heavy chain, and decorin gene expression was greater (P < 0.05) in s.c. than in i.m. adipose tissue of finished steers. A depot x background interaction for osteonectin (P < 0.01) and ferritin heavy chain (P = 0.03) gene expression was observed for steers slaughtered after grazing, indicating that nutritional management can affect gene expression in adipose tissue depots differently. No differences resulting from prefinishing nutritional background (HGW or NR) were noted in osteonectin, ferritin heavy chain, or decorin gene expression in i.m. adipose tissue collected from finished steers, which might have resulted from feeding steers to the same compositional endpoint. Our data suggest that nutritional background alters gene expression in adipose depots, and that depots are influenced differently.
An analysis of occupational factors related to shoulder discomfort in diagnostic medical sonographers and vascular technologists.

OBJECTIVE Three-fourths of diagnostic medical sonographers (DMS) and vascular technologists (VT) experiencing discomfort due to job demands indicate having discomfort in the shoulder region. An analysis of factors related to shoulder discomfort highlighted salient factors requiring further investigation and intervention. PARTICIPANTS The respondents were a convenient sample of DMS and VT that answered a survey, hosted on a secure website. METHODS The responses of 2,163 DMS and VT from a survey of a representative sample were analyzed to determine personal factors, work demands, and workstation design characteristics of those experiencing discomfort in the shoulder region. Frequencies and response distributions were calculated and cross tabulation with chi-square analysis was completed. RESULTS A majority of respondents with shoulder discomfort have co-morbid reports of discomfort in other locations. While overall sonographer discomfort is linked to age and years of experience, shoulder discomfort was also noted to be linked to specific workstation characteristics. A lack of adjustability in equipment, picture archiving and communication system (PACS) workstations, and positions required to complete bedside exams contributes to discomfort due to sustained and repetitive shoulder abduction and twisting of the neck and trunk. CONCLUSIONS There is a need for studies investigating redesign of equipment and workstations or interventions with DMS and VT specifically focused on improving adjustability and improved positioning of sonographers in order to reduce shoulder discomfort while performing job demands.
Drought and Abscisic Acid Effects on Aquaporin Content Translate into Changes in Hydraulic Conductivity and Leaf Growth Rate: A Trans-Scale Approach1[W][OA]

The effects of abscisic acid (ABA) on aquaporin content, root hydraulic conductivity (Lpr), whole plant hydraulic conductance, and leaf growth are controversial. We addressed these effects via a combination of experiments at different scales of plant organization and tested their consistency via a model. We analyzed under moderate water deficit a series of transformed maize (Zea mays) lines, one sense and three antisense, affected in NCED (for 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase) gene expression and that differed in the concentration of ABA in the xylem sap. In roots, the mRNA expression of most aquaporin PIP (for plasma membrane intrinsic protein) genes was increased in sense plants and decreased in antisense plants. The same pattern was observed for the protein contents of four PIPs. This resulted in more than 6-fold differences between lines in Lpr under both hydrostatic and osmotic gradients of water potential. This effect was probably due to differences in aquaporin activity, because it was nearly abolished by a hydrogen peroxide treatment, which blocks the water channel activity of aquaporins. The hydraulic conductance of intact whole plants was affected in the same way when measured either in steady-state conditions or via the rate of recovery of leaf water potential after rewatering. The recoveries of leaf water potential and elongation upon rehydration differed between lines and were accounted for by the experimentally measured Lpr in a model of water transfer. Overall, these results suggest that ABA has long-lasting effects on plant hydraulic properties via aquaporin activity, which contributes to the maintenance of a favorable plant water status.
Update of materialized WebView

WebView materialization is an important technology in improving the performance of database-backed Web server in terms of response time. However, it brings the WebView update problem since WebView should be updated online to maintain the freshness of queries. The online update would increase the system workload, and may severely degrade system performance if the update approach is not efficient enough. Currently, there is only few literatures addressing this problem. In this paper, a new framework for the materialized WebView update named OUDA (opportunity & deferred update approach) is proposed, which combines the asynchronous opportunity update and the deferred update methods together. The asynchronous opportunity update is adopted to make the best of the idle time of CPU to refresh the outdated WebViews as much as possible, and the deferred update is employed to refresh those requested WebViews which have not yet been updated by the opportunity update. OUDA not only guarantees the freshness of queries, but also greatly lessens the contest between update tasks and query service process. Our experiments indicate that OUDA is a more scalable and more efficient solution
Reference ranges for spirometry across all ages: a new approach.

RATIONALE The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) reference is currently recommended for interpreting spirometry results, but it is limited by the lack of subjects younger than 8 years and does not continuously model spirometry across all ages. OBJECTIVES By collating pediatric data from other large-population surveys, we have investigated ways of developing reference ranges that more accurately describe the relationship between spirometric lung function and height and age within the pediatric age range, and allow a seamless transition to adulthood. METHODS Data were obtained from four surveys and included 3,598 subjects aged 4-80 years. The original analyses were sex specific and limited to non-Hispanic white subjects. An extension of the LMS (lambda, mu, sigma) method, widely used to construct growth reference charts, was applied. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS The extended models have four important advantages over the original NHANES III analysis as follows: (1) they extend the reference data down to 4 years of age, (2) they incorporate the relationship between height and age in a way that is biologically plausible, (3) they provide smoothly changing curves to describe the transition between childhood and adulthood, and (4) they highlight the fact that the range of normal values is highly dependent on age. CONCLUSIONS The modeling technique provides an elegant solution to a complex and longstanding problem. Furthermore, it provides a biologically plausible and statistically robust means of developing continuous reference ranges from early childhood to old age. These dynamic models provide a platform from which future studies can be developed to continue to improve the accuracy of reference data for pulmonary function tests.
ROBUST DECISION‐MAKING UNDER SEVERE UNCERTAINTY FOR CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT

In conservation biology it is necessary to make management decisions for endangered and threatened species under severe uncertainty. Failure to acknowledge and treat uncertainty can lead to poor decisions. To illustrate the importance of considering uncertainty, we reanalyze a decision problem for the Sumatran rhino, Dicerorhinus sumatrensis, using information-gap theory to propagate uncertainties and to rank management options. Rather than requiring information about the extent of parameter uncertainty at the outset, information-gap theory addresses the question of how much uncertainty can be tolerated before our decision would change. It assesses the robustness of decisions in the face of severe uncertainty. We show that different management decisions may result when uncertainty in utilities and probabilities are considered in decision-making problems. We highlight the importance of a full assessment of uncertainty in conservation management decisions to avoid, as much as possible, undesirable outcomes.
Candidate Gene and Mutational Analysis in Asthma and Atopy

Background: Using quantitative phenotype scores, we have genotyped four markers close to the FcεRI–β gene on chromosome 11q and 17 markers on chromosome 12. We have also determined the frequency of the I181L/V183L and E237G polymorphisms in our population. Methods: 131 randomly ascertained families and 109 families with an asthmatic proband were recruited. Written and video questionnaires, bronchial challenge, and skinprick tests were administered and IgE levels measured. Phenotype scores were derived using principal–component analysis. The asthma score incorporated the questionnaire data reduced to two variables (wheeze and video), the ratio of predicted to observed FEV1, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness calculated as the slope of the dose–response curve. Total IgE, with the highest heritability of the atopy variables, was used as the atopy score. I181L/V183L polymorphism was determined by sequencing and E237G polymorphism by the amplification refractory mutation system. The data were analyzed using the BETA programme. Results: No examples of the I181L/V183L polymorphism were identified. The E237G polymorphism was identified with a frequency of 3.5% with weak evidence for linkage (lod 1.522) to asthma. Linkage was found to markers on chromosome 12 and asthma. The largest single locus lod was achieved for D12S366 and wheeze (lod 3.307). Using multipoint analysis, a maximum lod score of 2.29 centres around D12S97 at location 173.5 cM for the asthma score. Conclusion: The linkage results for chromosome 12 justify further interest in this region. Future endeavours will be directed towards fine mapping in the hope of identifying novel candidate genes.
Ultrawideband Band-Notched Flexible Antenna for Wearable Applications

This letter presents the design of an ultrawideband (UWB) band-notched wearable antenna and its validation using simulation and measurement results. The antenna can be used for ultrawideband applications, while rejecting the higher band assigned to wireless local area network (WLAN 5.25-GHz band). The presented return loss and radiation pattern results demonstrate that antenna properties have negligible variations when bent at different angles (a possible condition when placed on body) or placed in adverse conditions (under extreme heat and humidity). Moreover, reliable performance of antenna for on-body scenario makes the designed antenna a promising candidate for wearable applications.
Prenatal diagnosis of sex chromosome aneuploidies and disorders of sex development – a retrospective analysis of 11-year data

Abstract Objective: Analysis of prenatally diagnosed sex chromosome aneuploidies and disorders of sex development (DSDs). Methods: This study includes a retrospective data analysis of 46 prenatally detected sex chromosome aneuploidies and one case of 46,XY DSD diagnosed during an 11-year period (2002–2012) at our department. Results: Of the 46 sex chromosome aneuploidies, 29 cases (63.0%) were in the group of a selected population of women according to abnormal first-/second-trimester ultrasound and 17 (37.0%) cases in an unselected population of women who underwent fetal karyotyping because of advanced maternal age. The most common aneuploidy was Turner syndrome in full and mosaic form (50%). Complete androgen insensitivity syndrome was diagnosed in the case of 46,XY DSD. Conclusions: Sex chromosome aneuploidies must be taken into consideration if, in the first or second trimester, abnormalities are revealed on ultrasound, mainly Turner syndrome in full or mosaic form and 47,XYY.
Human T-cell lymphotropic virus-III (HTLV-III) seropositivity and related disease among 71 consecutive patients in whom tuberculosis was diagnosed. A prospective study.

The incidence of tuberculosis has recently risen in Southeast Florida. In order to determine the number and proportion of tuberculosis cases and the characteristics of tuberculosis that might be related to human T-cell lymphotrophic virus-III (HTLV-III) infection, all patients seen by the Dade County Florida Public Health Department-Tuberculosis Clinic during a 6-month period were medically evaluated and screened for HTLV-III antibody by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Of 71 consecutive patients confirmed to have tuberculosis (70 by culture) during the study period, 22 (31%) were seropositive and 49 (69%) were seronegative for HTLV-III antibody. The seropositive group had a significantly higher proportion of patients who were black, Haitian, and within the age group of 25 to 44 yr. The seropositive group also had a significantly higher rate of mild-to-moderate serum aspartate transaminase elevations (less than or equal to 5 times normal), tuberculin skin test false negativity, extrapulmonary tuberculosis (especially lymphatic), and pulmonary tuberculosis with an atypical radiographic picture. The seropositive group had a significantly lower proportion of patients with sputum cultures positive for M. tuberculosis. There was no significant difference between the groups with respect to the proportion of patients with positive sputum smears when sputum cultures were positive, serious antituberculosis drug reactions (requiring discontinuation of therapy), or percent of home contacts who were tuberculin skin tested and found to be positive. At the time of the diagnosis of tuberculosis, only 6 (27%) of the seropositive patients with tuberculosis had clinical evidence of AIDS or AIDS-related complex (unexplained thrush). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Clozapine utilization and outcomes by race in a public mental health system: 1994-2000.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess racial differences in clozapine prescribing, dosing, symptom presentation and response, and hospitalization status. This study extends previous studies of clozapine by examining patient- and treatment-related factors that may help explain or eliminate reasons for differential prescribing. METHOD Clozapine records for 373 white and African American patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder treated between March 1, 1994, and December 31, 2000, in inpatient mental health facilities in the state of Maryland were examined. Records for this study were derived from 3 state of Maryland databases: the Clozapine Authorization and Monitoring Program, the State of Maryland Antipsychotic Database, and the Health Maintenance Information System Database. RESULTS A total of 10.3% of African Americans (150/1458) with schizophrenia received clozapine treatment compared with 15.3% of whites (223/1453) (chi2 = 16.74, df = 1, p < .001) during inpatient treatment in the public mental health system in Maryland. Clozapine doses were lower in African Americans relative to whites (385.3 +/- 200.6 vs. 447.3 +/- 230.3 mg/day) (t = -2.66, df = 366, p = .008). At the time of clozapine initiation, whites had more activating symptoms as measured by the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) (t = -3.98, df = 301, p < .0001); however, African Americans had significantly greater improvements in BPRS total symptoms (F = 4.80, df = 301, p = .03) and in anxiety/ depressive symptoms during 1 year of treatment with clozapine (F = 10.04, df = 303, p = .002). The estimated rate of hospital discharge was not significantly different for African Americans compared to whites prescribed clozapine (log-rank chi2 = 0.523, df = 1, p = .470); however, African Americans were more likely than whites to discontinue clozapine during hospitalization (log-rank chi2 = 4.19, df = 1, p = .041). CONCLUSION Our data suggest underutilization of clozapine in African American populations. This racial disparity in clozapine treatment is of special concern because of the favorable outcomes associated with clozapine in treatment-resistant schizophrenia and in the specific benefits observed in African American patients. More research is needed to determine why disparities with clozapine treatment occur and why African Americans may be discontinued from clozapine at a higher rate, despite potential indicators of equal or greater effectiveness among African Americans compared with whites.
Interprofessional Team Training in Pediatric Resuscitation: A Low-Cost, In Situ Simulation Program That Enhances Self-Efficacy Among Participants

Introduction. Simulation-based interprofessional team training is important to ensure high-quality, safe patient care, but several barriers exist, including diverging learning needs and schedules as well as limited available resources. Methods. The authors developed an in situ, simulation-based interprofessional team training program around pediatric emergencies for physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and pharmacists at their institution and performed an analysis of the program’s impact on self-efficacy in resuscitation skills among pediatric residents and nurses. Results. The results showed that with a design based in best principles of team training and simulation education, interprofessional team training is feasible and sustainable. The program had a beneficial effect on self-efficacy in resuscitation skills among both residents and nurses at the authors’ institution and received widespread acceptance. Conclusions. A collaborative approach to design and implementation of interprofessional team training can lead to a sustainable program that serves both patient safety and training requirements set forth by professional organizations.
Strain-engineering for improved tunneling in reconfigurable silicon nanowire transistors

Mechanical stress has the potential to be an efficient performance booster for diverse emerging research devices based on tunneling phenomena, such as tunnel FETs, resonant tunnel FETs and reconfigurable FETs. The effect is highly dependent on the constellation between the stress source and the crystal orientation. Although stress engineering is well established for enhancement carrier mobility, it is rather unexplored for the control of tunneling. In this work stress profiles formed by four different sources are studied by device simulations of reconfigurable silicon nanowire transistor using two independently gated Schottky junctions. Self-limited oxidation of the intrinsic silicon nanowire is used as an example to describe the effects of mechanical stress on the multi-valley band structure applying the deformation potential theory and on the average effective tunneling mass. The transfer characteristics of strained n- and p-type transistors are analyzed with respect to the current ratio between electron and hole conduction which is important to implement reconfigurable CMOS circuits. It has been verified that mechanical stress formed by oxidation as well as stressed top layers are effective options to control the current injection through the Schottky junctions and thus to achieve symmetric operation of reconfigurable nanowire devices.
MicroRNA-613 inhibits the progression of gastric cancer by targeting CDK9

Abstract MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in the development and progression of human malignancy. miR-613, as a tumour suppressor, was reported to decrease in several tumours. However, the expression levels and role of miR-613 in gastric cancer remain unknown. In this study, we found that miR-613 was evidently downregulated in gastric cancer tissue and cell. The functional analysis showed that miR-613 suppressed cell proliferation and migration in gastric cancer. Next, the dual-luciferase reporter system supported CDK9 as a direct target gene of miR-613. miR-613 mimics evidently repressed CDK9 expression in gastric cancer cells. Furthermore, we found that CDK9 in upregulated in gastric cancer and the CDK9 expression levels were inversely correlated with that of miR-613 in gastric cancer tissues. Overall, the results revealed that miR-613, as a tumour suppressor, involves in gastric cancer progression and metastasis by targeting CDK9, implying a novel potential therapeutic target for the treatment of gastric cancer.
Whole-Saliva Fluoride Levels and Saturation Indices in 65+ Elderly during Use of Four Different Toothpaste Regimens

Background: Elderly individuals suffering from subnormal saliva secretion combined with inadequate oral hygiene may develop rampant caries and caries in parts of the dentition not normally affected by caries if preventive measures are not undertaken. Such measures include elevating fluoride levels at the saliva/biofilm/tooth interface. Aim: To analyse whole-saliva fluoride levels and mineral saturation indices during different fluoride toothpaste regimens in home-living elderly. Materials and Methods: Whole saliva was collected from 27 subjects (7 males and 20 females, mean age 73.5 ± 6.1 years) at ten time points covering the whole day during five 2-week periods. During the first period, participants used their normal toothpaste without instructions (baseline). This was followed by TP1: 1,450-ppm NaF toothpaste; TP2: 1,450-ppm monofluorophosphate (MFP) toothpaste with addition of calcium; TP3: 5,000-ppm NaF toothpaste, and TP4: the same toothpaste with additional ‘smearing' of toothpaste on the teeth, twice daily. During TP1-TP4, the participants were instructed to brush 3 times per day using 1.5 g of toothpaste without rinsing. Results: Salivary fluoride levels increased with toothpaste fluoride content (p < 0.001), although major interindividual and intraindividual variations were observed. The highest fluoride values appeared in the morning and at night (p < 0.001). Saturation indices for calcium fluoride were affected by the fluoride content in pastes (p < 0.05). Concerning hydroxyapatite and fluorapatite, indices were highest with the MFP toothpaste and extra calcium (NS to p < 0.05). Conclusions: Use of a high-fluoride toothpaste resulted in significantly increased fluoride levels in whole saliva and mineral saturation indices were indeed influenced by choice of toothpaste.