Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In Vitro Production of Haploid Germ Cells from Fresh or Frozen-Thawed Testicular Cells of Neonatal Bulls1

Abstract Improved methods for culturing spermatogenic cells will facilitate the study of spermatogenesis, treatment of male factor infertility, and genetic modification of the male germ line. The objective of this study was to develop a procedure for achieving male germ cell progression through meiosis in vitro. Testes from 3-day-old bulls were decapsulated and seminiferous tubules were dissociated enzymatically to recover Sertoli and germ cells. Dissociated cells were reaggregated by phytohemagglutinin and encapsulated by calcium alginate, then cultured for up to 14 wk in modified Dulbecco modified Eagle medium/F12 (32°C, 5% CO2 in air). At 2, 5, and 10 wk, cultured cells were examined and evaluated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Northern blot analysis for protamine-2 (PRM-2) and transition protein-1 (TP-1) mRNA, expressed specifically in round spermatids. Ploidy was characterized by flow cytometric analysis of DNA content of cultured cells. Only Sertoli cells and gonocytes were observed in seminiferous tubules of 3-day-old testes. By 10 wk of culture, small spherical cells (7–10 μm) were apparent at the margin of cell associations in culture. Following RT-PCR and Northern blot analysis, specific bands corresponding to PRM-2 and TP-1 were detected only in adult testis RNA or after 10 wk of culture. Based on flow cytometry, a haploid population of cells appeared in vitro that was not in 3-day-old bull testis. The novel culture system developed in this study is the first to promote differentiation of gonocytes to presumptive spermatids in vitro based on the expression of spermatid-specific genes.
DYSTONIC TREMOR PRESENTING AS PARKINSONISM: LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP OF SWEDDs

Of patients entered into several randomized trials of dopaminergic medication for Parkinson disease (PD), 4% to 15% were found to have normal presynaptic nigrostriatal dopaminergic imaging and were termed subjects with scans without evidence of dopaminergic deficits (SWEDDs). 1–3 Dopaminergic imaging of these patients, up to 4 years later, is reported to be normal and withdrawal of levodopa had no deleterious effect.2–3 However, several issues remain to be resolved: What conditions do the SWEDDs subjects have, if not PD? What is their long-term prognosis? What lessons can be learned from the original misdiagnoses? ### Case report. A 59-year-old man presented in 1991 with a 6-month history of increasing tremor in the right hand, a slight tremor in the left hand, and feeling generally slowed down. There was no relevant family history. The tremor had not responded to alcohol, trihexyphenidyl 10 mg once a day, or propranolol 80 mg once a day. He had had viral meningitis (age 30), with no neurologic sequelae. Examination showed reduced right arm swing during gait, a rest and postural tremor, positive Froment maneuver in the right arm, and slow repetitive finger movements, worse on the right. A cerebral CT scan and routine blood tests, including copper studies and protein electrophoresis, had normal results. EMG of the right arm demonstrated 6–7 Hz rhythmic activity at rest and on posture with synchronous activity in agonist/antagonist …
Imbalance between circulating CD4+ regulatory T and conventional T lymphocytes in patients with HBV‐related acute‐on‐chronic liver failure

The important pathophysiological role of immune dysfunction, especially innate immune dysfunction in patients with acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (ACLF), has been investigated in recent years, but dysregulation of adaptive immunity remains poorly elucidated. The aim of this study was to (i) determine the CD3+ T‐lymphocyte count and the balance between CD4+ regulatory T (Tregs) and conventional T cells (Tconv) in hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐related ACLF patients; (ii) analyse the frequencies of Tregs subpopulations; and (iii) assess the suppressive potency of CD4+ Tregs and each fraction.
A new architecture for application-aware cognitive multihop wireless networks

In this article, we propose a new architecture for AC-MWN. Cognitive radio is a technique to adaptively use the spectrum so that the resource can be used more efficiently in a low-cost way. A multihop wireless network can be deployed quickly and flexibly without fixed infrastructure. In our proposed new architecture, we study backbone routing schemes with network cognition, and a routing scheme with network coding and spectrum adaptation. A testbed is implemented to test the proposed schemes for AC-MWN. In addition to basic measurements, we implement a video streaming application based on the proposed AC-MWN architecture using cognitive radios. Preliminary results demonstrate that the proposed AC-MWN is applicable, and is valuable for future low-cost and flexible communication networks.
Imaging of Intrinsic Optical Signals in Primate Cortex during Epileptiform Activity

Summary: Localized increases in neuronal activity are known to alter the distribution and oxygen content of blood within the surrounding brain tissue. In the neocortex, these activity‐evoked hemodynamic changes are predominantly mediated through the dilation of the microscopic pial arterioles that lie on the surface of the brain, nearest to the site of activation. Since hemoglobin absorbs light throughout the visible and near‐infrared spectrum, optical microscopy combined with computer imaging techniques can be used to map the patterns of hemodynamic changes associated with neuronal activity. Examples of optical imaging data are provided here to demonstrate four points. First, depending on the optical wavelength chosen for illumination of the cortex, different spatial and temporal patterns of optical changes are elicited by similar stimuli yielding distinctly different types of physiological information. Second, by selecting the appropriate wavelengths, it is possible to generate maps from optical‐imaging data that represent changes predominately due to either blood volume (at 535 nm) or blood oxygenation (at 660 nm). Third, “negative” optical signals are negative only relative to a given optical wavelength, and appear to be associated with more intense types of neuronal activation. Fourth, optical imaging is a useful technique for studying neocortical seizure activity in animal models, with the caveat that species‐specific differences in cortical size and vascularization patterns may be important to consider in the interpretation of optical imaging data.
Using enterprise systems to realize digital business strategies

– Organizations invest in enterprise systems (ESs) with an expectation to share digital information from disparate sources to improve organizational effectiveness. This study aims to examine how organizations realize digital business strategies using an ES. It does so by evaluating the ES data support activities for knowledge creation, particularly how ES data are transformed into corporate knowledge in relevance to business strategies sought. Further, how this knowledge leads to realization of the business benefits. The linkage between establishing digital business strategy, utilization of ES data in decision‐making processes, and realized or unrealized benefits provides the reason for this study. , – This study develops and utilizes a transformational model of how ES data are transformed into knowledge and results to evaluate the role of digital business strategies in achieving benefits using an ES. Semi‐structured interviews are first conducted with ES vendors, consultants and IT research firms to understand the process of ES data transformation for realizing business strategies from their perspective. This is followed by three in‐depth cases (two large and one medium‐sized organization) who have implemented ESs. The empirical data are analyzed using the condensation approach. This method condenses the data into multiple groups according to pre‐defined categories, which follow the scope of the research questions. , – The key findings emphasize that strategic benefit realization from an ES implementation is a holistic process that not only includes the essential data and technology factors, but also includes factors such as digital business strategy deployment, people and process management, and skills and competency development. Although many companies are mature with their ES implementation, these firms have only recently started aligning their ES capabilities with digital business strategies correlating data, decisions, and actions to maximize business value from their ES investment. , – The findings reflect the views of two large and one medium‐sized organization in the manufacturing sector. Although the evidence of the benefit realization process success and its results is more prominent in larger organizations than medium‐sized, it may not be generalized that smaller firms cannot achieve these results. Exploration of these aspects in smaller firms or a different industry sector such as retail/service would be of value. , – The paper highlights the importance of tools and practices for accessing relevant information through an integrated ES so that competent decisions can be established towards achieving digital business strategies, and optimizing organizational performance. Knowledge is a key factor in this process. , – The paper evaluates a holistic framework for utilization of ES data in realizing digital business strategies. Thus, it develops an enhanced transformational cycle model for ES data transformation into knowledge and results, which maintains to build up the transformational process success in the long term.
Self-Rated Health and Postnatal Depressive Symptoms Among Immigrant Mothers in Québec

ABSTRACT Data from the Québec Longitudinal Study of Child Development were used to examine factors associated with postnatal depression and the links between self-rated health (SRH) and depressive symptoms in mothers 5 months after giving birth, according to immigration status. Postnatal depressive symptoms were measured using the 12-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Immigrant mothers were classified according to their ethnocultural (majority or minority) group and compared with Canadian-born mothers. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between SRH and depressive symptoms. The prevalence of high depressive symptoms was larger among immigrants from minority groups (24.7%) than among immigrants from majority groups (8.3%) and Canadian-born mothers (11.2%). SRH was associated with depressive symptoms among Canadian-born mothers, but not among minority immigrant mothers. Canadian-born mothers integrated mental health into their assessment of overall health status, however, depressive symptoms among minority immigrant mothers were common, and their determinants warrant further research.
Cause-specific hospital admission and mortality among working men: association with socioeconomic circumstances in childhood and adult life, and the mediating role of daily stress.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the association of childhood and adulthood social class with the occurrence of specific diseases, including those not associated with a high mortality rate, and to investigate daily stress as the mechanism for that part of any association which cannot be accounted for by established risk factors. METHODS This was a prospective cohort study with 25 years of follow-up for cause-specific morbidity and mortality. A total of 5577 Scottish men were recruited from 27 workplaces in the West of Scotland. Childhood social class was determined from the occupation held by the individual's father, and adulthood social class from the individual's occupation at enrolment. Daily stress was measured at enrolment using the Reeder Stress Inventory. RESULTS Health differentials were found for cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer, peptic ulcer, asthma, accidents and violence, alcohol-related diseases, and perhaps psychiatric illness. Adulthood circumstances were associated with the incidence of most diseases in adulthood, the exception being stroke, which was strongly associated with less privileged circumstances in childhood. Both childhood and adulthood circumstances contributed to the incidence of coronary heart disease. Daily stress did not underlie any of these associations once the influence of established risk factors had been taken into account. CONCLUSIONS Socioeconomic circumstances in childhood and adulthood both contribute to health differentials in adulthood, the relative contributions depending upon the particular disease. Where known risk factors explained only part of the excess of a disease among individuals raised or living in less-privileged circumstances, there was no evidence to suggest that daily stress was the reason for the unexplained excess.
A Multi-Objective Gravitational Search Algorithm Based on Non-Dominated Sorting

This paper proposes an extension of the Gravitational Search Algorithm GSA to multi-objective optimization problems. The new algorithm, called Non-dominated Sorting GSA NSGSA, utilizes the non-dominated sorting concept to update the gravitational acceleration of the particles. An external archive is also used to store the Pareto optimal solutions and to provide some elitism. It also guides the search toward the non-crowding and the extreme regions of the Pareto front. A new criterion is proposed to update the external archive and two new mutation operators are also proposed to promote the diversity within the swarm. Numerical results show that NSGSA can obtain comparable and even better performances as compared to the previous multi-objective variant of GSA and some other multi-objective optimization algorithms.
At risk for language disorders? Correlates and course of language disorders in preschool children born at risk

The language abilities of 324 children of an at‐risk population were investigated at age 2 and 4.5 y. Modified research criteria of the ICD‐10 for specific developmental disorders of speech and language were applied. Frequencies between 4% and 7%, depending on age and type of disorder, were diagnosed among children whose performance on the language measure was only 1 instead of ICD‐10′s 2 SD below group mean, but the discrepancy measure of 1 SD between non‐verbal language score and language measure was retained. Psychosocial aspects of a child's environment proved to be better predictors of later language disorders than obstetric complications. Stability of specific language disorders was on the whole fairly low, but children who perform below age level on language measures remained at risk. Gender differences are almost compensated by the age 4.5 y.
Serum androgen levels in black, Hispanic, and white men.

CONTEXT Racial/ethnic differences in androgen levels could account for differences in prostate cancer risk, body composition, and bone loss. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to investigate racial/ethnic variations in testosterone, bioavailable testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), SHBG, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) levels. DESIGN The Boston Area Community Health (BACH) Survey was a multistage stratified cluster random sample, recruiting from 2002 to 2005. SETTING The study was a community-based sample of Boston. PARTICIPANTS Participants included black, Hispanic, or white individuals, aged 30-79 yr, competent to sign informed consent and literate in English/Spanish. Of 2301 men recruited, 1899 provided blood samples (538 black, 651 Hispanic, 710 white). INTERVENTION Intervention consisted of data obtained during in-person at-home interview, conducted by a bilingual phlebotomist/interviewer. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Testosterone, bioavailable testosterone, DHT, DHT to testosterone ratio, SHBG, and DHEAS were measured. RESULTS With or without adjustment for covariates, there were no significant differences in testosterone, bioavailable testosterone, or SHBG levels by race/ethnicity. DHEAS levels differed by race/ethnicity before covariate adjustment; after adjustment this difference was attenuated. Before adjustment, DHT and DHT to testosterone ratios did not significantly differ by racial/ethnic group. After adjustment, there was evidence of racial/ethnic differences in DHT (P = 0.047) and DHT to testosterone (P = 0.038) levels. Black men had higher DHT levels and DHT to testosterone ratios than white and Hispanic men. CONCLUSIONS Because there are no racial/ethnic differences in testosterone levels, normative ranges need not be adjusted by race/ethnicity for androgen deficiency diagnosis for men aged 30-79 yr. Further investigation is needed to determine whether differences in DHT levels and DHT to testosterone ratio can help explain racial/ethnic variations in prostate cancer incidence, body composition, and bone mass.
INDIVIDUAL THYROID DOSE ESTIMATION FOR A CASE-CONTROL STUDY OF CHERNOBYL-RELATED THYROID CANCER AMONG CHILDREN OF BELARUS—PART I: 131I, SHORT-LIVED RADIOIODINES (132I, 133I, 135I), AND SHORT-LIVED RADIOTELLURIUMS (131MTe AND 132Te)

Abstract— Large amounts of radioiodines were released into the atmosphere during the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant on 26 April 1986. In order to investigate whether the thyroid cancers observed among children in Belarus could have been caused by radiation exposures from the Chernobyl accident, a team of Belarusian, Russian, and American scientists conducted a case-control study to compare cases and controls according to estimated thyroid dose. The primary purpose of this paper is to present detailed information on the estimated thyroid doses, due to intakes of 131I, that were used in the case-control study. The range of the 131I thyroid doses among the 107 cases and the 214 controls was found to extend from 0.00002 to 4.3 Gy, with medians of approximately 0.2 Gy for the cases and 0.07 Gy for the controls. In addition, the thyroid doses resulting from the intakes of short-lived radioiodines (132I, 133I, and 135I) and radiotelluriums (131mTe and 132Te) were estimated and compared to the doses from 131I. The ratios of the estimated thyroid doses from the short-lived radionuclides and from 131I for the cases and the controls range from 0.003 to 0.1, with median values of approximately 0.02 for both cases and controls.
Alpha-Toxin and Gamma-Toxin Jointly PromoteStaphylococcus aureus Virulence in Murine Septic Arthritis

ABSTRACT Septic arthritis is a common and feared complication of staphylococcal infections. Staphylococcus aureus produces a number of potential virulence factors including certain adhesins and enterotoxins. In this study we have assessed the roles of cytolytic toxins in the development of septic arthritis by inoculating mice withS. aureus wild-type strain 8325-4 or isogenic mutants differing in the expression of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-toxin production patterns. Mice inoculated with either an alpha- or beta-toxin mutant showed degrees of inflammation, joint damage, and weight decrease similar to wild-type-inoculated mice. In contrast, mice inoculated with either double (alpha- and gamma-toxin-deficient)- or triple (alpha-, beta-, and gamma-toxin-deficient)-mutant S. aureus strains showed lower frequency and severity of arthritis, measured both clinically and histologically, than mice inoculated with the wild-type strain. We conclude that simultaneous production of alpha- and gamma-toxin is a virulence factor in S. aureusarthritis.
The Effectiveness of MMPI-A Items in Discriminating Between Normative and Clinical Samples

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-Adolescent (MMPI-A; Butcher et al., 1992) was released in 1992 and has rapidly become the most widely used objective personality assessment instrument with adolescents. Although the MMPI-A reduced or eliminated several problems associated with the use of the original MMPI (Hathaway & McKinley, 1943) with adolescents, the MMPI-A does produce a high frequency of within normal limits basic scale profiles for individuals with substantial psychopathology including adolescents in inpatient psychiatric settings. To better understand the reasons for this phenomenon, we compared the item endorsement frequencies for the MMPI-A normative sample with results from two adolescent clinical samples, and these results were contrasted to the item endorsement frequencies for the MMPI-2 (Butcher, Dahlstrom, Graham, Tellegen, & Kaemmer, 1989) normative sample and a clinical sample of adult psychiatric inpatients. Results showed that the MMPI-A contains a substantial number of items that do not show a significant difference in item endorsement frequency between normative and clinical samples. Furthermore, MMPI-A basic and content scales generally show a much lower percentage of effective items than do the corresponding scales for the MMPI-2. We discuss the findings in relation to the frequent occurrence of low range MMPI-A profiles in clinical samples and the potential usefulness of these results in future efforts to develop viable short forms for the MMPI-A.
Relative Importance and Utility of Positive Worker States: A Review and Empirical Examination

ABSTRACT Our purpose was to identity the unique contribution, relative importance, and utility of positive worker states. Using Luthans et al.'s (2007) five positive organizational behavior criteria, a variety of positive worker states were reviewed and then empirically tested to establish if they met these criteria. Data were collected from 724 restaurant employees. Positive worker states included: job involvement, perceived organizational support, engagement, and vigor. Criteria were self-reported performance, customer service, turnover intention, satisfaction, and quality of life. Our review indicated consistency between predictor adequacy of meeting the criteria and their empirical relationship with key outcomes. This research found the positive worker states to be independent constructs that had differential effects depending on the focused outcome. Regression and relative weights analyses showed involvement was a weak predictor of outcomes, while perceived organizational support was the most consistent predictor. Vigor was most useful when predicting job performance. Quality of life was poorly explained.
Effects of propagule settlement density and adult canopy on survival of recruits of Sargassum spp. (Sargassaceae: Phaeophyta)

The effects of increased densities of settled propagules and the presence of adults on survlval of recruits were lnvest~gated to determine whether patterns of propagule settlement would pel slst and be expressed as distribution of recruits for Sargassum spln~l l lgeru~n S d ~ s t l c h u n ~ and S podacanthum in a subtidal mixed specles bed at Rottnest Island, Western Australia The effect of highei densities of settled propagules (recruit-recruit lnteractions) was studied uslng l~mestone settlement plates seeded with known densities of propagules Density-dependent n ~ o r t a l ~ t y occurred at settlement densities of total mortality) Vanabllity in recruit survival at any one settlement density was also great Growth of recruits was negatively density dependent Two distinct sizes of recru~ts were observed ( 10 mm in height) The effect of adult canopy (recruit-adult interactions) on recruit sur\ilval was studied using a cleanng expenment where adult thalli were removed from 4 m2areas For the flrst 6 mo the presence of adults had llttle effect on recruit survival Aftei 6 mo, the presence of adults leduced recruit suivival3-fold and surv~val was highly vanable either under canopies or in cleared areas Distr~butions of dispersed propagules can persist as distnbutions of adults ivlthin beds of Sargassum spp at Rottnest Island More likely this would happen where patches within the bed are recolonized or where the bed is extended at ~ t s edges, because orders of magn~ tude differences in density of settled propagules would occur in these areas over dlstanccs of meters Recruit survival at densities 6 mo old, but the amount that survi\~al is reduced by canopy is not within the same range as differences in denslty of propagule settlement The causes of high densityindependent mortality and its effect on patterns of propagule settlement need to be studied further