Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The oviduct as a complex mediator of mammalian sperm function and selection

The fallopian tube, or oviduct, is no longer considered merely a conduit that joins the uterine horns and the ovaries, being recognised as a venue for the capacitation of spermatozoa and fertilisation. However, recent evidence has implicated the oviduct in the stringent selection of spermatozoa prior to fertilisation, sperm storage prior to fertilisation, the regulation of sperm motility and possibly the guidance of spermatozoa towards the egg. Moreover, the arrival of spermatozoa within the oviduct is now known to regulate gene expression in oviductal epithelial cells with the consequent up‐ and downregulation of various proteins. In this review, we examine the emerging significance of sperm–oviduct interactions, as they relate to both physiological functions and the likelihood that the oviduct has a role in post‐copulatory sperm selection by females (cryptic female choice) under conditions of sperm competition. The mechanisms by which sperm selection might operate still remain a mystery, especially when the underlying rationale for such mechanism appears to require the recognition by the female tract of sperm qualities related to the intrinsic integrity and information content of the sperm DNA. The oviduct not only selects against spermatozoa containing fragmented DNA but also imposes selection related to the fitness or quality of individual males. This implies the existence of, as yet unrecognised, mechanisms for the detection and interpretation of sperm‐surface markers that link phenotypic and genotypic qualities of each individual cell. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 77:934–943, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
PTPα Activates Lyn and Fyn and Suppresses Hck to Negatively Regulate FcεRI-Dependent Mast Cell Activation and Allergic Responses

Mast cell activation via FcεRI involves activation of the Src family kinases (SFKs) Lyn, Fyn, and Hck that positively or, in the case of Lyn, negatively regulate cellular responses. Little is known of upstream activators of these SFKs in FcεRI-dependent signaling. We investigated the role of receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP)α, a well-known activator of SFKs in diverse signaling systems, FcεRI-mediated mast cell activation, and IgE-dependent allergic responses in mice. PTPα−/− bone marrow-derived mast cells hyperdegranulate and exhibit increased cytokine and cysteinyl leukotriene secretion, and PTPα−/− mice display enhanced IgE-dependent anaphylaxis. At or proximal to FcεRI, PTPα−/− cells have reduced IgE-dependent activation of Lyn and Fyn, as well as reduced FcεRI and SHIP phosphorylation. In contrast, Hck and Syk activation is enhanced. Syk hyperactivation correlated with its increased phosphorylation at positive regulatory sites and defective phosphorylation at a negative regulatory site. Distal to FcεRI, we observed increased activation of PI3K and MAPK pathways. These findings demonstrate that PTPα activates the FcεRI-coupled kinases Lyn and Fyn and suppresses Hck activity. Furthermore, the findings indicate that hyperactivation of PTPα−/− mast cells and enhanced IgE-dependent allergic responses of PTPα−/− mice are due to the ablated function of PTPα as a critical regulator of Lyn negative signaling.
Special Issue: Frontiers of Organization Science, Part 1 of 2: Identifying Situated Cognition in Organizations

Using the established definition of situated cognition in organizations as "the interaction of cognitive schemas and organizational context" (Lant 2002), we examine empirical case studies from the last 15 years to illustrate what situated cognitions in organizations might actually look like. Grounded in this research, we develop a framework that identifies how some specific forms of cognitive schemas (i.e., rule schemas, event schemas, person schemas) and specific contexts (e.g., physical contexts, institutional contexts) interact during sensemaking processes to give rise to momentary perceptions that we call situated cognitions. We present evidence that common patterns of interaction between schemas and context may occur during sensemaking in organizations. In terms of theoretical implications, our framework focuses attention on the specific interactions between context and cognition (rather than on context or cognition alone) that comprise situated cognitions, and helps to more concretely define situated cognitions as momentary or temporally bounded perceptions. We offer several practical implications of this framework for managers and suggest avenues for further elaboration on our ideas through research.
Effects of Perceived Racism and Anger Inhibition on Ambulatory Blood Pressure in African Americans

Objective Hypertension is more prevalent in African Americans compared with Americans of European descent. Preliminary evidence indicates that perceived racism may play a role in elevated blood pressure in African Americans. The present study examined whether perceived racism was associated with higher ambulatory blood pressure measured during daily life. A potential contributing role for anger inhibition was also evaluated. Methods Twenty-four–hour ABP was obtained from 69 African American men and women with normal or mildly elevated blood pressure. ABP was averaged over waking and sleep periods, and clinic BP was also assessed. Perceived racism and anger expression were measured using self-report questionnaires. Results Greater perceived racism was related to higher ABP during waking hours for SBP (p < .01) and DBP (p < .05). Perceived racism was positively correlated with anger inhibition (r = .29, p < .05) but was not related to outwardly expressed anger (r = .01, NS). Anger inhibition was related to higher sleep DBP (p = .05) and a smaller drop in DBP from day to night (p < .05). Anger inhibition did not account for the relationship between perceived racism and blood pressure. Conclusions Perceived racism and anger inhibition are independently related to higher ABP. Both may contribute to the incidence of hypertension and hypertensive-related diseases observed in African Americans.
Scene Segmentation with CRFs Learned from Partially Labeled Images

Conditional Random Fields (CRFs) are an effective tool for a variety of different data segmentation and labeling tasks including visual scene interpretation, which seeks to partition images into their constituent semantic-level regions and assign appropriate class labels to each region. For accurate labeling it is important to capture the global context of the image as well as local information. We introduce a CRF based scene labeling model that incorporates both local features and features aggregated over the whole image or large sections of it. Secondly, traditional CRF learning requires fully labeled datasets which can be costly and troublesome to produce. We introduce a method for learning CRFs from datasets with many unlabeled nodes by marginalizing out the unknown labels so that the log-likelihood of the known ones can be maximized by gradient ascent. Loopy Belief Propagation is used to approximate the marginals needed for the gradient and log-likelihood calculations and the Bethe free-energy approximation to the log-likelihood is monitored to control the step size. Our experimental results show that effective models can be learned from fragmentary labelings and that incorporating top-down aggregate features significantly improves the segmentations. The resulting segmentations are compared to the state-of-the-art on three different image datasets.
Laser heat hyperalgesia is not a feature of non‐specific chronic low back pain

Based upon studies using mechanical pin‐prick, pressure, electrical or heat stimuli applied to painful and/or pain‐free parts of the body, chronic low back pain (CLBP) has been shown to be associated with generalized and enhanced pain sensitivity and altered brain responses to noxious stimuli. To date, no study examined the processing of noxious laser heat pulses, which are known to selectively excite thermal nociceptors located in the superficial skin layers, in CLBP.
General Design Principles for an Automotive Muffler Potente

This paper discusses the general principles of muffler design and explains the main advantages of various styles of mufflers. When designing a muffler for any application there are several functional requirements that should be considered, which include both acoustic and non-acoustical design issues as detailed in this paper. INTRODUCTION TO AN AUTOMOTIVE MUFFLER The sole purpose of an automotive muffler is to reduce engine noise emission. If you have ever heard a car running without a muffler you will have an appreciation for the significant difference in noise level a muffler can make. If vehicles did not have a muffler there would be an unbearable amount of engine exhaust noise in our environment. Noise is defined as unwanted sound. Sound is a pressure wave formed from pulses of alternating high and low pressure air. In an automotive engine, pressure waves are generated when the exhaust valve repeatedly opens and lets high-pressure gas into the exhaust system. These pressure pulses are the sound we hear. As the engine rpm increases so do the pressure fluctuations and therefore the sound emitted is of a higher frequency. All noise emitted by an automobile does not come from the exhaust system. Other contributors to vehicle noise emission include intake noise, mechanical noise and vibration induced noise from the engine body and transmission. The automotive muffler has to be able to allow the passage of exhaust gasses whilst restricting the transmission of sound.
Data collection for spectrum sensing algorithms based on USRP

The high demand for radio resources that became critical in the last years leaded to a reconsideration of the way in which the frequency spectrum is used. The classical method of allocating resources is a static one, as the licenses for most of the frequency bands are sold for long periods of time and give exclusive rights to the owner. By using such an approach, even if from the license point of view the spectrum seems overcrowded, reality shows that many frequency areas are actually used in a very small degree. Consequently one has to find solutions for using the radio spectrum in a more efficient manner. One technology that can achieve this requirement is the cognitive radio (CR) technology. This paper aims to present a solution for a data collection system that can be used in a cognitive radio system, based on software defined radio (SDR) platforms.
Supracondylar spur of the humerus.

Symptoms due to a supracondylar spur of the humerus, although rare, are common enough to make it the subject of routine examination of a patient with pain and disturbance of sensibility of the hand. It can mimic the carpal tunnel syndrome; it may produce ulnar nerve symptoms. Irritation or compression of either the brachial artery or, if there is a high division of it, the ulnar artery, may cause episodes of ischaemic pain in the forearm. The clinical features of a supracondylar spur causing symptoms are: symptoms of median nerve compression; forearm claudication; a palpable spur about two inches above the medial epicondyle; and disappearance of the radial or ulnar pulse on full extension and supination of the forearm.
CO inhalation at dose corresponding to tobacco smoke worsens cardiac remodeling after experimental myocardial infarction in rats.

We hypothesized that inhalation of carbon monoxide (CO) (500 ppm), similar to that in tobacco smoke, disturbs the cardiovascular adaptation after myocardial infarction by increasing remodeling. Four groups of rats were assessed. Two groups had myocardial infarction induced by the ligation of the left coronary artery: the first group was exposed to air (infarcted air group, n = 12), and the second was exposed to CO (infarcted CO group, n = 11). They were compared to two sham-operated groups, a control air group (n = 10), and a control CO group (n = 7) exposed (3 weeks) to CO. Aerobic endurance capacity was assessed in both the infarct CO and infarct air group (endurance capacity = 0.043 +/- 0.006 m.min(-1). g(-1) vs. 0.042 +/- 0.005 m.min(-1). g(-1), not significant). In the infarcted CO group compared to the infarcted air group, the dilatation of the left ventricle observed 3 weeks after infarction was increased, (left ventricular diastolic (LVD) diameter (D) = 9 +/- 0.4 vs. 7 +/- 0.4 mm, p < 0.05; left ventricular systolic (LVS) diameter (D) = 6 +/- 0.6 vs. 4.1 +/- 0.4, p < 0.05), and the diastolic posterior wall thickness was augmented (posterior wall diastolic thickness = 1.7 +/- 0.1 vs. 1.3 +/- 0.1 mm, p < 0.05). Hemodynamic pressure measurements in both ventricles and pulmonary artery showed elevated diastolic pressure after CO exposure compared to air exposure (LVD pressure = 32 +/- 1.6 vs. 19 +/- 2.3 mm Hg, p < 0.05; right ventricular diastolic pressure = 16 +/- 1.6 vs. 8.6 +/- 1.6 mm Hg, p < 0.05; pulmonary arterial pressure in diastole (PAD) = 27 +/- 1.6 vs. 20 +/- 2.3 mm Hg, p < 0.05). In the infarcted CO group, the infarct size increased. Echocardiography and histology showed hypertrophy of the contralateral wall similar to that observed in the noninfarcted control CO group. In conclusion, chronic CO inhalation worsens heart failure in rats with myocardial infarction by an increase in the infarct size and hypertrophy remodeling.
The prophylactic use of transluminal balloon angioplasty in patients with Fisher Grade 3 subarachnoid hemorrhage: a pilot study.

OBJECT Recent advances in neuroradiology have made it possible to dilate vasospastic human cerebral arteries after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), but the time window is short and the success rate for reversal of delayed ischemic neurological deficits (DINDs) varies between 31% and 77%. In a dog model of vasospasm, transluminal balloon angioplasty (TBA) performed on Day 0 totally prevented the development of angiographically demonstrated narrowing on Day 7. Because the effect of preventive TBA in this animal model was better than any pharmacological treatment described previously for experimental vasospasm, the authors conducted a pilot trial in humans to assess the safety and efficacy of TBA performed within 3 days of SAH. METHODS The study group consisted of 13 patients with Fisher Grade 3 SAH who had a very high probability of developing vasospasm. In all patients, regardless of the site of the ruptured aneurysm, target vessels for prophylactic TBA were as follows: the internal carotid artery, A1 segment, M1 segment, and P1 segment bilaterally; the basilar artery; and one vertebral artery. Prophylactic TBA was considered satisfactory when it could be performed in at least two of the three parts of the intracranial circulation (right and/or left carotid system and/or vertebrobasilar system), and included the aneurysm-bearing part of the circulation. Of the 13 patients, none developed a DIND or more than mild vasospasm according to transcranial Doppler ultrasonography criteria. At 3 months posttreatment eight patients had made a good recovery, two were moderately disabled, and three had died; one patient died because of a vessel rupture during TBA and two elderly individuals died of medical complications associated with poor clinical condition on admission. CONCLUSIONS Compared with large series of patients with aneurysmal SAH reported in the literature, the results of this pilot study indicate an extremely low incidence of vasospasm and DIND after treatment with prophylactic TBA. A larger randomized study is required to determine whether prophylactic TBA is efficacious enough to justify the risks, and which vessels need to be dilated prophylactically.
Cytologic Diagnosis of Adenocarcinoma in Biliary and Pancreatic Duct Brushings

Biliary and pancreatic duct brush specimens are relatively uncommon specimens seen by pathologists. Not only can the findings of malignancy be subtle, the implications of a malignant diagnosis can be significant. This review focuses on cholangiocarcinoma and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma sampled by endoscopic brush cytology, with an emphasis on diagnostic criteria for adenocarcinoma. In addition, assessment of specimen adequacy, utilization of liquid-based preparations, molecular diagnosis, and timing of liver transplantation in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis are also briefly discussed.
A novel nucleoskeletal‐like protein located at the nuclear periphery is required for the life cycle of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

In order to study the role of nucleoskeletal components for nuclear and cell division in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we have employed a combined biochemical/genetic approach. We have identified a peripheral nuclear protein which appears to be located both at the nuclear membrane and the spindle pole body. The gene has been cloned and subsequently shown to be essential for cell growth. The DNA sequence of the gene has been determined. As deduced from the nucleotide sequence, the gene potentially codes for a novel 86 kd protein with a highly repetitive and conserved nine amino acid sequence motive in the middle part of the protein. The flanking amino‐ and carboxy‐terminal regions have similarities to intermediate filaments and calcium binding proteins, respectively. It appears that the 86 kd protein is a regulated nucleoskeletal‐like protein (NSP1) involved in the process of nuclear and/or cell division. The affinity‐purified antibody against the yeast NSP1 protein stained the nucleus and centrosomes of mammalian MDCK (Madin Darby canine kidney) cells in indirect immunofluorescence.
Superior Canal Dehiscence Effect on Hearing Thresholds

Objective. Superior semicircular dehiscence syndrome is associated with vestibular symptoms and an air–bone gap component in the audiogram, apparently caused by the creation of a pathological bony “third window” in the superior semicircular canal. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in auditory air- and bone-conduction thresholds to low- and high-frequency stimuli in an animal model of a bony fenestration facing the aerated mastoid cavity. Study Design. Anatomic, audiological. Setting. Tertiary university-affiliated medical center. Animals. A small hole was drilled in the bony apical portion of the superior semicircular canal facing the mastoid bulla/cavity, with preservation of the membranous labyrinth, in 5 adult-size fat sand rats. Main Outcome Measures. Auditory brain stem responses to clicks and 1-kHz tone bursts delivered by air and bone conduction before surgery, after opening the bulla, and after fenestration. Results. After fenestration, a significant air–bone gap was measured in response to clicks (mean ± standard deviation, 37 ± 5.8 dB) and bursts (mean ± standard deviation, 34 ± 14.5 dB). The gap was attributable solely to the significant deterioration in air-conduction thresholds, in the absence of a significant change in bone conduction thresholds. The pattern of auditory brain response changes closely resembled that reported for middle ear dysfunction, namely, an increase in absolute latency of waves I, III, and V without significant alterations in interpeak latency differences. Conclusions. Bony fenestration of the superior semicircular canal toward an aerated cavity in a rodent model mimics the auditory loss pattern of patients with superior semicircular dehiscence syndrome. The dehiscent membrane accounts for the auditory changes.
Evaluation of right adrenal vein cannulation by computed tomography angiography in 140 consecutive patients undergoing adrenal venous sampling.

OBJECTIVE As it is now known that primary aldosteronism (PA) is more prevalent than was previously recognized, and is a potentially curable cause of hypertension and related cardiovascular diseases, the search for a safe and effective means of its diagnosis has reemerged as a topic of interest. Adrenal venous sampling is the gold standard for diagnosis of PA, but the technique is challenging and the small right adrenal vein can be particularly difficult to cannulate. Our objective was to evaluate the usefulness of computed tomography during angiography (angio-CT) in increasing the success of adrenal venous sampling and to identify factors associated with cannulation failure. DESIGN Retrospective review. METHODS A total of 140 consecutive patients with suspected PA except Cushing's syndrome treated at a single hospital from June 2008 to May 2013 were included. Catheter misplacement and correct cannulation rates before angio-CT and success rate of sampling after angio-CT were calculated. Univariate analysis for factors related to incorrect cannulation included gender, age, height, weight, BMI, and adrenal nodules. Successful sampling was biochemically defined according to cortisol concentrations in the venous blood samples. RESULTS Angio-CT detected misplaced catheters in 13 patients (9.3%). The calculated correct cannulation rate of adrenal vein sampling increased from 86.4% before angio-CT to 95.7% after CT (P<0.001, McNemar's test). Univariate analysis showed a tendency for a higher rate of failure of right adrenal venous sampling in taller patients (P=0.052, Mann-Whitney's U test). CONCLUSION Angio-CT improved success of adrenal venous sampling.
In search of the true sentinel node by different injection techniques in breast cancer patients.

AIMS To evaluate two different injection techniques (peri-tumourally and intradermally) used in search for the sentinel node(s) in patients with breast cancer. METHODS Ninety-nine patients were peri-tumourally injected with 2 ml 60 MBq 99m-Tc-Nanocoll and underwent lymphoscintigraphy about 18 h later to detect focal accumulations. Next, they were injected intradermally with 0.2 ml 15 MBq 99m-Tc-Nanocoll either in the skin overlying the tumour or para-areolarly in the quadrant of the tumour. Dynamic and static images were taken to visualize the (intradermal) lymphatic spread and accumulations. Special attention was paid to match or mismatch of hot spots visualized by both techniques. RESULTS Ninety-four patients had positive peri-tumoural and/or intradermal accumulations which could be compared. In 30 patients only peri-tumoural, and in nine only intradermal, identification was successful. Of the remaining 55 patients, in 52 there was complete concordance of the axillary hot spots. However, there was a so-called <<regional mismatch>> in nine of these patients concerning the internal mammary nodes. In the three remaining patients there was a sequential mismatch in the axilla: before draining lymph to the peri-tumourally visualized hot spot, an interposed node was encountered first after the intradermal injection technique. CONCLUSIONS Intradermal injection is complementary to peri-tumoural injection for visualization of focal accumulations in patients with breast cancer. The two different injection techniques have a small number of sequential mismatches for hot spots in the axillary region. This means that it may be unclear which separate route leads to the true sentinel node. Internal mammary nodes visualized after peri-tumoural injection are not visualized by the intradermal technique. Para-areolar intradermal injection of Nanocoll for detection of sentinel nodes in patients with breast cancer needs further evaluation, because it seems to be a more practical procedure.