Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Iris hypoplasia in mice that lack the alternatively spliced Pax6(5a) isoform

PAX6 is an evolutionarily conserved transcription factor that plays a critical role in vertebrate and invertebrate eye formation. Heterozygous null mutations in the PAX6 gene result in aniridia in humans and a distinct small eye syndrome in rodents. Vertebrates primarily express two alternatively spliced isoforms of Pax6 that differ by the presence or absence of exon 5a (e5A) that encodes an additional 14 aa residues within the paired domain. The e5a-containing isoform, PAX6(5a), is specific to and conserved in vertebrates. To determine the role of PAX6(5a), we have generated mice that lack e5a of the Pax6 gene. Unlike Pax6 null mice that exhibit anopthalmia with central nervous system defects and lethality, 5a isoform-null mice have iris hypoplasia and defects in the cornea, lens, and retina. Although invertebrates have structures that respond to light intensity and act to restrict light exposure of the eyes, a significant and distinct feature of the vertebrate eye is its ability to regulate the amount of incoming light through contractile pupils. This feature of the eye not only allows vertebrates to see in various light conditions but also enhances image resolution. The requirement of the 5a isoform in iris formation suggests that the evolution of this isoform contributed to advanced features of the vertebrate eye.
Long-term persistence of human donor alveolar macrophages in lung transplant recipients

Background Alveolar macrophages (AMFs) are critical regulators of lung function, and may participate in graft rejection following lung transplantation. Recent studies in experimental animals suggest that most AMFs are self-maintaining cells of embryonic origin, but knowledge about the ontogeny and life span of human AMFs is scarce. Methods To follow the origin and longevity of AMFs in patients with lung transplantation for more than 100 weeks, we obtained transbronchial biopsies from 10 gender-mismatched patients with lung transplantation. These were subjected to combined in situ hybridisation for X/Y chromosomes and immunofluorescence staining for macrophage markers. Moreover, development of AMFs in humanised mice reconstituted with CD34+ umbilical cord-derived cells was assessed. Results The number of donor-derived AMFs was unchanged during the 2 year post-transplantation period. A fraction of the AMFs proliferated locally, demonstrating that at least a subset of human AMFs have the capacity to self-renew. Lungs of humanised mice were found to abundantly contain populations of human AMFs expressing markers compatible with a monocyte origin. Moreover, in patients with lung transplantation we found that recipient monocytes seeded the alveoli early after transplantation, and showed subsequent phenotypical changes consistent with differentiation into proliferating mature AMFs. This resulted in a stable mixed chimerism between donor and recipient AMFs throughout the 2-year period. Conclusions The finding that human AMFs are maintained in the lung parenchyma for several years indicates that pulmonary macrophage transplantation can be a feasible therapeutic option for patients with diseases caused by dysfunctional AMFs. Moreover, in a lung transplantation setting, long-term persistence of donor AMFs may be important for the development of chronic graft rejection.
The natural course of bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder in young women.

BACKGROUND Little is known about the relative course and outcome of bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. METHODS Two community-based cohorts were studied prospectively over a 5-year year period. One comprised 102 participants with bulimia nervosa and the other 48 participants with binge eating disorder (21% [9/42] of whom had comorbid obesity). All participants were female and aged between 16 and 35 years at recruitment. The assessments were at 15-month intervals and addressed eating disorder features, general psychiatric symptoms, and social functioning. RESULTS Both cohorts showed marked initial improvement followed by gradual improvement thereafter. Between half and two thirds of the bulimia nervosa cohort had some form of eating disorder of clinical severity at each assessment point, although only a minority continued to meet diagnostic criteria for bulimia nervosa. Each year about a third remitted and a third relapsed. The outcome of the binge eating disorder cohort was better, with the proportion with any form of clinical eating disorder declining to 18% (7 of 40) by the 5-year follow-up. The relapse rate was low among this cohort. There was little movement of participants across the 2 diagnostic categories and few sought treatment. Both groups gained weight, with 39% of the binge eating disorder cohort (14 of 36) meeting criteria for obesity at 5-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that, among young women in the community, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder have a different course and outcome. Whereas the prognosis of those with bulimia nervosa was relatively poor, the great majority of those with binge eating disorder recovered.
Association between Weight Gain during Pregnancy and Pregnancy Outcomes after Dietary and Lifestyle Interventions: A Meta-analysis

Abstract Objectives Lifestyle interventions in obese pregnant women reduce adverse maternal outcomes of pregnancy. However, the association between weight change due to interventions and the actual reduction in complications is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the association between gestational weight gain (GWG) and the rate of pregnancy complications. Study Design The authors included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of lifestyle interventions during pregnancy on GWG and adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. For each outcome they assessed the association between GWG and the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Results They analyzed data of 23 RCTs (4,990 women). Increased GWG was associated with a nonsignificant increase in the incidence of preeclampsia (PE) (0.2% per gained kg, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.5 to 0.9%, p > 0.05), gestational diabetes (GDM) (0.3% per gained kg, 95% CI −0.5 to 1.0%, p > 0.05), and induction of labor (IOL) (1.5% per gained kg, 95% CI −0.9 to 3.9%, p > 0.05). Conclusions Reduction in GWG due to lifestyle interventions in pregnancy had statistically nonsignificant effects on lowering the incidence of PE, GDM, and IOL. Possibly, the beneficial effect of lifestyle interventions on pregnancy outcomes is due to an effect independent of the reduction of GWG.
Modulation of GABA‐mediated Synaptic Potentials by Glutamatergic Agonists in Neonatal CA3 Rat Hippocampal Neurons

Intracellular recordings were made from slices of adult and neonatal hippocampal neurons. During the first 2 weeks of life the majority of pyramidal cells exhibited spontaneous gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)‐mediated synaptic potentials, which were depolarizing at birth and became hyperpolarizing by the end of the first postnatal week. These synaptic potentials were reduced in frequency or blocked by the N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist d(‐)2‐amino‐5‐phosphonovalerate (AP‐5, 50 μM) (13/15 cells). The non‐NMDA antagonist, 6‐cyano‐7‐nitroquinoxaline‐2,3‐dione (CNQX, 5–10μM) abolished the GABA‐mediated synaptic potentials in all the cells tested (n= 12), Superfusion of l‐glutamate (up to 100 μM) increased the frequency of both depolarizing and hyperpolarizing GABA‐mediated synaptic potentials. This effect was reduced by AP‐5 or dl‐2‐amino‐7‐phosphonoheptanoate (AP‐7, 50 μM) and fully blocked by concomitant application of AP‐5 (50 μM) and CNQX (5–10 μM). NMDA (0.5–2 μM) increased the frequency of the GABA‐mediated synaptic potentials. These effects were blocked by AP‐5 (50 μM) and by bicuculline (10 μM). Quisqualate (100–300 nM), (RS)‐alpha‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐izopropionate (AMPA, 100–300 nM) and kainate (100 nM) also increased the frequency of the GABA‐mediated synaptic potentials. These effects were blocked by CNQX (5–10 μM) and by bicuculline (10 μM) but not by AP‐5 (50 μM). In the presence of tetrodotoxin (TTX, 1 μM), quisqualate (up to 300 nM), AMPA (up to 500 nM) and kainate (100 nM) had no effect on membrane potential or input resistance. In conclusion, our experiments suggest that, in early postnatal life, NMDA and non‐NMDA receptors located on GABAergic interneurons modulate GABAergic synaptic potentials.
Men and their bodies: a comparison of homosexual and heterosexual men.

&NA; The study examined influences on body satisfaction, disordered eating, and exercise behavior of a male subculture that places a heightened emphasis on appearance: the homosexual male subculture. Subjects were 71 homosexual and 71 heterosexual men. Relative to heterosexual men, homosexual men showed more body dissatisfaction and considered appearance more central to their sense of self. Also, their exercise was more motivated by a desire to improve attractiveness. Among the homosexual but not the heterosexual group, men who desired to be thinner showed more attitudes and behaviors associated with disordered eating than men who were thinner than their desired size. In contrast, heterosexual but not homosexual men who wished to be heavier had lower self‐esteem scores than men who were heavier than or equal to their desired size. The findings support a view that a male subculture that emphasizes appearance may heighten the vulnerability of its members to body dissatisfaction and disordered eating.
Observations on the pathogenicity and pathology of Ascaridia galli

SUMMARY The pathogenicity and pathology of Ascaridia galli infections of poultry were studied using repeated doses of varying numbers of eggs. No significant effect due to infection was seen on p.c. v. and Hb. values of infected chickens. Haemo concentration occurred parallel with sporadic diarrhoea, which follows high levels of repeated dosing. This phenomenon complicated the interpretation of blood protein values. A/G ratios were, however, worked out and analysed. No significant differences were noticed between the groups and it was concluded that under the levels of inoculation employed during the study there were no significant effects of A. galli infections on blood protein values as well as p.c. v. and Hb.values of infected chickens. Symptomatic developments, macroscopic lesions and pathological changes of intestinal tissues due to infection were followed up in detail. They were most severe in chickens on the least nutritive diet and sustaining the highest levels of repeated doses. Pathogenicity of larval and adult parasites was described. The presence of large numbers of adult parasites was associated with intestinal obstruction in host. This was seen mostly in chickens on low nutrition and sustaining either low or high levels of repeated inoculation, and very rarely also in chickens under high plane of nutrition but sustaining repeated inoculation of small numbers of eggs. Cellular infiltration as a result of infection was found to be extremely rare.It was present as fibroblasts and only in association with dead larvae. The author is indebted to the Department of Technical Cooperation, under whose Fellowship the study was carried out; the Department of Zoology, Edinburgh University, for facilities provided; the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; Lasswode Poultry Research Laboratories, for the free supply of chickens used here; Dr J. A. Campbell of Edinburgh University for his keen interest, encouragement and advice throughout this work; and finally to G. Obiwelozor for reproducing the photographs from the original manuscript.
Predictors of cigarette and alcohol susceptibility and use among Hispanic migrant adolescents.

BACKGROUND Little is known about interpersonal and broader sociocultural factors related to protection from or use of tobacco and alcohol among immigrant adolescents. This study presents the baseline predictors of tobacco and alcohol use and susceptibility to tobacco and alcohol among Hispanic migrant adolescents. METHODS The sample consisted of 660 Hispanic adolescents (51% male) between the ages of 11 and 16 years enrolled in the Migrant Education Program through the County Office of Education. Slightly more than 75% of the study sample was first generation Hispanics and 79% preferred to speak Spanish. An interviewer-administered survey assessed the following information: standard demographic characteristics, modeling of cigarette smoking (including parental and peer smoking), attitudes (including self-standards and anticipated outcomes), acculturation, communication with parents, amount of social support, and satisfaction with social support. RESULTS Significant predictors of susceptibility to tobacco and smoking status included age, gender, attitudes toward cigarettes (e.g., anticipated outcomes, self-standards), satisfaction with social support, and parent-child communication. Factors that were also significant predictors of susceptibility to alcohol and drinking status were age, attitudes toward drinking, satisfaction with social support, and level of parent-child communication. In addition, peer and household use of alcohol predicted adolescent outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Based on these results it is suggested that tobacco and alcohol prevention efforts for first-generation Hispanic adolescents should target not only usual concerns (e.g., availability, peer pressure, modeling, expectancies), but also parent-child communication.
Lateral Soil-Pile Stiffness Subjected to Vertical and Lateral Loading Omid

Soil-structure interaction is one of the most important factors in the analysis; especially for complicated problems such piles are subjected to different loads. Owing to the sensitivity of pile design and analysis to geometry, loading type and soil behavior, it is unavoidable to consider the soil-structure interaction. Using subgrade reaction approach is one of the most practical method in predicting the deflection and bearing capacity of piles subjected to lateral loads. Therefore, it is necessary to predict the exact value of modulus of subgrade reaction. Many full-scale pile test have been performed in order to investigate the behavior of lateral resistance on cast-in-place concrete piles. Finite element (FE) methods also can be applied to predict the variation of horizontal subgrade reaction (�h) in three-dimensional analysi. Accordingly, the FE results are compared with the results of some loading tests documented in the literature. The obtained results from numerical analyses are found to be in good agreement with the experimental measurements. The purposes of this paper are to estimate the modulus of horizontal subgrade reaction (kh) for single piles by back-analysis method and the effect of vertical load, pile length and amount of applied loads on the kh value. The results of the backanalysis method are compared to those obtained using existing relationship. Moreover, the results show FE method can be helpful to estimating soil-pile interaction behavior.
Code-switching in a Senior Primary Class of Second-language Mathematics Learners.

Linguistic diversity is an important feature of the South African nation. This diversity creates a variety of educational challenges, especially when it comes to the use of languages in multilingual classrooms. Recently, there has been a lot of debate about this issue in the South African media. There are at the moment two opposing commonsense views, both of which are about identity and access to economic and political power. One view is that in a multilingual country like South Africa, English is a viable language of wider communication (Makua, 1997). This view maintains that English is increasingly the language of international communication and commerce and therefore speaking it opens doors which are closed to vernacular speakers (Friedman, 1997). Proponents of this view encourage use of English as the language of learning in schools and maintain that vernacular education is a passport to another generation of poverty. It is supported by the reality that in most African schools (particularly in urban areas) in South Africa pupils do not necessarily share the same first language. Separating learners according to their first languages may be perceived as bringing apartheid back, whilst choosing one of the languages as medium and not the others may also be interpreted as favouring one group over the others. As Makua puts it: "English can be a unifying factor" (p. 23). The other view is that there is a need to develop and promote African languages and one way of doing this is to encourage their use in schools. Supporters of this view maintain that rather than promoting English as the language of international communication, other languages should be given more prominence to ensure that they do not fade away (Mda, 1997; Friedman, 1997; Heugh, 1997). The view suggests multilingualism as a viable way to facilitate meaningful access both to the learners' home language and to a language of wider communication English (Heugh, 1997, p. 71). This is also consistent with evidence which concludes that there are cognitive advantages to early learning in a main language and to acquiring proficiency in two or more languages that these impact favourably on the development of scientific and mathematical thought (Heugh, 1997, p. 71). This is an interesting debate which cannot only be resolved by policy but by engaging with the practicalities of the policies. As Kennedy has noted:
Trabecular Homogeneity Index Derived From Plain Radiograph to Evaluate Bone Quality

Radiographic texture analysis has been developed lately to improve the assessment of bone architecture as a determinant of bone quality. We validate here an algorithm for the evaluation of trabecular homogeneity index (HI) in the proximal femur from hip radiographs, with a focus on the impact of the principal compressive system of the trabecular bone, and evaluate its correlation with femoral strength, bone mineral density (BMD), and volumetric trabecular structure parameters. A semiautomatic custom‐made algorithm was applied to calculate the HI in the femoral neck and trochanteric areas from radiographs of 178 femoral bone specimens (mean age 79.3 ± 10.4 years). Corresponding neck region was selected in CT scans to calculate volumetric parameters of trabecular structure. The site‐specific BMDs were assessed from dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA), and the femoral strength was experimentally tested in side‐impact configuration. Regression analysis was performed between the HI and biomechanical femoral strength, BMD, and volumetric parameters. The correlation between HI and failure load was R2 = 0.50; this result was improved to R2 = 0.58 for cervical fractures alone. The discrimination of bones with high risk of fractures (load <3000 N) was similar for HI and BMD (AUC = 0.87). Regression analysis between the HIs versus site‐specific BMDs yielded R2 = 0.66 in neck area, R2 = 0.60 in trochanteric area, and an overall of R2 = 0.66 for the total hip. Neck HI and BMD correlated significantly with volumetric structure parameters. We present here a method to assess HI that can explain 50% of an experimental failure load and determines bones with high fracture risk with similar accuracy as BMD. The HI also had good correlation with DXA and computed tomography–derived data. © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Extra Version, Neuroticism and the Volunteer Subject

Personality differences in volunteering for experiments were studied in 231 college students. The Eysenck Personality Inventory was used to measure extraversion and neuroticism. Ss were asked to volunteer for four experiments: general, boring, social, or shock experiment. Ss who volunteered for the general and social experiments were significantly more extraverted, while the high neuroticism-extraverts volunteered significantly more for the shock experiment.
Sti‐571 in Chronic Myelogenous Leukaemia

STI-571 (imatinib mesylate) is the prototype for signal transduction inhibitors. It is the model for rational drug design, in that it targets the genetic mutation of the disease. STI-571, a 2-phenylaminopyrimidine, is a highly selective inhibitor of the protein tyrosine kinase family, which includes BCR–ABL protein, the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor and the c-kit receptor. Chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML) is a stem cell disorder characterized by the Philadelphia chromosome and is dependent on the constitutively active tyrosine kinase protein BCR–ABL. In the CML model, STI-571 competitively binds to the ATP-binding site of the BCR–ABL and inhibits protein tyrosine phosphorylation. This review begins with a historical overview of CML therapy, then discusses STI-571 and its impact in the treatment of CML via clinical trials. The second part of this review addresses the issue of CML resistance to STI-571. A summary of the currently known mechanisms of resistance and the available options to overcome resistant disease is reviewed.
[Observation on therapeutic effect of "reducing south and reinforcing north" needling method on hypertension of type of yang-hyperactivity due to yin-deficiency].

OBJECTIVE To observe therapeutic effect of "reducing south and reinforcing north" needling method on hypertension of type of yang-hyperactivity due to yin-deficiency, METHODS Ninety cases of hypertension were randomly divided into a treatment group (n=59) treated with "reducing south and reinforcing north" needling method, and a control group (n=31) treated with capoten and aspirin. Their therapeutic effects on symptoms and blood pressure were compared. RESULTS The total effective rate was 93.2% in the treatment group and 77.4% in the control group, the treatment group being better than the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, systolic pressure and diastolic pressure in the two groups decreased (P<0.05), but with no significant difference between the two groups in the therapeutic effect of reducing blood pressure (P>0.05). CONCLUSION "Reducing south and reinforcing north" needling method and oral administration of capoten and aspirin have similar effect in reducing blood pressure, and the treatment group is better than the control group in improving symptoms.
Recognition of Upright and Inverted Faces: A Correlational Study

An investigation of ninety-five university admission candidates failed to replicate the finding by Yin of a negative correlation between the ability to recognise upright and inverted faces. A zero correlation was obtained when unknown faces were both learned and recognised upside down, but when well-known faces were presented normally and upside down for identification, a significant positive correlation appeared. Rock has suggested that inverted faces are difficult to recognise because they overtax a mechanism for correcting disoriented stimuli. This explanation satisfactorily accounts for the data with the proviso that, when inverted faces are to be remembered, the best strategy is not to attempt to correct their orientation, but to learn isolated features of the face. This describes the data more parsimoniously than Yin's face-specific mechanism.