Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of overnutrition and undernutrition on in vitro fertilization ( IVF ) and early embryonic development in sheep

Nutrition has been shown to influence several reproductive functions including hormone production, oocyte competence and fertilization, and early embryonic development. To determine effects of maternal diet on in vitro fertilization (IVF) and early embryonic development, ewes (n = 48; 58.4 ± 1.7 kg initial body weight [BW]; 2.3 ± 0.1 initial body condition score [BCS]) were divided into control, overfed (ad libitum feeding) and underfed (60% of control) nutritional planes for 8 weeks before oocyte collection. Ewes were individually fed once daily with pelleted diets containing 2.4 Mcal of ME/kg and 13% CP (DM basis). Control ewes were fed to maintain BW and offered 760 g/day/50 kg. Synchronization of estrus was performed using progestagen sponges for 14 days. Follicular development was induced by twice daily injections of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) on days 13 and 14 of the estrous cycle. During the 8 week experiment, control ewes lost 1.0 ± 0.9 kg, overfed ewes gained 11.8 ± 1.1 but underfed ewes lost 14.2 ± 0.9 kg, and BCS increased by 0.7 ± 0.2 and by 2.0 ± 0.1for control and overfed ewes, respectively, but decreased by 0.7 ± 0.1 for underfed ewes to compare with initial BCS. Oocytes were collected from all visible follicles on day 15 of the estrous cycle. After IVF, the proportion of developing embryos was evaluated throughout the 8 day culture period. Overnutrition and undernutrition decreased (P < 0.0001) rates of cleavage, and morula and blastocyst formation (from 85% to 51% and 48%; from 63% to 18 and 28% and from 40% to 5% and 6% for control, overfed and underfed ewes, respectively). However, number of visible follicles (large and small), total number of oocytes, number of healthy oocytes and percentage of healthy oocytes were similar for control and underfed ewes. These data indicate that overnutrition and undernutrition of donor ewes resulting in lower BW and BCS, has a negative effect on oocyte quality which results in lower rates of cleavage, and morula and blastocyst formation. These data demonstrate that nutrition level substantially affect IVF and early embryonic development.
Normative Influences and Alcohol Consumption: The Role of Drinking Refusal Self-Efficacy

This article extends the theory of normative social behavior by conceptualizing drinking refusal self-efficacy as an important moderator in the relationship between descriptive norms and drinking intentions and behavior. A study was conducted among Korean high school students (N = 538) to assess their normative perceptions, drinking refusal self-efficacy, and drinking intentions. We found a significant association between self-efficacy and drinking intentions and behavior, as well as an interaction effect between self-efficacy and descriptive norms on drinking intentions and behavior. Having stronger efficacy appears to mitigate the harmful effects of descriptive norms on drinking intentions and behavior. Implications for school-based interventions are also discussed.
Prenatal Diagnosis of Minute Supernumerary Marker Chromosomes

The identification of supernumerary marker chromosomes (SMC) at prenatal diagnosis is problematic, particularly for the prediction of phenotype. The assessment of phenotypic risk is based on the size, morphology and origin of the SMC. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) characterization and family studies are also employed to aid in determining the significance of a prenatally ascertained SMC. Generally, SMC containing euchromatin are more likely to be associated with abnormal phenotypes and SMC without euchromatin are more likely to result in normal phenotypes. The smallest of SMC, minute SMC (minSMC) appear as dot-like or centric fragments and are particularly difficult to identify and characterize. Previous empirical observations suggested that the risk of phenotypic abnormality in prenatally ascertained minSMC was ≤5%. We identified minSMC in chorionic villus samples (CVS) or amniocytes from 11 unrelated pregnancies. The chromosomal origin of each minSMC was identified by sequential FISH analysis with chromosome-specific centromere probes. Further FISH analysis with whole chromosome paint probes was undertaken to assess each minSMC for the presence or absence of euchromatin, since the presence of euchromatin may be associated with a higher risk of abnormality. Two minSMC were shown to have euchromatin. The first, a minSMC(12) was found in CVS but not confirmed in amniocytes, indicating confined placental mosaicism. The second, a minSMC derived from chromosome 19, was associated with ultrasound abnormalities. Apart from a case with mild speech delay, the remaining minSMC cases without detectable euchromatin had a normal outcome at birth and/or on longer term follow-up. Additional FISH analyses with a telomeric repeat probe showed no signal on any of the minSMC tested, suggesting that they were ring chromosomes in structure. These data further support the concept that minSMC containing euchromatin are more likely to be associated with an abnormal phenotype, although as more data are collected, this may vary by chromosome of origin. The absence of detectable euchromatin, while not guaranteeing a normal result, is most likely to have a normal outcome. The present report and previous studies do not yet allow any significant adjustment of the empirical ≤5% risk estimate for minSMC identified at prenatal diagnosis. However, reporting of additional cases with characterization of the minSMC and particularly with long-term follow-up will, in time, allow for more accurate risk estimates and provide prognostic information.
Influence of hsa-miR-6727-5p on the proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and migration of Caski, Hela and SiHa cervical cancer cells.

PURPOSE To study the influence of hsa-miR-6727-5p on the proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and migration of Caski, Hela and SiHa cervical cancer cells. METHODS The CCK8 test, flow cytometry, Transwell and scratch healing experiments were used to measure the influence of hsa-miR-6727-5p on the proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and migration of Caski, Hela and SiHa cells. RESULTS Compared with the negative control (empty vector) group, the hsa-miR-6727-5p expression in the cells transfected with hsa-miR-6727-5p mimics showed a significant increase (p<0.01). CCK8 results showed that the hsa-miR-6727-5p overexpression enhanced significantly the proliferation of cervical cancer cells. Annexin V FITC/PI staining cell results showed that hsa-miR-6727-5p overexpression strongly inhibited the cervical cancer cells apoptosis. Transwell invasion in vitro test showed that hsamiR-6727-5p overexpression significantly enhanced the invasion ability of cervical cancer cells. The scratch healing test suggested that, compared with the control group, the migration ability of cells transfected with hsa-miR-6727-5p mimics in the experimental group was stronger. CONCLUSION We confirmed at the cellular level that hsa-miR-6727-5p promoted the proliferation, invasion and migration of cervical cancer cells and inhibited the apoptosis through the overexpression or inhibition of hsa-miR-6727-5p. These results indicated that hsamiR-6727-5p played a role in promoting the cervical cancer.
Differential activity of a tissue-specific extinguisher locus in hepatic and nonhepatic cells

Tissue-specific extinguisher 1 (Tse-1) is a genetic locus on mouse chromosome 11 that can repress expression of several liver genes in trans. This locus is clearly active in fibroblasts, as hepatoma cells retaining fibroblast chromosome 11 are extinguished for both tyrosine aminotransferase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene expression. To assess the activity of Tse-1 in other tissues, we transferred mouse chromosome 11 from several different cell types into rat hepatoma recipients. Tse-1 was active in nonhepatic cell lines derived from each primary germ layer, but Tse-1 activity was not apparent in hybrids between hepatoma cells and primary mouse hepatocytes. These differences in the genetic activity of murine Tse-1 were apparently heritable in cis.
Effects of Propylthiouracil-Induced Hypothyroidism on Plasma Lipid Table in Rabbits

Hypothyroidism is commonly associated with hyperlipidemia. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Propylthiouracil-induced hypothyroidism on the plasma lipid profile in rabbits. This investigation was performed on male, white New Zealand ( Oryctolagus cuniculus huxley) rabbits. Twenty rabbits were used; each of the two groups (hypothyroidism and control) consisted of ten animals. Hypothyroidism was induced by oral administration of Propylthiouracil 50 mg.kg -1 for three weeks. The mean values of Triiodothyronine (T 3 ), thyroxine (T 4 ), free T 3 (FT 3 ) and free T 4 (FT 4 ) were 121.7±32.7 ng/d1, 1.81±0.60 µg/dl, 2.36±9b92 ng/dl and 0.43±0.22 p mol/dl in the control group, and 88.4±19.2 ng/dl, 1.15±0.37 µg/dl, 1.48±0.44 ng/dl and 0.18±0.11p mol/dl in the hypothyroidism group, respectively (p
A Study of the Patient Factors Affecting Reconstruction after Mastectomy for Breast Carcinoma

Breast shape may be retained after surgery for breast cancer with either wide local excision (WLE) and radiotherapy or mastectomy (M) and immediate reconstruction (M+R). We determined the proportions of patients who would be suitable for these options, would accept them, and if they declined M+R their reasons for doing so. Over a 10-month period 177 women were assessed at a combined breast clinic by general and plastic surgeons and by radiation oncologists. A prospective record was made of the patient demographic data, the clinical decisions (and their reasons), and the patient choices (and their reasons). A transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap was the commonest method of reconstruction. One hundred thirty-five (76%) were judged to be suitable for locoregional surgery. Of these M+R was offered to 83 patients, whereas 53 were not considered because of combinations of cosmetic considerations (31), risk factors (25), old age (13), and oncological factors (nine). Fifty-one of the 83 (61%) offered M+R declined it because they preferred a simpler procedure (34), regarded breast appearance as unimportant (15), preferred breast conservation (five), did not have a partner (three), felt that they were too old (two), or had religious reasons (two). Ultimately 69 (51%) underwent M, 34 (25%) WLE, and 32 (24%) M+R. There was no correlation between acceptance or not of M+R and age, race, employment, education level, or marital status. We conclude that many patients were suitable for M+R, but fewer than half accepted it; this decision was unrelated to age, race, employment, or marital status.
Development of forms and functions of negation in the early stages of language acquisition: a study in Tamil

ABSTRACT The development of forms and functions of negation in parent–child interactions in the early stages of language acquisition is discussed with illustrative examples from field data relating to two Tamil-speaking children and their parents. An attempt is made to provide a scheme for analysing the negatives in children's speech, maintaining the three basic functions of Bloom (1970) unaltered. Subcategories of these functions are introduced, taking into consideration the interactional situations as they are perceived by the parents and children. Children, it is observed, acquire the forms and functions of negation in a clear developmental sequence. They acquire and use the free forms naanaa (veeṇḍaam) ‘No, I don't want’ first, followed by negatives involving bound forms. Certain forms like maaṭṭeen ‘I won't’, muḍiyaadi' I can't’ and even veeṇḍaam are used in isolation (as free forms) first. Only later are they used with verb infinitives. The development of functions of negation follows the sequence: rejection, non-existence, prohibition and denial. Thus the children of this study show preference for rejection over non-existence as observed by earlier scholars.
Minimizing false positives in kinase virtual screens

In spite of recent improvements in docking and scoring methods, high false‐positive rates remain a common issue in structure‐based virtual screening. In this study, the distinctive features of false positives in kinase virtual screens were investigated. A series of retrospective virtual screens on kinase targets was performed on specifically designed test sets, each combining true ligands and experimentally confirmed inactive compounds. A systematic analysis of the docking poses generated for the top‐ranking compounds highlighted key aspects differentiating true hits from false positives. The most recurring feature in the poses of false positives was the absence of certain key interactions known to be required for kinase binding. A systematic analysis of 444 crystal structures of ligand‐bound kinases showed that at least two hydrogen bonds between the ligand and the backbone protein atoms in the kinase hinge region are present in 90% of the complexes, with very little variability across targets. Closer inspection showed that when the two hydrogen bonds are present, one of three preferred hinge‐binding motifs is involved in 96.5% of the cases. Less than 10% of the false positives satisfied these two criteria in the minimized docking poses generated by our standard protocol. Ligand conformational artifacts were also shown to contribute to the occurrence of false positives in a number of cases. Application of this knowledge in the form of docking constraints and post‐processing filters provided consistent improvements in virtual screening performance on all systems. The false‐positive rates were significantly reduced and the enrichment factors increased by an average of twofold. On the basis of these results, a generalized two‐step protocol for virtual screening on kinase targets is suggested. Proteins 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluation of the pylorus with concurrent intraluminal pressure and EndoFLIP in patients with nausea and vomiting

Nausea and vomiting occurs in gastroparesis due to diabetes mellitus or unknown causes. The aim of this study was to compare (i) pyloric distensibility to pyloric manometric pressure in patients with nausea and vomiting and (ii) to correlate distensibility with delays in gastric emptying.
Perspective: The Potential for Incremental Payment System Reform

R ICHARD AVERILL and his colleagues have presented a thoughtful and important article on building a payment system that rewards efficiency and quality, as opposed to the current fee-for-service system that rewards quantity of services. I believe the authors have chosen the right path in addressing reform with supply-side incentives as opposed to demand-side incentives. The historical record of the past 3 decades demonstrates dramatic savings and reductions in use of services realized when payment changes from cost or fee for service to more prospective payment methods. For example, Medicare adopted prospective payment of hospitals in 1983 from its former system of paying hospitals for incurred expenses. It reduced Medicare spending by tens of billions of dollars and resulted in a decline of 17% in the length of stay in the first 3 years of implementation (Guterman et al., 1988). Hospital employment, which had weathered ev-
Time dependence of phase distribution of pyrethroid insecticides in sediment

Synthetic pyrethroids are strongly hydrophobic compounds, and their toxicity in sediment is regulated by phase distribution among the sediment, dissolved organic matter, and water phases. In the present study, we spiked and equilibrated four pyrethroids in two sediments, and we characterized their phase distribution as a function of contact time. The freely dissolved concentration measured by solid‐phase microextraction was only a small fraction (<16.3%) of the total pore‐water concentration as determined by liquid–liquid extraction. The fraction of the freely dissolved concentration was significantly greater in the freshwater sediment (1.7–16.3%) than in the marine sediment (1.1–4.2%) following 9 d of equilibration, and it decreased substantially with contact time to less than 5% at 30 d after sediment dosing. Consequently, the apparent organic carbon partition coefficient (KOC) and dissolved organic carbon partition coefficient (KDOC) values increased significantly over the contact time, especially in the freshwater sediment, suggesting that phase distribution was not at equilibrium after 9 d of equilibration. If only the freely dissolved concentration is bioavailable, these observations suggest that contact time after sediment dosing may greatly affect the bioavailability and, hence, the toxicity of pyrethroids. Therefore, a long contact time (≥30 d) is recommended for sediment toxicity testing of this class of compounds. The dependence of bioavailability on contact time also implies that test conditions must be standardized to allow comparison between laboratory‐dosed samples and field samples.
Impact of Dual Chamber Pacing on the Incidence of Atrial and Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias in Recipients of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators

Recent observations suggest that frequent dual‐chamber pacing in recipients of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) may adversely influence clinical outcomes. This prospective, multicenter study examined the relationship between the frequency of atrial (%AP) and ventricular pacing (%VP) and the incidence of atrial (AT) and/or ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VT) in a standard ICD population. A total of 141 consecutive patients with primary and secondary ICD indications were studied. Continuous arrhythmia detection with a dual‐chamber ICD revealed paroxysmal AT in 60 (43%) and VT in 72 (51%) patients within 6 months of device implantation. Far‐field oversensing of ventricular signals occurred in 13% of all “atrial tachy response” mode switches. Without adjustment for covariates, a higher %AP was associated with an increased incidence of AT (P < 0.05). However, this association remained only weakly significant after adjustment for covariates using a multivariate model. High New York heart failure functional classes correlated significantly with AT (P = 0.02) and VT (P = 0.007). Rate‐modulated pacing, programmed in 1/3 of patients, correlated with occurrence of AT (P = 0.006), but not with occurrence of VT. With respect to dual‐chamber pacing, a %AP ≥ 48% combined with a %VP > 40% was associated with an increased probability for VT. In conclusion, AT and VT occurred frequently within 6 months after dual‐chamber ICD implantation. High rates of DDD/R stimulation were associated with a trend toward higher incidence of AT, VT, or both.
Parental age and risk of acute lymphocytic leukaemia and embryonal tumours in the Piedmont Region, Italy.

Relative risks (RRs) for maternal and paternal ages were estimated using log-binomial regression adjusting for sex and year of birth. Paternal and maternal age effects were mutually adjusted. Out of a population of more than 630000 children followedup from birth to age five, we observed 229 cases of ALL and 284 cases of embryonal tumours. Older maternal age was associated with ALL risk, irrespective of adjustment for paternal age (Table 1). Conversely, an apparent association with paternal age disappeared when maternal age was included in the model. Both maternal and paternal ages were independently associated with the risk of embryonal tumours, although the RR estimates were attenuated when both variables were introduced in the model. Subgroup analyses were carried out for cancer types with at least 30 observed cases. The strongest association of paternal age was found with embryonal tumours of the kidney (maternal age-adjusted RR for each 5-year increase in paternal age: 1.29, 95% confidence intervals: 0.98–1.68). In our study, ALLs were analysed separately since they are the most frequent type of tumour among children aged less than five. Other types of tumours were grouped and analysed together, under the assumption that parental age might have a stronger effect on tumours with an embryonal origin. Maternal age was associated with both leukaemia and embryonal tumour risk, whereas paternal age, which could relate to accumulation of germ cell mutations, 4 was associated with embryonal tumours only. Conflict of interest. None declared.
Power converter with novel transformer structure for wireless power transfer using a DD2Q power receiver coil set

In an Inductive Power Transfer (IPT) system, the magnetic design of the primary and secondary pads is an important factor that determines the power transfer capability. This paper proposes a DD2Q power receiver coil set, a novel three coil magnetic pad that comprises a classical DD winding and two additional quadrature windings placed at the secondary side (referred to as 2Q). The DD2Q coil set achieves tolerance to larger lateral displacements and rotational displacements than conventional DD pads. A 100 W contactless energy transmission system using the proposed transformer is tested.
Increased Oxygen Consumption Following Activation of Brain: Theoretical Footnotes Using Spectroscopic Data from Barrel Cortex

Optical imaging spectroscopy (OIS) and laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) data sequences from anesthetized rats were used to determine the relationship between changes in oxy-and deoxygenated hemoglobin concentration and changes in blood volume and flow in the presence and absence of stimulation. The data from Jones et al. (accompanying paper) were used to explore the differences between two theoretical models of flow activation coupling. The essential difference between the two models is the extension of the model of Buxton and Frank by Hyder et al. (1998, J. Appl. Physiol. 85: 554--564) to incorporate change in capillary diffusivity coupled to flow. In both models activation-increased flow changes increase oxygen transport from the capillary; however, in Hyder et al.'s model the diffusivity of the capillary itself is increased. Hyder et al. proposed a parameter (Omega), a scaling "constant" linking increased blood flow and oxygen "diffusivity" in the capillary bed. Thus, in Buxton and Frank's theory, Omega = 0; i.e., there are no changes in diffusivity. In Hyder et al.'s theory, 0 < Omega < 1, and changes in diffusivity are assumed to be linearly related to flow changes. We elaborate the theoretical position of both models to show that, in principle, the different predictions from the two theories can be evaluated using optical imaging spectroscopy data. We find that both theoretical positions have limitations when applied to data from brief stimulation and when applied to data from mild hypercapnia. In summary, the analysis showed that although Hyder et al.'s proposal that diffusivity increased during activation did occur; it was shown to arise from an implementation of Buxton and Frank's theory under episodes of brief stimulation. The results also showed that the scaling parameter Omega is not a constant as the Hyder et al. model entails but in fact varies over the time course of the flow changes. Data from experiments in which mild hypercapnia was administered also indicated changes in the diffusivity of the capillary bed, but in this case the changes were negative; i.e., oxygen transport from the capillary decreased relative to baseline under hypercapnia. Neither of the models could account for the differences between the hypercapnia and activation data when matched for equivalent flow changes. A modification to the models to allow non-null tissue oxygen concentrations that can be moderated by changes due to increased metabolic demand following increased neural activity is proposed. This modification would allow modulation of oxygen transport from the capillary bed (e.g., changes in diffusivity) by tissue oxygen tension and would allow a degree of decoupling of flow and oxygen delivery, which can encompass both the data from stimulation and from hypercapnia.