Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Uterine morphology during diapause and early pregnancy in the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii)

In mammals, embryonic diapause, or suspension of embryonic development, occurs when embryos at the blastocyst stage are arrested in growth and metabolism. In the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii), there are two separate uteri, only one of which becomes gravid with the single conceptus at a post‐partum oestrus, so changes during pregnancy can be compared between the gravid and non‐gravid uterus within the same individual. Maintenance of the viable blastocyst and inhibition of further conceptus growth during diapause in the tammar is completely dependent on the uterine environment. Although the specific endocrine and seasonal signals are well established, much less is known about the cellular changes required to create this environment. Here we present the first detailed study of uterine morphology during diapause and early pregnancy of the tammar wallaby. We combined transmission electron microscopy and light microscopy to describe the histological and ultrastructural changes to luminal and glandular epithelial cells. At entry into diapause after the post‐partum oestrus and formation of the new conceptus, there was an increase in abundance of organelles associated with respiration in the endometrial cells of the newly gravid uterus, particularly in the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria, as well as an increase in secretory activity. Organelle changes and active secretion then ceased in these cells as they became quiescent and remained so for the duration of diapause. In contrast, cells of the non‐gravid, post‐partum, contralateral uterus underwent sloughing and remodelling during this time and some organelle changes in glandular epithelial cells continued throughout diapause, suggesting these cells are not completely quiescent during diapause, although no active secretion occurred. These findings demonstrate that diapause, like pregnancy, is under unilateral endocrine control in the tammar, and that preparation for and maintenance of diapause requires substantial changes to uterine endometrial cell ultrastructure and activity.
Two distinct classes of functional α7‐containing nicotinic receptor on rat superior cervical ganglion neurons

1 Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) that bind α‐bungarotoxin (αBgt) were studied on isolated rat superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons using whole‐cell patch clamp recording techniques. 2 Rapid application of ACh onto the soma of voltage clamped neurons evoked a slowly desensitizing current that was reversibly blocked by αBgt (50 nm). The toxin‐sensitive current constituted on average about half of the peak whole‐cell response evoked by ACh. 3 Nanomolar concentrations of methyllycaconitine blocked the αBgt‐sensitive component of the ACh‐evoked current as did intracellular dialysis with an anti‐α7 monoclonal antibody. The results indicate that the slowly reversible toxin‐sensitive response elicited by ACh arises from activation of an unusual class of α7‐containing receptor (α7‐nAChR) similar to that reported previously for rat intracardiac ganglion neurons. 4 A second class of functional α7‐nAChR was identified on some SCG neurons by using rapid application of choline to elicit responses. In these cases a biphasic response was obtained, which included a rapidly desensitizing component that was blocked by αBgt in a pseudo‐irreversible manner. The pharmacology and kinetics of the responses resembled those previously attributed to α7‐nAChRs in a number of other neuronal cell types. 5 Experiments measuring the dissociation rate of 125I‐labelled αBgt from SCG neurons revealed two classes of toxin‐binding site. The times for toxin dissociation were consistent with those required to reverse blockade of the two kinds of αBgt‐sensitive response. 6 These results indicate that rat SCG neurons express two types of functional α7‐nAChR, differing in pharmacology, desensitization and reversibility of αBgt blockade.
Risk factors and sources of foodborne hepatitis E virus infection in the United States

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an important human pathogen with pigs and other species serving as natural animal reservoirs. Ample evidence documents sporadic cases of hepatitis E acquired via consumption of undercooked meat. Chronic hepatitis E cases in immunosuppressed individuals are mostly caused by zoonotic HEV of swine origin. We report here the identification of genotype 3 HEV from non‐liver commercial pork from local grocery stores in southwest Virginia, and association of HEV seropositivity to the consumption of undercooked meat in healthy young adults at a university in the United States. These results raise concerns about foodborne HEV transmission in the United States. J. Med. Virol. 88:1641–1645, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Extraction and characterization of microcrystalline cellulose obtained from the back of the fruit of Lageriana siceraria (water gourd)

Article history: The work was aimed to investigate the suitability of acid modified alpha cellulose obtained from the back of the fruit of Lageriana siceraria (water gourd) in production of pharmaceuticals, particularly solid dosage forms. Cellulose is the commonest Filler/Binder or disintegrant used in tablet formulation. Cellulose was extracted from the fruit of Lageriana siceraria and subjected to modification by controlled acid micronisation to produce microcrystalline cellulose (LS-MCC) using 2.5N hydrochloric acid and Avicel pH 101 was used as the basis for comparison. The powder and flow properties of the microcrystalline cellulose was investigated and the result of both the LS-MCC and Avicel pH 101compared. Microcrystalline cellulose (LS-MCC) displayed superior swelling and hydration capacities as compared to Avicel PH101 but lesser flow properties in view of its higher angle of repose, Carr's and Hausner's index.
Analytical Model and New Structure of the Variable- $k$  Dielectric Trench LDMOS With Improved Breakdown Voltage and Specific ON-Resistance

A novel Silicon-on-Insulator laterally double-diffused metal-oxide-semiconductor transistor with ultralow specific ON-resistance (RON,sp) is proposed, and its analytical model for the breakdown voltage (BV) is presented. The device features a variable-k dielectric trench and a p-pillar beside the trench (VK-P). First, the VK trench induces additional field peaks and thus significantly increases the average electric field (E-field) strength. Second, the low-k dielectric in the upper trench leads to a high E-field strength, enabling a shortened device pitch to support the high BV. Third, the p-pillar extending from the p-body to the trench bottom not only acts as the vertical junction termination extension, but also forms the enhanced vertical reduced surface field effect, which further modulates the E-field distribution and increases the drift doping concentration. The BV and RON,sp are, therefore, greatly improved. At 600 V class BV, the VK-P LDMOS reduces the RON,sp by 54% compared with the uniform-k trench LDMOS. An analytical BV model taking account of influence of the VK dielectric trench is presented for the first time. The analytical results agree well with the simulated results.
3,4-Dideoxyglucosone-3-ene (3,4-DGE): a cytotoxic glucose degradation product in fluids for peritoneal dialysis.

BACKGROUND Bioincompatible glucose degradation products (GDPs) in fluids for peritoneal dialysis (PD) develop during sterilization and storage. Their biological activity has successfully been monitored through the use of various in vitro methods but their molecular and chemical nature is less well understood. Many GDPs are highly reactive carbonyl compounds. Although some of the identified GDPs are extremely cytotoxic, none of them actually possess cytotoxicity at the concentrations found in PD fluids. Thus, the GDP responsible for the toxicity in PD fluids has not yet been identified. The intention of the present work was to investigate to what extent the unsaturated dicarbonyl compound, 3,4-dideoxyglucosone-3-ene (3,4-DGE) was present in PD fluids, and if it could be responsible for the in vitro effects on L-929 fibroblast cells. METHODS A commercial preparation of 3,4-DGE and two different liquid chromatography methods were used for the chemical identification and quantification. In vitro bioincompatibility was determined as inhibition of cell growth using the L-929 fibroblast cell line. RESULTS 3,4-DGE was present in conventionally manufactured PD fluids at a concentration of 9 to 22 micromol/L. In the newly developed PD fluid, Gambrosol trio, the concentrations were 0.3 to 0.7 micromol/L. When added as synthetic 3,4-DGE to cell growth media at the concentrations measured in conventional PD fluids, the inhibition of cell growth was significantly lower than for that seen with the conventional fluids. However, in the conventional PD fluids the total amount of 3,4-DGE available for toxic reactions most probably was higher than that measured, because 3,4-DGE was freshly recruited from a molecular pool when consumed. The speed of this recruitment was high enough to explain most of the growth inhibition seen for heat-sterilized PD fluids. CONCLUSION 3,4-DGE is present in conventional PD fluids at a concentration between 9 and 22 micromol/L, and is the most biologically active of all GDPs identified to date. Thus, it is the main candidate to be held responsible for the clinical bioincompatibility caused by conventionally manufactured PD fluids.
Estimation of central aortic blood pressure: a systematic meta-analysis of available techniques

Background: Central aortic blood pressure (cBP) is often promoted to be a superior predictor of cardiovascular risk compared to brachial blood pressure, and brachial–central pulse pressure amplification is also suggested as prognostic. Several devices and techniques, each purporting to estimate cBP, have entered commercial use. The interchangeability of cBP measurements between devices and the influence of disease states on central to brachial pulse pressure amplification remain unclear. The useful measurement of cBP in clinical trials is dependent on clarification of these issues. Method: We performed a systematic meta-analysis of studies reporting cBP between 2000 and 2012. Studies were included if both central and brachial SBPs (cSBP and bSBP) were reported. Studies were categorized by technique and according to the prevalent disease state with the bSBP − cSBP difference calculated. Random-effects modeling (inverse variance weighted approach) was used to estimate the pooled mean difference associated with each technique. Results: Of the 164 eligible studies, the SphygmoCor device was most commonly reported (110 studies), with direct carotid applanation second-most utilized (31 studies). In 30 included invasive cohorts, the measured cSBP did not differ significantly from the oscillometric bSBP recorded [mean difference 4.19 mmHg, 95% confidence interval (CI) −4.13 to 12.51], whereas mean differences of 12.77 mmHg (95% CI 11.93, 13.60) and 8.83 mmHg (95% CI 7.86, 9.79) were obtained with the SphygmoCor and carotid applanation estimates of cSBP, respectively (both P < 0.05). Conversely, the reported mean cSBP-to-bSBP differences measured across various disease states with SphygmoCor did not differ significantly. Conclusion: This meta-analysis suggests that noninvasive cBP estimation is device/technique-dependent. Consequently, caution is advisable in applying these devices and techniques across clinical studies. Video abstract: http://links.lww. com/HJH/A377
Perceptions and Concerns on Plagiarism and its Implications for Teacher Education: A Case Study of a South African University

Abstract The study, which was conducted in July 2010, sought to survey perceptions, concerns and means of deterrent employed at the campus of a comprehensive South African university which includes a teacher education faculty. Researcherconstructed questionnaires, which were modified through feedback from a pilot study, served as the data-collection instrument. These were distributed to 50 purposively-selected academics (teaching staff) and academic administrators. The data were analysed, and frequencies and percentages were translated into tables to facilitate interpretation. The main findings, amongst others, based on responses from the majority of respondents, revealed that most of the respondents had received pre-service training on referencing and ways of avoiding plagiarism. The levels at which they themselves had received training, as well as how they trained their students on plagiarism, and the time allotted for such training were not uniform; plagiarism occurred at all qualification levels and in all kinds of work submitted by students. Most of the respondents were confident of their ability to detect plagiarism and took either one or a combination of steps to deter the incidences. Several factors served as constraints into policing plagiarism: punishing students without first having provided training in referencing and on avoiding plagiarism was unfair. Despite stated limitations, the results and conclusions may stimulate further research at this and other universities within South Africa and elsewhere.
DETECTION OF HBV DNA IN anti-HBc POSITIVE AND HBsAg NEGATIVE BLOOD DONORS

Transfusion transmitted diseases are the major challenge to the transfusion services all over the world. Transfusion associated Hepatitis B virus (TAHBV) infection continues to be a major problem in India. The prevalence of the post transfusion Hepatitis B infection in India is 1-5%. The absence of HBsAg in the blood of the apparently healthy individuals may not be sufficient to ensure lack of circulating HBV. Blood containing anti-HBc with or without detectable presence of HBsAg might be infectious. Anti-HBc screening is the test of choice. But, it would lead to rejection of a high percentage of donations, which is likely to result in blood shortage. In this setting, use of Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) to check the presence of HBV DNA would be ideal, though expensive. Therefore, the present study was attempted to address these issues by detecting the prevalence of anti-HBc positivity among HBsAg negative blood donors and to determine the presence of HBV DNA in them by PCR techniques.
The contributions of dietary protein and mineral to the healing of experimental fractures. A biomechanical study.

We examined the contributions of dietary protein and mineral to fracture-healing by assessing the mechanical properties of fracture callus in rats that were fed a diet that was deficient in or enriched by these nutrients. In order to isolate the effects of diet on fracture-healing, we developed a method for producing a standard closed femoral fracture with minimum-soft-tissue injury. Three groups of animals were studied. Group I was a control group, in which the rats did not undergo an operation. The rats in Group II underwent intramedullary pinning of the right femur, but no fracture was created. The rats in Group III underwent pinning identical to that used for Group II, after which a closed, transverse femoral fracture was produced. Immediately after surgery, the animals in each group were subdivided into five diet-treatment subgroups. Subgroup A received a regular diet; Subgroup B received a protein-free diet; and Subgroup C received a mineral-free diet that was lacking in calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D. Subgroup D received a protein-supplemented diet that was composed of three times the calculated requirement of protein, and Subgroup E received a mineral-supplemented diet that was composed of three times the calculated requirements of calcium and phosphorus as well as a therapeutic dose of vitamin D, equivalent to that used in the treatment of osteomalacia. At the end of five weeks, the animals were killed and the right femur of each one was subjected to torsion-testing to failure. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
CTGF polymorphism associated with systemic sclerosis.

n engl j med 358;3 www.nejm. org january 17, 2008 308 To the Editor: In the study reported by Fonseca et al. (Sept. 20 issue),1 the G−945C substitution in the promotor region of the connective-tissue growth factor (CTGF) gene was clearly demonstrated to be associated with susceptibility to systemic sclerosis. We have two questions. First, generally, the majority of patients with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis have cardiac abnormalities, which can often cause death. Are there any data on the association between this singlenucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and the cardiovascular findings? Second, overall, women are affected by systemic sclerosis approximately three times as often as men, and even more often during their late childbearing years. We wonder whether this SNP was associated with susceptibility to the disease independently of sex.
pH values of the yeast cell.

(3000 rev./min. for 20 min.) shows an interspace volume of 23% with inulin as the test substance, 22% with gelatin and 24% with peptone, when expressed as a percentage of the total volume. The interspace fluid can be pressed out with a simple hand press, so that an amount representing only 0-5% of the total cell volume is left. 2. If the space be measured with arabinose, galactose, or lactose, with allowance for the water abstracted from the cells, it appears as 33-34 %. The difference is due to the penetration of such substances into an outer cell region which is identified with the thick cell wall. 3. The water for solution in this outer region is 010-011 of the total cell volume. Into this part of the cell many substances penetrate readily, including sodium and potassium chloride; also succinic acid, glyceric acid, etc., but succinate ions are debarred or enter slowly. 4. The inner surface or membrane of the outer region is impermeable to chloride ions in the resting yeast. It is likewise impermeable or only very slowly permeable to succinic acid, glyceric acid and a number of other acids with hydroxyl or amino groups. On the other hand, it is very freely permeable to formic, acetic, propionic and butyric acids.
Biochemical fingerprinting of water coliform bacteria, a new method for measuring phenotypic diversity and for comparing different bacterial populations

A simple, automated microplate system for biochemical characterization of water isolates can be used to obtain fingerprints of the bacterial flora from various water samples. Mathematical models for calculating the diversities and similarities between bacterial populations are described for such fingerprints. The diversity may give information on whether an indigenous or allochthonous flora is present, and the similarities between bacterial populations, as calculated by using a population similarity coefficient (Sp), may indicate contaminations between different water samples. The system was demonstrated on coliform bacterial populations from various water samples, with or without suspected intercontamination. For unrelated water samples, the Sps were close to 0, whereas repeated samples of the same source showed Sps of 0.64 to 0.74. The Sp values from several water samples were also clustered to form a dendrogram, thus indicating the relative similarities between the bacterial populations to confirm suspected common sources of pollution.
Insula of the old world monkey. III: Efferent cortical output and comments on function

The insula sends neural efferents to cortical areas from which it receives reciprocal afferent projections. A collective consideration of afferents and efferents indicates that the insula has connections with principal sensory areas in the olfactory, gustatory, somesthetic (SI and SII), and auditory AI and AII) modalities. There are additional connections with association areas for the visual (TEm), auditory (supratemporal plane), and somesthetic (posterior parietal cortex) modalities; with parameter cortex (area 6 and perhaps MII); with polymodal association cortex; and with a wide range of paralimbic areas in the orbital, temporopolar, and cingulate areas.
Light-activated Cryptochrome Reacts with Molecular Oxygen to Form a Flavin–Superoxide Radical Pair Consistent with Magnetoreception*

Cryptochromes are flavin-based photoreceptors occurring throughout the biological kingdom, which regulate growth and development in plants and are involved in the entrainment of circadian rhythms of both plants and animals. A number of recent theoretical works suggest that cryptochromes might also be the receptors responsible for the sensing of the magnetic field of the earth (e.g. in insects, migratory birds, or migratory fish). Cryptochromes undergo forward light-induced reactions involving electron transfer to excited state flavin to generate radical intermediates, which correlate with biological activity. Here, we give evidence of a mechanism for the reverse reaction, namely dark reoxidation of protein-bound flavin in Arabidopsis thaliana cryptochrome (AtCRY1) by molecular oxygen that involves formation of a spin-correlated FADH•–superoxide radical pair. Formation of analogous radical pairs in animal cryptochromes might enable them to function as magnetoreceptors.
Acute toxoplasmosis in nonstem cell transplant patients with haematological malignancies: a study from a regional cancer institute in South India

The frequency of Toxoplasma gondii (Tgondii) infections was investigated during febrile episodes in nonstem cell transplant patients with haematological malignancies (HM). One hundred and sixty‐two febrile episodes in 125 HIV‐negative patients with HM undergoing treatment at Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bangalore, India comprised the study group. Plasma from anticoagulated whole blood was used for amplifying the B1 gene of T. gondii by nPCR. Specific antibodies to T. gondii (IgM and IgG) were tested using commercial kits. Corticosteroid and cotrimoxazole usage during these episodes was 50 and 41%, respectively. Twenty‐two of the febrile episodes (14%) were positive for T. gondii; nine of which did not have any other concomitant infecting pathogen and were seen in symptomatic patients. While majority of these (13%) were ‘Toxoplasma infection’, there was a single case of ‘probable Toxoplasma disease’ (0.6%). In four of the fatal febrile episodes, T. gondii was the causative agent; two of which did not have any other concomitant infection. None of the patients had undergone stem cell transplantation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Direct comparison of early elevations of cardiac troponin T and I in patients with clinical unstable angina.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to compare the prognostic efficacy of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and I (cTnI) in patients with clinical unstable angina. METHODS We studied 74 patients with chest pain at rest, electrocardiographic evidence of myocardial ischemia, and normal (<6.7 ng/mL) values of creatine kinase-MB. cTnT was measured with a commercial assay (cutoff level 0.1 ng/mL) and cTnI with a preliminary research application (cutoff level 3.1 ng/mL). All patients had blood drawn at baseline and 8 hours thereafter. The prospectively defined end point was the proportion of patients identified by each assay as having myocardial damage. RESULTS cTnT and cTnI were elevated in the same percentage of patients (18 of 74; 24%). Overall, 23 patients had elevations of 1 or both markers. In 13 there were elevations of both. Ten patients had elevations of only one (5 for each marker). In 51 patients, no elevations were present. Death or nonfatal myocardial infarction was more frequent in patients with elevated cTnI (27.7% vs 5.3%; P =.02) than those with normal values. The prognostic influence of cTnT was less (17% vs 8.5%; P =.2). However, the difference between the 2 markers when compared directly was not statistically significant (27.7% vs 17%; P = NS). CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that both markers identify myocardial damage in equal numbers of patients with clinical unstable angina. Patients with elevations had a worse short-term outcome. The significance of the minor differences in prognostic value will require additional studies.