Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Estimation of Genetic Parameters and Trends for Age at First Calving and Calving Interval in Iranian Holstein Cows

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters coupled with genetic and phonotypic trends for age at first calving (AFC) and first and second calving interval (CI1 and CI2) in Iranian Holstein cows. Records of reproduction from 1983 to 2007 for AFC, CI1 and CI2 were 261116, 163234 and 92661, respectively. Single and two trait animal model was used to estimate genetic parameters by restricted maximum likelihood procedures using Average Information algorithm in ASREML software. Estimates of heritability were 0.19±0.005 for AFC, 0.04±0.003 for CI1, and 0.04±0.004 for CI2. Genetic trends for AFC, CI1 and CI2 were - 0.75±0.11, 0.004±0.02, 0.02±0.01day per year and phonotypic trends were -2.35±0.38, - 1.13±0.39, - 0.28±0.23 day per year, for AFC, CI1 and CI2, respectively. The genetic, phonotypic and environmental correlations were – 0.049, 0, 0.002 for AFC and CL1; 0.014, - 0.004, -0.004 for AFC and CL2; and 0.877, 0.081, 0.043 for CL1 and CL2, respectively.
Decreased expression of connexin-30 and aberrant expression of connexin-26 in human head and neck cancer.

BACKGROUND The relation of connexins and carcinogenesis has been studied in various organs and cell lines, with connexins currently being considered tumor suppressors. MATERIALS AND METHODS The expression of connexin-26 (Cx26) and connexin-30 (Cx30) in human head and neck carcinomas, as well as in adjacent normal mucosa, was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, the expression of these connexins with regard to apoptosis and cell differentiation was investigated. RESULTS In the cancer tissues, Cx30 expression was drastically reduced compared to apparently normal mucosa while Cx26 expression was almost the same. The intracellular distribution patterns of Cx26 and Cx30 in cancer cells differed between cancer locations. In the cancer tissues, expression of Cx26 and Cx30 was not related to apoptosis assessed by TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) reaction or to cell differentiation assessed by immunoreaction to involucrin. CONCLUSION The present results suggest that connexins may play a role in the carcinogenesis of head and neck cancer.
Health-related quality of life in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus after medium to long-term follow-up of hip arthroplasty

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with hip arthroplasty after medium to long-term follow-up has not been reported. We conducted a retrospective study for SLE patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONF). Forty-seven consecutive arthroplasties were performed in 36 patients. Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Medical Outcome Survey Short Form 36 (SF-36) and Harris hip score were evaluated. Two patients died before the four-year follow-up and two patients were lost to follow-up. The remaining 43 hips in 32 patients with an average age at surgery of 35 years and an average follow-up of 12.0 years (range 4.0—25.0) were assessed. Bipolar hemiarthroplasty was performed for 18 hips in 12 patients, and total hip arthroplasty (THA) was performed for 25 hips in 20 patients. The mean WOMAC scores for pain and function at the recent followup were 90.8 ± 8.5points and 79.0 ± 18.3 points. Patients with THA had significantly high scores in SF-36 physical functioning (P < 0.05) and bodily pain (P < 0.03) compared to those with bipolar hemiarthroplasty. Although improvement could not reach the level of general population, the hip arthroplasty contributed to support HRQOL of SLE patients. Lupus (2007) 16, 1—6.
Glycerol Monomycolate Is a Novel Ligand for the Human, but Not Mouse Macrophage Inducible C-type Lectin, Mincle*

Background: A host receptor has not yet been identified for glycerol monomycolate (GroMM), an immunostimulatory lipid of mycobacteria. Results: GroMM recognition occurred in cell transfectants expressing human, but not mouse Mincle. Human Mincle transgenic mice acquired the ability to respond to GroMM. Conclusion: GroMM is a ligand for human Mincle. Significance: The molecular basis underlying the innate immune recognition of GroMM has been elucidated. An array of lipidic compounds that constitute the cell wall of mycobacteria is recognized by host receptors. Examples include trehalose dimycolate (TDM), which is a major surface-exposed glycolipid of mycobacteria, that interacts with the macrophage inducible C-type lectin, Mincle, and exerts its highly potent adjuvant functions. Recent evidence has suggested that glycerol monomycolate (GroMM), another mycolate-containing lipid species produced by mycobacteria, can stimulate innate immune cells; however, its specific host receptors have yet to be identified. We here demonstrated that cell transfectants expressing human Mincle (hMincle) reacted to both TDM and GroMM, while those expressing mouse Mincle (mMincle) only reacted to TDM and failed to recognize GroMM. Studies using domain swap chimeras confirmed that the ectodomain of hMincle, but not that of mMincle, interacted with GroMM, and site-directed mutagenesis analyses revealed that short stretches of amino acid residues at positions 174–176 and 195–196 were involved in GroMM recognition. To further substantiate the differential recognition of GroMM by hMincle and mMincle, hMincle transgenic/mMincle knock-out mice (i.e. hMincle+ mice) were established and compared with non-transgenic mice (i.e. mMincle+ mice). We showed that macrophages derived from hMincle+ mice were activated by GroMM and produced inflammatory cytokines, whereas those derived from mMincle+ mice did not exhibit any reactivity to GroMM. Furthermore, local inflammatory responses were elicited in the GroMM-injected skin of hMincle+, but not mMincle+ mice. These results demonstrated that GroMM is a unique ligand for hMincle that is not recognized by mMincle.
Estimating the association between SF-36 responses and EQ-5D utility values by direct mapping.

The ability to make reliable translations or mappings from generic or disease-specific health status measures into health state utilities would be of particular interest to health economists, given the increasing importance of the quality adjusted life year as the standard metric of outcome in economic evaluation. As a result, a number of attempts have been made to estimate the utility values associated with responses to generic instruments such as the SF-36.
Pregnancy‐related thrombosis in a woman with congenital afibrinogenemia: A report of two successful pregnancies

We managed two pregnancies in a woman with congenital afibrinogenemia with increasing amounts of cryoprecipitate to achieve a pre‐infusion fibrinogen level of 60 mg/dL. The first pregnancy resulted in placental abruption at 36 weeks, in spite of recent cryoprecipitate infusion. Both placentas showed infarction. Post‐partum ovarian and renal vein thromboses complicated the second pregnancy. Mean FVIII (344%) and vWF Antigen (323%) were elevated prior to cryoprecipitate infusion, with mean post‐infusion levels of 367% and 363%. The clearance of fibrinogen after cryoprecipitate infusion increased during the course of pregnancy. A paradoxical prothrombotic state with embolization may play a role in the observed complications of pregnancy. Am. J. Hematol. 76:267–270, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
On the application of displacement structure methods to obtain null-spaces of polynomial matrices

In this paper we present different algorithms to obtain the null-space of a polynomial matrix. These algorithms are based on the computation of the constant null-spaces of some associated block Toeplitz matrices. For the case of large block Toeplitz matrices we introduce two fast numerical methods to compute their constant null-spaces and we compare the performance of these fast methods with the classical orthogonal methods. We also discuss briefly the numerical stability of the developed algorithms.
7 From Action Potential-Clamp to " Onion-Peeling " Technique – Recording of Ionic Currents Under Physiological Conditions

Upon stimulation, excitable cells generate a transient change in the membrane potential called Action Potential (AP). The AP is governed by numerous ionic currents that flow in or out of the cell membrane. The goal of cellular electrophysiology is to understand the role of individual ionic currents and the interplay between currents in determining the profile and the time course of AP. A critically important question of the field is how different ionic currents behave individually and interact collectively during the AP cycle in an excitable cell. To answer this question we need to know the dynamic behavior of ionic currents during AP and how these currents work in concert to determine the cell’s membrane potential at every moment.
On the Nonhomogeneous Navier-Stokes System with Navier Friction Boundary Conditions

We address the issue of existence of weak solutions for the nonhomogeneous Navier--Stokes system with Navier friction boundary conditions allowing the presence of vacuum zones and assuming rough conditions on the data. We also study the convergence, as the viscosity goes to zero, of weak solutions for the nonhomogeneous Navier--Stokes system with Navier friction boundary conditions to the strong solution of the Euler equations with variable density, provided that the initial data converge in $L^{2}$ to a smooth enough limit.
Investigation of the relationship between “Sella Turcica Brid- ge” and “Ponticulus Posticus”: A Lateral Cephalometric Study

The ponticulus posticus (PP) is a bridge of bone sometimes found on the atlas vertebra surrounding the vertebral artery and the first cervical nerve root. Sella turcica bridging (STB) is the fusion of anterior and posterior clinoid processes. The objective of this study was to find out the association between STB and PP. For the study, 752 digital lateral cephalograms were retrieved from the archived records of Necmettin Erbakan University, Faculty of Dentistry, Konya, Turkey. There was a significant relationship between the presence of STB and PP (p=0.000, p<0.001). This study indicates that there is a significant correlation between the presence of STB and PP.
Pathophysiology of hypertension: interactions between macro and microvascular alterations through endothelial dysfunction

Hypertension is a multifactorial systemic chronic disorder through functional and structural macrovascular and microvascular alterations. Macrovascular alterations are featured by arterial stiffening, disturbed wave reflection and altered central to peripheral pulse pressure amplification. Microvascular alterations, including altered wall-to-lumen ratio of larger arterioles, vasomotor tone abnormalities and network rarefaction, lead to disturbed tissue perfusion and susceptibility to ischemia. Central arterial stiffness and microvascular alterations are common denominators of organ damages. Vascular alterations are intercorrelated, amplifying the haemodynamic load and causing further damage in the arterial network. A plausible precursor role of vascular alterations in incident hypertension provides new insights for preventive and therapeutic strategies targeting macro and microvasculature. Cumulative metabolic burden and oxidative stress lead to chronic endothelial injury, promoting structural and functional vascular alterations, especially in the microvascular network. Pathophysiology of hypertension may then be revisited, based on both macrovascular and microvascular alterations, with a precursor role of endothelial dysfunction for the latter.
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in the course of connective tissue disease: report of 34 cases.

OBJECTIVE To determine the circumstances, the clinical features and the outcome of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-free patients with connective tissue diseases (CTD). METHODS Retrospective analysis of all cases referred 10 medical units in the last 10 years. RESULTS A total of 34 cases of PCP in patients with CTD were studied (Wegener's granulomatosis, n = 12; systemic lupus erythematosus, n = 6; polyarteritis nodosa, n = 4; poly/dermatomyositis, n = 5; others, n = 7). The majority of patients (25/34 patients; 74%) presented PCP during the first 8 months following the diagnosis of CTD. At the time of diagnosis of PCP, most patients (32/34; 94%) were receiving corticosteroids (mean prednisone equivalent dose: 1.2 mg/kg/day) associated in 24 cases with cytotoxic agents (cyclophosphamide, n = 19; methotrexate, n = 5). Most patients were lymphocytopenic at the onset of PCP: 91% (31/34) of patients had fewer than 1.5 x 10(9)/l circulating lymphocytes and 76% (26/34) had fewer than 0.8 x 10(9)/l. The mean duration of prodromal symptoms was 6 days: this is much shorter than for AIDS associated PCP. Half the patients required intensive care for respiratory failure. Mortality was high (11/34 patients; 32%) although deaths were partly due to infections acquired in intensive care units. Among the 23 survivors, 10 (43%) received secondary prophylaxis for PCP and 13 (57%), received the usual therapeutic regimen. No relapse has been observed in either group with a mean followup of 22 months. CONCLUSION Although rare, PCP must be considered in patients with any type of CTD and receiving cytotoxic agents and corticosteroids, particularly if they are lymphocytopenic. Thus, bronchoalveolar lavage must be rapidly performed in patients with CTD presenting with fever, pulmonary infiltrates, hypoxemia and lymphopenia.
Identification and recognition of depression in community care assessments: impact of a national policy in England

ABSTRACT Background: Depression continues to be under-recognized in older people. Most policies addressing this issue focus on the primary health care team. However, recognition may be improved by use of assessment tools and collaboration between secondary health and social care, particularly at the assessment stage. This study aimed to evaluate whether the Single Assessment Process (SAP), introduced in England from April 2004, promoting such processes, improved the identification and correct recognition of depression by enhancing the content of statutory community care assessments by social services care managers. Methods: An observational study compared depression identification and its accuracy (“correct recognition”) in samples of older people before and after SAP introduction. Participants were interviewed using standardized measures including the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Depression elicited from the GDS was compared with that recorded in community care assessments with calculation of inter-rater reliabilities (kappa statistic) pre- and post-SAP. Logistic regression examined the associations between the policy's introduction, potential confounding factors (depression, cognitive impairment, function, behavior and characteristics) and the identification and correct recognition of depression. Results: Whilst the identification of depression was more likely after SAP, its correct recognition did not improve after the policy, with only slight agreement between GDS and community care assessments. The existence of depression and cognitive impairment made identification, but not correct recognition, more likely. Conclusions: Correct recognition of depression was not improved in these statutory care assessments following the policy. Recognizing and thus responding to depression in a coordinated and appropriate way in the community requires further action.
Expression of Developmental Endothelial Locus-1 in a Subset of Macrophages for Engulfment of Apoptotic Cells1

A major function of macrophages is to engulf apoptotic cells to prevent them from releasing noxious materials as they die. Milk fat globule-EGF-factor 8 (MFG-E8) is a glycoprotein secreted by activated macrophages that works as a bridge between apoptotic cells and phagocytes by specifically recognizing phosphatidylserine exposed on apoptotic cells. In this study, we found that developmental endothelial locus-1 (Del-1), originally identified as an embryonic endothelial cell protein that binds αvβ3 integrin, is structurally and functionally homologous to MFG-E8. That is, both consist of a signal sequence, two epidermal growth factor domains and two factor VIII-homologous domains (C1 and C2). Del-1 bound to the apoptotic cells by recognizing phosphatidylserine via the factor VIII-homologous domains with an affinity similar to that of MFG-E8. The phagocytic activity of NIH 3T3 cells against apoptotic cells was enhanced by Del-1 through an interaction between the epidermal growth factor domain in Del-1 and αvβ3 integrin expressed in the NIH 3T3 cells. Screening of primary macrophages and macrophage cell lines for the expression of MFG-E8 and Del-1 indicated that MFG-E8 and Del-1 are expressed in different sets of macrophages. These results suggest the existence of macrophage subsets that use MFG-E8 or Del-1 differently to engulf apoptotic cells.
Extraction of Solids of Revolution from Point Cloud Scenes for Grasp Planning Tasks

This paper presents a method for constructing high fidelity geometrical models of objects in a point cloud scene with the goal of grasp planning and evaluation. We consider objects whose volume can be modeled as a solid of revolution which is extracted from the scene in a sample consensus framework. The approach also provides a natural strategy for segmenting object features such has cup-handles that are an exception to this shape assumption.
Water’s second glass transition

Significance Water is not only the most important liquid for life on Earth, but also one of the most anomalous liquids. These anomalies become most evident in the supercooled state at subzero temperatures. We show from dielectric and calorimetric studies that water in the deeply supercooled regime, below –120 °C, can even exist as two distinct, ultraviscous liquids at ambient pressure, a low- (LDL, 0.92 g/cm3) and high-density liquid (HDL, 1.15 g/cm3), which can both remain in the metastable, equilibrium liquid state for many hours above their calorimetric glass transition temperatures of –137 °C (136 K) and –157 °C (116 K). LDL is identified as the strongest of all liquids, and also HDL is a strong liquid at record low temperature. The glassy states of water are of common interest as the majority of H2O in space is in the glassy state and especially because a proper description of this phenomenon is considered to be the key to our understanding why liquid water shows exceptional properties, different from all other liquids. The occurrence of water’s calorimetric glass transition of low-density amorphous ice at 136 K has been discussed controversially for many years because its calorimetric signature is very feeble. Here, we report that high-density amorphous ice at ambient pressure shows a distinct calorimetric glass transitions at 116 K and present evidence that this second glass transition involves liquid-like translational mobility of water molecules. This “double Tg scenario” is related to the coexistence of two liquid phases. The calorimetric signature of the second glass transition is much less feeble, with a heat capacity increase at Tg,2 about five times as large as at Tg,1. By using broadband-dielectric spectroscopy we resolve loss peaks yielding relaxation times near 100 s at 126 K for low-density amorphous ice and at 110 K for high-density amorphous ice as signatures of these two distinct glass transitions. Temperature-dependent dielectric data and heating-rate–dependent calorimetric data allow us to construct the relaxation map for the two distinct phases of water and to extract fragility indices m = 14 for the low-density and m = 20–25 for the high-density liquid. Thus, low-density liquid is classified as the strongest of all liquids known (“superstrong”), and also high-density liquid is classified as a strong liquid.
Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Counteracts Viperin via Its Virion Host Shutoff Protein UL41

ABSTRACT The interferon (IFN)-inducible viperin protein restricts a broad range of viruses. However, whether viperin plays a role during herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) infection is poorly understood. In the present study, it was shown for the first time that wild-type (WT) HSV-1 infection couldn't induce viperin production, and ectopically expressed viperin inhibited the replication of UL41-null HSV-1 but not WT viruses. The underlying molecular mechanism is that UL41 counteracts viperin's antiviral activity by reducing its mRNA accumulation.
Lipid‐apheresis improves microcirculation of the upper limbs

Lipid‐apheresis (LA) is thought to improve microcirculation. However, limited data are available on the effects on peripheral microcirculation. We investigated upper limb microcirculation of 22 patients undergoing regular LA on a weekly basis before and after LA. Using standardized semiquantitative scales, we analyzed blood flow, vasomotor function, and erythrocyte aggregation by capillary microscopy. In addition, capillary blood flow in quiescence and under heat and cryo‐stress was evaluated by photoplethysmographic and laser Doppler anemometry. Moreover, levels of vasoactive mediators adrenalin, noradrenalin, endothelin‐1 (ET‐1), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), asymmetrical dimethyl‐arginine (ADMA), as well as total protein and fibrinogen were measured. We found a significant increase in blood flow, the number of perfused capillaries and an improvement of erythrocyte aggregation by capillary microscopy. Using laser Doppler anemometry, we were able to show that this increase was predominantly located in the superficial layer capillaries (Δ44.53 ± 135.81%, n.s.) and less so in deeper layer arterioles (Δ2.75 ± 24.84%, n.s.). Vascular response to heat and cryo stress was also improved after LA but failed to reach significance. LA significantly reduced levels of epinephrin (−33 ± 39.2%), ANP (−28.8 ± 20.2%), ADMA (−74.1 ± 23%), and fibrinogen (−45.4 ± 19.7%) when comparing before LA and after LA values. In summary, we found an improvement in the microcirculation of the upper limbs under LA, which may result from a decrease of vasoconstrictors, improvement of vasomotor function, and a decrease in blood viscosity or erythrocyte aggregation. J. Clin. Apheresis, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Related content Injectable polyethylene glycol hydrogel for islet encapsulation : an in vitro and in vivo characterization

We have studied the impact of overexpression of an intracellular signaling protein, integrin-linked kinase (ILK), on the survival and function of encapsulated islet tissue used for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. The dimensions of the encapsulated tissue can impact the stresses placed on the tissue and ILK overexpression shows the ability to extend function of dissociated cells as well as intact islets. These results suggest that lost cell–extracellular matrix interactions in cell encapsulation systems can lead to decreased insulin secretion and ILK signaling is a target to overcome this phenomenon.