Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Parthenogenetic development of mouse embryos in vivo. I. Preimplantation development.

Newly ovulated eggs from CBA-p and CBA-T6T6 inbred strains were activated in situ with an electric shock of 20–50 V. Both spontaneously ovulating females mated with vasectomized males (strain A) and those induced to ovulate and kept apart from males were used. The immediate reaction of eggs was examined 5–7 h after activation and their subsequent development was followed every day up to the 6th day (eggs examined on the 5th and 6th day were tube-locked by a ligature). In spontaneous ovulators the highest yield of activated eggs was obtained following 30 V shock (75%), with a mean for four series (20, 30, 40 and 50 V) of 46·1%. The most common reaction is extrusion of the second polar body (2 PB) and formation of one pronucleus (about 70% of activated eggs). Other types of reaction include: immediate cleavage, suppression of 2 PB with formation of two or, very rarely, one pronucleus. Thus the majority of eggs are potentially haploid. No relationship between the frequency of various types of reaction and the strength of the shock (voltage) was observed. Up to the 3rd day cleavage proceeds at a normal rate and appears to slow down during the 4th day. In spontaneously ovulating females the incidence of blastocysts among developing eggs rises from 3·4% on the 4th day to 52·5% on the 5th day; the corresponding figures for induced ovulations are 10% and 23·6%. Some embryos despite being composed of a large number of cells (40–120) do not undergo cavitation and remain morulae. On the basis of karyological examination of 60 embryos with analysable metaphase plates 60% were classified as haploid, 16·7% as diploid, 1·7% as tetraploid and 21·6% as haploid/diploid mosaics. During early cleavage binucleate blastomeres (a presumed step in regulation from n to 2 n ) were observed only in eggs from induced ovulations. In embryos developed from spontaneously ovulated eggs n /2 n mosaics were observed for the first time on the 5th day. In general, spontaneously ovulated eggs developed better after activation (both in quantitative and qualitative terms) than those obtained following hormonal treatment.
Short-term overtraining: effects on performance, circulatory responses, and heart rate variability.

PURPOSE AND METHODS Nine elite canoeists were investigated concerning changes in performance, heart rate variability (HRV), and blood-chemical parameters over a 6-d training camp. The training regimen consisted of cross-country skiing and strength training, in total 13.0+/-1.6 h, corresponding to a 50% increase in training load. RESULTS Time to exhaustion (RunT) decreased from 19.1+/-1.0 to 18.0+/-1.2 min (P < 0.05). VO2max and max lactate (La(max)) both decreased significantly (P < 0.05) over the training period (4.99+/-0.97 to 4.74+/-0.98 L x min(-1) and from 10.08+/-1.25 to 8.98+/-1.03 mmol x L(-1) respectively). Heart rates (HR) decreased significantly at all workloads. Plasma volume increased by 7+/-7% (P < 0.05). Resting cortisol, decreased from 677+/-244 to 492+/-222 nmol x L(-1) (P < 0.05), whereas resting levels of adrenaline and noradrenaline remained unchanged. The change between tests in RunT correlated significantly with the change in HRmax (r = 0.79; P = 0.01). There were no group changes in high or low frequency HRV, neither at rest nor following a tilt. CONCLUSIONS The reduced maximal performance indicates a state of fatigue/overreaching and peripheral factors are suggested to limit performance even though HRmax and La(max) both were reduced. The reduced submaximal heart rates are probably a result of increased plasma volume. HRV in this group didn't seem to be affected by short-term overtraining.
The Role of the Individual Domains in the Structure and Function of the Catalytic Region of a Modular Serine Protease, C1r1

The first enzymatic event in the classical pathway of complement activation is autoactivation of the C1r subcomponent of the C1 complex. Activated C1r then cleaves and activates zymogen C1s. C1r is a multidomain serine protease consisting of N-terminal α region interacting with other subcomponents and C-terminal γB region mediating proteolytic activity. The γB region consists of two complement control protein modules (CCP1, CCP2) and a serine protease domain (SP). To clarify the role of the individual domains in the structural and functional properties of the γB region we produced the CCP1-CCP2-SP (γB), the CCP2-SP, and the SP fragments in recombinant form in Escherichia coli. We successfully renatured the inclusion body proteins. After renaturation all three fragments were obtained in activated form and showed esterolytic activity on synthetic substrates similar to each other. To study the self-activation process in detail zymogen mutant forms of the three fragments were constructed and expressed. Our major statement is that the ability of autoactivation and C1s cleavage is an inherent property of the SP domain. We observed that the CCP2 module significantly increases proteolytic activity of the SP domain on natural substrate, C1s. Therefore, we propose that CCP2 module provides accessory binding sites. Differential scanning calorimetric measurements demonstrated that CCP2 domain greatly stabilizes the structure of SP domain. Deletion of CCP1 domain from the CCP1-CCP2-SP fragment results in the loss of the dimeric structure. Our experiments also provided evidence that dimerization of C1r is not a prerequisite for autoactivation.
Airborne endotoxin in industries processing vegetable fibers.

Airborne lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels were determined at various working sites in industries processing vegetable fibers. On several occasions the amounts assessed with the Limulus assay exceeded those presumed to cause human reactions i.e. about 0.5 microgram/m3. Low values were often found in areas for weaving. High levels of LPS were found in flax carding rooms but levels in jute mills did not exceed those considered to produce reactions in humans. Low values were also found in nontextile industries processing cotton fibers. By and large the variations in airborne LPS corresponded to previous experience on the extent of byssinosis seen in the different types of industries.
A survey on oral health status and treatment needs of life-imprisoned inmates in central jails of Karnataka, India.

BACKGROUND The prison population is a unique and challenging one with many health problems, including poor oral health. In a developing country like India, oral health problems of the prisoners had received scant attention. OBJECTIVES To assess the oral health status and treatment needs of life imprisoned inmates and to know the existing oral health care facilities available in central jails of Karnataka. MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY DESIGN: Cross sectional survey PARTICIPANTS A systematically selected sample of 800 life imprisoned inmates, were interviewed and examined using modified WHO oral health assessment proforma (1997). RESULTS The prevalence of caries was 97.5% mean Decayed Missing Filled Teeth(DMFT) was 5.26; Majority of the study population had Community Periodontal Index(CPI) score of 2, whereas 21.6% had at least one sextant with a CPI score of 4. 41.1% prisoners were severely affected with loss of attachment. 8.8% inmates had dentures. Oral sub mucous fibrosis was observed among 9.9% of prisoners. 97.4% of the subjects needed oral hygiene instruction, 87.6% needed restoration, 62.1% extraction of teeth and 32.2% needed prosthesis. Bangalore and Mysore central jail had oral health care facilities on regular basis. CONCLUSION This study emphasises the need for special attention from government and voluntary organisations to improve the oral health of inmates.
Stock return indices and macroeconomic factors : evidence from Borsa Istanbul

This study analyses the relationship between oil prices, interest rates, exchange rates, industrial production and world equity index on four main sectors return indices (BIST National Industry Sector Return Index, BIST National Service Sector Return Index, BIST National Financial Sector Index and BIST National Technology Sector Index) over the period of 2000:8-2008:11 in Turkey. Interest rates and exchange rates have negative effect on all of the sectors. World equity return index has positive effect on all of the sector returns except for the technology sector. Although the industrial production index doesn’t have a significant impact on Industry and Technology Sector Return Indices, it affects BIST National Service Sector Return Index and BIST National Technology Sector Index negatively. Oil prices do not have a significant effect on return indices. The results are expected to be beneficial for the potential investors and policymakers.
The ABCs of Perineal Streptococcal Dermatitis

Perineal streptococcal dermatitis (PSD) is largely known to be caused by group A β-hemolytic Streptococcus (GAS). We would like to bring cases of non-GAS PSD to the attention of dermatologists, as there are implications for workup and therapy. We report 3 pediatric cases of PSD: 1 caused by GAS, 1 caused by group B β-hemolytic Streptococcus (GBS), and 1 associated with group C β-hemolytic Streptococcus (GCS). GBS and GCS are very rarely reported in pediatric cases of PSD. The literature on non-GAS PSD is reviewed, which additionally revealed several instances of PSD caused by group G β-hemolytic Streptococcus (GGS) and Staphylococcus aureus. GBS, GCS, GGS, and S aureus are significant causes of PSD to consider, particularly among adult patients, based on our encountered cases and the literature. If using rapid antigen tests to expedite the diagnosis of GAS, we recommend supplementing with a lesional swab for bacterial culture and sensitivity as the rapid antigen test does not detect non-GAS organisms. Therapy should be tailored to the microbiologic cause.
Warfarin-related nephropathy is the tip of the iceberg: direct thrombin inhibitor dabigatran induces glomerular hemorrhage with acute kidney injury in rats.

BACKGROUND Excessive anticoagulation with warfarin can result in acute kidney injury (AKI) by causing glomerular hemorrhage and renal tubular obstruction by red blood cell (RBC) casts in some patients, especially in those with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This condition was described as warfarin-related nephropathy (WRN). Recent evidence suggests that WRN-like syndromes are not confined to anticoagulation with warfarin, but may be seen with other anticoagulants, such as dabigatran. The aim of this study was to investigate dabigatran effects on kidney function in an animal model of CKD and possible pathogenic mechanisms of AKI. METHODS Control and 5/6 nephrectomy rats were treated with different doses of dabigatran and protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR-1) inhibitor SCH79797. RESULTS Dabigatran resulted in changes in coagulation in rats similar to those in humans at 50 mg/kg/day. Dabigatran resulted in a dose-dependent increase in serum creatinine (Scr) and hematuria in both control and 5/6 nephrectomy rats. SCH79797 also increased Scr and hematuria, more prominent in animals with CKD. Morphologically, numerous RBC tubular casts were seen in 5/6 nephrectomy rats treated with either dabigatran or SCH79797 and only occasional RBC casts in control rats. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that WRN represents part of a broader syndrome, anticoagulant-related nephropathy (ARN). ARN, at least partially, is mediated via PAR-1. Our findings suggest that not only CKD patients, but other patients as well, are at high risk of developing AKI if the therapeutic range of anticoagulation with dabigatran is exceeded. Close monitoring of kidney function in patients on dabigatran therapy is warranted.
SEXUAL SELECTION OF MULTIPLE HANDICAPS IN THE RED-COLLARED WIDOWBIRD: FEMALE CHOICE OF TAIL LENGTH BUT NOT CAROTENOID DISPLAY

Abstract Although sexual selection through female choice explains exaggerated male ornaments in many species, the evolution of the multicomponent nature of most sexual displays remains poorly understood. Theoretical models suggest that handicap signaling should converge on a single most informative quality indicator, whereas additional signals are more likely to be arbitrary Fisherian traits, amplifiers, or exploitations of receiver psychology. Male nuptial plumage in the highly polygynous red-collared widowbird (Euplectes ardens) comprises two of the commonly advocated quality advertisements (handicaps) in birds: a long graduated tail and red carotenoid coloration. Here we use multivariate selection analysis to investigate female choice in relation to male tail length, color (reflectance) of the collar, other aspects of morphology, ectoparasite load, display rate, and territory quality. The order and total number of active nests obtained are used as measures of male reproductive success. We demonstrate a strong female preference and net sexual selection for long tails, but marginal or no effects of color, morphology, or territory quality. Tail length explained 47% of male reproductive success, an unusually strong fitness effect of natural ornament variation. Fluctuating tail asymmetry was unrelated to tail length, and had no impact on mating success. For the red collar, there was negative net selection on collar area, presumably via its negative relationship with tail length. None of the color variables (hue, chroma, and brightness) had significant selection differentials, but a partial effect (selection gradient) of chroma might represent a color preference when tail length is controlled for. We suggest that the red collar functions in male agonistic interactions, which has been strongly supported by subsequent work. Thus, female choice targets only one handicap, extreme tail elongation, disregarding or even selecting against the carotenoid display. We discuss whether long tails might be better indicators of genetic quality than carotenoid pigmentation. As regards the evolution of multiple ornaments, we propose that multiple handicap signaling is stable not because of multiple messages but because of multiple receivers, in this case females and males. Corresponding Editor: P. Dunn
‘The Schizophrenias as Nervous Types' Revisited

In 1972 the author proposed that schizophrenia represents an aberration of central nervous processes that underlie cognitive and personality characteristics which can be observed in many healthy people. The present paper brings the evidence for that theory up to date and concludes that over the past 15 years it has received considerable empirical support. The way in which the theory confronts the question of whether or not schizophrenia is a disease is also clarified.
Does Climate Change Affect Real Estate Prices? Only If You Believe in It

This paper studies whether house prices reflect belief differences about climate change. We show that in an equilibrium model of housing choice in which agents derive utility from ownership in a neighborhood of similar agents, prices exhibit different elasticities to climate risk. We use comprehensive transaction data to relate prices to inundation projections of individual homes and measures of beliefs about climate change. We find that houses projected to be underwater in believer neighborhoods sell at a discount compared to houses in denier neighborhoods. Our results suggest that house prices reflect heterogeneity in beliefs about long-run climate change risks.
Role of calcitonin gene-related peptide-containing nerves in the vascular adrenergic neurotransmission.

The role of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-containing nerves in adrenergic vasoconstrictor response to periarterial nerve stimulation (PNS) was investigated in mesenteric vascular beds isolated from rats, which were perfused with Krebs' solution (5 ml/min). In perfused mesenteric vascular beds, PNS (1-12 Hz, for 30 sec) caused a frequency-dependent increase in the perfusion pressure, which was prevented by 50 nM prazosin and abolished by 300 nM tetrodotoxin and 5 microM guanethidine. Bolus infusion of norepinephrine (NE, 0.5 and 1 nmol) also produced a pressor response which was blocked by 50 nM prazosin. In the preparation treated with 500 nM capsaicin for 20 min, pressor responses to PNS of 1 to 8 Hz were potentiated significantly. The pressor responses to NE infusion also were enhanced in both the preparations treated with and without capsaicin. In the capsaicin-untreated preparation contracted by 7 mM methoxamine in the presence of 5 microM guanethidine, PNS (1-12 Hz) caused a frequency-dependent vasodilation, which was abolished by 300 nM tetrodotoxin. However, no vasodilator response to PNS was observed in the preparation treated with capsaicin. In the contracted preparation, bolus infusion of rat CGRP (10 and 100 pmol) produced a marked long-lasting vasodilation which mimicked the PNS-evoked vasodilation, whereas neither bolus infusion of substance P (1 and 10 nmol), neurokinin A (1 and 10 nmol) nor neurokinin B (1 and 10 nmol) produced relaxation. In the preparation labeled with [3H]NE, the PNS (4 Hz)-evoked 3H release was not altered after capsaicin treatment, whereas the pressor response to PNS was potentiated significantly. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
In Chronic Pancreatitis, Widespread Emergence of TRAIL Receptors in Epithelia Coincides with Neoexpression of TRAIL by Pancreatic Stellate Cells of Early Fibrotic Areas

TRAIL (TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) induces apoptosis by cross-linking of the two TRAIL receptors that contain a death domain, TRAIL-R1 and TRAIL-R2. TRAIL-R3 and TRAIL-R4 are receptors that do not transmit an apoptotic signal. Our aim was to determine the expression of TRAIL and its receptors in normal pancreas and chronic pancreatitis. We applied real-time PCR, immunohisto(cyto)chemistry, and nick-end labeling of apoptoses. In normal pancreas, a minor subset of acinar cells coexpressed TRAIL-R2 and TRAIL-R4, whereas ductular epithelium and interstitial fibroblast-like cells (FLC) expressed TRAIL-R4. TRAIL-R1 and TRAIL-R3 were not detected in normal pancreas. In chronic pancreatitis, the exocrine epithelium strongly expressed TRAIL-R1, -R2, -R4, and, to a lesser extent, TRAIL-R3. Islets focally neoexpressed TRAIL-R1 and -R2 and intensely expressed TRAIL-R4. Changes in TRAIL receptor expression were most pronounced in areas of inflammatory infiltration and active fibrosis. In normal pancreas, expression of TRAIL was low on the mRNA level and undetectable on the protein level. In chronic pancreatitis, FLC in areas of active fibrosis expressed TRAIL. In addition, apoptoses were most numerous in these areas. We show that these FLC are pancreatic stellate cells. Pancreatic stellate cells express TRAIL in vivo and in vitro, and TRAIL expression is enhanced by IFN-γ. Our findings indicate that the TRAIL/TRAIL receptor system is likely to be involved in chronic pancreatitis and suggest that pancreatic stellate cells may directly contribute to acinar regression by inducing apoptosis of parenchymal cells in a TRAIL-dependent manner.
Lower Bounds on the LTE-A Average Random Access Delay Under Massive M2M Arrivals

Rapid growth of machine-to-machine (M2M) communications necessitates the reevaluation of the Long Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE-A) performance, since the current standard is not optimized for intensive M2M traffic. A serious issue is that massive M2M arrivals can overload the LTE-A random access channel, resulting in a significant access delay. There have been a number of proposals to control this overload; however, there are no studies on the mathematical characterization of delay bounds to the best of our knowledge. Here, we derive lower bounds for the LTE-A average random access delay for both a regular traffic pattern (uniformly distributed arrivals) and for a traffic pattern, indicating a serious congestion (beta-distributed arrivals). The proposed delay bounds, which predict the minimum delay with less than 6% error, present the fundamental limits of delay that can be achieved by a practical load-balancing algorithm. This paper is also one of the first attempts toward the mathematical analysis of beta-distributed arrivals. We also analyze the effect of estimation accuracy, frequency of random access opportunities, and the number of preambles on the access delay. We show that it is possible to reduce the access delay by several orders of magnitude using an appropriate configuration of these system parameters.
Blockade of Glycosylation Promotes Acquistion of Scrapie-like Properties by the Prion Protein in Cultured Cells*

The conformational conversion of the prion protein, a sialoglycoprotein containing two N-linked oligosaccharide chains, from its normal form (PrPC) to a pathogenic form (PrPSc) is the central causative event in prion diseases. Although PrPSc can be generated in the absence of glycosylation, there is evidence that oligosaccharide chains may modulate the efficiency of the conversion process, and may also serve as molecular markers of diverse prion strains. In addition, mutational inactivation of one of the N-glycosylation sites has recently been associated with a familial spongiform encephalopathy. To investigate the role of N-glycans in determining the properties of PrP, we have expressed in transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells mouse PrP molecules in which N-glycosylation has been blocked either by treatment with the drug tunicamycin, or by substitution of alanine for threonine at one or both of the N-X-T consensus sites. We report that PrP molecules mutated at Thr182 alone or at both Thr182 and Thr196 fail to reach the cell surface after synthesis, but that those mutated at Thr196 or synthesized in the presence of tunicamycin can be detected on the plasma membrane. We also find that all three mutant PrPs, and to a limited extent wild-type PrP synthesized in the presence of inhibitor, acquire biochemical attributes reminiscent of PrPSc. We suggest that the PrP molecule has an intrinsic tendency to acquire some PrPSc-like properties, and that N-glycan chains protect against this change. However, pathogenic mutations, or presumably contact with exogenous prions, are necessary to fully convert the protein to a PrPSc state.
Upregulation of telomerase (hTERT) is related to the grade of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, but is not an independent predictor of high‐risk human papillomavirus, virus persistence, or disease outcome in cervical cancer

Telomerase activation and telomere maintenance are essential for cell immortalization and represent a rate‐limiting step in cancer progression. The E6 oncoprotein of high‐risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is known to activate telomerase, but its expression in CIN lesions and its prognostic value in cervical cancer (CC) are still incompletely understood.
Low Noise Active Shield for SQUID-Based Magnetocardiography Systems

A light weight and low-cost active magnetic shield system is proposed for a single channel SQUID-based magnetocardiography system equipped for operating at liquid nitrogen temperature without passive magnetic shield. The developed active shield, using coils around the sensors, is a two-stage magnetic shielding system, each stage of which has been designed to compensate different frequency and dynamic ranges. The sensor part contains two high-Tc rf-SQUID magnetometers, capable of working stably under earth magnetic field, placed in an axial gradiometric arrangement with a baseline of 10 cm. The active shield setup is driven using two correlated proportional-integral-derivative closed loop systems. In the designed system, the coils are in the vicinity of the SQUIDs, resulting in coupling the coils to the SQUIDs as well as to the resonators. Hence, the impedance of the coils along with the phase of the feedback current is affected based on the configuration. In this paper, investigation of the shielding performance of our bi-stage magnetic shield as the active compensation, fed by the optimal feedback control system with all the above considerations, is reported. Using the designed shielding system, the disturbing magnetic signals could be attenuated such that the pico-Tesla signals could be obtained.