Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Patterns of spatial and temporal visceral arch muscle development in the Mexican axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum)

Vertebrate head development is a classical topic that has received renewed attention during the last decade. Most reports use one of a few model organisms (chicken, mouse, zebrafish) and have focused on molecular mechanisms and the role of the neural crest, while cranial muscle development has received less attention. Here we describe cranial muscle differentiation and morphogenesis in the Mexican axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum. To determine the onset of differentiation we use antibodies against desmin and optical sectioning using confocal laser scanning microscopy on whole‐mount immunostained embryos. This technique makes it possible to document the cranial muscle in three dimensions while keeping the specimens intact. Desmin expression starts almost simultaneously in the first, second, and third visceral arch muscles (as in other amphibians studied). Muscle anlagen divide up early into the different elements which constitute the larval cranial musculature. We extend and refine earlier findings, e.g., by documenting a clear division between interhyoideus and interhyoideus posterior. The timing of cranial muscle differentiation differs among vertebrate groups, but seems to be constant within each group. This study provides a morphological foundation for further studies of muscle cell fate and early differentiation. J. Morphol. 261:131–140, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evolutionary conservation of the placodal transcriptional network during sexual and asexual development in chordates

Background: An important question behind vertebrate evolution is whether the cranial placodes originated de novo, or if their precursors were present in the ancestor of chordates. In this respect, tunicates are of particular interest as they are considered the closest relatives to vertebrates. They are also the only chordate group possessing species that reproduce both sexually and asexually, allowing both types of development to be studied to address whether embryonic pathways have been co‐opted during budding to build the same structures. Results: We studied the expression of members of the transcriptional network associated with vertebrate placodal formation (Six, Eya, and FoxI) in the colonial tunicate Botryllus schlosseri. During both sexual and asexual development, each transcript is expressed in branchial fissures and in two discrete regions proposed to be homologues to groups of vertebrate placodes. Discussion: Results reinforce the idea that placode origin predates the origin of vertebrates and that the molecular network involving these genes was co‐opted in the evolution of asexual reproduction. Considering that gill slit formation in deuterostomes is based on similar expression patterns, we discuss possible alternative evolutionary scenarios depicting gene co‐option as critical step in placode and pharynx evolution. Developmental Dynamics 242:752–766, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pre‐symptomatic detection and genetic counselling in myotonic dystrophy

A study of patients with myotonic dystrophy and their first degree relatives has shown that 17.6 % of asymptomatic individuals at risk were definitely affected on the basis of neurological and slit lamp examination, while a further 13.7 % showed suspicious but not diagnostic changes. In those individuals who were definitely affected neurologically, a high incidence of lens opacities was shown by the slit lamp, except during the first decade of life. Analysis of penetrance of the myotonic dystrophy gene in the offspring of affected individuals suggested that penetrance was largely complete by adulthood. No instance of mutation was encountered in the study, and it is suggested that undetected transmission is much more frequently responsible for the apparently isolated case than is mutation. The use in genetic counselling and prenatal diagnosis of the various methods of detecting the myotonic dystrophy gene is discussed.
Cultural Models of Illness and Recovery in Breast Cancer Support Groups

In an ethnographic study of breast cancer support groups for white women, the authors describe the cultural model of illness and recovery espoused by the groups and examine contested areas that might influence participation. Through analysis of interviews, observation at meetings, and program documents, they develop a model of group culture that includes five components: recovery narrative, group metaphors, perceived benefits, group processes, and contested domains. The recovery narrative focuses on optimism and personal growth, and members invoke metaphors of family and sisterhood to describe their relationship to the group. Linkages are made between perceived benefits and group processes. Contested domains challenge dominant features of the recovery narrative. The authors discuss the value of cultural studies of illness support groups for understanding member-group fit.
Innate-Like Effector Differentiation of Human Invariant NKT Cells Driven by IL-71

Conventional MHC-restricted T lymphocytes leave thymus with a naive phenotype and require Ag-dependent stimulation coupled to proliferation to acquire effector functions. Invariant (i)NKT cells are a subset of T lymphocytes considered innate because they display an effector memory phenotype independent of TCR stimulation by foreign Ags. We investigated the effector differentiation program followed by human iNKT cells by studying cells from a relevant set of fetal thymi and umbilical cord blood samples. We find that human fetal iNKT cells have already started a differentiation program that activates the epigenetic and transcriptional control of ifng and il4 genes, leading at birth to cells that express these cytokines upon TCR signaling but independently of proliferation in vitro. Both ex vivo and in vitro analysis of fetal and neonatal iNKT cells delineate an effector differentiation program linked to cell division in vivo, and they identify IL-7 as one of the crucial signals driving this program in the apparent absence of Ag stimulation. Consistent with these data, human fetal and neonatal iNKT cells are hyperresponsive in vitro to IL-7 in comparison to conventional T cells, owing to an increased expression and signaling function of the IL-7 receptor α-chain. The innate nature of human iNKT cells could thus derive from lineage-specific developmental cues that selectively make these cells efficient IL-7 responders following thymic selection.
fMRI variability and the localization of languages in the bilingual brain

The cerebral localization of multiple languages is a topic of active research. This study presents a method for assessing whether partial overlap of active voxels reflects differential language localization, or simply the variability known to occur with multiple runs of the same task in fMRI studies. Two groups of bilingual subjects (early and later learners of L2) performed word fluency and sentence generation tasks in both languages. The degree of separation for regions of activation did not exceed that associated with run-to-run variability for either task or either group. Early bilinguals, however, showed greater total numbers of active voxels than Late bilinguals for both tasks. This effect occurred despite a lack of a behavioral performance differences by the two groups.
Regional variability in stratum corneum reactivity to antiseptic formulations

Skin does not react in an identical way to the action of chemicals over all anatomic sites. Accordingly, distinct regional differences have been described in relation to irritancy. The present study assesses the regional variations of stratum corneum (SC) reactivity to 3 proprietary antiseptic solutions (povidone iodine (PVP‐I), 70 mg/ml and 100 mg/ml, and chlorhexidine digluconate 50 mg/ml) using the corneoxenometry (CXM) bioassay. SC was harvested from the volar forearm, the forehead and the back in 30 young adults. Each SC sample was covered by one of the neat test product or deionized water for 2 hr at 20°C. The intrinsic staining property of each antiseptic on SC was assessed by reflectance colorimetry. For the CXM bioassay, samples were then stained by a toluidine blue‐basic fuschin solution in order to show protein denaturation induced by the test products. The colorimetric index of mildness (CIM = L*− Chroma C*) was measured by colorimetry. Data show that PVP‐I 100 mg/ml was the least reactive antiseptic to the SC. It was significantly milder than the 2 other antiseptics.
The Effects of the Reverse Trendelenburg Position on Respiratory Mechanics and Blood Gases in Morbidly Obese Patients During Bariatric Surgery

Anesthesia adversely affects respiratory function, particularly in morbidly obese patients. Although many studies have been performed to determine the optimal ventilatory settings in these patients, this question has not been answered. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of reverse Trendelenburg position (RTP) on gas exchange and respiratory mechanics in 15 obese patients undergoing biliopancreatic diversion. A standardized anesthetic regimen was used and patients were examined at standard times: 1) after tracheal intubation, 2) after laparotomy, 3) after positioning of subcostal retractors, 4) with retractors in RTP. The measurements of respiratory mechanics were repeated for a wide range of tidal volumes by using the technique of rapid occlusion during constant flow inflation. We noted a wide alveolar-arterial oxygen difference [P(A−a)o2] in all patients, particularly during Phase 3. When the patients were placed in RTP, P(A−a)o2 showed a significant improvement and a return toward baseline values. As for mechanics, total respiratory system compliance was significantly higher in RTP than in the other phases. In conclusion, our data suggest that RTP is an appropriate intraoperative posture for obese subjects because it causes minimal arterial blood pressure changes and improves oxygenation. Implications The aim of the study was to assess whether the reverse Trendelenburg position could improve pulmonary gas exchange in obese patients undergoing abdominal surgical procedures. Our work may have a clinical value because few studies deal with this issue.
The transcriptional organization of the Bacillus subtilis 168 chromosome region between the spoVAF and serA genetic loci

The genetic organization of the spoVAF–serA area of the Bacillus subtilis chromosome and its putative transcription map have been derived from analysis of the nucleotide sequence. In order to confirm this transcription map as regards size of transcripts and to determine growth conditions for their appearance, we undertook Northern hybridization analysis of total RNA from vegetatively growing and sporulating cells. Twenty‐three distinct transcripts were thus identified, 14 of which were predicted from sequence analysis and nine of which were not predicted. Eight of the latter are homologous to open reading frames identified by sequence analysis but were not expected, since no obvious promoter or terminator was found in the sequence. The last unexpected transcript does not correspond to an ORF and might identify a novel gene. Three predicted transcripts were not detected. The transcripts were classified in four groups as (i) constitutive, (ii) regulated by nutritional depletion, (iii) specific for sporulation, and (iv) possibly regulated temporally. These studies demonstrate that systematic Northern analysis of a bacterial chromosome region is a useful complement to sequence analysis.
The metabolism of vitamin D3 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in normal and anephric humans.

ABSTRACT To clarify in human beings the further metabolism of 25-OH-D3, the principal circulating form of vitamin D, the fates of 26,27-3H-25-OH-D3 or 1,2-3H-4-14C-D3 were compared in 6 normal subjects and 10 anephric patients on chronic hemodialysis. Normal subjects and 6 of 10 anephrics formed 24,25-(OH)2-D3 suggesting that the kidney may not be the only tissue capable of 24-hydroxylation. Normal subjects also produced metabolites co-migrating with authentic 1,25-(OH)2-D3 and 1,24-25-(OH)3-D3. Anephrics did not produce metabolites co-migrating with 1,25-(OH)2-D3 but their serum did contain small amounts of metabolites co-migrating with authentic 1,24,25-(OH)3-D3. Estimated plasma 25-OH-D3 pools were indistinguishable in the two groups averaging 91 ± 9 μg in normals and 96 ± 8 μg in anephrics. However, the estimated turnover rate of 25-OH-D3 in anephrics was only 1.6 ± 0.1 μg/day as compared to 2.8 ± 0.3 μg/day in normals (p < 0.005) confirming the importance of the human kidney in the further metabolism.
Academic Self-Efficacy, Coping, and Academic Performance in College

This study serves as a pilot study for a possible future study including the same variables. The purpose of the pilot study was to find a relationship in the college academic setting between academic self-efficacy, stress coping skills, and academic performance. Sixty-six undergraduate students, 17 male and 49 female, from a university in northwestern United States participated in the study. Stress was measured using the COPE Inventory (Carver, Scheier, & Weintraub, 1989). Self-efficacy was measured using the Academic Self-Efficacy Scale (Chemers, Hu, & Garcia, 2001). Academic performance was measured using the participants’ college GPA. Academic Self-Efficacy and the Planning subscale of the COPE Inventory were positively correlated with GPA (r = . 49, p Faculty Sponsor: Heath Marrs, Ed.D
Frauengesundheit in der Praxis

Eine Besiedlung der Scheide mit Candida (C.) spp. hat nicht in allen Fällen eine entzündliche Infektion zur Folge. Die häufigsten Erreger sind C. albicans gefolgt von C. glabrata. Die Pathogenese hängt nicht nur von der Virulenz der Pilze ab, sondern auch von der individuellen Prädisposition und der Infektabwehr. Frauen im gebärfähigen Alter, speziell bei hormoneller Kontrazeption und bei Schwangerschaft, sind besonders gefährdet, weil die Östrogene die lokalen Verhältnisse verändern, sodass Candida sich besser vermehren kann, und zusätzlich, weil der Pilz selbst Östrogenrezeptoren besitzt, sodass er unter dem Einfluss von Östrogen virulenter wird. Von eminenter Bedeutung ist die unspezifische Infektabwehr der Scheide. Die humorale Immunität dagegen spielt eine untergeordnete Rolle bei der Infektabwehr; die zelluläre Infektabwehr ist entscheidend beteiligt, wobei jedoch das genaue Zusammenspiel nach wie vor noch ziemlich unverstanden ist. Zur antimikrobiellen Therapie gibt es verschiedene topische Antiseptika und Antimykotika. Daneben können aber auch systemisch wirksame Antimykotika, wie z. B. Fluconazol, erfolgreich eingesetzt werden. Bei einer rezidivierenden Vaginalmykose erweist sich in vielen Fällen eine Sekundärprophylaxe mit Fluconazol sinnvoll.
Sensitivity of dissolution rate to location in the paddle dissolution apparatus

The aim of the present study was to determine the apparent diffusion boundary layer and dissolution rate constant for various surfaces of compacts and at various locations in the USP paddle dissolution apparatus. Benzoic acid compacts were coated with paraffin wax leaving only the surface under investigation free for dissolution. The dissolution rates for various surfaces at varying locations in the paddle dissolution vessel were determined from the slope of the dissolution profile (amount dissolved (mg) versus time (min)). The apparent diffusion boundary layer and dissolution rate constant were calculated and were found to vary depending on the surface of the compact from which dissolution took place and also on the location and size of the compact. It may be concluded that, in developing models to describe the dissolution from solid dosage forms, it is not accurate to assume constant hydrodynamics and mass transfer rates at all surfaces of the system, or in different locations within the test device. A more exact description of the hydrodyn amics would be necessary in order to precisely model drug dissolution in the paddle dissolution apparatus.
Quantitative automated human chorionic gonadotropin measurement in urine using the Modular Analytics E170 module (Roche)

Abstract Ongoing demands on laboratory performance require optimization of processes. An obvious way to achieve this is to reduce manual labor in favor of automated methods. We describe the validation of an automated quantitative urine human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) analysis on the Roche Modular E170 analyzer to replace the manual qualitative pregnancy test in urine. At urine hCG concentrations of 476, 45 and 11U/L, we found inter-assay variation of 4.3%, 4.3% and 6.8% and average intra-assay variation of 3.0%, 2.6% and 3.0%, respectively. The analytical detection limit was 0.7U/L. We did not detect any loss (due to degradation or adsorption) during a storage period of 5days at 4°C or at −20°C. Recoveries of hCG in urine of a pregnant woman diluted with urine of a pre-menopausal non-pregnant woman (concentration range between 6 and 800mU/L) were between 93% and 112% (y=0.997x−3.843, r 2=0.999). Diluting a serum sample (hCG 42,000U/L) with urine (negative for hCG) up to 8000-fold yielded a completely linear hCG response, indicating that the assay was not affected by the urine matrix. In a correlation study with 60 urine samples (of which 10 were of male origin), we did not find any discrepancies between results for the manual pregnancy test and the hCG test on the Roche Modular E170 (using a cutoff value of 50U/L).
mig-14 Is a Salmonella Gene That Plays a Role in Bacterial Resistance to Antimicrobial Peptides

ABSTRACT It was previously demonstrated that the mig-14 gene of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium is necessary for bacterial proliferation in the liver and spleen of mice following intragastric inoculation and that mig-14 expression, which is induced within macrophages, is under the control of the global regulator PhoP. Here we demonstrate that the mig-14 promoter is induced by growth in minimal medium containing low magnesium or acidic pH, consistent with regulation by PhoP. In addition, mig-14 is strongly induced by polymyxin B, protamine, and the mammalian antimicrobial peptide protegrin-1. While phoP is necessary for the induction of mig-14 in response to protamine and protegrin, mig-14 is still induced by polymyxin B in a phoP background. We also demonstrate that mig-14 is necessary for resistance of S. enterica serovar Typhimurium to both polymyxin B and protegrin-1. Gram-negative resistance to a variety of antimicrobial peptides has been correlated with modifications of lipopolysaccharide structure. However, we show that mig-14 is not required for one of these modifications, the addition of 4-aminoarabinose to lipid A. Additionally, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of wild-type and mig-14 lipopolysaccharide also shows no detectable differences between the two strains. Therefore, mig-14 contributes to Salmonella resistance to antimicrobial peptides by a mechanism that is not yet fully understood.
Enzootic ataxia in Red deer.

Abstract The occurrence of enzootic ataxia in fanned Red deer is reported. This syndrome occurred in a young adult and a mature deer, and was characterised by ataxia, swaying movements of the hindquarters, often the adoption of a dog-sitting posture and, eventually, inability to use the hind limbs. Spinal cord demyelination and mid-brain neuronal degeneration were the main histopathological lesions. Copper levels of feedstuffs on the property were normal but blood copper levels of unaffected animals in the herd were low. The aetiology of enzootic ataxia in deer is possibly multifactorial, although copper deficiency is a common finding in affected herds, and copper supplementation appears to prevent its occurrence.
The biology and mathematical modelling of glioma invasion: a review

Adult gliomas are aggressive brain tumours associated with low patient survival rates and limited life expectancy. The most important hallmark of this type of tumour is its invasive behaviour, characterized by a markedly phenotypic plasticity, infiltrative tumour morphologies and the ability of malignant progression from low- to high-grade tumour types. Indeed, the widespread infiltration of healthy brain tissue by glioma cells is largely responsible for poor prognosis and the difficulty of finding curative therapies. Meanwhile, mathematical models have been established to analyse potential mechanisms of glioma invasion. In this review, we start with a brief introduction to current biological knowledge about glioma invasion, and then critically review and highlight future challenges for mathematical models of glioma invasion.
A hybrid model for monthly time series forecasting

This study aims to propose a hydrological model for estimating the future value for monthly river flow. The proposed model was constructed by combining three components: i.e. Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT), Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Least Square Support Vector Machine (LSSVM). The first two components, i.e. the wavelets and the PCA, are meant for preparing input data. Wavelets were employed to obtain a certain level of data decomposition, and in this case, a three level decomposition was employed. The output from the wavelets was given to PCA. This component simply picks up the important components from the given data, i.e. it addresses the issues relating to the dimensionality of the data. For approximating the desired value, LSSVM was employed for training, using the data derived from Wavelets and PCA models. For testing stability and reliability of the proposed model monthly data from two Pakistani rivers was collected. The reliability was measured by employing well known reliability measuring methods, i.e. Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and Coefficient of Correlation (R). All performance measuring methods concluded that the proposed model is stable, reliable and produced an appreciative level of accuracy.
Serotonin and norepinephrine uptake inhibiting activity of centrally acting analgesics: structural determinants and role in antinociception.

Although it is well established that the analgesic effects of morphine are mediated by opioid receptors, previous studies have shown that some opioids additionally inhibit the uptake of serotonin and norepinephrine. The present investigation of a diverse group of opioids revealed that structurally identifiable subgroups inhibited the neuronal reuptake of these monoamines. Phenanthrene opioids with an oxygen bridge between C4 and C5, such as morphine and naloxone (group I), did not block norepinephrine or serotonin uptake, whereas phenanthrene opioids without the oxygen bridge and the C6-OH moiety, such as levorphanol and levomethorphan (group II), did inhibit uptake, as did nonphenanthrene opioids, such as d-propoxyphene and methadone (group III). Affinity at the mu opioid receptor correlated with antinociceptive potency (r = 0.87, P < .05). Although the antinociceptive activity of the "active enantiomers" of group II and III compounds also correlated with their affinity at the mu opioid receptor (r = 0.85, P = .007), additional consideration of serotonin uptake inhibiting activity (but not of norepinephrine uptake inhibiting activity) significantly improved the correlation between antinociceptive potency and the in vitro activity of these compounds (r = 0.915, P = .0017). Additionally, for group II and III (but not group I) compounds, smaller differences between enantiomers in antinociceptive potency than in mu receptor affinity were noted, presumably because of the contribution of uptake inhibition to the antinociceptive activity of group II and III compounds. Evidence also is provided suggesting a broader role for the combination of mu opioid affinity and 5-hydroxytryptamine uptake inhibition in the activity of other antinociceptive agents.