Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of restriction of energy during lactation on body condition, energy metabolism, endocrine changes and reproductive performance in primiparous sows.

Seventeen Landrace X Large White primiparous sows that farrowed in August 1982 were fed ad libitum (AL, n = 8) or their intakes were restricted (R, n = 9) during lactation. Litter sizes were equalized after farrowing and pigs were not allowed creep feed. Pigs were weaned 23.8 +/- . 4 d postpartum. On d 6, 12 and 20 postpartum, all sows were fasted for 16 h and blood samples were collected prior to feeding for analysis of plasma glucose (GLU), urea nitrogen (UN), free fatty acids (FFA), prolactin (PRL) and serum insulin (INS). On d -2, 2 and 4 from weaning, sows were fasted for 16 h and then blood samples were collected hourly from 0 to 6 postprandial for analysis of GLU, UN, FFA, PRL and INS. Serum for analysis of luteinizing hormone (LH), progesterone and estradiol was collected every 6 h from 1 d before until 12 d after weaning. Samples for LH were also collected at 15-min intervals for 3 h at -18, -6, 6, 18, 78, 102, 126, 150, 240 and 480 h from weaning. After weaning all sows were fed 1.8 kg X d-1, and were checked for estrus twice daily. Daily intakes of metabolizable energy (ME) during lactation were greater in AL (12,194 +/- 465 kcal) than in R sows (8,144 +/- 90 kcal). Compared with AL sows, R sows lost more weight and backfat during lactation and had higher postprandial UN levels 2 d before and 4 d after weaning. Reproductive performance and reproductive hormones were not affected by restriction of energy, but frequency of episodic release of LH prior to weaning was greater in sows that exhibited estrus after weaning (n = 12) than in anestrous sows (n = 5). After weaning, LH and estradiol concentrations were similar between estrous and anestrous sows until onset of the preovulatory increase in estradiol in the sows that exhibited estrus. Energy intake, body condition and productivity were similar between anestrous sows and sows that exhibited estrus. On d 12 and 20 of lactation, preprandial levels of GLU were greater and FFA were lower in anestrous than estrous sows. We conclude that restriction of feed intake during lactation affected body condition and metabolism of primiparous sows, but reproductive performance and productivity were not affected. Aberrations in partitioning of energy during lactation may predispose primiparous sows to postweaning anestrus, but the mechanisms by which this occurs have yet to be defined.
Discovery of a low frequency sound source in Mysticeti (baleen whales): Anatomical establishment of a vocal fold homolog

The mechanism of mysticete (baleen whale) vocalization has remained a mystery. Vocal folds (true vocal “cords”), the structures responsible for sound production in terrestrial mammals, were thought to be absent in whales. This study tests the hypothesis that the mysticete larynx possesses structures homologous to vocal folds and that they are capable of sound generation. Laryngeal anatomy was examined in 37 specimens representing 6 mysticete species. Results indicate the presence of a U‐shaped fold (U‐fold) in the lumen of the larynx. The U‐fold is supported by arytenoid cartilages, controlled by skeletal muscles innervated by the recurrent laryngeal nerve, is adjacent to a diverticulum (laryngeal sac) covered with mucosa innervated by the superior laryngeal nerve, and contains a ligament—conditions that also define the vocal folds of terrestrial mammals and, therefore, supports homology. Unlike the vocal folds of terrestrial mammals, which are perpendicular to airflow, the mysticete U‐fold is oriented parallel to airflow. U‐fold adduction/abduction and elevation/depression may control airflow, and vibration of its edges may generate sounds. The walls of the laryngeal sac can expand and contract, may serve as a resonant space, and may also propagate vibrations generated by movements of the supporting arytenoid cartilages. The extensive musculature surrounding the laryngeal sac may enable rapid and forceful expulsion of air from the lumen of the sac into other respiratory spaces, or maintain a constant sac volume despite the effects of ambient pressure (e.g., changes during diving or ascent). The size and complexity of the mysticete larynx indicates an organ with multiple functions, including protection during breathing/swallowing, regulation of airflow and pressures in the respiratory spaces, and sound generation. The presence of a vocal fold homolog offers a new insight into both the mechanism of sound generation by mysticetes and the divergent evolution of odontocete and mysticete cetaceans. Anat Rec, 290:745–759, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Visualization by mass spectrometry of 2‐dimensional changes in rat brain lipids, including N‐acylphosphatidylethanolamines, during neonatal brain ischemia

Spatial synthesis of N‐acyl‐phosphati‐dylethanolamines (NAPEs) and N‐acylethanolamines (NAEs) during ischemia‐reperfusion in neonatal rats has been investigated and compared to the spatial degradation of other phospholipids. Ischemia was induced in anesthetized Wistar P7 rat pups by left middle cerebral artery electrocoagulation combined with a transient and concomitant occlusion of both common carotid arteries. Pups were sacrificed after 24 and 48 h. Sham‐treated animals were sacrificed after 48 h. The frozen brains were sliced and subjected to desorption electrospray ionization imaging mass spectrometry. There was a remarkable increase in the levels of many species of NAPEs in the whole injured area at both time points, and a clear but minor increase in selected NAEs. In the ischemic area, the sodium adducts of phosphatidylcholine and of lyso‐phosphatidylcholine accumulated and the potassium adduct of phosphatidylcholine disappeared, indicating breakdown of the Na+/K+ pump. Free fatty acids, e.g., arachidonic and docosa‐hexaenoic acids, tended to be more abundant in the periphery than in the center of the ischemic area and showed different spatial distribution. NAPEs are synthesized in the whole ischemic area where the cells seem to be dead and other phospholipids are degraded. Free fatty acids can be found in the periphery of the ischemic area. —Janfelt, C. , Wellner, N. , Leger, P.‐L. , Kokesch‐Himmelreich, J., Hansen, S. H. , Charriaut‐Marlangue, C. , Hansen, H. S. Visualization by mass spectrometry of 2‐dimensional changes in rat brain lipids, including N‐acylphosphatidylethanolamines, during neonatal brain ischemia. FASEB J. 26, 2667‐2673 (2012). www.fasebj. org
Molecular Heterogeneity in Aldosterone-Producing Adenomas.

CONTEXT The use of next-generation sequencing has resulted in the identification of recurrent somatic mutations underlying primary aldosteronism (PA). However, significant gaps remain in our understanding of the relationship between tumor aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) expression and somatic mutation status. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to investigate tumor CYP11B2 expression and somatic aldosterone-driver gene mutation heterogeneity. METHODS Fifty-one adrenals from 51 PA patients were studied. Immunohistochemistry for CYP11B2 was performed. Aldosterone-producing adenomas with intratumor CYP11B2 heterogeneity were analyzed for mutation status using targeted next-generation sequencing. DNA was isolated from CYP11B2-positive, CYP11B2-negative, and adjacent normal areas from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections. RESULTS Of 51 adrenals, seven (14 %) showed distinct heterogeneity in CYP11B2 by immunohistochemistry, including six adenomas with intratumor heterogeneity and one multinodular hyperplastic adrenal with both CYP11B2-positive and -negative nodules. Of the six adrenocortical adenomas with CYP11B2 heterogeneity, three had aldosterone-regulating mutations (CACNA1D p.F747C, KCNJ5 p.L168R, ATP1A1 p.L104R) only in CYP11B2-positive regions, and one had two different mutations localized to two histologically distinct CYP11B2-positive regions (ATP2B3 p.L424_V425del, KCNJ5 p.G151R). Lastly, one adrenal with multiple CYP11B2-expressing nodules showed different mutations in each (CACNA1D p.F747V and ATP1A1 p.L104R), and no mutations were identified in CYP11B2-negative nodule or adjacent normal adrenal. CONCLUSIONS Adrenal tumors in patients with PA can demonstrate clear heterogeneity in CYP11B2 expression and somatic mutations in driver genes for aldosterone production. These findings suggest that aldosterone-producing adenoma tumorigenesis can occur within preexisting nodules through the acquisition of somatic mutations that drive aldosterone production.
[Specificity of inhibition between Salmonella strains].

A phenomenon of inhibition among Salmonella organisms colonizing the gut of young animals can be demonstrated which is important in connection with immunization using live Salmonella vaccines. For practical utilization of this inhibition phenomenon, research into its specificity is very important. In vitro broth culture and animal experiments have shown inhibition to be genus-specific, i.e. there is no inhibition between strains of different genera of Enterobacteriaceae in most cases. The strongest inhibition occurs between isogenic (identical genotype) strains (strain-specific inhibition). This applies to Salmonella and other genera of Enterobacteriaceae. There was a close correlation between the degree of the inhibitory effect and the genetic relatedness of the strains, as has been demonstrated in Salmonella strains of different epidemiological classification. The inhibitory capacity was most pronounced among closely related strains. Clonal strains of Salmonella Enteritidis phage type 4 fully inhibited caecal colonization by Salmonella Enteritidis phage type 4 strains in 65% of the combinations tested in chicks. In broth culture experiments, the share of combinations with complete inhibition was above 90%. A significant inhibitory competence of a selected strongly inhibitory Salmonella Enteritidis phage type 4 strain against the majority of Salmonella Enteritidis field isolates can be expected. However, Salmonella Enteritidis strains of all phase types showed almost no inhibitory competence against other Salmonella serotypes.
Stepwise binding and bending of DNA by Escherichia coli integration host factor

Integration host factor (IHF) is a prokaryotic protein required for the integration of λ phage DNA into its host genome. An x-ray crystal structure of the complex shows that IHF binds to the minor groove of DNA and bends the double helix by 160° [Rice PA, Yang S, Mizuuchi K, Nash HA (1996) Cell 87:1295–1306]. We sought to dissect the complex formation process into its component binding and bending reaction steps, using stopped-flow fluorimetry to observe changes in resonance energy transfer between DNA-bound dyes, which in turn reflect distance changes upon bending. Different DNA substrates that are likely to increase or decrease the DNA bending rate were studied, including one with a nick in a critical kink position, and a substrate with longer DNA ends to increase hydrodynamic friction during bending. Kinetic experiments were carried out under pseudofirst-order conditions, in which the protein concentration is in substantial excess over DNA. At lower concentrations, the reaction rate rises linearly with protein concentration, implying rate limitation by the bimolecular reaction step. At high concentrations the rate reaches a plateau value, which strongly depends on temperature and the nature of the DNA substrate. We ascribe this reaction limit to the DNA bending rate and propose that complex formation is sequential at high concentration: IHF binds rapidly to DNA, followed by slower DNA bending. Our observations on the bending step kinetics are in agreement with results using the temperature-jump kinetic method.
Challenged in a web of power: A study of a small cohort of early childhood care and education practitioners through the lens of outdoor learning and risky play.

There is a growing body of research that has provided evidence of the benefits of outdoor learning and risky play for children’s development, yet within an Irish context there appears to be a gap in the provision of this type of play in the early childhood sector. This study is about early childhood care and education practitioners and how they can reconcile the outdoor learning and risky play with the pressures to avoid, omit or obscure it in the current climate. It begins by positioning my role as critical educator and the context in which the early childhood care and education sector is developing. The research draws from literature to demonstrate how the early childhood care and education practitioner is positioned to offer experiences to children on a daily basis. This qualitative study sets out to determine what is it that promotes or negates engagement in outdoor learning and risky play with children in early childhood care and education services. This study aims to enhance our knowledge of the early childhood care and education practitioner by exploring the experience of practice. The findings suggest that from a pedagogical perspective, practitioners believe opportunities for outdoor learning and risky play is important for children’s development. However, their ability to provide such experiences for children is very restricted. The research uncovers a web of power, the reality of living in a risk adverse society, governmental policies and the impact these have on the everyday experiences of young children in early childhood settings.
Teriparatide (rhPTH) treatment in children with syndromic hypoparathyroidism

Abstract Background: Subcutaneous recombinant human parathormone [rhPTH (1–34)] has been introduced for hypoparathyroidism treatment, allowing avoidance of vitamin D and calcium side effects. Objective: Our objective was to evaluate rhPTH (1–34) safety and efficacy in pediatric patients with genetically proved syndromic hypoparathyroidism. Methods: The study was a 2.5-year self-controlled trial on six pediatric patients (four males, two females, age 9.8±5.1 years) with syndromic hypoparathyroidism including three with autoimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis ectodermal dysplasia (APECED) syndrome, two with DiGeorge syndrome, and one with hypoparathyroidism-deafness-renal dysplasia syndrome. We compared patients’ clinical and biochemical outcome of conventional treatment based on oral administration of calcium (1–1.5 g/day in three doses) plus oral calcitriol (6.5–33 ng/kg per day in two to three doses) with the outcome obtained with rhPTH (1–34) (teriparatide, 12.5 μg bid). Therapy shift was conducted introducing rhPTH (1–34) while progressively withdrawing calcium and vitamin D. Blood calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, and urinary calcium-to-creatinine ratio (mg/mg) before and during rhPTH therapy were compared. Results: rhPTH treatment allowed complete calcium and vitamin D withdrawal in two patients, calcium withdrawal in three and reduction of vitamin D dose in two. During rhPTH (1–34), mean blood calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase were not significantly modified, whereas significant reduction of the calciuria-to-creatininuria ratio (0.55±0.31 vs. 0.1±0.1, p=0.02) was obtained. The number of tetanic episodes was reduced in four patients during teriparatide treatment compared to conventional treatment. Conclusion: In children with syndromic hypoparathyroidism, substitutive treatment with rhPTH (1–34) maintains adequate blood calcium levels and allows prompt normalization of urinary calcium excretion, through direct action on the kidney and through calcium and vitamin D therapy layoff.
Improved Light Extinction Reconstruction in Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments

Abstract The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the Regional Haze Rule (RHR) in 1999. The RHR default goal is to reduce haze linearly from the baseline period of 2000 through 2004 to natural background in 2064. EPA‐recommended method for estimating baseline and natural haze uses the Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) light extinction formula. The IMPROVE formula predicts light extinction from measured aerosol chemical concentrations and estimates of the relative humidity multiplier. On average, the IMPROVE formula overpredicts 6156 nephelometer days (24‐hr average measured particle light scattering, bsp) of data by 25%. A new IMPROVED method that reconstructs light extinction using a concentration power law model overpredicts these nephelometer days of data by just 2%. Ignoring the 20% lowest light scattering days, this new IMPROVED formula has a 3% underprediction bias over the 4925 highest nephelometer days with light scattering ≥8 inverse megameters. For comparison, the IMPROVE formula has a 12% overprediction bias for the same days. The IMPROVE formula overprediction averages 77%, 27%, 17%, 9%, and –5% broken down by quintile from lowest to highest nephelometer measured light scattering days. The new IMPROVED formula average overprediction is 21%, –5%, –5%, –2%, and 0%. So, agreement between measured and predicted light scattering improves by modifying the current IMPROVE light extinction formula.
Clinical symptoms and signs in sore throat patients with large colony variant beta-haemolytic streptococci groups C or G versus group A.

BACKGROUND The role of large colony streptococci groups C or G as pathogen agents in sore throat has been questioned. AIM To analyse clinical features of patients with large colony streptococci groups C or G compared with patients with group A streptococci (GAS) and with negative cultures. DESIGN OF STUDY Prospective study of patients with sore throat. SETTING Two Norwegian general practices in Stokke and Kongsberg communities with 6500 patients. METHOD Frequency of clinical features in the three patient categories including the four Centor criteria (fever, anterior cervical lymphadenopathy, tonsillar exudates, and lack of cough), degree of pain on swallowing, pharyngeal rubor, C-reactive protein (CRP) values, patient age between 3 and 14 years, and duration of symptoms before seeing the doctor. A logistic regression analysis to find independent predictors was performed. RESULTS Out of 306 patients with a sore throat, 244 were adults and 62 were children under 10 years old; 40% were men. One hundred and twenty-seven had GAS, 33 had streptococci groups C or G, and 146 had negative throat cultures. Forty-eight per cent of the GAS patients and 45% of the C or G patients met three or four of the Centor criteria. The logistic regression revealed that in patients with GAS considerable pain on swallowing, an age of 3-14 years and a duration of symptoms of < or =3 days or less were significantly associated with GAS infection in addition to the Centor criteria. The same results were found when all streptococci were analysed together, in addition elevated CRP was significant. In patients with streptococci group C or G an elevated CRP-value was significantly associated. CONCLUSION Patients with tonsillitis caused by streptococcus groups C or G have, to a large extent, the same clinical picture as patients with GAS. Large colony streptococci groups C and G should be considered as throat pathogens in line with GAS.
Influence of gestational age and fetal heart rate on the fetal mechanical PR interval

Objective: The fetal mechanical PR interval obtained via pulsed Doppler has previously been demonstrated to correlate with electrocardiographic PR interval measured in the neonate. We sought to further analyze the influence of fetal heart rate and gestational age upon the fetal mechanical PR interval. Methods: We searched our database for mechanical PR intervals, which were obtained during fetal echocardiography performed in our antenatal diagnostic unit. We included fetuses with a normal cardiac structural survey. The mechanical PR interval is measured from the A wave of the mitral valve to the beginning of ventricular systole corresponding to the opening of the aortic valve. Linear regression curves were generated to examine the correlation of mechanical PR interval with gestational age and fetal heart rate. Analysis of variance was used to compare the mean variation across three gestational age groups: 17–21.9 weeks (n = 24), 22–25.9 weeks (n = 52) and 26–38 weeks (n = 20). Results: Mechanical PR intervals were measured in 96 fetuses with normal fetal echocardiography. The mechanical PR interval was 123.9 ± 10.3 ms (mean ± SD), with a range of 90–150 ms. Linear regression curves correlating mechanical PR interval with fetal heart rate and gestational age demonstrated a flat slope with R2 = 0.016, p = 0.22 and R2 = 0.0004, p = 0.85, respectively. The mechanical PR interval measured over the three gestational ages was as follows (mean ± SD): 122.3 ± 10.5 ms for 17–21.9 weeks; 125.0 ± 9.6 ms for 22–25.9 weeks; and 123.1 ± 11.9 ms for 26–38 weeks. Analysis of variance revealed no difference among the mechanical PR interval means measured over the three gestational age groups (p = 0.53). Conclusions: Fetal mechanical PR interval ranges from 90 to 150 ms in fetuses with sonographically normal fetal cardiac structure and rate. The mechanical PR interval appears to be independent of gestational age and fetal heart rate.
The hairless guinea‐pig as a model for treatment of cumulative irritation in humans

Background: The effect of six skin‐care formulations (SCFs) on experimentally induced cumulative irritation was studied in hairless guinea‐pigs (HLGPs) and in human volunteers (HVs). The formulations were a basic cream, a carbomer cream and four modifications of the carbomer cream, containing either 10% isopropyl palmitate (IPP cream), 10% glycerol (glycerol cream), 19.5% canola oil (canola oil cream) or 0.5% (‐)‐α‐bisabolol (bisabolol cream).
The Impact of Perceived Gender Bias on Obstetrics and Gynecology Skills Acquisition by Third-Year Medical Students

Purpose. To investigate the perceptions of third-year medical students about how their acquisition of skills during their obstetrics and gynecology clerkship may be affected by their gender. Method. From January 1999 to December 2001, all third-year students at one school completing their obstetrics and gynecology rotation were given an anonymous questionnaire addressing whether gender had a positive, negative, or neutral effect on their learning experience. Students were also asked to enumerate procedures they had performed (e.g., deliveries and speculum examinations) and to rate their ability to counsel women on several clinical problems. To further investigate the perceptions of gender discrimination, a focus group of 12 fourth-year students was held. Results. A total of 263 questionnaires (95%) were returned. Of the respondents, 78% of the men felt their gender adversely affected their experience, and 67% of women felt gender had a positive affect. All but five of the remaining students were in the neutral group. Those students who reported a positive gender effect performed significantly more speculum examinations (15.5 versus 12.3), labor coaching (8.7 versus 6.2), and independent deliveries (3.4 versus 2.7) than did the negative gender-effect group. The positive gender-effect group felt more confident of counseling skills. The neutral group did not differ from the negative group. The overall numerical differences among groups were small, and all groups, on average, performed adequate numbers of skills to meet clerkship objectives. Conclusions. There is a strong perception among medical students that gender influences experience on their obstetrics and gynecology clerkship, but the differences are actually small. Possible reasons for such strong feelings are addressed and related to the history of sexism in reproductive health care and to the ethics of patients’ preferences.