Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rescue of the limb deformity in Hammertoe mutant mice by retinoic acid‐induced cell death

Retinoids, used therapeutically primarily in the treatment of skin disorders, are potent teratogens. Several craniofacial, neural tube, and limb defects derive from a selective increase in cell death by retinoic acid in sites of spontaneous programmed cell death. Previously we showed that programmed cell death in the limb was apoptotic, and that the webbing of the foot of the Hammertoe mutant mouse correlates with diminished cell death in these regions of webbing. We therefore examined the effect of the induction of cell death by retinoic acid in normal and mutant limbs. Here we report that exogenously administered retinoic acid enhances cell death in the interdigital and marginal regions of the limb. This cell killing is apoptotic by several criteria. We also report that retinoic acid induces cell death in areas of the Hammertoe limb that display a suppression of cell death during development. This induction of cell death ameliorates the mutant phenotype. These results establish that a genetic defect in cell death can be modified by retinoic acid. Retinoic acid, therefore, may be a signal involved in the regulation of cell death during normal limb development. However, neither the effect of retinoic acid on cell death nor the defect of cell death in Hammertoe correlates with an altered expression pattern of the homeobox‐containing Msx genes, the retinoic acid receptor β gene, or the ability of endogenous retinoic acid to bind its receptors. We conclude that retinoic acid may influence pattern formation and cell death through an indirect mechanism. Dev. Dyn. 208:466–481, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Intra‐amygdaloid projections of the lateral nucleus in the cat: PHA‐L anterograde labeling combined with postembedding GABA and glutamate immunocytochemistry

Research on the implication of the amygdala in classical fear conditioning suggests that the central amygdaloid nucleus is the output station of the amygdala for conditioned fear responses, while the lateral nucleus acts as the input nucleus, at least for auditory conditioned stimuli. However, the nature and locus of the plastic changes taking place between these two nuclei are unknown partly because the neurotransmitter(s) used by intra‐amygdaloid projections of the lateral nucleus has not been identified. To address this issue in cats, anterograde tracing with Phaseolus vulgaris‐leucoagglutinin (PHA‐L) was combined with postembedding immunocytochemistry for gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate.
Intra-peritoneal cisplatin combined with intravenous paclitaxel in optimally debulked stage 3 ovarian cancer patients: an Izmir Oncology Group study.

BACKGROUND The advantage of intra-peritoneal (IP) chemotherapy (CT) in the initial management of ovarian cancer after cytoreductive surgery is well known. The feasibility and toxicity of a treatment regimen with an IP+intravenous CT (IPIVCT) for optimally debulked stage III ovarian cancer were here evaluated retrospectively. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 30 patients were treated in our institution between October 2006 and February 2011. Patients received IV paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 over 3 hours followed by IP cisplatin 75 mg/m2 on day 1; they also received IP paclitaxel 60 mg/m2 on day 8. They were also scheduled to receive 6 courses of CT every 21 days. RESULTS The median age of the patients was 55 years (35-77), and the majority had papillary serous ovarian cancer (63.3%). The patients completed a total of 146 cycles of IPIVCT. Twenty-eight were able to receive at least three cycles of IPIVCT and 18 (60%) completed the scheduled 6 cycles. Two patients discontinued the IPIVCT because of toxicity of chemotherapy agents and 6 had to stop treatment due to intolerable abdominal pain during IP drug administration, obstruction and impaired access. Grade 3/4 toxicities included neutropenia (6 patients; 20%), anemia (2 patients; 6.7%) and nausea-vomiting (2 patients; 6.7%). Doses were delayed in 12 cycles (8%) for neutropenia (n=6), thrombocytopenia (n=3) and elevated creatinine (n=3). Drug doses were not reduced. The median duration of progression-free survival (PFS) was 47.7 months (95%CI, 38.98-56.44) and overall survival (OS) was 51.7 months (95%CI, 44.13-59.29). Two and five-year overall survival rates were 75.6 % and 64.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS IPIVCT is feasible and well-tolerated in this setting. Its clinically proven advantages should be taken into consideration and more efforts should be made to administer IPIVCT to suitable patients.
CRISPR-Cas Systems Features and the Gene-Reservoir Role of Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci

The claimed role of gene reservoir of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) could be contradicted by estimates that CRISPR/Cas systems are found in the genomes of 40–50% of bacteria, as these systems interfere with plasmid uptake in staphylococci. To further correlate this role with presence of CRISPR, we analyzed, by computational methods, 122 genomes from 15 species of CoNS. Only 15% of them harbored CRISPR/Cas systems, and this proportion was much lower for S. epidermidis and S. haemolyticus, the CoNS most frequently associated with opportunistic infections in humans. These systems are of type II or III, and at least two of them are located within SCCmec, a mobile genetic element of Staphylococcus bacterial species. An analysis of the spacers of these CRISPRs, which come from exogenous origin, allowed us to track the transference of the SCCmec, which was exchanged between different strains, species and hosts. Some of the spacers are derived from plasmids described in Staphylococcus species that are different from those in which the CRISPR are found, evidencing the attempt (and failure) of plasmid transference between them. Based on the polymorphisms of the cas1 gene in CRISPRs of types II and III, we developed a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) suitable to screen and type CRISPR systems in CoNS. The PCR was tested in 59 S. haemolyticus strains, of which only two contained a type III cas1. This gene was shown to be expressed in the exponential growth, stationary phase and during biofilm formation. The low abundance of CRISPRs in CoNS is in accordance with their role as gene reservoirs, but when present, their spacers sequence evidence and give an insight on the dynamics of horizontal genetic transfer among staphylococci.
Remodeling of motor terminals during metamorphosis of the moth Manduca sexta: Expression patterns of two distinct isoforms of Manduca fasciclin II

During metamorphosis of the moth Manduca sexta, the neuromuscular system of the thoracic legs is reorganized dramatically. Larval leg muscles degenerate at the end of larval life, and new adult leg muscles develop during the ensuing pupal stage. Larval leg motoneurons persist, but undergo substantial remodeling of central and peripheral processes. As part of our on‐going investigation of mechanisms underlying the remodeling of motor terminals, we have used antisera generated against Manduca‐specific isoforms of the homophilic adhesion molecule fasciclin II (MFas II) to label motor terminals during metamorphosis. Antisera generated against the glycosyl‐phosphatidylinositol (GPI) ‐linked isoform of MFas II (GPI‐MFas II) labeled the motor nerves at all stages and seemed to be associated with glial cells ensheathing the peripheral nerves. In addition, the anti–GPI‐MFas II antisera labeled regions associated with synaptic boutons at both larval and adult stages. In contrast, antisera generated against a transmembrane isoform of MFas II (TM‐MFas II) only labeled specific neuronal processes at discrete intervals during remodeling. Identified leg motoneurons (such as the femoral depressor motoneuron) expressed detectable levels of TM‐MFas II in their peripheral processes only during phases of motor‐terminal retraction and initial stages of motor‐terminal re‐growth. Putative modulatory neurons (such as the unpaired median neurons), however, expressed TM‐MFas II in their processes during larval stages as well as during remodeling. Use of the isoform‐specific anti‐MFas II antisera provided a novel method for visualizing remodeling of motor terminals during metamorphosis and helped distinguish different components of the motor nerves and neuromuscular junction. J. Comp. Neurol. 434:69–85, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An Alternative Efficient Procedure for Purification of the Obligate Intracellular Fish Bacterial Pathogen Piscirickettsia salmonis

ABSTRACT Piscirickettsia salmonis is an obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen of salmonid fish and the etiological agent of the aggressive disease salmonid rickettsial syndrome. Today, this disease, also known as piscirickettsiosis, is the cause of high mortality in net pen-reared salmonids in southern Chile. Although the bacteria can be grown in tissue culture cells, genetic analysis of the organism has been hindered because of the difficulty in obtaining P. salmonis DNA free from contaminating host cell DNA. In this report, we describe a novel procedure to purify in vitro-grown bacteria with iodixanol as the substrate to run differential centrifugation gradients which, combined with DNase I digestion, yield enough pure bacteria to do DNA analysis. The efficiency of the purification procedure relies on two main issues: semiquantitative synchrony of the P. salmonis-infected Chinook salmon embryo (CHSE-214) tissue culture cells and low osmolarity of iodixanol to better resolve bacteria from the membranous structures of the host cell. This method resulted in the isolation of intact piscirickettsia organisms and removed salmon and mitochondrial DNA effectively, with only 1.0% contamination with the latter.
What Do Preschool-Aged Children Do When They Wake at Night: Toward an Understanding of Night-Waking Behaviors Among Community Children

Little is known about behaviors displayed by preschoolers during night-waking. Mothers (N = 203) of community preschoolers completed the Children's Night-waking Behavior Scale and measures of night-waking, co-sleeping, and daytime behavior. Approximately 1/2 of wakings involved calling out, getting out of bed, and requests for comfort; 1/4 involved activity, fear, or instrumental requests. Specific associations between night-waking behaviors, night-waking, and bedtime and daytime behaviors were observed; associations were not consistent across child gender and age. For example, comfort requests were associated with mothers' perceptions of sleep as problematic in 4- and 5-year-old children only (ρ = .42); activity requests were associated with hyperactivity for boys only (r = .36). Understanding night-waking requires consideration of factors beyond parenting, such as children's behavior, age, and gender.
Why is adolescence a key period of alcohol initiation and who is prone to develop long-term problem use?: A review of current available data

Background Early adolescence is a key developmental period for the initiation of alcohol use, and consumption among adolescents is characterized by drinking in high quantities. At the same time, adolescence is characterized by rapid biological transformations including dramatic changes in the brain, particularly in the prefrontal cortex and the mesocorticolimbic dopamine system. Methods This article begins with an overview of the unique neural and behavioural characteristics of adolescent development that predispose these individuals to seek rewards and take risks such as initiation of drinking and high levels of alcohol intake. The authors then outline important factors associated with an increased risk for developing alcohol problems in later adolescence and young adulthood. Thereafter they address causality and the complex interplay of risk factors that lead to the development of alcohol use problems in late adolescence and young adults. Conclusions A few recommendations for the prevention of underage drinking are presented.
Retrospective comparison of the clinical and angiographic outcomes of the sirolimus-eluting stent and the bare-metal stent in 2031 nonrandomized consecutive de novo native coronary lesions.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the mid-term outcomes of sirolimus-eluting stents (SES; Cypher Bx Velocity) for de novo coronary stenosis in a Japanese clinical setting, and to compare these with the outcomes using bare-metal stents (BMS). METHODS This study was a nonrandomized, lesion-based, and single-center study, retrospectively investigated in October 2010. We enrolled 2031 consecutive cases with de novo coronary lesions treated with BMS (n=587) or SES (n=1,444) from January 2003 to May 2007. SES use ratio during the available interval was 95.5%. The primary endpoint was the incidence of target vessel failure (TVF: comprising cardiac death, nonfatal recurrent MI, definite stent thrombosis (ST), and severe restenosis [% diameter stenosis (%DS) at secondary angiography ≥70%]. The secondary endpoint was the incidence of binary in-stent restenosis (%DS >50%). RESULTS The TVF ratio after SES placement (6.6%) was significantly lower than that after BMS placement (11.8%, p<0.001), despite many disadvantageous variables in the SES group. SES related to the risk of TVF (mean follow-up for SES, 1,411 ± 539 days; BMS, 1,818 ± 825 days) (hazard ratio of 0.428 at 95% CI, 0.292-0.627, p<0.001). The ratio of binary in-stent restenosis after SES placement (13.4%) was significantly lower than that after BMS placement (25.1%; p<0.001). SES was significantly related to binary in-stent restenosis (odds ratio of 0.267 at 95% CI, 0.195-0.366, p<0.001). CONCLUSION SES has a more favorable mid-term clinical and angiographic outcome than BMS for de novo coronary stenosis in clinical settings in Japan.
Infectious Risk Factors for Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease in Hemodialysis Patients—Chlamydia pneumoniae but not Helicobacter pylori or Cytomegalovirus is Associated with Increased C‐Reactive Protein

Background: Cardiovascular disease is a major problem in patients with chronic renal failure leading to increased mortality. Several infectious agents have been implicated to be associated with atherosclerosis. We were interested to evaluate whether there is a correlation between a past infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cpn), Helicobacter pylori (Hp) or cytomegalovirus (CMV) and the manifestation of a symptomatic atherosclerotic disease in patients with endstage renal failure. Methods and Results: Patients (n = 267) on hemodialysis were investigated. In 101 patients with an apparent atherosclerotic disease (case group) increased IgA levels against Cpn were found (p ≤ 0.0001 vs. controls; n = 33). Nearly 45% of the case group had a history of myocardial infarction (MI) (p ≤ 0.0001). Prior stroke was found in about 30% of patients in the case group (p ≤ 0.002). Elevated CRP levels were identified as an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis in all groups. IgA seropositivity against Cpn correlated with elevated CRP values for all atherosclerotic patients (p ≤ 0.001), especially in the group of patients with MI (p ≤ 0.019) and peripheral vascular disease (p ≤ 0.005). There was no correlation between CMV (IgG, IgM) or Hp (IgA, IgG) seropositivity and atherosclerotic disease. Conclusion, IgA seropositivity for Cpn and elevated CRP values but not Hp or CMV was associated with an increased rate of symptomatic atherosclerotic manifestations as MI, stroke, cerebral or peripheral atherosclerosis in patients with endstage renal disease on hemodialysis.
High‐quality genome assembly of Capsella bursa‐pastoris reveals asymmetry of regulatory elements at early stages of polyploid genome evolution

Polyploidization and subsequent sub- and neofunctionalization of duplicated genes represent a major mechanism of plant genome evolution. Capsella bursa-pastoris, a widespread ruderal plant, is a recent allotetraploid and, thus, is an ideal model organism for studying early changes following polyploidization. We constructed a high-quality assembly of C. bursa-pastoris genome and a transcriptome atlas covering a broad sample of organs and developmental stages (available online at http://travadb.org/browse/Species=Cbp). We demonstrate that expression of homeologs is mostly symmetric between subgenomes, and identify a set of homeolog pairs with discordant expression. Comparison of promoters within such pairs revealed emerging asymmetry of regulatory elements. Among them there are multiple binding sites for transcription factors controlling the regulation of photosynthesis and plant development by light (PIF3, HY5) and cold stress response (CBF). These results suggest that polyploidization in C. bursa-pastoris enhanced its plasticity of response to light and temperature, and allowed substantial expansion of its distribution range.
Electronic Templates versus Dictation for the Completion of Mohs Micrographic Surgery Operative Notes

BACKGROUND Operative notes can be generated electronically by manual input of the entire note, free-form oral dictation, or using either an electronic template or a template for dictation. There are few studies that have directly compared these modalities in terms of speed, accuracy, and completeness. OBJECTIVE The objective was to determine whether electronic templates are more efficient and reduce errors compared to free-form oral dictation for the completion of Mohs micrographic surgery operative notes. METHODS Operative notes for 110 consecutive Mohs micrographic surgery cases were completed either by oral dictation or by electronic template. The time to dictate or complete the template was recorded for each note. Notes were subsequently edited, recording the number and type of errors as well as the time required to edit each note. RESULTS Compared with dictation, operative notes completed with the electronic template had fewer errors (5.8% vs. 81%), took less time to complete (175.5 seconds vs. 240.0 seconds), took less time to review and edit (41.6 seconds vs. 201.1 seconds), and were completed and signed in a more timely fashion (0.115 days vs. 20.7 days). CONCLUSION Electronic templates are a more accurate and rapid method compared to free-form oral dictation for the completion of Mohs micrographic surgery operative notes and have the advantage of being immediately available to review and sign.
A Church‐based Physical Activity Intervention for African American Women

This trial evaluated a 6-month, church-based aerobic exercise intervention to increase physical activity among African American women relative to a health lecture and stretching condition. Participants were 196 women from 11 churches. Churches were randomized to an Aerobic Exercise or Health N Stretch intervention. Results indicated that physical activity was not different in Aerobic Exercise and Stretch N Health, although attendance in both interventions was low. Both groups reduced physical inactivity prevalence from baseline (26% and 18% decline, respectively). Higher baseline social support predicted change in physical activity, regardless of treatment assignment. Researchers must continue to work to identify successful intervention strategies to increase physical activity in African American women who are at disproportionate risk of chronic diseases associated with physical inactivity.
Kuhn vs. Popper: The Struggle for the Soul of Science

In Search of the Causes of a Non-EventKuhn and Popper: A Case of Mistaken IdentitiesPopperian Suspicions and Kuhnian VindicationWe've Been Here Before: The Prehistory of the DebateDialectics as the Pulse of Scientific ProgressA Parting Shot at the MisunderstandingWhy Philosophers Get No Respect from ScientistsSo, Why Are Philosophers of Science Pro-Science? The Return of the Repressed: Philosophers as Tory Historians of ScienceThe Religious Unconscious of the DebateDo We Believe by Evidence or by Decision? A Very Short History of EpistemologyThe University as the Absent Presence of the Kuhn-Popper DebatePopper and Adorno United: The Rationalist Left at Positivism's WakePopper and Adorno Divided: The Rationalist Left Haunted by HistoricismHow to be Responsible for Ideas-the Popperian WayFailing the Popperian Test for Intellectual Responsibility: Rorty on HeideggerIs Thomas Kuhn the American Heidegger?
SCMA with Low Complexity Symmetric Codebook Design for Visible Light Communication

Sparse code multiple access (SCMA) is attracting significant research interests currently, which is considered as a promising multiple access technique for 5G systems. It serves as a good candidate for the future communication network with massive nodes due to its capability of handling user overloading. Introducing SCMA to visible light communication (VLC) can provide another opportunity on design of transmission protocols for the communication network with massive nodes due to the limited communication range of VLC, which reduces the interference intensity. However, when applying SCMA in VLC systems, we need to modify the SCMA codebook to accommodate the real and positive signal requirement for VLC.We apply multi-dimensional constellation design methods to SCMA codebook. To reduce the design complexity, we also propose a symmetric codebook design. For all the proposed design approaches, the minimum Euclidean distance aims to be maximized. Our symmetric codebook design can reduce design and detection complexity simultaneously. Simulation results show that our design implies fast convergence with respect to the number of iterations, and outperforms the design that simply modifies the existing approaches to VLC signal requirements.
Effect of arginine vasopressin, acetazolamide, and angiotensin II on CSF pressure at simulated altitude.

To test the hypothesis that arginine vasopressin (AVP) in the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) influences CSF dynamics at simulated altitudes, cannulae were bilaterally implanted into the lateral ventricles of rabbits and rats. Recordings of CSF pressures at ambient and at various reduced barometric pressures identified an increase in CSF pressure in animals at simulated altitudes. Samples of CSF collected before and immediately after altitude exposures and assayed for AVP did not show a significant change in AVP concentration. Brain water content did not change after 6-8 h of reduced barometric pressure. Intraarterial injections of acetazolamide reduced CSF pressures, whereas intraventricular injection had no effect. Intraventricular angiotensin II (AII) elevated CSF pressures both at ambient (744-755 mm Hg) and reduced barometric pressures. When AII was preceded by saralasin, an AII blocker, the rise in CSF pressure with AII injection was prevented. Indeed, saralasin given alone, reduced or prevented the rise in CSF pressure seen at simulated altitudes. Intraventricular AVP did not influence CSF pressures nor did prostaglandins E2 and F1 alpha and norepinephrine. In AVP-deficient (Brattleboro) rats, response to intraventricular AVP depended on barometric pressure; i.e. CSF pressure rose when the rat was exposed to reduced barometric pressures and fell when the rat was exposed to ambient pressure. We suggest that hypobaric stress could cause an increase in AII content of the central nervous system which, in turn, would lead to an increase in CSF pressure. The exact mechanism of CSF pressure increase after AII increase remains to be investigated.
National Culture, Corporate Governance Practices, and Firm Value

We examine why corporate governance varies widely across countries and across firms, and why such variation matters. Using a new database from Governance Metrics International on corporate governance practices across a large number of countries and firms for 2006-2011 and employing a hierarchical linear model specification, we find that the national cultural dimension of individualism is positively associated with, whereas the national cultural dimension of uncertainty avoidance is negatively associated with, firm-level corporate governance practices. Within countries, there is a positive association between firm-level corporate governance practices and firm value; however, across countries, the association is negative or zero.