Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Netrin/DCC‐mediated attraction of vagal sensory axons to the fetal mouse gut

Vagal sensory axons and migrating neural crest‐derived precursor cells follow similar pathways to reach the gut. The crest‐derived cells express the netrin receptor deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC) and migrate toward netrins expressed by the intestinal mucosa and pancreas; this attraction is required for the formation of submucosal and pancreatic ganglia. We tested the hypothesis that enteric netrins also attract vagal sensory fibers. These axons were located as a function of age in fetal mice by applying the lipophilic tracer 1,1′‐dioctadecyl‐3,3,3′,3′‐tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (DiI) bilaterally to nodose ganglia. DiI‐labeled axons were found in the esophagus and proximal stomach by E12 and, more distally, in the small bowel at E14–E16. Transcripts encoding DCC were expressed in the nodose ganglia of mice from E12 to adulthood but were developmentally regulated. Paraesophageal anterior and posterior vagal trunks were DCC immunoreactive from E12 to E16. Transcripts encoding netrin‐1 were expressed in the developing foregut and midgut; netrin‐1 immunoreactivity was detected in the outer gut mesenchyme and mucosal epithelium. Neurites from explanted E14 nodose ganglia grew selectively toward cocultured E14 distal foregut explants (P < 0.01). Antibodies to DCC specifically abolished this preferential outgrowth (P < 0.05). Nodose axons also grew selectively toward cocultured netrin‐secreting 293‐EBNA cells (P < 0.005); antibodies to DCC again blocked this preferential outgrowth (P < 0.05). These data suggest that netrins, which are expressed in the bowel, attract DCC‐expressing vagal sensory axons. J. Comp. Neurol. 498:567–580, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cognitive and Mental Changes in Patients with Brain Tumor after Surgery

Introduction and objective: the patients with brain tumor are affected with cognitive and mental changes when undergo surgery and need treatment and rehabilitation. The objective of this study is evaluation of the surgery's effect on these impairments. Method and material: the presented cross-sectional study is done on 94 patients with brain tumor and MMSE, Beck depression, and anxiety tests were used for their cognitive and mental evaluation, before and after the surgery. Results: a significant difference were noticed in MMSE, Beck depression, and anxiety tests' scores, before and after the surgery (p<0.000). Conclusions: the surgery can lead into changes on patients' mental and cognitive status and there is a need on evaluation of these impairments before and after surgery, and in case of noticing the treatment and rehabilitation is needed in order to promote the life quality and survival.
The effect of human resource practices on psychological contracts at an iron ore mining company in South Africa

Orientation: Human resource practices influence the psychological contract between employee and employer and, ultimately, organisational performance. Research purpose: The objective of this study was to examine the effect of human resource practices on the types of psychological contracts in an iron ore mining company in South Africa empirically. Motivation for the study: Although there have been a number of conceptual studies on the effect of human resource practices on psychological contracts, there has been no effort to synthesise the links between these contracts and various human resource practices systematically. This study endeavoured to provide quantitative evidence to verify or refute conceptual studies on this relationship. Its findings could inform human resource strategies and, ultimately, the prioritisation of human resource practices to improve the cost-effective allocation of resources. Research design, approach and method: The researchers administered two questionnaires. These were Rousseau’s Psychological Contract Inventory (2000) and the Human Resource Practices Scale of Geringer, Colette and Milliman (2002). The researchers conducted the study with 936 knowledge workers at an iron ore mining company in South Africa. They achieved a 32% response rate. Main findings: The findings showed that most participants have relational contracts with the organisation. Another 22% have balanced contracts, 8% have transitional contracts whilst only 1% have transactional contracts. The study suggests that there are relationships between these psychological contracts and specific human resource practices. The study found that training and development was the most important human resource practice for developing relational and balanced contracts. Employees thought that they contributed more than their employer did to the relationship. The researchers developed a model to illustrate the influence of the various human resource practices on psychological contracts. Practical/managerial implications: The influence of human resource practices on relational contracts could assist organisations to invest in human resource practices. During recessions, organisations tend to reduce expenditure on human resource practices, especially training and development. The findings of this study, about the relationship between training and development and relational contracts, highlight the negative effect that this trend could have on psychological contracts, individual and organisational behaviour and, ultimately, organisational performance. Contribution/value-add: Based on this empirical study, the researchers proposed a conceptual model to illustrate the relationship between different psychological contracts and specific human resource practices, like training and development, which had the strongest relationships with relational contracts.
Incidence, Epidemiology, and Characteristics of Quinolone- Nonsusceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae in Croatia

ABSTRACT Among 585 Streptococcus pneumoniae strains isolated in 22 Croatian hospitals 21 strains (3.6%) were quinolone nonsusceptible. MICs of all quinolones were high for seven strains tested with the same serotype (23F) and mutations in gyrA, parC, and parE. The remaining 14 strains were more heterogeneous and had mutations only in parC and/or parE, and the MICs of quinolones were lower for these strains.
Geographic distribution of ATP7B mutations in Wilson disease

Abstract Context: Geographic distribution of ATP7B mutations in different populations. Objective: To summarise common mutations in the ATP7B gene and graphically illustrate their prevalence in different populations. Methods: A literature search was done using PubMed and the Wilson Disease Mutation Database (http://www.wilsondisease.med.ualberta.ca/database). Results: p.His1069Gln is the most prevalent mutation seen in Europe. In the Mediterranean countries, the array of prevalent mutations is different from the rest of Europe. In Far East Asian countries, the mutation p.Arg778Leu is the most common. In India, no single mutation seems to be dominant, owing to the vast ethnic diversity of the country. The p.Cys271* mutation is dominant in the east, west and south, but not reported in the north. In the Middle East, data from Saudi Arabia shows the p.Gln1399Arg mutation as the most prevalent. In the US, the p.His1069Gln is dominant, whereas in Brazil the mutation c.3402delC dominates. Conclusion: Clinical features in WD patients can be misleading and often absent. Genetic testing is used to confirm the diagnosis. However, owing to the large gene size and vast diversity in the mutations, genetic testing can be time-consuming and tedious. This study reviews ATP7B mutations seen in different populations and can help develop time-saving methods and expediate the process of genetic analysis of WD.
Effects of potassium ions on proton motive force in Rhodobacter sphaeroides

The proton motive force (PMF) was determined in Rhodobacter sphaeroides under anaerobic conditions in the dark and under aerobic-dark and anaerobic-light conditions. Anaerobically in the dark in potassium phosphate buffer, the PMF at pH 6 was -20 mV and was composed of an electrical potential (delta psi) only. At pH 7.9 the PMF was composed of a high delta psi of -98 mV and was partially compensated by a reversed pH gradient (delta pH) of +37 mV. ATPase inhibitors did not affect the delta psi, which was most likely the result of a K+ diffusion potential. Under energized conditions in the presence of K+ the delta psi depolarized due to electrogenic K+ uptake. This led to the generation of a delta pH (inside alkaline) in the external pH range of 6 to 8. This delta pH was dependent on the K+ concentration and was maximal at external K+ concentrations larger than 1.2 mM. In energized cells in 50 mM KPi buffer containing 5 mM MgSO4, a delta pH (inside alkaline) was present at external pHs from pH 6 to 8. As a result the overall magnitude of the PMF at various external pHs remained constant at -130 mV, which was significantly higher than the PMF under anaerobic-dark conditions. In the absence of K+, in 50 mM NaPi buffer containing 5 mM MgSO4, no depolarization of the delta psi was found and the PMF was composed of a large delta psi and a small delta pH. The delta pH became even reversed (inside acidic) at alkaline pHs (pH>7.3), resulting in a lowering of the PMF. These results demonstrate that in R. sphaeroides K+ uptake is essential for the generation of a delta pH and plays a central role in the regulation of the internal pH.
Computer Analysis of the Distribution of Nuclear Antigens: Studies on the Spatial and Functional Organization of the Interphase Nucleus

The higher-order organization of DNA in chromosomes, and the degree of ordering of chromosomes in interphase chromatin and during mitosis have not yet been elucidated. The problems have, however, been debated in the cytogenetic literature since the early observations of Rabl (1885) and Boveri (1909) (for reviews, see Avivi & Feldman, 1980; Bennett, 1984). Using plant cells, Rabl noted that during anaphase the centromeres are the leading part and telomeres the trailing ends, as daughter chromosomes migrate away from each other. He also made observations on postmitotic cells, suggesting that this chromosome orientation was maintained during interphase with centromeres clustered at one pole of the nucleus and telomeres at the opposite pole in the newly formed nuclei (the ‘Rabl orientation’). This chromosome arrangement has also been observed in other plant cells (Ashley, 1979; for a review, see Avivi & Feldman, 1980) and in insect cells (Foe & Alberts, 1985). The situation in animal cells, however, is far from clear (for a review, see Comings, 1980). In recent years questions concerning the topology of chromosomes in interphase nuclei have been studied by laser-beam microirradiation techniques (Cremer et al. 1982a,b), optical sectioning and three-dimensional reconstruction of micrographs (Agard & Sedat, 1983), by in situ hybridization (Rappold et al. 1984), by analysing prematurely condensed chromosomes in fused cells (Sperling & Luedke, 1981), by statistical analysis of the distribution of specific chromosomes in metaphase spreads (Heneen & Nichols, 1972), and by studies of the frequency of chromatid and chromosome aberrations (Hager, Schroeder-Kurth & Vogel, 1982). The evidence accumulated to date suggests that chromosomes are non-randomly distributed both in interphase nuclei and during mitosis (for reviews, see Comings, 1980; Cook & Laskey, 1984). In plant cells and in certain types of insect cells, e.g. in salivary gland cells of Drosophila, homologous chromosomes are closely associated in somatic cells.
LENGTHENING FOR CONGENITAL SHORT FEMUR

We have reviewed the results in 37 patients with unilateral congenital short femur (Pappas classes III to IX), treated by different lengthening procedures. The increase in the length of the femur varied from 15.6% to 142%, excellent or good results being obtained in 32 patients (86%). There was an average of 1.9 complications per case, most being seen earlier in the series when the Wagner technique was used. With the Orthofix and the Ilizarov techniques, we used callus disfraction in all cases. We found that the proximal diaphysis of the congenitally abnormal femur healed less well, and we now prefer to perform corticotomy and callus distraction of the distal metaphysis. The Ilizarov method gave the best results, offering the possibilities of the simultaneous use of a Hoffmann fixator across the hip and the treatment of knee dislocation and instabifity.
Role of activated hepatic stellate cells in proliferation and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma

Cancer is not only influenced by specific tumor cells but also by the stromal microenvironment. Upon liver damage, activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSC) become highly proliferative myofibroblast‐like cells and are thought to secrete molecules that influence development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this study was to investigate the role of aHSC in the development of HCC.
Incidence of vertebral fractures in the first three months after orthotopic liver transplantation

Background and objectives High rates of bone loss and increased fracture incidence have been reported in patients undergoing liver transplantation, mainly within the first post‐operative year. The pathogenesis of post‐transplantation bone disease has not been clearly established, but the high doses of glucocorticoids used for immunosuppression may contribute. The use of lower doses in recent years has been associated, in some studies, with lower rates of bone loss and decreased fracture incidence. The aim of this prospective study was to establish the incidence of vertebral fractures in the first 3 months in patients undergoing liver transplantation for chronic liver disease and to identify risk factors for fracture in these patients. Design and methods Thirty‐seven adults with end‐stage liver disease were studied prospectively prior to and 3 months after liver transplantation. Vertebral fractures were assessed semi‐quantitatively from lateral spine X‐rays and bone mineral density measured using dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry. Results Prior to transplantation, prevalent vertebral fractures were present in 13 patients (35%). New fractures developed after transplantation in 10 patients (27% of total) and were significantly more common in those with a prevalent vertebral fracture pre‐operatively (P < 0.02). Osteoporosis, defined as a bone mineral density T score below ‐2.5, was present in 39% of patients prior to transplantation, but bone mineral density was not helpful in predicting incident fracture, whether measured before or after transplantation. Over the 3‐month study period, significant bone loss occurred in the femoral neck (P < 0.05) but not the lumbar spine. Conclusions Our results demonstrate a high incidence of vertebral fracture in the first 3 months after liver transplantation and indicate that prevalent vertebral fracture is an important risk factor for the subsequent development of fracture in these patients. Prevention of post‐transplantation bone disease should focus both on optimizing bone mass prior to transplantation and preventing bone loss in the early post‐operative period. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 12:931‐935
MEDIAL PREFRONTAL CORTEX AND COGNITIVE REGULATION

Medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) activation has been observed in studies of many types related to emotion regulation, self and familiar other-knowledge, mentalizing, morality, reward, and uncertainty. Furthermore, the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC), which have reciprocal connections with MPFC, are considered necessary for cognitive regulation. Based on these findings, Nakao, Takezawa, and Miyatani (2006) proposed an integrative explanation for MPFC function: MPFC has a function of representing a benchmark that reduces conflict among many possible answers by biasing either choice of behavior. In this article, we review studies related to MPFC function and the benchmark hypothesis with recent new findings. Additionally, we discuss emotion regulation, which was not described in Nakao et al. (2006), in relation to the benchmark hypothesis.
Lack of Consistent Short Sequence Repeat Polymorphisms in Genetically Homologous Colonizing and Invasive Candida albicans Strains

ABSTRACT Short sequence repeats (SSRs), potentially representing variable numbers of tandem repeat (VNTR) loci, were identified for the human-pathogenic yeast species Candida albicans by computerized DNA sequence scanning. The individual SSR regions were investigated in different clinical isolates of C. albicans. Most of the C. albicans SSRs were identified as genuine VNTRs. They appeared to be present in multiple allelic variants and were demonstrated to be diverse in length among nonrelated strains. As such, these loci provide adequate targets for the molecular typing ofC. albicans strains. VNTRs encountered in other microbial species sometimes participate in regulation of gene expression and function as molecular switches at the transcriptional or translational level. Interestingly, the VNTRs identified here often encode polyglutamine stretches and are frequently located within genes potentially involved in the regulation of transcription. DNA sequencing of these VNTRs demonstrated that the length variability was restricted to the CAA/CAG repeats encoding the polyglutamine stretches. For these reasons, paired C. albicans isolates of similar genotype, either found as noninvasive colonizers or encountered in an invasive state in the same individual, were studied with respect to potentially invasion-related alterations in the VNTR profiles. However, none of the VNTRs analyzed thus far varied systematically with the transition from colonization to invasion. In contrast to the situation described for some prokaryotic species, this finding suggests that VNTRs of C. albicans may not simply function as contingency loci related to straightforward on/off regulation of invasion-related gene expression.
Physiological uptake of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose in uterine endometrium and myometrium: Correlation with uterine motility evaluated by cine magnetic resonance imaging

Background: Accumulation of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) in the uterine endometrium and uterine motility are dependent on menstrual cycle. However, the relationship between them remains unknown. Purpose: To investigate the relationship between radiometabolic activity of 18F-FDG in the uterus and uterine motility observed by cine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Material and Methods: The study population consisted of 65 healthy, fertile women, selected from 229 women who underwent positron emission tomography (PET), computed tomography (CT), and MRI for cancer screening at our facility. They were divided into three groups according to their menstrual cycle phases: menstrual, follicular-periovulatory, and luteal. Regions of interest (ROIs) were placed over the endometrium and myometrium to calculate the standardized uptake value (SUV). Uterine peristalsis and contraction shown by cine MR imaging were evaluated visually, and the correlation between FDG uptake and uterine movements was assessed. Results: After excluding nine patients due to inadequate images, 56 patients (19 follicular-periovulatory, 27 luteal, and 10 menstrual) were analyzed. FDG uptake of the endometrium, frequency of peristalsis, and the presence of sustained contraction varied according to the menstruation cycle, with a tendency toward greater uptake in the menstrual phase, but there was little relationship between the frequency of uterine peristalsis and FDG accumulation in the uterus. Significantly higher FDG accumulation in the endometrium was observed in patients with sustained contractions (3.32±1.47) than in those without contractions (2.45±0.66). Conclusion: Our preliminary data suggest that FDG accumulation in the endometrium tends to be higher in patients with uterine contraction, although there was no significant correlation between uterine peristalsis and FDG uptake in the uterine myometrium or endometrium.
CONTRIBUTION OF CORE BODY TEMPERATURE, PRIOR WAKE TIME, AND SLEEP STAGES TO COGNITIVE THROUGHPUT PERFORMANCE DURING FORCED DESYNCHRONY

Shiftworkers are often required to sleep at inappropriate phases of their circadian timekeeping system, with implications for the dynamics of ultradian sleep stages. The independent effects of these changes on cognitive throughput performance are not well understood. This is because the effects of sleep on performance are usually confounded with circadian factors that cannot be controlled under normal day/night conditions. The aim of this study was to assess the contribution of prior wake, core body temperature, and sleep stages to cognitive throughput performance under conditions of forced desynchrony (FD). A total of 11 healthy young adult males resided in a sleep laboratory in which day/night zeitgebers were eliminated and ambient room temperature, lighting levels, and behavior were controlled. The protocol included 2 training days, a baseline day, and 7 × 28-h FD periods. Each FD period consisted of an 18.7-h wake period followed by a 9.3-h rest period. Sleep was assessed using standard polysomnography. Core body temperature and physical activity were assessed continuously in 1-min epochs. Cognitive throughput was measured by a 5-min serial addition and subtraction (SAS) task and a 90-s digit symbol substitution (DSS) task. These were administered in test sessions scheduled every 2.5 h across the wake periods of each FD period. On average, sleep periods had a mean (± standard deviation) duration of 8.5 (±1.2) h in which participants obtained 7.6 (±1.4) h of total sleep time. This included 4.2 (±1.2) h of stage 1 and stage 2 sleep (S1–S2 sleep), 1.6 (±0.6) h of slow-wave sleep (SWS), and 1.8 (±0.6) h of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. A mixed-model analysis with five covariates indicated significant fixed effects on cognitive throughput for circadian phase, prior wake time, and amount of REM sleep. Significant effects for S1–S2 sleep and SWS were not found. The results demonstrate that variations in core body temperature, time awake, and amount of REM sleep are associated with changes in cognitive throughput performance. The absence of significant effect for SWS may be attributable to the truncated range of sleep period durations sampled in this study. However, because the mean and variance for SWS were similar to REM sleep, these results suggest that cognitive throughput may be more sensitive to variations in REM sleep than SWS. (Author correspondence: david.darwent@unisa.edu.au)
African swine fever: An overview

The African swine fever (ASF) is an expanding devastating viral disease currently threatening the pig industry worldwide. The virus is an icosahedral cytoplasmic deoxyribovirus (ICDV) of the Asfarviridae family. It is an arbovirus (transmitted by ticks) and it is the only arbovirus that contains DNA. Wild suids of Africa, mainly the warthog and bushpig, are the original vertebrate hosts of ASF. Domestic pigs are infected by ticks ( Ornithodoros moubata) or by direct contact with wild suids. Transstadial and transovarian infections occur in ticks. Recently, ASF caused high morbidity and mortality in domestic pigs in Nigeria and other West African countries previously known to be free of the disease. No protective vaccination has been discovered; hence, a slaughter policy with adequate compensation, strict quarantine of pigs and their products at borders are necessary to stop the current outbreaks of ASF in Africa, particularly in West Africa. To eradicate ASF it has become very urgent to further promote awareness of ASF, to cook swill before serving to pigs, and to enforce regulations against free-ranging pigs. Research in vaccine production against ASF should be intensified. Governments must improve veterinary ambulatory and diagnostic services as well as the information network since ASF is a notifiable disease.