Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sperm binding properties and secretory activity of the bovine oviduct immediately before and after ovulation

The possibility that differences in hormonal regimes between the two oviducts in the cow around ovulation affects secretory activity of the oviduct epithelial cells and/or sperm–oviduct binding was studied. Oviducts were collected immediately after slaughter at 6 hr before to 5 hr after timed ovulation of 14 normally cyclic cows that had been inseminated (n = 6) or not (n = 8) and material obtained from the same cows was processed in three ways. First, in vivo, after artificial insemination of the cows, low numbers of sperm cells (approx. 15 per oviduct) were found within the entire oviducts as observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Almost all sperm were located in the isthmus and then only on ciliated cells and showed without exception fully matured, intact morphology. Secretory activity of noninseminated oviduct epithelia was induced after ovulation which was most predominant in the pockets of the ipsi‐lateral ampulla compared to the contra‐lateral ampulla (P < 0.01). Second, ex vivo, explants dissected from oviducts of the noniseminated cows were incubated with sperm. In all cases, the sperm bound to the explants in a similar pattern as observed in vivo and this binding was strictly fucose‐dependent. The main difference with in vivo experiments was the high numbers of sperm bound at any site of the oviduct (∼3,000 cells per mm2) indicating the high sperm binding capacity of the oviduct epithelia. Ovulation induced a striking drop in sperm binding capacity in the oviducts and was most pronounced in the isthmus (∼1,300 cells per mm2; P < 0.001) and to a lesser extent in the ampulla (∼2,000 cells per mm2, P < 0.01). Third, in vitro, pieces of tissue dissected from oviducts of the noninseminated cows were cultured to mono‐layers. Culturing epithelial cells resulted in loss of their normal morphological appearance. In all cases, the sperm binding capacity in monolayers was very low (<50 cells per mm2) when compared to corresponding explants (P < 0.0001). Sperm binding to monolayers originating from the isthmus (<25 cells per mm2) was lower than in those from the ampulla (40–50 cells per mm2; P < 0.01) and remained similar after ovulation. In all three approaches, no significant differences were found in sperm–oviduct binding characteristics and sperm‐distribution in the ipsi‐ versus contra‐lateral oviducts. This indicates, that systemic endocrine changes around ovulation rather than specific oviduct changes at the ipsi–lateral oviduct induce secretion in oviduct epithelial cells, and thus induce sperm release. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75: 60–74, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Novel Life Cycle Modeling System for Ebola Virus Shows a Genome Length-Dependent Role of VP24 in Virus Infectivity

ABSTRACT Work with infectious Ebola viruses is restricted to biosafety level 4 (BSL4) laboratories, presenting a significant barrier for studying these viruses. Life cycle modeling systems, including minigenome systems and transcription- and replication-competent virus-like particle (trVLP) systems, allow modeling of the virus life cycle under BSL2 conditions; however, all current systems model only certain aspects of the virus life cycle, rely on plasmid-based viral protein expression, and have been used to model only single infectious cycles. We have developed a novel life cycle modeling system allowing continuous passaging of infectious trVLPs containing a tetracistronic minigenome that encodes a reporter and the viral proteins VP40, VP24, and GP1,2. This system is ideally suited for studying morphogenesis, budding, and entry, in addition to genome replication and transcription. Importantly, the specific infectivity of trVLPs in this system was ∼500-fold higher than that in previous systems. Using this system for functional studies of VP24, we showed that, contrary to previous reports, VP24 only very modestly inhibits genome replication and transcription when expressed in a regulated fashion, which we confirmed using infectious Ebola viruses. Interestingly, we also discovered a genome length-dependent effect of VP24 on particle infectivity, which was previously undetected due to the short length of monocistronic minigenomes and which is due at least partially to a previously unknown function of VP24 in RNA packaging. Based on our findings, we propose a model for the function of VP24 that reconciles all currently available data regarding the role of VP24 in nucleocapsid assembly as well as genome replication and transcription. IMPORTANCE Ebola viruses cause severe hemorrhagic fevers in humans, with no countermeasures currently being available, and must be studied in maximum-containment laboratories. Only a few of these laboratories exist worldwide, limiting our ability to study Ebola viruses and develop countermeasures. Here we report the development of a novel reverse genetics-based system that allows the study of Ebola viruses without maximum-containment laboratories. We used this system to investigate the Ebola virus protein VP24, showing that, contrary to previous reports, it only modestly inhibits virus genome replication and transcription but is important for packaging of genomes into virus particles, which constitutes a previously unknown function of VP24 and a potential antiviral target. We further propose a comprehensive model for the function of VP24 in nucleocapsid assembly. Importantly, on the basis of this approach, it should easily be possible to develop similar experimental systems for other viruses that are currently restricted to maximum-containment laboratories.
The α4 Regulatory Subunit Exerts Opposing Allosteric Effects on Protein Phosphatases PP6 and PP2A*

The protein Ser/Thr phosphatase family contains three enzymes called PP2A, PP4, and PP6 with separate biological functions inferred from genetics of the yeast homologues Pph21/22, Pph3, and Sit4. These catalytic subunits associate with a common subunit called α4 (related to yeast Tap42). Here, we characterized recombinant PP6 and PP2A catalytic monomers and α4·phosphatase heterodimers. Monomeric PP6 and PP2A showed identical kinetics using either p-nitrophenyl phosphate (pNPP) or 32P-myelin basic protein (MBP) as substrates, with matching Km and Vmax values. Using pNPP as substrate, PP6 and PP2A gave the same IC50 with active site inhibitors okadaic acid, microcystin-LR, calyculin A, and cantharidin. However, with MBP as substrate, PP6 was inhibited at 5-fold lower concentrations of toxins relative to PP2A, suggesting PP6 might be a preferred in vivo target of toxins. Heterodimeric α4·PP6 and α4·PP2A were starkly different. With MBP as substrate the α4·PP2A heterodimer had a 100-fold higher Vmax than α4·PP6, and neither heterodimer was active with pNPP. Thus, these phosphatases are distinguished by their different responses to allosteric binding of the common regulatory subunit α4. Transient expression of α4 differentially increased or decreased phosphorylation of endogenous phosphoproteins, consistent with opposing effects on PP2A and PP6.
Determination of tannin content by titrimetric method from different types of tea

Tannins are water soluble polyphenols. Tea leaves are abundant natural sources of polyphenols which get oxidized during processing to prepare the final products. Of the three main types of tea, black tea is produced by complete oxidation (fermentation) while oolong tea is semi-oxidized. Green tea production bypasses oxidation step. Tannins are antioxidant but at high concentration may act as antinutritional. In this study tannin content in various types of tea has been assessed by titrimetric method. Of the tea samples studied black tea was found to contain highest amount of tannin while green tea contained lowest amount of tannin.
Antihypertensive Activities of a Solid-State Culture of Taiwanofungus camphoratus (Chang-Chih) in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Wild and solid-state cultures (SSC) of Taiwanofungus camphoratus (aka Antrodia camphorata and Chang-chih [CC]) were sequentially extracted with cold water, methanol, and hot water to get cold-water-soluble (CWS), methanol-soluble (MS), and hot-water-soluble (HWS) extracts, respectively. Only the MS extract exhibited angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activities. The antihypertensive effects of the MS extract (10 mg/kg BW) were measured in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats. MS extract of the SSC type was able to effectively lower the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of SHR, but not of WKY rats, the results being significantly different from those for distilled water only (the blank). However, wild CC and its MS extract were not as effective as the SSC type in reducing SHR blood pressure and had no effect on WKY rats. SSC-type CC might be developed into a health food with the ability to regulate blood pressure.
Evaluation Of Genotypic Variation And Soaking Induced Changes In Certain Anti-Nutritional Factors And Antioxidants In Chickpea ( Cicer Arietinum L )

Influence of applied water soaking on raw and treated chickpea seeds were investigated for their antinutritional content viz trypsin inhibitor, tannins, phytic acid and total phenolics. The water soaking treatments caused significant decrease in tannin, phytic acid and trypsin inhibitor activity however, total phenolic contents exhibited a conspicuous increase may be as a result of soaking as compared to raw seeds. Based on these results water soaking is recommended for chickpea preparation not only for improved nutritional quality but also for higher absorption rates in the body. In
Does Children's Watching of Television Cause Attention Problems? Retesting the Hypothesis in a Danish Cohort

To the Editor. In a recent issue of Pediatrics , Christakis et al1 reported an association between the number of hours of watching television close to 2 and 4 years and parents' report on their children's behavior in early school age. Based on the findings, the authors suggest that we generally limit young children's television use. This is probably a good idea, but we question whether this report creates additional evidence for this advice. The authors reported a 9% increase in risk of attention problems for each daily hour of television-watching. The measure of adverse behavior was based on a score of maternal report of child behavior including restlessness, concentration problems, impulsiveness, confusion, and obsession. A similar association …
Aero-hydrodynamics data archiving system

A concept of knowledge based aerodynamic design data categorized as an aerodynamic database archiving system is presented, maintaining such a state of the art data and documentation resource on a national scale is of vital importance from the viewpoint of data availability/interoperability, ensured reliability, upholding data standards and its safe handling and distribution. Efforts made locally for maintaining a repository of aero-hydrodynamic data, CFD database for validation and verification aspects along with ground tests and field test data is now required to be upgraded into an aero-hydrodynamics data archiving system, to serve the local design community.
The Impact of Charlemagne on the Institutions of the Frankish Realm

WHILE the decisive influence of Charlemagne on the institutions of the Frankish monarchy is well known, what is more obscure and what is here to be discussed in detail is the manner in which Charlemagne wielded this influence. ' This was done chiefly through the capitularies which were decrees divided into articles (capitulum) by which the Carolingian monarchs issued legislative and administrative provisions. Traditionally called constitutio, decretum, edictum, etc., they were more recently known as capitula or capitulare.2 From the capitularies through which Charlemagne exerted the most influence on Frankish institutions, we have selected a few which form an important group and which are extensive ordinances, generally issued at times of crisis, most often at the gatherings of a great assembly. Though generally concerned with religious problems, they deal with numerous other matters. Their object seems to have been twofold: on the one hand, a correct enforcement of traditional rules which had been unfortunately neglected; on the other hand, adaptation of these rules to new circumstances which often involved the creation of new regulations. Let us deal first with, the capitulary of Herstal, the oldest decree to which the name of capitulare has been applied and which was published in 779. Its elaboration closed a period of very serious political crises: the disastrous expedition to Spain in 778, the violent Saxon revolt of the same year which saw the enemy at Deutz opposite Cologne, and the fear of an anti-Frankish uprising in Aquitaine and in Septimania. Prepared in the assembly that gathered at the palace of Herstal on the Meuse and promulgated by the king, this capitulary reorganized the most important public institutions and introduced considerable reform.3 It dealt with purely ecclesiastical matters as well as with administrative and judicial subjects which involved the functioning of several institutions. Both domains, ecclesiastical and secular, were indeed deeply entwined in the very structure of the Carolingian monarchy. Undoubtedly in the opinion of Charlemagne and his councillors, the crises of 778 were interpreted as a warning from Heaven to eradicate scandalous abuses and to make justice prevail. Much less is known about the circumstances urrounding the great capitulary,
Self-report versus Medical Records for Assessing Cancer-Preventive Services Delivery

Accurate measurement of cancer-preventive behaviors is important for quality improvement, research studies, and public health surveillance. Findings differ, however, depending on whether patient self-report or medical records are used as the data source. We evaluated concordance between patient self-report and medical records on risk factors, cancer screening, and behavioral counseling among primary care patients. Data from patient surveys and medical records were compared from 742 patients in 25 New Jersey primary care practices participating at baseline in SCOPE (supporting colorectal cancer outcomes through participatory enhancements), an intervention trial to improve colorectal cancer screening in primary care offices. Sensitivity, specificity, and rates of agreement describe concordance between self-report and medical records for risk factors (personal or family history of cancer, smoking), cancer screening (breast, cervical, colorectal, prostate), and counseling (cancer screening recommendations, diet or weight loss, exercise, smoking cessation). Rates of agreement ranged from 41% (smoking cessation counseling) to 96% (personal history of cancer). Cancer screening agreement ranged from 61% (Pap and prostate-specific antigen) to 83% (colorectal endoscopy) with self-report rates greater than medical record rates. Counseling was also reported more frequently by self-report (83% by patient self-report versus 34% by medical record for smoking cessation counseling). Deciding which data source to use will depend on the outcome of interest, whether the data is used for clinical decision making, performance tracking, or population surveillance; the availability of resources; and whether a false positive or a false negative is of more concern. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(11):2987–94)
THE HYPOTHALAMIC‐PITUITARY‐ADRENAL AXIS IN INFANTILE MALNUTRITION

We studied the circadian rhythm and the response of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis to ovine corticotrophin releasing hormone (oCRH) stimulation and dexamethasone suppression in 32 children with grade II‐III marasmus. Children were studied prior to and after nutritional rehabilitation. Mean baseline plasma cortisol concentrations were elevated at admission and decreased significantly after nutritional rehabilitation. Mean±SEM plasma cortisol response to oCRH increased from a basal of 480 ±41 to a peak of 582 ± 58 nmol/1 at the time of admission, and from a basal of 234±27 to a peak of 532±41 nmol/1 after caloric rehabilitation. Dexamethasone suppression in the malnourished group was associated with a decrease in the mean±SEM basal plasma cortisol concentration from 397±44 to 171 ±44 nmol/1. After caloric rehabilitation, basal cortisol levels decreased from 259±27 to 22±5 nmol/l following dexamethasone. Our results support the concept that malnutrition is associated with decreased responsiveness to oCRH and incomplete dexamethasone suppression, and that these abnormalities are restored after nutritional rehabilitation.
Determination of cell death modes using circulating biomarkers

To the Editor: We thank Dr Bantel and Dr Schulze-Osthoff for their interest in our study, which examined levels of total (M65) and caspase-cleaved (M30) cytokeratin-18 levels, as well as levels of circulating nucleosomes and high-mobility group box 1 protein, in a cohort of acute liver injury and acute liver failure (ALF) patients (1). Whilst we agree that the predominant mode of cell death following paracetamol-induced ALF is necrosis, our study does demonstrate significant elevations of two different apoptotic markers in paracetamol-induced acute liver injury patients. These data, combined with our previous observation of elevated apoptotic indices in explanted liver tissue from paracetamol-induced ALF patients,(2) suggest that a clinically significant degree of cellular apoptosis does occur in this setting. We would like to clarify that we did not examine the ratio of M30:M65 in our serum samples, since the manufacturer of the M65/M30 ELISA specifically advises that this ratio should only be measured in cell culture situations (http://www.peviva.se/ m30m65-ratios.aspx). Whilst we agree that further studies may be helpful in evaluating the predictive accuracy of cytokeratin-18 and other cell death markers in patients with ALF, we currently have reservations over the likely utility of these biomarkers in paracetamol-induced ALF. To be effective, a putative biomarker should: be straightforward to use; have a rapid turnaround time; be reproducible across different hospitals and countries; be valid in cases of staggered overdose or where overdose history is unavailable; have high positive and negative predictive values; predict clinical end points such as the need for orthotopic liver transplantation or renal replacement therapy (3). At present, the measurement of M65 and M30 levels appears unlikely to fulfil a number of these requirements. The reduced specificity of M65 levels compared with the King’s College Criteria makes this marker unsuitable for use as a transplant listing criterion. Furthermore, measurements of M65 and M30 levels are currently too expensive and unwieldy to act as gatekeepers to tertiary care in patients following paracetamol overdose, a function which could be rapidly evaluated by the bedside calculation of the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score (4).
Personality traits and styles of coping with stress in physicians.

UNLABELLED The stress of being a doctor and being responsible for own decisions is one of the most intense feelings the doctors have to cope with. The stress coping styles are determined by the factors dependent on psychological variables such as personality. AIM The aim of study was to assess the relation between personality traits and stress coping among physicians. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study group consisted of 50 physicians (males n=25; 50%) employed in Norbert Barlicki Memorial Medical University Teaching Hospital No 1 in Lodz. The stress coping styles were assessed using Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations, whereas the tool used for personality assessment was NEO Five Factor Inventory of Personality. RESULTS Task-oriented coping (TOC) was the predominant stress coping style among physicians (mean sten value 6.7±2.0; high sten scores - 8-10 in 38%). Among all dimensions of the doctors' personality, extraversion predominated significantly (mean sten value 9.7±0.7). Neuroticism correlated positively with emotional oriented coping (EOC) (r=0.43). Extraversion influenced more infrequent adoption of EOC by males (r=-0.43) and older subjects (≥44years) (r=-0.52). Conscientiousness influenced more frequent adoption of TOC by females (r=0.46). Both the doctors' age (r=-0.49 p<0.05)), and duration of employment (r=-0.49 p<0.05)) significantly correlated negatively with AOC. The doctors' gender did not affect their stress coping styles. CONCLUSIONS Task oriented coping was the dominant stress coping style among physicians. High levels of neuroticism correlated positively, and those of extraversion negatively with the adoption of emotional oriented coping with stress. The tendency to choose the avoidance oriented coping decreases with the physicians' age and duration of employment.
Inhaled hypertonic saline in infants and children younger than 6 years with cystic fibrosis: the ISIS randomized controlled trial.

CONTEXT Inhaled hypertonic saline is recommended as therapy for patients 6 years or older with cystic fibrosis (CF), but its efficacy has never been evaluated in patients younger than 6 years with CF. OBJECTIVE To determine if hypertonic saline reduces the rate of protocol-defined pulmonary exacerbations in patients younger than 6 years with CF. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS The Infant Study of Inhaled Saline in Cystic Fibrosis (ISIS), a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted from April 2009 to October 2011 at 30 CF care centers in the United States and Canada. Participants were aged 4 to 60 months and had an established diagnosis of CF. A total of 344 patients were assessed for eligibility; 321 participants were randomized; 29 (9%) withdrew prematurely. INTERVENTION The active treatment group (n = 158) received 7% hypertonic saline and the control group (n = 163) received 0.9% isotonic saline, nebulized twice daily for 48 weeks. Both groups received albuterol or levalbuterol prior to each study drug dose. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Rate during the 48-week treatment period of protocol-defined pulmonary exacerbations treated with oral, inhaled, or intravenous antibiotics. RESULTS The mean pulmonary exacerbation rate (events per person-year) was 2.3 (95% CI, 2.0-2.5) in the active treatment group and 2.3 (95% CI, 2.1-2.6) in the control group; the adjusted rate ratio was 0.98 (95% CI, 0.84-1.15). Among participants with pulmonary exacerbations, the mean number of total antibiotic treatment days for a pulmonary exacerbation was 60 (95% CI, 49-70) in the active treatment group and 52 (95% CI, 43-61) in the control group. There was no significant difference in secondary end points including height, weight, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, cough, or respiratory symptom scores. Infant pulmonary function testing performed as an exploratory outcome in a subgroup (n = 73, with acceptable measurements at 2 visits in 45 participants) did not demonstrate significant differences between groups except for the mean change in forced expiratory volume in 0.5 seconds, which was 38 mL (95% CI, 1-76) greater in the active treatment group. Adherence determined by returned study drug ampoules was at least 75% in each group. Adverse event profiles were also similar, with the most common adverse event of moderate or severe severity in each group being cough (39% of active treatment group, 38% of control group). CONCLUSION Among infants and children younger than 6 years with cystic fibrosis, the use of inhaled hypertonic saline compared with isotonic saline did not reduce the rate of pulmonary exacerbations over the course of 48 weeks of treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00709280.