Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Chromosomal Risk Following Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection in the Mouse

Abstract To investigate whether cytogenetic risks occur using the mouse intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) technique, the incidence of chromosome aberrations was compared in one-cell embryos produced by ICSI technique and those by conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) technique. Spermatozoa were incubated in TYH medium for 1.5–2 h before IVF insemination. For the ICSI technique, spermatozoa were incubated in five different media: TYH, Hepes-buffered TYH (H-TYH), modified CZB (mCZB), Hepes-buffered mCZB (H-mCZB), and PB1 for 0.5 h, 2–2.5 h, and 6 h before injection into metaphase II oocytes. The incidence of IVF embryos with structural chromosome aberrations was 2%, whereas the occurrence of structural chromosome aberrations in ICSI embryos was dependent on the kind of medium and sperm incubation time. When spermatozoa were incubated in TYH medium for 2 h or more, the aberration rates in the resultant ICSI embryos (4%) were not significantly different from that of IVF embryos. However, there was a significant increase in aberration rates in ICSI embryos derived from spermatozoa that were incubated in other culture conditions (6%–28%). In addition, a time-dependent increase in aberration rates was found in ICSI embryos when H-TYH, H-mCZB, and PB1 were used for sperm incubation. There was no significant difference in incidence of aneuploidy between IVF and ICSI embryos. The chromosome analysis results of one-cell embryos were reflected by the performance of postimplantation embryo development. The causal mechanism of chromosome damage in ICSI embryos was discussed in relation to the plasma membrane cholesterol, the acrosome, and in vitro aging of spermatozoa.
Tetrodotoxin resets the clock

In mammals, circadian rhythms are driven by a pacemaker located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus. We measured the rhythm of arginine vasopressin release in rat organotypic SCN slices following application of tetrodotoxin (TTX) or N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) at various times throughout the circadian cycle. TTX resets the clock in a manner similar to dark pulses. A 4‐h application of TTX starting in mid subjective day, at around circadian time (CT) 7.0, induced phase advances, while TTX treatment started in early subjective morning, at about CT 2.0, induced phase delays. On the other hand, NMDA resets the clock in a manner similar to a light pulse; that is, NMDA treatment in the early evening induced phase delays while treatment in the late night induced phase advances. The data indicate that deprivation of neuronal firing changes the circadian rhythm.
Gastrointestinal-associated lymphoid tissue immune reconstitution in a randomized clinical trial of raltegravir versus non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-based regimens

Objectives:To examine immune restoration in duodenal tissue and correlates of reduction of immune activation in chronic HIV-infected patients randomized to different treatment regimens. Design:Randomized clinical trial (RCT) comparing raltegravir to a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-based regimen, both with fixed-dose tenofovir difumerate/emtricitabine. Methods:Antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naive volunteers underwent upper endoscopy for duodenal biopsies before and after 9 months of therapy. Tissue was paraffin-embedded for immunohistochemistry or digested into single-cell suspensions for flow cytometry of lymphocyte subsets and activation phenotype. Plasma-soluble CD14 levels were measured as a surrogate for bacterial translocation. Results:Sixteen HIV-positive and seven control individuals completed study procedures. Small increases in duodenal lamina propria CD4+ T-cell numbers were observed, especially when viewed relative to populations in control volunteers, with no differences between treatment arms. The increase in CD4+ T-cell percentage was due largely to declines in CD8+ T-cell numbers, which were disproportionately increased compared to peripheral blood and controls. Patients randomized to the raltegravir arm had consistent declines in both sCD14 levels and CD8+ T-cell numbers in the duodenal tissue lamina propria. Conclusions:This first RCT of lymphocyte population restoration in duodenal tissue demonstrates more modest increases in CD4+ T-cell numbers during the first 9 months of therapy than when considering CD3/CD4 percentages only. Although reduced after 9 months of ART, disproportional increased CD8 populations persist in duodenal gastrointestinal-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). Local rather than systemic antigenic stimulation appears to be driving expanded CD8+ T lymphocytes in GALT. Factors other than viral-induced CD8 expansion may be contributing to this local immunologic response.
A Comparative Study on the Effects of Naltrexone and Loratadine on Uremic Pruritus

Background: Two recent studies have provided opposite results on the efficacy of naltrexone on uremic pruritus. We have performed a third study. Objective: To compare the efficacy and tolerance of naltrexone and loratadine in uremic pruritus. Patients/Methods: Among 296 hemodialyzed patients, 65 suffered from uremic pruritus. Fifty-two patients participated in the study. The patients were treated for 2 weeks with naltrexone (50 mg/day; 26 patients) or loratadine (10 mg/day; 26 patients), after a washout of 48 h. Pruritus intensity was scored by a visual analogue scale (VAS). Adverse events were carefully searched for. The two groups were statistically equivalent. Results: There was no significant difference in the mean VAS scores after treatment, but naltrexone allowed a dramatic decrease in VAS scores (Δ >3/10) in 7 patients. Adverse events (mainly nausea and sleep disturbances) were observed in 10/26 patients. Conclusions: Naltrexone is effective only in a subset of patients. Adverse events are very frequent. The differences of efficacy and tolerance between patients might be due to metabolism. Naltrexone might be considered as a second-line treatment.
"I Wouldn't Go Back to the Old System": A Technology Laggard Organization, Resistant Users And System Implementation

Mobile system implementation in a technology laggard organisation with resistant users might not sound like a good idea. Prior literature on user resistance has concentrated on failures, reasons behind the resistance and management strategies for decreasing resistance. This paper provides a view on successful system implementation, and most notably describes in detail how the different strategies affected the resistance during the process.
Risk Shocks and Corporate Policies: A Text-Based Analysis

This paper originates a text-based risk measure using corporate annual reports and assesses its implications for corporate policies. The proposed measure captures managerial perception of downside possibilities characterizing firm fundamentals. We show that increasing risk (risk shock) is followed by long-lasting diminishing leverage, investment, R&D, employment, dividend payouts, and stock repurchases along with increasing cash reserves. Moreover, policy adjustments display significant sensitivity to firm size, profitability, and credit ratings. Relative to existing measures, the text-based risk measure provides strikingly robust and persistent implications for corporate policies, which are more consistent with corporate finance theories and comprehensive surveys in the field.
EVIDENCE ON GENDER WAGE DISCRIMINATION FROM THE 1984-85 HIES: A Note

In a recent article, Ashraf and Ashraf (1993 b) calculated the male-female earnings differential for Pakistan using HIES data for 1979 and 1985-86. This note supplements that study by estimating the 'gender earnings gap with data from the 1984-85 HIES. In addition. rates of returns to different levels of education for men and women are presented.
Germline and somatic loss of function of the mouse cpk gene causes biliary ductal pathology that is genetically modulated.

The mouse cpk mutation is the most extensively characterized murine model of polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and closely resembles human autosomal recessive PKD (ARPKD), with the exception that B6-cpk/cpk homozygotes do not express the biliary ductal plate malformation (DPM) lesion. However, homozygous mutants from outcrosses to other strains, e.g. DBA/2J (D2), CD-1, BALB/c and Mus mus castaneus (CAST), express the DPM. The current study was designed: (i) to characterize the cpk-associated biliary disease in affected F(2) homozygotes from intercrosses with either CAST or D2; and (ii) to evaluate focal biliary cysts identified in heterozygotes from a D2-cpk congenic strain. We found that all F(2) cpk/cpk pups expressed both the typical renal cystic disease and the DPM. The DPM severity, assessed using semi-quantitative histopathological analysis, was markedly variable in these F(2) progeny. We found no correlation between the severity of the DPM and the renal cystic disease in either F(2) cohort. In addition, we identified focal cysts, apparently of biliary origin, in the livers of both aged D2-+/cpk and F(1) heterozygotes. Genetic analysis demonstrated loss of heterozygosity at the cpk interval and supports a loss-of-function model for biliary cysts. We conclude that the cpk allele contains an inactivating mutation which disrupts tubulo-epithelial differentiation in the kidney and biliary tract. Expression of the biliary lesion is modulated by genetic background, and the specific biliary phenotype is determined by whether loss of function of the cpk gene occurs as a germline or a somatic event.
The Influences of Fiscal Decentralization on Economic Performance: Empirical Evidence from OECD Countries

Based on OECD country experiences over the period from 1990 to 2015, this research rigorously investigates: (1) how fiscal autonomy effects economic growth; (2) whether there is an optimal level of decentralization; and (3) whether and how other factors influence economic performance in a decentralized economy. We find that revenue decentralization does not affect economic performance. The expenditure decentralization dividend in terms of an enhanced economic growth rate can be achieved only when the initial share of local government expenditure is smaller than the growth-maximizing degree through along with tax collection and trade openness.
Lyophilization of rumen fluid for use in culture media

The supernatant from centrifugation at 1,000 x g of strained rumen fluid was lyophilized, and the residue and sublimate fractions were used to replace fresh rumen fluid in a complete roll tube medium for enumeration of total rumen bacteria. Most of the growth-supporting nutrients in fresh rumen fluid were found in the residue fraction. With one exception, no significant differences were found in total bacterial numbers either by roll tube or most-probable-number procedures when lyophilized rumen fluid residue was substituted for fresh rumen fluid. Lyophilized rumen fluid residue was stable for at least 5 months at room temperature. Rumen fluid supernatant from centrifugation at 1,000 x g had a mean density of 1.005 +/- 0.03 g/ml and contained 1.56% +/- 0.30% dry matter. On the basis of these values, 15.68 mg of lyophilized rumen fluid residue is equivalent to 1 ml of rumen fluid supernatant from centrifugation at 1,000 x g.
Cytomegalovirus: A probable cause of steroid‐refractory ulcerative colitis

Cytomegalovirus, regarded as a trigger of several autoimmune diseases, is an opportunistic pathogen. Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) undergoing steroid treatment are susceptible to this infection. In the presence of cytomegalovirus, inflammation becomes more complex. Patients with active UC who are infected with cytomegalovirus are usually non‐responders to steroid, while antiviral drugs could induce remission. Cytomegalovirus should be suggested as a probable cause of steroid‐refractory UC based on the clinical data in the literatures.
Intracellular effectors regulating the activity of the Lactococcus lactis CodY pleiotropic transcription regulator

CodY is a pleiotropic transcriptional regulator conserved in low‐G+C Gram‐positive bacteria. Two distinct signals have been shown independently to influence the activity of this regulator: the level of intracellular GTP in Bacillus subtilis and the level of intracellular branched‐chain amino acids (BCAA) isoleucine, leucine and valine in Lactococcus lactis. Measurement of BCAA and GTP levels in several environmental conditions showed that L. lactis CodY responded to the intracellular BCAA concentrations but not to physiological fluctuations in intracellular GTP. In addition, we demonstrated that CodY from L. lactis did not respond to intracellular GTP even when complementing CodY activity in B. subtilis. However, L. lactis CodY activity could still be modulated in B. subtilis by adding a rich nitrogen source to the growth media. This finding suggests that only BCAA are sensed by L. lactis CodY, whereas both GTP and BCAA signals may be integrated by B. subtilis CodY. The difference in the function of CodY from B. subtilis and L. lactis seems to reflect the difference in the physiology of these two bacteria.
Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction in Middle-aged Patients

Background Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) after noncardiac surgery is strongly associated with increasing age in elderly patients; middle-aged patients (aged 40–60 yr) may be expected to have a lower incidence, although subjective complaints are frequent. Methods The authors compared the changes in neuropsychological test results at 1 week and 3 months in patients aged 40–60 yr, using a battery of neuropsychological tests, with those of age-matched control subjects using Z-score analysis. They assessed risk factors and associations of POCD with measures of subjective cognitive function, depression, and activities of daily living. Results At 7 days, cognitive dysfunction as defined was present in 19.2% (confidence interval [CI], 15.7–23.1) of the patients and in 4.0% (CI, 1.6–8.0) of control subjects (P < 0.001). After 3 months, the incidence was 6.2% (CI, 4.1–8.9) in patients and 4.1% (CI, 1.7–8.4) in control subjects (not significant). POCD at 7 days was associated with supplementary epidural analgesia and reported avoidance of alcohol consumption. At 3 months, 29% of patients had subjective symptoms of POCD, and this finding was associated with depression. Early POCD was associated with reports of lower activity scores at 3 months. Conclusions Postoperative cognitive dysfunction occurs frequently but resolves by 3 months after surgery. It may be associated with decreased activity during this period. Subjective report overestimates the incidence of POCD. Patients may be helped by recognition that the problem is genuine and reassured that it is likely to be transient.
Analysis of the excreted JC virus strains and their potential oral transmission

JC virus (JCV) particles have been detected in urban sewage of divergent geographical areas. In this study, the authors evaluate the genetic characteristics and the infective capabilities of JCV strains in relation to the potential oral transmission of JCV in the population. JCV strains excreted in urine and detected in sewage have been described as presenting archetypal structure of the regulatory region of the viral genome. The regulatory region of JCV viral particles detected in two urban sewage samples have been cloned and characterized. From a total of 40 clones tested, 39 presented archetypal-like regulatory regions, whereas 1 of the clones analyzed presented a tandem repeated structure. Archetypal strains present in the urine of a pregnant woman were able to infect SVG cells, producing infectious virions, as demonstrated by confirmative cell culture, electron microscopy, and in situ DNA hybridization. This is the first description of archetypal JCV productive infection of SVG cells. SVG cells were also successfully infected with Mad-4 JCV viral particles subjected to pH 3 for 1 h at 37°C and to 10 μg/ml of trypsin in the same conditions. A decrease in the viral progeny production was observed when Mad-4 was subjected to acidic pH. Mad-4 did not produce any detectable infection in the enteric cell line CaCo-2. The oral route could represent a significant route of transmission of JCV infections because JCV virions have demonstrated relative resistance in the environment and to some of the conditions present in the gastrointestinal tract. The archetypal strains commonly detected in the environment may be implicated in the transmission of JCV among the population. Sporadic infection with strains presenting tandem repeated structures may have implications in pathogenicity.
Phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase are recruited for Fc receptor‐mediated phagocytosis during monocyte‐to‐macrophage differentiation

The molecular mechanism involved in Fc receptor‐mediated phagocytosis in the different cell types of the immune system is still poorly defined. We investigated the role of phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI 3‐K) and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) in phagocytosis by monocytes and by monocyte‐differentiated macrophages. Peripheral blood monocytes and monocytic cells (THP‐1 cell line) were able to ingest IgG‐coated erythrocytes in the absence of additional stimulus. Phagocytosis by these cells was not blocked by wortmannin and LY294002, specific inhibitors of PI 3‐K, or by PD98059, a specific MEK/ERK inhibitor. However, upon differentiation of THP‐1 monocytes to macrophages, through treatment with retinoic acid and interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ), wortmannin and PD98059 blocked Fc receptor‐mediated phagocytosis efficiently. Inhibition of phagocytosis by PD98059 was observed after 24 h of IFN‐γ treatment, whereas wortmannin could inhibit phagocytosis only after 48 h of IFN‐γ treatment. Additionally, phagocytosis of IgG‐coated erythrocytes by neutrophils, a more efficient phagocyte, was inhibited by wortmannin and PD98059. Neutrophils and monocyte‐differentiated macrophages presented significantly more efficient phagocytosis than monocytes upon PMA stimulation. Taken together, these results indicate that poorly phagocytic leukocytes, such as monocytes, do not require PI 3‐K and ERK for phagocytosis. Upon differentiation into macrophages, however, ERK first and PI 3‐K second are recruited for regulation of phagocytosis. In addition, our data support the idea that professional phagocytes require ERK and PI 3‐K for efficient phagocytosis.
Male Pattern Baldness: classification and Incidence

The need for a widely accepted, accurate, and reproducible standard of classification for male pattern baldness has increased with the advent and increasing popularity of hair transplant surgery. This report establishes such a classification, and reports its use in determining the incidence of male pattern baldness at various ages in 1,000 white adult male subjects. The action of testosterone as an incitant in male pattern baldness is well known, but this study points out the continued effect of time, even in later years. Since most hair transplant surgery is performed on subjects with male pattern baldness, and because the success of hair transplant surgery is largely dependent on proper patient selection, a complete understanding of male pattern baldness is essential for consistently good results with hair transplantation.
Sequence comparison of JSRV with endogenous proviruses: envelope genotypes and a novel ORF with similarity to a G-protein-coupled receptor.

Ovine pulmonary carcinoma, a contagious lung cancer of sheep, is caused by the oncogenic jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV) that is closely related to a family of endogenous sheep retroviral sequences (ESRVs). By using exogenous virus-specific U3 oligonucleotide primers, the entire JSRV proviral genome or its 3' part was amplified from tumor DNA. Analysis of these proviral sequences revealed a novel open reading frame (ORF) within the pol coding region, designated ORF X, which was well conserved in ESRV and JSRV sequences. Deduced amino acids of ORF X showed similarity to a portion of the mammalian adenosine receptor subtype 3, a member of the G-protein-coupled receptor family. Comparison of deduced env amino acids of six JSRV strains from three continents identified 15 residues that defined two distinct genotypes of JSRVs. Sequence analysis identified two highly variable regions between JSRV and ESRV in the transmembrane domain of env (TM) and the 3' unique sequence (U3) of the long terminal repeat, from which JSRV-specific DNA probes were derived. By using these DNA probes in Southern hybridization, for the first time we successfully identified JSRV proviral sequences in tumor genomic DNA in the presence of multiple ESRV loci, validating the use of exogenous virus-specific DNA probes in the analysis of oncogenic proviral integration sites and identification of integrated exogenous proviral sequences.
A Psycho-Educational Model to Enhance the Self-Development and Mental Health of Classical Dancers

There is substantial evidence that some classical dancers have difficulty with their personal lives and with their lives as performers. Specifically, a consistent emphasis on performance-orientation has been linked to the development of potentially maladaptive dispositions. A pilot study was conducted to explore the lifeworld of the classical professional dancer through semi-structured interviews with nine dancers from two professional ballet companies in South Africa. The results indicated that the profession had strongly influenced their sense of self, relationships with others, and future-orientation. The findings of the pilot study are important for what they suggest about the tendency of classical dance to stimulate the setting of externalized goals that may lead to self-destructive behaviors such as eating disorders, depression, maladaptive perfectionism, and problems with career transitions. These findings were used to develop a model that aims at preparing pre-professional dancers to deal with such problems by promoting their sense of empowerment, self-development, and self-actualization as individuals and as artistic performers. What remains is for the model to be tested in practice, procedures and protocols established for training the personnel who will actualize it, and appropriate criteria identified for the assessment of self-development. Then the model can be disseminated for general use.