Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expression of CD2 on porcine B lymphocytes

Remarkable interspecies differences in CD2 expression on B lymphocytes have been reported in mammals. Human and rat B cells lack CD2, whilst B lymphocytes in mice are CD2+. In pigs, B cells have been supposed not to express CD2. We show here, however, that CD2 is present at a low level on a prominent subset of porcine B cells. Moreover, we describe changes in the proportions of CD2+ and CD2− B‐cell subsets during ontogeny. Before contact with microflora, the majority of peripheral surface immunoglobulin M+ (sIgM+) B cells express CD2 and sIgM+CD2− B cells are rare. Shortly after colonization of conventional (CV) piglets with complex intestinal microflora, numerous CD2−B cells appear in the periphery and their relative number increases with age in both CV and specific pathogen‐free (SPF) pigs. However, monoassociation of germ‐free (GF) piglets with a single Escherichia coli strain does not result in a significant increase of sIgM+CD2−B cells in the periphery. We suggest that CD2 is down‐regulated in porcine B lymphocytes upon activation with microflora in mucosa‐associated lymphatic tissues. In bone marrow (BM), we identified putative porcine B‐cell precursors. These cells express CD2 at low density and do not bear either the common myelomonocytic antigen or T and B‐lymphocyte receptors. Similar to mouse and human pre‐B cells, this lymphocyte‐sized subset expresses CD25 and class II antigens. CD2 positivity of these cells indicates that CD2 is expressed earlier than sIgM during B lymphopoiesis in pigs.
Identification and expression of a novel human testis-specific gene by digital differential display.

BACKGROUND Evidence for the importance of genetic factors in male infertility is accumulating. This study was designed to identify a novel testis-specific gene related to spermatogenesis by a new strategy of digital differential display (DDD). METHODS Based on the generation of expressed sequenced tags (ESTs), comparing the testis libraries with other tissue or cell line libraries by the DDD program, we identified a new contig of the ESTs which were derived from testis libraries and represented a novel gene. Multi-tissue RT-PCR was performed to analyse its tissue-specific expression. The full-length cDNA of the new gene was obtained using the BLAST program. Sequencing was performed and the result was analysed. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Northern blot analyses of mRNA from differential normal tissues were performed to clarify the expression pattern of the new gene. The sequence of the opening reading frame was integrated into the pQE-30 vector expressed in Escherichia coil strain M15 (pREP4). With IPTG induction, the target protein was detected. RESULTS A full-length cDNA sequence of the new gene named SPATA12 (GeneBank accession number AY221117) in human testis was identified. SPATA12 was 2430 bp in length, located in chromosome 3p21.1-3p21.2. The sequence of the opening reading frame was 676-1248 bp, as was confirmed by RT-PCR and sequencing. The cDNA encodes a novel protein of 190 amino acids with a theoretical molecular weight of 20417.8 and isoelectric point of 5.23. The sequence has no significant homology with any known protein in databases. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Northern-blot analyses of multiple tissues showed that SPATA12 was expressed significantly in normal human testis. The expression recombinant of SPATA12 was constructed and a high level of the histidine-tagged fusion protein was obtained. CONCLUSIONS DDD can be confirmed by SPATA12 as a novel computational biology-based approach for identification of the testis-specific expression genes. SPATA12 may function as a testicular germ cell associated gene that plays some roles in spermatogenesis. Moreover, a great amount of SPATA12 protein could be obtained by the gene recombination technique, thus providing a reliable foundation for investigating the biological function of this new protein.
The formation of visitor behavioral intention to creative tourism: the role of push–Pull motivation

ABSTRACT This study proposes and examines a behavioral intention to re-experience model consisting of experience quality, perceived value, satisfaction, and push–pull motivation factor as the determinants. For this purpose, self-administrated questionnaires were utilized to gather data from 369 participants of five creative tourism attractions in Indonesia. To examine the proposed model and hypotheses, partial least square modeling was applied. The results provide evidence that pull motivation impacts visitor behavioral intention to re-experience. It also demonstrates that push motivation impacts visitor behavioral intention to re-experience and is strengthened by experience quality and perceived value.
Musculoskeletal complaints while growing up from age 11 to age 14: the PIAMA birth cohort study

Abstract For musculoskeletal complaints (MSCs) among adults, several risk factors are known, but the most important determinant is an earlier episode of MSCs. Research has shifted to younger ages, showing a high prevalence of MSCs among children and adolescents. Our purpose was to evaluate the prevalence of MSCs among those growing up from age 11 to 14 and to explore the role of several sociodemographic, growth and development, psychosocial, and lifestyle factors. Data collected at age 11 (n = 2651) and age 14 (n = 2522) in the ongoing Dutch Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy (PIAMA) birth cohort study were used. Analyses included multiple logistic regression analyses using stepwise backward selection. The 1-year prevalence of any MSCs for at least 1 month increased from 15.8% at age 11 to 24.4% at age 14, and this was also found for upper extremity complaints (from 4.7% to 7.6%), back complaints (from 2.7% to 9.3%), and lower extremity complaints (from 11.9% to 14.7%). More MSCs were found among girls, those with sports injuries, those with sleeping problems, and those with daytime tiredness, although complaints at age 11 were by far the most important factor associated with MSCs at age 14 for all pain sites. This study showed that MSC is already common at an early age and that already at age 14 the factor with the strongest association is an earlier episode of MSCs. Sleeping problems and tiredness may also play a role in the early development of MSCs, either as determinant or as a consequence.
Vertical Handoff Algorithms — A new approach for performance evaluation

A myriad of Vertical Handoff Algorithms (VHA) have been proposed by researchers and networks practitioners. These algorithms allow mobile terminals (MT) to maintain the network connection when they switch from one wireless network to another one. Given the amount of proposed VHA and the need for an objective assessment of these solutions different evaluation methodologies have been proposed, becoming the problem of evaluation of VHA in an interesting challenge. However, there is no consensus on how to evaluate performance of VHA. In this paper, we address this issue by proposing a new approach for evaluating the VHA, which is based on multi-criteria evaluation and criticality analysis — a specific concept taken from the operational reliability. The new approach allows evaluating VHA using measured values of some defined parameters, which can be obtained from simulating VHA on a network simulation tool (e. g. NCTUns, NS −2, OMNET++, among others) or generic software simulation tools (e.g. MATLAB). As a test of the new model, an evaluation of five VHA is presented.
Applications of Extensions of Bivariate Rank Sum Statistics to the Crossover Design to Compare Two Treatments Through Four Sequence Groups

Summary This article describes applications of extensions of bivariate rank sum statistics to the crossover design with four sequence groups for two treatments. A randomized clinical trial in ophthalmology provides motivating background for the discussion. The bilateral design for this study has four sequence groups T:T, T:P, P:T, and P:P, respectively, for T as test treatment or P as placebo in the corresponding order for the left and right eyes. This article describes how to use the average of the separate Wilcoxon rank sum statistics for the left and right eyes for the overall comparison between T and P with the correlation between the two eyes taken into account. An extension of this criterion with better sensitivity to potential differences between T and P through reduction of the applicable variance has discussion in terms of a conceptual model with constraints for within‐side homogeneity of groups with the same treatment and between‐side homogeneity of the differences between T and P. Goodness of fit for this model can have assessment with test statistics for its corresponding constraints. Simulation studies for the conceptual model confirm better power for the extended test statistic with its full invocation than other criteria without this property. The methods summarized here are illustrated for the motivating clinical trial in ophthalmology, but they are applicable to other situations with the crossover design with four sequence groups for either two locations for two treatments at the same time for a patient or two successive periods for the assigned treatments for a recurrent disorder. This article also notes that the methods based on its conceptual model can have unsatisfactory power for departures from that model where the difference between T and P via the T:T and P:P groups is not similar to that via the T:P and P:T groups, as might occur when T has a systemic effect in a bilateral trial. For this situation, more robust test statistics have identification, but there is recognition that the parallel groups design with only the T:T and P:P groups may be more useful than the bilateral design with four sequence groups.
Unmodified oligodeoxynucleotides require single‐strandedness to induce targeted repair of a chromosomal EGFP gene

A number of genetic defects in humans are due to point mutations in a single, often tightly regulated gene. Genetic treatment of such defects is preferably done by correcting only the altered base pair at the endogenous locus rather than by a gene replacement strategy involving viral vectors. Promisingly high repair rates have been achieved in some systems with the non‐viral approach of transfecting chimeric RNA/DNA oligonucleotides (chimeraplasts). However, since this technique does not yet perform robustly, several parameters thought to be important in oligonucleotide‐mediated gene repair were examined.
Effects of 5-HT6 antagonists, Ro-4368554 and SB-258585, in tests used for the detection of cognitive enhancement and antipsychotic-like activity

5-Hydroxytryptamine 6 (5-HT6) receptors are involved in learning and memory processes and are discussed as promising targets for the treatment of cognitive impairment in central nervous system disorders. A number of 5-HT6 antagonists are currently in the clinical development for schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease (AD). There is some discrepancy regarding cognitive efficacy in subjects, and only limited data are available on the role of the 5-HT6 receptor in animal models of psychosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of the selective 5-HT6 antagonists, Ro-4368554 (1–10 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) and SB-258585 (3–30 mg/kg, intraperitoneally), in animal models for schizophrenia and AD. Both compounds showed cognition-enhancing effects in object recognition, whereas only SB-258585 was able to prevent the scopolamine-induced deficit in the Morris water-maze test. Neither Ro-4368554 nor SB-258585 prevented scopolamine-induced impairment in contextual fear conditioning. Similarly, both compounds were ineffective on MK-801-induced deficits in contextual fear conditioning and spatial working memory. Ro-4368554, but not SB-258585 reversed the apomorphine-induced deficit in prepulse inhibition. Amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion was not affected by either compound. Taken together, the overall efficacy of Ro-4368554 and SB-258585 in animal models for AD and schizophrenia is rather limited. These data show moderate efficacy in some models for AD but do not support the therapeutic potential of 5-HT6 antagonists for schizophrenia.
Rapid Multipoint Linkage Analysis via Inheritance Vectors in the Elston-Stewart Algorithm

The calculation of multipoint likelihoods of pedigree data is crucial for extracting the full available information needed for both parametric and nonparametric linkage analysis. Recent mathematical advances in both the Elston-Stewart and Lander-Green algorithms for computing exact multipoint likelihoods of pedigree data have enabled researchers to analyze data sets containing more markers and more individuals both faster and more efficiently. This paper presents novel algorithms that further extend the computational boundary of the Elston-Stewart algorithm. They have been implemented into the software package VITESSE v. 2 and are shown to be several orders of magnitude faster than the original implementation of the Elston-Stewart algorithm in VITESSE v. 1 on a variety of real pedigree data. VITESSE v. 2 was faster by a factor ranging from 168 to over 1,700 on these data sets, thus making a qualitative difference in the analysis. The main algorithm is based on the faster computation of the conditional probability of a component nuclear family within the pedigree by summing over the joint genotypes of the children instead of the parents as done in the VITESSE v. 1. This change in summation allows the parent-child transmission part of the calculation to be not only computed for each parent separately, but also for each locus separately by using inheritance vectors as is done in the Lander-Green algorithm. Computing both of these separately can lead to substantial computational savings. The use of inheritance vectors in the nuclear family calculation represents a partial synthesis of the techniques of the Lander-Green algorithm into the Elston-Stewart algorithm. In addition, the technique of local set recoding is introduced to further reduce the complexity of the nuclear family computation. These new algorithms, however, are not universally faster on all types of pedigree data compared to the method implemented in VITESSE v. 1 of summing over the parents. Therefore, a hybrid algorithm is introduced which combines the strength of both summation methods by using a numerical heuristic to decide which of the two to use for a given nuclear family within the pedigree and is shown to be faster than either method on its own. Finally, this paper discusses various complexity issues regarding both the Elston-Stewart and Lander-Green algorithms and possible future directions of further synthesis.
Evaluation of high voltage cascode GaN HEMTs in parallel operation

Paralleling devices is an effective way to achieve higher power applications while still having the convenience brought by discrete devices. However, very few papers investigate the challenges of paralleling Gallium Nitride high electron mobility transistors (GaN HEMTs) in cascode configuration, especially the potential failure modes and its related mechanisms. In this paper, a comprehensive study on paralleled high voltage cascode GaN HEMTs is presented. The influence of paralleling cascode GaN HEMTs on the circuit's stray inductance is studied. Potential operation failure modes and the mechanisms of the cascode GaN HEMTs parallel operation were analyzed in detail. The Ansoft Q3D FEA tool and SPICE-based simulation model were used together to quantify the impacts of the circuit and device mismatch on the paralleled GaN HEMTs operation. The SPICE model is validated by the experimental results.
Increased lymphocyte subpopulations and macrophages in the ovaries and oviducts of laying hens infected with Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis

Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (SE) is a causative agent for human food poisoning cases throughout the world. The ovaries and the oviducts of the laying hens are the major sites of SE colonization from which vertical transmission to eggs occurs. In this study, Salmonella-induced changes in T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes and macrophages in the ovaries and oviducts were assessed after primary and secondary experimental inoculations of laying hen with SE. Statistically significant increases in the numbers of T cells (both CD4+ and CD8+) and macrophages were observed 7 to 14 days after primary inoculation, followed by a peak in B-cell numbers from the 14th day post-primary inoculation onwards in the secretory areas of the oviducts. The peak in lymphocyte numbers immediately preceded a decline in the rate of SE recovery from the reproductive tract beginning at day 14. The correlation of decreased Salmonella recovery with elevated lymphocyte and macrophage numbers strongly suggests that local cell-mediated immunity is involved in controlling SE injection in the ovaries and oviducts.
Anatomical-connectivity based parcellation of hippocampus and medial temporal lobe epilepsy classification

Unilateral medial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) have similar symptom in clinic. Previous studies indicate that it's difficult to find significant differences when comparing the structure of left and right mTLE directly. As is known to all, hippocampus sclerosis often causes mTLE. Therefore, it may be essential to detect the internal structure of hippocampus (HC) to confirm the lateralization of mTLE focus. We tracked fibers between each voxel of HC to each voxel of the whole brain by Diffusion Tensor Imaging and divide each side of the HC into 2 to 4 subregions based on anatomical connectivity (AC). Then, AC comparisons (HC and HC subregions to the target regions) were made between left mTLE, right mTLE and normal controls pairwisely for classification. Feature fusion was made to elevate the classification accuracy. With use of the leave-one-out crossvalidation strategy, the Support Vector Machine classifier could achieve accuracy of 81.6% for left mTLE versus controls, 79.6% for right mTLE versus controls, and 83.7% for left mTLE versus right mTLE. Therefore, AC based parcellation of hippocampus can be applied into clinic to find more specific focus of mTLE.
Comparison of line probe assay (LIPA) and sequence analysis for detection of HIV‐1 drug resistance

The identification of HIV strains that are resistant to antiretroviral drugs, which emerge during a patient's therapy or are already present in infected individuals prior to treatment, is of increasing importance for the clinical management of HIV‐infected persons. Two different methods were compared for the genotypic detection of resistance development in the HIV‐1 reverse transcriptase (RT) gene, the commonly used sequence analysis, and the commercially available RT‐line immunoprobe assay (LIPA), which can detect mutations at six separate codons of the RT gene, which are known to confer resistance to certain nucleoside inhibitors. Eighty serum samples from HIV‐1–infected persons, some of whom were receiving antiretroviral therapy, were investigated in parallel by sequencing as well as by LIPA. LIPA results agreed with sequence data in the vast majority of the cases. However, in 40% of the samples, LIPA failed to yield evaluable results for one or more of the codon positions. In particular, LIPA detection rate was low at codon 41 (75%), whereas at codons 69/70, 74, 184, and 215 results were obtained from 90%–95% of the samples. A number of mutations in the vicinity of the respective codons were detected by sequencing, and these may have been responsible for the LIPA hybridization failure. There remained a number of samples, however, where no explanation for the lack of hybridization could be derived from sequence data. Our results indicate that the use of the LIPA does not eliminate the need for sequence analysis for detection of drug‐resistant HIV strains. J. Med. Virol. 57:283–289, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The T-cell-independent role of gamma interferon and tumor necrosis factor alpha in macrophage activation during murine cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus infections

We defined the normal and innate (without functional B or T cells) inflammatory response to infection with mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV) or herpes simplex virus (HSV). Intraperitoneal infection with MCMV or HSV induced an inflammatory infiltrate consisting largely of macrophages (M phi) in both normal CB17 and severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice (lacking functional B or T cells). M phi from infected mice were activated as shown by (i) spread morphology, (ii) increased expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II, MHC class I, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 molecules, and (iii) downregulation of M phi-specific cell surface protein F4/80. In vivo administration of neutralizing antibodies specific for gamma interferon (IFN gamma) or tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) inhibited MHC class II induction on infiltrating M phi in both normal and CB17 SCID mice. Anti-TNF alpha decreased the number of M phi in virus-induced inflammatory exudates. The MCMV titer increased in the spleen and liver of IFN gamma-depleted SCID mice, while TNF alpha depletion increased only splenic titers. MCMV-induced pathology was also increased in spleens of IFN gamma- and TNF alpha-depleted SCID mice. We conclude that (i) M phi activation is a prominent part of inflammatory responses to herpesvirus infection and (ii) IFN gamma and TNF alpha play a critical role in both virus-induced M phi activation and control of herpesvirus growth independent of T and B cells. This suggests that IFN gamma- and TNF alpha-mediated M phi activation is an important aspect of innate immunity to viral infection. As the M phi may be involved in MCMV latency, IFN gamma- and TNF alpha-dependent M phi activation during primary infection may be relevant to establishment of viral latency.
Neuropsychological Profiles of Written Expression Learning Disabilities Determined by Concordance-Discordance Model Criteria

Children with specific learning disabilities (SLD) have disparate neuropsychological processing deficits that interfere with academic achievement in spelling, writing fluency, and/or written expression (WE). Although there are multiple potential causes of WE SLD, there is a paucity of research exploring this critical academic skill from a neuropsychological perspective. This study examined the neuropsychological profiles of WE SLD subtypes defined using the concordance-discordance model (C-DM) of SLD identification. Participants were drawn from a sample of 283 children (194 boys, 89 girls) aged 6 years to 16 years old (Mage = 9.58 years, SD = 2.29 years) referred for comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations in school settings and subsequently selected based on C-DM determined spelling, writing fluency, and WE SLD. WE SLD subtypes differed on several psychomotor, memory, and executive function measures (F range = 2.48–5.07, p range = .049 to <.001), suggesting that these children exhibit distinct patterns of neuropsychological processing strengths and weaknesses. Findings have relevance for differential diagnosis of WE subtypes, discriminating WE SLD subtypes from low WE achievement, and developing differentiated evidence-based instruction and intervention for children with WE SLD. Limitations and future research will be addressed.