Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expression and function of estrogen receptor subtypes in granulosa cells: regulation by estradiol and forskolin.

The expression and function of estrogen receptor ERalpha/beta subtypes and ERbeta variants in granulosa cells have been determined using several integrated approaches:, Western blotting, indirect immunofluorescence, RT-PCR, and transient transfection assays. Each of these approaches has provided specific details concerning the dynamics of ER expression, ER functional activity, and estradiol (E) regulation of target genes in granulosa cells. Specifically, the studies presented herein document that messenger RNAs (mRNAs) encoding ERbeta and its splice variants, as well as mRNA encoding ERalpha, are expressed in granulosa cells of immature rats before and during culture in serum-free medium. The results also provide the first documentation that functional (DNA binding and transcriptionally active) ER is present in cultured granulosa cells and that its ability to bind consensus estrogen response element (ERE) oligonucleotide and to transactivate an ERE promoter-reporter construct is associated with the level (type? ) of receptor protein as well as the stage of granulosa cell differentiation. Using a labeled ERE consensus oligonucleotide and antibodies specific for ERbeta and ERalpha, we show that ERbeta but not ERalpha was detected (supershifted in electrophoretic mobility shift assays) in extracts of granulosa cells cultured overnight (0 h) in defined medium alone. When the cells were cultured with FSH and testosterone (T) to stimulate their differentiation, ERbeta binding activity, as well as immunoreactive ERbeta as determined by Western blot analyses, decreased progressively from 24 to 48 h and was undetectable by 72 h. ERbeta mRNA was low, and ERbeta binding activity was not observed in luteinized granulosa cells. ERalpha DNA binding activity was not observed in any of the granulosa cell cultures, although low levels of immunoreactive ERalpha were detected by Western blot analyses. Immunofluorescent analyses documented that ERbeta, as well as ERalpha, were localized to granulosa cell nuclei and that the intensity of nuclear staining was related to agonist stimulation and differentiation: forskolin increased, whereas E decreased immunostaining for ERbeta and ERalpha at 48 h. When an ERE-E1b-luciferase vector was transfected into granulosa cells of unprimed rats, basal luciferase activity was low but increased by forskolin (3-4x) and by E (2x), responses to both agonists being blocked by the ER antagonist, ICI. When the same vector was transfected into differentiated granulosa cells (cultured for 48 h with FSH/T), forskolin alone increased activity. Collectively, these results show that ERbeta protein is preferentially expressed in immature granulosa cells, is functionally active (binds DNA), can transactivate (either as a homodimer or heterodimer with ERalpha) ERE-containing promoter constructs, and might be associated with increased expression of the endogenous gene encoding c-Jun.
A Model of Security Selection and Portfolio Building through Z-scores

The main objective of this article is to study a stock selection model and at the same time to construct a model portfolio based on an investment strategy based on Altman Z-score. The Z-score model not only helps investors to build portfolio by selecting securities but also facilitates to find the probability of finding another firm in the same industry with a higher or lower financial parameter with respect to the industry average. For this study, five sectors were arbitrarily selected, namely, banking, cement, information technology, engineering and pharmaceutical. To achieve the study objectives, 25 companies belonging to the above-mentioned industries were selected on the basis of fundamental analysis especially based on five factors, namely, price to equity ratio, price to book value ratio, debt to equity ratio, dividend yield percentage and dividend payout ratio. The study shows how a portfolio can be constructed keeping a particular investment strategy in mind. Here, the article focuses on how long-term returns may be achieved relying on value investing strategy. This study helps to understand different portfolio models that can be created for different objectives and investment strategies. An attempt is made to further this by providing a comprehensive stock-selection exercise to understand how to appropriately pick stocks and create a portfolio. To conclude with, the present study provides investors a way to dive deeper into security analysis, selection process and building portfolio with the help of the Z-score model.
A Short-Term Energy Storage System for Voltage Quality Improvement in Distributed Wind Power

Wind power (WP) penetration in weak distribution networks is associated with adverse impacts on voltage quality. The installation of an energy storage system (ESS) is a possible voltage quality remedy in such milieus. This paper proposes a supercapacitor ESS for alleviation of voltage flicker resulting from WP integration. The proposed ESS control and management are tailored to that purpose such that the ESS offsets the flicker-producing fluctuations in the generated WP. The proposed power sizing of the ESS is defined by the estimated turbulence intensity and wind speed average at the installation site. A 2 MW wind generator of the doubly fed induction generator type is employed as a source of WP and simulations are conducted on a simplified test system, as well as a detailed 25 kV distribution network on which results are compared with acknowledged reactive power flicker mitigation approaches and verified by prototyping in a real-time simulation platform. The flicker measurement procedure is conducted per IEC Standard 61000-4-15.
Intimate structural association of amyloid and elastic fibers in systemic and cutaneous amyloidoses

Elastic fibers were found in the amyloid islands of primary systemic amyloidosis heredo‐familial amyloid polyneuropathy, macular amyloidosis and amyloidosis cutis nadularis atraphicans. In macular amyloidosis, the elaunin fibers in amyloid islands were loosely arranged, waved and twisted. In systemic amyloidosis and arm. loidosis cutis nodularis atrophicans, amyloid fibers did not deposit in homogeneous electron‐lucent material of elastic fiber, but were located close to the elastic fiber where the peripheral microfibrils were present.
Visna virus RNA synthesis

Visna is a classical slow infection in which virus characteristically persists in the face of the host immune response. The agent of this disease belongs to the retravirus group. The persistence of infection and the slow spread of virus are at least in part a consequence of restriction of the expression of virus genetic information in tissues of an infected animal (A. T. Haase et al., Science 195:175-177, 1977), but the point at which the virus life cycle is interrupted in vivo and the mechanism of restriction are unknown. We have embarked on a molecular analysis of restriction, focusing first on transcription. In this paper we have established the levels of viral RNA synthesis under permissive conditions, as a base line for subsequent studies in vivo. We show that (i) uninfected cells do not contain RNA sequences related to the visna virus genome, (ii) parental RNA is rapidly transported to the nucleus of the infected cell, (iii) virus RNA is synthesized in the nucleus and then transported to the cytoplasm (iv) synthesis of RNA proceeds mostly exponentially to reach levels of about 4,000 copies per cell at the end of the growth cycle, (v) nuclear and cytoplasmic RNA sediment in two size classes, 35S and 10-20S, (vi) viral mRNA has the same polarity as genome RNA and also sediments in two size classes of 35S and 10-20S.
Natural antibodies in normal human serum inhibit Staphylococcus aureus capsular polysaccharide vaccine efficacy.

BACKGROUND Vaccines against Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Hemophilus influenzae type b induce functional opsonic or bactericidal antibodies to surface capsular polysaccharides (CP). Targeting the comparable Staphylococcus aureus CP seems logical, but to date such efforts have failed in human trials. Studies using immunization-induced animal antibodies have documented interference in opsonic and protective activities of antibodies to CP by antibodies to another S. aureus cell surface polysaccharide, poly-N-acetyl glucosamine (PNAG). Here we evaluated whether natural antibody to PNAG in normal human serum (NHS) had a similar deleterious effect. METHODS Functional and/or protective activities of antibody to S. aureus CP and PNAG antigens in patients with bacteremia, in mice immunized with combinations of CP and PNAG conjugate vaccines, and in serum samples of healthy subjects with natural antibody to PNAG, to which immunization-induced animal antibodies to CP antigens were added, were evaluated. RESULTS Antibodies to PNAG and CP that mutually interfered with opsonic killing of S. aureus were detected in 9 of 15 bacteremic patients. Active immunization of mice with combinations of PNAG and CP conjugate antigens always induced antibodies that interfered with each other's functional activity. Non-opsonic natural antibodies to PNAG found in NHS interfered with the functional and protective activities of immunization-induced antibody to CP antigens during experimental infection with S. aureus. CONCLUSIONS Both immunization-induced animal antibodies and natural antibodies to PNAG in NHS interfere with the protective activities of immunization-induced antibody to S. aureus CP5 and CP8 antigens, representing potential barriers to successful use of CP-specific vaccines.
Oestrogen receptors α and β show different associations to clinicopathological parameters and their co-expression might predict a better response to endocrine treatment in breast cancer

Aims: The majority of all breast cancers are hormone responsive, traditionally defined by the expression of oestrogen receptor (ER) α and/or progesterone receptors. In contrast to ERα, the clinical significance of the relatively recently identified ERβ is still unclear. This study aimed to define the relationship between ERβ and clinicopathological parameters in a mixed cohort of breast cancer and, furthermore, to investigate the impact of ERβ expression on disease outcome. Methods: The immunohistochemical expression of ERα and ERβ was analysed in tissue microarrays containing a total number of 512 tumours with all incident breast cancers diagnosed at the Malmö University Hospital between 1988 and 1992. Results: 78% of the tumours were ERα positive and 50% were ERβ positive. ERβ correlated positively with ERα (p = 0.001). In contrast to ERα, ERβ was not associated with any important clinicopathological variables. Furthermore, no overall prognostic significance could be demonstrated for ERβ. In the ERα-positive subgroup, however, a low expression of ERβ correlated with a decreased disease-free survival in patients receiving endocrine treatment (p = 0.003). Conclusions: Although interrelated, ERα and ERβ seem to be differentially associated to clinicopathological parameters, and this would support the fact that they might have different functions in vivo. Furthermore, ERβ might be a predictive marker of response to endocrine therapy, although this needs to be confirmed in additional studies, preferably randomised trials.
A weighted combination of classifiers employing shared and distinct representations

This paper presents a theoretical framework for the combination of soft decisions generated by experts employing mixed (some shared and some distinct) object representations. By taking the confidence of the individuals experts into account, weighted benevolent fusion strategies are derived. This provides a basis for combining classifiers and illustrates that a substantial gain in performance can be achieved by using the opinions of multiple experts. These strategies are experimentally tested and their effectiveness is considered.
Diagnostic and referral delay in patients with aortic stenosis is common and negatively affects outcome

Objective. Aortic stenosis (AS) patients are often severely symptomatic at the time of aortic valve replacement (AVR). We wanted to investigate doctors’ delay and its impact on outcome. Design. AS patients undergoing AVR (n = 422) were included. Clinical and echocardiographic data at the time of diagnosis and preoperatively were noted. The risk of death after AVR was estimated using Poisson regression, incorporating age, gender, coronary artery disease, NYHA III/IV and time on the waiting list for AVR. Results. The age (mean±SD) was 71±8.6 years, 45% were women, and 48% were in NYHA III/IV. 55% underwent AVR within one year of diagnosis, indicating late diagnosis. The time from referral to AVR (median, range) was 112 (1–803) days. NYHA III/IV independently predicted mortality (hazard ratio 1.76, 95% CI 1.28–2.43, p = 0.0005). The time from referral to AVR influenced the risk of death immediately after operation (p = 0.0083). Conclusion. Late diagnosis and late referral for AVR are common, and negatively influence outcome in patients with AS. Delay in surgery after referral increase the mortality immediately after AVR.
An integrated single photon detector array using porous anodic alumina

Abstract—This paper outlines a single photon sensitive detector array. The detector structure is made via CMOS compatible wafer-scale post-processing. The total system comprises a CMOS imaging chip with charge sensitive pixels, an electron multiplier and a photo-cathode. The electron multiplication is achieved by operating a thick layer of integrated porous anodic alumina as an MCP. Material and geometry considerations are given as well as some first experimental results on the required processing steps and on an intermediate experiment with discrete samples of porous anodic alumina.
Prognostic significance of p16INK4a alteration for Ewing sarcoma

Despite findings from individual studies regarding prognostic factors for Ewing sarcoma, no conclusive results have been produced, partly because of small sample sizes. The objective of the current study was to evaluate whether the presence of p16INK4a alteration is associated with a poorer prognosis in patients with Ewing sarcomas.
Tai Chi and meditation-plus-exercise benefit neural substrates of executive function: a cross-sectional, controlled study

Abstract Background: We report the first controlled study of Tai Chi effects on the P300 event-related potential, a neuroelectric index of human executive function. Tai Chi is a form of exercise and moving meditation. Exercise and meditation have been associated with enhanced executive function. This cross-sectional, controlled study utilized the P300 event-related potential (ERP) to compare executive network neural function between self-selected long-term Tai Chi, meditation, aerobic fitness, and sedentary groups. We hypothesized that because Tai Chi requires moderate aerobic and mental exertion, this group would show similar or better executive neural function compared to meditation and aerobic exercise groups. We predicted all health training groups would outperform sedentary controls. Methods: Fifty-four volunteers (Tai Chi, n=10; meditation, n=16; aerobic exercise, n=16; sedentary, n=12) were tested with the Rockport 1-mile walk (estimated VO2 Max), a well-validated measure of aerobic capacity, and an ecologically valid visuo-spatial, randomized, alternating runs Task Switch test during dense-array electroencephalographic (EEG) recording. Results: Only Tai Chi and meditation plus exercise groups demonstrated larger P3b ERP switch trial amplitudes compared to sedentary controls. Conclusions: Our results suggest long-term Tai Chi practice, and meditation plus exercise may benefit the neural substrates of executive function.
The expression pattern of the Picea glauca Defensin 1 promoter is maintained in Arabidopsis thaliana, indicating the conservation of signalling pathways between angiosperms and gymnosperms

A 1149 bp genomic fragment corresponding to the 5' non-coding region of the PgD1 (Picea glauca Defensin 1) gene was cloned, characterized, and compared with all Arabidopsis thaliana defensin promoters. The cloned fragment was found to contain several motifs specific to defence or hormonal response, including a motif involved in the methyl jasmonate reponse, a fungal elicitor responsive element, and TC-rich repeat cis-acting element involved in defence and stress responsiveness. A functional analysis of the PgD1 promoter was performed using the uidA (GUS) reporter system in stably transformed Arabidopsis and white spruce plants. The PgD1 promoter was responsive to jasmonic acid (JA), to infection by fungus and to wounding. In transgenic spruce embryos, GUS staining was clearly restricted to the shoot apical meristem. In Arabidopsis, faint GUS coloration was observed in leaves and flowers and a strong blue colour was observed in guard cells and trichomes. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants expressing the PgD1::GUS construct were also infiltrated with the hemibiotrophic pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000. It caused a suppression of defensin expression probably resulting from the antagonistic relationship between the pathogen-stimulated salicylic acid pathway and the jasmonic acid pathway. It is therefore concluded that the PgD1 promoter fragment cloned appears to contain most if not all the elements for proper PgD1 expression and that these elements are also recognized in Arabidopsis despite the phylogenetic and evolutionary differences that separates them.
A method to determine if consenters to population surveys are representative of the target study population.

BACKGROUND Searching medical records of study non-responders to investigate selection bias is no longer acceptable. We explore an alternative by comparing consultation rates in survey responders who consented to medical record review, with anonymized consultation rates for the total practice populations. METHODS Anonymized aggregated consultation rates for the year following a population-based survey were calculated for headache and a number of other conditions (chosen to reflect a mixture of chronic and episodic conditions). These rates were compared across two groups of adults: (i) responders to the survey who consented to medical record review and (ii) a 'population group' created from records of the general practices participating in the survey to represent all patients aged 18 years and over at the mid-point in the study year. The consultation rates for the conditions were compared across the two groups using direct standardization. RESULTS Adjusted consultation rates were similar but generally higher in the responders. CONCLUSIONS This alternative method applied here offers one potential approach to determine whether study respondents are representative of the population from which they were sampled with respect to general practice consultations.
Shaping Seed Regulation in Nepal: The Role of Networks, Community and Informality

Scholars often discuss the ramifications of seed regulations for customary dynamics of conservation, use and exchange of local plant varieties in three streams of scholarly writing. These are formality and informality of the seed system, commons and property notions of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, and community seed banks. This thesis makes an important contribution to these literature, exploring how seed regulation is being shaped and what has been the role of networks, community and informality in the governance of the seed system in Nepal. The thesis shows that Nepal’s formal model of state-led, private-sector supportive seed regulation has failed to address customary dynamics of seed use and exchange and promote farmer-to-farmer seed exchange networks. A key argument is that the role of informality needs to be duly recognised in view of its significant contribution to protect local plant genetic diversity and the rights of farming communities to save, use and exchange seeds. The role of informality is also important in view of Nepal’s legislative initiatives to implement the global agreements such as the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, the Convention on Biological Diversity and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Nepal offers an important site of network confrontation as various actors and networks from government, non-government and private sectors have been engaged in promoting their own visions of property and commons. A key finding of the thesis is that Nepal needs to consider these different visions of commons and property and adopt a networked model of regulation to create a seed system that addresses local needs. The thesis shows that Nepal is also an important site of community seed banks. What makes Nepal’s case interesting is the emerging typologies of community seed banks that interact with both formal and informal seed systems. The thesis argues that if community seed banks continue to tilt towards becoming a formal actor like a local seed trading enterprise, there would be implications for local initiatives to conserve native plant genetic diversity and promote customary practices of seed use and exchange.
Olfactory Ensheathing Cell Transplantation Into Spinal Cord Prolongs the Survival of Mutant SOD1G93A ALS Rats Through Neuroprotection and Remyelination

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressively fatal, incurable, neurodegenerative disorder. In this study, we investigated whether olfactory ensheathing cells (OEC) transplantation could provide protection to motor neurons and enable remyelination in mutant SOD1G93A transgenic rats with ALS. Seventy‐two rats were divided into four groups: SOD1G93A rats (n = 20); medium+SOD1G93A rats (n = 20); OECs+SOD1G93A rats (n = 24); and another eight wild‐type rats were used as controls. About 5 μL (1 × 105) OECs in DF12 medium was injected into the dorsal funiculus of the thoracic spinal cord at a predetermined depth. Survival analysis revealed a significant increase in the survival time in OEC+SOD1G93A rats. Body weight records and inclined board test showed a significant difference between OEC+SOD1G93A and SOD1G93A from the onset at 7 days to 11 days (P < 0.05). Four weeks following transplantation, motor neuron counts in the ventral horn of the spinal cord noted a significant motor neuron loss in SOD1G93A rats when compared with wild‐type rats (P < 0.001), and much less neuronal loss and collapse was noted in OEC+SOD1G93A rats when compared with SOD1G93A rats(P < 0.001); immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis of choline acetyltransferase supported the motor neuron count. Images of confocal microscope indicated that the transplanted OECs had survived for more than 4 weeks and migrated 4.2 mm through the spinal cord. Evidence of remyelination of transplanted OEC was captured with triple fluorescence labeling of green fluorescent protein, neurofilament, and myelin basic protein and was further confirmed by Western blot analysis of MPB. In conclusion, the transplanted OECs could serve as a source of neuroprotection and remyelination to modify the ALS microenvironment. Anat Rec, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.