Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Connexin43 is not expressed in principal cells of mouse cortex and hippocampus

Previous immunofluorescence analyses in mice and rats showed a mainly astrocytic expression of the gap junction protein connexin43 (Cx43) in brain. However, in situ hybridization of murine brain sections suggested strong expression of Cx43 mRNA in hippocampal and cortical pyramidal neurons and Purkinje cells. These findings contrast with recent immunoelectron microscopic studies that excluded prominent Cx43 protein expression in neurons. Both contrasting results could be explained by post‐transcriptional control mechanisms. Here we demonstrate by conditional replacement of the Cx43 coding region by a lacZ reporter gene, mimicking transcriptional activity of the Cx43 gene, that Cx43 is not expressed in principal cells of murine brain. This histochemical approach used is not prone to cross‐reactivity of mRNA probes or antibodies. Furthermore, we show that in situ hybridization signals, suggested to be specific for Cx43 in mouse neurons, are retained even when the Cx43 coding DNA in neurons is removed by cre‐mediated deletion. Our results confirm the previous findings of a mainly astrocytic expression of Cx43 in adult mouse brain and underscore the importance of connexin‐deficient mice as controls for in situ hybridization studies. We found no evidence for post‐transcriptional control of the Cx43 gene in principal neurons. Thus, the synchronized activity of neuronal networks cannot depend on Cx43 containing gap junctions in these cells.
ATTITUDES OF SAUDI ARABIAN HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS TOWARDS PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES

Negative attitudes of health care professionals towards persons with disability are considerd to be an invisible barrier to rehabilitation and integration. In contrast, positive attitudes are a key to successful integration. The attitudes of health care professionals towards people with disability have been studied worldwide, but not in Saudi Arabia. It is believed that cultural values, traditional beliefs, educational environment and religion are factors affecting attitudes towards disabilities. This may indicate that each community should study its own attitudes towards people with disability, seperately. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the attitudes of health care professionals towards people with physical disabilities in Saudi Arabia. Attitudes of a sample of 130 Saudi Arabian health care professionals was investigated using a Scale of Attitudes Towards Disabled Persons (SADP). All participants worked with various types of disabilities including the physically disabled. Descriptive statistics, the Kruskal-Wallis and the Spearman's correlation coeffecient were used to analyse the data of this study using SPSS statistical programme. The participants exhibited positive attitudes towards physically disabled people with mean score of 100±17. Attitudes among health care professionals were not significantly different (p<0.40). Educational degrees showed no significant effect on attitudes of participants towards people with disabilities (p<0.45). A poor relationship was found between attitude scores and both age (r=0.03) and expeirence (r= 0.003). This study concluded that Saudi Arabian health care professionals displayed positive attitudes towards people with disability as do other health care professionals worldwide. This may indicate that cultural values, traditional beliefs, educational environment and religion have little effect on attitudes of health care professionals.
Association of glucocorticoids and cyclosporin A or rapamycin prevents E-selectin and IL-8 expression during LPS- and TNFalpha-mediated endothelial cell activation.

BACKGROUND Endothelial cell (EC) activation plays an important role in inflammation, hemostasis, and organ rejection of allogeneic and xenogeneic transplantation. These processes leads to rapid and transient up-regulation of proinflammatory molecules, such as the adhesion molecule E-selectin and the chemotactic cytokine IL-8. The purpose of this study was to investigate the specific effects of several major and potentially synergistic immunosuppressive drugs-cyclosporin A (CsA), rapamycin (Rap), and glucocorticoids (GC)-on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- or tumor necrosis factor (TNF)alpha-induced EC activation METHODS The ability of immunosuppressive drugs, used alone or in combination, to prevent in vitro TNFalpha- and LPS-induced expression of E-selectin and interleukin 8 on porcine ECs, as well as their effect on leukocyte-EC interaction, were investigated. In addition, we studied the in vivo effect of these drugs after i.v. administration of recombinant TNFalpha to rats. RESULTS At high concentrations, which correspond to the acceptable experimental levels in primate xenograft recipients, CsA, Rap, and GC individually inhibited E-selectin protein induction in a dose-dependent manner in cultured porcine ECs treated with LPS with an additive effect when the drugs were associated. The pattern of drug-mediated inhibition was related to the stimulus used to activate ECs (i.e., LPS vs. TNFalpha). Reduced expression of E-selectin on ECs activated in the presence of the tested immunosuppressive drugs correlated with a weaker adhesion of human U937 cells to ECs. Messenger RNA analysis demonstrated that the presence of CsA, Rap, and GC during EC activation inhibited E-selectin and interleukin 8 at the gene expression level. LPS-mediated induction of IbetaBalpha expression was not observed in ECs treated with CsA, whereas GC reduced its transcripts by approximately 50%. It is interesting that in vivo studies confirmed that CsA and GC inhibited EC activation at therapeutic doses (1 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg for GC and CsA, respectively) and showed that the combination of CsA and GC efficiently prevents TNFalpha-mediated induction of E-selectin on cardiac ECs. CONCLUSION Our data show that, besides their specific immunosuppressive effects on T cells, CsA, Rap, and GC can efficiently contribute to the attenuation of EC activation in vivo and the resulting inhibition is enhanced by the association of CsA with GC.
Enhanced Tau Phosphorylation in the Hippocampus of Mice Treated with 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (“Ecstasy”)

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) (“Ecstasy”) produces neurotoxic effects, which result into an impairment of learning and memory and other neurological dysfunctions. We examined whether MDMA induces increases in tau protein phosphorylation, which are typically associated with Alzheimer's disease and other chronic neurodegenerative disorders. We injected mice with MDMA at cumulative doses of 10–50 mg/kg intraperitoneally, which are approximately equivalent to doses generally consumed by humans. MDMA enhanced the formation of reactive oxygen species and induced reactive gliosis in the hippocampus, without histological evidence of neuronal loss. An acute or 6 d treatment with MDMA increased tau protein phosphorylation in the hippocampus, revealed by both anti-phospho(Ser404)-tau and paired helical filament-1 antibodies. This increase was restricted to the CA2/CA3 subfields and lasted 1 and 7 d after acute and repeated MDMA treatment, respectively. Tau protein was phosphorylated as a result of two nonredundant mechanisms: (1) inhibition of the canonical Wnt (wingless-type MMTV integration site family) pathway, with ensuing activation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β; and (2) activation of type-5 cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk5). MDMA induced the expression of the Wnt antagonist, Dickkopf-1, and the expression of the Cdk5-activating protein, p25. In addition, the increase in tau phosphorylation was attenuated by strategies that rescued the Wnt pathway or inhibited Cdk5. Finally, an impairment in hippocampus-dependent spatial learning was induced by doses of MDMA that increased tau phosphorylation, although the impairment outlasted this biochemical event. We conclude that tau hyperphosphorylation in the hippocampus may contribute to the impairment of learning and memory associated with MDMA abuse.
Fertility Programs to Achieve High 21-d Pregnancy Rates in High-Producing Dairy Herds

Hormonal synchroniza on protocols have been incorporated widely into reproduc ve management programs by dairy farmers (Caraviello et al., 2006; Norman et al., 2009). The ini al impact of TAI protocols on 21-day pregnancy rates in U.S. dairy herds has been to increase the AI service rate (Norman et al., 2009); however, a deeper understanding of the physiology underlying the Ovsynch protocol has allowed for a drama c increase in fer lity to med ar fi cial insemina on (TAI). As the tle of this paper suggests, perhaps it is now more appropriate to refer to the latest itera on of hormonal synchroniza on protocols as fer lity programs for lacta ng dairy cows.
Multicenter phase II study of oral capecitabine plus irinotecan as first-line chemotherapy in advanced colorectal cancer: A Korean Cancer Study Group Trial

A phase II study was conducted to assess the efficacy and tolerability of capecitabine in combination with irinotecan (CAPIRI) in advanced colorectal cancer. Forty-seven patients with previously untreated metastatic or unresectable colorectal adenocarcinoma received capecitabine 1000 mg/m2 twice daily on days 2–15 and intravenous irinotecan 100 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8, every 21 days. A total of 268 cycles of chemotherapy (median 6: range 1–11) were administered. According to an intent-to-treat analysis, the overall response rate was 49% (95% CI, 35–63%). Median time to progression and overall survival were 7.5 months (95% CI, 4.8–10.2) and 19.5 months (95% CI, 15.7–23.8), respectively. The most common grade 3/4 adverse events were diarrhea (24%) and neutropenia (11%). There were no treatment-related deaths. These results indicate that CAPIRI has comparable activity and tolerability to FOLFIRI as first-line treatment for advanced colorectal cancer.
A hybrid fiber optic sensing system for structural health monitoring

We propose a hybrid fiber optic sensor consisting of a fiber Bragg grating and a birefringent fiber for structural health monitoring. Fiber Bragg grating has been used for quasi-distributed measurement and modal interference in birefringent fiber for fully distributed measurement of strain simultaneously. Results are presented for the applied strain of 0–2500 µstrain in simply supported beams.
Frameshifting by eukaryotic ribosomes during expression of Escherichia coli release factor 2

Normal translation of the gene for E. coli release factor 2 (RF-2) is characterized by a + 1 frameshift event that occurs with 30–50% efficiency. Frameshifting on synthetic RF-2 mRNA by eukaryotic ribosomes has also been observed, even though they lack the capability to interact with the frameshift signal in the same manner as prokaryotic ribosomes. We have mutagenized the sequence of the RF-2 gene to eliminate the need for a frameshift, thereby allowing frameshifting efficiency to be measured by direct comparison of RF-2 production from the mutant with production from the wild-type. Measurements using this approach confirm that frameshifting by rabbit reticulocyte lysate ribosomes occurs at the frameshift region, but with a limited efficiency of approximately 0.4%.
Condition Codes Evaluation on Dynamic Binary Translation for Embedded Platforms

A widely recognized issue when implementing dynamic binary translation is the condition codes (CCs) or flag bits emulation. The authors in the literature have approached this problem with software optimization techniques based on dataflow analysis, instruction set architecture (ISA) extensions and additional dedicated hardware, i.e., field-programmable gate array. We introduce a novel technique to handle CCs using commercial off-the-shelf architectural debug hardware as a triggering mechanism while assessing and comparing it with two existent CCs evaluation methods on the resource-constrained embedded systems arena. Our method is functionality-wise comparable with reconfigurable hardware modules or ISA extensions in open architectures and is source architecture independent, with possible applications in other use scenarios, such as application debugging and instrumentation.
Cadmium uptake and subcellular distribution in rice plants as affected by phosphorus: Soil and hydroponic experiments

High cadmium (Cd) concentrations are a serious environmental problem in various agro-ecosystems and urban areas. Since mobile Cd in the soil can be accumulated in the food chain by plant uptake, remediation techniques to fix Cd in the soil in situ are urgently required, for which the application of phosphorus (P) is auspicious. The effects of P on soil pH, Cd phytoavailability, and Cd distribution with regard to rice plants were examined in a pot experiment using soil contaminated with 82 mg Cd kg -1 . A commercial P fertilizer (0-52-34, containing 52% P2O5 and 34% K2O) was applied to the soil to reach P concentrations of 0 (the control), 50, 200, and 1000 mg P kg -1 above the baseline P concentration of the soil. P-application increased the soil pH and caused a redistribution of Cd to less mobile fractions. Plant growth was also enhanced by P addition. Plant Cd uptake was only significantly reduced in mature plants receiving a P-application rate of 1000 mg P kg -1 . Additionally, a hydroponic experiment was carried out to study the effects of different P concentrations on the subcellular distribution of Cd in rice plants. When a P-application of 1000 mg L -1 was applied, the Cd proportions in the cell walls increased by 7% in the roots and 10% in the shoots, while reductions for the other fractions were observed, hinting at the occurrence of a detoxifying effect of P on the rice plant’s Cd concentration.
Isolation and characterization of CD105+/CD90+ subpopulation in breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell line.

BACKGROUND The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) generates cells with properties of stem cells, if that happened, the stem cell should be with mesenchymal property. This study aimed to identify a group of cells with mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-like characteristics in breast cancer bone metastatic cell line MDA-MB-231, moreover, the relevance between breast cancer stem cells and the EMT was observed. CD105 and CD90, identified as the standards of MSCs, were used for the identification. METHODS The CD105+/CD90+ and CD105-/CD90- subpopulation of MDA-MB-231 cells were detected and sorted by flow cytometry. MSC-like characteristics in cell proliferation, migration and cell cycle were investigated here by MTT asaay, transwell migration assay, and PI staining respectively. The expression profiles of some stem cell-associated genes were also observed by quantitative real time PCR. RESULTS Around 0.99% and 90.77% of parental cells were identified as CD105+/CD90+ and CD105-/CD90- cell subpopulations respectively. The CD105+/CD90+ cells exhibited stronger migratory capacity as compared to parental and CD105-/CD90- cells, while less CD105+/CD90+ cells were arrested in the S phase. Besides, pluripotent stem cell factors, like Oct-4, Nanog, Klf4 and Sox-2, were all upregulated in CD105+/CD90+ cells, with also proliferation increase, as compared with other two populations. CONCLUSION The CD105+/CD90+ subpopulation from breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells was proven to possess "mesenchymal stem cell-like" characteristics, and its high migratory ability might be associated with EMT. Moreover, using the surface markers of CD105 and CD90 for the identification of MSCs might provide new theoretical basis for the recurrence and metastasis of breast cancer.
A Grid-Based Linear Least Squares Self-Localization Algorithm in Wireless Sensor Network

Self-localization is one of the key technologies in the wireless sensor networks (WSN). Some traditional self-localization algorithms can provide a reasonable positioning accuracy only in a uniform and dense network, while for a nonuniform network the performance is not acceptable. In this paper, we presented a novel grid-based linear least squares (LLS) self-localization algorithm. The proposed algorithm uses the grid method to screen the anchors based on the distribution characteristic of a nonuniform network. Furthermore, by taking into consideration the quasi-uniform distribution of anchors in the area, we select suitable anchors to assist the localization. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can greatly enhance the localization accuracy of the anonymous nodes and impose less computation burden compared to traditional Trilateration and Multilateration.
Security Multiparts for MIME: Multipart/Signed and Multipart/Encrypted

This document defines a framework within which security services may be applied to MIME body parts. MIME, an acronym for "Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions", defines the format of the contents of Internet mail messages and provides for multi-part textual and non- textual message bodies. The new content types are subtypes of multipart: signed and encrypted. Each will contain two body parts: one for the protected data and one for the control information necessary to remove the protection. The type and contents of the control information body parts are determined by the value of the protocol parameter of the enclosing multipart/signed or multipart/encrypted content type, which is required to be present.
Effects of objective feedback of facial expression recognition during video support chat

This paper examines the effects of objective feedback of facial expression recognition on the operators of a video support chat system. We have built a facial expression feedback (FEF) system, which recognizes the users' facial expressions, and displays a visual summary of the recognition results to the user, in order to raise self-awareness of his/her expressions during video communication. We evaluated our system in a supposed simulation of a call center, in which operators provide assistance to customers about how to use their smartphones. Experimental results have verified that our approach is useful to help operators improve their self-awareness of facial expression in the video support chat.
Alterations in gene expression in vitamin D‐deficiency: Down‐regulation of liver Cyp7a1 and renal Oat3 in mice

The vitamin D‐deficient model, established in the C57BL/6 mouse after 8 weeks of feeding vitamin D‐deficient diets in the absence or presence of added calcium, was found associated with elevated levels of plasma parathyroid hormone (PTH) and plasma and liver cholesterol, and a reduction in cholesterol 7α‐hydroxylase (Cyp7a1, rate‐limiting enzyme for cholesterol metabolism) and renal Oat3 mRNA/protein expression levels. However, there was no change in plasma calcium and phosphate levels. Appraisal of the liver revealed an up‐regulation of mRNA expressions of the small heterodimer partner (Shp) and attenuation of Cyp7a1, which contributed to hypercholesterolemia in vitamin D‐deficiency. When vitamin D‐sufficient or D‐deficient mice were further rendered hypercholesterolemic with 3 weeks of feeding the respective, high fat/high cholesterol (HF/HC) diets, treatment with 1α,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3], active vitamin D receptor (VDR) ligand, or vitamin D (cholecalciferol) to HF/HC vitamin D‐deficient mice lowered the cholesterol back to baseline levels. Cholecalciferol treatment partially restored renal Oat3 mRNA/protein expression back to that of vitamin D‐sufficient mice. When the protein expression of protein kinase C (PKC), a known, negative regulator of Oat3, was examined in murine kidney, no difference in PKC expression was observed for any of the diets with/without 1,25(OH)2D3/cholecalciferol treatment, inferring that VDR regulation of renal Oat3 did not involve PKC in mice. As expected, plasma calcium levels were not elevated by cholecalciferol treatment of vitamin D‐deficient mice, while 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment led to hypercalcemia. In conclusion, vitamin D‐deficiency resulted in down‐regulation of liver Cyp7a1 and renal Oat3, conditions that are alleviated upon replenishment of cholecalciferol.
Profiling people’s perceptions of retail management careers

Abstract Educators are challenged to generate awareness of retail education programs and related career options. A corresponding issue for retailers is the recruitment and retention of career-oriented managers. The issue is complicated by negative attitudes in the general population about retail careers and a lack of awareness about retail career options. This study examines these attitudes through a questionnaire administered to a nation-wide sample of 310. A cluster analysis reveals four groups based on differences in their demographic/psychosocial characteristics and career preferences. The findings provide foci and key messages targeted to the distinct groups upon which retail managers and educators can base discrete career awareness and recruiting strategies.
Desiccation and topping induced silencing of 'putrescine N-methyl transferase2' regulate nicotine biosynthesis in 'Nicotiana tabacum' cv. Petite Havana

The current study was an attempt to understand the regulation of nicotine biosynthesis due to desiccation and meristem topping in Nicotiana tabacum cv. Petite Havana. Our results showed that desiccation induced silencing of Putrescine N-Methyl Transferase 2 (PMT2) (EC 2.1.1.53), a rate limiting enzyme in the nicotine biosynthetic pathway, regulates nicotine levels in tobacco. A hairpin siRNA (hpsiRNA) was designed and expressed against pmt using a stress inducible promoter rd29A from Arabidopsis thaliana. Stable transgenic RNAi lines, developed by Agrobacterium mediated transformation, showed reduced accumulation of nicotine due to desiccation and topping. The increase in the nicotine level in wild type was 115% while in RNAi lines, RNAi1, RNAi2 and RNAi3 the increase was 19.9%, 30% and 21.62%, respectively, due to desiccation. Furthermore, meristem topping of desiccated plants increased nicotine accumulation by 38% in wild type and only 7–9% in RNAi lines. No secondary surge in any related secondary metabolite was detected. No detectable change in the phenotype was observed in RNAi lines. This study revealed the critical role of pmt in nicotine biosynthesis under desiccation and topping and the inducible regulation of endogenous genes for crop improvement.
A Concise Queuing Model for Controller Performance in Software-Defined Networks

Software-defined Networking (SDN) is commonly seen as a promising way towards future Internet. Understanding the performance and limitation of its logically centralized controllers is a prerequisite of SDN deployments. For this end, this paper proposes a concise queuing model for SDN controller performance. We first investigate that the input of a SDN controller is a hybrid Poisson stream of packet-in messages. Then, we analyze the message processing of a SDN controller to achieve a concise queuing model M/M/1 for its performance, and further derive its performance parameters from queuing theory. Finally, our proposed model is evaluated by measuring a well-known controller with the benchmark Cbench. Experimental results indicate that our model is a better approximation of the controller performance than the existing ones.