Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Epididymal protease inhibitor (EPPIN) is differentially expressed in the male rat reproductive tract and immunolocalized in maturing spermatozoa

EPPIN (epididymal protease inhibitor; SPINLW1), an antimicrobial cysteine‐rich protein containing both Kunitz and whey acidic protein (WAP)‐type four disulfide core protease inhibitor consensus sequences, is a target for male contraception because of its critical role in sperm motility. Here, we characterized EPPIN's expression and cellular distribution in rat tissues and its in vivo regulation by androgens in the epididymis. EPPIN (mRNA and protein) was abundantly expressed in the rat testis and epididymis; we also found that the vas deferens, seminal vesicles, and brain were novel sites of EPPIN expression. PCR studies demonstrated that in addition to Sertoli cells, spermatogenic cells expressed Eppin mRNA. EPPIN was immunolocalized in Sertoli cells and spermatogenic cells (pachytene spermatocytes and round and elongated spermatids) and in epithelial cells and spermatozoa from efferent ductules and epididymis. EPPIN staining was observed on the middle and principal pieces of the flagellum of testicular spermatozoa. Epididymal spermatozoa had more intense EPPIN staining on the flagellum, and the EPPIN staining became apparent on the head and neck regions. This suggested that the EPPIN found on maturing spermatozoa was secreted primarily by the epithelial cells of the epididymis. Surgical castration down‐regulated EPPIN expression levels (mRNA and protein) in the caput and cauda epididymis, an effect reversed by testosterone replacement. Altogether, our data suggested that EPPIN expression in rats is more widespread than in humans and mice, and is androgen‐dependent in the epididymis. This species could be used as an experimental model to further study EPPIN's role in male fertility. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 79: 832–842, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Diagnosis of white line lesions in sheep

FOOT problems and associated lameness in sheep can have important welfare and economic consequences and can be challenging to manage both for clinicians and those involved in sheep production. White line lesions, sometimes causing lameness, are common in many flocks and are often misdiagnosed, which can lead to the administration of inappropriate or ineffective treatments, incur unnecessary costs and result in client dissatisfaction. Such lesions can affect a wide range of age groups, including lambs as young as one to two months of age, rams and pregnant and non-pregnant ewes, indicating that a variety of predisposing factors are likely to be involved. This article describes and illustrates white line lesions in sheep to help farmers and veterinary surgeons make a correct diagnosis.
Prognostic significance of histological therapeutic effect in preoperative chemotherapy for breast cancer

To establish a prognostic prediction system, we examined the relationships between prognosis and histological therapeutic effect or ypTNM classification in 258 breast cancer patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The case distribution according to therapeutic effect was nine patients (3.5%) with Grade 0, 169 (65.5%) with Grade 1, 58 (22.5%) with Grade 2, and 22 (8.5%) with Grade 3. The 5‐year overall survival (OS) rate by therapeutic effect was 56% in Grade 0, 81% in Grade 1, 87% in Grade 2, and 96% in Grade 3. The higher the therapeutic effect the better the prognosis, with a significant difference among the groups (P = 0.008). The case distribution according to ypTNM classification was 20 patients (7.8%) with Stage 0, 83 (32.2%) with Stage I, 77 (29.8%) with Stage II, and 78 (30.2%) with Stage III. The 5‐year OS rate by ypTNM classification was 95% in Stage 0, 94% in Stage I, 89% in Stage II, and 59% in Stage III. While prognosis was mostly comparable in Stages 0 and I, in the other stages it became significantly worse as residual cancer increased (P < 0.001). The prognosis of breast cancer patients with neoadjuvant chemotherapy can be predicted by histological therapeutic effect and staging classification of residual cancer.
Ontology-driven word recommendation for mobile Web search

Abstract The Web search has special characteristics against the desktop search when realized from mobile devices. To establish an improvement within this paradigm, an option is to take into account the context from which the search is developed. To conceptualize the mobile context, we propose the use of ontologies, which will include the device characteristics, environmental conditions and user preferences, among other term conceptualizations. This context definition would be used to determinate the behavior of a word recommendation when searching from mobile devices. As an essential process of creating this context ontology, we have made a real user's evaluation of the ontology terms by means of a survey. This paper shows a brief introduction to the project and focuses mainly on the results obtained in this concept's evaluation.
Revisiting dynamic constraint satisfaction for model-based planning

Abstract As planning problems become more complex, it is increasingly useful to integrate complex constraints on time and resources into planning models, and use constraint reasoning approaches to help solve the resulting problems. Dynamic constraint satisfaction is a key enabler of automated planning in the presence of such constraints. In this paper, we identify some limitations with the previously developed theories of dynamic constraint satisfaction. We identify a minimum set of elementary transformations from which all other transformations can be constructed. We propose a new classification of dynamic constraint satisfaction transformations based on a formal criteria, namely the change in the fraction of solutions. This criteria can be used to evaluate elementary transformations of a constraint satisfaction problem as well as sequences of transformations. We extend the notion of transformations to include constrained optimization problems. We discuss how this new framework can inform the evolution of planning models, automated planning algorithms, and mixed-initiative planning.
Role of adiponectin in delayed embryonic development of the short‐nosed fruit bat, Cynopterus sphinx

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of adiponectin in the delayed embryonic development of Cynopterus sphinx. Adiponectin receptor (ADIPOR1) abundance was first observed to be lower during the delayed versus non‐delayed periods of utero‐embryonic unit development. The effects of adiponectin treatment on embryonic development were then evaluated during the period of delayed development. Exogenous treatment increased the in vivo rate of embryonic development, as indicated by an increase in weight, ADIPOR1 levels in the utero‐embryonic unit, and histological changes in embryonic development. Treatment with adiponectin during embryonic diapause showed a significant increase in circulating progesterone and estradiol concentrations, and in production of their receptors in the utero‐embryonic unit. The adiponectin‐induced increase in estradiol synthesis was correlated with increased cell survival (BCL2 protein levels) and cell proliferation (PCNA protein levels) in the utero‐embryonic unit, suggesting an indirect effect of adiponectin via estradiol synthesis by the ovary. An in vitro study further confirmed the in vivo findings that adiponectin treatment increases PCNA levels together with increased uptake of glucose by increasing the abundance of glucose transporter 8 (GLUT8) in the utero‐embryonic unit. The in vitro study also revealed that adiponectin, together with estradiol but not alone, significantly increased ADIPOR1 protein levels. Thus, adiponectin works in concert with estradiol to increase glucose transport to the utero‐embryonic unit and promote cell proliferation, which together accelerate embryonic development. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 81: 1086–1102, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Molecular cloning and partial characterization of a low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐related protein 13 (Lrp13) involved in vitellogenin uptake in the cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki)

Multiple ovarian membrane proteins that bind vitellogenin (Vtg) have been detected in teleosts. One of these Vtg receptors was recently identified as low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐related protein 13 (lrp13/Lrp13) in perciform species, but little is known about this Vtg receptor in salmonid fish. In this study, a cDNA encoding a putative Vtg receptor with 13+1 ligand binding repeats (lr13+1) was cloned from the ovary, and identified as an lrp13 ortholog for cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki). This lrp13 was predominantly expressed in the pre‐vitellogenic stage ovary, and its expression decreased during vitellogenesis. Ovarian localization of Lrp13 was observed by immunohistochemistry using specific antiserum against recombinant Lrp13. Lrp13 immunoreactivity was observed at the oolemma, throughout the zona radiata, and within the perivitelline space between the zona radiata and granulosa cells in ovarian follicles at both the lipid‐droplet and vitellogenic stages of growth—an expression pattern that mimics that of a lr8/LR8‐type Vtg receptor in this species and of lrp13/Lrp13 in Morone species. Six discrete Vtg‐binding proteins were detected in cutthroat trout ovarian membrane proteins when probing with a digoxygenin‐labeled salmonid A‐type Vtg (VtgAs) followed by chemiluminescent ligand detection. Western blotting using the anti‐Lrp13 serum revealed a broad signal consisting of two proteins with masses ranging from ∼190 to ∼210 kDa, which corresponded with some of the VtgA‐binding proteins. These findings suggest that, in addition to lr8/LR8, lrp13/Lrp13 acts as a VtgA receptor in trout. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 82: 986–1000, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Infusion of iloprost without a peristaltic pump: Safety and tolerability

Introduction: Iloprost is a potent prostacyclin (PGI2) analogue that is effective in the treatment of peripheral arterial disease, vasculitis, pulmonary hypertension, and secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon. Intravenous infusions are generally administered with the aid of a peristaltic pump to reduce the risk of adverse reactions caused by unintentional increases in the infusion rate. This increases the cost of care in terms of equipment and personnel and may limit the use of this drug. Materials and methods: We retrospectively analyzed 18,432 iloprost infusions administered between 1999 and 2009 to 272 patients with systemic sclerosis (n = 253) and 19 with peripheral arterial disease (n = 19). All infusions were administered in the day hospital over 6 h with a normal IV set-up with a roller flow regulator. Flow rates were set to deliver iloprost at 1-2 ng/kg/min. Rates were verified by direct drop counts during the first 15-20 minutes of the infusion and at each subsequent check. Results: There were no adverse events that were fatal, life-threatening, or associated with prolongation of hospitalization and very few events requiring intensive care or continuous monitoring. The latter included 4 cases of tachycardia/arrhythmia (extrasystoles in most cases), 3 cases of hypotension (systolic pressure 170/100 mmHg). All other adverse reactions were mild, reversible, and similar to those seen with iloprost infusion with peristaltic pump. Only one patient had to be switched to another prostanoid (due to intolerance). Discussion: Iloprost infusion administered with a normal IV flow regulator appears to be as safe, well tolerated, and effective as traditional infusion with a peristaltic pump.
Development of ethical concepts in dialysis: Seattle in the 1960s

SUMMARY: Maintenance hemodialysis for chronic renal failure first began in Seattle in 1960. Once proved successful, the community developed the first free‐standing out‐patient dialysis facility in 1962. Chronic renal failure, a previously fatal disease, was now treatable, but funding for this was extremely limited, and patient selection had to occur. Experience in Seattle over the next few years highlighted the ethical problems that still occur in health care because resources everywhere are limited. This article describes the issues and some of the contemporary reactions to them.
Angiotensin II increases sperm phagocytosis by neutrophils in vitro: A possible physiological role in the bovine oviduct

This study aimed to investigate the possible effects of the vasoactive peptide angiotensin II (ANG II), secreted by bovine oviduct epithelial cells, on the in vitro phagocytic activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, specifically neutrophils, towards sperm. The measured concentrations of ANG II in oviduct flushes and conditioned medium from primary bovine oviduct epithelial culture ranged from 10−10 to 10−11 M. In our experiments, neutrophils were incubated for 2 hr with ANG II (0, 10−11, 10−10, 10−9, and 10−8 M). Phagocytosis and superoxide production were then assessed by co‐incubation of these neutrophils with sperm pretreated to induce capacitation, revealing a dose‐dependent increase in both metrics by ANG II. This stimulatory effect of ANG II was eliminated by losartan, an angiotensin receptor type 1 (AGTR1) antagonist. ANG II also suppressed neutrophil transcription of angiotensin converting enzyme‐1 (ACE) and AGTR1, but not AGTR2, suggesting the involvement of the AGTR1 receptor‐mediated pathway in the response to sperm. Scanning electron microscopy further revealed that incubation of neutrophils with ANG II stimulated the formation of DNA‐based extracellular traps for sperm entanglement. The addition of prostaglandin E2 at concentrations found in the oviduct suppressed the ANG II‐stimulated phagocytic activity of neutrophils towards sperm. Thus the physiological levels of ANG II stimulate neutrophil phagocytosis of sperm in vitro, and suggest that an angiotensin/prostaglandin E2 system may fine‐tune the local immune response that fosters sperm survival in the bovine oviduct. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 83: 630–639, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Gray level Co‐occurrence Matrices (GLCM) to assess microstructural and textural changes in pre‐implantation embryos

The preimplantation embryo is extraordinarily sensitive to environmental signals and events such that perturbations can alter embryo metabolism and program an altered developmental trajectory, ultimately affecting the phenotype of the adult individual; indeed, the physical environment associated with in vitro embryo culture can attenuate development. Defining the underlying metabolic changes and mechanisms, however, has been limited by the imaging technology used to evaluate metabolites and structural features in the embryo. Here, we assessed the impact of in vitro fertilization and culture on mouse embryos using three metabolic markers: peroxyfluor 1 (a reporter of hydrogen peroxide), monochlorobimane (a reporter of glutathione), and Mitotracker Deep Red (a marker of mitochondria). We also evaluated the distribution pattern of histone 2AX gamma (γH2AX) in the nuclei of 2‐ and 8‐cell embryos and blastocysts to investigate the degree of DNA damage caused by in vitro embryo culture. In vitro‐fertilized embryos, in vivo‐developed embryos, and in vivo‐fertilized embryos recovered and cultured in vitro were compared at the 2‐, 8‐cell, and blastocyst stages. In addition to assessments based on fluorescence intensity, textural analysis using Gray Level Co‐occurrence Matrix (GLCM), a statistical approach that assesses texture within an image, was used to evaluate peroxyfluor 1, monochlorobimane, and Mitotracker Deep Red staining in an effort to develop a robust metric of embryo quality. Our data provide strong evidence of modified metabolic parameters identifiable as altered fluorescence texture in embryos developed in vitro. Thus, texture‐analysis approach may provide a means of gaining additional insight into embryo programming beyond conventional measurements of staining intensity for metabolic markers. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 83: 701–713, 2016 © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Do statistical segmentation abilities predict lexical-phonological and lexical-semantic abilities in children with and without SLI?*

ABSTRACT This study tested the predictions of the procedural deficit hypothesis by investigating the relationship between sequential statistical learning and two aspects of lexical ability, lexical-phonological and lexical-semantic, in children with and without specific language impairment (SLI). Participants included forty children (ages 8;5–12;3), twenty children with SLI and twenty with typical development. Children completed Saffran's statistical word segmentation task, a lexical-phonological access task (gating task), and a word definition task. Poor statistical learners were also poor at managing lexical-phonological competition during the gating task. However, statistical learning was not a significant predictor of semantic richness in word definitions. The ability to track statistical sequential regularities may be important for learning the inherently sequential structure of lexical-phonological, but not as important for learning lexical-semantic knowledge. Consistent with the procedural/declarative memory distinction, the brain networks associated with the two types of lexical learning are likely to have different learning properties.
Infinitives or bare stems? Are English-speaking children defaulting to the highest-frequency form?*

ABSTRACT Young English-speaking children often produce utterances with missing 3sg -s (e.g., *He play). Since the mid 1990s, such errors have tended to be treated as Optional Infinitive (OI) errors, in which the verb is a non-finite form (e.g., Wexler, 1998; Legate & Yang, 2007). The present article reports the results of a cross-sectional elicited-production study with 22 children (aged 3;1–4;1), which investigated the possibility that at least some apparent OI errors reflect a process of defaulting to the form with the highest frequency in the input. Across 48 verbs, a significant negative correlation was observed between the proportion of ‘bare’ vs. 3sg -s forms in a representative input corpus and the rate of 3sg -s production. This finding suggests that, in addition to other learning mechanisms that yield such errors cross-linguistically, at least some of the OI errors produced by English-speaking children reflect a process of defaulting to a high-frequency/phonologically simple form.
Observing iconic gestures enhances word learning in typically developing children and children with specific language impairment*

Abstract Research has shown that observing iconic gestures helps typically developing children (TD) and children with specific language impairment (SLI) learn new words. So far, studies mostly compared word learning with and without gestures. The present study investigated word learning under two gesture conditions in children with and without language impairment. Twenty children with SLI (age four), twenty age-matched TD children, and twenty language-matched TD children were taught words that were presented with either iconic or non-iconic gestures. Results showed that children of all groups benefited more successfully from observing iconic gestures for word learning. The iconic gesture advantage was similar across groups. Thus, observing iconic gestures prompts richer encoding and makes word learning more efficient in TD and language impaired children.
Online self-management in rheumatoid arthritis: a patient-centered model application.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to describe the online transformation of an empirically validated, clinic-based, self-management (SM) program for rheumatoid arthritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cognitive-behavioral framework served as the theoretical basis for the intervention. As with the clinic-based approach, the psychoeducational program included educational modules, weekly homework assignments, and self-evaluation. The dynamic online environment included secure communication tools to support a virtual community for the participants to garner peer support. In addition to peer support, weekly follow-up support was provided by a trained clinician via telephone. We describe the process and structure of the online self-management (OSM) intervention. Administrative issues including clinical monitoring and management, data collection, and security safeguards are considered. Utilization and management data are provided and explored for 33 initial subjects. RESULTS Individuals who volunteer to participate in an online modality are eager to receive this home-based programming. They readily engaged with all aspects of the OSM program and experienced few difficulties navigating the environment. CONCLUSION An OSM site provides a convenient, effective, and securely maintained health service, once restricted to clinic settings. The OSM application can be used to extend the benefits of SM programs to broad target audiences and serves as a model for the emerging generation of Internet-based clinical management/delivery systems.
Diffusion tensor imaging and MR spectroscopy in hypertension and presumed cerebral small vessel disease

In patients with cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is sensitive to white matter damage and correlates better with cognitive function than conventional imaging. It has been proposed as a surrogate marker for treatment trials. However, the pathological changes underlying DTI are not known. The purpose of this study was to use magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to determine the pathological changes underlying DTI abnormalities in a range of patients from asymptomatic white matter hyperintensities to symptomatic cerebral SVD. 29 SVD patients, 63 hypertensive subjects, and 42 normotensive controls were recruited. The relationship between the DTI and MRS parameters in the centrum semiovale white matter was determined. There was a significant reduction in N‐acetylaspartate (NAA; 2.067 ± 0.042 vs 2.299 ± 0.029 and 2.315 ± 0.036, P = 9 × 10−6) and increase in mean diffusivity (mm2/s × 10−3; 0.942 ± 0.123 vs 0.822 ± 0.064 and 0.792 ± 0.057, P = 1 × 10−8) in symptomatic SVD patients compared with the other two groups. DTI parameters correlated with NAA in all three groups, in a graded manner depending on severity of disease (r −SVD −0.827, hypertensive subjects −0.457, controls −0.317). NAA is a marker of axonal loss/dysfunction. These findings are consistent with axonal loss/dysfunction being the principal process causing the DTI changes found in cerebral SVD and ageing. Magn Reson Med, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Te Reo Māori: indigenous language acquisition in the context of New Zealand English*

Abstract This study assessed the status of te reo Māori, the indigenous language of New Zealand, in the context of New Zealand English. From a broadly representative sample of 6327 two-year-olds (Growing Up in New Zealand), 6090 mothers (96%) reported their children understood English, and 763 mothers (12%) reported their children understood Māori. Parents completed the new MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventory short forms for te reo Māori (NZM: CDI sf) and New Zealand English (NZE: CDI sf). Mothers with higher education levels had children with larger vocabularies in both te reo Māori and NZ English. For English speakers, vocabulary advantages also existed for girls, first-borns, monolinguals, those living in areas of lower deprivation, and those whose mothers had no concerns about their speech and language. Because more than 99% of Māori speakers were bilingual, te reo Māori acquisition appears to be occurring in the context of the acquisition of New Zealand English.