Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distribution of progesterone in the uterus, broad ligament, and uterine arteries of beef cows

Samples of uterine horn, broad ligament (mesosalpinx and mesometrium), and uterine artery of ten unilaterally ovulating cows, 12–15 days after mating, were examined for differences in concentration of progesterone. Tissues (mesosalpinx, branches of the uterine artery, anterior uterine horn) adjacent to the ovary bearing the corpus luteum contained significantly greater quantities of progesterone than more distal tissues (mesometrium, uterine artery, posterior uterine horn) on the same side and all tissues on the contralateral side. In tissues on the side ipsilateral to the corpus luteum, a gradient of progesterone existed. Differences in tissue concentrations of progesterone may be the cause of observed differences in uterine physiology in the cow and ewe.
A Muscle Fibre Conduction Velocity Tracking ASIC for Local Fatigue Monitoring

Electromyography analysis can provide information about a muscle's fatigue state by estimating Muscle Fibre Conduction Velocity (MFCV), a measure of the travelling speed of Motor Unit Action Potentials (MUAPs) in muscle tissue. MFCV better represents the physical manifestations of muscle fatigue, compared to the progressive compression of the myoelectic Power Spectral Density, hence it is more suitable for a muscle fatigue tracking system. This paper presents a novel algorithm for the estimation of MFCV using single threshold bit-stream conversion and a dedicated application-specified integrated circuit (ASIC) for its implementation, suitable for a compact, wearable and easy to use muscle fatigue monitor. The presented ASIC is implemented in a commercially available AMS 0.35 $\mu\text{m}$ CMOS technology and utilizes a bit-stream cross-correlator that estimates the conduction velocity of the myoelectric signal in real time. A test group of 20 subjects was used to evaluate the performance of the developed ASIC, achieving good accuracy with an error of only 3.2% compared to Matlab.
Optimization of storage devices for regenerative braking energy in subway systems

The paper deals with the actual theme of power management in traction systems presenting a study about the use of regenerative braking energy in electric subway transportation. Storage systems on board of the vehicles or on fixed plants can give advantages both to contain the costs of the electric power and to limit power losses along the traction line. Moreover, other technical advantages can be obtained as, for example, the reduction of contact line voltage fluctuations. With reference to a real case, one of the Milan subway lines, a software program is implemented in order to simulate the electric power flow and to optimize the storage device size and control
Epidermal Abnormalities May Distinguish Type 2 from Type 1 and Type 3 of Gaucher Disease

A major clinical challenge in Gaucher disease is the early and presymptomatic discrimination of type 2 (acute neuronopathic) from milder type 1 and type 3 Gaucher patients to enable appropriate management and counseling. Although most patients with Gaucher disease do not have skin abnormalities, a subset of patients with severe type 2 Gaucher disease display ichthyosiform skin. Analogous findings occur in the skin of type 2 (null allele) Gaucher mice. Ultrastructural and functional studies of epidermis from these mice reveal that glucocerebrosidase is required to generate functionally competent membranes for normal epidermal barrier function. We have extended our studies by examining the epidermal lipid content and ultrastructure in all three types of Gaucher patients. Only the type 2 Gaucher patients, some of whom had clinical ichthyosis, demonstrated an increased ratio of epidermal glucosylceramide to ceramide as well as extensive ultrastructural abnormalities, including the persistence of incompletely processed lamellar body-derived contents throughout the stratum corneum interstices. These epidermal alterations may provide a means for early differentiation of type 2 Gaucher disease.
Microtubules are needed for dispersal of alpha-myosin heavy chain mRNA in rat neonatal cardiac myocytes.

In some cell types, microtubules are used for transport of mRNA through the cytoplasm to the translation site. The number of microtubules increases during growth of cardiac myocytes, suggesting a functional role exists. Here, we test the need for microtubules to transport alpha-myosin heavy chain (alpha-MyHC) mRNA through the cytoplasm of neonatal cardiac myocytes. The alpha-MyHC mRNA concentration was assessed by non-radioactive in situ hybridization. The relative mRNA distributions were expressed as slopes (m=OD/micrometer), since optical density declined linearly from the nucleus to the cell periphery. Spontaneously-contracting myocytes displayed a gradual decrease in alpha-MyHC mRNA away from the nucleus (m=-1.27+/-0.12 OD/micrometer). To test whether microtubules were necessary for alpha-MyHC mRNA dispersal, contraction was first arrested with the Ca2+-channel blocker verapamil (10 micrometer) for 18 h, which aggregated the mRNA perinuclearly. Contractile activity was then resumed by washing out verapamil and using isoproterenol (10 micrometer) in the presence or absence of a microtubule depolymerizing drug, colchicine (3 micrometer). Within 6 h, the alpha-MyHC mRNA distribution in myocytes with microtubules returned to normal values (m=-1.11+/-0.14 OD/micrometer), while cells lacking microtubules maintained a perinuclear mRNA distribution (m-1.50+/-0.16 OD/micrometer; P<0.05 from control). Despite this perinuclear pattern of mRNA distribution, the myocytes still produced new myofibrils. These data indicate that microtubules are necessary for dispersal of alpha-MyHC mRNA outward from the nucleus. Furthermore, myofibrillogenesis may occur independently of mRNA localization and microtubule organization.
[3H]MK‐801 Labels a Site on the N‐Methyl‐D‐Aspartate Receptor Channel Complex in Rat Brain Membranes

Abstract: The potent noncompetitive N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist [3H]MK‐801 bound with nanomolar affinity to rat brain membranes in a reversible, saturable, and stereospecific manner. The affinity of [3H]‐MK‐801 was considerably higher in 5 mM Tris‐HCl (pH 7.4) than in previous studies using Krebs‐Henseleit buffer. [3H]MK‐801 labels a homogenous population of sites in rat cerebral cortical membranes with KD of 6.3 nM and Bmax of 2.37 pmol/mg of protein. This binding was unevenly distributed among brain regions, with hippocampus > cortex > olfactory bulb = striatum > medulla‐pons, and the cerebellum failing to show significant binding. Detailed pharmacological characterization indicated [3H]HIMK‐801 binding to a site which was competitively and potently inhibited by known noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonists, such as phencyclidine, thienylcyclohexylpiperidine (TCP), ketamine, N‐allylnormetazocine (SKF 10,047), cyclazocine, and etoxadrol, a specificity similar to sites labelled by [3H]TCP. These sites were distinct from the high‐affinity sites labelled by the σ receptor ligand (+)‐[3H]SKF 10,047. [3H]MK‐801 binding was allosterically modulated by the endogenous NMDA receptor antagonist Mg2+ and by other active divalent cations. These data suggest that [3H]MK‐801 labels a high‐affinity site on the NMDA receptor channel complex, distinct from the NMDA recognition site, which is responsible for the blocking action of MK‐801 and other noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonists.
Recalcitrant Septic Knee Arthritis Due to Adjacent Osteomyelitis in Adults

We asked whether adjacent osteomyelitis with acute septic knee arthritis explained a lack of response to initial management, and whether patient comorbidities predisposed to the nonresponsiveness. From 147 adult patients (151 knees) with septic arthritis, we identified 29 patients (33 knees) who had persistence or recurrence of symptoms after surgical drainage. Adjacent osteomyelitis was present in 31 (94%) of the 33 knees (27 of 29 patients) with poor response to treatment. Patients with adjacent osteomyelitis had more comorbid conditions (23 of 27 patients, 85%) than patients without osteomyelitis (64 of 120, 53%). The most common comorbid conditions in patients with adjacent osteomyelitis were diabetes mellitus (10 patients, 37%) and intravenous drug use (eight patients, 30%). We identified Staphylococcus aureus in 19 of 31 knees (61%) with osteomyelitis, eight (26% of total cases) of which were methicillin-resistant. Persistence of clinical signs of infection after surgical management of septic knee arthritis in adults should raise the suspicion of adjacent osteomyelitis, especially in patients with comorbid conditions. Additional imaging studies may be necessary to evaluate the distal femur and proximal tibia.Level of Evidence: Level III, prognostic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
A Legislature or a Legislator Like Me? Citizen Demand for Collective and Dyadic Political Representation

American politics scholars have long distinguished between legislature-level “collective” and legislator-level “dyadic” representation. However, most research on these concepts focuses on elite-level outcomes (e.g., policy output or roll-call behavior), and whether one or both forms leads to the representation of citizen interests. Less is known about the demand side of the relationship—whether constituents prefer collective or dyadic representation. Yet the citizen perspective is critical to both scholarly and normative discussions of representation. Through a novel survey experiment administered to national samples of Americans, we examine citizen preferences for collective and dyadic representation with respect to two important social identities: race and political partisanship. We posit that citizens prefer collective over dyadic representation because collective representation provides better representation of constituents’ interests via substantive and symbolic benefits. We show results that support this expectation, and then conclude by discussing the implications for scholarly and normative understandings of representation in American politics.
Classification of oesophageal motility abnormalities

Manometric examination of the oesophagus frequently reveals abnormalities whose cause is unknown and whose physiological importance is not clear. A large body of literature dealing with oesophageal motility abnormalities has evolved over the past few decades but comparisons among studies have been compromised by the lack of a widely accepted system for classifying the abnormal motility patterns, and by the lack of uniform diagnostic criteria for the putative disorders. Based on an extensive review and analysis of the literature, this report suggests an operational scheme to be used for the general classification of oesophageal motility abnormalities, and proposes standardised manometric criteria for the putative oesophageal motility disorders. By applying the guidelines proposed in this report, clinicians and researchers can determine if their patients fulfil the manometric criteria for a putative motility disorder. This should facilitate and improve comparisons among patients and studies. However, it is important to emphasise that fulfilment of the proposed criteria does not establish the clinical importance of the motility abnormalities.
Insulin Resistance, the Metabolic Syndrome and Type 2 Diabetes

Experimental studies on the mechanisms of insulin resistance are exciting this year. Just look at the physiology of PPAR- and the newly described functions of insulin and also vaspin coming on the market! There is not a single month without a new hormone or a new function of the adipose tissue being brought to light. Progress made over the past few months on the understanding of insulin resistance itself and on the pathology and the connections between fat, muscle, liver and -cell are just incredible. Mirroring these breakthroughs and supported by the increasing and alarming extension of obesity, numerous clinical studies are related to risk factors for insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome in childhood. The selection of publications is sometimes critical and here we try to focus on specific and pediatric aspects of the debate ‘whether the metabolic syndrome is for real’, pointing to important subjects relevant to clinical practice.
Characteristics of thermoregulatory and febrile responses in mice deficient in prostaglandin EP1 and EP3 receptors.

Previous studies have disagreed about whether prostaglandin EP1 or EP3 receptors are critical for producing febrile responses. We therefore injected lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at a variety doses (1 microg kg(-1)-1 mg kg(-1)) intraperitoneally (i.p.) into wild-type (WT) mice and mice lacking the EP1 or the EP3 receptors and measured changes in core temperature (Tc) by using telemetry. In WT mice, i.p. injection of LPS at 10 microg kg(-1) increased Tc about 1 degrees C, peaking 2 h after injection. At 100 microg kg(-1), LPS increased Tc, peaking 5-8 h after injection. LPS at 1 mg kg(-1) decreased Tc, reaching a nadir at 5-8 h after injection. In EP1 receptor knockout (KO) mice injected with 10 microg kg(-1) LPS, only the initial (< 40 min) increase in Tc was lacking; with 100 microg kg(-1) LPS the mice showed no febrile response. In EP3 receptor KO mice, LPS decreased Tc in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, in EP3 receptor KO mice subcutaneous injection of turpentine did not induce fever. Both EP1 and EP3 receptor KO mice showed a normal circadian cycle of Tc and brief hyperthermia following psychological stress (cage-exchange stress and buddy-removal stress). The present study suggests that both the EP1 and the EP3 receptors play a role in fever induced by systemic inflammation but neither EP receptor is involved in the circadian rise in Tc or psychological stress-induced hyperthermia in mice.
The Legal Regulation of Wrongful Dismissal in Korea

In Korea, the employer's dismissal is regulated by the Labor Standards Act (LSA). The LSA categorizes dismissals with wrongful dismissal in the individual cases and dismissal for managerial reasons (massive layoffs), and provides differential requirements and procedures for justification of each category of dismissal. In the individual dismissal case, an employer shall not dismiss an employee without a justifiable reason. Dismissal for managerial reasons is undertaken for the employer's urgent managerial need. With respect to the procedural requirements of the managerial dismissal, the LSA provides strict rules such as the employer's every effort to avoid layoffs, selection of employees to be dismissed by reasonable and fair criteria, and consultation in good faith with the worker representative. An employee who believes that his or her dismissal was unfair may challenge the dismissal by any or all of the following procedures: filing an application with the Labor Relations Commission (LRC); filing suit, charge, or complaint with the regional labor office. The number of adjudication cases by the LRC increased in 1998 over 2004 for reasons such as the difficult economic situation after the IMF crisis and the improved Labor Relation Commission Act. What is necessary in seeking a balance between economic efficiency and employees' job security in the regulations on dismissal? The deregulation on dismissal might incur the employer's opportunistic dismissal. However, there is no evidence that the strong and strict regulation on dismissal can bring about the job security of workers. Therefore, it may be more effective to emphasize the justice of the procedure and remedy measures rather than the restriction on the reasons for the dismissal.
Signatures of Host mRNA 5′ Terminus for Efficient Hantavirus Cap Snatching

ABSTRACT Hantaviruses, similarly to other negative-strand segmented RNA viruses, initiate the synthesis of translation-competent capped mRNAs by a unique cap-snatching mechanism. Hantavirus nucleocapsid protein (N) binds to host mRNA caps and requires four nucleotides adjacent to the 5′ cap for high-affinity binding. N protects the 5′ caps of cellular transcripts from degradation by the cellular decapping machinery. The rescued 5′ capped mRNA fragments are stored in cellular P bodies by N, which are later efficiently used as primers by the hantaviral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) for transcription initiation. We showed that N also protects the host mRNA caps in P-body-deficient cells. However, the rescued caps were not effectively used by the hantavirus RdRp during transcription initiation, suggesting that caps stored in cellular P bodies by N are preferred for cap snatching. We examined the characteristics of the 5′ terminus of a capped test mRNA to delineate the minimum requirements for a capped transcript to serve as an efficient cap donor during hantavirus cap snatching. We showed that hantavirus RdRp preferentially snatches caps from the nonsense mRNAs compared to mRNAs engaged in translation. Hantavirus RdRp preferentially cleaves the cap donor mRNA at a G residue located 14 nucleotides downstream of the 5′ cap. The sequence complementarity between the 3′ terminus of viral genomic RNA and the nucleotides located in the vicinity of the cleavage site of the cap donor mRNA favors cap snatching. Our results show that hantavirus RdRp snatches caps from viral mRNAs. However, the negligible cap-donating efficiency of wild-type mRNAs in comparison to nonsense mRNAs suggests that viral mRNAs will not be efficiently used for cap snatching during viral infection due to their continuous engagement in protein synthesis. Our results suggest that efficiency of an mRNA to donate caps for viral mRNA synthesis is primarily regulated at the translational level.
Exo‐ and surface proteomes of the probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM

Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM is a well‐known probiotic bacterium extensively studied for its beneficial health effects. Exoproteome (proteins exported into culture medium) and surface proteome (proteins attached to S‐layer) of this probiotic were identified by using 2DE followed by MALDI TOF MS to find proteins potentially involved in bacteria–host interactions. The exo‐ and surface proteomes included 43 and 39 different proteins from 72 and 49 successfully identified spots, respectively. Twenty‐two proteins were shared between the two proteomes; both contained the major surface layer protein that participates in host interaction as well as several well‐known and putative moonlighting proteins. The exoproteome contained nine classically‐secreted (containing a signal sequence) and ten nonclassically‐secreted proteins, while the surface proteome contained four classically‐secreted and eight nonclassically secreted proteins. Identification of exo‐ and surface proteomes contributes describing potential protein‐mediated probiotic–host interactions.
Islamic insurance in Malaysia: Insights for the Indian insurance industry

This article looks at the development and characteristics of Islamic insurance (takaful) which is compatible with the principles of Islamic finance, thereby making it acceptable and attractive for millions of Muslims as an alternative to conventional insurance. In so doing, this article provides a detailed review on the evolution of takaful in the context of the Malaysian insurance sector which is among the largest players in the global takaful market. Taking cues from the success of takaful in Malaysia, this article explores certain key tenets of takaful and micro-takaful (low-cost takaful) that can be translated specifically into the Indian context when the market eventually opens up and possibly into other developing and developed markets with substantial Muslim populations.
Plasmablastic lymphomas with light chain restriction - plasmablastic extramedullary plasmacytomas?

BACKGROUND It is diagnostically difficult to differentiate plasmablastic lymphomas (PBLs) from plasma cell neoplasms with plasmablastic differentiation. Plasmablastic lymphomas are currently classified as 'PBL of the oral mucosa' and 'PBL with plasmacytic differentiation'. METHODS Forty-five cases of PBL were retrieved from the Departments of Oral Pathology of the Universities of Pretoria and Limpopo, South Africa. Clinical features and HIV status were recorded and each case was classified as 'PBL of the oral mucosa type' or as 'PBL with plasmacytic differentiation'. Immunohistochemistry included: CD45, CD3, CD20, CD79a, CD38, CD138, MUM1, Ki-67 and kappa and lambda light chains. Positivity was recorded based on the percentage of positive staining cells as focal (5-20%); intermediate (20-70%) or diffuse (>70%). In situ hybridization was performed for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and HHV-8. Results were recorded as positive or negative. RESULTS All cases showed some degree of plasmacytic differentiation. All were negative for CD20 with reactive T cells detected with CD3. Diffuse and strong positive staining was found with Ki-67 and MUM1, but variable immunoreactivity was found with CD79a, CD45, CD38 and CD138. Twenty cases (47%) showed light chain restriction. Epstein-Barr virus was detected in 44/45 cases and HHV-8 in none. CONCLUSIONS The morphological classification of PBLs is not valid as all cases showed some degree of plasmacytic differentiation. We propose that PBLs with light chain restriction be reclassified as 'plasmablastic extramedullary plasmacytomas' and managed accordingly. The rest represents true PBLs. The true nature of these neoplasms as an entity should be further investigated with molecular and genetic studies.
Extrapulmonary Small Cell Carcinoma: Multimodality Treatment Results

Aims and Background Extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma is a distinct entity that can occur in many sites, and it is pathologically similar to small-cell lung cancer. We report the results of a retrospective study of a multimodality treatment of 16 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of extrapulmonary small-cell carcinoma. Methods Primary tumor site was prostate in 2, gallbladder in 2, uterine cervix in 2, liver in 2, endometrium in 1, epididymis in 1, colon in 1, larynx in 1, breast in 1, and unknown primary tumor in 3 patients. Patients’ ages ranged from 19 to 79 years (median, 62). Nine patients had limited and 7 had extensive disease. Histologically, 14 were pure extrapulmonary small-cell carcinoma and 2 were mixed with squamous-cell carcinoma. Results Curative surgery was attempted in 8 patients. Seven patients received local-regional adjuvant radiotherapy. All patients, except the one with a breast primary, were treated with chemotherapy (mostly platinum-based regimens). Overall survival for all patients was 41% and 11% at 2 and 5 years, respectively (median survival, 14 months). Median survival for patients with limited disease was 25 months compared to 12 months for patients with extensive disease (P = 0.05). Conclusions Treatment results for extrapulmonary small-cell carcinoma are comparable to those of small-cell carcinomas of the lung. Extent of disease is a significant prognostic factor for survival.