Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic Divergence in Domestic Japanese Quail Inferred from Mitochondrial DNA D-Loop and Microsatellite Markers

To assess the genetic diversity of domestic Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) populations, and their genetic relationships, we examined mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop sequences and microsatellite markers for 19 Japanese quail populations. The populations included nine laboratory lines established in Japan (LWC, Quv, RWN, WE, AWE, AMRP, rb-TKP, NIES-L, and W), six meat-type quail lines reimported from Western countries (JD, JW, Estonia, NIES-Br, NIES-Fr, and NIES-Hn), one commercial population in Japan, and three wild quail populations collected from three Asian areas. The phylogenetic tree of mtDNA D-loop sequences revealed two distinct haplotype groups, Dloop-Group1 and Dloop-Group2. Dloop-Group1 included a dominant haplotype representing most of the quail populations, including wild quail. Dloop-Group2 was composed of minor haplotypes found in several laboratory lines, two meat-type lines, and a few individuals in commercial and wild quail populations. Taking the breeding histories of domestic populations into consideration, these results suggest that domestic quail populations may have derived from two sources, i.e., domestic populations established before and after World War II in Japan. A discriminant analysis of principal components and a Bayesian clustering analysis with microsatellite markers indicated that the domestic populations are clustered into four genetic groups. The two major groups were Microsat-Group1, which contained WE, and four WE-derived laboratory lines (LWC, Quv, RWN, and AWE), and Microsat-Group2 consisting of NIES-L, JD, JW, Estonia, NIES-Br, NIES-Fr, NIES-Hn, W, and commercial and wild populations. The remaining two lines (AMRP and rb-TKP) were each clustered into a separate clade. This hierarchical genetic difference between domestic quail populations is attributed to the genetic background derived from two different genetic sources—the pre-war and post-war populations—which is well supported by their breeding histories.
Apoptosis induced by a low-carbohydrate and high-protein diet in rat livers.

AIM To determine whether high-protein, high-fat, and low-carbohydrate diets can cause lesions in rat livers. METHODS We randomly divided 20 female Wistar rats into a control diet group and an experimental diet group. Animals in the control group received an AIN-93M diet, and animals in the experimental group received an Atkins-based diet (59.46% protein, 31.77% fat, and 8.77% carbohydrate). After 8 wk, the rats were anesthetized and exsanguinated for transaminases analysis, and their livers were removed for flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, and light microscopy studies. We expressed the data as mean ± standard deviation (SD) assuming unpaired and parametric data; we analyzed differences using the Student's t-test. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS We found that plasma alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group. According to flow cytometry, the percentages of nonviable cells were 11.67% ± 1.12% for early apoptosis, 12.07% ± 1.11% for late apoptosis, and 7.11% ± 0.44% for non-apoptotic death in the experimental diet group and 3.73% ± 0.50% for early apoptosis, 5.67% ± 0.72% for late apoptosis, and 3.82% ± 0.28% for non-apoptotic death in the control diet group. The mean percentage of early apoptosis was higher in the experimental diet group than in the control diet group. Immunohistochemistry for autophagy was negative in both groups. Sinusoidal dilation around the central vein and small hepatocytes was only observed in the experimental diet group, and fibrosis was not identified by hematoxylin-eosin or Trichrome Masson staining in either group. CONCLUSION Eight weeks of an experimental diet resulted in cellular and histopathological lesions in rat livers. Apoptosis was our principal finding; elevated plasma transaminases demonstrate hepatic lesions.
Jerk Nystagmus: Some New Findings

Abstract Eye movements in a subject with jerk nystagmus were recorded during a variety of tracking tasks using a photoelectric method. New findings included ability to reduce nystagmus amplitude and frequency when instructed “to hold the eye steady” rather than “to fixate” in the presence of a visible target, changes in nystagmus characteristics and visual acuity as a function of head position which related to overall retinal‐image motion, marked variability of nystagmus especially during reading, and necessity of a prolonged period of visual feedback for generation of nystagmus to approach a “steady‐state” level. Clinical implications of these findings are discussed, including use of the “hold” command during ophthalmoscopy in patients with nystagmus.
Transcriptomic responses to environmental temperature in eurythermal and stenothermal fishes

ABSTRACT Ectothermic species like fishes differ greatly in the thermal ranges they tolerate; some eurythermal species may encounter temperature ranges in excess of 25°C, whereas stenothermal species in polar and tropical waters live at essentially constant temperatures. Thermal specialization comes with fitness trade-offs and as temperature increases due to global warming, the physiological basis of specialization and thermal plasticity has become of great interest. Over the past 50 years, comparative physiologists have studied the physiological and molecular differences between stenothermal and eurythermal fishes. It is now well known that many stenothermal fishes have lost an inducible heat shock response (HSR). Recent advances in transcriptomics have now made it possible to examine genome-wide changes in gene expression (GE) in non-model ecologically important fish, broadening our view beyond the HSR to regulation of genes involved in hundreds of other cellular processes. Here, we review the major findings from transcriptomic studies of extreme eurythermal and stenothermal fishes in response to acute and long-term exposure to temperature, both time scales being critically important for predicting climate change responses. We consider possible molecular adaptations that underlie eurythermy and stenothermy in teleosts. Furthermore, we highlight the challenges that still face the field of comparative environmental genomics and suggest fruitful paths of future investigation. Summary: Comparative transcriptomics is rapidly accelerating our understanding of how fish respond to thermal stress; this review summarizes and synthesizes gene expression patterns from stenothermal and eurythermal species responding to acute and long-term exposure to temperature.
Genome of a Gut Strain of Bacillus subtilis

ABSTRACT Bacillus subtilis is a Gram-positive, rod-shaped, spore-forming bacterium. We present the genome sequence of an undomesticated strain, BSP1, isolated from poultry. The sequence of the BSP1 genome supports the view that B. subtilis has a biphasic lifestyle, cycling between the soil and the animal gastrointestinal tract, and it provides molecular-level insight into the adaptation of B. subtilis to life under laboratory conditions.
A concept analysis of health-related quality of life in young people with chronic illness.

AIMS To critique existing concept analyses of quality of life and develop a definition applicable for young people with chronic illness. BACKGROUND Quality of life is a commonly used phrase but there is no universal definition. Five perspectives of quality of life have been proposed: sociological, economic, psychological, philosophical and ethical. However, health has emerged as an important but distinct perspective. The nursing profession has made a substantial contribution to the understanding of the interrelationship of health and quality of life. DESIGN Literature review. METHODS A search on electronic databases to April 2007 was made using the terms 'quality of life' and 'concept analysis'. Papers were included in the review if they used a recognised method of concept analysis and were conducted by nurses. A new concept analysis was then performed specifically focusing on young people's experiences of living with chronic illness. RESULTS Eight concept analyses were identified, all of which had limitations. All the concept analyses were based on adult literature so did not take into consideration developmental changes, language level, or young people's construction of health and illness. The new concept analysis found that young people living with chronic illness generally view themselves and their lives in the same way as their healthy peers. While their aspirations are often constrained by illness and treatment the relationship between illness and life cannot be seen in isolation of development. CONCLUSION Previous definitions of quality of life derived from concept analyses with adult populations do not adequately represent the experience of young people with chronic illnesses, but can be made more specific by incorporating important attributes such as developmental stage and the importance of peer group and family. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE The current analysis provides a clear definition of quality of life from the health perspective which is specific for use with young people with chronic illness to guide practice and research.
Does testosterone deficiency exaggerate the clinical symptoms of Peyronie's disease?

Serum testosterone (T) influences wound healing and levels are decreased in the age group at risk of Peyronie's disease (PD). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the severity of penile deformity in men with PD in relation to T levels. One‐hundred and six patients with PD and T deficiency (serum T <3.5 ng/mL; Group 1) and those with normal T levels (Group 2) were compared according to the duration of PD, the size and location of the plaques, penile curvature, pain on erection, and the severity of erectile dysfunction. The mean degree of penile curvature in Group 1 was significantly greater than in Group 2 (32.0 ± 15.9°vs 21.8 ± 15.4°, respectively). The mean Group 1 score on the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)‐5 was lower than the score for Group 2 (7.4 ± 3.7 vs 10.8 ± 4.8, respectively). The percentage of patients who complained of pain on erection did not differ between the two groups. Plaque size in Group 1 was larger than in Group 2 (3.0 ± 1.2 vs 2.0 ± 1.2 cm, respectively), whereas there was no significant difference in plaque location. Although there was a lower percentage of responders to medical treatment in Group 1, there were no differences in surgical outcomes between the two groups. These findings suggest that the presence of T deficiency in patients with PD exaggerates the severity of PD by affecting penile deformity, plaque size, and erectile dysfunction. Further studies are needed to confirm this relationship.
Factors Related to Teachers' Intention to Leave the Classroom Early.

The challenge of retaining teachers in the profession of agricultural education is a prevalent and growing problem in the United States. The purpose of this study was to determine the primary factors contributing to intention to leave the profession among Georgia agriculture teachers. Teacher-participants responded to a web-based survey which sought to determine the following: the demographics of Georgia agriculture teachers, self-perceived likelihood of leaving the profession, job satisfaction as it relates to working conditions, and contributing factors to self-perceived likelihood of leaving the profession. Respondents were generally satisfied with their jobs, and the majority of teachers planned to remain in the profession. Differences were identified between genders in the area of job satisfaction and self-perceived likelihood of leaving their current position. Teachers were most likely to leave the profession because of retirement, family, and commitments to children. Teachers were most dissatisfied because of burnout.
VO2 max is associated with ACE genotype in postmenopausal women.

Relationships have frequently been found between angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) genotype and various pathological and physiological cardiovascular outcomes and functions. Thus we sought to determine whether ACE genotype affected maximal O2 consumption (VO2 max) and maximal exercise hemodynamics in postmenopausal women with different habitual physical activity levels. Age, body composition, and habitual physical activity levels did not differ among ACE genotype groups. However, ACE insertion/insertion (II) genotype carriers had a 6.3 ml . kg-1 . min-1 higher VO2 max (P < 0.05) than the ACE deletion/deletion (DD) genotype group after accounting for the effect of physical activity levels. The ACE II genotype group also had a 3.3 ml . kg-1 . min-1 higher VO2 max (P < 0.05) than the ACE insertion/deletion (ID) genotype group. The ACE ID group tended to have a higher VO2 max than the DD genotype group, but the difference was not significant. ACE genotype accounted for 12% of the variation in VO2 max among women after accounting for the effect of habitual physical activity levels. The entire difference in VO2 max among ACE genotype groups was the result of differences in maximal arteriovenous O2 difference (a-vDO2). ACE genotype accounted for 17% of the variation in maximal a-vDO2 in these women. Maximal cardiac output index did not differ whatsoever among ACE genotype groups. Thus it appears that ACE genotype accounts for a significant portion of the interindividual differences in VO2 max among these women. However, this difference is the result of genotype-dependent differences in maximal a-vDO2 and not of maximal stroke volume and maximal cardiac output.
Implementation of MIMO Channel Simulator for SUI Channel Model Applications

A Kronecker model-based 2 x 2 multiple-input multiple- output (MIMO) channel simulator has been successfully developed. This MIMO channel matrix is determined from the Kronecker product of the spatial correlation matrices at the transmitter and the receiver. It provides reconfigurable channel models suitable to MIMO, multiple-input single- output (MISO) and single-input multiple-output (SIMO) performance analyses. The channel simulator provides both frequency selective and frequency flat fading components. The TMS320C55 DSP chipset is used as an essential subsystem in the implementation of real-time complex Gaussian random variables, the Kronecker matrix calculations and Cholesky decomposition operations. The programmable SAW tap-delay line and attenuator are adopted to characterize the delay profile for the frequency-selective fading channel. The Doppler spectrum and the modified Stanford University Interim (SUI-5) channel model experimental results closely conform to the analytical predictions. The BER measurements satisfy most scenarios of the MIMO channel performance.
Effects of Selective Deafferentation on the Discharge Characteristics of Medial Rectus Motoneurons

Medial rectus motoneurons receive two main pontine inputs: abducens internuclear neurons, whose axons course through the medial longitudinal fasciculus (MLF), and neurons in the lateral vestibular nucleus, whose axons project through the ascending tract of Deiters (ATD). Abducens internuclear neurons are responsible for conjugate gaze in the horizontal plane, whereas ATD neurons provide medial rectus motoneurons with a vestibular input comprising mainly head velocity. To reveal the relative contribution of each input to the oculomotor physiology, single-unit recordings from medial rectus motoneurons were obtained in the control situation and after selective deafferentation from cats with unilateral transection of either the MLF or the ATD. Both MLF and ATD transection produced similar short-term alterations in medial rectus motoneuron firing pattern, which were more drastic in MLF of animals. However, long-term recordings revealed important differences between the two types of lesion. Thus, while the effects of the MLF section were permanent, 2 months after ATD lesioning all motoneuronal firing parameters were similar to the control. These findings indicated a more relevant role of the MLF pathway in driving motoneuronal firing and evidenced compensatory mechanisms following the ATD lesion. Confocal immunocytochemistry revealed that MLF transection produced also a higher loss of synaptic boutons, mainly at the dendritic level. Moreover, 2 months after ATD transection, we observed an increase in synaptic coverage around motoneuron cell bodies compared with short-term data, which is indicative of a synaptogenic compensatory mechanism of the abducens internuclear pathway that could lead to the observed firing and morphological recovery. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Eye movements rely on multiple neuronal circuits for appropriate performance. The abducens internuclear pathway through the medial longitudinal fascicle (MLF) and the vestibular neurons through the ascending tract of Deiters (ATD) are a dual system that supports the firing of medial rectus motoneurons. We report the effect of sectioning the MLF or the ATD pathway on the firing of medial rectus motoneurons, as well as the plastic mechanisms by which one input compensates for the lack of the other. This work shows that while the effects of MLF transection are permanent, the ATD section produces transitory effects. A mechanism based on axonal sprouting and occupancy of the vacant synaptic space due to deafferentation is the base for the mechanism of compensation on the medial rectus motoneuron.
Orexin System: The Key for a Healthy Life

The orexin-A/hypocretin-1 and orexin-B/hypocretin-2 are neuropeptides synthesized by a cluster of neurons in the lateral hypothalamus and perifornical area. Orexin neurons receive a variety of signals related to environmental, physiological and emotional stimuli, and project broadly to the entire CNS. Orexin neurons are “multi-tasking” neurons regulating a set of vital body functions, including sleep/wake states, feeding behavior, energy homeostasis, reward systems, cognition and mood. Furthermore, a dysfunction of orexinergic system may underlie different pathological conditions. A selective loss orexin neurons was found in narcolepsia, supporting the crucial role of orexins in maintaining wakefulness. In animal models, orexin deficiency lead to obesity even if the consume of calories is lower than wildtype counterpart. Reduced physical activity appears the main cause of weight gain in these models resulting in energy imbalance. Orexin signaling promotes obesity resistance via enhanced spontaneous physical activity and energy expenditure regulation and the deficiency/dysfunction in orexins system lead to obesity in animal models despite of lower calories intake than wildtype associated with reduced physical activity. Interestingly, orexinergic neurons show connections to regions involved in cognition and mood regulation, including hippocampus. Orexins enhance hippocampal neurogenesis and improve spatial learning and memory abilities, and mood. Conversely, orexin deficiency results in learning and memory deficits, and depression.
Improvement of Dynamic Respiration Monitoring Through Sensor Fusion of Accelerometer and Gyro-sensor

In this paper, we suggest a method to improve the fusion of an accelerometer and gyro sensor by using a Kalman filter to produce a more high-quality respiration signal to supplement the weakness of using a single accelerometer. To evaluate our proposed algorithm’s performance, we developed a chest belt-type module. We performed experiments consisting of aerobic exercise and muscular exercises with 10 subjects. We compared the derived respiration signal from the accelerometer with that from our algorithm using the standard respiration signal from the piezoelectric sensor in the time and frequency domains during the aerobic and muscular exercises. We also analyzed the time delay to verify the synchronization between the output and standard signals. We confirmed that our algorithm improved the respiratory rate’s detection accuracy by 4.6% and 9.54% for the treadmill and leg press, respectively, which are dynamic. We also confirmed a small time delay of about 0.638 s on average. We determined that real-time monitoring of the respiration signal is possible. In conclusion, our suggested algorithm can acquire a more high-quality respiration signal in a dynamic exercise environment away from a limited static environment to provide safer and more effective exercises and improve exercise sustainability.
The Gerbode Defect or Left Ventricular to Right Atrial Shunt Assessed by Transthoracic 3D Echocardiography

We report the case a 14‐year‐old male presented with a perimembranous ventricular septal defect. 2D echocardiography showed both left ventricular to right ventricular and atrial shunt. Left and right ventricular 3D “en face” views of the defect were obtained. 3D echocardiography delineated the morphologic nature of the ventricular septal defect, its shape, and the direction in which the defect extends into the ventricular septum. Other anatomic structures such as the tricuspid valve leaflet, the right ventricular outflow tract, and the aortic valve can be displayed in their realistic spatial distribution. These findings have clinical implications when surgical repair is planned. (Echocardiography 2011;28:E140‐E142)
Genetic correlates of olanzapine-induced weight gain in schizophrenia subjects from north India: role of metabolic pathway genes.

AIM Olanzapine is an efficacious drug often used as a first-line medication in the treatment for schizophrenia. However, weight gain is a notable adverse drug reaction of this medication in a proportion of patients and a major cause of noncompliance. Several hypotheses, including a contribution from hormonal, physiological and environmental factors, have been postulated. In this study, we aimed to analyze a possible association of genetic polymorphisms at four important candidate genes involved in appetite regulation and antipsychotic-induced metabolic syndrome with olanzapine-induced weight gain. MATERIALS & METHODS A total of 154 schizophrenia subjects were recruited in a systematic, 6-week, open-label trial of olanzapine. We investigated the contribution of 14 polymorphisms from four genes, namely, leptin, lipoprotein lipase, tri-acyl-glycerol lipase and citrate lyase using a binary logistic regression analysis towards olanzapine-induced weight gain. RESULTS rs 4731426 C/G SNP, a variant in the leptin gene, was moderately associated with median weight gain (Delta weight(m); [p = 0.05; OR: 2.2; 95% CI: 0.99-4.90]) and significantly associated with extreme weight gain (Delta weight(e) [p = 0.019; OR: 11.43; 95% CI: 1.49-87.55]) when average drug dose was included in a regression model. Using in silico analysis, we found that this associated intronic SNP in the leptin gene alters the binding of zinc finger 5, a transcription factor. CONCLUSION The leptin gene may be a promising candidate for olanzapine-induced weight gain. As the associations are modest, replicate studies are warranted. This approach may facilitate rationalized drug regimens.
Manual muscle test scores and dynamometer test scores of knee extension strength.

The knee extension force of 50 patients was investigated using traditional manual muscle testing and hand-held dynamometry. The relationship between manual muscle test word scores and dynamometer force scores was determined using Kendall tau, as was the relationship between manual muscle test percentage scores and dynamometer scores expressed as a percentage of "normal. " Percentage scores were also compared to determine if a significant difference existed. Manual muscle test scores and dynamometer test scores were significantly correlated (p less than .001). Percentage manual muscle test and dynamometer test scores were significantly different (p less than .001). These results suggest that the two procedures measure the same variable-strength. Manual muscle test percentage scores of knee extension may, however, overestimate the extent to which a patient is "normal. "