Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development of Ovarian Autografts on the Greater Omentum in Hemicastrated and Subsequently Castrated Rats

Summary Ovarian autografts were performed on the omentum in 3-week~ld hemicastrated rats. The second ovary was removed after 10, 30,60 and 90 days. At the same time a bilateral oophorectomy together with an implantation of ovarian autografts were performed in control animals of the same age. In some of the animals, operated for the second time after 30, 60 and 90 days, a fragment of the removed ovary was implanted near the first graft. The animals were killed 1 and -2 months after total castration and the mean weights of the implant were compared between rats with a single graft and controls. In animals with two implants the second one served as a control and the mean weights of the two grafts were compared. In hemicastrated animals the implants remained "dor mant" and did not grow during 6 months of observation. However, their histological picture suggested some gona dotropic influence. The mean weights of the implants in the bilaterally castrated control animals declined steadily with increased age of the rats at the time of operation. In the experimental animals with one implant, the decrease was noted only in the group castrated 30 days after hemica stration. No further decline in the mean weights of implants was found in animals castrated 60 or 90 days after hemicastration. In rats with two implants, the fust implant behaved as in experimental animals with one implant, while the mean weights of second implants declined progressively as in the control animals. The results obtained suggest that the decline in the growth capability of ovarian implants is a biphasic phenomenon. The fust phase - observed in rats be fore puberty - is conditioned by the aging of ovarian tissue, while the second phase - noticed in rats after puberty - is, in some way, influenced by the functional alterations occuring in the ovary at that time.
Transcriptional regulation of IGF-I receptor gene expression by the PAX3-FKHR oncoprotein.

Chromosomal translocations that disrupt the molecular organization of transcription factors are typical of a variety of solid and hematopoietic cancers. Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS), a paediatric soft tissue malignant tumour, is characterized by the recurrent translocation t(2;13)(q35;q14) that fuses the 5' DNA binding domain-encoding sequences of the Pax3 gene with the 3' sequences of the FKHR gene. The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system has an important role in muscle development as well as in the aetiology of paediatric sarcomas, including ARMS. In the present study the potential regulation of the IGF-I receptor (IGF-I-R) gene by PAX3-FKHR at the transcriptional level was investigated. PAX3-FKHR was able to transactivate the IGF-I-R promoter in sarcoma-derived cell lines, whereas PAX3 exhibited a reduced potency in comparison to the fusion protein. Furthermore, transfection of the chimera induced a significant increase in the endogenous levels of IGF-I-R protein, suggesting that the IGF-I-R gene is a physiologically-relevant molecular target for the PAX3-FKHR oncogene.
Stop and Branch Behaviors of Geniculocortical Axons: A Time-Lapse Study in Organotypic Cocultures

The behavior of growing thalamic axons was studied in an organotypic coculture of the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) with the visual cortex (VC) to reveal cellular interactions that underlie the formation of lamina-specific thalamocortical connections. The LGN explant was placed at the ventral side, pial surface, or lateral edge of the VC explant, and fluorescent dye-labeled LGN axons were observed by confocal microscopy in fixed and living tissue. The axonal projection pattern in fixed cocultures after 1 week in vitro demonstrated that, in all three configurations, LGN axons formed primitive branches mainly in layer 4. A time-lapse study further examined axonal growth and branch formation in the living cortical explant. The majority of branches emerged within layer 4 behind the axonal tip, regardless of the direction of axonal entry. In addition, most axons entering from the ventral or pial side of the VC exhibited a transient or persistent stop of axonal growth in and around layer 4, whereas those entering from the lateral edge of the VC traveled along layer 4 without exhibiting stop behavior. The axonal stop often was accompanied by growth cone collapse and a slight retraction. These results suggest the existence of branch and stop cues in layer 4 of the cortex that are recognized by LGN axons.
Fast 2D laser scan matching algorithm based on curve mass centre correspondence

Start from point-to-point corresponding method, the scan matching problem for 2D laser measurement data association is studied. A relative robot displacement estimation method based on curve mass centre correspondence (CMCC) is proposed. Experiments show that this method is easy to realize and converges faster than the iterative closest point (ICP) method, but its precision is not high. When the CMCC method and ICP method are used together, the matching speed is raised and the precision is also ensured.
The relationship between GABA-containing cells and the cholinergic circuitry in the rabbit retina

As a part of ongoing efforts to understand the cholinergic circuitry in the mammalian retina, we studied the coexpression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the GABA transporter 1 (GAT-1), or choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) immunoreactivity in the rabbit retina. Double-label experiments with monoclonal antibody 210 (mAb 210) against nAChRs and antibodies against GABA revealed that several populations of GABA-containing amacrine, displaced amacrine, and ganglion cells displayed nAChR immunoreactivity. Some of them also exhibited ChAT immunoreactivity and were identified as the cholinoceptive starburst cells. Other GABAergic amacrine cells positive for mAb 210 were not cholinergic. Simultaneous visualization of mAb 210 and GAT-1 immunoreactivity revealed that 10% of GAT-1 immunoreactive amacrine cells contained nAChRs. Ninety-nine percent of the GAT-1 labeled cells demonstrated GABA immunoreactivity, but only 75% of the GABAergic cells were outlined by GAT-1 staining. Neither population of starburst cells exhibited GAT-1 immunoreactivity. Thus, mAb 210 expressing, GAT-1 positive cells in the rabbit retina constitute a noncholinergic subset of GABAergic amacrine cells. Taken together, our results suggest that some GABAergic amacrine cells are cholinoceptive, raising the possibility that ACh, acting through nAChRs, can modulate the release of GABA in the rabbit retina.
Effect of Wheelchair Stroke Pattern on Mechanical Efficiency

de Groot S, Veeger HEJ, Hollander AP, van der Woude LHV: Effect of wheelchair stroke pattern on mechanical efficiency. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2004;83:640–649. Objective:To investigate the effect of different wheelchair stroke patterns on efficiency and propulsion technique (force application and timing). Design:Inexperienced, able-bodied subjects were randomly divided into two velocity groups (1.11 m/sec [n = 13] and 1.39 m/sec [n = 11]). An external (medium) load was set at 0.23 N/kg. Subjects performed four 4-min exercise blocks on a wheelchair ergometer. The first block was performed with a freely chosen movement pattern of the hand. Thereafter, the pumping, semicircular, or single–looping over propulsion pattern were performed in a counterbalanced order. Gross mechanical efficiency and propulsion technique variables were measured with Oxycon Alpha and an instrumented wheelchair ergometer. Results:A significant difference was found for mechanical efficiency, with pumping showing the highest efficiency and semicircular the lowest efficiency, regardless of velocity. Timing variables and negative power deflections before and after the push phase showed significant differences between the stroke patterns. Conclusions:Pumping is the energetically most efficient stroke pattern in contrast to the semicircular pattern in this subject group. Propulsion technique could not explain the difference in efficiency.
Regulation of the nucleocytoplasmic trafficking of viral and cellular proteins by ubiquitin and small ubiquitin‐related modifiers

Nucleocytoplasmic trafficking of many cellular proteins is regulated by nuclear import/export signals as well as post‐translational modifications such as covalent conjugation of ubiquitin and small ubiquitin‐related modifiers (SUMOs). Ubiquitination and SUMOylation are rapid and reversible ways to modulate the intracellular localisation and function of substrate proteins. These pathways have been co‐opted by some viruses, which depend on the host cell machinery to transport their proteins in and out of the nucleus. In this review, we will summarise our current knowledge on the ubiquitin/SUMO‐regulated nuclear/subnuclear trafficking of cellular proteins and describe examples of viral exploitation of these pathways.
[Prevalence of Chlamydia among young men. A screening among men liable for military service and coming before the military board].

INTRODUCTION Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial infection in Denmark. Each year 13-14,000 cases are diagnosed; of these about 3000 occur in men. In order to describe the prevalence of chlamydia among young men, screening for chlamydia was conducted in those liable for military service and coming before the medical board. MATERIALS AND METHODS Of 2500 men coming before the medical boards in North Jutland State County, Arhus State County, and Copenhagen County during the winter of 1996-97, 1345 men aged 17-32 (median 18 years) were entered in the study. The participants sent a urine sample and a filled-in questionnaire to Statens Serum Institut. The urine samples were analysed by an in-house PCR and the test results were sent to the participant; if permission had been granted, the positive test results were further sent to the general practitioner, along with a second questionnaire. RESULTS Chlamydia was found in 4.8% (65/1345) of all participants and in 6.9% of those sexually active. In North Jutland State County 7.1 and 9.8%, respectively, had chlamydia, whereas the corresponding figures for Arhus State County and Copenhagen County were about 4% and 6%. Two-thirds of the patients had no symptoms of urethritis. DISCUSSION The results of this study indicate that a considerable reservoir of unrecognised chlamydia must exist in young men. The prevalence of chlamydia was higher in North Jutland State County than in the other two districts. One explanation could be that there is more focus on sexually transmitted infections and contact tracing in the largest cities than in the rest of the country.
Relationship of endogenous circadian melatonin and temperature rhythms to self-reported preference for morning or evening activity in young and older people.

BACKGROUND Morningness-eveningness refers to interindividual differences in preferred timing of behavior (i.e., bed and wake times). Older people have earlier wake times and rate themselves as more morning-like than young adults. It has been reported that the phase of circadian rhythms is earlier in morning-types than in evening types, and that older people have earlier phases than young adults. These changes in phase have been considered to be the chronobiological basis of differences in preferred bed and wake times and age-related changes therein. Whether such differences in phase are associated with changes in the phase relationship between endogenous circadian rhythms and the sleep-wake cycle has not been investigated previously. METHODS We investigated the association between circadian phase, the phase relationship between the sleep-wake cycle and circadian rhythms, and morningness-eveningness, and their interaction with aging. In this circadian rhythm study, 68 young and 40 older subjects participated. RESULTS Among the young subjects, the phase of the melatonin and core temperature rhythms occurred earlier in morning than in evening types and the interval between circadian phase and usual wake time was longer in morning types. Thus, while evening types woke at a later clock hour than morning types, morning types actually woke at a later circadian phase. Comparing young and older morning types we found that older morning types had an earlier circadian phase and a shorter phase-wake time interval. The shorter phase-waketime interval in older "morning types" is opposite to the change associated with morningness in young people, and is more similar to young evening types. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate an association between circadian phase, the relationship between the sleep-wake cycle and circadian phase, and morningness-eveningness in young adults. Furthermore, they demonstrate that age-related changes in phase angle cannot be attributed fully to an age-related shift toward morningness. These findings have important implications for understanding individual preferences in sleep-wake timing and age-related changes in the timing of sleep.
Comparison of the effects of poultry manure and its biochar on barley growth in petroleum-contaminated soils

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of two organic amendments [poultry manure (PM) and poultry manure biochar (PMB)] for the degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in contaminated soils by barley plant at three levels of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) during 5 months under greenhouse conditions. TPHs removal efficiency and microbial respiration were shown to be higher at soil-cultivated plant than at uncultivated soil and in lowest level of contamination rather than other levels of contamination and at organic amendment treatment than unamended soil. Soil microbial respiration and TPHs degradation in the rhizosphere of barley increased by 15.64 and 12.74% for PM-amended treatment and 28.07 and 26.83% for PMB-amended treatment, respectively, in the 4% TPHs level compared with unamended treatment. Comparison of two amendments showed that in PMB treatment soil, highest dry weight, microbial respiration, and TPHs degradation potential were observed.
Feasibility of Producing Porcine Nuclear Transfer Embryos by Using G2/M-Stage Fetal Fibroblasts as Donors1

Abstract The type of donor cell most suitable for producing cloned animals is one of the topics under debate in the field of nuclear transfer. To provide useful information to answer this question, G2/M- and G0/G1-stage fetal fibroblasts were used as donor cells for nuclear transfer. In vitro-matured oocytes derived from abattoir ovaries were used as recipient cytoplasts. In both groups, nuclear envelope breakdown and premature chromosome condensation were completed within 1–2 h after donor cells were injected into the cytoplasm of oocytes. Microtubules were organized around condensed chromosomes and formed a spindle within 1–1.5 h after activation. Decondensation of chromosomes could be seen within 2–4 h after activation. Reformation of the new nuclear envelope occurred 4–6 h after activation and was followed by nuclear swelling and formation of a pronucleus-like structure (PN) 8–12 h after activation. Most (80.6%) of the reconstructed oocytes derived from G2/M cells extruded polar body-like structures (PB). However, a much lower frequency of PB (21.7%) was observed in the reconstructed oocytes derived from G0/G1 donors. A variety of PN and PB combinations were observed in reconstructed oocytes derived from G2/M-stage donors, including 1PN+0PB, 1PN+1PB, 1PN+2PB, 2PN+0PB, 2PN+1PB, 2PN+2PB, and 3PN+1PB. Chromosomes of most embryos (10/13) derived from G2/M stage were diploid. The percentage of cleavage and blastocysts and the average nuclear number of blastocysts in the G2/M and G0/G1 groups were not different. These results demonstrate that the G2/M stage can be morphologically remodeled by cytoplasm of MII oocytes in pigs. To maintain normal ploidy, the extra chromosomes derived from G2/M-stage cells could be expelled by oocytes as a second polar body. G2/M-stage fibroblast nuclei could direct reconstructed embryos to develop to the blastocyst stage.
Effect of Atorvastatin on Tumor Necrosis Factor α Serum Concentration and mRNA Expression of Adipose in Hypercholesterolemic Rabbits

Tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) is an inflammatory cytokine involved in atherogenesis. Adipose tissue is an important source of endogenous TNFα production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of atorvastatin on TNFα serum concentration and mRNA expressions of subcutaneous adipose in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Sixteen rabbits fed with a high-cholesterol diet for 8 weeks were randomly divided into 2 groups: (1) the high-cholesterol group (n = 8) was maintained on a high-cholesterol diet for 6 weeks; (2) the atorvastatin group (n = 8) had the same high-cholesterol diet plus atorvastatin (2.5 mg/kg/d) for 6 weeks. A control group (n = 5) was fed with a normal diet for 14 weeks. Subcutaneous adipose was collected for mRNA analysis. Additionally, the direct effect of atorvastatin on TNFα release and mRNA expression was assayed in primary rabbit adipocytes. TNFα levels in serum and adipocyte culture supernatant were measured by ELISA. RT-PCR was used to evaluate TNFα mRNA expression in adipose and adipocytes. Serum TNFα concentration was significantly associated with serum total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) (both P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, rabbits fed with a high-cholesterol diet showed higher levels of TNFα serum concentration and mRNA expression of adipose, both of which were significantly reduced by atorvastatin treatment (both P < 0.05). TNFα mRNA expressions of adipose were significantly correlated with circulating TNFα levels among the 3 groups (r = 0.51, P < 0.05). Atorvastatin dose-dependently inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced TNFα secretion and mRNA expression in cultured adipocytes. In conclusion, atorvastatin can directly inhibit TNFα expression and secretion in adipocytes. Atorvastatin reduced TNFα serum concentration in hypercholesterolemic rabbits, which might be because of its cholesterol-lowering effect and direct inhibition of TNFα expression in adipose.
Testing the limits of quasi-geostrophic theory: application to observed laboratory flows outside the quasi-geostrophic regime

We compare laboratory observations of equilibrated baroclinic waves in the rotating two-layer annulus, with numerical simulations from a quasi-geostrophic model. The laboratory experiments lie well outside the quasi-geostrophic regime: the Rossby number reaches unity; the depth-to-width aspect ratio is large; and the fluid contains ageostrophic inertia–gravity waves. Despite being formally inapplicable, the quasi-geostrophic model captures the laboratory flows reasonably well. The model displays several systematic biases, which are consequences of its treatment of boundary layers and neglect of interfacial surface tension and which may be explained without invoking the dynamical effects of the moderate Rossby number, large aspect ratio or inertia–gravity waves. We conclude that quasi-geostrophic theory appears to continue to apply well outside its formal bounds.
Performances of UWB Wheeler Cap and Reverberation Chamber to Carry Out Efficiency Measurements of Narrowband Antennas

This letter deals with using ultrawideband (UWB) Wheeler Cap (UWB WCap) and reverberation chamber (RC) to measure efficiencies of narrowband antennas. This first testbed designed for very broadband systems can also be accurate for narrowband antennas. The second one, first designed for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) measurements, offers advantages to measure antenna efficiency. Results are given to assess uncertainty and accuracy of both measurement means.
The microtubular system and posttranslationally modified tubulin during spermatogenesis in a parasitic nematode with amoeboid and aflagellate spermatozoa

Using transmission electron microscopy and immunologic approaches with various antibodies against general tubulin and posttranslationally modified tubulin, we investigated microtubule organization during spermatogenesis in Heligmosomoides polygyrus, a species in which a conspicuous but transient microtubular system exists in several forms: a cytoplasmic network in the spermatocyte, the meiotic spindle, a perinuclear network and a longitudinal bundle of microtubules in the spermatid. This pattern differs from most nematodes including Caenorhabditis elegans, in which spermatids have not microtubules. In the spermatozoon of H. polygyrus, immunocytochemistry does not detect tubulin, but electron microscopy reveals two centrioles with a unique structure of 10 singlets. In male germ cells, microtubules are probably involved in cell shaping and positioning of organelles but not in cell motility. In all transient tubulin structures described in spermatocytes and spermatids of H. polygyrus, detyrosination, tyrosination, and polyglutamylation were detected, but acetylation and polyglycylation were not. The presence/absence of these posttranslational modifications is apparently not stage dependent. This is the first study of posttranslationally modified tubulin in nematode spermatogenesis. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 49:150–167, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Use of variable phase-shifters based on Injection Locked Harmonic Self-Oscillating Mixers in active antenna arrays.

A receiving 4x1 element antenna array based on Injection-Locked Harmonic Self-Oscillating Mixers has been presented. With the proposed topology, coupling problems between different IL3HSOM circuits, sometimes present in oscillator based phased array systems, have been avoided by filtering without affecting the IF output power of the phased antenna array. Using a progressive phasedistribution along the array elements, the beam scanning behavior has been simulated and measured, obtaining a beam scanning range between −23° and 23°.
Silica, silicosis, and lung cancer: a risk assessment.

BACKGROUND To investigate exposure-response relationships for silica, silicosis, and lung cancer. METHODS Quantitative review of the literature identified in a computerized literature search. RESULTS The risk of silicosis (ILO category 1/1 or more) following a lifetime of exposure at the current OSHA standard of 0.1 mg/m(3) is likely to be at least 5-10% and lung cancer risk is likely to be increased by 30% or more. The exposure-response relation for silicosis is nonlinear and reduction of dust exposures would have a greater than linear benefit in terms of risk reduction. Available data suggests that 30 years exposure at 0.1 mg/m(3) might lead to a lifetime silicosis risk of about 25%, whereas reduction of the exposure to 0.05 mg/m(3) might reduce the risk to under 5%. CONCLUSIONS The lifetime risk of silicosis and lung cancer at an exposure level of 0.1 mg/m(3) is high. Lowering exposures to the NIOSH recommended limit if 0.05 mg/m(3) may have substantial benefit.