Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Desarrollo de la Médula Espinal de Salmón (Salmo salar) durante el Período Post-eclosional Development of Spinal Cord of the Salmon (Salmo salar) during the period post eclosional

HERNANDEZ, H. & ROJAS. M. Desarrollo de la medula espinal de Salmon (Salmo salar) durante el periodo post-eclosional. Int. J.Morphol. , 31(1):172-176, 2013.RESUMEN: En este estudio se describe el desarrollo post-eclosional de la medula espinal del salmon. Salmo salar . Se utilizaron200 alevines recien eclosionados, los que fueron cultivados en el Centro de Estudios Acuicolas de la Universidad de Chile. Las condicio-nes ambientales de cultivo fueron de un 90% de saturacion de oxigeno. La temperatura ambiental se mantuvo en 7 °C. A los dias 1, 3, 57 ds post-eclosion, 50 alevines por grupo etario fueron anestesiados y sacrificados por exposicion a 5% Benzocaina diluida en agua(Kalmagin 20®, Farquimica). Posteriormente fueron fijados en formalina tamponada al 10% y procesados mediante tecnica histologi ca.Para cada alevin se tomaron a nivel de la aleta dorsal un total de 40 cortes coronales seriados de 5 µm de grosor, los que fueron procesadosde acuerdo a las tecnicas Cresil violeta. La cuantificacion neuronal se realizo sobre imagenes microscopicas mediante el metodo deldisector. Los resultados obtenidos se sometieron a una prueba de Coeficiente de Kurtosis con el proposito de analizar el grado deconcentracion que presentan los valores alrededor de la zona central de la distribucion. La medula espinal de los alevines de 1 dia es pocodiferenciada. En los alevines de 3, 5 y 7 dias se diferencian gradualmente las neuronas de la sustancia gris, pero no presenta la distribu-cion caracteristica en forma de “Y” invertida del salmon adulto. El numero de neuronas aumenta desde 67+1.7 en el dia 1 hasta 8 8+2.1en el dia 7. Esta observacion se puede relacionar con la ausencia de movimientos natatorios de los peces durante los primeros d ias ya queestos caen sobre la gravilla al fondo de las bateas. Un factor determinante en la adquisicion de la morfologia de la medula espinal es elinicio de los movimientos natatorios, lo que ocurre aproximadamente al quinto dia post-eclosion. La actividad motriz activa per mite quelas neuronas de la medula espinal sean reclutadas y se formen y activen las redes neurales, permaneciendo finalmente los circui tos maseficientes. El aumento del numero de neuronas se puede explicar por neurogenesis post-eclosion, como ocurre en otros teleosteos . Esteestudio indica que al momento de la eclosion, el sistema nervioso esta muy indiferenciando, y que durante las primeras semanas de vidadel alevin ocurre la diferenciacion de las neuronas y neurogenesis. Este conocimiento es muy importante debido a que en las pis ciculturasse cuidan las ovas, y se descuida la fase del alevinaje en la creencia que los tejidos estan constituidos.PALABRAS CLAVE: Medula espinal; Sistema nervioso; Neurogenesis; Alevin; Salmon.
A new method for quantitative cellular imaging on 3-D scaffolds using fluorescence microscopy

This paper presents a new image processing technique for estimating cell numbers and contours in three-dimensional (3-D) microfabricated scaffolds. The method is based on a statistical approach, and utilizes the extreme value theory, which assumes that cells in the image field are rare, high-intensity events. Confocal microscopy images of fibroblasts on 3-D structures were processed using the method, and the resulting data on cell numbers was compared with countings obtained using a Burker chamber. The results were identical to within a few percent.
The Drosophila Epsin 1 is Required for Ubiquitin‐Dependent Synaptic Growth and Function but Not for Synaptic Vesicle Recycling

The ubiquitin‐proteasome system plays an important role in synaptic development and function. However, many components of this system, and how they act to affect synapses, are still not well understood. In this study, we use the Drosophila neuromuscular junction to study the in vivo function of Liquid facets (Lqf), a homolog of mammalian epsin 1. Our data show that Lqf plays a novel role in synapse development and function. Contrary to prior models, Lqf is not required for clathrin‐mediated endocytosis of synaptic vesicles. Lqf is required to maintain bouton size and shape and to sustain synapse growth by acting as a specific substrate of the deubiquitinating enzyme Fat facets. However, Lqf is not a substrate of the Highwire (Hiw) E3 ubiquitin ligase; neither is it required for synapse overgrowth in hiw mutants. Interestingly, Lqf converges on the Hiw pathway by negatively regulating transmitter release in the hiw mutant. These observations demonstrate that Lqf plays distinct roles in two ubiquitin pathways to regulate structural and functional plasticity of the synapse.
Novel phacB-Encoded Cytochrome P450 Monooxygenase from Aspergillus nidulans with 3-Hydroxyphenylacetate 6-Hydroxylase and 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetate 6-Hydroxylase Activities

ABSTRACT Aspergillus nidulans catabolizes phenylacetate (PhAc) and 3-hydroxy-, 4-hydroxy-, and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetate (3-OH-PhAc, 4-OH-PhAc, and 3,4-diOH-PhAc, respectively) through the 2,5-dihydroxyphenylacetate (homogentisic acid) catabolic pathway. Using cDNA subtraction techniques, we isolated a gene, denoted phacB, which is strongly induced by PhAc (and its hydroxyderivatives) and encodes a new cytochrome P450 (CYP450). A disrupted phacB strain (ΔphacB) does not grow on 3-hydroxy-, 4-hydroxy-, or 3,4-dihydroxy-PhAc. High-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrum analyses of in vitro reactions using microsomes from wild-type and several A. nidulans mutant strains confirmed that the phacB-encoded CYP450 catalyzes 3-hydroxyphenylacetate and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetate 6-hydroxylations to generate 2,5-dihydroxyphenylacetate and 2,4,5-trihydroxyphenylacetate, respectively. Both of these compounds are used as substrates by homogentisate dioxygenase. This cytochrome P450 protein also uses PhAc as a substrate to generate 2-OH-PhAc with a very low efficiency. The phacB gene is the first member of a new CYP450 subfamily (CYP504B).
Genetic and genomic technologies from A-Z

For many years, genetic improvement in swine herds was traditionally made by small breeders. Beginning in the last half of the 20 century, following the lead of corn hybrid companies, breeding companies and larger seedstock breeders moved to improve swine by employing stringent selection methods, developing specialized sire and dam lines and then synthetic lines to be sold to customers as commercial products. Fat reduction and increased growth rates were significant but gains in reproduction and feed efficiency were more limiting and meat quality generally declined. Beginning in the early 1990s advances in the fields of molecular genetics began to provide additional tools for further improvements. Several recent quantitative trait loci (QTL) scans and candidate gene analyses have identified important chromosomal regions and individual genes associated with traits of economic interest including growth and fat levels, meat quality traits, reproduction and disease resistance. Commercial genetic companies are actively using this information combined with traditional performance information to improve pig production by marker assisted selection (MAS). Completion of the sequencing of the pig genome, coupled with development of large single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) panels offers the possibility of whole genome association trials and genomic selection which is likely to provide the ability to select animals for traits previously difficult to improve. Such genetic improvement will improve production characteristics and provide healthier food products worldwide. The purpose of this paper is to help breeders understand the technologies and see how they fit in their programs.
Targeted, activity-dependent spinal stimulation produces long-lasting motor recovery in chronic cervical spinal cord injury

Significance This study describes a new strategy for enhancing motor recovery after neurological injury. Using a recurrent neural–computer interface, we attempt to facilitate and direct functionally relevant activity-dependent neural plasticity, the mechanism thought to underlie the benefits of use-dependent physical therapy. We show that this approach can lead to meaningful functional gains that last for weeks after discontinuation of stimulation, a finding that is both unique and highly clinically relevant. Our results suggest that we have leveraged the nervous system’s intrinsic capacity for reorganization and repair to drive true neurological rehabilitation rather than enhancing performance through reanimation or replacement of function. This approach could also be adapted to other impairments, such as locomotion, bowel, bladder or sexual dysfunction, and pain. Use-dependent movement therapies can lead to partial recovery of motor function after neurological injury. We attempted to improve recovery by developing a neuroprosthetic intervention that enhances movement therapy by directing spike timing-dependent plasticity in spared motor pathways. Using a recurrent neural–computer interface in rats with a cervical contusion of the spinal cord, we synchronized intraspinal microstimulation below the injury with the arrival of functionally related volitional motor commands signaled by muscle activity in the impaired forelimb. Stimulation was delivered during physical retraining of a forelimb behavior and throughout the day for 3 mo. Rats receiving this targeted, activity-dependent spinal stimulation (TADSS) exhibited markedly enhanced recovery compared with animals receiving targeted but open-loop spinal stimulation and rats receiving physical retraining alone. On a forelimb reach and grasp task, TADSS animals recovered 63% of their preinjury ability, more than two times the performance level achieved by the other therapy groups. Therapeutic gains were maintained for 3 additional wk without stimulation. The results suggest that activity-dependent spinal stimulation can induce neural plasticity that improves behavioral recovery after spinal cord injury.
Trichiasis: Making Progress Toward Elimination

Trachomatis trichiasis is the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide. It is an ocular condition that dates back to ancient times, with evidence of the disease recorded as early as the 27th century BC. Once endemic in many parts of the world, including the United States and Europe, the disease is now concentrated primarily in sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and pockets of Asia and Latin America. As recently as the early 1900s, immigrants coming to the United States were screened for trachoma and were not allowed to enter the country if they had signs of active disease. In England, the Moorefields Eye Hospital was founded primarily on the grounds of treating trachoma patients. Current estimates suggest that 1.3 million people are irreversibly blind from trachoma. In parts of Africa, 50% to 60% of preschool-aged children show signs of active trachoma and approximately 10% of adults suffer from the blinding sequelae, trichiasis. With improvements in living conditions, trachoma has disappeared from much of the developed world; however, many parts of the world still suffer from this blinding disease. Within these populations, the poorest of the poor are the ones most often affected. Lack of access to clean water, poor hygiene conditions, and crowding are all factors that contribute to the high prevalence of trachoma and trichiasis in rural areas of developing countries. Until the last decade, trichiasis was the second leading cause of blindness in the world. Yet, in many parts of the developed world, a large majority of individuals have never even heard of the disease. Awareness of this disease, and the burden that it creates on society, is typically limited to those who live in the afflicted areas, healthcare professionals, and to the relatively small community of researchers who study it. History has shown us that this disease can be eliminated, and that it ‘‘simply’’ requires improvements in living conditions. Yet, in many parts of the world, there is little evidence that suggests substantial
A distributed multiple access technique for radio resource allocation in unlicensed wireless ATM LANs

A distributed multiple access technique for radio resource management is presented. The proposed distributed dynamic channel reservation (DDCR) method applies to multicarrier wireless ATM LANs, where base stations act as hubs to offer wireless ATM access to mobile units. The method is suitable for unlicensed wireless systems, where base stations are installed in a common coverage area. According to the proposed approach, base stations compete to access and reserve time on separate frequencies, using a dynamic TDMA/TDD technique, combined with listening and competing periods. Etiquette rules, contention disciplines and medium access control mechanisms are proposed. Procedures for terminal association and registration, and solutions for the hidden terminal problem are introduced. Finally, the performance of the presented contention disciplines is evaluated and compared through simulations.
WHAT DOES THE 2 C TARGET IMPLY FOR A GLOBAL CLIMATE AGREEMENT IN 2020? THE LIMITS STUDY ON DURBAN PLATFORM SCENARIOS

This paper provides a novel and comprehensive model-based assessment of possible outcomes of the Durban Platform negotiations with a focus on emissions reduction requirements, the consistency with the 2°C target and global economic impacts. The Durban Platform scenarios investigated in the LIMITS study — all assuming the implementation of comprehensive global emission reductions after 2020, but assuming different 2020 emission reduction levels as well as different long-term concentration targets — exhibit a probability of exceeding the 2°C limit of 22–41% when reaching 450 (450–480) ppm CO2e, and 35–59% when reaching 500 (480–520) ppm CO2e in 2100. Forcing and temperature show a peak and decline pattern for both targets. Consistency of the resulting temperature trajectory with the 2°C target is a societal choice, and may be based on the maximum exceedance probability at the time of the peak and the long run exceedance probability, e.g., in the year 2100. The challenges of implementing a long-term target after a period of fragmented near-term climate policy can be significant as reflected in steep reductions of emissions intensity and transitional and long-term economic impacts. In particular, the challenges of adopting the target are significantly higher in 2030 than in 2020, both in terms of required emissions intensity decline rates and economic impacts. We conclude that an agreement on comprehensive emissions reductions to be implemented from 2020 onwards has particular significance for meeting long-term climate policy objectives.
Cost-effectiveness of interferon-gamma release assays for tuberculosis screening in nursing homes

SUMMARY Tuberculosis (TB) in older people is a significant public health problem in low TB-incidence countries. Older persons have increased TB incidence, higher reactivation and mortality. A delay in diagnosis and initiation of TB treatment in patients with atypical clinical and radiological features is a significant factor of widespread transmission. This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of interferon-gamma release assays [IGRAs; QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT) and T-SPOT®. TB (T-SPOT)] compared to the tuberculin skin test (TST) and chest X-ray (CXR) examination for TB screening for nursing homes. Decision trees and Markov models were constructed using a societal perspective on a lifetime horizon. Seven strategies: no screening, TST, QFT, T-SPOT, TST followed by QFT, TST followed by T-SPOT, and CXR were considered. QFT [US$ 401·9, 4·36 707 QALY (year 2014 values)] was the most cost-effective at the willingness-to-pay level of US$ 50 000/QALY gained. TST followed by QFT was the most cost-effective in residents with comorbidities. CXR was less cost-effective. Cost-effectiveness was sensitive to latent TB infection (LTBI) rate and bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccination rate. Effective LTBI screening using IGRA is recommended to prevent TB transmission not only in nursing homes but also in local communities in low-incidence countries.
Properties of Bac W 42 , a Bacteriocin Produced by Bacillus subtilis W 42 Isolated from Cheonggukjang

Ten Bacillus strains with antimicrobial activities were isolated from Cheonggukjang produced at different parts in Korea. They all inhibited Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 19111 and nine inhibited Bacillus cereus ATCC 14579. Four isolates (W42, H27, SKE 12, and K21) showing strong inhibiting activities were identified as B. subtilis. B. subtilis W42 was the most inhibiting strain. The antimicrobial activity of culture supernatant from B. subtilis W42 was destroyed completely by proteinase K treatment, indicating that a bacteriocin was the responsible agent. The bacteriocin, Bac W42, was most stable at pH 7 and stable between pH 3-6 and 8-9. Bac W42 was stable up to 80 o C. BHI (brain heart infusion) and TSB (tryptic soy broth) were the best media for the activity (320 AU/ml) followed by LB (160 AU/ml). Bac W42 was partially purified by column chromatographies. The specific activity was increased from 1,151.2 AU/ml to 9,043.5 AU/ml and the final yield was 26.3%. Bac W42 was 5.4 kDa in size as determined by SDS-PAGE. Bac W42 showed bactericidal activity against L. monocytogenes ATCC 19111.
Atomic structure of acetylcholinesterase from Torpedo californica: a prototypic acetylcholine-binding protein

The three-dimensional structure of acetylcholinesterase from Torpedo californica electric organ has been determined by x-ray analysis to 2.8 angstrom resolution. The form crystallized is the glycolipid-anchored homodimer that was purified subsequent to solubilization with a bacterial phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C. The enzyme monomer is an alpha/beta protein that contains 537 amino acids. It consists of a 12-stranded mixed beta sheet surrounded by 14 alpha helices and bears a striking resemblance to several hydrolase structures including dienelactone hydrolase, serine carboxypeptidase-II, three neutral lipases, and haloalkane dehalogenase. The active site is unusual because it contains Glu, not Asp, in the Ser-His-acid catalytic triad and because the relation of the triad to the rest of the protein approximates a mirror image of that seen in the serine proteases. Furthermore, the active site lies near the bottom of a deep and narrow gorge that reaches halfway into the protein. Modeling of acetylcholine binding to the enzyme suggests that the quaternary ammonium ion is bound not to a negatively charged "anionic" site, but rather to some of the 14 aromatic residues that line the gorge.
1 SEX-DEPENDENT EFFECT OF BAG 1 IN AMELIORATING MOTOR DEFICITS OF HUNTINGTON ’ S DISEASE TRANSGENIC MICE

The pathogenesis of Huntington’s disease (HD) is attributed to the misfolding of huntingtin (htt) caused by an expanded polyglutamine (PolyQ) domain. Considerable effort has been devoted to identifying molecules that can prevent or reduce htt misfolding and the associated neuropathology. Although overexpression of chaperones is known to reduce htt cytotoxicity in cellular models, only modest protection is seen with Hsp70 overexpression in HD mouse models. Since the activity of Hsp70 is modulated by cochaperones, an interesting issue is whether the in vivo effects of chaperones on polyQ protein toxicity are dependent on other modulators. In the present study, we focused on BAG1, a co-chaperone that interacts with Hsp70 and regulates its activity. Of htt mice expressing the N17182Q mutant, we found that male N171-82Q mice show a greater deficit in rotarod performance than female N171-82Q mice. This sex-dependent motor deficit was improved by crossing N171-82Q mice with transgenic mice over-expressing BAG1 in neurons. Transgenic BAG1 also reduces the levels of mutant htt in synaptosomal fraction of male HD mice. Overexpression of BAG1 augmented the effects of Hsp70 by reducing aggregation of mutant htt in cultured cells and improving neurite outgrowth in htt-transfected PC12 cells. These findings suggest that the effects of chaperones on HD pathology are influenced by both their modulators and sex-dependent factors.
Serum calcium levels in rheumatoid arthritis.

Total and corrected (for albumin) serum calcium levels were investigated in a cross-sectional study of 394 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 4490 healthy subjects, and 2609 inpatients at a district general hospital. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis had lower mean clacium levels than the healthy subject (p less than 0.001), but had similar levels to inpatients at the district general hospital. Thirty-eight inpatients with rheumatoid arthritis at a hospital for rheumatic diseases had lower mean corrected and total calcium levels than all other groups (p less than 0.01). Corrected or total calcium levels higher than 2.60 mmol/l or corrected calcium levels lower than 2.20 mmol/l were uncommon in the patients with rheumatoid arthritis. A longitudinal study of serum calcium levels in 17 patients with rheumatoid arthritis over 6-48 months showed considerable temporal variation in total and corrected calcium levels. Transient hypercalcaemia and hypocalcaemia occurred occasionally, but for most of the time calcium levels were normal. Changes in calcium levels were not related to changes in clinical, haematological, or immunological parameters of disease activity. Mean serum calcium levels are lower in disease than health; this occurs in RA as well as other diseases.
Regulatory role of prostanoids in glomerular microcirculation of remnant nephrons.

The glomerular microcirculation of the remnant nephron is characterized by reduced afferent (RA) and efferent (RE) arteriolar resistances and markedly increased single nephron glomerular plasma flow and filtration rates. We investigated the role of prostanoid production in mediating these adaptive alterations in glomerular hemodynamics after the reduction of renal mass. Acute administration of indomethacin, 5 mg/kg iv in anesthetized euvolemic, Sprague-Dawley rats with intact kidneys led to no significant alteration in renal hemodynamics, whereas in similarly prepared subtotally nephrectomized rats such inhibition significantly reduced remnant kidney glomerular filtration rate from 0.57 +/- 0.07 to 0.45 +/- 0.05 ml/min and single nephron glomerular filtration rate (SNGFR) from 93 +/- 4 to 72 +/- 5 nl/min. This reduction in SNGFR was due to diminutions in the glomerular ultrafiltration coefficient (Kf) from basal values of 0.061 +/- 0.004 to 0.050 +/- 0.004 nl X s-1 X mmHg-1 and in initial glomerular capillary plasma flow rate (QA) from 416 +/- 42 to 321 +/- 42 nl/min. The decrease in QA was a consequence of proportional increases in RA and RE. In other groups of animals we demonstrated that urinary excretions of both vasodilatory as well as vasoconstrictor prostanoids per surviving nephron increase several fold in subtotally nephrectomized rats compared with rats with intact kidneys and that administration of indomethacin, 5 mg/kg iv, reduced urinary excretions of both vasodilatory prostaglandins, prostaglandin E and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha, as well as vasoconstrictor prostanoid, thromboxane B2, to the same degrees in both subtotally nephrectomized rats and rats with intact kidneys. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)