Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expression of myogenic regulatory factors during muscle development of Xenopus: Myogenin mRNA accumulation is limited strictly to secondary myogenesis

To clarify the acquisition of the adult muscle pattern in Xenopus laevis, in situ hybridization and reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction were used to correlate the time course of gene expression for myogenic regulatory factors (Myf‐5, MyoD, and myogenin) with the expression of contractile protein (myosin heavy chain; MHC) genes during hindlimb formation compared with their expression in dorsal body muscles. After the precocious expression of Myf‐5 and MyoD mRNA in limb bud (stage 50), myogenin mRNA strongly accumulated later at paddle stages (stages 52/ 53) concomitantly with the accumulation of both the larval and the adult MHC mRNAs. In dorsal body muscles, as early as stage 52, myogenin transcripts accumulated in a few small, secondary myofibers expressing the adult MHC mRNA that were located along the dorsomedial edge, but they were never detected in the large, primary myofibers of the body expressing the larval MHC mRNA. During metamorphosis, the areas expressing both the adult MHC and the myogenin transcripts gradually expanded from the dorsomedial edge to the ventral side of the dorsal body muscles, accounting for the progression of the secondary “adult” myogenesis described previously (Nishikawa and Hayashi [1994] Dev. Biol. 165:86–94). This work shows that, in Xenopus, the accumulation of myogenin mRNA is restricted to secondary myogenesis, including the formation of new muscles in developing limbs as well as in dorsal muscles during body remodeling. This shows that myogenin is not required for primary myogenesis, and it suggests a crucial role for myogenin in the terminal differentiation program, including myoblast fusion and the activation of adult‐type muscle genes. Dev. Dyn. 1998;213:309–321. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Interleukin-8 Concentrations Are Elevated in Bronchoalveolar Lavage, Sputum, and Sera of Children with Cystic Fibrosis

ABSTRACT: Concurrent pulmonary inflammation and neutrophil infiltration are characteristic of children with cystic fibrosis (CF). The production of the major neutrophil chemotactic cytokine IL-8 by alveolar macrophages or other cells could be of great importance in the pathology of acute lung disease, but its role in the persistent lung inflammation characteristic of CF has not been evaluated. In this study, we have measured, by ELISA, the concentration of IL-8 in sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage, and sera specimens obtained from children with CF. For comparison, IL-8 in bronchoalveolar lavage obtained from asthmatic patients and from non-CF children with or without lung infection and in sera from age-matched controls was measured. High levels of IL-8 were measured in sputum (mean = 2952 pM) and in bronchoalveolar lavage (mean = 6624 pM) from CF patients. In both cases, there was a significant correlation between clinical status (Schwach-man score) and IL-8 levels. This was not true for IL-8 levels measured in sera, which nevertheless were significantly higher in CF patients (p = 0.0001) than in normal controls in the over-10-y age group.
Oestrogen‐Independent, Experience‐Induced Maternal Behaviour in Female Mice

Nulliparous female mice that have not experienced mating, pregnancy or parturition show near immediate spontaneous maternal behaviour when presented with foster pups. The fact that virgin mice display spontaneous maternal behaviour indicates that the hormonal events of pregnancy and parturition are not necessary to produce a rapid onset of maternal behaviour in mice. However, it is not known how similar maternal behaviour is between virgin and lactating mice. In the present study, we show that naturally postpartum females are faster to retrieve pups and spend more time crouching over pups than spontaneously maternal virgin females, and that these differences diminish with increased maternal experience. Moreover, 4 days of experience with pups induced pup retrieval on a novel T‐maze. Furthermore, the effects of experience on subsequent maternal responsiveness are not dependent on gonadal hormones because ovariectomised females with 4 days of pup experience show pup retrieval on a novel T‐maze similar to that of postpartum mice. Four days of maternal experience also induced T‐maze pup retrieval in ovariectomised aromatase knockout female mice that was not significantly different from the maternal responsiveness of ovariectomised wild‐type littermates. These data suggest that maternal experience can induce maternal behaviour in females that have never been exposed to oestradiol at any time in development or adulthood. Finally, ovariectomised pup‐experienced females continue to retrieve pups on a novel T‐maze 1 month after the initial experience, suggesting that, even in the absence of oestradiol, maternal experience produces long‐lasting modifications in maternal responsiveness.
The Impact of Market Structure on Ex-Dividend Day Stock Price Behavior

We explore the impact of market structure on the ex-day price anomaly. Measuring the price-drop ratio (PDR) as the ratio of the price change on the ex-day to the dividend amount, we find that the average NASDAQ PDR is significantly less than one and significantly less than the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) PDR. We then investigate a subset of firms that voluntary switch from NASDAQ to the NYSE and find that the PDR significantly increases after the switch, suggesting that market structure affects PDRs. We also create a matched sample and find that the NASDAQ PDR converges toward its matched NYSE counterpart, particularly after the introduction of SuperMontage. Our evidence is consistent with significant NASDAQ market structure changes reducing execution cost differences between the two exchanges and, in turn, reducing the PDR difference. Overall, our results highlight the important role market structure can play in understanding anomalies.
Rep*: a Viral Element That Can Partially Replace the Origin of Plasmid DNA Synthesis of Epstein-Barr Virus

ABSTRACT Replication of the Epstein-Barr viral (EBV) genome occurs once per cell cycle during latent infection. Similarly, plasmids containing EBV’s plasmid origin of replication, oriP, are replicated once per cell cycle. Replication from oriP requires EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA-1) in trans; however, its contributions to this replication are unknown. oriPcontains 24 EBNA-1 binding sites; 20 are located within the family of repeats, and 4 are found within the dyad symmetry element. The site of initiation of DNA replication within oriP is at or near the dyad symmetry element. We have identified a plasmid that contains the family of repeats but lacks the dyad symmetry element whose replication can be detected for a limited number of cell cycles. The detection of short-term replication of this plasmid requires EBNA-1 and can be inhibited by a dominant-negative inhibitor of EBNA-1. We have identified two regions within this plasmid which can independently contribute to this replication in the absence of the dyad symmetry element of oriP. One region contains native EBV sequences within the BamHI C fragment of the B95-8 genome of EBV; the other contains sequences within the simian virus 40 genome. We have mapped the region contributing to replication within the EBV sequences to a 298-bp fragment, Rep*. Plasmids which contain three copies of Rep* plus the family of repeats support replication more efficiently than those with one copy, consistent with a stochastic model for the initiation of DNA synthesis. Plasmids with three copies of Rep* also support long-term replication in the presence of EBNA-1. These observations together indicate that the latent origin of replication of EBV is more complex than formerly appreciated; it is a multicomponent origin of which the dyad symmetry element is one efficient component. The experimental approach described here could be used to identify eukaryotic sequences which mediate DNA synthesis, albeit inefficiently.
Cytotaxonomy of the Simulium damnosum complex from central and northeastern Tanzania.

A cytotaxonomic study of the medically important insect vector, Simulium damnosum s.l. , revealed the presence of seven and possibly eight distinct taxa from central and northeastern Tanzania. Larval salivary gland polytene chromosome maps are presented for the first time for five cytotypes and one sibling species, which include the Nkusi form, the Sanje form, the Kisiwani form, Ketaketa C1 and C2, and the Kibwezi form. Inversion disequilibrium in males of the Kibwezi form indicate population substructuring is occurring and that this population may be in the early stages of speciation. Adults of the sibling species S. damnosum Kibwezi form and cytotype of the S. damnosum Nkusi form were identified using Malpighian tubule polytene chromosomes. The taxonomic status of the populations under study are discussed in relation to previously published papers and unpublished reports. Dimorphisms for centromere band enhancement occur on all three polytene chromosomes of the complement. The same centromere band can be polymorphic, sex linked, fixed, or lost in various cytotypes. In constructing a partial phylogeny, a hypothetical intermediate is proposed to account for the diverse fate of these centromere band dimorphisms and other inversion polymorphisms in different members of this nearly pan African complex. This pattern of chromosome restructuring is consistent with that seen for other species complexes within the Simuliidae.
An abundant U6 snRNP found in germ cells and embryos of Xenopus laevis.

The particle state of U snRNPs was analyzed in oocytes, eggs, embryos and testes from Xenopus laevis. In each case both the relative abundance and the composition of some U snRNPs were found to differ from that of somatic cells. U2 and U6 snRNPs were the most prominent U snRNPs in germ cells and early embryos. In particular, the concentration of U6 snRNA was 10‐20 times higher than that of U4 snRNA. Most of the U6 snRNA was not associated with U4 snRNA and migrated on sucrose gradients as a U6 snRNP. The structure of this novel U snRNP was analyzed. A single protein of 50 kd was copurified with U6 snRNPs by a combination of gradient fractionation, immunodepletion with anti‐Sm antibodies and immunoprecipitation with anti‐6‐methyl adenosine antibodies. Although the U6 snRNP did not contain Sm proteins it migrated into the nucleus when U6 snRNA was injected into the cytoplasm of oocytes. Two U6 snRNA elements have been identified. The first is essential for nuclear migration in oocytes, but not for the formation of U4/6 snRNPs in vitro and might be the binding site of a U6‐specific protein. The second element was required for interaction with U4 snRNPs but not for nuclear targeting.
Periodic breathing in infants with near-miss sudden infant death syndrome.

Twelve-hour nocturnal home recordings of respiration and heart rates were obtained during sleep in 32 infants with near-miss sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and in 32 control infants, and the recordings were analyzed for periodic breathing. An episode of periodic breathing was defined as three or more apneic pauses of three or more seconds. The duration of respirations interrupting the pauses was 20 seconds or less. Analysis revealed a statistically significant difference (P less than .001) between the two groups, using criteria of percent of periodic breathing episodes, number of periodic breathing episodes/100 min of recorded sleep time, average duration of all episodes, and duration of the longest episode of periodic breathing. It is concluded that periodic breathing is present in excessive amounts during sleep in infants with near-miss sudden infant death syndrome.
Coincidence of calcium pyrophosphate and monosodium urate crystals in the synovial fluid of patients with gout determined by the cytocentrifugation technique

Monosodium urate (MSU) crystals are pathognomonic for gout, whereas calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals (CPPD) are the typical morphological substrate of chondrocalcinosis (CC). 1 2 CC is frequently associated with osteoarthritis (OA) but does not appear to cause advanced cartilage damage.3 The clinical implication of CPPD crystal deposition in OA is still unknown.4 Furthermore, it has been shown that OA predisposes to the formation of MSU crystals at the osteoarthritic joint site.5 In a previous retrospective trial without the use of cytoconcentration techniques, a coincidence of MSU and CPPD crystals was found in 17/4620 examined synovial fluid (SF) specimens.6 Data on the simultaneous occurrence of both crystal types using cytocentrifuges, which can improve the sensitivity of crystal detection compared with commonly used methods, are lacking. …
Clinical features in affected males with X-linked retinoschisis.

OBJECTIVES To assess the phenotypic variation and visual prognosis of affected males with X-linked retinoschisis. DESIGN Patients were ascertained from clinical geneticists and ophthalmologists in the United Kingdom. Genetic linkage analysis was carried out using polymorphic microsatellite markers from the Xp22 region of the X chromosome. PATIENTS Fifty-six males from 16 British families with X-linked retinoschisis. RESULTS Best-corrected visual acuity ranged from 20/20 to 20/600; 14 (25%) of the patients saw 20/40 or better, and 27 (55%) read N6 or better. Visual acuity was poorer in older patients (chi 2 =30.4, df=4, P<.001). Macular abnormalities were seen in all eyes. Foveal schisis was the most common abnormality seen in patients younger than 40 years (73 eyes [83%]), but in older patients a blunted foveal reflex or pigmentary atrophy was more common (17 eyes [85%]). Peripheral retinoschisis was seen in 40 (71%) of the patients. Vitreous hemorrhage occurred in 12 (21%) and retinal detachment in nine (16%) of the patients. Four eyes were blind as a result of retinal detachment. CONCLUSIONS Although no evidence exists for genetic heterogeneity in X- linked retinoschisis, there is wide phenotypic variation. The most serious sight-threatening complications are vitreous hemorrhage and retinal detachment. In uncomplicated cases, the prognosis for vision is good, although deterioration of vision occurs in the fourth and fifth decades of life because of macular atrophy.
Risk of progression of advanced adenomas to colorectal cancer by age and sex: estimates based on 840 149 screening colonoscopies

Objectives: To derive age and sex specific estimates of transition rates from advanced adenomas to colorectal cancer by combining data of a nationwide screening colonoscopy registry and national data on colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence. Design: Registry based study. Setting: National screening colonoscopy programme in Germany. Patients: Participants of screening colonoscopy in 2003 and 2004 (n = 840 149). Main outcome measures: Advanced adenoma prevalence, colorectal cancer incidence, annual and 10 year cumulative risk of developing CRC among carriers of advanced adenomas according to sex and age (range 55–80+ years) Results: The age gradient is much stronger for CRC incidence than for advanced adenoma prevalence. As a result, projected annual transition rates from advanced adenomas to CRC strongly increase with age (from 2.6% in age group 55–59 years to 5.6% in age group ⩾80 years among women, and from 2.6% in age group 55–59 years to 5.1% in age group ⩾80 years among men). Projections of 10 year cumulative risk increase from 25.4% at age 55 years to 42.9% at age 80 years in women, and from 25.2% at age 55 years to 39.7% at age 80 years in men. Conclusions: Advanced adenoma transition rates are similar in both sexes, but there is a strong age gradient for both sexes. Our estimates of transition rates in older age groups are in line with previous estimates derived from small case series in the pre-colonoscopy era independent of age. However, our projections for younger age groups are considerably lower. These findings may have important implications for the design of CRC screening programmes.
Relationship between emergency care utilization, ambient temperature, and the pollution standard index in Taiwan

Abstract This study applied a vector error correction model to investigate the effects of ambient temperature (AT) and air quality index values on emergency care utilization (ECU). The Pollution Standards Index (PSI) and total suspended particulates (TSP) were used for analysis. Data were obtained from the National Health Insurance Research Database of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications and Ministry Environmental of Protection Administration of Taiwan. Data from January of 1998 to December of 2012 (180 months) were analyzed. Study results showed that, regardless of long-term equilibrium or short-term dynamics, a 1 °C increase in AT will decrease ECU, showing that AT strongly affects ECU. There were no significant corrections of long-term equilibrium of PSI and TSP on ECU. Only short-term TSP dynamics caused negative effects in the first ECU phase. Emergency care requires special monitoring of AT and TSP to respond to the increased number of high-risk patients consulting emergency departments.
Intermittent claudication: clinical effectiveness of endovascular revascularization versus supervised hospital-based exercise training--randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE To compare clinical success, functional capacity, and quality of life during 12 months after revascularization or supervised exercise training in patients with intermittent claudication. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study had institutional review board approval, and all patients gave written informed consent. Between September 2002 and September 2005, 151 consecutive patients who presented with symptoms of intermittent claudication were randomly assigned to undergo either endovascular revascularization (angioplasty-first approach) (n = 76) or hospital-based supervised exercise (n = 75). The outcome measures were clinical success, functional capacity, and quality of life after 6 and 12 months. Clinical success was defined as improvement in at least one category in the Rutherford scale above the pretreatment level. Significance of differences between the groups was assessed with the unpaired t test, chi(2) test, or Mann-Whitney U test. To adjust outcomes for imbalances of baseline values, multivariable regression analysis was performed. RESULTS Immediately after the start of treatment, patients who underwent revascularization improved more than patients who performed exercise in terms of clinical success (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 39; 99% confidence interval [CI]: 11, 131; P < .001), but this advantage was lost after 6 (adjusted OR, 0.9; 99% CI: 0.3, 2.3; P = .70) and 12 (adjusted OR, 1.1; 99% CI: 0.5, 2.8; P = .73) months. After revascularization, fewer patients showed signs of ipsilateral symptoms at 6 months compared with patients in the exercise group (adjusted OR, 0.4; 99% CI: 0.2, 0.9; P < .001), but no significant differences were demonstrated at 12 months. After both treatments, functional capacity and quality of life scores increased after 6 and 12 months, but no significant differences between the groups were demonstrated. CONCLUSION After 6 and 12 months, patients with intermittent claudication benefited equally from either endovascular revascularization or supervised exercise. Improvement was, however, more immediate after revascularization.
Randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial of intravenous antioxidant (n-acetylcysteine, selenium, vitamin C) therapy in severe acute pancreatitis

Background: Based on equivocal clinical data, intravenous antioxidant therapy has been used for the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis. To date there is no randomised comparison of this therapy in severe acute pancreatitis. Methods: We conducted a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial of intravenous antioxidant (n-acetylcysteine, selenium, vitamin C) therapy in patients with predicted severe acute pancreatitis. Forty-three patients were enrolled from three hospitals in the Manchester (UK) area over the period June 2001 to November 2004. Randomisation stratified for APACHE-II score and hospital site, and delivered groups that were similar at baseline. Results: Relative serum levels of antioxidants rose while markers of oxidative stress fell in the active treatment group during the course of the trial. However, at 7 days, there was no statistically significant difference in the primary end point, organ dysfunction (antioxidant vs placebo: 32% vs 17%, p = 0.33) or any secondary end point of organ dysfunction or patient outcome. Conclusions: This study provides no evidence to justify continued use of n-acetylcysteine, selenium, vitamin C based antioxidant therapy in severe acute pancreatitis. In the context of any future trial design, careful consideration must be given to the risks raised by the greater trend towards adverse outcome in patients in the treatment arm of this study.
Die Großen Zwei – Wettbewerb im Kreditkartenmarkt? / The Big Two – How Competitive is the Market for Credit Cards

Zusammenfassung Der Kreditkartenmarkt wird von zwei Firmen bestimmt: VISA und Mastercard/Eurocard. Der Einfluss der „Großen Zwei“ hat sowohl in den USA als auch in Europa wettbewerbsrechtliche Bedenken ausgelöst und den bisher kaum wirtschaftswissenschaftlich analysierten Kreditkartenmarkt in den Mittelpunkt mikroökonomischer Analysen gesetzt. Die vorliegende Arbeit führt in die wesentlichen Rahmen- und Wettbewerbsbedingungen des Kreditkartenmarktes ein und stellt die im wettbewerbsrechtlichen Diskurs hergeleiteten Ergebnisse in einem breiteren ordnungspolitischen Rahmen vor. Die wettbewerbsrechtlich entscheidende Hypothese faktischer Marktmacht der „Großen Zwei“ wird anhand von Preis/Kosten-Vergleichen für die europäischen Länder analysiert: Eine Analyse der Preise und verschiedener Kostenindikatoren (Internetkosten, Zinsniveau, Kreditausfallrisiko) zeigt, dass die variablen Kosten nicht entscheidend für die Marktpreise im Kreditkartenmarkt sind. Dieses Ergebnis deutet auf eine faktische Marktmacht der Marken VISA und Mastercard/Eurocard in Europa hin. Die Bedeutung dieser Marktmacht wird anhand von Sonderverträgen dokumentiert. Summary The credit card market is made up of two main firms: VISA and Mastercard/Eurocard. The influence of the “Big Two” has triggered both in the USA and Europe, competition law concerns and placed the (as yet little economically analyzed) credit card market in the centre of microeconomic analysis. The present article introduces the essential market conditions of the credit card market, and presents results from competition law discourse in a broader economic framework. The crucial question from the competition law perspective of the market dominance of the “Big Two” is analyzed for European countries. Cost indicators (internet costs, interest rate levels, credit risk) are employed to show that the variable costs do not influence market prices in the credit card market. This result points to a dominance of VISA und Mastercard/Eurocard in the credit card market in Europe. Further evidence for this dominance is documented by special contracts.