Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A role for PDGF signaling in expansion of the extra-embryonic endoderm lineage of the mouse blastocyst

The inner cell mass (ICM) of the implanting mammalian blastocyst comprises two lineages: the pluripotent epiblast (EPI) and primitive endoderm (PrE). We have identified platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRα) as an early marker of the PrE lineage and its derivatives in both mouse embryos and ex vivo paradigms of extra-embryonic endoderm (ExEn). By combining live imaging of embryos and embryo-derived stem cells expressing a histone H2B-GFP fusion reporter under the control of Pdgfra regulatory elements with the analysis of lineage-specific markers, we found that Pdgfra expression coincides with that of GATA6, the earliest expressed transcriptional regulator of the PrE lineage. We show that GATA6 is required for the activation of Pdgfra expression. Using pharmacological inhibition and genetic inactivation we addressed the role of the PDGF pathway in the PrE lineage. Our results demonstrate that PDGF signaling is essential for the establishment, and plays a role in the proliferation, of XEN cells, which are isolated from mouse blastocyst stage embryos and represent the PrE lineage. Implanting Pdgfra mutant blastocysts exhibited a reduced number of PrE cells, an effect that was exacerbated by delaying implantation. Surprisingly, we also noted an increase in the number of EPI cells in implantation-delayed Pdgfra-null mutants. Taken together, our data suggest a role for PDGF signaling in the expansion of the ExEn lineage. Our observations also uncover a possible role for the PrE in regulating the size of the pluripotent EPI compartment.
Early damage as measured by the SLICC/ACR damage index is a predictor of mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus

The aim of this study was to determine whether early damage accrued in SLE as measured by the SLICC/ACR Damage Index predicts mortality in an inception cohort of lupus patients that have been followed prospectively in a single centre. SLE patients from the University of Toronto Lupus Clinic presenting within 1 y of their diagnosis prior to 1988 were included. This enabled all patients to be potentially followed for at least 10 y. Yearly SLICC/ACR Damage Index scores were determined for each patient. Early damage was defined as a score 1 and no damage as a score of 0 at the initial assessment. Log rank test was used to compare the survival experience between those with and without damage, with all patients being censored at 10 y. Two-hundred and sixty-three patients were identified in this inception cohort who were followed for 10 y. One-hundred and ninety patients (72%) had a SLICC/ACR Damage Index score of 0 (no damage) while 73 patients (28%) had at least one SLICC/ACR Damage Index item scored (early damage). Twenty-five percent of lupus patients who exhibited damage at their first SLICC/ACR Damage Index assessment died within 10 y of their illness as compared to only 7.3% who had no early damage (log rank P-value = 0.0002). SLE patients who died within 10 y were more likely to have renal damage (P = 0.013), and a trend toward more cardiovascular disease (P = 0.056), compared to patients who were alive. Early damage as reflected by the initial SLICC/ACR Damage Index is associated with a higher rate of mortality.
Purification and characterization of goblet-cell mucin of high Mr from the small intestine of sheep.

Crude soluble mucus from sheep small intestine was freed of nearly all the nucleic acid contaminants by precipitation with protamine sulphate and treatment with nucleases. After removal of non-covalently bound proteins by equilibrium density-gradient centrifugation in CsCl, a high-Mr glycoprotein was isolated by repeated h.p.l.c. from the partially purified mucin. The high degree of purity of the high-Mr mucin was borne out by (a) the observation of a single boundary on analytical ultracentrifugation in the presence of 5M-guanidinium chloride and (b) the observation of apparent monodispersity on sedimentation-equilibrium analysis. The Mr of the highly purified mucin, determined by sedimentation equilibrium, was 5.0 (+/- 0.1) X 10(6) and was concentration-independent. Finally, only goblet cells and the mucus blanket lining the intestinal epithelial cells were immunofluorescent when guinea-pig anti-(highly purified mucin) serum was used in an indirect immunofluorescence assay. The above antiserum reacted with apparently equal strength with goblet cells and with free mucin in abomasum, caecum and colon. The chemical composition of the glycoprotein was 66% carbohydrate and 34% protein, 45% of the latter being composed of valine and threonine. The glycoprotein migrated anodally on immunoelectrophoresis and contained 7.1% (w/w) sulphate. Neutral hexoses accounted for nearly half of the total carbohydrate content, followed by galactosamine and glucosamine. Whereas fucose and sialic acid were present in only small amounts, uronic acid was not detectable in the highly purified mucus glycoprotein.
Fuzzy MRAC Controller Design for the vane-type air motor

Air motors are widely used in automation industry due to the special requirements, such as park-prohibited environments, mining industry, chemical manufactory, and so on. Due to the compressibility of air and the friction in mechanism, the overall system is actually nonlinear with dead-zone behaviors. The performance of the previous controllers implemented on the air motor system demonstrated large overshoot, slow response and significant fluctuation errors around the setting points. It is important to eliminate the dead-zone for improving the control performance. By considering the effects of the dead-zone behaviors, we developed a MRAC with fuzzy friction compensation controller to overcome the affection of dead-zone. The experiment results are given to validate the proposed velocity control strategy.
China, Free Trade Agreements and WTO Law: A Perspective on the Trade in Services

China's free trade agreements in services are developing at a fast pace. This paper examines the major differences between these agreements and the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and their relationship with the law of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Although they are modeled on the GATS, amongst other things these agreements differ in their scope and coverage, origin rules, transparency and good governance.
A Sensitivity Analysis to the Role of the Fronto‐Parietal Suture in Lacerta Bilineata: A Preliminary Finite Element Study

Cranial sutures are sites of bone growth and development but micromovements at these sites may distribute the load across the skull more evenly. Computational studies have incorporated sutures into finite element (FE) models to assess various hypotheses related to their function. However, less attention has been paid to the sensitivity of the FE results to the shape, size, and stiffness of the modeled sutures. Here, we assessed the sensitivity of the strain predictions to the aforementioned parameters in several models of fronto‐parietal (FP) suture in Lacerta bilineata. For the purpose of this study, simplifications were made in relation to modeling the bone properties and the skull loading. Results highlighted that modeling the FP as either an interdigitated suture or a simplified butt suture, did not reduce the strain distribution in the FP region. Sensitivity tests showed that similar patterns of strain distribution can be obtained regardless of the size of the suture, or assigned stiffness, yet the exact magnitudes of strains are highly sensitive to these parameters. This study raises the question whether the morphogenesis of epidermic scales in the FP region in the Lacertidae is related to high strain fields in this region, because of micromovement in the FP suture. Anat Rec, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
19.4 embedded 1Mb ReRAM in 28nm CMOS with 0.27-to-1V read using swing-sample-and-couple sense amplifier and self-boost-write-termination scheme

Resistive RAM (ReRAM) is a promising nonvolatile memory with low write energy, logic-process compatibility, and compact cell area. The 1T1R ReRAM [1-3] fits embedded applications requiring fast read (RD) access time (T<sub>AC</sub>) and low RD-V<sub>DDMIN</sub>, particularly for devices powered by batteries or energy harvesters. The cross-point ReRAM [4-6] is meant for high capacities with high RD-V<sub>DDMIN</sub> and slow T<sub>AC</sub>. As devices shrink, ReRAMs have higher cell resistance (R) and greater variations in write time and R, which reduces the R-ratio (R<sub>H</sub>/R<sub>L</sub>) between the high-R state (HRS, R<sub>H</sub>) and low-R state (LRS, R<sub>L</sub>). ReRAM also have a high R<sub>L</sub>, which enables a larger voltage drop across ReRAM to reduce write voltage and cell-switch (CS) size. Thus, ReRAM macro designs suffer: (1) small sensing margin (SM), limited RD-V<sub>DDMIN</sub>, and slow T<sub>AC</sub> due to high-R<sub>L</sub> and small R-ratio; (2) increase in energy due to large set DC-current (I<sub>DC-SET</sub>) resulting from wide set-time (T<sub>SET</sub>) distribution. This study develops a swing-sample-andcouple (SSC) voltage-mode sense amplifier (VSA) to overcome (1), enabling 1.8× greater SM for lower RD-V<sub>DDMIN</sub> and 1.7× faster T<sub>AC</sub> across various V<sub>DD</sub>, compared to conventional differential-input (CD) VSAs. To reduce >99% set energy, we use a 4T self-boost-write-termination (SBWT) scheme to cut off I<sub>DC-SET</sub> of faster-T<sub>SET</sub> devices, with an area penalty below 0.5%. A fabricated 28nm 1Mb ReRAM macro achieves T<sub>AC</sub> = 404ns at V<sub>DD</sub> = 0.27V and confirms the I<sub>DC-SET</sub> cut-off by SBWT.
Effects of transdermal estrogen on levels of lipids, lipase activity, and inflammatory markers in men with prostate cancer Published, JLR Papers in Press, November 20, 2005.

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer is now used in earlier disease stages and as adjuvant treatment. Recognizing and reducing the toxicity of this therapy, including worsened lipid levels and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks, has become an important clinical concern. Oral estrogen therapy induces hypogonadism and mitigates many side effects of ADT, but has a high thrombosis risk. Transdermal estrogen therapy (TDE) has a lower thrombosis risk than oral estrogen and may improve CVD risk compared with ADT. This prospective pilot study of 18 men with androgen-independent prostate cancer receiving ADT measured effects of TDE on lipid and inflammatory CVD risk factors before and after 8 weeks of TDE (estradiol 0.6 mg/day). During treatment, estradiol levels rose 17-fold; total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B levels decreased. HDL2 cholesterol increased, with no changes in triglyceride or VLDL cholesterol levels. Dense LDL cholesterol decreased and LDL buoyancy increased in association with a decrease in HL activity. Highly sensitive C-reactive protein levels and other inflammatory markers did not worsen. Compared with ADT, short-term TDE therapy of prostate cancer improves lipid levels without deterioration of CVD-associated inflammatory markers and may, on longer-term follow-up, improve CVD and mortality rates.
Differentiation of liver hemangiomas from metastases and hepatocellular carcinoma at MR imaging enhanced with blood-pool contrast agent Code-7227.

PURPOSE To evaluate differentiation of liver lesions at magnetic resonance (MR) imaging enhanced with Code-7227. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-five patients with 38 proved liver lesions (15 hemangiomas, 17 metastases, six hepatocellular carcinomas [HCCs]) underwent T1-weighted gradient-echo and T2-weighted fast-spin-echo MR imaging at 1.5 T before and after intravenous administration of Code-7227 (1.1 mg iron per kilogram of body weight). RESULTS In hemangiomas, the mean contrast-to-noise ratio on precontrast and postcontrast images, respectively, increased from -4.51 +/- 4.7 (standard deviation) to 5.19 +/- 6.3 on T1-weighted images and decreased from 14.73 +/- 7.4 to 0.64 +/- 5.1 on T2-weighted images. In comparison, metastases remained hypointense to liver on T1-weighted images (from -5.77 +/- 5.9 to -7.8 +/- 6.8) and hyperintense on T2-weighted images (from 8.73 +/- 5.4 to 12.61 +/- 6.1). Although HCC enhanced more than metastases, they also remained hypointense to liver on T1-weighted images (from -4.87 +/- 6.1 to -1.79 +/- 5.7) and hyperintense on T2-weighted images (from 10.12 +/- 7.9 to 8.7 +/- 6.4). The degree of enhancement on T1-weighted images and of signal intensity drop on T2-weighted images were significantly lower in malignant liver masses than in hemangiomas (P < .001). CONCLUSION Distinctly different enhancement patterns with Code-7227 helped accurate differentiation of liver lesions.
Factors of deprivation associated with dental caries in young children.

Quantitative and qualitative data were collected on the communities in the Tameside and Glossop Health Authority district served by the five primary schools with the highest prevalences of dental caries among their 5-year-old children and contrasted with similar information from communities served by five schools whose 5-year-old pupils had the lowest prevalences of caries. Quantitative data were collected from a variety of sources including the health and education authorities, and qualitative information was gathered by interviewing health and education personnel with special knowledge of the primary and pre-school children involved. It was found that communities with a high caries activity among their primary school children had lower proportions of babies of normal birth weight and uptake of poliomyelitis vaccination, while more children were born to single parent families. They also had lower percentages of private housing, homes with a car and households in social classes 1 and 2. The high caries schools had more children receiving clothing allowances and free school meals. The communities they served had higher Townsend mean deprivation Z scores and lower percentages of crime rates per household. The high caries communities tended to bottle feed their babies, wean them earlier, use infant feeding bottles longer and give babies fruit juices more regularly. The parents in the high caries communities were reported to have higher proportions of social and financial problems, were less likely to form parent-teacher associations, their children had poorer attendance and punctuality records, worse behaviour and greater consumption of confectionery after school. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
[Musculoskeletal disorders as causes of sick leave and disability benefits].

BACKGROUND Musculoskeletal disorders make up a heterogeneous group. Our aim was to describe the variation in social insurance benefits for the most prevalent disorders within this group. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study was based on the Norwegian labour and welfare administration's registers on sickness benefits and disability benefits. RESULTS Of the musculoskeletal disorders, low back conditions are the most frequent causes of sick leave and disability benefits, and account for 11 and 9% respectively. Neck and shoulder disorders are also common causes of sick leave, while osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia are common causes of disability benefits and each account for 5% of all new cases. INTERPRETATION The labour and welfare administration should continue to focus on musculoskeletal disorders to prevent long-term sick leave and permanent absence from work.
Localization of Immunoreactive Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone and Relative Expression of Its mRNA in the Oviduct During Pregnancy in Rats

This study was designed to determine the cellular and ultrastructural distribution of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and the relative expression of its mRNA in the oviduct of rats during different time points (days 7, 9, 16, and 20) of pregnancy. Immunofluorescent localization and confocal microscopic techniques were used to determine the cellular distribution of GnRH in the oviduct. Immunogold electron microscopy indicated its localization at the ultrastructural level, and real-time PCR was used to study the expression pattern of GnRH mRNA in the oviduct during pregnancy. In general, GnRH was localized within the epithelial cells lining the oviductal lumen at each selected time point. A strong correlation between the fluorescence intensity of GnRH-immunoreactive cells and the relative expression of GnRH mRNA was noted on days 7 and 16, followed by a plateau by day 20. At the ultrastructural level, uniform labeling of colloidal gold particles was observed in secretory vesicles and lamella of the luminal epithelium as well as the lumen of the oviduct. Collectively, these results demonstrate for the first time that the oviductal epithelium synthesizes and secretes the decapeptide GnRH during pregnancy in rats, which may have a possible role in postimplantation embryonic development and the maintenance of pregnancy.
Welfare and health of horses transported for slaughter within the European Union Part 1: Methodology and descriptive data.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY Anecdotal evidence collected by a variety of organisations has highlighted poor welfare in horses transported long distances to slaughter within the European Union. OBJECTIVE To investigate welfare of horses being transported long distances within the EU to slaughter. METHODS Data on transported horses were recorded at 2 assembly centres in Romania and at 4 abattoirs in Italy over an 8 month period in 2008. RESULTS A total of 1519 horses in 64 separate shipments were observed in Romania prior to transport of which 212 horses were deemed unfit for transport and only 3 shipments (5%) complied with Council Regulation (EC) no. 1/2005 with respect to both horse and vehicle compliance. The destination most commonly stated for the horses from these assembly centres was Italy. A total of 1271 horses in 63 separate shipments were observed after transport in Italy, of which 86 horses in 4 shipments had also been observed prior to transport in Romania. The majority of the horses observed at these abattoirs originated from Poland (51%) and Romania (44%). On arrival in Italy at the time of unloading, 471 of 1271 horses (37%) were deemed unfit for transport in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) no. 1/2005 and none of the shipments were compliant with respect to both vehicle and horse requirements. An average of 6 horses per shipment (28% of each shipment) had at least one acute injury on arrival in Italy. A significantly higher prevalence of severe injuries and lameness was found in animals on arrival In Italy compared with animals leaving Romania. Horses examined on arrival in Italy were twice as likely to have 1-3 acute contusions or excoriations as horses examined in Romania. There was also a 2-fold increase in the number of animals deemed unfit for transport. CONCLUSION This study has identified evidence of poor welfare in horses being transported long distances to slaughter, including severe lameness and injuries, and a high level of noncompliance with Council Regulation (EC) no. 1/2005 on the Protection of Animals during Transport.
Effect of oral factor Xa inhibitor and low-molecular-weight heparin on surgical complications following total hip arthroplasty

Summary This prospective study was conducted to report the effect of oral factor Xa inhibitor and low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) on surgical complications following total hip arthroplasty (THA). The patients with an age < 60 years were randomly assigned to three groups (rivaroxaban, enoxaparin, and placebo) and the patients with an age ≥ 60 years were assigned to two groups (rivaroxaban and enoxaparin). All drug regimens started at 12 hours postoperatively and continued for two weeks after surgery. Primary measure outcome was major surgical wound complications defined as haematoma requiring any intervention, superficial wound infection, deep periprosthetic infection, and increased wound bleeding. Secondary measured outcome included minor surgical complications (swelling, drainage, erythema, and oozing), organ bleeding, and venous thromboembolic (VTE) events. A total of 184 patients aged < 60 years and 167 patients aged ≥ 60 years were included as the analysis population per group. Up to 14 days after surgery, the overall incidence of major surgical complications associated with thromboprophylaxis was 6.5 % (58/886). There were no significant differences in the rate of major surgical complications among all the three groups of the patients aged < 60 years and between two groups of the patients aged ≥ 60 years. For the patients aged < 60 years, wound oozing continued significantly longer in the pharmacological group than in the placebo group, but wound infection did not occur in any case. The VTE events were similar in all the groups.
The conservation value of degraded forests for agile gibbons Hylobates agilis

All gibbon species are globally threatened with extinction yet conservation efforts are undermined by a lack of population and ecological data. Agile gibbons (Hylobates agilis) occur in Sumatra, Indonesia and adjacent mainland Southeast Asia. Population densities are known from four sites (three in Sumatra) while little is known about their ability to tolerate habitat degradation. We conducted a survey of agile gibbons in Harapan Rainforest, a lowland forest site in Sumatra. The area has been severely degraded by selective logging and encroachment but is now managed for ecosystem restoration. We used two survey methods: an established point count method for gibbons with some modifications, and straight line transects using auditory detections. Surveys were conducted in the three main forest types prevalent at the site: high, medium, and low canopy cover secondary forests. Mean group density estimates were higher from point counts than from line transects, and tended to be higher in less degraded forests within the study site. We consider points more time efficient and reliable than transects since detectability of gibbons was higher from points per unit effort. We recommend the additional use of Distance sampling methods to account for imperfect detection and provide other recommendations to improve surveys of gibbons. We estimate that the site holds at least 6,070 and as many as 11,360 gibbons. Our results demonstrate that degraded forests can be extremely important for the conservation of agile gibbons and that efforts to protect and restore such sites could contribute significantly to the conservation of the species. Am. J. Primatol. 77:76–85, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.