Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Essential roles of BMPR‐IA signaling in differentiation and growth of hair follicles and in skin tumorigenesis

Summary: Hair differentiation and growth are controlled by complex reciprocal signaling between epithelial and mesenchymal cells. To better understand the requirement and molecular mechanism of BMP signaling in hair follicle development, we performed genetic analyses of bone morphogenetic protein receptor 1A (BMPR‐IA) function during hair follicle development by using a conditional knockout approach. The conditional mutation of Bmpr1a in ventral limb ectoderm and its derivatives (epidermis and hair follicles) resulted in a lack of hair outgrowth from the affected skin regions. Mutant hair follicles exhibited abnormal morphology and lacked hair formation and pigment deposition during anagen. The timing of the hair cycle and the proliferation of hair matrix cells were also affected in the mutant follicles. We demonstrate that signaling via epithelial BMPR‐IA is required for differentiation of both hair shaft and inner root sheath from hair matrix precursor cells in anagen hair follicles but is dispensable for embryonic hair follicle induction. Surprisingly, aberrant de novo hair follicle morphogenesis together with hair matrix cell hyperplasia was observed in the absence of BMPR‐IA signaling within the affected skin of adult mutants. They developed hair follicle tumors from 3 months of age, indicating that inactivation of epidermal BMPR‐IA signaling can lead to hair tumor formation. Taken together, our data provide genetic evidence that BMPR‐IA signaling plays critical and multiple roles in controlling cell fate decisions or maintenance, proliferation, and differentiation during hair morphogenesis and growth, and implicate Bmpr1a as a tumor suppressor in skin tumorigenesis. genesis 39:10–25, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prevalence and management of ovarian tumours in Women and Children Hospital Abbottabad.

BACKGROUND The purpose of study was to compare world incidence of ovarian tumours whether benign or malignant with that of our unit. We have also discussed management of all these patients at our center. RESULTS In our unit out of total 1400 admissions in 24 months, 26 had ovarian tumours, out of these 6 were malignant. The over all malignancy in our unit was 23% as compared to 15% of over all world incidence, 24 of these patients, were admitted through the OPD with advanced size of tumours. None of them previously had any check up at proper Gynaecological Centers. All these 24 were admitted to the ward, investigated, operated and after receiving histopathology reports were further managed accordingly. Two patients had torsion of ovarian tumour and were admitted through emergency and operated as emergency cases. In our study group the majority, 77% had benign ovarian tumours in which simple salpingoophorectomies was performed.
Subsurface discrimination using electromagnetic induction sensors

This paper reviews the problem of subsurface discrimination using electromagnetic induction sensors. Typically, discrimination is based on differences in the multiaxis magnetic polarizability between different objects. We review work on frequency and time domain systems, and their interrelationship. We present the results of comprehensive measurements of the multiaxis electromagnetic induction response of a variety of inert ordnance items, ordnance fragments and scrap metal pieces recovered from firing ranges. The extent to which the distributions of the eigenvalues of magnetic polarizability for the different classes of objects do not overlap establishes an upper bound on discrimination. For various reasons, the eigenvalues cannot always be accurately determined using data collected above a buried target. This tends to increase the overlap of the distributions, and hence degrade discrimination performance.
Ileal endogenous losses in pigs feeding a protein-free diet or diets with different contents of casein or crystalline amino acids

ABSTRACT The common usage of protein-free diets to estimate unspecific AA losses has been criticised as unphysiological and incorrect. Therefore, in this study different diets were tested for the determination of endogenous losses (EL) of amino acids (AA) and nitrogen (N) assuming a complete absorption in the small intestine. Seven cannulated gilts received a protein-free diet (Diet PF) or diets with 3%, 6% or 10% crude protein (CP) from crystalline AA (Diets CA) or casein (Diets CAS) according to a 7 × 7 Latin square design. After 6 d adaptation to the diet, ileal digesta was collected for 24 h and thereafter analysed for AA, N and the digestibility markers Cr2O3 and acid insoluble ash (AIA). Generally, among all AA, the highest amounts of EL were found for Pro, Glu and Gly, and the smallest for Met. Different levels of CP in Diets CA and CAS had no effect on EL. Significant differences between treatments were observed only for the EL of Glu, Ile, Ser (higher in Diets CA and PF), Pro and Tyr (higher in Diet PF) (p < 0.05). There were no differences in determined EL using Cr2O3 or AIA as digestibility markers.
Augmenter les retweets sur Twitter : comment tirer parti des mentions ?

Alors que Twitter est devenu incontournable, la propagation des tweets et hashtags est toujours largement incomprise. Le propagation d'information sur Twitter est principalement due aux retweets et aux mentions mais, alors que les retweets ne permettent d'atteindre que les abonnes d'un individu, les mentions permettent d'atteindre n'importe qui directement. De nombreuses etudes ont montre que les mentions sont largement utilisees sur Twitter, mais surtout qu'elles sont fondamentales pour augmenter la popularite des tweets et hashtags. Des methodes automatiques pour choisir les bons utilisateurs a mentionner pourraient donc permettre d'augmenter la visibilite des tweets. Dans cet article nous proposons un systeme de recommandation de mentions en temps reel pour augmenter la popularite d'un tweet. Ce systeme est base sur un modele de propagation de tweet dans un graphe multiplexe construit a partir d'une etude de donnees reelles. Il permet de clairement faire la difference entre les propagations dues aux mentions et celles dues aux abonnements. Les simulations du modele donnent des resultats similaires aux observations empiriques et sont egalement fondees sur des resultats analytiques. En utilisant ces differents resultats nous proposons une strategie de recom-mandation effective et une application Twitter associee.
Neuron-immune Interactions in the Sensitized Thalamus Induced by Mustard Oil Application to Rat Molar Pulp

We have reported that mustard oil application to the rat dental pulp induces neuronal activation in the thalamus. To address the mechanisms involved in the thalamic changes, we performed neuronal responsiveness recording, immunohistochemistry, and molecular biological analysis. After mustard oil application, neuronal responsiveness was increased in the mediodorsal nucleus. When MK801 (an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist) was applied to the mediodorsal nucleus, the enhanced responsiveness was decreased. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2D, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and antigen-presenting cell-related gene mRNAs in the contralateral thalamus were up-regulated at 10 minutes after mustard oil application, but were down-regulated within 10 minutes after the antagonist application. OX6-expressing microglia and glial fibrillary acidic protein-expressing astrocytes did not increase until 60 minutes after mustard oil application. These results suggested that the thalamic neurons play some roles in regulating the glial cell activation in the mediodorsal nucleus via N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2D during pulp inflammation-induced central sensitization.
Forecasting loads and prices in competitive power markets

This paper provides a review of some of the main methodological issues and techniques which have become innovative in addressing the problem of forecasting daily loads and prices in the new competitive power markets. Particular emphasis is placed upon computationally intensive methods, including variable segmentation, multiple modeling, combinations, and neural networks for forecasting the demand side, and strategic simulation using artificial agents for the supply side.
A New Definition of Children With Special Health Care Needs

* Abbreviations: MCH = : Maternal and Child Health (program) • CSHCN = : Children With Special Health Care Needs (program) • DSCSHCN = : (Maternal and Child Health Bureau's) Division of Services for Children With Special Health Care Needs. Developing community systems of services for children with special health care needs represents a significant challenge for pediatricians, families, managed care organizations, and public and private agencies providing services to this population. At the state level, Maternal and Child Health (MCH) and Children With Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) programs are vested with the responsibility for planning and developing systems of care for all children with special health care needs. Historically, these programs have been supported through Title V of the Social Security Act, with state-matching funds, to provide health services to selected groups of children with special needs, typically those with complex physical conditions. However, during the last half-century, service systems have become increasingly complex as a result of health, education, and social policy changes, as well as changes in the epidemiology of child health, including increases in the number and proportion of children with chronic conditions and disabilities and changes in their case-mix.1-4 These changes have resulted in gaps in some service areas and duplication in other areas, as well as fragmentation in the way service systems are organized.5 Recognizing these difficulties, health policy leaders at the state and federal levels, with broad input from public and private agencies, providers, and families, effected legislative changes in the federal Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989, which expanded the mission of CSHCN programs to facilitate the development of community-based systems of services for children with special health care needs and their families. Since then, the explosive growth of managed care has presented new challenges and opportunities as well as a heightened urgency for the development of systems of care that integrate health and related services for this population.6 7 Developing systems to serve children with special health care needs requires a clear definition of the population to … Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Merle McPherson, MD, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Room 18A27, Parklawn Bldg, 5600 Fishers Ln, Rockville, MD 20857.
A PMHT Approach for Extended Objects and Object Groups

Conventional tracking algorithms rely on the assumption that the targets of interest are point source objects. However, in realistic scenarios the point source assumption is often not suitable and estimating the object extent becomes a crucial aspect. Recently, a Bayesian approach to extended object tracking using random matrices has been proposed. Within this approach, ellipsoidal object extensions are modeled by random matrices and treated as additional state variables to be estimated. However, only a single-object solution has been presented so far. In this work we present the multi-object extent of this approach. We derive a new variant of probabilistic multi-hypothesis tracking (PMHT) that simultaneously estimates the ellipsoidal shape and the kinematics of each object using expectation-maximization (EM). Both the ellipsoids and the kinematic states are iteratively optimized by specific Kalman filter formulae that arise directly from the PMHT framework. The novel method is demonstrated and evaluated by simulations.
Calcium Supplementation During Sepsis Exacerbates Organ Failure and Mortality via Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Kinase Signaling

Background:Calcium plays an essential role in nearly all cellular processes. As such, cellular and systemic calcium concentrations are tightly regulated. During sepsis, derangements in such tight regulation frequently occur, and treating hypocalcemia with parenteral calcium administration remains the current practice guideline. Objective:We investigated whether calcium administration worsens mortality and organ dysfunction using an experimental murine model of sepsis and explored the mechanistic role of the family of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases in mediating these physiological effects. To highlight the biological relevance of these observations, we conducted a translational study of the association between calcium administration, organ dysfunction, and mortality among a cohort of critically ill septic ICU patients. Design:Prospective, randomized controlled experimental murine study and observational clinical cohort analysis. Setting:University research laboratory and eight ICUs at a tertiary care center. Patients:A cohort of 870 septic ICU patients. Subjects:C57Bl/6 and CaMKK−/− mice. Interventions:Mice underwent cecal ligation and puncture polymicrobial sepsis and were administered with calcium chloride (0.25 or 0.25 mg/kg) or normal saline. Measurements and Main Results:Administering calcium chloride to septic C57Bl/6 mice heightened systemic inflammation and vascular leak, exacerbated hepatic and renal dysfunction, and increased mortality. These events were significantly attenuated in CaMKK−/− mice. In a risk-adjusted analysis of septic patients, calcium administration was associated with an increased risk of death, odds ratio 1.92 (95% CI, 1.00−3.68; p = 0.049), a significant increase in the risk of renal dysfunction, odds ratio 4.74 (95% CI, 2.48−9.08; p < 0.001), and a significant reduction in ventilator-free days, mean decrease 3.29 days (0.50−6.08 days; p = 0.02). Conclusions:Derangements in calcium homeostasis occur during sepsis that is sensitive to calcium administration. This altered calcium signaling, transduced by the calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase cascade, mediates heightened inflammation and vascular leak that culminates in elevated organ dysfunction and mortality. In the clinical management of septic patients, calcium supplementation provides no benefit and may impose harm.
Assay of human thyroid glands for thyrocalcitonin activity.

Extracts of thyroid tissue from 15 consecutive patients undergoing surgery of the neck were assayed for thyrocalcitonin in rats by a standardized biological assay method. Hypocalcemic activity was detected in all 12 of the normal specimens, presumptive evidence for the presence of thyrocalcitonin in the normal human thyroid gland. Quantitative assays obtained in 11 of these cases showed a range of 9 to 170 U/g of thyroid gland with a mean of 42 U/g, which is approximately 1% of the concentration of thyrocalcitonin found in rat thyroid glands, assayed by the same method. No hypocalcemic activity was detected in 2 thyroid adenomas and 1 hyperplastic gland at the dose levels injected, the equivalent of 200 mg of thyroid tissue/rat. Thyrocalcitonin was detected at a low concentration in 1 colloid goiter. The thyrocalcitonin concentration in thyroid tissue from a long-standing case of pseudohypoparathyroidism was approximately 100 times higher than in the average normal human thyroid gland. Conclusions: 1) Thy.
Somatostatin-containing cells in the rat and horse pancreatic islets.

Somatostatin-, glucagon- and insulin-containing cells in the rat and horse pancreatic islets were investigated by an indirect immunofluorescent technique using antibodies to insulin, glucagon and somatostatin. In the rat pancreatic islets, insulin-containing cells were located centrally, and glucagon and somatostatin or somatostatin-like substance (SLS)-containing cells were peripherally disposed and glucagon-containing cells were situated more peripherally as compared with distribution of somatostatin-containing cells. On the other hand, in the horse pancreatic islets, insulin-containing cells were found in the peripheral area and glucagon and somatostatin-containing cells were distributed centrally. Insulincontaining cells were most numerous among the three types of cells in the islets of both the rat and horse. Somatostatin or SLS-containing cells in the horse were about equal in number to the glucagon-containing cells while those in the rat seemed to be smaller in number than the glucagon-containing cells. The present study clearly demonstrates that the somatostatin and glucagoncontaining cells are located, in relation to the bloodstream, on the upstream side of the insulin-containing cells in the islets of Langerhans of both the rat and the horse though these two animal species are known to have completely reverse bloodstream pattern in the islets. According to the mechanism of glucagon and insulin secretions from the islets, we proposed the hypothesis that the somatostatin-containing cells regulate the neighbouring glucagon and insulincontaining cells by an intercellular transport mechanism which provides somatostatin through the junctional complex, while other insulin-containing cells which are too remote from the somatostatin containing cells to be affected by such a mechanism are regulated by a fraction of somatostatin released and carried down by the bloodstream.
Evolutionary computation in the design of logic circuits

This paper presents two evolutionary schemes and a swarm intelligence algorithm for the design of combinational logic circuits. A genetic and a memetic schemes as the evolutionary algorithms. The particle swarm optimization as the swarm algorithm. The fitness function used in these three algorithms is sequential, that is, divided in two parts. The first part of the fitness function f1 evaluates the circuit functionality, while the second part f2 deals with the circuit complexity. The experiments consist in applying the algorithms in the design of two arithmetic circuits: the one-bit full adder and the one-bit full subtracter. We also present a scalability analysis using the parity checker family of circuits.
JROTC as a Substitute for PE: Really?

Purpose: Even though physical education (PE) is an evidence-based strategy for providing and promoting physical activity, alternative programs such as the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) are commonly substituted for PE in many states. The purpose of this study was to compare student physical activity and lesson contexts during high school PE and JROTC sessions. Method: The System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time was used to assess PE and JROTC sessions (N = 38 each) in 4 high schools that provided both programs. Data were analyzed using t tests, negative binomial regression, and logistic regression. Results: Students engaged in significantly more moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during PE than during JROTC sessions and they were significantly less sedentary. Significant differences between the 2 program types were also found among lesson contexts. Conclusions: PE and JROTC provide substantially different content and contexts, and students in these programs engage in substantially different amounts of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Students in JROTC, and perhaps other alternative programs, are less likely to accrue health-supporting physical activity and engage in fewer opportunities to be physically fit and motorically skilled. Policies and practices for providing substitutions for PE should be carefully examined.
The Coronavirus Infectious Bronchitis Virus Nucleoprotein Localizes to the Nucleolus

ABSTRACT The coronavirus nucleoprotein (N) has been reported to be involved in various aspects of virus replication. We examined by confocal microscopy the subcellular localization of the avian infectious bronchitis virus N protein both in the absence and in the context of an infected cell and found that N protein localizes both to the cytoplasmic and nucleolar compartments.
Diversity and distribution of Halomonas in Rambla Salada, a hypersaline environment in the southeast of Spain.

We have studied the diversity and distribution of Halomonas populations in the hypersaline habitat Rambla Salada (Murcia, southeastern Spain) by using different molecular techniques. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) using specific primers for the 16S rRNA gene of Halomonas followed by a multivariate analysis of the results indicated that richness and evenness of the Halomonas populations were mainly influenced by the season. We found no significant differences between the types of samples studied, from either watery sediments or soil samples. The highest value of diversity was reached in June 2006, the season with the highest salinity. Furthermore, canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) demonstrated that both salinity and pH significantly affected the structure of the Halomonas community. Halomonas almeriensis and two denitrifiers, H. ilicicola and H. ventosae were the predominant species. CARD-FISH showed that the percentage of Halomonas cells with respect to the total number of microorganisms ranged from 4.4% to 5.7%. To study the functional role of denitrifying species, we designed new primer sets targeting denitrification nirS and nosZ genes. Using these primers, we analyzed sediments from the upwelling zone collected in June 2006, where we found the highest percentage of denitrifiers (74%). Halomonas ventosae was the predominant denitrifier in this site.
Assessment of risks and consequences of non-native crayfish invasions in Michigan's lower peninsula

ASSESSMENT OF RISKS AND CONSEQUENCES OF NON-NATIVE CRAYFISH INVASIONS IN MICHIGAN’S LOWER PENINSULA By Kelley R Smith Crayfish are critical components of freshwater ecosystems. In some ecosystems crayfish can comprise more biomass than all other benthic invertebrates combined. Despite their role as keystone species, crayfish are often an understudied organism. This is particularly true for Michigan, where the last comprehensive crayfish survey was reported in 1975. Since this time, many non-native species, including the rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus), have been introduced into the Great Lakes region that could alter crayfish communities across the state. Further, documenting crayfish species composition and distributions in Michigan is becoming increasingly critical due to the imminent invasion of the red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) has implemented legislation to help discourage the introduction of invasive crayfishes, but the lack of recent surveys prevents the determination of whether any non-native crayfish, other than rusty crayfish, are already established in the state. To fill these knowledge gaps we designed and implemented a stratified random survey of streams in Michigan’s lower peninsula to assess the presence, distribution, and habitat associations of native and non-native crayfish species, as well as documented the expansion of rusty crayfish. Our results indicated that the distribution of most crayfish species are widespread throughout the state, while others have expanded their range, including the invasive rusty crayfish. Our results also suggest that rusty crayfish likely influence the habitat associations of some native crayfish species. Although no red swamp crayfish were discovered in Michigan, our assessment indicated risks associated with entry vectors red swamp crayfish could use to enter the state. Introduction would appear to be likely unless management actions are taken to prevent red swamp crayfish entry into Michigan via the pet, food, and bait trade.