Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of increasing degradable intake protein on intake and digestion of low-quality, tallgrass-prairie forage by beef cows.

Five ruminally and duodenally fistulated Angus x Hereford cows were used in a 5 x 5 Latin square to monitor intake, ruminal fermentation responses, and site and extent of digestion associated with providing increasing amounts of supplemental degradable intake protein (DIP). Cows had ad libitum access to low-quality, tallgrass-prairie forage (1.9% CP, 77% NDF) that was fed twice daily. The supplemental DIP (sodium caseinate; 90% CP) was infused intraruminally at 0630 and 1830 immediately before feeding forage. Levels of DIP were 0, 180, 360, 540, and 720 g/d. Each period consisted of 14 d of adaptation and 6 d of sampling. Forage OM intake increased quadratically (P < .01) with increasing supplemental DIP reaching a peak at the 540 g/d level. True ruminal OM and NDF digestion increased with the addition of 180 g/d supplemental DIP, but exhibited only moderate and somewhat variable responses when greater amounts of supplemental DIP were infused (cubic, P < or = .03). Microbial N flow and efficiency increased linearly (P < .01) with increasing supplemental DIP. However, a quadratic effect (P < .01) was observed for total duodenal N flow, which was maximized at 540 g/d supplemental DIP. A linear (P = .02) treatment effect was observed for ruminal fluid dilution rate. Total ruminal VFA and ammonia concentrations increased (P < .01) in response to DIP supplementation. In conclusion, increasing supplemental DIP generally improved forage utilization; intake of digestible OM was maximized when it contained approximately 11% DIP.
Latent phenotype analysis of three deletion variants of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in mouse model.

Latency analysis of three herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-I) strain 17 syn+ deletion variants (1704, 1705 and 1706) showed that they established, maintained and reactivated from latency. The kinetics of reactivation of 1705 and 1706 were similar to the parent HSV-1, 17 syn+, in which reactivation occurred 5-6 days post-explanation, but 1704 reactivated with delayed kinetics i.e. on the 12th day post-explantation. Since 1704 has deleted both copies of the latency associated transcripts (LATs) promoter region and one copy of the LAT coding region in internal inverted repeat sequence of long region (IRL), it was concluded that the LATs play a part in latency reactivation of 1704 from dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of spinal cord in mouse model. Restoration of the deleted sequences in the variant 1704 by marker rescue with the wild type BamHI b fragment resulted in a wild type genotype. This virus was designated as 1704R. Latency studies of 1704R revealed that the rate and frequency of reactivation was intermediate between 17 syn+ and 1704, suggesting a secondary undetected mutation affecting latency phenotype. Isolation of 1704LP-, during the same marker rescue experiment in which both copies of promoter region of the LAT are deleted and reactivation of this virus from latency with delayed kinetics confirms that the LATs play a role in reactivation from latency.
GENETIC MODELS PROVIDE UNIQUE INSIGHT INTO ANGIOTENSIN AND BRADYKININ PEPTIDES IN THE EXTRAVASCULAR COMPARTMENT OF THE HEART IN VIVO

1 There is continuing uncertainty about the tissue compartments where angiotensin and bradykinin peptide formation occurs. Mice with angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) expression targeted to the cardiomyocyte membrane provide a unique experimental model to detect ACE substrates in the extravascular compartment of the heart in vivo. 2 Angiotensin (Ang) I and II, bradykinin‐(1–7) and bradykinin‐(1–9) were measured in blood and cardiac ventricles of wild‐type (WT) mice, mice with a non‐functional somatic ACE gene promoter (KO), mice homozygous (8/8) and heterozygous (1/8) for cardiomyocyte‐targeted ACE expression and a non‐functional somatic ACE gene promoter, and mice heterozygous for cardiomyocyte‐targeted ACE expression and heterozygous for the WT ACE allele (WT/8). 3 Cardiac AngII levels of 8/8, 1/8, WT/8 and WT mice were higher than KO levels. Cardiac AngII levels in 8/8 and 1/8 mice were also higher than WT levels, but the levels in WT/8 mice were similar to WT levels. Cardiac bradykinin‐(1–9) levels of WT, but not 8/8 mice, were lower than in KO mice, whereas bradykinin‐(1–7) levels in 8/8 mice were lower than in KO mice. 4 We conclude that AngI and bradykinin‐(1–7) are present in the cardiac extravascular compartment of mice lacking vascular ACE and that extravascular ACE produces AngII and metabolises bradykinin‐(1–7) in this compartment. The data suggest that the vascular compartment is the main site of AngI and bradykinin‐(1–9) formation and metabolism and that vascular ACE may limit AngI entry to the extravascular compartment of WT mice.
Case identification in psychiatric epidemiology: A review

Background: Psychiatric epidemiologic surveys since 1980 have relied heavily on a small number of survey diagnostic instruments for case ascertainment, which encode reports of respondents to highly structured interview questions delivered by interviewers without clinical training. Many validations of these survey diagnostic instruments have been carried out. Objective: This paper reviews the success of the survey diagnostic instruments, for eight diagnostic categories, in validations with a psychiatrist examination as the gold standard. Method: Public databases were searched for potentially relevant publications, of which more than 1000 were located. Tables show sensitivity, specificity, Kappa, sample source and size, survey instrument and validation method. Results: The number of validation studies relevant to the eight disorders ranged from 8 for schizophrenia to 29 for major depressive disorder. Reported sensitivities ranged from zero to 100%, and specificities from 22% to 100%. Conclusion: Results for common mental disorders such as major depressive disorder, alcohol disorder, drug disorder, and agoraphobic disorder are better than for panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. The validity of case ascertainment in psychiatric epidemiology is still in question.
Zero-Speed Operation of High-Power PWM Current-Source-Inverter-Fed Induction Motor Drive

Most research work in current-source inverter (CSI) fed motor drives has focused on general control strategies, pulsewidth modulation schemes, topologies, and efficiency evaluation. This paper, however, is dedicated to investigating zero-speed operation characteristics of CSI-fed induction motor drives (IMDs). Zero-speed operation can greatly increase the competitive value of the drive and expand its range of applications to include cranes, hoists, and draglines. The motor drive is controlled with rotor flux orientation, where stator currents and motor speed are employed for the rotor flux estimation. Unlike voltage-source-inverter-based drives, filter capacitors are required at the output of the CSI for current commutation and harmonics filtering. The influence of these capacitors on the system dynamic performance is comprehensively evaluated. Moreover, a classic load torque observer with feedforward control is employed to improve the speed dynamic response. Simulated and experimental results show that the CSI-fed IMD works well at zero speed with promising speed dynamic performance.
Streamlining the Life Cycle Assessment of Buildings by Structured Under‐Specification and Probabilistic Triage

Life cycle thinking plays an important role in sustainable development in the building sector. However, the complexity of data collection and scope definition limits life cycle assessment (LCA) applications. Even if the inventory data have already been collected, tabulated, and indexed, the method is still time‐consuming, which may be discouraging for designers. This study demonstrates how the LCA of buildings can be robustly streamlined using structured underspecification of impact data combined with an effective and efficient triage of the data collection. Tests were conducted with a series of building typologies that were analyzed with a cradle‐to‐gate approach. The probabilistic triage approach was tested to identify selected activities requiring detailed specification because they contribute most to total impact, thereby reducing data gathering effort. Impacts such as global warming, acidification, eutrophication, and smog creation were assessed, and results showed that 40% to 46% of the bill of materials components represent 75% of total impacts of single‐family houses and multifamily buildings. By specifying only a prioritized subset of the bill of materials to the highest level of specificity, results proved to be reasonably accurate and obtainable with less effort.
Differential Role of bFGF and VEGF for Vasculogenesis

Primary vascular plexus originate from angioblasts through a process called vasculogenesis. The precise role of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are both suggested as key regulators in vasculogenesis is still unclear. This crucial aspect was investigated by using time lapse observation of in vitro generated embryonic stem (ES) cell-derived endothelial structures which were recognizable by using the platelet cell adhesion molecule (PECAM-1) driven endothelial-specific expression of the live reporter gene enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). In serum free conditions VEGF led to improved survival of angioblasts and to the formation of primitive endothelial tubes whereas bFGF alone increased their survival. Our study suggests that the complex process of vasculogenesis can be driven by VEGF alone but not by bFGF.
Lymphocytopenia as an unfavorable prognostic factor in patients with cytomegalovirus infection after bone marrow transplantation.

Sixty-three recipients of an allogeneic marrow transplant were screened for the occurrence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and clinical parameters possibly predicting the development of CMV disease in a retrospective study. Blood and urine samples obtained from these patients were screened weekly after bone marrow transplantation (BMT) for the presence of CMV by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and virus culture technique. Forty-six of the 63 patients studied were found to be CMV-positive by PCR technique in blood and urine samples at a median of 29 days after BMT. In 33 of these 46 patients, CMV could be cultured from urine samples and 16 of the 46 had culture-positive viremia. Twenty-eight of these 46 PCR-positive patients developed CMV disease. Whereas PCR assays showed an optimal negative predictive value and sensitivity for the development of CMV disease, their positive predictive value was 61% and could not be remarkably increased when culture-proven viruria (64%) and viremia (69%) were considered. Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) grade 2 to 4 (P < .05), but not underlying disease, conditioning therapy, or GVHD prophylaxis, was associated with CMV infection. On day +49, a remarkable decrease (P < .001) in the lymphocyte count, as well as in the absolute number of CD4+, CD8+, and CD56+ lymphocytes, occurred only among the patients who later developed CMV disease. The decrease of all of these cell counts, but predominantly the CD4+ T cells, to less than 100/microL on day +49 after BMT showed a very high positive predictive value (100%) for the development of CMV disease in patients with PCR-proven viremia. Persisting CD4 lymphopenia after antiviral therapy was only observed in patients who finally died of CMV disease. Thus, immunophenotyping of the patients after BMT in addition to a highly sensitive virus detection assay might help to identify patients at high risk to develop CMV disease and indicate the need for additional adoptive immunotherapy.
Mechanisms of germ‐cell specification in mouse embryos

The mode and timing of germ‐cell specification has been studied in diverse organisms, however, the molecular mechanism regulating germ‐cell‐fate determination remains to be elucidated. In some model organisms, maternal germ‐cell determinants play a key role. In mouse embryos, some germ‐line‐specific gene products exist as maternal molecules and play critical roles in a pluripotential cell population at preimplantation stages. From those cells, primordial germ cells (PGCs) are specified by extracellular signaling mediated by tissue, as well as cell–cell interaction during gastrulation. Thus, establishment of germ‐cell lineage in mammalian embryos appears to be regulated by a multistep process, including formation and maintenance of a pluripotential cell population, as well as specification of PGCs. PGCs can be generated from pluripotential embryonic stem (ES) cells in a simple monolayer culture in which tissue interaction does not occur. This raises the possibility that ES cells, as well as, possibly, pluripotential cells in preimplantation embryos, are more closely related to the PGC precursors than pluripotential cells after implantation. BioEssays 27:136–143, 2005. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Heat Shock Protein 27 Response to Wrestling Training in Relation to the Muscle Damage and Inflammation

Abstract Zembron-Lacny, A, Ziemann, E, Zurek, P, and Hübner-Wozniak, E. Heat shock protein 27 response to wrestling training in relation to the muscle damage and inflammation. J Strength Cond Res 31(5): 1221–1228, 2017—One of the unique features of an exercise is that it leads to a simultaneous increase of antagonistic mediators. On the one hand, exercise elevates catabolic proinflammatory cytokines. On the other hand, exercise stimulates anabolic components such as heat shock proteins (HSPs), which protect against stressors. Therefore, the study was designed to evaluate the blood level of HSP27 and its relationship with muscle damage and inflammatory mediators in elite Greco-Roman wrestlers during training periods differed in type and intensity exercise. Ten male wrestlers (21.2 ± 2.1 years) were observed during the conditioning camps at preseason (January), at the beginning of tournament season (April), and during tournament season (June). Twelve healthy and untrained men (19.2 ± 0.4 years) were considered a reference group. The serum levels of inflammatory mediators and HSP27 in wrestlers were significantly different from nonathletes. In wrestlers, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species H2O2, NO, and 3-nitro, cytokines interleukin-1&bgr; and tumor necrosis factor &agr;, and also HSP27 reached the highest levels at preseason (January) or tournament season (June) when the special training predominated (>30% training load) over directed training (approximately 10% training load). Creatine kinase activity also demonstrated the highest level during the same training periods (January 2,315 ± 806 IU·L−1; June 3,139 ± 975 IU·L−1). The regression analysis revealed the relationship of HSP27 level with muscle damage (r s = −0.613, p < 0.001), and also with inflammatory mediators. The results of this study show that wrestling training modulates HSP27 level, which is significantly related with skeletal muscle damage and inflammatory response, and suggest that measure of HSP27 level can be useful diagnostic tool in biochemical assessment of athletes to increase their performance.
Phosphorylation of Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase Is Essential for Maximal and Sustained Dark CO2 Fixation and Core Circadian Clock Operation in the Obligate Crassulacean Acid Metabolism Species Kalanchoë fedtschenkoi[CC-BY]

Silencing phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase kinase in a CAM species more than halves dark period CO2 fixation and causes arrhythmia in some components of the central circadian clock. Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PPC; EC 4.1.1.31) catalyzes primary nocturnal CO2 fixation in Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) species. CAM PPC is regulated posttranslationally by a circadian clock-controlled protein kinase called phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase kinase (PPCK). PPCK phosphorylates PPC during the dark period, reducing its sensitivity to feedback inhibition by malate and thus enhancing nocturnal CO2 fixation to stored malate. Here, we report the generation and characterization of transgenic RNAi lines of the obligate CAM species Kalanchoë fedtschenkoi with reduced levels of KfPPCK1 transcripts. Plants with reduced or no detectable dark phosphorylation of PPC displayed up to a 66% reduction in total dark period CO2 fixation. These perturbations paralleled reduced malate accumulation at dawn and decreased nocturnal starch turnover. Loss of oscillations in the transcript abundance of KfPPCK1 was accompanied by a loss of oscillations in the transcript abundance of many core circadian clock genes, suggesting that perturbing the only known link between CAM and the circadian clock feeds back to perturb the central circadian clock itself. This work shows that clock control of KfPPCK1 prolongs the activity of PPC throughout the dark period in K. fedtschenkoi, optimizing CAM-associated dark CO2 fixation, malate accumulation, CAM productivity, and core circadian clock robustness.
The Plasminogen Activator System and Cancer

The fibrinolytic system, more appropriately referred to as the plasminogen activator system, controls not only the intravascular fibrin deposition but also participates in a wide variety of physiologic and pathologic processes. In cancer, the components of this system are involved in tumor growth, invasion and metastasis, through their effect on angiogenesis and cell migration. These components are found in most tumors and their expression signifies not only their function but also carries a prognostic value. Their expression is in turn modulated by cytokines and growth factors, many of which are up-regulated in cancer. Though both plasminogen activators, tPA and uPA, are expressed in tumor cells, uPA with its receptor (uPAR) is mostly involved in cellular functions, while tPA with its receptor annexin II on endothelial surface regulates intravascular fibrin deposition. Among the inhibitors of fibrinolysis, PAI-1 is a major player in the pathogenesis of many vascular diseases as well as in cancer. Therapeutic intervention, either using plasminogen activators or use of experimental inhibitor agents against PAI-1, has shown encouraging results in experimental tumors but not verified clinically. Information provided in this brief review is aimed to promote greater interest in the role of the plasminogen activator system in cancer.
Adverse effects of combination angiotensin II receptor blockers plus angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors for left ventricular dysfunction: a quantitative review of data from randomized clinical trials.

BACKGROUND We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to assess ongoing concerns about the safety profile of combination angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) plus angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors in symptomatic left ventricular dysfunction. METHODS MEDLINE (January 1966-December 2006) and Web sites for the National Institute of Health Clinical Trials and the Food and Drug Administration were searched for eligible RCTs that included 500 or more subjects, had a follow-up of 3 months or longer, and reported adverse effects. We used a random effects model to calculate the relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the following outcome measures: medication discontinuations because of adverse effects, worsening renal function (an increase in serum creatinine level of > 0.5 mg/dL [to convert to micromoles per liter, multiply by 88.4]), hyperkalemia (serum potassium level > 5.5 mEq/L [to convert to millimoles per liter, multiply by 1]), and symptomatic hypotension. RESULTS Four studies (N = 17 337; mean follow-up, 25 months [range, 11-41 months]) were selected. Combination ARB plus ACE inhibitor vs control treatment that included ACE inhibitors was associated with significant increases in medication discontinuations because of adverse effects in patients with chronic heart failure (RR, 1.38 [95% CI, 1.22-1.55]) or in patients with acute myocardial infarction with symptomatic left ventricular dysfunction (RR, 1.17 [95% CI, 1.03-1.34]), and for both conditions there were significant increases in worsening renal function (RR, 2.17 [95% CI, 1.59-2.97] and RR, 1.61 [95% CI, 1.31-1.98], respectively), hyperkalemia (RR, 4.87 [95% CI, 2.39-9.94] and RR, 1.33 [95% CI, 0.90-1.98], respectively; the latter was not significant), and symptomatic hypotension (RR, 1.50 [95% CI, 1.09-2.07], and RR, 1.48 [95% CI, 1.33-3.18], respectively). CONCLUSION Combination ARB plus ACE inhibitor therapy in subjects with symptomatic left ventricular dysfunction was accompanied by marked increases in adverse effects.
Do Private Tutors Enhance English Language Ability? Regression Discontinuity Evidence from a Policy Experiment in India

Empirical evidence has shown that returns to English language ability are substantial in India. Research has also focused on the impact of private tutoring in the context of developing economies to find evidence that remedial teaching leads to better student achievement and higher test scores. In this paper I analyze whether private tutoring helps in developing English language ability. Simple OLS estimates suggest statistically significant effects but estimated coefficients are rather small at 0.2 percentage points. Presence of confounders and selection bias may potentially understate the true effects of private tutoring on English language ability. To address this issue, I exploit a unique policy experiment in India in a regression discontinuity framework to identify cohorts eligible for private tutoring and compare their outcomes to the ineligible. I use this potentially exogenous policy variation as an instrument for private tutoring and find significant increases in English language ability estimated at 16 percentage points which is much larger than the simple OLS effects. Since standard academic curriculum is not directed towards improving foreign language ability, private tutoring as an input in the education production function seems to offer high marginal returns. From a policy perspective, this implies that private tutoring should be encouraged for enhancing English ability even though there are concerns that this provides disincentives for teachers to teach in school.
Procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, white blood cells and SOFA score in ICU: diagnosis and monitoring of sepsis.

AIM To determine in critically ill patients the value of procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score and white blood cell count in diagnosis and monitoring of sepsis. METHODS Patients admitted to a medicosurgical intensive care unit in a prospective, observational study, were observed consecutively. According to ACCP/SCCM Consensus Conference definition were defined 4 groups: SEPSIS/SS (sepsis, severe sepsis, septic shock), SIRS, No-SIRS and TRAUMA. RESULTS Two hundred and fifty five clinical events on a total of 1 826 observation days were observed: 111 SEPSIS/SS, 49 TRAUMA, 45 SIRS and 50 No-SIRS. ROC values, in the diagnosis of sepsis, were 0.88 for PCT, 0.74 for CRP, 0.8 for Sepsis score, 0.74 for SOFA, 0.62 for neu-throphils granulocytes (p<0.05). The best cut-off values in the diagnosis of sepsis were 0.47 ng/mL for PCT and 128 mg/L for CRP. PCT and SOFA were higher in septic shock than in severe sepsis and sepsis (p<0.05 in all cases). The maximum CRP level in SEPSIS/SS was reached only after 24-48 h of observation. Admission PCT value of TRAUMA patients whom evolving in septic complication was higher than patients with a favourable course: 3.4 ng/mL (range 2.63-12.71) vs 1.2 ng/mL (range 0.5-5.2) (p<0.05). TRAUMA patients with septic complications present an early and quick significant increase of PCT (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS PCT and CRP may be useful together with bacteriological data in sepsis diagnosis; PCT and SOFA closer correlate with the infection severity; PCT is the better parameter to estimate severity, prognosis or further course of the disease.