Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cathepsin B localizes to plasma membrane caveolae of differentiating myoblasts and is secreted in an active form at physiological pH

Abstract Our in vitro studies support a functional link between the induction of cathepsin B gene expression and the catabolic restructuring associated with myotube formation during myogenesis in vivo. We have tested two predictions that are basic to this hypothesis: (1) that active cathepsin B is localized to plasma membrane caveolae of fusing myoblasts; and (2) that active cathepsin B is secreted from fusing myoblasts at physiological pH. During differentiation, L6 rat myoblasts demonstrated a fusion-related increase in activity associated with the 25/26-kDa, fully processed, active form of cathepsin B. Immunocytochemical studies demonstrated a redistribution of lysosomal cathepsin B protein toward the membrane of fusing myoblasts, and a colocalization of cathepsin B with caveolin-3, the muscle-specific structural protein of membrane caveolae. Sucrose density fractionation and Western blot analysis demonstrated that an active form of cathepsin B localizes to caveolar fractions along with caveolin-3, annexin-VII, β-dystroglycan and dystrophin. Finally, ‘real-time’ activity assays and Western blot analysis demonstrated that active cathepsin B is secreted from fusing myoblasts at physiological pH. Collectively, these studies support an association of active cathepsin B with plasma membrane caveolae and the secretion of active cathepsin B from differentiating myoblasts during myoblast fusion.
Comparison of the in vitro sperm penetration test using human cervical mucus and bovine estrus cervical mucus with the postcoital test.

The objective of this study was to determine how well bovine estrus cervical mucus could be substituted for human cervical mucus in the in vitro sperm penetration test (SPT) and how well the SPT compares with the postcoital test (PCT). The subjects were couples chosen at random from our infertility clinic population. The complete infertility evaluation of these couples included a PCT performed at the time of anticipated ovulation. Human cervical mucus quality was assessed using a scoring system which evaluated amount, spinnbarkeit, ferning, viscosity, and cellularity. SPT's were performed in flat capillary tubes filled with cervical mucus and exposed to semen samples for 90 minutes. Thirty-five couples had SPT's performed with wife's mucus and bovine mucus. Test results showed that PCT results correlated significantly with the SPT (P 0.02) but r was low (r = 0.37). The cervical mucus score correlated well with the SPT (P 0.001, r = 0.52) but less well with the PCT (P 0.03, r = .30). It is concluded that the SPT performed with either wife's mucus or bovine mucus is not an adequate substitute for the PCT but provides complementary information.
Attitudinal and personality correlates of a nation's pace of life

This study looked at seven attitudinal and three personality variable correlates of three measures of pace of life. Pace of life was operationalised as three distinct measures; walking pace, postal service speed, and clock accuracy. Correlational and multiple regression analyses revealed that achievement motivation and competitiveness were highly predictive of general pace of life which is consistent with previous work. Moreover, linear discriminant analysis showed distinct differences in work attitude profiles between low, medium, and fast‐paced nations, the difference being significant for competitiveness, achievement motivation and attitudes towards savings. These nations also differed with respect to GDP, cost of living, energy (consumption of kg coal equivalent per head), and family size though nations did not differ in terms of economic growth and inflation rates. Overall, pace of life represents a simple, unobtrusive measure which is useful, subtle and a cheap indicator of national culture and economic progress.
Genetic dissection of photosensitivity and its relation to idiopathic generalized epilepsy

Photosensitivity or photoparoxysmal response (PPR) is a common and highly heritable electroencephalographic trait characterized by an abnormal visual sensitivity of the brain in reaction to intermittent photic stimulation. PPR occurs frequently associated with idiopathic generalized epilepsies (IGEs). The present genomewide linkage scan was designed to map susceptibility loci for PPR and to explore their genetic relationship with IGE. The study included 60 families with at least two siblings displaying PPR. To dissect PPR‐specific and IGE‐related susceptibility loci, we defined two distinct family subgroups, comprising 19 families with predominantly pure PPR and photosensitive seizures (PPR‐families) and 25 families, in which PPR was strongly associated with IGE (PPR/IGE‐families). MOD score analyses provided significant evidence for linkage to the region 6p21.2 in the PPR‐families (empirical p = 0.00004) and suggestive evidence for linkage to the region 13q31.3 in the PPR/IGE families (p = 0.00015), both with a best‐fitting recessive mode of inheritance. In the PPR/IGE‐families, linkage evidence was even stronger (p = 0.00003) when the trait definition was broadened by IGE traits. Our study shows two PPR‐related susceptibility loci, depending on the familial background of IGE. The locus on 6p21.2 seems to predispose to PPR itself, whereas the locus on 13q31.3 also confers susceptibility to IGE. Ann Neurol 2005;57:866–873
The use and non‐use of assistive technologies from the world of information and communication technology by visually impaired young people: a walk on the tightrope of peer inclusion

In affluent societies how people use technology is symbolic of various values and identities. This article investigates the symbolic values and use of assistive technologies from the world of information and communication technology (ICT) in the daily lives of 11 visually impaired young Norwegians. The article draws on a qualitative interview study and employs an interactionist approach. While the use of ICT is found to symbolise competence, belonging and independence, the use of ICT assistive technologies is found to symbolise restriction, difference and dependency. Thus, ICT and ICT assistive technologies have inherently contradictory sets of associations. To fit in as ordinary young people the visually impaired participants reject ICT assistive technologies whenever possible. The partially sighted participants who are somehow capable of participating in online interactions with their peers without ICT assistive technologies reject them. The blind participants, however, do not have the option of participating online without ICT assistive technologies and, consequently, they accept ICT assistive technologies.
Relationships between Hand and Eye Dominance and Direction of Experienced Gymnasts and Non-Athletes

Activities, such as gymnastics, diving, and figure skating, involve whole-body rotational movements. Athletes in these sports decide at an early age whether m turn to the left or to the right and usually maintain that preference throughout their participation in the activity. However, few investigators have attempted to determine what factors influence the performer's decision to turn either to the left o r to the right. The purpose of the present investigation was to determine the relationship between eye and hand dominance and direction of rotational movement in experienced gymnasts and non-athletes. Fifty-one college-level gymnasts and 120 non-athletes participated in the experiment. Following tests of eye-and-hand dominance, the preferred direction of turning was observed for each subject in four simple gymnastic maneuvers-the simple jumpup-and-turn, cartwheel and the swivel-hips and seat-drop-full twist (SD-full-mist) on a trampoline. Phi coefficients for each of the four movements were computed between direction of movement and eye dominance and between direction of movement and hand dominance. N o statistically significant correlations were noted when all 171 subjects were pooled, either between direction of movement and eye dominance or between direction of movement and hand dominance. N o significant correlations were observed either for 115 subjects of like dominance, e.g., left-eyed and left-handed, or for all 56 subjects of opposite dominance. A small positive relationship existed between eye dominance and direction of movement in the S-D-full-twist for the 120 non-athletes ($ = .29, p < .05). For example, those non-athletes who were right-handed exhibited a slight tendency to turn to the right in the SD-full-twist. Of rhe non-athletes, 38 were of opposite dominance, e.g., left-eyed, right-handed. For this group, a correlation of . 39 was observed between eye dominance and direction of movement in the S-D-full-twist ( p < .05). For the 33 athletes of like dominance, a phi coefficient of -. 34 was observed between eye dominance and direction of movement in the jump turn ( p < .05). The only other smtistically significant relationship observed was between hand dominance and direction of movement in the swivel-hips maneuver on the trampoline for the 51 athletes ( $ = -.31, p < .05). Although the correlations cited above are statistically significant, they seem to be too low to be of practical value. N o consistent correlations were found between direction of turning and either eye dominance o r hand dominance in either experienced gymnasts o r non-athletes. Apparently, other factors must explain the direction of turning chosen by participants in activities requiring rotational movements.
Influences of formal learning, personal learning orientation, and supportive learning environment on informal learning

While workplace learning includes formal and informal learning, the relationship between the two has been overlooked, because they have been viewed as separate entities. This study investigated the effects of formal learning, personal learning orientation, and supportive learning environment on informal learning among 203 middle managers in Korean commercial banks. To control the common method biases, the predictor and criterion variables were measured at different points in time with two separate sets of questionnaires. The results from using structural equation modeling showed that the proposed model indicated a better fit to the data than alternative models. It was found that formal learning and personal learning orientation have significant and positive impacts on informal learning. Although a supportive learning environment did not have a direct effect on informal learning, it had a modest but significant indirect effect on informal learning through formal learning. Implications for future research and practices are also discussed.
Factors affecting sleep quality of patients in intensive care unit.

INTRODUCTION Sleep disturbance is a frequently overlooked complication of intensive care unit (ICU) stay. AIM To evaluate sleep quality among patients admitted to ICU and investigate environmental and non-environmental factors that affect sleep quality in ICU. METHODS Over a 22-month period, we consecutively recruited patients who spent ≥ 2 nights post-endotracheal extubation in ICU and who were orientated to time, place, and person on the day of discharge. Self-reported sleep quality, according to a modified Freedman questionnaire, which provided data on self-reported ICU sleep quality in ICU and environmental factors affecting sleep quality in the ICU, were collected. We also investigated non-environmental factors, such as severity of illness, ICU interventions, and medications that can affect sleep quality. RESULTS Fifty males and 50 females were recruited with a mean (± SD) age of 65.1 ± 15.2 years. APACHE II score at admission to ICU was 18.1 ± 7.5 with duration of stay 6.7 ± 6.5days. Self-reported sleep quality score at home (1 = worst; 10 = best) was 7.0 ± 2.2; this decreased to 4.0 ± 1.7 during their stay in ICU (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis with APACHE III as severity of illness (R(2) = 0.25), factors [exp(b)(95% CI), p value] which significantly affected sleep in ICU were sex [0.37(0.19-0.72), p < 0.01], age and sex interaction [1.02(1.01-1.03), p < 0.01], bedside phone [0.92(0.87-0.97), p < 0.01], prior quality of sleep at home [1.30(1.05-1.62), p = 0.02], and use of steroids [0.82(0.69-0.98), p = 0.03] during the stay in ICU. CONCLUSION Reduced sleep quality is a common problem in ICU with a multifactorial etiology.
Facilitating the Learning of Transitional Students: strategies for success for all students

ABSTRACT This paper outlines successful strategies facilitating the learning of international students making the transition to an Australian university campus from colleges elsewhere. Starting university as “second‐year” students they were without the institutional infrastructure and support normally provided for “first‐year” students. Although the strategies adopted were motivated by a desire to develop the communication skills, critical thinking and independence of transitional students, they were of potential benefit to all students. This paper documents a programme of extra learning support that has evolved through the collaboration of the authors. The results include reduced failure rates and improved student participation and performance through the development of a progressively more interactive approach, although gender differences have become apparent. The findings support the notion that curriculum redesign promoting interaction, autonomy and reflection combined with a collaborative programme i.
MicroRNA Networks in Mouse Lung Organogenesis

Background MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are known to be important regulators of both organ development and tumorigenesis. MiRNA networks and their regulation of messenger RNA (mRNA) translation and protein expression in specific biological processes are poorly understood. Methods We explored the dynamic regulation of miRNAs in mouse lung organogenesis. Comprehensive miRNA and mRNA profiling was performed encompassing all recognized stages of lung development beginning at embryonic day 12 and continuing to adulthood. We analyzed the expression patterns of dynamically regulated miRNAs and mRNAs using a number of statistical and computational approaches, and in an integrated manner with protein levels from an existing mass-spectrometry derived protein database for lung development. Results In total, 117 statistically significant miRNAs were dynamically regulated during mouse lung organogenesis and clustered into distinct temporal expression patterns. 11,220 mRNA probes were also shown to be dynamically regulated and clustered into distinct temporal expression patterns, with 3 major patterns accounting for 75% of all probes. 3,067 direct miRNA-mRNA correlation pairs were identified involving 37 miRNAs. Two defined correlation patterns were observed upon integration with protein data: 1) increased levels of specific miRNAs directly correlating with downregulation of predicted mRNA targets; and 2) increased levels of specific miRNAs directly correlating with downregulation of translated target proteins without detectable changes in mRNA levels. Of 1345 proteins analyzed, 55% appeared to be regulated in this manner with a direct correlation between miRNA and protein level, but without detectable change in mRNA levels. Conclusion Systematic analysis of microRNA, mRNA, and protein levels over the time course of lung organogenesis demonstrates dynamic regulation and reveals 2 distinct patterns of miRNA-mRNA interaction. The translation of target proteins affected by miRNAs independent of changes in mRNA level appears to be a prominent mechanism of developmental regulation in lung organogenesis.
Vibration injuries in Norwegian forest workers

Hellstr⊘m, B. , and Lange Andersen, K. (1972). Brit. J. industr. Med.,29, 255-263. Vibration injuries in Norwegian forest workers. A free medical examination with compensation for lost earnings was offered to the forest workers in three areas of eastern Norway. Sixty-six per cent attended (413 workers, of whom 296 used chain saws). The prevalence of Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) was 47% in chain saw operators, 14% in forest workers not exposed to vibration, and 9% in 302 indoor workers not exposed to vibration. The high prevalence of RP in chain saw operators was attributed to a traumatic vasospastic disease (TVD). The average time of latency was eight years. The standard symptoms of TVD were attacks of blanching and numbness. Cyanosis and pain occurred rarely. In subsamples, measurements of tactile two-point discrimination and maximal isometric muscle strength (hand grip and finger pressure) as well as x-ray examinations of the wrists and the hands gave no evidence of vibration injury to peripheral nerves, muscles, bones, or joints.
Reliability and validity of a screen time-based sedentary behaviour questionnaire for adolescents: The HELENA study.

BACKGROUND Although there is a growing interest in the epidemiology of sedentary behaviours, it is unknown whether sedentary behaviour questionnaires are broad markers of sedentary time. The aims of this study were to determine the: (i) reliability of the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence (HELENA) screen time-based sedentary behaviour questionnaire; and (ii) its validity, i.e. the ability of the questionnaire to correctly rank adolescents according to the objectively measured sedentary time. METHODS A total of 183 adolescents (104 females aged 12.5-17.5 years) were involved in the reliability study. Participants completed the HELENA sedentary questionnaire twice (1 week apart). The validity study comprised 2048 (1212 females) adolescents (12.5-17.5 years of age) included in the HELENA cross-sectional study. Questions included television viewing, computer games, console games, Internet for study and non-study reasons and study during week and weekend days. We compared median values of sedentary time, using accelerometers, by tertiles of self-reported sedentary behaviours and their sum (composite sedentary score). RESULTS Reliability study: κ-values showed a good agreement (>0.7), except for Internet for study reasons (0.46 weekdays, 0.33 weekend). The questionnaire correctly classified boys' sedentary time when analysed by specific behaviours and by a composite sedentary score. In girls, median values of objectively measured sedentary time were not different across tertiles of self-reported sedentary behaviours or the composite sedentary score. CONCLUSION The HELENA sedentary questionnaire is reliable, yet only correctly classifies objectively measured sedentary time in boys.
Communication complexity of document exchange

We have two users, A and B, who hold documents x and y respectively. Neither of the users has any information about the other''s document. They exchange messages so that B computes x; it may be required that A compute y as well. Our goal is to design communication protocols with the main objective of minimizing the total number of bits they exchange; other objectives are minimizing the number of rounds and the complexity of internal computations. An important notion which determines the efficiency of the protocols is how one measures the distance between x and y. We consider several metrics for measuring this distance, namely the Hamming metric, the Levenshtein metric (edit distance), and a new LZ metric, which is introduced in this paper. We show how to estimate the distance between x and y using a single message of logarithmic size. For each metric, we present the first communication-efficient protocols, which often match the corresponding lower bounds. A consequence of these are error-correcting codes for these error models which correct up to d errors in n characters using O(d log n) bits. Our most interesting methods use a new histogram transformation that we introduce to convert edit distance to L1 distance.
Moving from pilgrimage to "dark" tourism: leveraging tourism in Palestine

traveling to places associated with death is not a new phenomenon. People have long been drawn, purposefully or otherwise, towards sites, attractions, and events linked in one way or another with death, suffering, violence, or disaster. war-related attractions, though diverse, are a subset of the totality of tourist sites associated with death and suffering. this article aims to assess how “dark” tourism may play a role in leveraging tourism in Palestine, which has largely relied on pilgrimage tourism in the past. this article investigates the potential for developing this form of tourism, since Palestine has been undergoing death, suffering, violence, or disaster through political tension and instability since 1948 and arguably for a generation earlier, but has not yet developed a strategy for tourism development that considers this type of tourism.
The relationship between trauma, post-migration problems and the psychological well-being of refugees and asylum seekers.

BACKGROUND There is growing evidence of the impact of post-migration factors on the mental health of refugees. To date, few UK studies have been conducted. AIMS The study investigated the relationship between trauma, post-migration problems, social support and the mental health of refugees and asylum seekers. METHODS Refugees and asylum seekers (n = 47) were recruited mainly from clinical settings. Self-report measures of post-migration problems, mental health problems and social support were completed in an interview. RESULTS Bivariate associations were identified between increased symptoms and number of traumas, adaptation difficulties, loss of culture and support and confidant support. In multivariate analyses post-migration problems were significantly associated with post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and emotional distress. There was no significant association of symptoms and number of traumas or social support. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that clinical services should provide holistic interventions within a phased approach when working with refugees and asylum seekers. At a policy level, the results suggest the need for asylum policies that reduce post-migration problems and provide support for refugees and asylum seekers.
First-line chemotherapy in patients with metastatic gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma

Background and aim To investigate the efficacy of platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with metastatic gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma (mGEP-NEC) and define predictive and prognostic factors. Methods Twenty mGEP-NEC patients were treated with cisplatin or carboplatin/etoposide between April 2010 and October 2014. Both large-cell and small-cell histologies were included. Cisplatin 25 mg/m2 was administered on days 1–3 followed by etoposide 100 mg/m2 on days 1–3 every 21 days. Carboplatin 300 mg/m2 was administered on day 1 followed by etoposide 100 mg/m2 on days 1–3. Results Of the 19 evaluable patients, 13 obtained a partial response, four showed stable disease, and two progressed. Median overall survival (mOS) was 13.5 months and median progression-free survival (mPFS) was 10.9 months. Gallium-68 positron emission tomography/computerizsed tomography-positive patients had a higher, albeit not significantly, OS than those with negative results (75% vs 34.3% at 18 months; P=0.06). mPFS was 19.3 and 6.3 months (P<0.01) in mGEP-NEC patients with Ki67 ≤55% or >55%, respectively. mOS was 8.1 months in the latter group but was not reached in the Ki67 ≤55% group (P-value =0.039). Patients with a lower body mass index (BMI) had a better prognosis in terms of both OS and PFS. Patients with BMI ≥25 had a mOS of 11.7 months (P=0.0293) and a mPFS of 6.2 months (P=0.0057). Conclusion Platinum-based chemotherapy showed good efficacy in mGEP-NEC patients. Those with Ki67 ≤55%, positive Gallium-68 positron emission tomography/computerized tomography and BMI <25 had a better prognosis.