Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of Peanut Ball Device on the Duration of Active Labor: A Randomized Control Trial

Abstract Objective To evaluate whether the use of a peanut ball device shortens the duration of active labor in nulliparas. Study Design Single-site, nonblinded randomized trial in nulliparous women admitted for labor or labor induction. English-speaking women > 18 years of age with singleton pregnancies were enrolled. Participants were randomized to the use of peanut ball or usual care upon reaching the active phase of labor (≥ 6 cm cervical dilation) with an epidural. Primary outcome was rate of cervical dilation. Secondary outcomes were rates of cesarean delivery and fetal presentation at time of full dilation or delivery. Results Ninety-six patients enrolled; 63 reached full cervical dilation. There was no statistically significant difference in rates of cervical dilation (0.98cm/h vs. 0.79cm/h, p = 0.27) or length of labor (315 minutes vs. 387 minutes, p = 0.14) between the groups. There was no difference in the rates of cesarean delivery (33% vs. 35%, p = 0.8) or occiput posterior presentation. (28% vs. 9%, p = 0.09). Among the subgroup who had labor arrest, fewer patients using the peanut ball experienced arrest of dilation; this approached but did not reach statistical significance (30% vs. 73% p = 0.05). Conclusion Use of the peanut ball does not significantly increase rates of cervical dilation or decrease time in active labor.
Discovery of keratin function and role in genetic diseases: the year that 1991 was

In 1991, a set of transgenic mouse studies took the fields of cell biology and dermatology by storm in providing the first credible evidence that keratin intermediate filaments play a unique and essential role in the structural and mechanical support in keratinocytes of the epidermis. Moreover, these studies intimated that mutations altering the primary structure and function of keratin filaments underlie genetic diseases typified by cellular fragility. This Retrospective on how these studies came to be is offered as a means to highlight the 25th anniversary of these discoveries.
Combined targeting of SET and tyrosine kinases provides an effective therapeutic approach in human T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Recent evidence suggests that inhibition of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) tumor suppressor activity via the SET oncoprotein contributes to the pathogenesis of various cancers. Here we demonstrate that both SET and c-MYC expression are frequently elevated in T-ALL cell lines and primary samples compared to healthy T cells. Treatment of T-ALL cells with the SET antagonist OP449 restored the activity of PP2A and reduced SET interaction with the PP2A catalytic subunit, resulting in a decrease in cell viability and c-MYC expression in a dose-dependent manner. Since a tight balance between phosphatases and kinases is required for the growth of both normal and malignant cells, we sought to identify a kinase inhibitor that would synergize with SET antagonism. We tested various T-ALL cell lines against a small-molecule inhibitor screen of 66 compounds targeting two-thirds of the tyrosine kinome and found that combined treatment of T-ALL cells with dovitinib, an orally active multi-targeted small-molecule receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and OP449 synergistically reduced the viability of all tested T-ALL cell lines. Mechanistically, combined treatment with OP449 and dovitinib decreased total and phospho c-MYC levels and reduced ERK1/2, AKT, and p70S6 kinase activity in both NOTCH-dependent and independent T-ALL cell lines. Overall, these results suggest that combined targeting of tyrosine kinases and activation of serine/threonine phosphatases may offer novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of T-ALL.
A high-accuracy temperature sensor with second-order curvature correction and digital bus interface

A high-accuracy CMOS temperature sensor with integrated bus interface is presented. It is shown that when offset cancellation and dynamic element matching techniques are applied, the accuracy of the sensor is mainly limited by process spread between batches on the substrate bipolar transistors. Therefore, the sensors can be calibrated per batch instead of per sensor. In combination with a second-order curvature correction technique, this results in a three-sigma accuracy of /spl plusmn/1.5/spl deg/C over the full temperature range.
Effects of Husband's Education and Family Structure on Labor Force Participation and Married Japanese Women's Earnings

This article investigates the relationships of a husband's education, family structure, co-residence with parents or in-laws, and child care, to labor supply and earnings among married Japanese women between 2000 and 2002. Whereas educated husbands reduce the labor supply of wives, their human capital is positively associated with productivity and earnings of the wives once they participate in the labor market. Moreover, our analysis suggests a specific division of labor within a household through which a wife's mother or mother-in-law helps her participate in the labor market, while her father or father-in-law does not affect her labor participation.
Knowledge-sharing motivations affecting R&D employees' acceptance of electronic knowledge repository

Why would R&D employees be willing to use an electronic knowledge repository (EKR) for knowledge-sharing? This study integrates a technology acceptance model (TAM) to investigate the influence of extrinsic and intrinsic motivations on R&D employees' acceptance of an EKR for knowledge-sharing. Empirical data were collected through a survey, which gathered data from 225 employees working in 10 organisations in Taiwan. The results indicated that (1) reputation and reciprocity were found to be two important antecedents to perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use; (2) altruism was also found to be an important antecedent to perceived ease of use; (3) reputation was the most influential factor of perceived usefulness, and another influential factor of perceived usefulness was reciprocity. Three knowledge-sharing motivations that significantly affect the perceived ease of use were listed as reciprocity, altruism, and reputation, according to the relative importance; (4) altruism plays an important role in explaining the EKR usage intentions for knowledge-sharing both directly and indirectly; and (5) the results were consistent with the propositions of TAM. This study contributes theoretically and empirically to the body of EKR usage research and also has practical implications.
High prevalence of self‐reported shoulder complaints after thyroid carcinoma surgery

Shoulder complaints are frequently reported after surgical treatment for thyroid carcinoma. However, no specific literature on this topic is available for these patients and, hence, its impact on quality of life (QOL) is unknown and there are no known predictors of shoulder complaints in this specific patient population. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of shoulder‐related complaints and its relation to QOL and clinical characteristics after thyroid carcinoma surgery by means of a cross‐sectional case control study in a tertiary referral center.
Bidirectional Modulation of Intrinsic Excitability in Rat Prelimbic Cortex Neuronal Ensembles and Non-Ensembles after Operant Learning

Learned associations between environmental stimuli and rewards drive goal-directed learning and motivated behavior. These memories are thought to be encoded by alterations within specific patterns of sparsely distributed neurons called neuronal ensembles that are activated selectively by reward-predictive stimuli. Here, we use the Fos promoter to identify strongly activated neuronal ensembles in rat prelimbic cortex (PLC) and assess altered intrinsic excitability after 10 d of operant food self-administration training (1 h/d). First, we used the Daun02 inactivation procedure in male FosLacZ-transgenic rats to ablate selectively Fos-expressing PLC neurons that were active during operant food self-administration. Selective ablation of these neurons decreased food seeking. We then used male FosGFP-transgenic rats to assess selective alterations of intrinsic excitability in Fos-expressing neuronal ensembles (FosGFP+) that were activated during food self-administration and compared these with alterations in less activated non-ensemble neurons (FosGFP−). Using whole-cell recordings of layer V pyramidal neurons in an ex vivo brain slice preparation, we found that operant self-administration increased excitability of FosGFP+ neurons and decreased excitability of FosGFP− neurons. Increased excitability of FosGFP+ neurons was driven by increased steady-state input resistance. Decreased excitability of FosGFP− neurons was driven by increased contribution of small-conductance calcium-activated potassium (SK) channels. Injections of the specific SK channel antagonist apamin into PLC increased Fos expression but had no effect on food seeking. Overall, operant learning increased intrinsic excitability of PLC Fos-expressing neuronal ensembles that play a role in food seeking but decreased intrinsic excitability of Fos− non-ensembles. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Prefrontal cortex activity plays a critical role in operant learning, but the underlying cellular mechanisms are unknown. Using the chemogenetic Daun02 inactivation procedure, we found that a small number of strongly activated Fos-expressing neuronal ensembles in rat PLC play an important role in learned operant food seeking. Using GFP expression to identify Fos-expressing layer V pyramidal neurons in prelimbic cortex (PLC) of FosGFP-transgenic rats, we found that operant food self-administration led to increased intrinsic excitability in the behaviorally relevant Fos-expressing neuronal ensembles, but decreased intrinsic excitability in Fos− neurons using distinct cellular mechanisms.
HMGB1 promotes differentiation syndrome by inducing hyperinflammation via MEK/ERK signaling in acute promyelocytic leukemia cells

Differentiation therapy based on all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO) for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is complicated by the development of differentiation syndrome (DS), which can be fatal. We examined the role of HMGB1 (high-mobility group box 1) in DS using both in vitro and in vivo models. HMGB1 and the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α were gradually released from NB4 and HL-60 cells treated with ATRA and/or ATO. Similarly, higher serum HMGB1 levels positively correlated with the clinical status of DS patients. Exogenous HMGB1 promoted rapid release of IL-1β and TNF-α as well as elevated expression of ICAM-1, without altering cell differentiation. Exogenous HMGB1 also enhanced pulmonary infiltration and up-regulated ICAM-1 expression in the ATRA-treated DS mouse. Pharmacological inhibition or depletion of MEK1/2 reduced the cytokine levels and suppressed expression of ICAM-1 and the adhesion of HMGB1-treated NB4 cells to endothelial cells, implicating MEK/ERK signaling in the response to HMGB1 during DS. Treatment with a HMGB1-neutralizing antibody reduced secretion of TNF-α and IL-1β, arrested the elevation of ICAM-1 and blunted the activation of ERK1/2 in ATRA-induced NB4 cells. The HMGB1-neutralizing antibody also decreased ICAM-1 expression and reduced mortality in ATRA-treated DS model mice. These findings demonstrate that released HMGB1 is central to DS, and that targeting HMGB1 may be of therapeutic value in the treatment of DS.
Survival of Adhesive Restorations for Primary Molars: A Systematic Review and Metaanalysis of Clinical Trials.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to assess the scientific evidence regarding the survival and clinical performance of adhesive materials for primary molars, comparing composite resin (CR), conventional glass ionomer cement (GIC), resin-modified glass ionomer (RMGIC), silver-reinforced glass ionomer cement, and compomer. METHODS Six databases were searched without restrictions regarding language or year of publication. Meta-analysis was conducted; risk ratios (RRs) and 95 percent confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated. RESULTS Eleven clinical trials were included. Two studies found that the median survival time (MST) of SRGIC was less than that of GIC and RMGIC (P<0.005), and two studies found that the GIC had a lower MST than both RMGIC and compomer (P<0.05). Meta-analysis for CR, compomer, and RMGIC was conducted. These materials did not differ significantly regarding the number of restorations that survived over 24 months: CR versus RMGIC (RR equals 1.12, 95% CI equals 0.96 to 1.31); CR versus compomer (RR equals 1.04; 95% CI equals 0.96 to 1.13); and compomer versus RMGIC (RR equals 1.03; 95% CI equals 0.84 to 1.27). CONCLUSIONS Silver-reinforced glass ionomer cement has the worst survival rate among ionomers, and adhesive materials with a resin component have similar survival rates.
The Effects of Problem-Based Learning on Self-Directed Learning Skills among Physics Undergraduates

The aim of this study is to compare the effects of three methods: problem-based learning (PBL), PBL with lecture method, and conventional teaching on selfdirected learning skills among physics undergraduates. The actual sample size comprises of 122 students, who were selected randomly from the Physics Department, College of Education in Iraq. In this study, the pre- and post-test were done and the instruments were administered to the students for data collection. The data was analyzed and statistical results rejected null hypothesis of this study. This study revealed that there are no signifigant differences between PBL and PBL with lecture method, thus the PBL without or with lecture method enhances the self-directed learning skills better than the conventional teaching method.
A literature review of the effects of computer input device design on biomechanical loading and musculoskeletal outcomes during computer work.

BACKGROUND Extended use of conventional computer input devices is associated with negative musculoskeletal outcomes. While many alternative designs have been proposed, it is unclear whether these devices reduce biomechanical loading and musculoskeletal outcomes. OBJECTIVE To review studies describing and evaluating the biomechanical loading and musculoskeletal outcomes associated with conventional and alternative input devices. METHODS Included studies evaluated biomechanical loading and/or musculoskeletal outcomes of users' distal or proximal upper extremity regions associated with the operation of alternative input devices (pointing devices, mice, other devices) that could be used in a desktop personal computing environment during typical office work. RESULTS Some alternative pointing device designs (e.g. rollerbar) were consistently associated with decreased biomechanical loading while other designs had inconsistent results across studies. Most alternative keyboards evaluated in the literature reduce biomechanical loading and musculoskeletal outcomes. Studies of other input devices (e.g. touchscreen and gestural controls) were rare, however, those reported to date indicate that these devices are currently unsuitable as replacements for traditional devices. CONCLUSIONS Alternative input devices that reduce biomechanical loading may make better choices for preventing or alleviating musculoskeletal outcomes during computer use, however, it is unclear whether many existing designs are effective.
Feasibility online survey to estimate physical activity level among the students studying professional courses: a cross-sectional online survey

The aim of the study was to estimate the physical activity (PA) level among the professional college students in North India. One hundred three professional college students in the age group of 18–25 years were recruited by simple random sampling for this cross-sectional online survey. The survey was advertised on the social networking sites (Facebook, WhatsApp) through a link www.surveymonkey. com/r/MG-588BY. A Short Form of International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used for this survey study. The questionnaire included total 8 questions on the basis of previous 7 days. The questionnaire consists of 3 main categories which were vigorous, moderate and high PA. Time spent in each activity level was multiplied with the metabolic equivalent of task (MET), which has previously set to 8.0 for vigorous activity, 4.0 for moderate activity, 3.3 for walking, and 1.5 for sitting. By multiplying MET with number of days and minutes performed weekly, amount of each activity level was calculated and measured as MET-min/wk. Further by adding MET minutes for each activity level, total MET-min/wk was calculated. Total number of 100 students participated in this study, and it was shown that all professional course students show different levels in PA. The total PA level among professional college students, which includes, physiotherapy, dental, medical, nursing, lab technician, pharmacy, management, law, engineering, were 434.4 (0–7,866), 170.3 (0–1,129), 87.7 (0–445), 102.8 (0–180), 469 (0–1,164), 0 (0–0), 645 (0–1,836), 337 (0–1,890), 396 (0–968) MET-min/wk respectively. PA levels among professional college students in North India have been established.
Pleiotropic Regulation of Virulence Genes in Streptococcus mutans by the Conserved Small Protein SprV

ABSTRACT Streptococcus mutans, an oral pathogen associated with dental caries, colonizes tooth surfaces as polymicrobial biofilms known as dental plaque. S. mutans expresses several virulence factors that allow the organism to tolerate environmental fluctuations and compete with other microorganisms. We recently identified a small hypothetical protein (90 amino acids) essential for the normal growth of the bacterium. Inactivation of the gene, SMU.2137, encoding this protein caused a significant growth defect and loss of various virulence-associated functions. An S. mutans strain lacking this gene was more sensitive to acid, temperature, osmotic, oxidative, and DNA damage-inducing stresses. In addition, we observed an altered protein profile and defects in biofilm formation, bacteriocin production, and natural competence development, possibly due to the fitness defect associated with SMU.2137 deletion. Transcriptome sequencing revealed that nearly 20% of the S. mutans genes were differentially expressed upon SMU.2137 deletion, thereby suggesting a pleiotropic effect. Therefore, we have renamed this hitherto uncharacterized gene as sprV (streptococcal pleiotropic regulator of virulence). The transcript levels of several relevant genes in the sprV mutant corroborated the phenotypes observed upon sprV deletion. Owing to its highly conserved nature, inactivation of the sprV ortholog in Streptococcus gordonii also resulted in poor growth and defective UV tolerance and competence development as in the case of S. mutans. Our experiments suggest that SprV is functionally distinct from its homologs identified by structure and sequence homology. Nonetheless, our current work is aimed at understanding the importance of SprV in the S. mutans biology. IMPORTANCE Streptococcus mutans employs several virulence factors and stress resistance mechanisms to colonize tooth surfaces and cause dental caries. Bacterial pathogenesis is generally controlled by regulators of fitness that are critical for successful disease establishment. Sometimes these regulators, which are potential targets for antimicrobials, are lost in the genomic context due to the lack of annotated homologs. This work outlines the regulatory impact of a small, highly conserved hypothetical protein, SprV, encoded by S. mutans. We show that SprV affects the transcript levels of various virulence factors required for normal growth, biofilm formation, stress tolerance, genetic competence, and bacteriocin production.
Long-Term Electroclinical and Employment Follow up in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Surgery. A Cuban Comprehensive Epilepsy Surgery Program

The purpose of this paper is to present a long- term electroclinical and employment follow up in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients in a comprehensive epilepsy surgery program. Forty adult patients with pharmacoresistant TLE underwent detailed presurgical evaluation. Electroencephalogram (EEG) and clinical follow up assessment for each patient were carried out. The occurrence of interictal epileptiform activity (IEA) and absolute spike frequency (ASF) were tabulated before and after 1, 6, 12, 24 and 72 months surgical treatment. Employment status pre- to post-surgery at the last evaluated period was also examined. Engel scores follow-up was described as follows: at 12 months 70% (28) class I, 10% (4) class II and 19% (8) class III-IV; at 24 months after surgery 55.2% (21) of the patients were class I, 28.9% (11) class II and 15.1% (6) class III-IV. After one- year follow up 23 (57.7%) patients were seizure and aura-free (Engel class IA). These figures changed to 47.3%, and 48.6% respectively two and five years following surgery whereas 50% maintained this condition in the last follow up period. A decline in the ASF was observed from the first year until the sixth year after surgery in relation to the preoperative EEG. The ASF one year after surgery allowed to distinguish “satisfactory” from “unsatisfactory” seizure relief outcome at the last follow up. An adequate social functioning in terms of education and employment in more than 50% of the patients was also found. Results revealed the feasibility of conducting a successful epilepsy surgery program with favorable long term electroclinical and psychosocial functioning outcomes in a developing country as well.
Study of polycaprolactone wet electrospinning process

Wet electrospinning is a useful method for 3-dimensional structure control of nanofibrous materials. This inno- vative technology uses a liquid collector instead of the metal one commonly used for standard electrospinning. The article compares the internal structural features of polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibrous materials prepared by both technologies. We analyze the influence of different water/ethanol compositions used as a liquid collector on the morphology of the result- ant polycaprolactone nanofibrous materials. Scanning electron micro-photographs have revealed a bimodal structure in the wet electrospun materials composed of micro and nanofibers uniformly distributed across the sample bulk. We have shown that the full-faced, twofold fiber distribution is due to the solvent composition and is induced and enhanced by increasing the ethanol weight ratio. Moreover, the comparison of fibrous layers morphology obtained by wet and dry spinning have revealed that beads that frequently appeared in dry spun materials are created by Plateau-Rayleigh instability of the fraction of thicker fibers. Theoretical conditions for spontaneous and complete immersion of cylindrical fibers into a liquid collector are also derived here.