Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of ischemic preconditioning and bevacizumab on apoptosis and vascular permeability following retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury.

PURPOSE Using transient ischemia followed by reperfusion (IR) to model ischemic retinal disease, this study compares the effects of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) and therapies targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α on retinal apoptosis, vascular permeability, and mRNA expression. METHODS Rats were subjected to 30 or 45 minutes of retinal ischemia followed by reperfusion for up to 48 hours. Neurodegeneration was quantified by caspase-3 (DEVDase) activity and by measuring nucleosomal DNA content (cell death ELISA). Vascular leakage was quantified by the Evans Blue dye method. A set of IR-responsive mRNAs was identified by whole-genome microarray and confirmed by RT-PCR analyses. VEGF protein was measured by Western blot analysis. IPC was accomplished with 10 minutes of ischemia 24 hours before IR. VEGF and TNFα signaling was inhibited by intravitreal injection of bevacizumab or etanercept, respectively. RESULTS IR caused significant retinal cell apoptosis and vascular permeability after 4 and 48 hours. Whereas IR decreased VegfA mRNA, VEGF protein was significantly increased. IPC effectively inhibited neurodegeneration, bevacizumab effectively inhibited vascular permeability, and etanercept failed to affect either outcome. IPC significantly altered the IR responses of 15 of 33 IR-responsive mRNAs, whereas bevacizumab had no significant effect on these mRNAs. CONCLUSIONS IR provides an acute model of ischemic retinopathy that includes neurodegeneration and VEGF-dependent vascular permeability and is amenable to rapid drug therapy testing. The distinct effects of IPC and bevacizumab demonstrate that the apoptotic and vascular responses to IR may be separated and that therapeutics targeting each pathologic endpoint may be warranted in treating ischemic retinal diseases.
Ultrasonographic Assessment of the Ulnar Collateral Ligament and Medial Elbow Laxity in College Baseball Players

Background: The prevalence of medial elbow instability is high in athletes who throw, such as baseball players. The aim of this study was to assess the medial aspect of the elbow with ultrasonography to detect changes in baseball players. Methods: Ultrasonography of the medial aspect of the elbow was performed, while gravity stress was applied with the elbow in 90° of flexion, on thirty college baseball players (twelve pitchers and eighteen fielders) to assess medial joint laxity and deformity of the ulnar collateral ligament. The dominant (throwing) extremity was compared with the contralateral extremity. Clinical data were correlated with ultrasonographic findings. Results: The medial joint space was significantly wider on the throwing side than it was on the contralateral side (2.7 mm and 1.6 mm, respectively; p < 0.01), and the proximal part of the ulna was shifted significantly laterally on the throwing side (p < 0.01). Angular deformity of the ulnar collateral ligament was found in five subjects, and it was significantly associated with lateral shift of the proximal part of the ulna (p < 0.01). Medial elbow pain was associated with widening of the medial joint space (p < 0.05) and with the presence of angulation of the ulnar collateral ligament (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Medial elbow laxity and elbow valgus on the throwing side of baseball players were increased compared with those in nonplayers. Angular deformity of the ulnar collateral ligament suggests that the ligament bends over the distal-medial edge of the trochlea. Ultrasonography can provide useful information about the condition of the ulnar collateral ligament and about medial elbow laxity in athletes who throw.
Computational Thinking, Programming Self-Efficacy, Problem Solving and Experiences in the Programming Process Conducted with Robotic Activities

The purpose of this study was to determine the skill levels of secondary school students regarding computational thinking, programming self-efficacy and reflective thinking aimed at problem solving and examine their experiences in the programming training process on robotic activities. Toward this purpose, a 10-week application was conducted with 55 students from 6th and 7th grades who received education at a secondary school in Western Black Sea region of Turkey during the school year of 2017-2018. The study was conducted using the mixed model and various scales in the quantitative dimension. On the other hand, a semi-structured interview form developed by the researchers was applied in the qualitative dimension. As a result, it was found out that students’ computational thinking skills, programming self-efficacy and reflective thinking aimed at problem solving were moderate. Students’ levels of computational thinking and programming self-efficacy were observed to differ depending on their grade levels. In addition, a positive and moderate relationship was found among the levels of computational thinking, programming self-efficacy and reflective thinking aimed at problem solving.
Computing

Computing has been an academic and industrial discipline for barely two generations. In this time, a worldwide community numbering millions of computing practitioners has emerged. Does this community now constitute a profession of computing? If not, is it in the process of becoming a profession? Does the emergence of the engineering profession provide an analogy for computing? Useful insights can be obtained from a close look at some aspects of professionalism: academic preparation, body of knowledge, codes of ethics, and professional status.
Non-Pharmacological Methods and Post-Operative Pain Relief: An Observational Study

Background Non-pharmacological methods (NPMs) like cold packs, acupuncture, meditation or distractions are supposed to ease acute post-surgical pain. Objectives This study assessed how frequently these methods are used in clinical routine and if their use is associated with pain relief or with the wish for more pain treatment. Methods Data from the world’s largest acute post-operative pain registry, PAIN OUT, was used for this study. In PAIN OUT, patients report their pain levels and side effects related to pain therapy after surgery. Overall, 15 different NPMs were tested for their association with pain relief and the wish for more pain treatment using Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, General Linear Model, and Logistic Regression. The researchers adjusted for age and gender, and specifically looked at the three most frequent surgeries: total knee replacement, total hip replacement, and laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Results Data of 14 767 patients from 12 European hospitals were analyzed. Overall, 6563 (44.4%) patients used at least one NPM; with distraction and cold packs being the most frequently used. The 8204 (55.6%) patients, who did not use NPMs had little yet significantly more pain relief than patients, who used them (means of 71.2% ± 27.9% versus 68.6% ± 25.7%, P < 0.001). Using NPMs does not affect the wish for more pain treatment. This is true for every single NPM. The only exceptional sub-group included total knee replacement patients, where a positive effect of NPMs was observed. Conclusions Some NPMs are widely used while others are rarely applied. Their association with pain relief is doubtful. These findings add to a rather contradictory literature. Advantages and disadvantages of applying NPMs solely for pain relief should thus be considered carefully.
Low Vitamin D Concentration Is Not Associated with Increased Mortality and Morbidity after Cardiac Surgery

Objective To determine the effect of vitamin D on postoperative outcomes in cardiac surgical patients. Design Retrospective study. Setting Single institution-teaching hospital. Participants Adult cardiac surgical patients with perioperative 25-hydroxyvitamin D measurements. Interventions None. We gathered information from the Cardiac Anesthesiology Registry that was obtained at the time of the patients’ visit/hospitalization. Measurements and Main Results We used data of 18,064 patients from the Cardiac Anesthesiology Registry; 426 patients with 25-hydroxyvitamin D measurements met our inclusion criteria. Association with Vitamin D concentration and composite of 11 cardiac morbidities was done by multivariate (i.e., multiple outcomes per subject) analysis. For other outcomes separate multivariable logistic regressions and adjusting for the potential confounders was used. The observed median vitamin D concentration was 19 [Q1-Q3∶12, 30] ng/mL. Vitamin D concentration was not associated with our primary composite of serious cardiac morbidities (odds ratio [OR], 0.96; 95% CI, 0.86–1.07). Vitamin D concentration was also not associated with any of the secondary outcomes: neurologic morbidity (P = 0.27), surgical (P = 0.26) or systemic infections (P = 0.58), 30-day mortality (P = 0.55), or length of initial intensive care unit (ICU) stay (P = 0.04). Conclusions Our analysis suggests that perioperative vitamin D concentration is not associated with clinically important outcomes, likely because the outcomes are overwhelmingly determined by other baseline and surgical factors.
Fundic Gland Polyps in the Pediatric Population: Clinical and Histopathologic Studies

We retrospectively studied the clinical and histologic features of pediatric fundic gland polyps (FGPs) in 16 patients. FGPs had an endoscopic prevalence of 0.25% in 8527 pediatric gastric biopsies. Five patients had familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). The median age of onset was 17.7 years in FAP and 17.3 years in sporadic patients. All syndromic patients were asymptomatic and FGPs were identified during surveillance for existing or concurrent colon polyps. They did not take antacids. In comparison, all 11 sporadic FGPs were identified during evaluation of symptomatic patients who had taken antacids (median duration 21 months). Syndromic FGPs can be multiple at single endoscopy and were more likely to recur, while sporadic FGPs were often single. None of the sporadic patients had recurrence of FGPs or a subsequent diagnosis of FAP during a median follow-up of 20.5 months. The dilated fundic glands were lined by parietal and chief cells only in a majority (22/41, 53.7%) of syndromic FGPs, while additional tall mucinous lining cells were found in all sporadic FGPs. Syndromic FGPs did not have parietal cell hypertrophy in the background oxyntic mucosa. Nuclear immunopositivity for beta-catenin was essentially absent in all the FGPs. In conclusion, FGPs were rare in pediatric patients. In syndromic patients, FGPs are asymptomatic and did not precede colon polyps. Prolonged antacid intake seems to be associated with development of sporadic FGPs. Cellular components of dilated fundic glands and background parietal cell hypertrophy can be useful features to eliminate concern for syndromic polyposis.
MATING FREQUENCY IN SCHIZOCOSA OCREATA (HENTZ) WOLF SPIDERS: EVIDENCE FOR A MATING SYSTEM WITH FEMALE MONANDRY AND MALE POLYGYNY

Abstract Courtship behavior has been studied extensively in the wolf spider Schizocosa ocreata (Hentz) (Araneae, Lycosidae). While much research has tested predictions of sexual selection theory regarding male traits and female mate choice, some critical assumptions about female behavior remain untested. To determine if females mate more than once, and to what degree copulation influences subsequent female mating, a multiple mating experiment was conducted. Virgin females were paired randomly with males in laboratory containers. If mating occurred, females were paired with a second male within 24 hr, after 3 days, or after 30 days (enough time for an egg sac to be produced). Of the 101 females tested, 83 (82%) mated with the first male they encountered. The probability of a female mating the first time was not influenced by female size, male size, or male age, but varied significantly with female age post-maturity. Of the 18 males that failed to mate, 3 were cannibalized. Of the 83 males that did mate, 12 were cannibalized after mating. There was no difference between re-mating treatments (1 d, 3 d and 30 d), and analysis of pooled data showed a highly significant difference in the proportion of virgin and mated females accepting males; most females mated only once (93%). In contrast, males appeared to court and attempt mating with every female encountered (virgin and mated), and a majority of males paired with more than one virgin female mated more than once (64.5%). Results suggest that female S. ocreata are essentially monandrous, while males are polygynous, and are discussed in the context of potential conflicts-of-interest between the sexes.
Obstacles to the delivery of primary palliative care as perceived by GPs

Introduction: In order to facilitate GPs in their work and increase the possibilities for patients to remain at home, it is important to identify the obstacles which hinder the delivery of primary palliative care. From previous research we learned about some of the problems experienced by GPs. In this survey we aimed to identify the prevalence of such problems in providing palliative care and its determinants. Methods: The prevalence of obstacles and its determinants were identified by a questionnaire to 320 GPs in three regions of the Netherlands. Obstacles were grouped as follows: communication, organisation & co-ordination of care, knowledge & expertise, integrated care, time for relatives. The potential determinants were GP characteristics and expertise development activities. Results: The response rate was 62.3%. GPs experienced considerable obstacles in all aspects of palliative care. The most prevalent were: problems with bureaucratic procedures (83.9%), the time necessary to arrange home care technology (61.1%) and the difficulties accompanied with the wish or necessity to obtain extra care (56.3%). In general, more years of GP experience and the participation in (multidisciplinary) case discussions were associated with less perceived obstacles. Discussion: Based on the results of our survey policymakers and practitioners can plan and set priorities in handling the obstacles. There is a high necessity of firstly overcoming the barriers within organisation and coordination of care. Furthermore, our study can help in choosing the (additional) expertise needed in the future and in the realisation of the preferred expertise advancement activities. Palliative Medicine 2007; 21 : 697—703
Learning in Dynamic Inter-Firm Networks: The Efficacy of Multiple Contacts

This paper examines the relevance of both efficiency-based and learning-based network behaviour in the context of inter-firm partnering. The effect of these different forms of network behaviour on company performance is analyzed for companies in the international computer industry. Strategies associated with learning through so-called exploratory networks appear to generate a greater impact on technological performance in a dynamic environment than efficiency strategies through exploitative networks.
Use of the Comet-FISH Assay to Demonstrate Repair of the TP53 Gene Region in Two Human Bladder Carcinoma Cell Lines

Abstract McKenna, D. J., Rajab, N. F. , McKeown, S. R. , McKerr, G. and McKelvey-Martin, V. J. Use of the Comet-FISH Assay to Demonstrate Repair of the TP53 Gene Region in Two Human Bladder Carcinoma Cell Lines. Radiat. Res. 159, 49–56 (2003). The alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay can be combined with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) methodology to investigate the localization of specific gene domains within an individual cell. The position of the fluorescent hybridization spots in the comet head or tail indicates whether the sequence of interest lies within or in the vicinity of a damaged region of DNA. In this study, we used the comet-FISH assay to examine initial DNA damage and subsequent repair in the TP53 gene region of RT4 and RT112 bladder carcinoma cells after 5 Gy γ irradiation. In addition to standard comet parameter measurements, the number and location of TP53 hybridization spots within each comet was recorded at each repair time. The results indicate that the rate of repair of the TP53 gene region was fastest during the first 15 min after damage in both cell lines. When compared to overall genomic repair, the repair of the TP53 gene region was observed to be significantly faster during the first 15 min and thereafter followed a rate similar to that for the overall genome. The data indicate that the TP53 domain in RT4 and RT112 cells is repaired rapidly after γ irradiation. Furthermore, this repair may be preferential compared to the repair of overall genomic DNA, which gives a measure of the average DNA repair response of the whole genome. We suggest that the comet-FISH assay has considerable potential in the study of gene-specific repair after DNA damage.
Gadolinium decreases stretch-induced vulnerability to atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation (AF) is frequently associated with atrial dilatation caused by pressure or volume overload. Stretch-activated channels (SACs) have been found in myocardial cells and may promote AF in dilated atria. To prove this hypothesis, we investigated the effect of the SAC blocker gadolinium (Gd(3+)) on AF propensity in the isolated rabbit heart during atrial stretch. METHODS AND RESULTS In 16 isolated Langendorff-perfused rabbit hearts, the interatrial septum was perforated to equalize biatrial pressures. Caval and pulmonary veins were occluded. Intra-atrial pressure (IAP) was increased in steps of 2 to 3 cm H(2)O by increasing the pulmonary outflow fluid column. Vulnerability to AF was evaluated by 15-second burst pacing at each IAP level. At baseline, IAP needed to be raised to 8.8+/-0.2 cm H(2)O (mean+/-SEM) to induce AF. A dose-dependent decrease in AF vulnerability was observed after Gd(3+) 12.5, 25, and 50 micromol/L was added. AF threshold increased to 19.0+/-0.5 cm H(2)O with Gd(3+) 50 micromol/L (P<0.001 versus baseline). Spontaneous runs of AF occurred in 5 hearts on a rise of IAP to 13.8+/-3.3 cm H(2)O at baseline but never during Gd(3+). Atrial effective refractory period shortened progressively from 78+/-3 ms at 0.5 cm H(2)O to 52+/-3 ms at 20 cm H(2)O (P<0.05). Gd(3+) 50 micromol/L had no significant effect on effective refractory period. CONCLUSIONS Acute atrial stretch significantly enhances the vulnerability to AF. Gd(3+) reduces the stretch-induced vulnerability to AF in a dose-dependent manner. Block of SAC might represent a novel antiarrhythmic approach to AF under conditions of elevated atrial pressure or volume.
EF hand-mediated Ca2+- and cGMP-signaling in photoreceptor synaptic terminals

Photoreceptors, the light-sensitive receptor neurons of the retina, receive and transmit a plethora of visual informations from the surrounding world. Photoreceptors capture light and convert this energy into electrical signals that are conveyed to the inner retina. For synaptic communication with the inner retina, photoreceptors make large active zones that are marked by synaptic ribbons. These unique synapses support continuous vesicle exocytosis that is modulated by light-induced, graded changes of membrane potential. Synaptic transmission can be adjusted in an activity-dependent manner, and at the synaptic ribbons, Ca2+- and cGMP-dependent processes appear to play a central role. EF-hand-containing proteins mediate many of these Ca2+- and cGMP-dependent functions. Since continuous signaling of photoreceptors appears to be prone to malfunction, disturbances of Ca2+- and cGMP-mediated signaling in photoreceptors can lead to visual defects, retinal degeneration (rd), and even blindness. This review summarizes aspects of signal transmission at the photoreceptor presynaptic terminals that involve EF-hand-containing Ca2+-binding proteins.
The Development of Modular Evolutionary Networks for Quadrupedal Locomotion

Artificial Neural Networks have so far failed to produce a convincing route to Robotic Intelligence. Training and Organizational Algorithms (such as Evolutionary Algorithms) are presently not flexible or sophisticated enough to configure large networks which fuse data from different sensory domains in a complex and changing environment. The approach outlined here is different in that it allows the neural network to grow, building itself up, piece by piece, from a simple to a complex form. This is accomplished by allowing the robot’s body plan and environment to develop while simultaneously adding to the structure of the controlling network. Network structures from previous iterations are retained but are not retrained. Each time the robot attains a satisfactory performance with its current body plan in its current environment, complexity is increased and new networks are configured on top of the old until this more challenging system is also mastered. The biological justification for this approach is outlined. Results are presented which demonstrate the operation of the approach in the development of a quadrupedal gait for a simulated robot.
The Jury As Critic: An Empirical Look at How Capital Juries Perceive Expert and Lay Testimony

Drawing upon interviews with over 150 jurors who served on 36 capital cases (approximately half of the jurors served on cases where a death sentence was imposed and the other half on cases which resulted in a life sentence), this Article examines jurors' reactions to different types of witnesses: professional experts, lay experts and family members. The Article explores the reasons why jurors generally are highly skeptical of professional experts, especially defense experts, as compared to lay witnesses. The Article also examines, however, how jury receptiveness to expert testimony can be enhanced through effective integration of the expert's testimony into the testimony of lay witnesses. The Article uses several case studies to illustrate its points and draws upon the storytelling model of jury deliberations to help explain its findings. The Article concludes by considering the implications of its findings for capital litigation and claims of ineffective assistance of counsel.
Characterization of a Membrane Calcium Pathway Induced by Rotavirus Infection in Cultured Cells

ABSTRACT Some viruses induce changes in membrane permeability during infection. We have shown previously that the porcine strain of rotavirus, OSU, induced an increase in the permeability to Na+, K+, and Ca2+ during replication in MA104 cells. In this work, we have characterized the divalent cation entry pathway by measuring intracellular Ca2+ in fura-2-loaded MA104 and HT29 cells in suspension. The permeability to Ca2+ and other cations was evaluated by the change of the intracellular concentration following an extracellular cation pulse. Rotavirus infection induced an increase in permeability to Ca2+, Ba2+, Sr2+, Mn2+, and Co2+. The rate of cation entry decreased over time as the intracellular concentration increased during the first 20 s. This indicates that regulatory mechanisms, including channel inactivation, are triggered. La3+ did not enter the cell and blocked the entry of the divalent cations in a dose-dependent manner. Metoxyverapamil (D600), a blocker of L-type voltage-gated channels, partially inhibited the entry of Ca2+ in virus-infected MA104 and HT29 cells. The results suggest that rotavirus infection of cultured cells activates a cation channel rather than nonspecific permeation through the plasma membrane. This activation involves the synthesis of viral proteins through mechanisms yet unknown. The increase in intracellular Ca2+induced by the activation of this channel may be related to the increase in cytoplasmic and endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+pools required for virus maturation and cell death.