Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intraepithelial p63‐dependent expression of distinct components of cell adhesion complexes in normal esophageal mucosa and squamous cell carcinoma

TP63 gene is a member of TP53 tumor suppressor gene family that encodes several protein isoforms involved in the process of epithelial stratification and in epithelial‐mesenchyme interactions. TP63 is amplified in a significant proportion of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus (ESCC), resulting in the hyper‐expression of ΔNp63 as the major p63 isoform. To better understand the contribution of this high expression to tumorigenesis, we have analyzed the impact of intraepithelial p63 expression on the expression of cell adhesion complexes in normal esophagus and in ESCC cell lines. Cells expressing p63 showed an adhesion pattern characterized by lack of tight junctions and presence of adherens junctions. Cell differentiation was accompanied by a decrease in p63 and by a shift to adhesion patterns involving tight junctions. Silencing of p63 mRNA in ESCC cell lines resulted in a similar shift, characterized by increased expression of component of tight junctions, decreased cell‐to‐cell communication and downregulation of cell proliferation. These results indicate that ΔNp63 may contribute to esophageal squamous carcinogenesis by maintaining cell adhesion patterns compatible with cell proliferation.
In search of pedagogical content knowledge in science: Developing ways of articulating and documenting professional practice

This study examines the development of ways of documenting and portraying science teachers' pedagogical content knowledge (PCK). As a result of a longitudinal study into science teachers' pedagogical content knowledge, a method is developed for capturing and portraying PCK that comprises two important elements. The first is linked to the particular science content, termed Content Representation (CoRe), and the second is linked to teaching practice, termed Professional and Pedagogical experience Repertoire (PaP-eR). Through this approach new understandings of PCK emerge that are of interest in terms of both academic (knowledge building about PCK) and teaching perspectives. This study includes a full CoRe and one PaP-eR and fully demonstrates how these two elements interact to begin to portray science teachers' pedagogical content knowledge. 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 41: 370-391, 2004
Functional Identification of the Proteusmirabilis Core Lipopolysaccharide Biosynthesis Genes

ABSTRACT In this study, we report the identification of genes required for the biosynthesis of the core lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) of two strains of Proteus mirabilis. Since P. mirabilis and Klebsiella pneumoniae share a core LPS carbohydrate backbone extending up to the second outer-core residue, the functions of the common P. mirabilis genes was elucidated by genetic complementation studies using well-defined mutants of K. pneumoniae. The functions of strain-specific outer-core genes were identified by using as surrogate acceptors LPSs from two well-defined K. pneumoniae core LPS mutants. This approach allowed the identification of two new heptosyltransferases (WamA and WamC), a galactosyltransferase (WamB), and an N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (WamD). In both strains, most of these genes were found in the so-called waa gene cluster, although one common core biosynthetic gene (wabO) was found outside this cluster.
Changes in biochemical indices of bone metabolism in post-menopausal women following a dietary intervention with fortified dairy products.

BACKGROUND In southern Europe, calcium supplementation alone is a common practice for osteoporosis prevention. The present study aimed to examine whether calcium supplementation alone could be as effective in achieving favourable changes on bone metabolism indices of Greek post-menopausal women as a holistic dietary approach combining consumption of dairy products fortified with calcium and vitamin D(3) and nutrition counselling sessions for five winter months. METHODS A sample of 101 post-menopausal women was randomised to a dairy intervention group (IG: n = 39), receiving approximately 1200 mg of calcium and 7.5 microg of vitamin D(3) per day via fortified dairy products and attending biweekly nutrition counselling sessions; a calcium-supplemented group (SG: n = 26) receiving a total of 1200 mg calcium per day; and a control group (CG: n = 36). RESULTS Regarding insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, a higher increase was observed for the IG compared to the changes in the CG and the SG (P = 0.049). Regarding serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, the increase observed in the CG was higher than the changes observed in the other two groups but the differences were of marginal significance (P = 0.055). No significant differences were observed among groups regarding the changes in serum osteocalcin and type I collagen cross-linked C-telopeptide levels. CONCLUSIONS The application of a holistic intervention approach combining nutrition counselling and consumption of fortified dairy products for five winter months induced some more favourable changes in IGF-I and PTH levels compared to calcium supplementation alone. Intervention periods longer than 5 months might be required to achieve significant differences among groups for bone remodelling biomarkers as well.
Multisession stereotactic radiosurgery for large benign brain tumors of >3cm- early clinical outcomes.

Objective To evaluate the clinical outcome of linear accelerator based multisession stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for large benign brain tumors of >3cm. Methods Between June 2009 and May 2011, 35 patients having large benign brain tumors of >3cm (≥15 cm3) were treated by multisession stereotactic radiosurgery. This retrospective study was carried out at Neurospinal & Medical Institute Karachi. There were 17 (48.6 %) males and 18(51.4 %) females. Median age was 36 years (range: 13-65 years). Median target volume was 49.4 cm3 (range: 15-184 cm3). The median marginal dose was 25 Gy (range: 20-27.5Gy) prescribed to a median 75% isodose line (range: 65-100 %). Median number of 5 fractions were used ranging 3-5 fractions. Results All the patients tolerated treatment very well. 21 (58.3%) patients had remarkable clinical improvement of neurological symptoms, 14 (38.9%) patients had stable symptoms, and only one patient had transient worsening of symptoms. No permanent neurological damage or radiation injury was seen. Radiologically, 9 (25.7%) patients achieved reduction in size of the tumor, 26(74.3 %) patients were having stable disease, and overall control rate was found to be 100 %. Median follow-up time from the end of SRS was 6.4 months (range: 1-22.5months). Conclusion Linear accelerator based multisession stereotactic radiosurgery for large benign brain tumors of >3cm is effective and well tolerated.
Exploratory studies of prospective memory in adults

Prospective memory refers to remembering to carry out an intended or planned action, such as keeping a doctor's appointment or t e l l i n g a friend about an upcoming party. Despite i t s importance i n everyday l i f e , prospective memory has received l i t t l e empirical or t h e o r e t i c a l attention. Rather, much of the l i t e r a t u r e has focused on retrospective memory, that i s , memory for information learnt i n the past. The current l i t e r a t u r e on prospective memory addresses fi v e aspects that are necessary for carrying out an intended action. These are (a) formulating the plan; (b) having the knowledge necessary to carry out the plan; (c) remembering the plan at the appropriate time; (d) carrying out the plan; and (e) remembering that the plan has been performed. The l i t e r a t u r e also raises three fundamental questions. Namely, whether prospective and retrospective memory involve d i f f e r e n t processes, whether self-report and behavioral measures of prospective memory are correlated, and whether prospective memory performance varies as a function of age. These questions were the focus of the exploratory studies presented in t h i s d i s s e r t a t i o n . The f i r s t three studies involved the development of a memory diary, a memory questionnaire, and a metamemory questionnaire, respectively. These instruments were used in the fourth and f i f t h studies. Studies 4 and 5 also included behavioral measures of prospective memory and objective measures of retrospective memory. The fourth study examined how community-dwelling adults f e e l about, and use, t h e i r memory on a d a i l y basis. In accordance with previous research, no age differences were observed on the behavioral measures of prospective memory. Moreover, performance on the self-report measures did not d i f f e r as a function of age. As hypothesized, age was correlated with performance on a retrospective memory task. The f i f t h study involved an extension and r e p l i c a t i o n of Study 4, with the major addition being the use of several standard laboratory tests to assess retrospective memory. This study revealed several interesting findings. F i r s t , in contrast to previous studies, performance on some retrospective memory tasks was related to performance on some prospective memory tasks. Second, by and large, s e l f report and behavioral measures of prospective memory were not correlated. Third, performance on the prospective memory tasks (both s e l f r e p o r t and behavioral) did not vary as a function of age, although performance ' on the retrospective memory tasks was c l e a r l y age related. The implications of t h i s research are discussed.
The algorithmic anatomy of model-based evaluation

Despite many debates in the first half of the twentieth century, it is now largely a truism that humans and other animals build models of their environments and use them for prediction and control. However, model-based (MB) reasoning presents severe computational challenges. Alternative, computationally simpler, model-free (MF) schemes have been suggested in the reinforcement learning literature, and have afforded influential accounts of behavioural and neural data. Here, we study the realization of MB calculations, and the ways that this might be woven together with MF values and evaluation methods. There are as yet mostly only hints in the literature as to the resulting tapestry, so we offer more preview than review.
The cardioprotective effects of thoracal epidural anestesia are induced by the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and inducible nitric oxide synthase in cardiopulmonary bypass surgery.

AIM The cardioprotective effects of thoracal epidural anesthesia (TEA) are induced by the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (i-NOS) in cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surgery. When general anaesthesia (GA) is combined with TEA during coronary artery bypass graft, we investigated whether TEA together with GA play a role on VEGF and i-NOS expression in human heart tissue in cardiac ischemia. METHODS Right atrial biopsy samples were taken before CPB, before aortic cross clamp (ACC) and at 15 min after ACC release (after ischemia and reperfusion). Human heart tissues were obtained from the TEA+GA and GA groups. Immunocytochemistry was performed using antibodies for VEGF and i-NOS. RESULTS Both VEGF and i-NOS immunoreactivity was observed in cardiomyocytes and arteriol walls. Although VEGF and i-NOS immunoreactivity was apparent in both groups,, immunostaining intensity was greater in the TEA+GA group than the GA group. Between groups, at 4 h and at 24 h after the end of CPB, the cardiac index (CI) was significantly higher in the TEA+GA group than GA group (3.4+/-0.8 L/min/m(2) vs 2.5+/-0.8 L/min/m(2); P<0.001), (3.8+/-1.1 L/min/m(2) vs 3.1+/-1.1 L/min/m(2); P<0.008) respectively. Within groups, at 4 and 24 h after the end of CPB, the CI was significantly higher in the TEA+GA group than baseline values, (3.4+/-0.8 L/min/m(2) vs 2.4+/-0.7 L/min/m(2); P<0.001), (3.8 +/-1.1 L/min/m(2) vs 2.4+/-0.7 L/min/m(2); P<0.001) respectively, but no difference was found in the GA group (2.6+/-0.8 L/min/m(2) vs 2.5+/-0.8 L/min/m(2); P>0.05), (2.6+/-0.8 L/min/m(2) vs 3.1+/-1.1 L/min/m(2); P>0.05) respectively. After ACC release, 11/40 (27.5%) patients in the TEA+GA group showed ventricular fibrillation (VF), atrial fibrillation or heart block versus 25/40 (62.5%) of those in the GA group. VF after ACC release in the TEA+GA group (9/20 patients, 22.5%) was significantly lower than in the GA group (21/40 patients, 52.5%); (P<0.006). Sinus rhythm after ACC release in the TEA+GA group (29/40 patients, 72.5%) was significantly higher than in the GA group (15/40 patients, 37.5%); (P<0.002). CONCLUSIONS The results of the present study indicate that TEA plus GA in coronary surgery preserve cardiac function via increased expression of VEGF and i-NOS, improved hemodynamic function and reduced arrhythmias after ACC release.
Evidence of primary aldosteronism in a predominantly female cohort of normotensive individuals: a very high odds ratio for progression into arterial hypertension.

CONTEXT Primary aldosteronism (PA) is an established cause of hypertension, whereas high-normal serum aldosterone levels have been linked to an increased risk for hypertension. OBJECTIVE We aimed to define the post-fludrocortisone-dexamethasone suppression test (FDST) normal cutoff values of aldosterone and the aldosterone to renin ratio and evaluate the presence of PA in normotensive individuals. DESIGN This study was designed as a case-control study. SETTING The study was performed in a tertiary general hospital. PATIENTS One hundred normotensive participants (80 females), mean age 53 years, were studied. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES All participants underwent baseline biochemical and hormonal evaluation, FDST, and adrenal computerized tomography. Blood pressure was assessed at baseline and after 5 years. RESULTS Sixty-nine participants with normal adrenal computerized tomography who remained normotensive after 5 years were used as a control population to calculate the cutoff values of adequate aldosterone suppression. PA was defined as a combination of post-FDST aldosterone to renin ratio of 0.93 ng/dL · μU/mL or greater (100% sensitivity and 96% specificity) and post-FDST aldosterone of 2.96 ng/dL or greater (100% sensitivity and 61% specificity on receiver-operating characteristic analysis). Thirteen of 100 participants had PA at baseline and 11 (85%) developed hypertension, whereas only 20 of 87 without PA (23%) developed hypertension at 5 years [odds ratio (OR) 18.42, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 3.76-90.10, P < . 0001]. Logistic regression analysis showed a positive relation of PA [odds ratio (OR) 16.30, confidence interval (CI) 1.78-150.30, P = . 01] and a negative relation of serum potassium (OR 0.39, CI 0.19-0.79, P = .01) with the development of hypertension. CONCLUSIONS Normotensive PA represents a clinical entity referring to normotensive individuals with PA who are at increased risk for hypertension.
A novel approach to increase overall efficiency in Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) consist of small nodes with sensing, computation and wireless communications capabilities. Evolution in wireless sensor network has broadened its pervasive and ubiquitous applications in numerous fields. These applications often require accurate information collecting as well as uninterrupted, prolonged active service. Routing protocols have significant impact on the overall energy consumption of sensor networks. Suitable Energy-efficient routing algorithms are required to the inherent characteristics of these types of networks are needed. Due to resource limitations in wireless sensor networks, prolonging the network lifetime has been of a great interest. Most of the energy of sensor nodes is utilized for transmission of data to the base station. Thus, it makes them to deplete their energy much faster. In this paper, Centrality based Cluster approach is used along with a movable base station to reduce the energy consumption of cluster heads. According to the simulation results, the proposed scheme has proved its efficiency in the network lifetime, residual energy of network. The proposed scheme also shows improvement in performance of WSN compared to other routing scheme.
Restoration of Calcium Influx Corrects Membrane Hyperexcitability in Injured Rat Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons

BACKGROUND:We have previously shown that a decrease of inward Ca2+ flux (ICa) across the sensory neuron plasmalemma, such as happens after axotomy, increases neuronal excitability. From this, we predicted that increasing ICa in injured neurons should correct their hyperexcitability. METHODS:The influence of increased or decreased ICa upon membrane biophysical variables and excitability was determined during recording from A-type neurons in nondissociated dorsal root ganglia after spinal nerve ligation using an intracellular recording technique. RESULTS:When the bath Ca2+ level was increased to promote ICa, the after-hyperpolarization was decreased and repetitive firing was suppressed, which also followed amplification of Ca2+-activated K+ current with selective agents NS1619 and NS309. A decreased external bath Ca2+ concentration had the opposite effects, similar to previous observations in uninjured neurons. CONCLUSIONS:These findings indicate that at least a part of the hyperexcitability of somatic sensory neurons after axotomy is attributable to diminished inward Ca2+ flux, and that measures to restore ICa may potentially be therapeutic for painful peripheral neuropathy.
Cardiac myosin binding protein C regulates postnatal myocyte cytokinesis

Significance We demonstrate that hearts lacking the sarcomere protein cardiac myosin binding protein C (MYBPC) undergo altered development due to an extra round of postnatal cell division. Normal cardiac myocytes replicate rapidly during fetal life, undergo a final round of cell division shortly after birth, cease dividing, and increase in cell size during prepubescent life. MYBPC has an unexpected function—inhibition of myocyte cytokinesis. MYBPC-deficient myocytes undergo an additional round of cytokinesis, resulting in increased numbers of myocytes and a greater proportion of mononuclear myocytes in neonatal hearts. Our findings provide insights into the mechanisms of dilated cardiomyopathy caused by homozygous mutations that reduce MYBPC levels. Homozygous cardiac myosin binding protein C-deficient (Mybpct/t) mice develop dramatic cardiac dilation shortly after birth; heart size increases almost twofold. We have investigated the mechanism of cardiac enlargement in these hearts. Throughout embryogenesis myocytes undergo cell division while maintaining the capacity to pump blood by rapidly disassembling and reforming myofibrillar components of the sarcomere throughout cell cycle progression. Shortly after birth, myocyte cell division ceases. Cardiac MYBPC is a thick filament protein that regulates sarcomere organization and rigidity. We demonstrate that many Mybpct/t myocytes undergo an additional round of cell division within 10 d postbirth compared with their wild-type counterparts, leading to increased numbers of mononuclear myocytes. Short-hairpin RNA knockdown of Mybpc3 mRNA in wild-type mice similarly extended the postnatal window of myocyte proliferation. However, adult Mybpct/t myocytes are unable to fully regenerate the myocardium after injury. MYBPC has unexpected inhibitory functions during postnatal myocyte cytokinesis and cell cycle progression. We suggest that human patients with homozygous MYBPC3-null mutations develop dilated cardiomyopathy, coupled with myocyte hyperplasia (increased cell number), as observed in Mybpct/t mice. Human patients, with heterozygous truncating MYBPC3 mutations, like mice with similar mutations, have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. However, the mechanism leading to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in heterozygous MYBPC3+/− individuals is myocyte hypertrophy (increased cell size), whereas the mechanism leading to cardiac dilation in homozygous Mybpc3−/− mice is primarily myocyte hyperplasia.
The price of sexy: Viewers’ perceptions of a sexualized versus nonsexualized Facebook profile photograph.

Using an experimental methodology, the present study assessed adolescent girls’ and young adult women’s perceptions of a peer who presented herself on Facebook in either a sexualized or nonsexualized manner. Fifty-eight adolescent girls and 60 young adult women viewed a Facebook profile with either a sexualized profile photo or a nonsexualized profile photo and then evaluated the profile owner. Results indicated that the sexualized profile owner was considered less physically attractive, less socially attractive, and less competent to complete tasks. There was a main effect of age in the judgment of social attractiveness, with young adult women giving higher ratings than adolescent girls. There were no other main effects of age or interactions between age and condition. Findings suggest that using a sexualized profile photo on Facebook comes with relational costs for girls and women. Strategies for educating young people about new media use and sexualization are discussed.
Competency based recruitment decisions: A lens model approach.

This study showcases an empirical approach to delineate how competencies should be deployed for the purpose of recruitment decisions. A competencybased approach using the Brunswikian lens model was adopted to generate predictors. Three major competencies (people, individual, and business orientation) of HR incumbents were identified in an earlier study. Sixteen vignettes were designed to yield a 2 2 2 2 (High/low people High/low individual High/low business orientation Urban/rural background) completely within factorial design. These vignettes were administered to 35 HR professionals. The main effects of individual, business, & people and their 2-way interactions were significant. Cluster analysis categorized judges who have similar decision-making patterns. Comparing results of binomial logistic with ranking scores illustrates that the way interviewers actually evaluate candidates may differ from the way they believe they evaluate. Interrater reliability indicated ‘poor’ extent of agreement among judges. The results obtained have been discussed in terms of Brunswik’s Lens model.
Let's Trade Futures! a Novel Approach for Cloud Computing Resource Planning and Management

Resource planning is the greatest challenge cloud computing service providers face, because it is difficult to predict future resource demands. Fluctuation in demand coupled with inadequate resource planning causes over-or under-utilization of many resources, resulting in a loss of revenue that has created the need for a more efficient market model. The creation of an Information Technology Exchange (ITE) is the long-awaited solution to the resource-utilization problem. Trading cloud resources as commodities-futures, forward, spot, and swap contracts-would allow service providers to predict consumption, meet future workload needs, and increase revenue. The prepackaged and/or atomic resource bundles, called Information Technology Exchange Traded Resources (IT-ETRs), are modeled after the Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) of the financial market. In the experiment described in this paper, the trading of cloud resources as commodities in an exchange improves utilization.