Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
From Trauma Exposure to Depression: An Evaluation of AlexithymiaAssessed via Auditory-Affective Perception and Interpersonal Problems asPotential Mediators

Objectives: Alexithymia involves difficulty identifying and describing emotions and has been linked to a variety of psychological problems, particularly exposure to trauma, interpersonal difficulties, and depression. Currently, alexithymia is most commonly assessed through self- report questionnaires. A neuropsychological test may be a more valid assessment of alexithymia because it uses a performance-based design and focuses on the underlying cognitive process in question: affective-processing. This impaired processing may be useful in testing an explanatory model for the relationship between trauma exposure and the subsequent development of alexithymia, interpersonal problems, and depression. Participants and methods: Fifty-three undergraduate students pre-screened for trauma exposure, were given questionnaires measuring alexithymia, interpersonal problems, and depression, and then administered a neuropsychological test of Auditory-Affective Perception (AAP). Correlational analyses compared the neuropsychological measure with the alexithymia questionnaire. A hierarchical regression tested a meditational model. Results: Performance on the neuropsychological measure of AAP did not significantly correlate with the alexithymia questionnaire (p>0.05). Alexithymia was found to partially mediate between trauma exposure and depression (p=0.03). The over-all model was significant, F(2.50)=25.17, p<0.001, adjusted-R2=0.48. Conclusions: Regression analyses supported self-reported alexithymia as a partial mediator of the relationship between trauma exposure and depression, suggesting that depressive symptoms developed following trauma exposure are partially related to the development of alexithymic symptoms. AAP performance was not significantly correlated with the measure of alexithymia suggesting self-reported alexithymic symptoms are independent of the ability to recognize auditorially-presented emotions; possible explanations and theoretical implications are discussed.
Leprosy Elimination: Not as Straightforward as it Seemed

Leprosy is a unique and enigmatic disease. It is one of the few diseases to have been known in ancient and medieval times, and it was one of the first diseases to be linked to a specific infectious agent, Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae), in 1873. 1 Yet even now, the organism cannot be cultured in vitro, and important gaps persist in our understanding of its biology and epidemiology. 2 In particular, although contact with a known case of leprosy is a major risk factor in contracting the disease, scientists are not certain how the organism is transmitted from one individual to another, nor do they know when, throughout the period of incubation and clinical disease, an individual is particularly infectious.3 These limitations have prevented the development of highly effective leprosy control measures, and there is little evidence that the transmission of the disease has been significantly reduced in recent years, despite efforts made toward that goal.4 As a bacterial infection, leprosy is susceptible to treatment with antibiotics; therefore, much has changed in the management of the disease over the last 50 years.5 The effective treatment of leprosy with chemotherapeutic agents began in the early 1950s with the introduction of dapsone. However, at least 10 years of treatment were required for multibacillary cases, and lifelong treatment was often advised for those individuals with the highest bacillary counts. In the early 1980s, the introduction of multidrug regimens, all of which included the potent bactericidal drug rifampicin, allowed the length of treatment to be cautiously reduced-to a fixed period of 24 months by the early 1990s and to a fixed period of only 12 months by the end of that decade.6 For the individual patient, multidrug therapy (MDT) meant a relatively rapid and effective cure.
A New Statistic on the Hyperoctahedral Groups

We introduce a new statistic on the hyperoctahedral groups (Coxeter groups of type B ), and give a conjectural formula for its signed distributions over arbitrary descent classes. The statistic is analogous to the classical Coxeter length function, and features a parity condition. For descent classes which are singletons the conjectured formula gives the Poincare polynomials of the varieties of symmetric matrices of fixed rank. For several descent classes we prove the conjectural formula. For this we construct suitable supporting sets for the relevant generating functions. We prove cancellations on the complements of these supporting sets using suitably defined sign reversing involutions.
Memory of Infections: An Emerging Role for Natural Killer Cells

Many previous reports on Natural Killer (NK) cells highlighted their ability to form the proverbial first line of defense against a variety of viral infections and malignancies. NK cells have been considered a part of innate immunity, characterized by invariant, germ-line encoded receptors for the recognition of pathogens and infected cells. In contrast, somatic rearrangement of receptor genes, the clonal expansion of antigen-specific cells, and the ability to mount a more potent memory response upon secondary challenge are traditionally considered hallmarks of T and B cells belonging to the adaptive immune system. More recently, exciting new data are challenging this conventional view [1]. A growing body of evidence indicates that under certain experimental conditions, NK cells share some of the features of adaptive immune cells. For instance, in mice infected with murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV), an NK cell subset expands in an antigen-dependent manner reminiscent of the clonal expansion of adaptive immune cells [2]. This NK cell expansion is associated with long-lasting functional changes similar to features of memory T cell populations. Resemblances between NK and T cells are not only limited to their response kinetics and certain functions, but also comprise characteristics of homeostatic proliferation, development, and differentiation [3]. Currently, a clear consensus on how the term “memory” is defined in NK cell biology is lacking. Throughout this article we will refer to memory NK cells, if these NK cells respond more potently to a second challenge with the same antigen they had initially encountered (Figure 1). The term “memory-like” NK cells will be used when long-lasting functional alterations are induced, e.g. by cytokines without clear evidence of antigen involvement (Figure 1). Figure 1 Memory and memory-like NK cells in mice and humans.
Adenomatous polyposis coli (Apc) tumor suppressor gene as a multifunctional gene

The adenomatous polyposis coli (Apc) gene is mutated in familial adenomatous polyposis and in sporadic colorectal tumors. The Apc gene product (APC), basically a cytoplasmic protein, blocks cell cycle progression and plays crucial roles in development. The APC binds to β-catenin, axin and glycogen synthase kinase 3β to form a large protein complex, in which β-catenin is phosphorylated and broken down, resulting in negative regulation of the Wnt signaling pathway. Most of the mutated Apc genes in colorectal tumors lack β-catenin-binding regions and fail to inhibit Wnt signaling, leading to overproliferation of tumor cells. The APC, having some nuclear localizing signals in its molecule, can also be localized in the nucleus. The nuclear APC exports excess β-catenin to the cytoplasm. Through its C-terminus, APC binds to post-synaptic density discs large zonula occludens domain-containing proteins, such as discs large (DLG) and post-synaptic density (PSD)-95, and may play important roles in epithelial morphogenesis, brain development and neuronal functions. In addition, APC is involved in cell motility through its association with microtubules and APC-stimulated guanine nucleotide exchange factor. Colocalization of APC and DLG is dependent on microtubules. The Apc gene is highly expressed in the embryonic and postnatal developing brain. Recently, we found that APC is required for the activity of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors by facilitating the clustering of PSD-95 and these receptors at the postsynapse. In addition, APC is present in astrocytes, although its role in astrocytes is, as yet, unknown.
Experimental Social Gerontology: A Social Psychological Perspective

Social psychological theories and research methods have been a guiding influence in the study of aging for over three decades. However, in the past the emphasis has been more on the sociological than the psychological components of this approach. Sociologists, guided by theories and methods borrowed from sociology, have been the major contributors of new knowledge. More recently, this approach has been supplemented by another view emphasizing the psychological half of the equation. This approach is characterized by its use of experimental methods and its attempt to generate explanations based ultimately on an understanding of the phenomenology of the aged individual. This latter perspective is discussed here. In particular, the recent research examining the effects of control, perceived choice and enhanced competence on the well-being of the institutionalized aged is reviewed and evaluated.
Interlanguage Variability in Narrative Discourse: Style Shifting in the Use of the Past Tense

This study examines style shifting in the use of three past tense morphemes (regular past, irregular past, and past copula) by 17 intermediate L2 learners of English. It differs from previous studies in that style shifting is examined within a single discourse mode—narrative discourse—according to the amount of planning time made available. Data were collected under three conditions: (a) planned writing, (b) planned speech, and (c) unplanned speech. Different patterns of style shifting were observed for three morphemes, suggesting that the nature of the linguistic feature under investigation is a determining factor. For regular past, greatest accuracy was most evident in planned writing and least evident in unplanned speech, with planned speech intermediate. Little style shifting took place in irregular past, whereas style shifting for past copula occurred only between planned speech and unplanned speech. The three conditions produced different accuracy orders for regular and irregular past, suggesting that the so-called “natural” order may not be a stable phenomenon. The paper concludes with a number of important questions requiring further investigation.
Magic-Factor 1, a Partial Agonist of Met, Induces Muscle Hypertrophy by Protecting Myogenic Progenitors from Apoptosis

Background Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) is a pleiotropic cytokine of mesenchymal origin that mediates a characteristic array of biological activities including cell proliferation, survival, motility and morphogenesis. Its high affinity receptor, the tyrosine kinase Met, is expressed by a wide range of tissues and can be activated by either paracrine or autocrine stimulation. Adult myogenic precursor cells, the so called satellite cells, express both HGF and Met. Following muscle injury, autocrine HGF-Met stimulation plays a key role in promoting activation and early division of satellite cells, but is shut off in a second phase to allow myogenic differentiation. In culture, HGF stimulation promotes proliferation of muscle precursors thereby inhibiting their differentiation. Methodology/Principal Findings Magic-Factor 1 (Met-Activating Genetically Improved Chimeric Factor-1 or Magic-F1) is an HGF-derived, engineered protein that contains two Met-binding domains repeated in tandem. It has a reduced affinity for Met and, in contrast to HGF it elicits activation of the AKT but not the ERK signaling pathway. As a result, Magic-F1 is not mitogenic but conserves the ability to promote cell survival. Here we show that Magic-F1 protects myogenic precursors against apoptosis, thus increasing their fusion ability and enhancing muscular differentiation. Electrotransfer of Magic-F1 gene into adult mice promoted muscular hypertrophy and decreased myocyte apoptosis. Magic-F1 transgenic mice displayed constitutive muscular hypertrophy, improved running performance and accelerated muscle regeneration following injury. Crossing of Magic-F1 transgenic mice with α-sarcoglycan knock-out mice –a mouse model of muscular dystrophy– or adenovirus-mediated Magic-F1 gene delivery resulted in amelioration of the dystrophic phenotype as measured by both anatomical/histological analysis and functional tests. Conclusions/Significance Because of these features Magic-F1 represents a novel molecular tool to counteract muscle wasting in major muscular diseases such as cachexia or muscular dystrophy.
Human resource development practices as determinant of HRD climate and quality orientation

Purpose – The aim of the study was to measure employees' perception of human resource development (HRD) practices, to explore whether ISO certification leads to any improvements in HRD system, and to examine the role of HRD practices on employees' development climate and quality orientation in the organization.Design/methodology/approach – A total of 239 employees belonging to eight organizations (four of them ISO certified) responded to a questionnaire which measured the following variables: career system, work planning system, development system, self renewal system, and HRD system.Findings – Results indicated large inter‐organizational differences in HRD practices. In general, however, employees' ratings were moderate. ISO certified companies, compared to others, obtained higher means on some HRD variables. Organizations with better learning, training and development systems, reward and recognition, and information systems promoted human resource development climate. Quality orientation was predicted b.
OV 632 and MOC 31 in the diagnosis of mesothelioma and adenocarcinoma: an assessment of their use in formalin fixed and paraffin wax embedded material.

AIMS--To investigate the reaction of antibodies OV 632 and MOC 31 in paraffin wax sections as opposed to frozen sections and cytological preparations; to evaluate their usefulness in the differential diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma and secondary adenocarcinoma of the pleura; and to assess the efficacy of microwave pretreatment of sections in unmasking their associated epitopes. METHODS--Immunohistochemistry, using a standard avidin-biotin technique, with microwave pretreatment and trypsinisation in a certain proportion of cases. The material comprised 43 mesotheliomas, 44 adenocarcinomas and five reactive pleuras. RESULTS--Epithelial mesotheliomas and the hyperplastic mesothelial cells reacted strongly with OV 632, the reaction with sarcomatoid and desmoplastic tumours was weak, and the reaction with adenocarcinomas was variable. An unequivocal but sometimes patchy positive reaction was obtained with MOC 31 in all but one of the adenocarcinomas; all but one of the mesotheliomas and all the reactive pleuras were negative. Review of the two apparently anomalous cases revealed that the original diagnoses had probably been incorrect. Reactions to both antibodies were abolished by microwave pretreatment, and also by prior trypsinisation in the case of OV 632. CONCLUSIONS--OV 632 is unsuitable for routine clinical use in paraffin wax embedded material. MOC 31, however, would be a useful addition to a panel of antibodies in the differential diagnosis of mesothelioma and adenocarcinoma in large biopsy and resection specimens and necropsy material. Its value in small biopsy specimens remains to be assessed. Microwave pretreatment does not enhance the reactions with either antibody.
Applied and academic A levels: is there really a need for the applied track in UK further education?

The term ‘applied track’ in UK further education has been used to refer to the applied A level, the vocational, coursework-based version of the traditional academic A level. Vocational and coursework-based courses are often criticised for being easier than academic courses, for only attracting students who do not satisfy the requirements to take academic courses and for not developing in students the skills they need to be successful in higher education. This paper considers the extent to which these criticisms may be justified and explores the reasons why students chose to take an applied A level. The study involved 666 students at a large, mixed sex sixth form college in the UK, who were taking both applied and academic A levels. Although statistical analysis showed that students on the applied course performed worse than students on two academic courses once their different GCSE scores had been accounted for, it was also found that the applied students were relatively well qualified, that they were generally well motivated and hard working, and that they were extremely satisfied with the course. Finally, it is suggested that perhaps universities are misguided in assuming that applied courses do not develop in students the skills that they need to be successful in higher education.
Vaccine Potential of the Neisseria meningitidis 2086 Lipoprotein

ABSTRACT A novel antigen that induces cross-reactive bactericidal antibodies against a number of Neisseria meningitidis strains is described. This antigen, a ∼28-kDa lipoprotein called LP2086, was first observed within a complex mixture of soluble outer membrane proteins (sOMPs) following a series of fractionation, protein purification, and proteomics steps. Approximately 95 different neisserial isolates tested positive by Western blotting and PCR screening methods for the presence of the protein and the gene encoding LP2086. The strains tested included isolates of N. meningitidis serogroups A, B, C, W135, and Y, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Neisseria lactamica. To better understand the microheterogeneity of this protein, the 2086 genes from 63 neisserial isolates were sequenced. Two different subfamilies of LP2086 were identified based on deduced amino acid sequence homology. A high degree of amino acid sequence similarity exists within each 2086 subfamily. The highest degree of genetic diversity was seen between the two subfamilies which share approximately 60 to 75% homology at the nucleic acid level. Flow cytometry (fluorescence-activated cell sorting) analyses and electron microscopy indicated that the LP2086 is localized on the outer surface of N. meningitidis. Antiserum produced against a single protein variant was capable of eliciting bactericidal activity against strains expressing different serosubtype antigens. Combining one recombinant lipidated 2086 (rLP2086) variant from each subfamily with two rPorA variants elicited bactericidal activity against all strains tested. The rLP2086 family of antigens are candidates worthy of further vaccine development.
How important is the way you say it?: A discussion on the translation of linguistic varieties

Discussions of translation often rely on the concept of meaning — not only the meaning of the words, but also the significance of the use of certain words in a certain text and context. Moreover, translation always involves a process of identifying the different components of the texts in order to establish a hierarchy of relevance of those elements (see Toury 1980: 38). The priority given to some elements to the detriment of others will have a decisive influence on the choice of certain strategies and the final outcome. The literary use of a dialect in literary texts seems to be a particularly good example of that balancing of meaning and prioritization of elements. Not only because of its very localised meaning (both in time and space), but also because it is always embedded in the source text with a communicative and semiotic significance. It can challenge the translator who, when faced with the impossibility of looking for referential equivalences and formal correspondences, is forced to decide on the importance and meaning of the use of a specific dialect in the text. That decision will define the strategies to be used, which can go from total normalization of the text to a recreation of a linguistic variety in the target text. The purpose of this article is threefold: To present for discussion a model summarising the strategies identified in a number of case-studies; to present and discuss the strategies identified in a corpus of 12 Portuguese translations of Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion and Alan Jay Lerner’s My Fair Lady, as well as the contextual factors which might have influenced the translators’ choices; and to establish whether there are regularities in the associations between media ( translation for stage, page and screen) and strategies for dealing with non-standard language.
The Relationship of Job and Elder Caregiving Involvement to Work-Caregiving Conflict and Work Costs

This article examines the relationship between job and elder caregiving involvement, bi-directional work-caregiving conflict (work interfering with caregiving [WIC] and caregiving interfering with work [CIW]), and work costs (job interruptions and job changes). Specifically, we consider the effects of both behavioral and psychological involvement and external and internal work caregiving conflict in a sample of 583 women between the ages of 50 and 64 who work full-time and have significant elder caregiving responsibilities. A telephone survey was administered using random-digit-dial procedures. Structural equation model analyses confirmed that behavioral job involvement was associated with external CIW, psychological job involvement was associated with internal WIC and internal CIW, behavioral caregiving involvement was associated with external CIW and work costs, and psychological caregiving involvement was associated with internal CIW. Internal WIC, external CIW, and internal CIW were associated with job costs. Some mediation, particularly through external and internal CIW, occurred.
RET Variants and Haplotype Analysis in a Cohort of Czech Patients with Hirschsprung Disease

Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is a congenital aganglionosis of myenteric and submucosal plexuses in variable length of the intestine. This study investigated the influence and a possible modifying function of RET proto-oncogene's single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and haplotypes in the development and phenotype of the disease in Czech patients. Genotyping of 14 SNPs was performed using TaqMan Genotyping Assays and direct sequencing. The frequencies of SNPs and generated haplotypes were statistically evaluated using chi-square test and the association with the risk of HSCR was estimated by odds ratio. SNP analysis revealed significant differences in frequencies of 11 polymorphic RET variants between 162 HSCR patients and 205 unaffected controls. Particularly variant alleles of rs1864410, rs2435357, rs2506004 (intron 1), rs1800858 (exon 2), rs1800861 (exon 13), and rs2565200 (intron 19) were strongly associated with increased risk of HSCR (p<0.00000) and were over-represented in males vs. females. Conversely, variant alleles of rs1800860, rs1799939 and rs1800863 (exons 7, 11, 15) had a protective role. The haploblock comprising variants in intron 1 and exon 2 was constructed. It represented a high risk of HSCR, however, the influence of other variants was also found after pruning from effect of this haploblock. Clustering patients according to genotype status in haploblock revealed a strong co-segregation with several SNPs and pointed out the differences between long and short form of HSCR. This study involved a large number of SNPs along the entire RET proto-oncogene with demonstration of their risk/protective role also in haplotype and diplotype analysis in the Czech population. The influence of some variant alleles on the aggressiveness of the disease and their role in gender manifestation differences was found. These data contribute to worldwide knowledge of the genetics of HSCR.