Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prognostic Significance of the Metastasis-inducing Protein S 100 A 4 ( p 9 Ka ) in Human Breast Cancer 1

The calcium-binding protein S100A4 is capable of inducing metastasis in rodent models for breast cancer. We now show that rabbit antibodies to recombinant rat S100A4 recognize specifically human S100A4 using Western blotting techniques and use them to assess the prognostic significance of S100A4 in primary tumors from a group of 349 patients treated between 1976 and 1982 for stage I and stage II breast cancer. The antibody stains normal breast tissue heterogeneously, but stains positively 41% of the carcinomas, leaving the remaining 59% as negatively stained. In addition to the carcinoma cells, some host stromal cells and lymphocytes are also stained, but these have been discounted in subsequent analyses. There is an association of staining of carcinomas for S100A4 with some tumor variables considered to be associated with poor prognosis for patients: tumor present in axillary lymph nodes (borderline P 5 0.058), staining for c-erbB-3 (P5 0.002), cathepsin D (P5 0.024), and c-erbB-2 (P5 0.048). The association of staining for S100A4 with patient survival has been evaluated using life tables and analyzed using generalized Wilcoxon statistics. Eighty percent of the S100A4-negative patients but only 11% of the S100A4-positive patients are alive after 19 years of follow-up, and this association is highly significant (P< 0.0001); the former have a median survival of>228 months and the latter 47 months. The other tumor variables that show significant association with survival time are nodal status (P< 0.0001), tumor size (P5 0.0035), histological grade (P 5 0.013), staining for c-erbB-2 (P5 0.0015), estrogen receptor (P 5 0.028), and p53 (P5 0.032). Analysis of the association of patients with carcinomas staining for S100A4 and their survival in subgroups defined by these other tumor variables shows that in each subgroup, staining for S100A4 is associated with poorer survival. Patients whose tumors stain for S100A4 and possess involved lymph nodes (P < 0.0001), which are fixed to the chest wall (P5 0.015) or which stain for c-erbB-2 (P 5 0.050), show a significant reduction in survival times over those with only S100A4-staining tumors. Patients with involved lymph nodes, or staining for c-erbB-2 in the S100A4-negative group fail to show any significant reduction in survival times. Multivariate regression analysis for 137 patients shows that staining for S100A4 is most highly correlated with patient deaths (P < 0.0001), but involved lymph nodes (P5 0.001), fixed tumors (P 5 0.0002), and high histological grade (P5 0.022) are also significant independent prognostic variables. These results suggest that in this group of patients, the metastasis-inducing protein S100A4 is most tightly correlated with patient demise.
Ketoprofen, diclofenac or ketorolac for pain after tonsillectomy in adults?

We have compared the analgesic and opioid sparing effect of three i.v. non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with placebo in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 80 adult patients after elective tonsillectomy. A standard anaesthetic was used. After induction of anaesthesia, patients received ketoprofen 100 mg, diclofenac 75 mg or ketorolac 30 mg by i.v. infusion over 30 min. Patients in the placebo group received saline. Ketoprofen and diclofenac infusions were repeated after 12 h and ketorolac infusion at 6 h and 12 h. Oxycodone was used as rescue analgesic. Patients in the ketoprofen group requested 32% less opioid and patients in the diclofenac and ketorolac groups 42% less opioid than those in the placebo group (P < 0.05). There were one, two and six patients in the placebo, diclofenac and ketorolac groups, respectively, but none in the ketoprofen group, who did not request opioid analgesia during the study (P < 0.05, ketorolac vs placebo and ketoprofen). Visual analogue pain scores were similar in all groups. Visual analogue satisfaction scores were significantly higher in the diclofenac group compared with the placebo group. The incidence of nausea was 44-54%. There were no differences in the incidence of other adverse reactions. We conclude that all three non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were superior to placebo after tonsillectomy.
Evaluation and Organizational Learning: Past, Present, and Future

Our vision for the future of evaluation is grounded in a desire for evaluation to play an expanded and more productive role within organizations. This future emphasizes a learning approach to evaluation that is contextually-sensitive, ongoing, and supports dialog, reflection, and decision making at department and programmatic as well as organization-wide levels. Although we believe elements of this approach are applicable to many kinds of evaluations, we recognize that it may be difficult or less appropriate for large-scale, multisite policyoriented evaluation studies. In what follows we take a historical look at how interest in evaluation use and organizational learning has developed. Then we describe challenges to implementing a learning approach to evaluation, and how changes both within and outside the evaluation profession can help organizations use evaluation more effectively.
Cross-Language Parser Adaptation between Related Languages

The present paper describes an approach to adapting a parser to a new language. Presumably the target language is much poorer in linguistic resources than the source language. The technique has been tested on two European languages due to test data availability; however, it is easily applicable to any pair of sufficiently related languages, including some of the Indic language group. Our adaptation technique using existing annotations in the source language achieves performance equivalent to that obtained by training on 1546 trees in the target language.
Ascorbic Acid and Gene Expression: Another Example of Regulation of Gene Expression by Small Molecules?

Ascorbic acid (vitamin C, AA) has long been considered a food supplement necessary for life and for preventing scurvy. However, it has been reported that other small molecules such as retinoic acid (vitamin A) and different forms of calciferol (vitamin D) are directly involved in regulating the expression of numerous genes. These molecules bind to receptors that are differentially expressed in the embryo and are therefore crucial signalling molecules in vertebrate development. The question is: is ascorbic acid also a signalling molecule that regulates gene expression? We therefore present and discuss recent publications that demonstrate that AA regulates the expression of a battery of genes. We offer a clue to understanding the biochemical mechanism by which AA regulates gene expression. Finally we will discuss the question of a receptor for AA and its potential involvement in embryonic development and cell differentiation.
Effects of Motor Imagery Training on Gait Ability of Patients with Chronic Stroke

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of motor imagery training on improvement of gait ability of patients with chronic stroke. The motor imagery training was performed using imagination of normal gait movement. [Subjects] Participants were randomly allocated to two groups: a motor imagery training group (n=13) and a control group (n=11). [Methods] Both groups received treadmill training for 3 session 30 minutes per week for 6 weeks. The motor imagery training group practiced additional motor imagery training. Measures were evaluated by gait ability. [Results] The outcomes significantly improved by motor imagery training were gait speed, step length of paretic side, step length of non-paretic side, stride length of paretic side, stride length of non-paretic side, single limb support period of paretic side, and double limb support period of both sides. [Conclusion] The motor imagery training improved gait ability. These results suggest that motor imagery training is feasible and suitable for individuals with stroke.
MARCKS-dependent mucin clearance and lipid metabolism in ependymal cells are required for maintenance of forebrain homeostasis during aging

Ependymal cells (ECs) form a barrier responsible for selective movement of fluids and molecules between the cerebrospinal fluid and the central nervous system. Here, we demonstrate that metabolic and barrier functions in ECs decline significantly during aging in mice. The longevity of these functions in part requires the expression of the myristoylated alanine‐rich protein kinase C substrate (MARCKS). Both the expression levels and subcellular localization of MARCKS in ECs are markedly transformed during aging. Conditional deletion of MARCKS in ECs induces intracellular accumulation of mucins, elevated oxidative stress, and lipid droplet buildup. These alterations are concomitant with precocious disruption of ependymal barrier function, which results in the elevation of reactive astrocytes, microglia, and macrophages in the interstitial brain tissue of young mutant mice. Interestingly, similar alterations are observed during normal aging in ECs and the forebrain interstitium. Our findings constitute a conceptually new paradigm in the potential role of ECs in the initiation of various conditions and diseases in the aging brain.
Selective &bgr;1-Antagonism with Bisoprolol Is Associated with Fewer Postoperative Strokes than Atenolol or Metoprolol: A Single-center Cohort Study of 44,092 Consecutive Patients

Background:Perioperative metoprolol increases postoperative stroke. Animal studies indicate that the mechanism may be related to attenuated &bgr;2-adrenoreceptor-mediated cerebral vasodilatation. The authors therefore conducted a cohort to study whether the highly &bgr;1-specific &bgr;-blocker (bisoprolol) was associated with a reduced risk of postoperative stroke compared with less selective &bgr;-blockers (metoprolol or atenolol). Methods:The authors conducted a single-center study on 44,092 consecutive patients with age 50 yr or more having noncardiac, nonneurologic surgery. The primary outcome was stroke within 7 days of surgery. The secondary outcome was a composite of all-cause mortality, postoperative myocardial injury, and stroke. A propensity score-matched cohort was created to assess the independent association between bisoprolol and less &bgr;1-selective agents metoprolol or atenolol. A secondary analysis using logistic regression, based on previously identified confounders, also compared selective &bgr;1-antagonism. Results:Twenty-four percent (10,756) of patients were exposed to in-hospital &bgr;-blockers. A total of 88 patients (0.2%) suffered a stroke within 7 days of surgery. The matched cohort consisted of 2,462 patients, and the pairs were well matched for all variables. Bisoprolol was associated with fewer postoperative strokes than the less selective agents (odds ratio = 0.20; 95% CI, 0.04–0.91). Multivariable risk-adjustment in the &bgr;-blockers-exposed patients comparing bisoprolol with the less selective agents was associated with a similarly reduced stroke rate. Conclusions:The use of metoprolol and atenolol is associated with increased risks of postoperative stroke, compared with bisoprolol. These findings warrant confirmation in a pragmatic randomized trial.
Effects of tanshinone IIA on fibrosis in a rat model of cirrhosis through heme oxygenase-1, inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis

Tanshinone IIA is extracted from the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza and used in traditional Chinese medicine for its anti-inflammatory activity and antioxidant effects. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential protective effects of tanshinone IIA against fibrosis in a rat model of cirrhosis and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Male Sprague Dawley rats were used as the model of cirrhosis in the present study. In the cirrhotic rats, the extent of fibrosis, levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein expression, serum levels of nuclear factor (NF)-κB, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), and the protein expression levels of phosphorylated-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) were all significantly increased. However, the serum malondialdehyde (MDA) activity and protein kinase B (Akt) protein expression were suppressed in cirrhotic rats compared with the sham (control) group. Compared with the cirrhotic group, administration of tanshinone IIA reduced the extent of fibrosis, levels of ALT and AST, HO-1 protein expression, serum NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 levels, and the activity of SOD, CAT and GSH-PX. Furthermore, administration of tanshinone IIA significantly increased the inhibition of the serum MDA activity and the Akt protein expression in cirrhotic rats compared with those in the cirrhotic group. The protective effect of tanshinone IIA suppresses fibrosis in a rat model of cirrhosis, and reduces inflammation and oxidative stress, via the HO-1, Akt and p38 MAPK signaling pathway.
Interleukin-6 and interleukin-6 receptor secretion by chronic lymphatic leukaemia and normal B lymphocytes: effect of PMA and PWM

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and soluble interleukin-6 receptor (sIL-6R) were detected in supernatants of cultures of B chronic lymphatic leukaemia (CLL) lymphocytes. Phorbol-12-myristate 13 acetate (PMA) caused a decrease in the levels of IL-6 in 14 out of 16 cultures and an increase in levels of sIL6R in all 15 cases. The effect of pokeweed mitogen (PWM) was variable and not significant. The levels of IL-6 were below the detection limit (60 pg/ml) in sera of 13 CLL patients whereas sIL-6R was detected (13 ng/ml to 97 ng/ml) in the 13 sera. IL6 was not detected in cultures of unstimulated or stimulated with PMA or PWM normal human B cells. Levels of sIL-6R were minimal in cultures of normal B lymphocytes and were increased in PMA stimulated cultures. The results are consistent with the view that B-CLL cells produce spontaneously IL-6 which could act in an autocrine fashion to cause shedding of surface IL-6R and account for the correlation found between serum levels of sIL-6R and B-CLL lymphocyte numbers. The fall in levels of IL-6 in PMA stimulated CLL cultures might express masking or degradation of IL-6 after combination with the receptor.
Culture and Terror Management: What is “Culture” in Cultural Psychology and Terror Management Theory?

Cultural psychology underscores the importance of culture in understanding human psychology. More recently, Terror Management Theory (TMT) also advanced the importance of culture from a perspective that regards culture as a tool for coping with existential concerns. This paper compares these two perspectives with respect to the focus of their theoretical inquiries and the conceptualizations of culture. A brief review of relevant TMT research is provided to familiarize readers to this literature. Theoretical implications and directions for future research are presented.
Inertial, Substratal and Landmark Cue Control of Hippocampal CA1 Place Cell Activity

Hippocampal ‘place cells’ discharge when a rat occupies a location that is fixed in relation to environmental landmarks. A principal goal of this study was to determine whether hippocampal place cell activity could be influenced by inertial cues. Water‐deprived rats were trained in a square‐walled open field in a dark room. The behavioural task required alternating visits to water reservoirs in the centre and in the four corners of the arena. The rat and arena were rotated in total darkness through ±90, 180 or 270°. The next water reward was then presented in the corner at the same position relative to the outside room as before the rotation. A cue card was later illuminated in this corner as a visual cue for the extra‐arena (room) reference frame. Fifteen out of 97 recorded hippocampal CA1 complex spike cells had spatially selective discharges in non‐central parts of the arena. After arena rotations, the firing fields of three units shifted between corners of the arena to maintain a fixed orientation relative to the room. This indicates that the hippocampus updated its representation of the position and heading direction of the rat using vestibular‐derived inputs concerning rotation angle. Other spatially selective discharges were guided to landmark cues (cue card or position of the reward: two units) or arena‐locked ‘substratal’ cues (eight units). In six cells, place cell activity suddenly ceased or appeared following rotations. These results provide evidence for contributions of inertial as well as substratal and landmark information to hippocampal spatial representations.
The impact of transmission errors in MAC schemes for distributed wireless networks

The Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol design for distributed wireless networks has been a topic of extensive research in the last years. The protocol design challenge relies on the infra-structureless nature of distributed wireless networks, which difficult the implementation of optimal throughput MAC schemes. However, interesting optimal-based MAC protocols have been proposed in the last years, including protocols such as AOB, Idle Sense, as well as a MAC scheme that we have recently proposed. Contrarily to previous works, where the existing optimal-based protocols are evaluated considering an ideal physical layer without transmission errors, this paper evaluates the performance of these protocols when transmission errors are considered. The analysis compares a recent optimal MAC scheme proposed by our team (OMACP - Optimal MAC Protocol) with two other optimal-based protocols (Idle Sense and AOB), extending the evaluation to two heuristic-based solutions (IEEE 802.11 MAC and GDCF protocol). A comparison is made for the throughput, delay and fairness index achieved by each protocol. The results evidence higher performance for optimal-based protocols, highlighting the good performance of our recently proposed protocol.
Children's Contribution to Household Labour in Three Sociocultural Contexts: A Southern Indian Village, a Norwegian Town and a Canadian City

Using cross-cultural data, this paper explores the extent and nature of children's participation in household labour in three social settings: a Southern-Indian fishing village, a Norwegian town and a Canadian large urban centre. It examines the gender division of domestic labour among children and compares children's contributions to that of adults. Children's household production was always a structural necessity for the maintenance of rural households. However, in the past three decades, as households in urban-industrial societies are restructuring, children's participation became indispensable.
Data Visualization With Multidimensional Scaling

We discuss methodology for multidimensional scaling (MDS) and its implementation in two software systems, GGvis and XGvis. MDS is a visualization technique for proximity data, that is, data in the form of N × N dissimilarity matrices. MDS constructs maps (“configurations,” “embeddings”) in IRk by interpreting the dissimilarities as distances. Two frequent sources of dissimilarities are high-dimensional data and graphs. When the dissimilarities are distances between high-dimensional objects, MDS acts as a (often nonlinear) dimension-reduction technique. When the dissimilarities are shortest-path distances in a graph, MDS acts as a graph layout technique. MDS has found recent attention in machine learning motivated by image databases (“Isomap”). MDS is also of interest in view of the popularity of “kernelizing” approaches inspired by Support Vector Machines (SVMs; “kernel PCA”). This article discusses the following general topics: (1) the stability and multiplicity of MDS solutions; (2) the analysis of structure within and between subsets of objects with missing value schemes in dissimilarity matrices; (3) gradient descent for optimizing general MDS loss functions (“Strain” and “Stress”); (4) a unification of classical (Strain-based) and distance (Stress-based) MDS. Particular topics include the following: (1) blending of automatic optimization with interactive displacement of configuration points to assist in the search for global optima; (2) forming groups of objects with interactive brushing to create patterned missing values in MDS loss functions; (3) optimizing MDS loss functions for large numbers of objects relative to a small set of anchor points (“external unfolding”); and (4) a non-metric version of classical MDS. We show applications to the mapping of computer usage data, to the dimension reduction of marketing segmentation data, to the layout of mathematical graphs and social networks, and finally to the spatial reconstruction of molecules.
Configural, Metric, and Scalar Invariance of the Modified Achievement Goal Questionnaire Across African American and White University Students

There has been growing interest in comparing achievement goal orientations across ethnic groups. Such comparisons, however, cannot be made until validity evidence has been collected to support the use of an achievement goal orientation instrument for that purpose. Therefore, this study investigates the measurement invariance of a particular measure of achievement goal orientation, the modified Achievement Goal Questionnaire (AGQ-M), across African American and White university students. Confirmatory factor analyses support measurement invariance across the two groups. These findings provide additional validity evidence for the newly conceptualized 2 × 2 framework of achievement goal orientation and for the equivalence of functioning of the AGQ-M across these distinct groups. Because this level of invariance is established, researchers can make more valid inferences about differences in the AGQ-M scores across African American and White students.
A Conceptual Framework to Address Barriers to Knowledge Management in Project-Based Organizations

Purpose – The purposes of this study are to identify, classify and prioritize knowledge management (KM) barriers in an Iranian project-based organization (PBO) and to present a conceptual framework for improving attitudes to KM in the Iranian context. Design/methodology/approach – After studying previous literature on the topic, initial barriers of KM in PBOs were extracted. Then, a list of barriers of KM in the aforementioned organizations was finalized by interviewing experts in KM. After that, the barriers were prioritized using a questionnaire. Finally, a conceptual framework for successfully tackling KM barriers was presented. Findings – In this article, barriers of KM in PBOs have been divided into five categories: individual, organizational, technological, contextual, and inter-project. Then a three-layered conceptual framework has been presented which describes how the barriers of KM in PBOs may be removed progressively. Practical implications – The prepared and prioritized list of barriers of KM in PBOs is a stepping stone and a guideline for managers in PBOs which will enable them to identify barriers of KM in their own organizations and resolve them and improve KM in their organizations. It also serves as a useful base for researchers to expand further research concerning barriers of KM in PBOs. Originality/value – This article is probably the first article which has identified barriers of KM via interviews and questionnaires carried out in 50 active PBOs which had a KM section. The article also presents a three-layered framework for lowering barriers of KM, which can be applied step by step after considering the level of importance of each one identified.