Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of phenotype and differentiation marker gene expression profiles in human dental pulp and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

Objective: Bone marrow (BM) is the most utilized and well-studied source of stem cells. Stem cells from dental tissues have provided an alternate source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) have been shown to share a similar pattern of protein expression with BMMSCs in vitro. However, differences have been noted between DPSCs and BMMSCs. This study focuses on variation in expression of stem cell and differentiation markers between DPSCs and BMMSCs. Materials and Methods: The two stem cells were isolated and compared for clonogenic potential, growth characteristics, multipotency, and stem cell marker expression. Specifically, the fatty acid binding protein 4, perilipin, alkaline phosphatase and osteonectic gene expression was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction to confirm the capacity for adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation. Results: MSCs from these cell sources were similar in their morphology and immune phenotype except for the expression of CD105. Growth curves and colony formation assay revealed proliferation rate of DPSCs was significantly faster than BMMSCs (P < 0.05). DPSCs appeared less able to differentiate into adipogenic lineage, although more able to differentiate into osteogenic lineage. Conclusion: Data from the present study indicate how DPSCs are different from BMMSCs though they are a population of MSCs. DPSCs are a novel population of MSCs as observed by their unique expression of differentiation and lineage specific genes. Further microarray analysis could be used to determine, which genes are differentially regulated in BMMSCs and DPSCs to establish uniqueness of each population of MSCs.
POT1 and TRF2 Cooperate To Maintain Telomeric Integrity

ABSTRACT Mammalian telomeric DNA contains duplex TTAGGG repeats and single-stranded overhangs. POT1 (protection of telomeres 1) is a telomere-specific single-stranded DNA-binding protein, highly conserved in eukaryotes. The biological function of human POT1 is not well understood. In the present study, we demonstrate that POT1 plays a key role in telomeric end protection. The reduction of POT1 by RNA interference led to the loss of telomeric single-stranded overhangs and induced apoptosis, chromosomal instability, and senescence in cells. POT1 and TRF2 interacted with each other to form a complex with telomeric DNA. A dominant negative TRF2, TRF2ΔBΔM, bound to POT1 and prevented it from binding to telomeres. POT1 overexpression protected against TRF2ΔBΔM-induced loss of telomeric single-stranded overhangs, chromosomal instability, and senescence. These results demonstrate that POT1 and TRF2 share in part in the same pathway for telomere capping and suggest that POT1 binds to the telomeric single-stranded DNA in the D-loop and cooperates with TRF2 in t-loop maintenance.
Daphnia magna shows reduced infection upon secondary exposure to a pathogen

Previous pathogen exposure is an important predictor of the probability of becoming infected. This is deeply understood for vertebrate hosts, and increasingly so for invertebrate hosts. Here, we test if an initial pathogen exposure changes the infection outcome to a secondary pathogen exposure in the natural host–pathogen system Daphnia magna and Pasteuria ramosa. Hosts were initially exposed to an infective pathogen strain, a non-infective pathogen strain or a control. The same hosts underwent a second exposure, this time to an infective pathogen strain, either immediately after the initial encounter or 48 h later. We observed that an initial encounter with a pathogen always conferred protection against infection compared with controls.
The Effectiveness of Games as Assignments in an Introductory Programming Course

Computer games are an often cited motivational tool used as assignments in introductory programming courses. This paper presents the results of a study that attempts to quantify the effectiveness of computer games as programming projects over non-games. Students completed five major programming assignments during the semester in an introductory programming course. For each assignment, students were given an option between two programming projects, a game and a non-game. Throughout the term, 78.9% of the assignments submitted by students were the game option. The average grade, however, on game assignments was 89.1%, while the non-game average was 95.1%. In a post-term survey 84% of student respondents answered "yes" to the question, "Did the games provide any extra motivation for you to complete the projects with a high level of quality? " Results suggest that games do indeed provide psychological motivation and increase course enjoyment, even though they may not improve students' scores
Caregiver Impact of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Assessing Stress,Sense of Competence, and Relationship Satisfaction

Title: Caregiver Impact of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Assessing Stress, Sense of Competence, and Relationship Satisfaction Author Nicole M. Kline, M.S. Committee Chair: Ivy Chong, Ph.D While the impact of psycho-social variables has been evaluated for children with chronic illness and related disabilities, questions remain unanswered for families affected by ASD. Participants included 68 primary caregivers seeking services for a child aged fifteen months to 12 years suspected of or diagnosed with an ASD. Assessment tools included: 1. Parenting Stress Index-Fourth Edition-Short-Form (PSI4-SF; Abidin, 2012), 2. Parenting Sense of Competence Scale (PSOC; Johnston and Mash, 1989), and 3. Relationship Assessment Scale (Hendrick, 1988). Independent samples t-tests were conducted to determine differences with a nonclinical control population (60 participants with a typically-developed child) regarding perceptions of stress, competence and relationship satisfaction. ASD caregivers reported experiencing significantly higher stress than Control caregivers (p=.000). A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to assess whether perceived competence and relationship satisfaction variables were predictors of overall stress in the clinical sample. Results indicate that these variables significantly impact parenting stress (p <.001). Implications for parent involvement in treatment and child outcomes are discussed. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract . iii Table of
The clock protein period 2 synchronizes mitotic expansion and decidual transformation of human endometrial stromal cells

Implantation requires coordinated interactions between the conceptus and surrounding decidual cells, but the involvement of clock genes in this process is incompletely understood. Circadian oscillations are predicated on transcriptional‐translational feedback loops, which balance the activities of the transcriptional activators CLOCK (circadian locomotor output cycles kaput) and brain muscle arnt‐like 1 and repressors encoded by PER (Period) and Cryptochrome genes. We show that loss of PER2 expression silences circadian oscillations in decidualizing human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs). Down‐regulation occurred between 12 and 24 hours following differentiation and coincided with reduced CLOCK binding to a noncanonical E‐box enhancer in the PER2 promoter. RNA sequencing revealed that premature inhibition of PER2 by small interfering RNA knockdown leads to a grossly disorganized decidual response. Gene ontology analysis highlighted a preponderance of cell cycle regulators among the 1121 genes perturbed upon PER2 knockdown. Congruently, PER2 inhibition abrogated mitotic expansion of differentiating HESCs by inducing cell cycle block at G2/M. Analysis of 70 midluteal endometrial biopsies revealed an inverse correlation between PER2 transcript levels and the number of miscarriages in women suffering reproductive failure (Spearman rank test, ρ = ‐0.3260; P = 0.0046). Thus, PER2 synchronizes endometrial proliferation with initiation of aperiodic decidual gene expression; uncoupling of these events may cause recurrent pregnancy loss. —Muter, J., Lucas, E. S. , Chan, Y. ‐W. , Brighton, P. J., Moore, J. D. , Lacey, L. , Quenby, S. , Lam, E. W. ‐F. , Brosens, J. J. The clock protein period 2 synchronizes mitotic expansion and decidual transformation of human endometrial stromal cells. FASEB J. 29, 1603‐1614 (2015). www.fasebj. org
The experience of being an informal “carer” for a person with cancer: A meta-synthesis of qualitative studies

Abstract Objective: Increasingly, family or friends are providing care to those with cancer. However, the majority of those assuming the caring role have no prior knowledge related to the provision of care. The present study aimed to explore the experiences of informal carers with respect to their role, thus determining ways that services may support transition to this role. Method: In order to obtain an in-depth view of such experience, a qualitative meta-synthesis was employed to review the findings of 17 studies. Results: Out of this synthesis, three main concepts were developed: (1) identity and adopting the caring role, (2) the perception of care tasks, and (3) relationship dynamic changes as a result of caring. Significance of Results: The implications for professional practice are discussed.
Carbohydrate digestion and glucose supply in the gut of the ruminant

The ruminant is able to digest and utilize a wider range of carbohydrates than most other mammals, yet the means whereby it carries out this digestion also ensures that it may, during periods of high productivity, suffer from a shortage of glucose. Indeed the plight of the high-producing ruminant is not so very different from that of the ancient Mariner who had ‘Water water every where. Nor any drop to drink. ’ The basic reason for this shortage of glucose is that some 90% of the digestion of carbohydrates is by fermentation to short-chain fatty acids (volatile fatty acids (VFA)) by the bacteria and protozoa of the rumen and large intestine. Thus, only small amounts of glucose, derived mainly by hydrolysis of starch in the small intestine, are absorbed from the gut, and to meet its glucose requirements the ruminant relies heavily upon gluconeogenesis from the propionic acid and microbial protein produced by fermentation in the rumen. In the following discussion, those aspects of carbohydrate digestion recently reviewed for the Society by Armstrong & Beever (1969) will be covered only briefly.
Boussinesq modeling of surface waves due to underwater landslides

Consideration is given to the influence of an underwater landslide on waves at the surface of a shallow body of fluid. The equations of motion which govern the evolution of the barycenter of the landslide mass include various dissipative effects due to bottom friction, internal energy dissipation, and viscous drag. The surface waves are studied in the Boussinesq scaling, with time-dependent bathymetry. A numerical model for the Boussinesq equations is introduced which is able to handle time-dependent bottom topography, and the equations of motion for the landslide and surface waves are solved simultaneously. The numerical solver for the Boussinesq equations can also be restricted to implement a shallow-water solver, and the shallow-water and Boussinesq configurations are compared. A particular bathymetry is chosen to illustrate the general method, and it is found that the Boussinesq system predicts larger wave run-up than the shallow-water theory in the example treated in this paper. It is also found that the finite fluid domain has a significant impact on the behavior of the wave run-up.
The clinical utility of C-peptide measurement in the care of patients with diabetes

C‐peptide is produced in equal amounts to insulin and is the best measure of endogenous insulin secretion in patients with diabetes. Measurement of insulin secretion using C‐peptide can be helpful in clinical practice: differences in insulin secretion are fundamental to the different treatment requirements of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. This article reviews the use of C‐peptide measurement in the clinical management of patients with diabetes, including the interpretation and choice of C‐peptide test and its use to assist diabetes classification and choice of treatment. We provide recommendations for where C‐peptide should be used, choice of test and interpretation of results. With the rising incidence of Type 2 diabetes in younger patients, the discovery of monogenic diabetes and development of new therapies aimed at preserving insulin secretion, the direct measurement of insulin secretion may be increasingly important. Advances in assays have made C‐peptide measurement both more reliable and inexpensive. In addition, recent work has demonstrated that C‐peptide is more stable in blood than previously suggested or can be reliably measured on a spot urine sample (urine C‐peptide:creatinine ratio), facilitating measurement in routine clinical practice. The key current clinical role of C‐peptide is to assist classification and management of insulin‐treated patients. Utility is greatest after 3–5 years from diagnosis when persistence of substantial insulin secretion suggests Type 2 or monogenic diabetes. Absent C‐peptide at any time confirms absolute insulin requirement and the appropriateness of Type 1 diabetes management strategies regardless of apparent aetiology.
Audio Motor Training at the Foot Level Improves Space Representation

Spatial representation is developed thanks to the integration of visual signals with the other senses. It has been shown that the lack of vision compromises the development of some spatial representations. In this study we tested the effect of a new rehabilitation device called ABBI (Audio Bracelet for Blind Interaction) to improve space representation. ABBI produces an audio feedback linked to body movement. Previous studies from our group showed that this device improves the spatial representation of space in early blind adults around the upper part of the body. Here we evaluate whether the audio motor feedback produced by ABBI can also improve audio spatial representation of sighted individuals in the space around the legs. Forty five blindfolded sighted subjects participated in the study, subdivided into three experimental groups. An audio space localization (front-back discrimination) task was performed twice by all groups of subjects before and after different kind of training conditions. A group (experimental) performed an audio-motor training with the ABBI device placed on their foot. Another group (control) performed a free motor activity without audio feedback associated with body movement. The other group (control) passively listened to the ABBI sound moved at foot level by the experimenter without producing any body movement. Results showed that only the experimental group, which performed the training with the audio-motor feedback, showed an improvement in accuracy for sound discrimination. No improvement was observed for the two control groups. These findings suggest that the audio-motor training with ABBI improves audio space perception also in the space around the legs in sighted individuals. This result provides important inputs for the rehabilitation of the space representations in the lower part of the body.
Differences in exercise intensity seems to influence the affective responses in self-selected and imposed exercise: a meta-analysis

Self-selected exercise seems to promote positive affective responses due to the perceived autonomy associated with it. The objective of the present study was to determine the magnitude of differences in Feeling Scale (FS) responses during self-selected and imposed exercise sessions. The PRISMA Statement was adopted for this meta-analysis. The search used PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, and ISI Web of Knowledge databases. A total of 10 studies that compared the effects of self-selected and imposed exercise sessions on acute FS responses were included. The screening strategy included: exclusion of studies that were duplicated between databases, abstract screening, and text screening. The standardized mean difference (SMD) between self-selected and imposed exercise sessions categorized in five intensities (equal intensity: both exercises were performed at the same intensity, below lactate/ventilatory threshold (LT/VT): imposed exercise was performed at an intensity below the LT/VT, at LT/VT: imposed exercise was performed at the LT/VT intensity, above LT/VT: imposed exercise was performed at an intensity above the LT/VT, and different intensity: both exercises were performed at different intensities and the intensity of imposed session was not reported relative to LT/VT) and an overall SMD were calculated. Self-selected exercise was used as the reference condition. The subtotal SMD values were as follows: −0.10 (equal intensity), −0.36 (below LT/VT), −0.57 (at LT/VT), −1.30 (above LT/VT), and −0.09 (different intensity) and the overall SMD was −0.41. The results of the present study indicate that the difference between affective responses in self-selected and imposed exercise sessions is dependent on the intensity of the imposed exercise session.
Flexible Modeling via a Hybrid Estimation Scheme in Generalized Mixed Models for Longitudinal Data

Summary To circumvent the computational complexity of likelihood inference in generalized mixed models that assume linear or more general additive regression models of covariate effects, Laplace's approximations to multiple integrals in the likelihood have been commonly used without addressing the issue of adequacy of the approximations for individuals with sparse observations. In this article, we propose a hybrid estimation scheme to address this issue. The likelihoods for subjects with sparse observations use Monte Carlo approximations involving importance sampling, while Laplace's approximation is used for the likelihoods of other subjects that satisfy a certain diagnostic check on the adequacy of Laplace's approximation. Because of its computational tractability, the proposed approach allows flexible modeling of covariate effects by using regression splines and model selection procedures for knot and variable selection. Its computational and statistical advantages are illustrated by simulation and by application to longitudinal data from a fecundity study of fruit flies, for which overdispersion is modeled via a double exponential family.
A comparative evaluation of plaque-removing efficacy of air polishing and rubber-cup, bristle brush with paste polishing on oral hygiene status: A clinical study

Objectives: Over the years, professional dental prophylaxis has involved the use of rubber-cup, bristle brush, and abrasive paste for coronal polishing. Although air polishing is an excellent alternative for removal of tooth stain and dental plaque, very few studies have compared their efficacy in vivo. The present study attempts to evaluate and compare the efficacy of air polishing (test) alone versus rubber-cup polishing (control). Materials and Methods: A total of 35 individuals having generalized mild to moderate gingivitis were enrolled as the study population after obtaining their informed consent. Before commencement of the study, all subjects underwent scaling to remove calculus deposits (if any), following which the ipsilateral quadrant of the patient's mouth was randomly assigned as the test side and the contralateral quadrant of the same arch was assigned as the control side for polishing procedures. Time employed for both methods of polishing was held constant at 5 min for each technique. Subjects were assessed before and immediately after polishing and again after 15 days following treatment, for plaque and gingival status along with gingival bleeding. Results: Overall, the results of the intra-group comparison of both the polishing procedure sites indicated similar but significant plaque and gingival status changes, whereas the inter-group comparison showed no significant difference between the efficacies of both the groups. Conclusions: Air polishing and the rubber-cup, bristle brush with paste polishing demonstrated equivalent efficacy regarding removal of supragingival plaque and in reducing gingival inflammation.
The phosphorycholine moiety of the filarial nematode immunomodulator ES-62 is responsible for its anti-inflammatory action in arthritis

Objective: In countries where parasitic infections are endemic, autoimmune disease is relatively rare, leading to the hypothesis that parasite-derived immunomodulators may protect against its development. Consistent with this, we have previously demonstrated that ES-62, a 62 kDa phosphorylcholine (PC)-containing glycoprotein that is secreted by filarial nematodes, can exert anti-inflammatory action in the murine collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model and human rheumatoid arthritis-derived synovial tissue cultures. As a first step to developing ES-62-based drugs, the aim of this study was to determine whether the PC-moiety of ES-62 was responsible for its anti-inflammatory actions. Methods: We compared the anti-inflammatory activity of a PC-free form of recombinant ES-62 (rES-62) and a synthetic PC-ovalbumin conjugate (OVA-PC) with that of native ES-62 in the CIA model and synovial tissues from patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Results: The anti-inflammatory actions of ES-62 in CIA appear to be dependent on the PC moiety as indicated by the reduction in severity of disease and also suppression of collagen-specific T helper 1 cytokine production observed when testing OVA-PC, but not rES-62. Interestingly, the anti-inflammatory activity of PC did not correlate with a reduction in anti-collagen IgG2a levels. Also, the ES-62-mediated suppression of interferon-γ from human patient tissues could be mimicked by OVA-PC but not rES-62 or ovalbumin. Conclusions: In countries where filariasis is endemic the reduced detection of inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis may be because of the anti-inflammatory action of the PC moieties of ES-62. PC may thus provide the starting point for the development of novel, safe immunomodulatory therapies.
Experience Design: Video Without Faces Increases Engagement But Not Empathy

Counter to prior claims that empathy is required for higher levels of engagement in human-computer interaction, our team has previously found that, in an analysis of 844 stimulus presentations, empathy is sufficient for high engagement, but is not necessary. Here, we ran a carefully controlled study of human-computer interactions with musical stimuli --- with and without visuals, and with and without recognizable people -- to directly test whether we could design an engaging stimulus that did not elicit empathy, by avoiding human faces or personal interaction. We measured subjective responses by visual analogue scale and found that the faceless stimulus was as engaging as the face-containing stimulus, but much less empathy-provoking. Therefore, we propose that empathy and engagement be considered independently during interaction design, because they are not monotonically related.
AN EXTENDED UTAUT MODEL FOR THE STUDY OF NEGATIVE USER ADOPTION BEHAVIOURS OF MOBILE COMMERCE

An extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) for mobile commerce (m-commerce) was empirically tested using data collected from a web survey distributed to and through the Hong Kong undergraduates and postgraduates. The partial least squares (PLS) technique of the structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to evaluate the causal model and the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed to examine the reliability and validity of the measurement model. Findings indicated that the new construct of Disturbance Concerns (DC) is a significant factor affecting users’ behavioural intention. This study aims to understand both the positive and negative factors that can significantly explain user acceptance intention and use behaviour so that service providers can adjust their strategies for providing successful m-commerce services. It also provides a base for further research on the user acceptance models of new information systems.