Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Establishment, Characterization, and Drug Sensitivity of a New Ewing Sarcoma Cell Line (SS-ES-1)

Ewing sarcoma (ES) is one of the most malignant tumors in children and young adults. We present here a new ES cell line, SS-ES-1, established from the left thoracic tumor of a 16-year-old female patient. The SS-ES-1 cells retained genotype, morphology, and growth rate for over 150 passages. Immunocytochemical staining showed the strong immunoreactivity for cytokeratin, epithelial membrane antigen, neurofilament, CD99, P53, Ki-67, platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β, estrogen receptor-α (ER-α), and Bcl-2, but no reactivity for glial fibrillary acidic protein, epidermal growth factor receptor, and HER-2/neu. The presence of the type 1 EWS/FLI-1 fusion transcripts was confirmed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. On the basis of the MTT assay results, GW2974, a dual inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor and HER-2/neu, exhibited only a weak cytotoxic response in SS-ES-1 cells. In contrast, tyrphostin A9, a specific inhibitor of platelet-derived growth factor receptor, had a high cytotoxic effect against these cells. Surprisingly, it was found that SS-ES-1 cells displayed a high sensitivity to 4OH-tamoxifen. In conclusion, the SS-ES-1 cell line shows unique cellular properties, which makes it a useful model for studying various aspects of the biology of ES. In addition, the results suggest that ER can be a good therapeutic target for ER + ES.
Contrast‐dependent OFF‐dominance in cat primary visual cortex facilitates discrimination of stimuli with natural contrast statistics

Both theoretical and experimental studies suggest that response properties in the visual system are shaped by signals in the natural environment. Recent studies showed that, in the primary visual cortex (V1), neurons preferring light decrements (OFF stimuli) outnumber those preferring light increments (ON stimuli). However, it is not clear whether the OFF‐dominance in V1 neurons is related to the contrast statistics in natural images. By analysing the distribution of negative and positive contrasts in natural images at several spatial scales, we showed that optimal coding of the natural contrast signals would lead to a contrast‐dependent OFF‐dominant response, with a stronger degree of OFF‐dominance at a higher contrast. Using bright and dark stimuli at various contrast levels to measure the receptive fields of neurons in cat V1, we found an increasing degree of OFF‐dominance of the neuronal population as the contrast was increased. By modeling receptive fields exhibiting OFF‐ and ON‐dominance, we found that contrast‐dependent OFF‐dominance facilitated the discrimination of stimuli with natural contrast distribution. Thus, by matching contrast‐dependent OFF‐dominance to the statistics of contrast distribution in natural images, V1 neurons may better discriminate contrast information in natural scenes.
Identifying and Understanding the Difference Between Japanese and English when Giving Walking Directions

Identifying and Understanding the Difference Between Japanese and English When Giving Walking Directions Keiko Moriyama Barney Center for Language Studies, BYU Master of Arts In order to better identify and understand the differences between Japanese and English, the task of giving walking directions was used. Japanese and American public facilities (10 each) were randomly chosen from which to collect data over the phone in order to examine these differences based on the following five communication styles: 1) politeness, 2) indirectness, 3) self-effacement, 4) back-channel feedback (Aizuchi), 5) and other linguistic and cognitive differences in relation to space and giving directions. The study confirmed what the author reviewed in the literature: Japanese are more polite, English speakers tend to give directions simply and precisely, Japanese prefer pictorial information and most Americans prefer linguistic information, Japanese is a topic-oriented language and also an addressee-oriented language. The information revealed from this study will help Japanese learners develop important skills needed for developing proficiency in the target language and also teach important differences between the two languages.
The Anatomy and Ontogeny of the Head, Neck, Pectoral, and Upper Limb Muscles of Lemur catta and Propithecus coquereli (Primates): Discussion on the Parallelism Between Ontogeny and Phylogeny and Implications for Evolutionary and Developmental Biology

Most anatomical studies of primates focus on skeletal tissues, but muscular anatomy can provide valuable information about phylogeny, functional specializations, and evolution. Herein, we present the first detailed description of the head, neck, pectoral, and upper limb muscles of the fetal lemuriforms Lemur catta (Lemuridae) and Propithecus coquereli (Indriidae). These two species belong to the suborder Strepsirrhini, which is often presumed to possess some plesiomorphic anatomical features within primates. We compare the muscular anatomy of the fetuses with that of infants and adults and discuss the evolutionary and developmental implications. The fetal anatomy reflects a phylogenetically more plesiomorphic condition in nine of the muscles we studied and a more derived condition in only two, supporting a parallel between ontogeny and phylogeny. The derived exceptions concern muscles with additional insertions in the fetus which are lost in adults of the same species, that is, flexor carpi radialis inserts on metacarpal III and levator claviculae inserts on the clavicle. Interestingly, these two muscles are involved in movements of the pectoral girdle and upper limb, which are mainly important for activities in later stages of life, such as locomotion and prey capture, rather than activities in fetal life. Accordingly, our findings suggest that some exceptions to the “ontogeny parallels phylogeny” rule are probably driven more by ontogenetic constraints than by adaptive plasticity. Anat Rec, 297:1435–1453, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Human Rights Violations among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Southern Africa: Comparisons between Legal Contexts

In 1994, South Africa approved a constitution providing freedom from discrimination based on sexual orientation. Other Southern African countries, including Botswana, Malawi, and Namibia, criminalize same-sex behavior. Men who have sex with men (MSM) have been shown to experience high levels of stigma and discrimination, increasing their vulnerability to negative health and other outcomes. This paper examines the relationship between criminalization of same-sex behavior and experiences of human rights abuses by MSM. It compares the extent to which MSM in peri-urban Cape Town experience human rights abuses with that of MSM in Gaborone, Botswana; Blantyre and Lilongwe, Malawi; and Windhoek, Namibia. In 2008, 737 MSM participated in a cross-sectional study using a structured survey collecting data regarding demographics, human rights, HIV status, and risk behavior. Participants accrued in each site were compared using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression. Encouragingly, the results indicate MSM in Cape Town were more likely to disclose their sexual orientation to family or healthcare workers and less likely to be blackmailed or feel afraid in their communities than MSM in Botswana, Malawi, or Namibia. However, South African MSM were not statistically significantly less likely experience a human rights abuse than their peers in cities in other study countries, showing that while legal protections may reduce experiences of certain abuses, legislative changes alone are insufficient for protecting MSM. A comprehensive approach with interventions at multiple levels in multiple sectors is needed to create the legal and social change necessary to address attitudes, discrimination, and violence affecting MSM.
MicroRNAs as a marker of cardiovascular disease in Marfan syndrome and Marfan-related disorders

Genetic counseling is an important process in the care of patients with Marfan syndrome and related disorders (MSRD) because it provides individualized risk assessment that can aid in determining prognosis and help healthcare specialists optimize management. Marfan syndrome affects many body systems, but aortopathy, or disease of the aorta, is the most common cause of death. Currently, resources for predicting the prognosis for cardiovascular complications in Marfan syndrome are limited. However, in several human diseases, microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as a promising biomarker, or quantifiable molecule in the body that can indicate the presence of disease (Ikonomidis et al., 2013; Khoury and Tran, 2015). Furthermore, miRNA profiles in peripheral blood are shown to be unique in aortic aneurysms of different etiologies possibly providing information regarding pathogenesis (Ikonomidis et al., 2013). This study explores the use of miRNAs as biomarkers in predicting onset and severity of aortopathy for patients with
Secondary sclerosing cholangitis in critically ill patients: current perspectives

Secondary sclerosing cholangitis (SSC) is a term used for a group of chronic cholestatic disease affecting the intra- and/or extrahepatic biliary tree with inflammation and progressive stricture formation, which can lead to biliary cirrhosis. A newly recognized form of SSC is secondary sclerosing cholangitis in critically ill patients (SSC-CIP). Pathogenesis is believed to involve ischemic injury of intrahepatic bile ducts associated with prolonged hypotension, vasopressors administration, and/or mechanical ventilation in patients treated in the intensive care unit (ICU). Patients diagnosed with SSC-CIP have no prior history of liver disease and no known pathologic process or injury responsible for bile duct obstruction prior to ICU treatment. Reasons leading to ICU treatment are many including multitrauma, burn injury, cardiac surgery, severe pneumonia, other infections, or bleeding after abdominal surgery. Patients have in common prolonged ICU admission. SSC-CIP is associated with rapid progression to liver cirrhosis and poor survival with limited treatment options except a liver transplantation. Transplant-free survival is around 17–40 months, which is lower than in other SSC patients. During the initial stages of the disease, the clinical symptoms and biochemical profile are not specific and easily missed. Biliary casts formation may be considered pathognomonic for SSC-CIP since most patients have them in early stages of the disease. Increased awareness and early detection of the disease and its complications is considered to be crucial to improve the poor prognosis.
Board Independence, Executive Pay Structures, and Pay Disclosure: Evidence from Europe

Using a broad sample of the largest European companies, I examine whether the two governance mechanisms, namely (i) independent monitoring by a board of directors and (ii) grants and disclosures of incentive-based executive pay, are substitutes for one another. I find that companies with proportionately more executives on their boards of directors grant greater incentive-based pay to their executives, and improve the transparency of their pay disclosure. The findings are consistent with the efficient contracting argument, which predicts that greater incentive-based pay and pay disclosure transparency mitigate agency problems generated by boards dependent upon management
Potential of Recombinant Opa Proteins as Vaccine Candidates against Hyperinvasive Meningococci

ABSTRACT Neisseria meningitidis causes half a million cases of septicemia and meningitis globally each year. The opacity (Opa) integral outer membrane proteins from N. meningitidis are polymorphic and highly immunogenic. Particular combinations of Opa proteins are associated with the hyperinvasive meningococcal lineages that have caused the majority of serogroup B and C meningococcal disease in industrialized countries over the last 60 years. For the first time, this genetic structuring of a diverse outer membrane protein family has been used to select a novel combination of representative antigens for immunogenicity testing. Fourteen recombinant Opa variants were produced and used in murine immunizations inducing an increase in specific antimeningococcal total IgG levels. All 14 Opa proteins elicited bactericidal antibodies against at least one hyperinvasive meningococcal isolate, and most isolates from each hyperinvasive lineage were killed by at least one Opa antiserum at a titer of 1:16 or greater. Cross-reactive bactericidal antibody responses were observed among clonal complexes. A theoretical coverage of 90% can be achieved by using a particular combination of 6 Opa proteins against an isolate collection of 227 recent United Kingdom disease cases. This study indicates the potential of Opa proteins to provide broad coverage against multiple meningococcal hyperinvasive lineages.
ppt Level Detection of Samarium(III) with a Coated Graphite Sensor Based on an Antibiotic

N -[2-[4-[[[(Cyclohexylamino)carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl]phenyl]ethyl]-5-methyl pyrazine carboxamide (glipizid) was explored as an electro-active material for preparing a polymeric membrane-based sensor selective to samarium ions. The membrane incorporated 30% poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), 53% benzyl acetate (BA), 11% glipizid and 6% sodium tetraphenyl borate. When coated on the surface of a graphite electrode, it exhibits Nernstian responses in the concentration range of 1.0 × 10^−5 to 1.0 × 10^−10 M, with a detection limit of 8.0 × 10^−11 M samarium. The electrode shows high selectivity towards samarium over several cations (alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions), and specially lanthanide ions. The proposed sensor has a very short response time (< 15 s), and can be used in a wide pH range for at least ten weeks. It was used as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of Sm(III) ions with an EDTA solution, and for determination of samarium in binary and ternary mixtures.
Going into surgery: Risk factors for hypertrophic scarring

The aim of this study was to examine the association between possible risk factors for excessive scarring and the formation of hypertrophic scars (HTS). Hypertrophic skin scarring remains a difficult problem in medicine and can cause considerable morbidity. Nevertheless, few extensive prospective studies have been conducted which assess risk factors in relation to HTS formation. Therefore, a prospective observational study was performed. Patients who had elective cardiothoracic surgery were followed for the duration of 1 year and information was collected about a variety of possible risk factors in these patients. The associations between the risk factors and the development of HTSs were investigated. Body mass index, ethnic background, and scar related factors are positively associated with HTS formation. Antihypertensive therapeutics and factors influencing erythropoiesis are negatively associated with HTS formation.
Evaluation of nimodipine in the treatment of severe diffuse head injury: a double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

AIMS The aim of this study was to establish whether nimodipine given orally soon after severe diffuse head injury for a period of three weeks improved outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS The present report analyzes the results of a prospective randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of nimodipine in 97 severe head injury patients (GCS Score < or =8) treated at the Department of Neurosurgery, NIMHANS, between January 1995 and June 1996. The patients were randomly assigned to two groups which were matched for age, sex, mode of injury, time interval from injury to admission, neurological status and CT scan findings. One group was given nimodipine 30 mg Q6H and the other group was given a placebo. The outcome of these patients at 6 months was evaluated using the Glasgow Outcome Score by and a psychologist. RESULTS Results showed no significant difference in the functional and psychological outcome between the two groups, even in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage. No adverse drug events were recorded. CONCLUSION Oral nimodipine given for three weeks does not improve outcome in patients with severe diffuse head injury.
Effects of in utero odorant exposure on neuroanatomical development of the olfactory bulb and odour preferences

Human babies and other young mammals prefer food odours and flavours of their mother's diet during pregnancy as well as their mother's individually distinctive odour. Newborn mice also prefer the individual odours of more closely related—even unfamiliar—lactating females. If exposure to in utero odorants—which include metabolites from the mother's diet and the foetus's genetically determined individual odour—helps shape the neuroanatomical development of the olfactory bulb, this could influence the perception of such biologically important odours that are preferred after birth. We exposed gene-targeted mice during gestation and nursing to odorants that activate GFP-tagged olfactory receptors (ORs) and then measured the effects on the size of tagged glomeruli in the olfactory bulb where axons from olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) coalesce by OR type. We found significantly larger tagged glomeruli in mice exposed to these activating odorants in amniotic fluid, and later in mother's milk, as well as significant preferences for the activating odour. Larger glomeruli comprising OSNs that respond to consistently encountered odorants should enhance detection and discrimination of these subsequently preferred odours, which in nature would facilitate selection of palatable foods and kin recognition, through similarities in individual odours of relatives.
Early parent-based intervention for conduct problems and ADHD

Growing numbers of preschool children are being referred to mental health services with symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADIID), and medication is increasingly being used to treat them (Zito, Safer, dosReis et al., 2000). However, there is limited evidence for the short- and long- term efficacy of medication (Greenhill, Kollins. Abikoff et al., 2006), concerns over adverse effects (Wigal, Greenhill, Chuang, et al., 2006) as well as ethical objections to medical intervention at such an early stage in development (Perring, 1997). Consequently, there is a need to provide effective psychosocial interventions for this population (Conners, March, Frances, Wells, & Ross, 2001). A literature review of preschool ADHD (Chapter 2) identified three parent-training (PT) programmes that have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing ADHD symptoms, and concluded that PT may provide an effective first-line intervention for preschoolers with ADHD symptoms. The three empirical studies (Chapters 3,4, and 5) evaluated the efficacy of one of these programmes - the Incredible Years (I Y) BASIC PT programme - within a community sample of preschool children with signs of early emerging conduct problems and ADHD. Study one (Chapter 3) examined the short-term efficacy of the lY intervention, using a randomised controlled group design. Following the delivery of the programme, the intervention group was associated with significantly lower levels of parent-reported ADHD symptoms, compared to a wait-list control group. The second empirical study (Chapter 4) examined the longitudinal stability of intervention-Mated gains. Results demonstrated that improvements were maintained at 12- and 18- month follow-ups. Early Intervention for Preschool ADI ID and Conduct Problems xv The third study (Chapter 5) explored potential predictors, moderators, and mediators of outcome within this sample. Moderator analyses failed to uncover significant associations between risk factors and outcome, suggesting that the intervention was effective even for the most disadvantaged families. Predictor analysis suggested that those with the most severe levels of ADHD at baseline were most likely to benefit from intervention. Maternal depression was associated with poorer long-term outcome at 18-month follow-up, although it was not associated with initial treatment response. Mediator analyses indicated that enhanced positive parenting skill was a significant partial mediator of outcome, suggesting that positive parenting is one of the key mechanisms contributing to intervention success. The short-term efficacy, longitudinal stability, and lack of outcome moderators suggest that the lY is a valuable and stable intervention when delivered as a preventive intervention for preschool children presenting with ADHD symptoms, even for families traditionally considered to be 'hard to treat'.
Pursuing quality and environmental performance: Initiatives and supporting processes

Purpose – The aim of this study is to focus on manufacturing small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) that are simultaneously pursuing quality and environmental objectives. Specifically, the paper examines: the specific motivations and resources of SMEs that have chosen to pursue both priorities, the types of initiatives these SMEs have implemented, and whether pursuing both priorities is correlated with various facets of organizational performance.Design/methodology/approach – This study gathered data from a sample of 254 ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 certified Canadian SMEs. Data collection was based on a survey questionnaire sent to a random sample of 1,514 companies.Findings – The results highlighted significant differences between the SMEs holding both the ISO 9000 and 14000 certifications and those holding only the 9000 ISO certification. Each group was shown to have distinct motivations and resources and to have implemented different types of initiatives to address environmental concerns. Each group was p.
Identification and Characterization of Murine SCD4, a Novel Heart-specific Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase Isoform Regulated by Leptin and Dietary Factors*

Stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) is the rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids. Thus far, three isoforms of SCD (SCD1, SCD2, and SCD3) have been identified and characterized. Regulation of the SCD1 isoform has been shown to be an important component of the metabolic actions of leptin in liver, but the effects of leptin on SCD isoforms in other tissues have not been investigated. We found that although the mRNA levels of SCD1 and SCD2 were not affected by leptin deficiency in the hearts of ob/ob mice, the SCD activity and levels of monounsaturated fatty acids were increased, implying the existence of another SCD isoform. This observation has led to the cDNA cloning and characterization of a fourth SCD isoform (SCD4) that is expressed exclusively in the heart. SCD4 encodes a 352-amino acid protein that shares 79% sequence identity with the SCD1, SCD2, and SCD3 isoforms. Liver X receptor α (LXRα) agonists and a high carbohydrate fat-free diet induced SCD4 expression, but unlike SCD1, SCD4 expression was not repressed by dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids. SCD4 mRNA levels were elevated 5-fold in the hearts of leptin-deficient ob/ob mice relative to wild type controls. Treatment of ob/ob mice with leptin decreased mRNA levels of SCD4, whereas levels of SCD1 and SCD2 were not affected. Furthermore, in the hearts of SCD1-deficient mice, SCD4 mRNA levels were induced 3-fold, whereas the levels of SCD2 were not altered. The current studies identify a novel heart-specific SCD isoform that demonstrates tissue-specific regulation by leptin and dietary factors.