Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of transforming growth factor β-1 in the pathogenesis of pelvic organ prolapse: A potential therapeutic target

The present study aimed to reveal the metabolic alterations of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in uterosacral ligament (USL) with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and to explore the role of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in pathogenesis of POP. For this purpse, 60 participants who underwent hysterectomy for benign indications were enrolled, 30 of which had symptomatic POP (grade II, III or IV) and composed the POP group, and the other 30 had asymptomatic POP (grade I or less) and served as the controls. Collagen fibers, elastin, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2/9, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMP)-2 and TGF-β1 were examined by Masson's trichrome staining, immunohistochemistry and RT-qPCR using USL biopsies. In vitro, human USL fibroblasts (hUSLFs) were primary cultured, pre-treated with recombinant TGF-β1 (0, 5, or 10 ng/ml) and then subjected to cyclic mechanical stretching (CMS; 0 or 5,333 με strain). Changes in the expression levels of collagen type I/III, elastin, TIMP-2, MMP-2/9 and Smad were detected. Our results revealed that at the tissue level, the expression of collagen fibers, elastin, TIMP-2 and TGF-β1 was significantly reduced in the POP group, while the activities of MMP-2/9 were significantly upregulated, compared with the control group. Statistical analysis indicated that the mRNA expression of TGF-β1 inversely correlated with the severity of POP partially. Our in vitro experimental data demonstrated that a CMS of 5333 με strain promoted the degradation of ECM proteins, inhibited the synthesis of TIMP-2, and upregulated the proteolytic activities of MMP-2/9. Pre-treatment with TGF-β1 attenuated the loss of ECM by stimulating the synthesis of TIMP-2 and inhibiting the activities of MMP-2/9 through the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway. On the whole, our data indicate that the reduced anabolism and increased catabolism of ECM proteins in USL are the pathological characteristics of POP. TGF-β1 not only has a specific value in predicting the severity of POP, but should also be considered as a novel therapeutic target for POP.
Healthy, but are they Satisfied? Factors Associated with Job Satisfaction in Professional Soldiers of the Slovenian Armed Forces

Aim:To identify factors associated with job satisfaction with professional soldiers of the slovenian armed forces using demographic characteristics, burnout, personality traits, and health and working environment characteristics. Method: 361 military personnel (317 male (87.8%), 44 female (12.2%)) participated in a cross-sectional study (80.6% response rate). Sample data was presented by frequency and percentage distribution for categorical variables, or by mean value and standard deviation for continuous variables. The Pearson correlation coefficient, the independent sample t-test and the one-way ANOVA were used for the univariate statistical comparison. Variables significantly related to job satisfaction were included in the multivariate linear regression. The linear model calculation included coefficient B, 95% confidence interval for B, Beta coefficient, and P value. Statistical analysis was performed with the SPSS 15.0 software. P value < 0.05 was marked as statistically significant. Results: Emotional exhaustion negatively affected satisfaction with work (β=-0.20; p<0.05), supervision (β=- 0.15; p<0.05), salary (β=-0.22; p<0.05) and promotion prospects (β=-0.15; p<0.05). Satisfaction with co-workers mostly showed different associations; there was a negative association between satisfaction with co-workers and female gender (β=-0.16; p<0.05) and depersonalization (β=-0.25; p<0.05) and positive association between satisfaction with co-workers and achieving additional training (β=0.11; p<0.05) and number of divorces (β=0.12; p<0.05). Most variation was associated with the organizational characteristics; individual traits and health were not proven to have an impact. Conclusion: Emotional exhaustion, but not physical health or its assessment, is a good predictor of poor overall job satisfaction and most of its components.
On the Throughput and Delay in Ad Hoc Networks With Human Mobility

In this paper, we study the impact of human mobility on throughput and delay for people-centric applications in mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs). We consider a general human mobility model for MANETs, which can capture important features of human mobility, such as time correlation, node correlation, location heterogeneity, and node heterogeneity. Multiple unicasts with general arrival processes are delivered, and nodes are equipped with infinite buffers. Under our system model, we first characterize the network stability region in terms of the probability of each node set visiting each location and the amount of transmission resources at each location. We show that the node correlation and heterogeneity of locations' popularity usually decrease the size of the network stability region, whereas the diversity of locations visited by a node usually increases the size of the network stability region. Then, by solving a stability-related optimization problem, we develop a throughput-optimal policy based on the obtained optimal solution. We obtain the upper and lower bounds of the delay performance under the proposed policy. Finally, using simulations based on a theoretical model and some real traces, we verify the analytical results and compare the performance of the proposed policy with some existing policies.
Linguistic Demands of the Oral Directions for Administering the WISC-IV and WISC-V

As the diversity of the school-age population in Canada continues to increase, it is important for school psychologists to consider the potential influence of culture and language when assessing the cognitive abilities of students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The purpose of this study is to examine the linguistic demand of the oral subtest directions for the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fourth Edition (WISC-IV) and Fifth Edition (WISC-V). Text-based statistics were extracted from the WISC-IV and WISC-V subtests to generate three composite scores: verbosity, complexity, and total demand. Results suggest that the oral directions of the WISC-IV subtests Block Design, Letter–number Sequencing, Cancellation, and Comprehension demonstrate relatively high linguistic demand. The oral subtest directions of the WISC-V subtests Picture Span, Visual Puzzles, and Figure Weights demonstrate relatively high linguistic demand. These findings suggest that the linguistic demand of oral directions should be taken into consideration when selecting and interpreting some subtests from both of these cognitive batteries.
Prednisone dosage and pregnancy outcome in renal allograft recipients.

BACKGROUND The literature contains reports of 2309 pregnancies in some 1600 women who have undergone renal transplantation. Certain pre-pregnancy factors, especially hypertension, renal graft dysfunction, short interval between transplant and pregnancy, and high immunosuppressive drug dosage, appear to increase the neonatal risks. METHOD We describe the outcome of 42 pregnancies in 27 allograft recipients at Rabin Medical Center (Beilinson Campus) in Israel during the last 8 years. All were treated with combination immunosuppression regimens. RESULTS The average interval from transplantation to conception was 3.7 +/- 0.4 years (2 months to 9 years). Rejection episodes occurred in 37% prior to pregnancy but in none during or immediately after pregnancy. Twenty-eight percent of the pregnancies ended in therapeutic or spontaneous abortions, and 29 of the 30 deliveries ended in a live birth. The prematurity rate (63%) was similar to that described in the literature for this patient group. Renal deterioration was evident in seven women (26%) within 2 years after delivery. Use of 7.5 mg/d prednisone (vs. 10 mg/d) before pregnancy was observed as the most significant preconception parameter related to better pregnancy outcome. A long interval from transplantation to conception and lack of pre-existing hypertension were also significant. CONCLUSION The better pregnancy outcome associated with lower prednisone dosage is probably related to the fact that the patients selected to receive the low-dose regimen have had a longer and less complicated post-transplantation course.
Optimal sustained attention is linked to the spectral content of background EEG activity: greater ongoing tonic alpha (∼10 Hz) power supports successful phasic goal activation

Efficient executive control frequently requires the timely activation or re‐activation of a task‐goal to enable purposeful behaviour. Additionally, more generalized factors such as alertness or neurological health will influence the efficiency with which control can be implemented. Goal‐directed processes have been investigated by examining event‐related potentials (ERPs), but much less is known about the involvement of background or ‘tonic’ processes reflected in the ongoing electroencephalogram (EEG), and how these affect the phasic processes expressed in the broad‐band ERP. Here, we investigate the relationship between a key attention‐sensitive tonic process – the alpha rhythm – and relevant phasic processes observed during a sustained attention paradigm in neurologically healthy subjects. We report that subjects with relatively higher tonic alpha power (∼10 Hz) show a larger‐amplitude late positive ERP component that is thought to index goal activation and has been found to predict good sustained attention performance as defined by correct response patterns. Source localization results suggest that the neural generators responsible for oscillatory alpha activity, which are found primarily in the parietal and occipital lobes, are distinct from those giving rise to the late positive component. The results are discussed in terms of increased alpha synchrony facilitating goal‐directed behaviour.
Older adults make less advantageous decisions than younger adults: Cognitive and psychological correlates

This study tested the hypotheses that older adults make less advantageous decisions than younger adults on the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT). Less advantageous decisions, as measured by the IGT, are characterized by choices that favor larger versus smaller immediate rewards, even though such choices may result in long-term negative consequences. The IGT and measures of neuropsychological function, personality, and psychopathology were administered to 164 healthy adults 18–85 years of age. Older adults performed less advantageously on the IGT compared with younger adults. Additionally, a greater number of older adults' IGT performances was classified as “impaired” when compared with those of younger adults. Less advantageous decisions were associated with obsessive symptoms in older adults and with antisocial symptoms in younger adults. Performance on the IGT was positively associated with auditory working memory and psychomotor function in young adults, and in immediate memory in older adults. (JINS, 2007, 13, 480–489.)
SMOKING, SMOKELESS TOBACCO CONSUMPTION & CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE - A CASE CONTROL STUDY

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major cause of premature death and disability throughout the world. Tobacco use is an important and avertable cause of CAD. The use of tobacco is on the rise worldwide. Present study was carried out to study the role of tobacco consumption in the occurrence of Coronary artery disease. Materials and Methods: Present study was a hospital based paired matched case-control study, carried out at civil hospital, Ahmedabad. 135 newly diagnosed cases of coronary artery disease and 135 controls were studied after taking informed written consent. Data was analyzed by using Epi-info version 3.5. 1 computer package, Chi -square test, Z test and Odds ratio was calculated. Results: Among the total 135 cases 70.4% were male and 29.6% were female, most of the cases (40%) were belongs to the age group of 51-60 years. Smokers and smokeless tobacco users were significantly higher among the cases as compared to controls. Significant association was also observed between current smokers, smokeless tobacco users and Coronary artery disease. Strong associations were also observed between frequency and duration of smoking with CAD. Conclusion: Tobacco consumption in any form is major aetiology behind the occurrence of CAD.
Lactobacillus amylovorus Inhibits the TLR4 Inflammatory Signaling Triggered by Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli via Modulation of the Negative Regulators and Involvement of TLR2 in Intestinal Caco-2 Cells and Pig Explants

Inflammation derived from pathogen infection involves the activation of toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling. Despite the established immunomodulatory activities of probiotics, studies relating the ability of such bacteria to inhibit the TLR signaling pathways are limited or controversial. In a previous study we showed that Lactobacillus amylovorus DSM 16698T, a novel lactobacillus isolated from unweaned pigs, protects the intestinal cells from enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) K88 infection through cytokine regulation. In the present study we investigated whether the ability of L. amylovorus to counteract the inflammatory status triggered by ETEC in intestine is elicited through inhibition of the TLR4 signaling pathway. We used the human intestinal Caco-2/TC7 cells and intestinal explants isolated from 5 week-old crossbreed Pietrain/Duroc/Large-White piglets, treated with ETEC, L. amylovorus or L. amylovorus cell free supernatant, either alone or simultaneously with ETEC. Western blot analysis showed that L. amylovorus and its cell free supernatant suppress the activation of the different steps of TLR4 signaling in Caco-2/TC7 cells and pig explants, by inhibiting the ETEC induced increase in the level of TLR4 and MyD88, the phosphorylation of the IKKα, IKKβ, IκBα and NF-κB subunit p65, as well as the over-production of inflammatory cytokines IL-8 and IL-1β. The immunofluorescence analysis confirms the lack of phospho-p65 translocation into the nucleus. These anti-inflammatory effects are achieved through modulation of the negative regulators Tollip and IRAK-M. We also found that L. amylovorus blocks the up-regulation of the extracellular heat shock protein (Hsp)72 and Hsp90, that are critical for TLR4 function. By using anti-TLR2 antibody, we demonstrate that TLR2 is required for the suppression of TLR4 signaling activation. These results may contribute to develop therapeutic interventions using L. amylovorus in intestinal disorders of piglets and humans.
Phaeohyphomycosis caused by Pyrenochaeta romeroi mimicking a plantar wart in a kidney transplant recipient

Department of Nephrology, Edouard HerriotHospital Group, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, FranceKey words: phaeohyphomycosis; Pyrenochaetaromeroi; organ transpplantation; immunosuppression;skin; opportunistic infectionCorrespondence to:Sylvie Euvrard, Department of Dermatology, EdouardHerriot Hospital Group, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon,FranceTel: + 33 4 72 11 03 01Fax: + 33 4 72 11 03 23E-mail: sylvie.euvrard@numericable.frReceived 16 February 2012, revised 30 May 2012,accepted for publication 24 July 2012DOI: 10.1111/tid.12018Transpl Infect Dis 2012: 0: 1–2
Persistent Objects and Capabilities in Timor

The paper describes how the idea of persistent objects is integrated into the Timor programming language. The strategy adopted allows types to be instantiated at two levels: as "files", i.e. objects accessible at the operating system level, and as local objects within files, which resemble objects found in conventional object oriented programs. File objects (with associated methods) can be instantiated and manipulated via capabilities, which are accessible both internally and via the operating system. Local objects are accessible via references, which are not visible at the operating system level.
Iranian English Teachers' self-efficacy: Do Academic Degree and Experience make a difference?

Teacher efficacy refers to teachers' beliefs in their ability to enhance student achievement and bring about positive learning outcomes. The present study was intended to investigate possible relationships between experience/academic degree and teacher efficacy among EFL teachers. Four hundred and forty-seven teachers who participated in this study filled in a survey which included some demographic information as well as Teacher Self-Efficacy Scale (TSES). The results of data analysis showed that experienced teachers (with more than three years of teaching experience) had a significantly higher level of global efficacy, efficacy for student engagement, efficacy for classroom management, and efficacy for instructional strategies compared to their novice counterparts. In contrast, teachers who had English-related academic degrees did not enjoy significantly higher levels of efficacy except in the subcomponent of student engagement. The findings are discussed in the light of different sources of efficacy to which novice/experienced teachers resort and the nature of English-relat ed university programs.
The chemokine SDF1 controls multiple steps of myogenesis through atypical PKCζ

Mice deficient in the SDF1-chemokine-receptor CXCR4, exhibit severe defects of secondary limb myogenesis. To further elucidate the role of SDF1 in muscle development, we have now analyzed putative effects of this chemokine on proliferation, migration and myogenic differentiation of mouse C2C12 myogenic progenitor/myoblast cells. In addition, we have characterized the signaling pathways employed by SDF1-CXCR4 to control myogenesis. We found that SDF1 stimulates proliferation and induces migration of C2C12 cells with a potency similar to that of FGF2 and HGF, which both represent prototypical extracellular regulators of myogenesis. In addition, SDF1 inhibits myogenic differentiation in both C2C12 cells and primary myoblasts, as assessed by MyoD, myosin heavy chain and/or myogenin expression. Regarding signaling pathways, C2C12 cells responded to SDF1 with activation (phosphorylation) of Erk and PKCζ, whereas even after prolonged SDF1 treatment for up to 120 minutes, levels of activated Akt, p38 and PKCα or PKCβ remained unaffected. Preventing activation of the classic MAP kinase cascade with the Erk inhibitor UO126 abolished SDF1-induced proliferation and migration of C2C12 cells but not the inhibitory action of SDF1 on myogenic differentiation. Moreover, the effects of SDF1 on proliferation, migration and differentiation of C2C12 cells were all abrogated in the presence of myristoylated PKCζ peptide pseudosubstrate and/or upon cellular depletion of PKCζ by RNA interference. In conclusion, our findings unravel a previously unknown role of CXCR4-PKCζ signaling in myogenesis. The potent inhibitory effects of SDF1 on myogenic differentiation point to a major function of CXCR4-PKCζ signaling in the control of secondary muscle growth.
Control Function Instrumental Variable Estimation of Nonlinear Causal Effect Models

The instrumental variable method consistently estimates the effect of a treatment when there is unmeasured confounding and a valid instrumental variable. A valid instrumental variable is a variable that is independent of unmeasured confounders and affects the treatment but does not have a direct effect on the outcome beyond its effect on the treatment. Two commonly used estimators for using an instrumental variable to estimate a treatment effect are the two stage least squares estimator and the control function estimator. For linear causal effect models, these two estimators are equivalent, but for nonlinear causal effect models, the estimators are different. We provide a systematic comparison of these two estimators for nonlinear causal effect models and develop an approach to combing the two estimators that generally performs better than either one alone. We show that the control function estimator is a two stage least squares estimator with an augmented set of instrumental variables. If these augmented instrumental variables are valid, then the control function estimator can be much more efficient than usual two stage least squares without the augmented instrumental variables while if the augmented instrumental variables are not valid, then the control function estimator may be inconsistent while the usual two stage least squares remains consistent. We apply the Hausman test to test whether the augmented instrumental variables are valid and construct a pretest estimator based on this test. The pretest estimator is shown to work well in a simulation study. An application to the effect of exposure to violence on time preference is considered.
Airway reactions and emergence times in general laryngeal mask airway anaesthesia

BACKGROUND Desflurane's short emergence time supports fast track anaesthesia. Data on the rate of upper airway complications and emergence time when desflurane is used with laryngeal mask airway (LMA) are controversial and limited. OBJECTIVES To compare recovery time variables and the rates of upper airway adverse events in patients with an LMA undergoing general surgery with desflurane, sevoflurane, isoflurane or propofol anaesthesia. DESIGN A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs). DATA SOURCES A systematic search for eligible RCTs in Embase (Elsevier) and in PubMed (National Library of Medicine) databases up to September 2013. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA RCTs investigating the rates of cough overall, cough at emergence, laryngospasm, time to eye opening, time to removal of the LMA, time to respond to command and time to state date of birth in patients with an LMA, during emergence from desflurane, sevoflurane, isoflurane or propofol anaesthesia. RESULTS Thirteen RCTs were included and analysed. We found a strong interstudy variability. There was no difference in the rates of upper airway events between desflurane and sevoflurane or between desflurane and a control group consisting of all the other anaesthetics combined. Comparing desflurane (n = 284) with all other anaesthetic groups (n = 313), the risk ratio [95% confidence interval (95% CI)] was 1.12 (0.63 to 2.02, P = 0.70). Cough at emergence was only measured in patients receiving desflurane (n = 148) and sevoflurane (n = 146): the risk ratio (95% CI) was 1.49 (0.55 to 4.02, P = 0.43). Laryngospasm was rare and there was no significant difference in its incidence when desflurane (n = 262) was compared with all other anaesthetics combined (n = 289; risk ratio 1.03; 95% CI 0.33 to 3.20, P = 0.96). The times of all emergence variables were significantly faster in the desflurane group than in all other groups. CONCLUSION When using an LMA, upper airway adverse reactions in association with desflurane anaesthesia were no different from those noted with sevoflurane, isoflurane or propofol anaesthesia. Emergence from general anaesthesia with desflurane is significantly faster than all the other anaesthetics. Due to interstudy variations and the small size of the trials, further large-scale, multicentre studies are required to confirm or refute the results of this meta-analysis.
Detection by RNA blot hybridization of RNA sequences homologous to the BglII-N fragment of herpes simplex virus type 2 DNA

RNA species, extracted at the time of peak synthesis of the alpha, beta, and gamma classes of herpes simplex virus polypeptides from lytically infected Vero cells, were examined for homology to the BglII-N fragment (map units 0.58 to 0.63) of herpes simplex virus type 2 DNA. By using northern blot analysis, two major and several minor polyadenylated RNA species showed homology to the BglII-N fragment at times corresponding to the maximum synthesis of the beta (7 h postinfection) and gamma (12 h postinfection) herpes simplex virus polypeptides. No alpha RNA homologous to the BglII-N fragment was detected.