Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The angiogenic properties of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells and their therapeutic potential.

BACKGROUND Blood vessel formation is fundamental to development, while its dysregulation can contribute to serious disease. Expectations are that hundreds of millions of individuals will benefit from therapeutic developments in vascular biology. MSCs are central to the three main vascular repair mechanisms. SOURCES OF DATA Key recent published literature and ClinicalTrials.gov. AREAS OF AGREEMENT MSCs are heterogeneous, containing multi-lineage stem and partly differentiated progenitor cells, and are easily expandable ex vivo. There is no single marker defining native MSCs in vivo. Their phenotype is strongly determined by their specific microenvironment. Bone marrow MSCs have skeletal stem cell properties. Having a perivascular/vascular location, they contribute to vascular formation and function and might be harnessed to regenerate a blood supply to injured tissues. AREAS OF CONTROVERSY These include MSC origin, phenotype and location in vivo and their ability to differentiate into functional cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells or act as vascular stem cells. In addition their efficacy, safety and potency in clinical trials in relation to cell source, dose, delivery route, passage and timing of administration, but probably even more on the local preconditioning and the mechanisms by which they exert their effects. GROWING POINTS Understanding the origin and the regenerative environment of MSCs, and manipulating their homing properties, proliferative ability and functionality through drug discovery and reprogramming strategies are important for their efficacy in vascular repair for regenerative medicine therapies and tissue engineering approaches. AREAS TIMELY FOR DEVELOPING RESEARCH Characterization of MSCs' in vivo origins and biological properties in relation to their localization within tissue niches, reprogramming strategies and newer imaging/bioengineering approaches.
Neuroimaging in Cerebral Palsy – Report from North India

Objective Only few Indian reports exist on neuroimaging abnormalities in children with cerebral palsy (CP) from India. Materials & Methods We studied the clinico-radiological profile of 98 children diagnosed as CP at a tertiary centre in North India. Relevant investigations were carried out to determine the etiology. Results Among the 98 children studied, 80.5% were males and 22.2% were premature. History of birth asphyxia was present in 41.9%. Quadriplegic CP was seen in 77.5%, hemiplegic in 11.5%, and diplegic in 10.5%. Other abnormalities were microcephaly (60.5%), epilepsy (42%), visual abnormality (37%), and hearing abnormality (20%). Neuroimaging was abnormal in 94/98 (95.91%). Abnormalities were periventricular white matter abnormalities (34%), deep grey matter abnormalities (47.8%), malformations (11.7%), and miscellaneous lesions (6.4%). Neuroimaging findings did not relate to the presence of birth asphyxia, sex, epilepsy, gestation, type of CP, or microcephaly. Conclusions Neuroimaging is helpful for etiological diagnosis, especially malformations.
Cystoscopic placement of transurethral stent in a fetus with urethral stenosis

We report the case of a fetus with severe megabladder, displaying the ‘keyhole’ sign on ultrasound imaging, that underwent cystoscopy at 22 weeks' gestation. There was a familial history of mild urethral atresia. Fetal cystoscopy revealed congenital urethral atresia. A guide wire was advanced through the fetal urethra and a transurethral vesicoamniotic stent was placed successfully. The fetus was delivered at 36 weeks' gestation and postnatal cystoscopy confirmed the absence of posterior urethral valves or urethral atresia. The infant was 5 years old with normal renal function at the time of writing. We conclude that fetal cystoscopic placement of a transurethral stent for congenital urethral stenosis is feasible. Copyright © 2013 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Ulcerative colitis in northern Portugal and Galicia in Spain

Background: Clinical and therapeutic patterns of ulcerative colitis (UC) are variable in different world regions. The purpose of this study was to examine two close independent southern European UC populations from 2 bordering countries and observe how demographic and clinical characteristics of patients can influence the severity of UC. Methods: A cross‐sectional study was conducted during a 15‐month period (September 2005 to December 2006) based on data of 2 Web registries of UC patients. Patients were stratified according to the Montreal Classification and disease severity was defined by the type of treatment taken. Results: A total of 1549 UC patients were included, 1008 (65%) from northern Portugal and 541 (35%) from Galicia (northwest Spain). A female predominance (57%) was observed in Portuguese patients (P < 0.001). The median age at diagnosis was 35 years and median years of disease was 7. The majority of patients (53%) were treated only with mesalamine, while 15% had taken immunosuppressant drugs, and 3% biologic treatment. Most patients in both groups were not at risk for aggressive therapy. Extensive colitis was a predictive risk factor for immunosuppression in northern Portugal and Galicia (odds ratio [OR] 2.737, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.846–4.058; OR 5.799, 95% CI: 3.433–9.795, respectively) and biologic treatment in Galicia (OR 6.329, 95% CI: 2.641–15.166). Younger patients presented a severe course at onset with more frequent use of immunosuppressors in both countries. Conclusions: In a large population of UC patients from two independent southern European countries, most patients did not require aggressive therapy, but extensive colitis was a clear risk factor for more severe disease. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2010)
Effects of high power microwave pulses on synaptic transmission and long term potentiation in hippocampus

Effects of short, extremely high power microwave pulses (EHPP) on neuronal network function were explored by electrophysiological techniques in the isolated rat hippocampal slice model. Population spikes (PS) in the CA1 area were evoked by repeated stimulation (1 per 30 s) of the Schaffer collateral pathway. A brief tetanus (2 s at 50 Hz) was used to induce long term potentiation (LTP) of synaptic transmission. In three different series of experiments with a total of 160 brain slices, the EHPP irradiation was performed before, during, or after the tetanus. The EHPP carrier frequency was 9.3 GHz, the pulse width and repetition rate were from 0.5 to 2 μs and from 0.5 to 10 Hz, respectively, and the peak specific absorption rate (SAR) in brain slices reached up to 500 MW/kg. Microwave heating of the preparation ranged from 0.5 °C (at 0.3 kW/kg time average SAR) to 6 °C (at 3.6 kW/kg). The experiments established that the only effect caused by EHPP exposure within the studied range of parameters was a transient and fully reversible decrease in the PS amplitude. Recovery took no more than a few minutes after the cessation of exposure and return to the initial temperature. This effect's features were characteristic of an ordinary thermal response: it was proportional to the temperature rise but not to any specific parameter of EHPP, and it could also be induced by a continuous wave (CW) irradiation or conventional heating. Irradiation did not affect the ability of neurons to develop LTP in response to tetanus or to retain the potentiated state that was induced before irradiation. No lasting or delayed effects of EHPP were observed. The results are consistent with the thermal mechanism of EHPP action and thus far provided no indication of EHPP‐specific effects on neuronal function. Bioelectromagnetics 24:174–181, 2003. Published 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Screening of women for intimate partner violence: a pilot intervention at an outpatient department in Tanzania

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a public health problem in Tanzania with limited health care interventions. Objectives To study the feasibility of using an abuse screening tool for women attending an outpatient department, and describe how health care workers perceived its benefits and challenges. Methods Prior to screening, 39 health care workers attended training on gender-based violence and the suggested screening procedures. Seven health care workers were arranged to implement screening in 3 weeks, during March–April 2010. For screening evaluation, health care workers were observed for their interaction with clients. Thereafter, focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with 21 health care workers among those who had participated in the training and screening. Five health care workers wrote narratives. Women's responses to screening questions were analyzed with descriptive statistics, whereas qualitative content analysis guided analysis of qualitative data. Results Of the 102 women screened, 78% had experienced emotional, physical, or sexual violence. Among them, 62% had experienced IPV, while 22% were subjected to violence by a relative, and 9.2% by a work mate. Two-thirds (64%) had been abused more than once; 14% several times. Almost one-quarter (23%) had experienced sexual violence. Six of the health care workers interacted well with clients but three had difficulties to follow counseling guidelines. FGDs and narratives generated three categories Just asking feels good implied a blessing of the tool; what next? indicated ethical dilemmas; and fear of becoming a 'women hospital’ only indicated a concern that abused men would be neglected. Conclusions Screening for IPV is feasible. Overall, the health care workers perceived the tool to be advantageous. Training on gender-based violence and adjustment of the tool to suit local structures are important. Further studies are needed to explore the implications of including abuse against men and children in future screening.
A Comparison of the Effects of Fimbria-Fornix, Hippocampal, or Entorhinal Cortex Lesions on Spatial Reference and Working Memory in Rats: Short versus Long Postsurgical Recovery Period

Using a radial maze task and different postoperative recovery periods, this experiment assessed and compared the reference and working memory performances of adult Long-Evans male rats subjected to entorhinal cortex, fimbria-fornix, and hippocampus lesions. Sham-operated rats were used as controls. In order to see whether the duration of the postsurgical recovery period would influence acquisition of the complex radial maze task, training began 1 month following surgery (Delay 1) for half the rats in each group, while for the other half training was started 6.5 months following surgery (Delay 2). The results indicated that at both recovery periods the entorhinal cortex lesions failed to affect either working or reference memory in the spatial task. Conversely, both fimbria-fornix and hippocampus lesions impaired both reference and working memory. While the reference memory deficit was generally similar in both fimbria-fornix and hippocampal lesion groups, analysis of the results for working memory indicated that at the longer delay rats with fimbria-fornix lesions were still impaired but in animals that had the hippocampus removed, working memory did not differ from that of controls. These results suggest that there was some recovery in those rats with hippocampal lesions (e.g., on the working memory task) but both hippocampal and fimbria-fornix animals were still impaired compared to controls when training was delayed 6.5 months following the operations.
Emergence of multilevel selection in the prisoner's dilemma game on coevolving random networks

We study the evolution of cooperation in the prisoner's dilemma game, whereby a coevolutionary rule is introduced that molds the random topology of the interaction network in two ways. First, existing links are deleted whenever a player adopts a new strategy or its degree exceeds a threshold value; second, new links are added randomly after a given number of game iterations. These coevolutionary processes correspond to the generic formation of new links and deletion of existing links that, especially in human societies, appear frequently as a consequence of ongoing socialization, change of lifestyle or death. Due to the counteraction of deletions and additions of links the initial heterogeneity of the interaction network is qualitatively preserved, and thus cannot be held responsible for the observed promotion of cooperation. Indeed, the coevolutionary rule evokes the spontaneous emergence of a powerful multilevel selection mechanism, which despite the sustained random topology of the evolving network, maintains cooperation across the whole span of defection temptation values.
Disclosure decision model: Analysis of private and workplace friendships

The first goal of this study is to examine how private and workplace friendships differ in emotional closeness and perceived support. The second goal is to utilize the disclosure decision model (DDM) to determine how relationship context impacts disclosure goals and disclosure characteristics. Data were collected from 117 individuals through snowball sampling. Findings indicated individuals were closer and perceived more support with private friends than with workplace friends. Individuals tended to use relationship development and stress relief disclosure goals with both their private friends and workplace friends than social control, identity clarification, or seeking approval goals. Additionally, the only disclosure goal that predicted disclosure depth was social control. Taken together, these findings indicate individuals use similar goal and disclosure characteristics with both private and workplace friends even though closeness and perceived support levels differ. This study contributes to the understanding of private and workplace friendship and tests the disclosure decision model with a communication perspective.
Analyzing the availability of TV white spaces in dynamic broadcast

TV White Spaces (TVWS) are a promising frequency resource which will potentially enable various new wireless applications in the field of consumer electronics. Typically, the availability of TVWS is calculated assuming a static frequency allocation of traditional digital terrestrial TV (DTT) networks. In the present paper, additionally, a flexible frequency allocation of a Dynamic Broadcast system is analyzed. A realistic case study is depicted, comparing a traditional DTT network and Dynamic Broadcast with respect to the available amount of TVWS. The outcome indicates that the freed capacity by implementing Dynamic Broadcast can result in a significant increase of available frequency resources for white space devices, as long as an appropriate allocation strategy is chosen. The differences of individual network configurations are studied by means of computer simulations and conclusions are drawn with regard to the network optimization process of Dynamic Broadcast.
Future Dementia Severity is Almost Entirely Explained by the Latent Variable δ's Intercept and Slope.

BACKGROUND Structural equation models (SEM) can explicitly distinguish dementia-relevant variance in cognitive task performance. The resulting latent construct "δ" (for dementia) provides a relatively "error free" continuously varying dementia-specific phenotype. OBJECTIVE To estimate δ's change over time (Δδ) and determine Δδ's predictive validity using future dementia status as an outcome. METHODS Data from n = 2,191 participants of the Texas Alzheimer's Research and Care Consortium (TARCC) were used to construct a latent growth curve model of longitudinal change over four years using five cognitive measures and one measure of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living. Four final latent factors, including baseline δ and Δδ, were simultaneously entered as predictors of wave 4 dementia severity, as estimated by the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale "sum of boxes" (CDR). RESULTS All observed measures exhibited significant change [χ2 = 1,152 (df = 229); CFI = 0.968; RMSEA = 0.043]. The final model demonstrated excellent fit to the data [χ2 = 543 (df = 245); CFI = 0.991; RMSEA = 0.023]. All latent indicator loadings were significant, yielding four distinct factors. After adjustment for demographic covariates and baseline CDR scores, d and Δd were significantly independently associated with CDR4, explaining 25% and 49% of its variance, respectively. The latent variable g' significantly explained 3% of CDR4 variance independently of d and Δd. Δg' was not significantly associated with CDR4. Baseline CDR explained 16% of CDR4 variance. CONCLUSIONS Future dementia severity is almost entirely explained by the latent construct δ's intercept and slope.
Splicing proofreading at 5′ splice sites by ATPase Prp28p

Fidelity and efficiency of pre-mRNA splicing are critical for generating functional mRNAs, but how such accuracy in 5′ splice site (SS) selection is attained is not fully clear. Through a series of yeast genetic screens, we isolated alleles of prp28 that improve splicing of suboptimal 5′SS substrates, demonstrating that WT-Prp28p proofreads, and consequently rejects, poor 5′SS. Prp28p is thought to facilitate the disruption of 5′SS–U1 snRNA pairing to allow for 5′SS–U6 snRNA pairing in the catalytic spliceosome; unexpectedly, 5′SS proofreading by Prp28p is dependent on competition with the stability of the 5′SS:U6 duplex, but not the 5′SS:U1 duplex. E404K, the strongest prp28 allele containing a mutation located in the linker region between adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) subdomains, exhibited lower RNA-binding activity and enhanced splicing of suboptimal substrates before first-step catalysis, suggesting that decreased Prp28p activity allows longer time for suboptimal 5′SS substrates to pair with U6 snRNA and thereby reduces splicing fidelity. Residue E404 is critical for providing high splicing activity, demonstrated here in both yeast and Drosophila cells. Thus, the subdomain linker in Prp28p plays important roles both in splicing efficiency across species and in proofreading of 5′SS.
Students’ performance when aurally identifying musical harmonic intervals: Experimentation of a teaching innovation proposal

The aim of the study was to measure the performance reached by students (N = 138) when aurally identifying musical harmonic intervals (from m2 to P8) after having experienced a teaching innovation proposal for the Music Conservatories of Catalonia (Spain) based on observational methodology. Its design took into account several issues, which had been detected previously as being conflictive. The teaching innovation proposal was tested during an academic year in six Catalan Music conservatories, specifically in Music Theory classes in the first year of a 6-year professional course. A quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test design was used. The existence of a control group gave a reference point for the measured results before and after an intervention period. By the end of the teaching–learning process, it was established that the performance of the participants had improved, resulting in statistically significant differences in favour of the experimental group.
Environmental tobacco smoke and lung function in employees who never smoked: the Scottish MONICA study

OBJECTIVES To investigate the relation between lung function in employees and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) at work and elsewhere. METHODS Never smokers in employment (301) were identified from the fourth Scottish MONICA survey. They completed a self administered health record, which included details of exposure to ETS, and attended a survey clinic for physical and lung function measurements, and for venepuncture for estimation of serum cotinine. Differences in lung function in groups exposed to ETS were tested by analysis of variance (ANOVA), the exposure-response relation by a linear regression model, and a case-control analysis undertaken with a logistic regression model. RESULTS Both men and women showed effects on forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) from exposure to ETS—higher exposure going with poorer lung function. This was found at work, and in total exposure estimated from ETS at work, at home, and at other places. Linear regression showed an exposure-response relation, significant for ETS at work, total exposure, and exposure time/day, but not at home or elsewhere. Compared with those not exposed to ETS at work, those who were exposed a lot had a 254 ml (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 84 to 420) reduction in FEV1, and a 273 ml (60 to 480) reduction in FVC after adjusting for confounders. Although lung function was not significantly associated with serum cotinine in all the data, a significant inverse relation between cotinine concentration and FVC occurred in men who had had blood collected in the morning. Case-control analysis also showed a significant exposure-response relation between ETS, mainly at work, and lung function. A higher exposure measured both by self report and serum cotinine went with lower lung function. CONCLUSION The exposure-response relation shows a reduction in pulmonary function of workers associated with passive smoking, mainly at work. These findings endorse current policies of strictly limiting smoking in shared areas, particularly working environments.
HOXC10 Promotes the Metastasis of Human Lung Adenocarcinoma and Indicates Poor Survival Outcome

Background: As master regulator of embryonic morphogenesis, homeodomain-containing gene 10 (HOXC10) has been found to promote progression of human cancers and indicates poor survival outcome. However, the role of HOXC10 in lung adenocarcinoma still unclear. Methods: HOXC10 expression was evaluated in 63 primary lung adenocarcinoma tissues from our local hospital, and further systematically confirmed in lung cancer tissues from six GEO datasets (GSE19188, GSE31210, GSE10072, GSE7670, GSE32863, GSE30219), and Kaplan-Meier plotter database. The role of HOXC10 in lung cancer metastasis was further validated by cellular and molecular studies. Results: The expression of HOXC10 was significantly increased in human lung adenocarcinoma samples from Wuhu No.2 People's Hospital, about 4.219 times compared with normal tissues, and significantly correlated with TNM stage, lymph node, and distal metastasis. Upregulation of HOXC10 indicated a poor overall/relapse free survival of lung cancer patients from Wuhu No.2 People's Hospital, GEO datasets, and Kaplan-Meier plotter database, especially in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Knockdown or ectopic expression assays confirmed that HOXC10 enhanced the phosphorylation of PI3K, regulated the expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers: MMP2/9, VCAM-1, vimentin and E-cadherin. Cellular study further confirmed that HOXC10 was required for migration, invasion and adhesion of lung cancer cells. Conclusion: These findings suggest that HOXC10 plays a pivotal role in the metastasis of human lung cancer and highlight its usefulness as a potential prognostic marker or therapeutic target in human lung adenocarcinoma.
Tag-based Retrieval of Images through Different Interfaces - A User Study

Purpose – The purpose of this study was to compare the ease of use and the effectiveness of several interfaces for retrieving tagged images.Design/methodology/approach – A number of participants were randomly assigned to one of four retrieval interfaces: tag search in a search box; faceted tag search in a search box; selecting terms from the tag cloud of all the tags in the database; and selecting concepts from an ontology created from the tags assigned to the images. Each interface was tested by 21 users.Findings – The results show that the highest recall on average was achieved by users of the ontology interface, for seven out of the ten tasks, however, users were more satisfied with the textbox‐based search than the cloud or the ontology.Research limitations/implications – The experiment was rather specific, and more studies are needed in order to generalize the findings.Originality/value – With the widespread use of tagging on the web it is of importance to examine whether tagging enables resource dis.